NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3898, 27 November 1928, Page 12

NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

False Packing of Wool.

Last season, it is alleged, complaints of

. false packing of wool bales were made by buyers, and the evidence produced was amply sufficient to show that

these complaints were warranted. Certainly there were not many of them, but quite enough to render it necessary to call attention to the matter. It is really serious that such a practice as this should be adopted by anyone, as it would be liable to bring about a detrimental effect upon the interests of all wool growers if the buyers, through the adoption of improper practices by some few growers deem it necessary to protect themselves by adjusting their buying values downwards to a figure which would cover them against the loss sustained by false packing. Satisfied buyers mean keener and better competition, and all wool growers should realise that one of the best ways of satisfying them is to put forward their wool for sale properly classed and properly packed.’

Watered Milk in 1481.

Watered milk was. apparently a problem

in 1481. Dr H. A. Schuette (University of Wisconsin, U.S A., Department of Chemistry) recently gave the follow--1 ftdliltpraHnn nf frvwlst.nffQ

mg History on adulteration ot foodstuffs in a speech made in the University Radio Studio. This instance occurred in Germany in 1481:—“Any man or woman who sells watered milk shall have a funnel thrust into his or her mouth and be compelled to drink so much watered milk as in the judgment of the surgeon can be borne without danger to life. Or any man or woman who sells butter mixed with bets, stones, or other objects, with the object of increasing the weight, shall be arrested and put in the pillory. Then the butter shall be placed upon his or her head and there remain until it shall have been melted by the heat of the sun. The dogs shall be allowed to lick them, and the people may scold them with any words it pleases them, provided that neither God. the King, nor any person be thereby libelled. If the weather is cold a fire shall be built in front of the guilty one. Any man or woman who sells rotten eggs shall be bound to the pillory and to the street urchins shall be given rotten eggs, that they therewith pelt the offender, to the amusement of the people. It shall be forbidden to throw at them any other object than rotten eggs.”

Bcefgrowers’ Opportunities.

The statement by Sir George Lawson J ohnston, chairman of

Bovril (Argentina) Ltd., that he expects the T fne 4-zv «

United btates to become an importer of Argentine beef next year cannot fail to rouse a lively interest in overseas meat circles. There are few who will fail at first glance to perceive the great issues bound up with such an eventuality. Argentina has always been regarded as. a land of inexhaustible beef resources. She supplies one. out of every three of British meat mouthfuls. This is a great task, where 45,000,000 mouths are concerned. But when 110,000,000 mouths in another country open wide for that beef, are the appetites that have a transatlantic voyage between them and the source of supply likely to be satisfied as well? We think not (states an English paper). Viewed as a price moulder, the denouement should be just as startling. Hitherto it has been the 50 per cent, lower level in Smithfield as compared with that of New York, which has been responsible for much in the way of overseas meat trade organisation. A reshuffle of the cards, on the swing of the price balance caused by America’s entry into the foreign beef market, should bring startling changes. The danger that lies before the British beef-growing countries in regard to the new possibilities ahead lies in the failure to prepare for them. Profit only comes from investment, and if Australia and New Zealand, for example, neglect to set about herd improvement, they will be last in the race.

" Trimming ” Sheep.

On occasions the “trimming” of sheep pvll 1 Vli + o/l <l4- "XTatTF

exhibited at Mew Zealand A. and P. shows may happen, but it is

a comparatively rare practice and is frowned upon by a good many exhibitors and buyers. Still the

practice may be justified, as instanced by the following advice in an English stock journal:—“Not only must there be care and discrimination in feeding, but the art of trimming must be exercised. The skill of some shepherds is very remarkable; they can cut out a perfect model of a sheep with a pair of shears, obscuring faults and exposing the most important points to the best advantage. In some large flocks where exhibiting is practised under-shepherds, called ‘ trimmers,’ are kept specially for the purpose of preparing sheep for show and sale, their duties beginning with the new year and ending with the sales. Shears must be kept at work most of the time, as it must not be imagined that rams and ram lambs are only trimmed up a few days before a sale. The fleece must be kept closely trimmed for some weeks before the sales, to give it the appearance of ‘ denseness,’ which is essential in a good fleece. Everything depends- on the first cutting out, and it is wonderful how a skilled man can so alter the appearance of a sheep in the cutting out as to render it almost unrecognisable. Shearling ewes have three or four years of usefulness before them. They should be put on the market in nice breeding condition, with a smart, blooming appearance. Thev should be full of flesh, should handle well, and be neatly trimmed, so that the fleece will appear close and tight. They will require two or three trimmings before the sale, and should have the run of a good pasture, with a moderate allowance of corn. In the case of flock ewes, it is always worth while to trim them up for sale, and a little time spent on their toilet is amply repaid if it puts only an extra shilling or two a head on them. Colouring is going out of fashion in some breeds, but it is a matter of preference. A slight colouring gives uniformity, which is a feature of some value when a pen of sheep is put up for sale.” The practice of trimming is evidently carried to extremes in the Home Country, judging from the foregoing note, and may well evoke the condemnation of Dominion buyers, who prefer the untrimmed sire or dam. . AGRICOLA.