THE NORTH ISLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3954, 24 December 1929, Page 14

THE NORTH ISLAND.

GENERAL. Notwithstanding the setback experi? enced in the early spring, the 1929-30 dairying season in the Manawatu promises to be a record one. A number of fat bullocks have been delivered to freezing work's from the Wanganui and Waverley districts during the past week or two. Some have gone to Waitara, but the majority to Imlay. A Maxwell farmer has received advice that prospects for New Zealand meat on the British market in the coming season are bright. Shearing has been in full swing in the Wanganui district during the’ past two months and wool is accumulating for the January sale (says the Chronicle). Farmers who have shorn ewes prior to drafting complain that cold winds have affected the animals, their milk supply diminishing. This would have its effect on the lambs, detracting from the “ bloom ” so essential at this period of the year. The opinion that agitation should be made for a December wool sale in Wanganui was expressed by Mr H. W. Morrison at a recent meeting of the Wanganui Harbour Board (says the Chronicle). He said that after the last November sale some farmers who had withdrawn their wool had sent it to Wellington, and had taken a lower price. The trouble was that it was too long to wait until the end of January. The killings at the freezing works in Poverty Bay are increasing, and judging by present indications it should not be long before full boards will be engaged. Last week the Kaiti works killed about 13,000 lambs, while the Taruheru works also report very satisfactory killings. The Southdown lambs from the flats are reported to be coming in in excellent condition, while Romneys are coming forward in large numbers, although the weights of these are a little lighter than is often the case. Quotations continue without change, the ruling price for lamb generally being 8d per lb, with one buyer operating at 7Jd.

Farmers along the west coast of the North Island from Opunake to Awakino are busily engaged in ensilage-making, and it is obvious how popular this fodder is becoming (says the New Zealand Herald). Farmers who in the past only experimented with ensilage appear to be seriously saving that succulent fodder this year, while a number of others are making it for the first time. Particularly is this the case in the Opunake anil Oaonui district. One of the best stacks is, to be seen on the property of Mr J. C. O’Rorke, near Opunake, where a fine area of 12 acres of oats and lucerne is being converted into ensilage. Referring to the flax industry when speaking at a meeting of the Palmerston North Rotary Club, Mr A. Seifert stated that the industry was undergoing great changes, and now natur-ally-grown flax was giving way to plantations. Disease had reduced the area of flax in the Makerua block from 14,500 to 3000 acres, but if the crops in the plantations were cultivated the plants could recover from disease. Several immune varieties had been developed and there was no need to fear for the future. The flax could also be used for pajser pulp, and a demand would probably be experienced for it in this connection later on. ORCHARD CONDITIONS. The Director of the Horticultural Division of the Department of Agriculture has received the following report from his officers regarding orchard and marketing conditions as at the end of November in the Manawatu and Wairarapa districts:— Apples: All varieties promise heavy crop. Apricots and nectarines: Well forward; light. Cherries: Being harvested; fair crop only. Gooseberries: On market; very

heavy. Peaches: Well forward: fair Manawatu, light Wairarapa. Pears: Well set; light to medium crop. Plums: Well forward; patchy Manawatu, light Wairapara. Raspberries: At flowering stage; promise well. Strawberries: Few on market. Tomatoes: Well forward. INTERESTING FIELD DAY. The Wellington branch of the New Zealand Friesian Association held a “field day ” recently, which was well attended by members. Many ladies were also present. Mrs AV. Bevan's pedigree Friesian herd was inspected at her homestead, Manakau, and general satisfaction was expressed at the condition and good type of the herd. This herd of 27 cows averaged 3001 b fat per cow last season. The party was entertained at luncheon at Otaki by the Wellington branch, and then Mr W. A. Kyle’s Friesian herd across the Otaki River was visited. This herd of 41 cows averaged 461 b fat per cow for October, and 421 b for November, individual cows reaching as high as 741 b fat in a month. A demonstration on judging dairy cattle was given by Mr P. J. Kalaugher. official demonstrator for the New Zealand Friesian Association. An interesting discussion was led by Mr J. M. M’Linden (Massey Agricultural College).

CHRISTMAS CHEQUES. It is usual for the office staff of the Kia Ora Co-operative Dairy Co. to concentrate on issuing the December cheques earlier than is the case for other months in order to give the suppliers an opportunity of making use of their money foi their Christmas requirements. Apparently (says an exchange) this year will be no exception, for the secretary, Mr J. 11. Sunderland, has intimated that the cheques should be in the hands of the suppliers a few days before December 20. The progress of the work, he said, would be more rapid if suppliers would refrain from applying for advances on their monthly payments. The total to be paid out this month for November supplies will be £17,065 15s, while, together with merchants accounts, the aggregate will be over £20.000. The payments will be on the basis of Is 3d per lb; the advance payments for the season prior to this month were at the rate of Is 4d. AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION. All schools have been supplied with the necessary seeds and manures, and the garden plots generally are in a satisfactory advanced condition. The season so far has been dry, but germination on the whole has been good in all districts. Emphasis has been laid by the agricultural instructors on the necessity for putting the plots in thoroughly good order before the December vacation, neglect to do. this giving the instructors in the past quite unsatisfactory and poorer records. “ Many of the classes have commenced charts of records of the crops, and some good ones have been seen,” stated the report of the chief agricultural instructor, received at the meeting of the Wanganui Education Board. “ Where charts were used to record last season's work, good work was done, and the charts seen were very creditable. I am of the opinion that the universal adoption of the class chart will give rise to better interest, particularly where the class is divided into groups, and will make general revision work more valuable and easier.”

EMBARGO ON STRAW. The director-general of agriculture, Dr C. J. Reakes. has sent a circular to Chambers of Commerce reminding them of the regulations of February, 1927, pr<>hibiting the importation of hay. straw, or chaff from the Continent of Europe. “ These regulations,” says Dr Reakes. “ were introduced for the purpose of minimising the risk of the disease known as ‘ foot-and-mouth disease,’ the nature of which necessitates drastic action to keep the dominion free. Steps were taken through official channels to make this prohibition known as widely as possible in Continental countries, but, notwithstanding this, consignments of goods have come to hand from time to time packed in these prohibited materials. In such cases the department has for the purposes of facilitating trade, met the position by authorising the destruction of such material. but the department cannot continue this practice indefinitely. I shall therefore be glad if you will be good enough to bring the provisions of the regulations under the notice of the members of your chamber with a request that they should, when • ordering goods from the Continent, give instructions that hay. straw or chaff is not to be used as packing material.” LOWER LAND VALUES. The present great demand for small farm properties in Poverty Bay cannot l>e met by those with land available. 'Those at present farming the places do not appear to want to sell except at prices considered too high by prospective purchasers. Some properties which have changed hands owing to past owners finding the burdens of interest too great for them have been bought up at reasonable prices, which, however, are greatly from what they were in the boom period. Instances of this were given the other day by a local land agent, who mentioned two small places near Gisborne, which were valued at £3OOO each during the land boom, but which had been disposed of recently for half this figure, the owners finding they were unable to meet the interest charges on the extremely large mortgages. He said there were several other cases of similar reductions in values, which now appeared to be stabilised at just about what the land was actually worth to occupiers.