OUT AND ABOUT

Otago Witness, Issue 4039, 11 August 1931, Page 13

OUT AND ABOUT

THE WEEK IN OTAGO. Although the rainfall during the week was slight, the variable climatic conditions experienced were somewhat severe on stock, it being \ery cold at times, despite the comparative absence of wind. At present it is spring-like, with fair prospects of settled weather conditions. BURNSIDE MARKET. Entries of fat stock at the Burnside Metropolitan Market on Wednesday were not excessive, and although country buyers were operating, the fact that town butchers had some fat cattle on hand helped to steady a demand which at times was inclined to sag. The yarding of fat cattle, 230 (318 last sale}, comprised fair mixed .to prime quality, with here and there some choice turniped bullocks. Plain steers were not infrequent, while females Were in moderate supply. The demand was quiet at a decline of £1 to £1 5s per head, beef making to Sis per 1001 b. There was an entry of 1800 fat sheep, compared with 2100 the previous week, the quality ranging from very fair to good. The proportion of heavy open-woolled wethers was moderate, but fine-woolled sheep were plentiful, while a few pens of merinos attracted attention. Included in this section were some 200 very fair hoggets, which met with a good demand. Sheep generally sold well throughout the sale, values hardening a bit as the sale progressed on prime lots-, and prices were better than the previous week by Is to Is 6d per head. Wethers made to 3Jd per lb. Of some 50 store cattle, all but a couple of pens of medium steers and heifers were mixed quality cows. ’The demand showed no change on last sale’s prices. A pen of one and a-half-year-old steers of no particular merit realised £4 2s, and medium yearling heifers £l. The pig section was indifferently supplied with 63 fats (58 last sale), and 30 stores (83 last sale), and met with a good demand at an advance of 5s per head, porkers making to 61 d and bacon sorts to s[d per lb. The store pigs elicited a very fair demand at recent rates.

COUNTRY STOCK SALES.

BALCLUTHA. The yarding of sheep at the fortnightly sale on Friday comprised 325 fats and 1164 stores. Owing to the small yarding, the former sold well, heavy fat wethers realising from IBs to 2is 6d; light wethers, 13s Gd to 16s; heavy ewes, 13s 6d to 17s 6d; light. 8s to 10s; fat hoggets, to 13s 6d; sound-mouth store ewes. 10s to Ils 6d; failing-mouth, 5s to 8s 6d; ewe hoggets, 7s 9d to 10s; wether hoggets. 6s 5d to 7s 6d. Store cows sold, at £2 ss; bulocks, £o 2s; dairy cows, £3 10s to £9. A small offering of sucker pigs sold at 14s to 15s; better-grown, to 27s 6d. TWO CALVES: ONE COW. A Hereford breeder, says a Home exchange, gives an interesting description of a method he has successfully employed for some years of rearing two calves on one eow without the labour of bringing the cows indoors for suckling. The cow s own calf and the adopted one are secured together by means of two neck straps and a 2ft 6in length of light chain, such as is used in tving up a dog. An essential feature of the chain is that it includes a swivel link. He finds that cows and pairs of calves can be left wholly to their own devices at pasture, needing no more than the daily look-round. The pairs of calves, lie states, soon find out how to conduct themselves to their mutual comfort. and the cow, in suckling, her own calf, is more or less obliged to “ take to ’ the second. SHORTHORNS FOR RUSSIA. The purchase of a number of Scottish Shorthorns for Russia was mentioned in cur columns, but more recent reports show that the Russian Government delegation that visited Britain has completed one of the biggest cattle deals that has taken place for some time, the vessel that sailed from luondon the other day having on board 430 head of cattle —Shorthorns and Hereford?. The Ilerefords, which were bought in England, were mostly females. The Shorthorns, which numbered over 200. were nearly all bulls, and most of them were bought in Scotland. No fewer than 106 bulls having’been acquired from the herd of Mr A. J. Marshall, Bridgebank, Stranraer, alone.

EXPORT OF VEAL. During the last few weeks the financial details of the 1930 Southland Calf Export Pool have been finalised, and the committee is now in a position to make a final payment to suppliers of Is 6d a head, bringing the total price paid for calves up to 6s Gd. In the face of declining markets, this price can be considered very satisfactory, and it is reported to be the highest figure returned to suppliers of poo's anywhere, in New Zealand during the past season’s operations. Arrangements to commence the collection of calves at an early date for the new season in Southland are now in train Prospects are not so bright as they were at the commencement of last .year, the values of all commodities concerned in the I industry having fallen considerably. The market is reported to be overloaded with calfskins, but the directors of the pool considered that it was best to sell if any reasonable price could be secured and a sale has been effected. A forward sale has also been made of portion of the output of veal anticipated for the season at a price about 30 per cent, lower than that obtained last year. In the meantime, the advance payment for the new season has not been decided upon, but it is considered that present prospects do not justify an advance of more than 2s 6d or 3s. Tenders are now being called for carting contracts, and collections will probably be commenced during the last week of this month. THE* WHEAT DUTIES.

The following northern comment on the wheat duties and the position that will

obtain for the coming harvest is from the Dominion:—

Apparently the Canterbury wheatgrower has once again been successful in obtaining concessions from the Government. The duty on wheat, by lowering the basic price, was to be reduced by Is 4d a bushel as from February 29 next, and that on flour by £2 18s a ton. This would have returned the farmer 4s 6d a bushel on trucks at country station (the corresponding current quotation in New South Wales is Is 8d), but he was not satisfied with this immense advantage over world prices. He pleaded for another 3d and has got it. His return for next season’s wheat will therefore be 4s 9d a bushel, and it will not be sur prising if this proves to be about three times higher than free market prices. As a corollary flour duties are to be. reduced by £2 8s a ton instead of the £2 18s originally planned. The Prime Minister, nevertheless, expects a reduction next year of £2 18s a ton in the price of flour and;- if his expectation is not realised, proposes “to take steps to ensure that such a reduction is made.” Perhaps consumers of wheat, flour and bread should exclaim “ for this relief, much thanks,” but they will be more inclined to protest, that the measure of relief has been whittled down and poultrymen may feel more than a little scornful of the Prime Minister’s wish to “ assist ” them, a wish coupled with a withdrawal of part of the expected relief. HERD TESTING. Notwithstanding adverse climatic conditions one of the largest and most enthusiastic meetings of dairy farmers ever held in the district took place in the A. and P. Hall at Middlemarch on Tuesday last. The meeting was called for the purpose of considering the advisability of establishing a herd testing association in the district.

Mr W. Robertson was in the chair and, after briefly explaining the purpose of the meeting, he introduced Mr E. Beatson, dairy instructor. Department of Agriculture, Dunedin, who addressed the meeting ou breeding, feeding, and testing. Mr Oswin, secretary of the Otago and Southland Herd Testin" groups, was also present, and outlined the steps necessary to establish a group in the district. Messrs Al’Lean, Bowman, and Templeton. representing the butter factories in Dunedin, were also present, and assured the meeting of the hearty co-operation of their respective companies towards the movement or any other movement that would help producers in the present difli cult times. After a lengthy discussion on the various points raised it was unanimously agreed that a canvass of the district be undertaken in order to ascertain the actual number of cows available for herd testing, and Messrs H. B. Smith, J. S. Elliot, Aiister Robertson, W. J. Keasl. and A. Ward were appointed a committee to carry out the canvass. It was further agreed that Air C. Al. Hume, superintendent of the Dominion Herd Testing Association, be invited to address a meetin" at 1.30 p.m, on August 22. and that the Canvassing Committee be asked to report to that meeting the result of their efforts. Judging from the interest shown a group of the Otago Herd Testing Association is assured.

FARMERS’ UNION. A meeting of the Middlemarch branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held at Middlemarch on July 30. The meeting, which was not very well attended, was presided over by the president (Air James Howell). Dissatisfaction was’expressed by members that the protection had been lifted from stoats and weasels in certain areas. The opinion was expressed that this might be the thin edge of the wedge towards complete protection being taken <fff those destroyers of the rabbit pest. Several members stated that they thought something should be done towards bringing about the use of the woollen woo] bale for packing the wool clips, thereby using up a considerable amount of wool which could be manufactured in this country, giving employment to many men. “ BOBBY ” VEAL. Matattra freezing companies have arrangements well in hand for the collection of calves, and prospects, if not so bright as could be hoped, should recompense dairymen. Naturally the value of al) commodities has fallen considerably, and in view of existing’ circumstances it is not considered that prospects justify an advance payment of more than 2s 6d or 3s. This would indicate a comparative decrease over the 1930 returns when the final figure paid for calves was up to 6s 6d. In view of declining markets the price received can be considered very satisfactory. Local exporters may also derive some satisfaction from the knowledge that the returns for that season are reported to be the highest obtained by any suppliers of pools anywhere in the Dominion. PALMERSTON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. The. annual meeting of the PalmerstonWaihemo A. and P. Association was held on Friday evening, and was attended by between 40 and 50 members. Air W. R. Wedge, retiring president, presided. The report stated that entries for the jubilee show last January were exceptionally good. Thanks were expressed to all those who had assisted at show work; also to young ladies who had helped by selling sections of the jubilee cake, which brought in a profit of £lO _The catalogue of entries for the show did not prove a success financially. The improvements to the ground were very noticeable; £250 had been borrowed for this work. The ring;s had been ploughed up, and it was intended to sow these down in grass during the early spring During the past year three very old I members of the society had passed away I in Messrs T. B. Bowker, C. Squire, and George Roberts. Several members had resigned owing to the depression. The report was adopted, and the bal c ance sheet, which had not been audited, i was held over.

The following officers were elected for < the ensuing year: —President Air W. R • Wedge (re-elected); vice-president, Air > John Philip; secretary, Air R. Walker 1 (re-elected); treasurer, Air W. B. Gallo j way (re-elected) ; life members of ’com ] niittee —Messrs A. Fraser. A. Fleming. , W. B. Galloway, W. APGregor, J. i Ormsby, R. Riddle, D. J. Ross, W. M. < Wilson, A. Al'Laren, A. Cameron, and 1 A. Al’William; members of committee — ■ Messrs J. Black, J. Burgess, W. H. ' Brunton, P. J. Callaghan, A. Coutts. John Chisholm. James Chisholm, G. F , Galloway, T. Hewitt, W. Isbister, D. , Ireland, P. Laughton, A. APLaren, J S. Aliller, A. Nimmo, H O’Neill, G. Philip, John Philip, G. Pirie, J. Pres ton, D. Ross, G. Ross, 11. S. Sheat. J. W. Sutherland, A. Twaddle, D. Al. Thomson, P. Walker, Harry Ross, N Wright. J. A. Ballingall, F. G. Gallo way, W. APKerrow, and S. G. Elston: auditor, Mr C. J. Scott; press steward, Mr Stanley Wills; handicappers for pony trots —the judge of ponies, and • Alessrs A. Fraser, F. Galloway, P. Laughton and G. Ross; parade stewards—Alessrs A. Fleming, D. J. Ross., and G. Ross; field stewards, Messrs R. Cameron and J. Ormsby; official measurer of ponies. Messrs J. Black and R. Riddle; steward in sheep section, Mr F. Galloway; bell ringer, Air J. Shaw. The secretary of the local branch ot the Farmers’ Union wrote inviting the association to combine with the Farmers’ Union in holding a social in place of | the annual A. and P. dinner.—Members 1 of both societies were present, and a | very long discussion ensued. Eventually the invitation was accepted, and a small committee from each society was appointed. to arrange matters. RESULTS FROM CERTIFIED RYEGRASS. A striking instance of the lucrative returns that may be obtained from the cropping of certified ryegrass seed has been brought before the notice of North Otago farmers by the experience of Mr G. Newlands, of Kauru Hill, North Otago, who last year sowed down a seven-acre paddock with eight bushels of certified ryegrass seed. Rape was sown with the grass, and in Alay the resultant growth was fed off with lambs. After a spell of three weeks the grass came away in excellent fashion, and from 30 to 40 wethers were carried through the winter. In early October 150 ewes with lambs were put ou to the paddock to bear down the growth sufficiently to allow of topdressing, and the field was subsequently shut up for seed. It was cut on January 19 of the present year, and the yield was exceedingly gratifying. The average return per acre was 70 bushels. Alachinedressing losses amounted to the very modest proportion of 15 per cent., and the net return from the paddock was 417 bushels of certified seed, germinating 99 per cent. Inasmuch as this seed sells readily enough at from 9s to 10s per . bushel, the outcome of the year’s operations on this farm must be regarded as highly satisfactory. I PERMANENT RED CLOVER. | A great deal of attention has lately been given in various parts of Otago to a new type of red clover which goes under the style of Montgomery Red Clover, and • from the impression it has already made, not only in this province, but also in

other parts of the Dominion, it is prob-, able that in the near future the harvesting of the seed will become a much mor<general operation that is the case at the present time Unlike the ordinary broadleafed clover common throughout New Zealand, which has only short-lived chaiacteristics, the Montgomery Red variety is a permanent red clover with entirely different characteristics. and a t growth, peculiarly its own. It is ideally adapted for use as a permanent. pu.smn-, and is also extremely well suited to local conditions The Fields Division <>i the Department of Agriculture has lately been doing everything possible to eiieoutage its establishment and maintenance in the pasture practice of farmers in this province, and no little headway has already been made in the matter of interesting farmers in its possibilities. One progressive farmer in North Otago has decided to try the thing out from the point of view of a seed proposition, and has sown down a comparatively large area for seed. The outcome of his venture is being watched with close concern by a large number of farmers who have been impressed by the experience of those who have already made use of the variety. It is very likely that the growing of Montgomery Red (Nover during the next season or two will be greatly extended. - THE RED POLL. The journal of the Red Poll breed of cattle is always interesting, the June issue being full of good things regarding the breed, ami they are many, illustrations are frequent, and the records of the breed in beef and milk in all parts of the world occupy many pages. All information regarding the breed, together with booklets, can be obtained from the I secretary of the Red Poll Society. Warrington road, Ipswich. England.

KILLING A BREED ASSOCIATION. Evidently the following 25 suggestions for killing an association were written by one with experience in such matters, says the Live Stock Journal. 1. Don’t come to the meetings. 2. But if you do, come late. 3. If the weather doesn’t suit you, don’t think of coming. 4. If vou do attend a meeting, find fault with the work of the officers and other members. 5. Never accept an office, as it is easier to criticise than to do things. 6. Nevertheless, get sore if you are not appointed on a committee, but if you are, do not attend committee meetings. 7. If asked by the chairman to give your opinion regarding some important matter, tell him you have nothing to say. After the meeting, tell everyone how things ought to be done. 8. Do nothing more than is absolutely necessary, but when other members roll up their sleeves and willingly, unselfishly use their ability to help matters along, howl that the association is run by a clique. 9. Hold back your subscriptions as long as possible, or don’t pay at all. 10. Don’t bother about getting new members. Let the secretary do it. 11. When a dinner or luncheon is given, tell everybody money is being wasted on blow-outs which make a big noise and accomplish nothing. 12. When no repasts are given, say the association is dead and needs a can tied to it. 13. Don’t ask for a dinner or luncheon ticket until all are sold. 14. Then swear you’ve been tricked out of yours. 15. If you do get a ticket, don’t pay for it.

16. If asked to sit at the speaker’s table, modestly refuse. 17. If you are not asked, resign from the association. 18. Don’t tell the association how it can help you, but if it doesn’t help you, resign. 19. Keep your eyes open for something wrong, and when you find it, resign. JOTTINGS. Loading out continues at the Mataura Freezing Works, some 9000 carcasses having been removed from qpld storage. During the last two days 45 wagons have been filled and railed direct to Bluff to connect ■with the s.s. Tairoa, en route for the Home markets. There has been practically no upward movement in stock values in Otago since our last report, but at the same time, fat stock prices continue fairly steady, judging from the rates realised at the recent stock sale at the Burnside Metropolitan Market. The price of beef cattle at Burnside has fluctuated somewhat during the. past six weeks. July values were promising, but a slight easement this month is apparent, the numbers and mixed character of the entries no doubt accounting for the jumpy nature of the demand. Today 7 beef of quality 7 realises around 31s per 1001 b. Some of the land round Rangiora wilt grow 15 tons of potatoes to the acre, and other blocks will produce 12 tons, according to statements made at a meeting of creditors in the estate of a bankrupt farmer recently (says the Christchurch Sun). It was stated, however, that this was the best land in the district, and the farmer was always liable to have a season which was either too wet or too dry. It is alleged that wild horses are becoming an intolerable nuisance in Southern Alberta, Canada. Mobs are moving down from the ranges in search of food, and are driving sheep from the streams. The pest is so bad that a deputation of sheep breeders has approached the Provincial Government with a request that it will take steps to have the horses destroyed.

Some activity is reported from Clyde regarding the formation of an association for the purpose of encouraging and promoting the herd testing system. A preliminary meeting of a number interested in this district resulted in the formation of a committee comprising the following:—Messrs E. J. Iverson (Earnscleugh), E. J. Waldron (Clyde), J. Ryan (Galloway), A. Lindsay (Fruitlands), S. Lewis (Springvale), and J. Williams (Moa Creek). Speaking at a meeting of the Westmere branch of the Farmers’ Union the other evening, Mr A. L. Thompson, of the Live Stock Division of the Department of Ag-

riculture, said that he knew one farmer who was working on bringing in his heifers at 18 months old (says the Wanganui Chronicle). The beasts looked like others of two years. He gave the calves full milk for four weeks and after that, with the skimmed milk, a certain amount of potassium iodide. That had the effect of building them up and at 18 months they looked like two-year stock. Major-general Sir John Moore, who was director of veterinary services in the British Expeditionary Force, has written a booklet on the part which the horse played in the war, says the Pastoral Review.' The proceeds of its sale will be devoted to the fund for rebuilding the Royal Veterinary College in London, which has fallen into a state of dilapidation. Sir John mentions that before Vimy and Arras, in the wintry April of 1917, thirteen thousand tethered horses died in one night from exposure. An increased demand for the skins of unborn lambs in the European and American fur markets has led to the recent slaughter of large numbers of ewes in parts of China, states a Reuter message from Shanghai. So serious has the position become that wool merchants have petitioned the Nanking Government to stop the slaughter. The ewe is killed just before the lamb should be born, and the lamb extracted and skinned as soon as possible. The skin possesses the special sheen and silkiness much prized by furriers.

“Whether it- pays better to follow the school of ‘ high ’ fanners, and, by intensive and liberal expenditure on fertilisers, seek to get the most out of our land, or whether we should follow the school of ‘ low’ farmers and take as much as possible from our land with a minimum of expenditure, is a problem that comforts us always,” said Mr T. W. Lonsdale, of the fields division of the Department of Agriculture, speaking to a meeting of the vveetmere branch of the Farmers’ Union tlie other night (states the Wanganui Chronicle). It was a more acute problem in hard times, he said. He had heard it argued that on good land “high” farming might be advisable, but on poor land never. Mr Lonsdale stated that the most successful farmers he had met who farmed poor land were certainly those who spent most on it.

Farming conditions have completely changed during the past 20 years,” stated a well-known farmer to a Mataura Ensign representative. “Modern methods of providing supplies of winter feed .for stock have revolutionised agricultural work. We talk about snow and bad weather these days, but from my own experience I should say the winters are becoming milder. About 40 years ago it was nothing to see snow lie for weeks on the flats, and in anticipation of this farmers were compelled to trench

a ton or two of turnips and to rely on oaten straw to carry stock over. Dairy cows and horses were usually housed while the snow lay on the ground. It is only during the past 20 years that hay has come into vogue as a winter feed, and latterly the preparation of ensilage has been encouraged by the Department of Agriculture.” Held to be due to a favourable autumn and to the fact that more farmers, feeling the pinch of reduced prices of meat,, wool, and grain, are turning their attention to dairying, the supply of cream taken to the Ashburton dairy factory this winter has almost doubled compared with the returns of last year (says the Guardian). It is expected that the season will commence earlier than usual this year, and that there will be a substantial increase in the number of suppliers, with a consequent increase in the output of butter. The Blackbridge and Staveley cheese factories closed down some time ago, and as they will not reopen during the forthcoming season on account of the fallingoff in supplies, many farmers who were sending their milk to these factories will do their own separating and consign the cream to the butter - facTbry. The Ashburton butter factory has ’made excellent progress, as is shown by the number of suppliers, which has increased from 170 about 14 years ago to nearly 900.

It may be hoped that Mr Bernard Shaw’s advice to young men “to go to Russia and settle there ” will be heeded by Communists in New Zealand, says an exchange. They themselves profess the greatest admiration for the Soviet regime, but seem to prefer admiring from the maximum distance, perhaps on the theory that distance lends enchantment to the view. Some English coal miners who examined conditions on the srot wm-c well content to return to their native land, and not one of them aec.pted an offer to pay the removal expenses of themselves and their families to Russia. To return to Mr Shaw, it should be noted that his advice is to “ young men ” ami < i„ n ., no f- nnnlv tn hims , 'lf. Perhaps Mr Shaw saw enough in Russia to convince him that only men in' their prune could hope to survive the rigours of the Soviet. At any rate it is interesting to gather that recruits for Russia, like those for the trenches, should be young.

In times like the present, the average housewife has perforce to give closer attention to the family food bills. Retrenchment of income means in the first instance retrenchment of luxuries, and in the second instance a careful adjustment of expenditure on necessaries. People seek cheaper markets, and study their culinary requirements with an economical eye.. If a particular article is dear, domestic investigation turns upon the question of obtaining its equivalent

at a more moderate price. Bread to-day is dear because the price has been artificially maintained, but potatoes are cheap and, what is more, thousands may have a potato patch where only a few hundred may have a wheat field. Recent quotations in Canterbury for potatoes at under £1 10s per ton have been noted, and emphasise the significance of Lord Bledisloe's observations in an address to the British Association on the comparative food values of wheat and potatoes. An abstract of the address is published elsewhere in this issue, and should be read by all housewives who find the bread bill a heavy item on the domestic budget. A forward step in the Taieri Agricultural Society was completed on Friday when the new building on the Outram Domain was taken over from the contractors —Messrs Muir and King (Dunedin) —and a meeting of the committee was held in the evening in the portion set apart as a dining room. The building is 90ft by 30ft and is divided into four rooms. The largest is 60ft by 30ft, and will house the dairy and produce exhibits. Around the walls have been erected tables and netting coverings. These can be folded up and placed against the wall in quite an ingenious way, and give a good deal more floor space when not required. The dining room is 20ft by 30ft. This will also serve as a meeting room. The secretary’s office is lift by 9ft 6in, and the kitchen 20ft by 10ft. Mr Claude Thomson, of Mosgiel, was responsible for the plans. The president of the society (Mr Robert Kirk) welcomed members of committee to the new building. All were very pleased with the manner in which the building had been erected. He commented on the large attendance that night of 38 members, and trusted that all meetings from now till show time would be as well attended. It was intended to have an opening celebration in the shape of a ball later in the month. The president’s remarks were greeted with applause.