FARMING NOTES.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume V, Issue 512, 21 June 1897, Page 2

FARMING NOTES.

A HIGH PRICE FOR MILK. Tho Toko dairy factory had to shut down last week, owing to the shortness of the supply of milk. The price paid on the percentage of butter fat was equal to CU pe? gallon, a result seldom achieved, and shows the richness of the milk. DOES DAIRYING PAY ? At the meeting of llawera dairymen last week it was stated that an Otakelio dairy farmer owning 50 cows cleared £6 per cow for the season, and reared 45 calves, besides a large number of pigs. He supplied the cheese factory, and received 2|d to 3d per gallon for the milk, and his farm comprised 100 acres.

SOMETHING ABOUT POTATOES For some time past it has been observed that a great percentage of potatoes grown in this district are afflicted with weak eyes. That is, a large proportion of the tubers at the same root are devoid of tiie power of reproduction. Mr W. Rowe intends nioviDg ill the matter, and it is expected that an experiment will be carried out by the Nomanby Horticultural Society wilh a view of endeavoring to discover the cause.— Star.

STOCK REPORT. Messrs Abraham and Williams report : Our sales last week comprised Colyton on Tuesday and Palmerston on Thursday. At Colyton we had a full entry of sheep and a few pens of cattle. Buyers were conspicuous by tlieir absence, and the bidding was lifeless, except for good sorts of ewes in lamb, which sold freely at recent rates. However, we managed to place the bulk of the entry before the end of the day. Weaners sold readily at an improvement oil recent rates. At Palmerston the entry of sheep was smaller than usual, and comprised chiefly store wethers and forward to fat ewes. Wethers were in better demand than last week and good skinned fat ewes improved on recent rates. Only two or three pens of cattle came forward. We quote as under : Colyton—Fat ewes (light weight*), 7s 3d to 7s 9d ; ewes in lamb, 8s 7d, 8s lOd, 9s 4d; Lincoln wethers. 9s 3d to 9s 9d ; mixed 2-tooth, 7s 9d ; lambs, 4s to 5s 7d ; weaners, 15s to 18s ; 2-vr mixed. 80s. Palmerston—Fat ewes, 7s to 8s lOd ; fat wethers, 10s 9d ; store wethers, 7s Gd to 9s ; ewes in lamb, j 7s 4d. 7s 9d, os 9d ; culls, Gs ; small I lambs, 2s 9d to 4* lOd ; mixed I weaners, 19s Gd; springing cow s, j £3 10s to £1 13s ; springing heifers. £2 5s to £3 ; small perkers, 11s Gd. At last week's Addington stock market fat sheep bred by Mr Fred. Iredale and sent to Christchurch on Ins account topped the market, realising 10s Gd each. This is a handsome price indeed compared to local rates, and goes to show the excellence of the sheep and the quality of onr pastures. The sheep sent were Shropshire*.