Page 6 Advertisements Column 1

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 4395, 26 November 1912, Page 6

Th e Farmer’s Page. TALKS ON TOPICAL SUBJECTS. NOTES FROM ALL QUARTERS.

DISCOLOURING WOOL. AX OBJECTIONABLE PRACTICE. From time to time much lias been said and written against the objectionable practice of artificially colouring the wool of sheep intended for »how purposes • objectionable because it is clearly done with the object of covering up a natural deficiency and »o hoodwinking the judges, there is no more to be said in its favour than in recommendation of the false style of shearing known as '‘blocking, or for that matter of “bishoping, a process than used largely to be favoured by horse experts for the purpose of deceiving people in regard to an animal’s age. In principle the three practices are on much the same footing, and yet so common has the one first mentioned become that many men who would not countenance either of the others do not scruple to follow it. The subject has received attention at the hands of Agricultural and Pastoral Associations* and regulations rave been adopted whereby breeders are debarred from exhibiting animals which bear evidence of baring been so dealt with. I nfortunatelv. however, these regulations aie too often entirely ignored, with the result that many prominent breeders, who have consistently set their faces against the employment of undesirable methods, justly feel that they are suffering under a grievance. Loud complaint' were to he heard at the Metropolitan Show at Addington lately. In the conditions there it was distinctly laid down that all sheep whose wool showed signs of ar tificial colouration should be barrel. But what happened? In the Shropshire and Southdown classes, at least, sheep whose wool had evidently been doctored were given first and otl»ei awards. The discolouration nay not have been very pronounced, but A fH ■ ©re. Presumably, responsibility for the admission ot those animals into competition with others rested with the judges, but not a few practical men held that the committee was in reality to blame, insomuch as the members thereof had neglected to see that the conditions had been properly observed. This, however, is a point which may rightly be left for the official- themselves to determine. In the meantime it may be pertinently asked what is the use of making rub ' and regulations if they are to be en t i rely disregarded ? There is a n urgent necessity for the committees of the- various associations throughout the Dominion to arrive at a mutual and definite understanding. EARNINGS OF OUR DAIRY HERDS. SUBSTITUTING WOOL. Twenty-one years ago the export of butter and cheese was valued at £239,9:33. For the twelve months ended September 30th, tho daily produce exported from the Dominion was worth £3,007,348. Wool, of course, btill remains our staple product. Frozen meat occupies second place, but it will in all probability be found when the figure, for next year are compiled, that the butter and cheese exjioi't.' exceed in value the exjxirt in meat. Up to September :10th—which closes the exporting year —the sigun - were £3.5G*),910 and £3.443,>O2, dairy produce increasing by nearly three-quarter,' of a million in 12 months. With the greater subdivision or our lands it is not at all improbable that within the next ten or fift.i-n year' dairy produce may take '.he place ot wool at tho head of our for, though wool • 1.. at over seven million.', there . re undoubtedly large areas of country now devoted to sheep-raising i- mn t before long come into oc;.,n bv the dairyman. How peepfe, un w onder, foresaw how ormous would be the development th,; dairy indu-try? How many day are there who realise tho imrtarit influence its expansion is havt,g ;'i <rv Uilitsing tin land question 11 to the most pressing of political istics ? V GENERAL SURVEY. .OIKS EROM OUR EXGHANGES. In Holland two co-operative assort ions produce clover-seeds. After mg threshed the seeds are placed in irks, which are scaled and sent to a are when the members pass judgent, and where the* seeds ore divid--1 into four ela is ind sold only to 'rieulturis+s. Sixty ease, of fruit attr.r lively and refully packed are as many as an < liordtst should oxjxict from bis ein>yci . If, as frequently happens, is number is increased to eighty and • hundn I packages, lower average icee to bo expected. All extra "I 2a a case on all fruit packed