FAIRFAX NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 14578, 19 November 1910, Page 2

FAIRFAX NOTES

(Prom Our Own Correspondent). The mild rains we have had freshened Ihe grass and made the ground pliable for turnip working. The autumn crops are looking immense and give every promise of a bountiful and early harvest. In my rambles 1 notice Hie grub is making great inroads on the spring sown braird and grass. Farmers tire in many cases at a loss to know what the cure or - preventive is. Lime and salt has been tried, also sulphate of a’mmonia. but with little success. 1 would suggest rolling and re-rolling with a smooth surfaced face roller a ton weight, and if possible heavier. It might be weighted by filling sacks with ■earth and having the roller done either at night <or very early in the morning when the grubs are comparatively near the surface and are crushed by the heavy weight, or the ground compressed so tightly that they make little or no headway in their destructive work. Concrete rollers, about two tons in weight, and used several times are perfect cures. The cause of grub in many cases is the working of the ground to too line a tilth. They can .make little headway in lumpy ground and none in soft or marshy lea. For the purpose of their destruction starlings should not be molested or in any way interfered with. In fact the little harm all birds do the crops is nothing in comparison with the good they do in destroying grubs when they make their appearance in the grass or braird. This is the show season and if well clad, and to appearance, well fed, people are an indication of prosperity then the Otautau district must indeed be Prosperous. A concourse of about 2,000 people paraded the grounds, and although there -were two gents’ in blue on the ground their services were not at anv time required. Many thought that the district was completely depleted of mares of quality, but at the show tbev should have had their minds disabuesd when the rings of three and four year old mares came out for inspection. Air Robert Kennedy’s six splendid mares were not only a credit to the owner, but a pronounced credit to the district that claims Air Kennedy as a resident. In the two-year-olds Mr Grey was successful with a nice filly out of the renowned mare, Nelly Grey, and sired by Roval Derby, which showed a decided tinge‘of the new type, and to which the judges showed marked leanings. So great a success was the show in all classes that many who thought that all local shows should be discouraged were convinced that the reverse is (lie case', There was also a ring of very promising yearlings which in after rears will be heard of. Although the district is not in any wav famed for high class cattle, yet tliere were some very nice dairy cows on show. . .

The usual fat sheep competition was to all appearance (loins a good trade. There was, and justly so, an absence of tlie usual showman —who depletes the pockets of young people of many handy shillings. , . The dairy factory is daily adding to its supply, many cows being late in coming to profit. Many factories are consigning their output, ensuring them the profit or loss of all that is in the season’s output. If reports can he relied upon wool is receding in price, yet farmers must not be too pessimistic, as wool will hardly recode below a pavuble price, and fat lambs will realise good prices. In all cases farmers are preparing the ground for rape and grass, also for turnips. Farmers arc in many cases adopting lime in its crushed state as a mixture with superphosphates. 2 cwt. of each, and neglecting the old time system ot two tons per here finding that the lease, quantity often applied gives better and quicker results. Many tried _ sowing lime through the ordinary gram drill, but find that the quantity cannot be evenly distributed on the surface, jus lime drill, holding a greater quantity i akes the work more expeditious. So much windy weather counteracts the benefits derived from the rains, in sympathy with other districts sheep ate practically at a standstill and will be till after shearing. Quality cattle sue scarce in the district, and prime beef is value for 30s per 100 lb. , The directors of the farmers Cooperative got a flood reception at Otnutau, and resolved that the Otmitau branch should not be closed. Implicit confidence in Mr Carr as manager was expressed. This resolution was backed up bv more shares being taken up. thus financially strengthening the Compan>.