THE FARM

Southland Times, Issue 16840, 16 September 1911, Page 2

THE FARM

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL DOINGS. EVENTS AT HOME AND ABROAD

AOBICTIIiT'URAE EVENTS FOB WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 23rd. —Saturday, September 16— Horse Sale at Invercargill, by Messrs J. A. Mitchell and Co. —Monday, September IS— Mr John KeitlVs sale at Fapatotara, by Southland Farmers’ Co-operative Association. Stock Sale at Dipton. —Tuesday, September 19 — Stock Sale at Gore. —Thursday, September 21 — Stock Sale at Balfour. —Friday, September 22 Horse Sale at Winton. Messrs J. E. Watson and Co., Ltd., Intend erecting large and commodious offices and seeds store-rooms at Gore. The new building will have a frontage of 60 feet to Mersey street and will be 100 feet deep. It will be constructed throughout of ferro-concrete —the first of the kind to be erected at Gore. The building will be substantial and practically fireproof and will, in addition to giving facilities for the development of the firm’s increasing business, considerably enhance the appearance and value of property in Mersey street. , The Mataura Dairy Factory will reopen for the season on Tuesday next. Experiments carried out in Victoria with potatoes showed conclusively that manures certainly tended to render the crop less liable to blight. The best allround results were obtained from the mixture of 2cwt. of superphosphates, lewt.- of sulphate of ammonia, and lewt. sulphate of potash per acre. The Winton Co-operative Dairy Factory opened on Thursday morning and received over 150 gallons milk. The auxiliary cutter Enterprise arrived at Riverton on Sunday last with a shipment of cattle from Ruggedy, Stewart Island, for Mr Fraser, South Riverton. There will be a mammoth cheese oh exhibition at the National Dairy Show, to be held in Chicago at the International Live Stock Amphitheatre, October 26-November 4. The big cheese exhibited at the last dairy show weighed over 4000 pounds and was the largest Cheddar cheese ever made. This ( year’s cheese will weigh over 10,000, and will take 65 tons of milk and cream from 6500 cows milked by 1350 men. Eighteen expert cheesemakers and 25 assistants will be employed in the construction of the cheese, which will be transported to Chicago in a specially constructed refrigerator occupying an entire flat car. The entry comes from N. Simon, of Wisconsin, who also made the big cheese last year. It is not built alone for exhibition purposes, but will be of the finest commercial quality. The Western Star states that lambs are now becoming plentiful about Otautau. The Ryal Bush Dairy Factory opened on Monday last, when a good quantity of milk was received. The directors of the company have decided to pay thirteen pence per pound butter fat. Farmers in the Geraldine district are talking of going in for mangolds this season owing to the general failure of turnips through blight last season, and the experience of one farmer of Orarl favours the change. He had five and ahalf acres of mangolds, and he sold the product of 2Vi acres for £IOO, while the remaining 2Vi acres have fed his 300 sheep \ap till now, and will last them, he says, till the end of October. The Lochiel Co-operative Dairy Factory commenced operations for the season on Monday last. The company recently installed a 1000-gallon kauri whey tank which should prove a ’great convenience to the suppliers to this factory. It has also been decided to pasteurise the whey in future. Mixing molasses with chaff as a feed for stock has been resorted to in some parts of N’ew Zealand this winter consequent on the shortage of feed. A practical farmer, commenting on the practice. says it is undoubtedly possible to give sheep a good feed, but at the same time It is easy to give too much molasses and in the absence of green feed this was liable to bring on acute constipation. In some cases, it is stated, this complaint has been so pronounced In flocks that many deaths have occurred. As showing the extent to whicli molasses was used in the south, it is | reported that one firm in Ashburton lias supplied about GO tons to farmers. The orders received far exceeded this amount but many had to be refused as a further supply was not procurable. The Awaura Dairy Factory opened for the season on Thursday, and received 219 gallons of milk. The new manager, Mr A. Lindsay, was very gratified at the excellent quality of the milk produced In the district. There can be no doubt about the quality of the New Zealand draught stock that have been sent to Victoria (says Mr John Molr. a well-known Australian breeder), but those that have gone from the North Island have a very doubtful reputation in Sydney, and the quality is fast falling off. Gelding for gelding, they bring at least £. r > per head less than the New South Wales products that may be offering. They look well, but they are soft, and it takes in most cases quite ■fix months to acclimatise. Australasia, with a total of 833.711,053 lbs. produces more wool than any other country in the world. Europe coming an easy second, and South America third. The only two countries producing any quantity of wool for export in addition to Australasia are South America and South Africa, and they are, therefore, our rivals in wool production. A hearty laugh was raised at a mectieg of farmers Timaru recently, when Mr John Talbot, with a view to supporting what he had previously said against depending too much on book learning in farming, quoted from the May issue of the Journal of the Department of Agriculture to show tliat the best advice the Department’s expert could give to a South Canterbury farmer who had asked a simple question was. in fact, to look over his neighbour's fence and observe what was being done there. Profiting by the experience of the past three or four seasons, says the Clutha Leader, when the innd was so dry at the usual turnip sowing season that many of the sowings failed, several farmers iu..this district tire going to put in their turnips much earlier this year. One farmer told us on Friday that he Intends sowing a goodly area of swedes this month in hopes that the crop will be well established before tiie dryness of summer sets in. A writer in the Weekly Press says : I have noticed an article in your issue of June 14. relating to the ravages of the grass grub. I may say that I have had paddocks in which patches of grass were affected by the grub : and to those who are troubled witli the post, I would advise them to try the following method to prevent further damage ; Broadcast grass seed (well mixed with different sorts and plenty of cocksfoot) thickly on the infected patches ; then put a large mob of sheep on to tramp in the seed. Run the sheep on paddock as often as possible, or let them graze there. If this is done in the growing .season, I think you will find the grass on infested patches soon as good as ever. Testimony to the increasing popuiarity of the Holstein breed of cattle was offered In Levin last week, and an incidental proof given of the higli value placed by good judges upon the herd now maintained at the Wereroa State Farm, says the "Horowhenua Chronicle.” The firm of Dalgety and Co., on behalf of a client at Palmerston North, made an offer of £IOO to the manager of the State Farm for one of the registered cows of the Holstein herd. The Department declined this offer. Later on a second offer was made by the Palmers-

I ton North farmer direct. He raised his offer to £2OO. This tempting offer was also declined, and the animal stays on in iter old quarters. -According to a member of the Farmers’ Union, the following is a certain remedy for all kinds of worms in sheep and lambs, ami Us success lias been proved over the past eight years ; —One pound of Milestone (sulphate of copper), one pound of bi-earhonate of soda. Grind the Milestone fine, then put it into a small wooden vessel with four or six pints of hot water ; then add the soda gently, and keep stirring it until dissolveil. Dose : Two ounces for each lamb at weaning time. The farmer in question takes out the culls and gives them a second dose about two weeks after the first. The mixture should be given blood-warm. The three things to consider in purchasing a dairy bull are individuality, breeding, and the milk records In the pedigree. It is a serious mistake to allow lambs to go six months undocked and uncastrated. The operations at that late day cause severe shook to the system, as the tail has become thick and strong, and the spermatic artery and other parts usually drawn away intact have become so much developed along with the large testicles that they have to be severed instead of drawn out. A sweet potato of the white Rosella variety was dug at Warrea, Queensland, recently, which measured 2ft. 2% in. in length 'and 2ft. in girth at the thickest part. It weighed 231b. ' There are diverse opinions as to which is the best size of tuber to use for seed. Small potatoes are of two classes. One comprises the late-formed tubers of a strong, robust plant, while the other is the product of a plant of low vitality. The former would probably yield as well as its parent ; but the latter could be expected to only produce a crop of poor quality. When small potatoes selected from the pit are used year after year, reduction in the yield must follow. Experiments show no difference in the yield as regards seed qut or planted whole. If the season be dry at plantingtime, it would be preferable to use whole potatoes, as the cut seed would dry out considerably before shooting, and would, in consequence, not be able to give the young plant the same start in life as a whole tuber. When the seed is cut. planting should be done as soon as possible after cutting. SOUTHLAND DAISY FACTORIES. RESULTS OF THE YEAR.

The report and balance sheet whicl were presented to shareholders at th annual meeting of the Otara Co-opera live Dairy Factory Company, Ltd., ar entirely satisfactory. The milk suppl; showed an Increase over the previou; year, the total quantity received being 2,445.802 lbs, yielding 91,135,128 lbs of butter fat. The cheese manufactured amounted to 106 tons 6 cwt. 2 qrs. 1 lb. The plant and buildings were maintained in good order. The principal items of expenditure were : —Milk, £4500 11s 9d ; cheese-making, £250 ; factory requisites, £2IS 7s 3d ; carting, £76 Is 2d ; railage, £67 7s lid ; firewood, £64 17s 9d ; secretary, £32 10s : dividend, £3O 18s 9d ; repairs, renewals, and improvements, £3O Is 8d ; working expenses. £2l 7s 4d ; insurances, £l4 Is 5d ; bank interest and charges. £6 10s ; South Island Dairy Association, £5 7s 6d. Sales of cheese amounted to £5385 13s sd. (Ware dairy factory company. ANNUAL MEETING. The second annual meeting of above company, held in the Oware Dairy factory on’ Wednesday evening, was attended by about a dozen shareholders. Mr T. \V. Foster (Chairman of Directors) occupied the chair. The report for year ending July 31, 1911, was read as follows • Your Directors, in presenting their first balance-sheet, have pleasure in reporting that the company’s first year’s operations have turned out satisfactorily. The summer cheese was consigned to Messrs Weddell and Co., Condon, who secured good prices for it, anti tile autumn cheese was sold to Messts A. b. Paterson and Co. The prices obtained give just on 5M;d per lb on trucks over 1 the whole season. Our cheese-maker, Mr McQueen, has proved himself a firstrate man, the whole of the output being well up to No. X grade. The year’s make totalled 68 tons, and all has been disposed of. Our property ami plant are in first-class order. Mr McQueen has been re-engaged, and the season’s output lias been sold at a satisfactory price. We look with confidence for an even more successful year titan that just closed. The returns for the year enabled us to credit suppliers with 1/0 Vz pen- lb butter-fat, and carry forward a profit of £l4 2s 6d, but it was considered desirable to pay off part of the cost of the company's property, therefore Is o>/ 8 d was paid to suppliers, and calls at the rate of 7%d for each 60 gallons of milk were made suppliers and deducted from their cheques. The retiring Directors are Messrs T. W. Foster and C. Rldder, Mr Ridder has sold his fan" and left the district, and it will be ne cessary to elect a new director in hi stead. Mr Foster is eligible and offer himself for re-election. The balance-sheet showed a profit o £l4 2s Od on the year's working. The Chairman moved the adoption o the report and balance-sheet. Thel first season had been attended with sue cess and they were in a fairly soun position financially. Their output o 70 tons must be considered satisfactor, when they remembered the dryness o the stason. Their success had far ex ceeded Ills anticipations. He consldere that the position of ttie Oware Factor compared very favourably with an other factory in Southland. During th season the directors and suppliers ha worked together in harmony and al had done their utmost for the advance ment of the factory. There was ever prospect of a successful season thl year. The factory was in good repair. .Mr M. Gorman seconded, and the mo tion was carried. in reply to a question by Mr Mabe as to what price had been secured I'o cheese sold, the Chairman said it wa 06s 9d per cwt. f.o.b. Tiiis amount wa a Utile better than 6d on trucks a Wy ndh a m. Sir Allan asked if it was proposed t allot paid-up shares to each supplier. The Chairman explained that last yea 7 ■■’•' i d had been deducted from each 6 gallons of milk. They had taken legs advice which allowed them to allot paid up shares if they clio.se. They propose deducting from milk as they had starte doing so. Asked if they could deduct more tha 7 : hd, Mr Foster said they could dedut up to is. 71 would depend upon th success of the season how much the deducted. The better the season th more they could deduct and the amour would go to pay off the debt on th factory. The election of two directors the took place, Messrs T. \V. Foster and J Cat ipbell being elected. .Mr U. F. Cuthbertson was re-electe auditor. On the motion of M. Maben a vote a thanks to Mr Foster was carried by ac chrnation. .Mr M. Gorman proposed that the ir coming Chairman be voted an honor; 1 rium of £lO 10s.—Seconded by Mr Allar Mr Coster thought they should wai until their factory was in a better posi tion financially to make this move. The motion was put and carried. The meeting closed with a vote o thanks to the chair. A meeting of directors was field im mediately after the meeting, at whicl Mr T. W. Foster was re-elected chair man. '

WAIAU NOTES (From Our Own Correspondent.) The weather during the past few weeks has been extremely mild, and there aio indications nil around tus that “The year's at the spring." Fairly heavy rain fell early in the week, and was welcomed by agriculturalists. A rather serious and painful accident happened on Saturday at Te Wne Wae to Messrs .Ino. and Goo. Griffin, sons of Mr .7 no. Griffin J.P., a highly, respected resident of the Waiau district. it .appeal's that the young men were engaged blasting out stumps, when by some means, a spark set fire to a quantity of powder, resulting in bofli men being severely burnt about tlie face and hands. Dr Trotter ordered their immediate removal to the Riverton Hospital, where both young men, although suffering considerable pain, are progressing towards convalescence. Another fatality was narrowly averted on the same day at Tuatapere, when Mr H. Mclvor essayed to swim the Waiau River at the ferry. It was not long before the swimmer was in difficulties in the ice cold water, and being seized with cramp was quite helpless in the strong current. Messrs Karlsen and .Gray, with fine presence of mind, hurried to the young man’s assistance in a rowing boat, and picked up the swimmer in a semi-conscious state. The recently established lodge at Tuatapere of the 1.0.0. F. is making excellent progress, it meeting with strong support from the young men of the district. A section has" been purchased on behalf of the lodge, «md members are hopeful of shortly holding meetings in a hall belonging to the order. A most successful lodge social and dance was held on Friday evening, in Cymric Hall, Tuatapere, members and their friends to the number of 200 being present from Otautau, Clifden, Orepuki and all parts of the Waiau district. Bro. R. Scott, N.G., made a most efficient M.C., the secretarial duties being in the capable hands of Bro. H. Lascelles. Messrs Hislop (Invercargill) supplied an excellent supper, and altogether the function was a most enjoyable one. It is proposed to entertain Mr J. C Thomson, M.P., for Wallace, at a bat quet, at Tuatapere, immediately r.' tlie close of the session. It is generally recognised that Mr Thomson lias been a most attentive member to the wants of the district, and his efforts in this part of his electorate have been keenly appreciated. Prior to his departure for Invercargill, where he lias been transferred, acting guard H. McLauchlan was presented by his fellow railway employees at Tuatapere, with a travelling rug. Mr Thos. Fitzgerald made the presentation, and Mr McLaughlan expressed his appreciation at the kindness of his fellow workmen. The dairy factory in course of erection at Tuatapere will prove a great boon to settlers west of the Waiau. Mr Blue, the contractor, expects to have the building out of his hands in the course of a couple of weeks. Mr Harold Booth has been appointed secretary for the ensuing season.