FARM

Southland Times, Issue 17476, 3 April 1915, Page 2

FARM

AGRICULTURAL EVENTS FOE WEEK ENDING APRIL 10. —Wednesday, April 7. — Stock sale at Winton. —Friday, April 9.—Stock sale at Otautau. Mr M. McDowell. of Taramna. has shown ns ;< sample of a second strawberry crop, the fruit being large. of good llavottr and ripe. Other portions of the crop arc. now at the ripening stage. A meeting held at Itoslyn Bush in connection with the proposal to establish a dairy factory there was well attended. Mr James Sawers, Government Fairy Expert, was present. Mr J. 11, MclCerehar presided, Mr Sawers addressed the meeting at some length, ttnd recommended tlie water wheel site its the most ad-

vantageous place to erect a factory. Tlie meeting approved of tlie site, and decided in favour of having a factory erected. Tho following provisional directorate was formed :—Messrs Baird (chairman). Murphy, Davis, llillis. McKerchar, F. Fahey and Balncaves. Mr J. H. McKerchar was elected secretary pro tern. Before the meeting closed a vote of thanks was accorded Air Sawers on tlie motion of tlie chairman.

With the price of cheese going up locally it is to be hoped that none of the Southland factories will be tempted to go outside their agreements which in all cases stipulate for the season’s output, excepting what lias generally been required for suppliers. Ait estimate of so many ions is generally given tho buyer, and 'the output really means all the cheese made during tho seven months of the season, that is from tlie Ist October until tlie JOUi April. It is to bo hoped that Southland will steer clear of any charge being sustained for broach of agreement.

The first vessel to load frozen meat at Bluff for export was the Mataura. The sheep were driven to Waikiwi and slaughtered, and then loaded at Bluff and frozen on board ship." Wo have been '.landed a clipping from a .Southland paper of many years ago referring to this fact, says the Otautau Standard, and in which Birehwood's quota to tills shipment is mentioned. The draft was taken to Waikiwi from Birch wood by .Mr J. B. Baird, now of the National Mortgage and Agency Co.'s Otautau brunch. Bays tltc clipping :—"We understand the .Mataura completes her loading - ot frozen mutton in a few days. Among the consignments of sheep is a prime draft of 629 twotooth wethers from the Birch wood Instate, the property of dames Gardner, Ksq. These sheep are of the Boinncy class, and for quality and evenness of weight, cannot he surpassed by anything yet shipped from this district. The average weight was 71 lbs, exclusive of kidneys or fat, and the average weight of fat was 911 is per sheep.

A Board of Agriculture, leallet advocates the cultivation of dandelions for tlio sake of their dried roots, hitherto produced mainly by Germany. These dried roots sold last September for ]los per cwt. The roots, when dug, must be washed clean, sliced, and dried, and a hundred parts of fresh root will yield tweniy-iv.o parts of dry material. The roots are used for medical purposes and as a substitute for coffee.

A good preparation of the soil is one of i!ie most important elements of success in the introduction of crops. Tito finer the condition of the soil the better is t!i“ crop aide to extract its nourishment i<> make use of any fertilisers that have been applied. Gardens are made t<, pf'dii'-c relatively much more than ladds. ctiiedy because of the work done on them, with spade and rttko. and the condition nf the field should, as far as possible, rvscmblo that of a garden. KAd.Mll NOTES. (From Our own Correspondent;. Kamahl is still progressing slowly. The Islington sawmill which was destroyed by lire on Christmas Fve has been rebuilt and is once again going at full swing. Mr llalliday's residence is progressing, and when it Is completed will be an imposing ore, and will certainly take precedence of any in our township. The crops are turning out much better than was expected and the farmers are working as hard as they can go at the harvest. 1 hear that Mr F. F. Thomson has an excellent crop of turnips, while Mr Halliday lias it splendid crop of potatoes, j Fast Tuesday evening the Rev. G. - GFnn-m. of Kdendale (who is being rei moved to Invercargill South » conducted ! his farewell service here, and delivered a ! very earnest and impressive address from text ‘‘Cleave unto God.” There was a large number present, and the Kov. gentleman was listened to very attentively throughout by all present, and at tin: close of the service Mr \V. Moncur. who had been deputed to voici* the I feelings of our people regarding the IP'v. G, Clements, stopped forward, and in a neat speech traced the valuable voluntary work opened and carried on here by the Kov. gentleman for tho past two years, end regretting his departure. Tie also presented the Rev. O, Clements with a beautiful silver rake basket as a token of tho esteem in which lie was held by those whom he had so earnestly ministered to In Katnahi. Th--* recipient very feelingly replied, thanking tlvm all for their lovely gift. The meeting then took the form of a social and was highly enjoyed. Refreshments were served around by a bevy of the ladies. Miss Thomson being the head. Tine following contributed to the evening's enjoyment, with Rev. G. (‘lenient in the chair: —‘Miss Clement, pianoforte solo; Miss G. Clement, tl recitations. “The New organ.” and “A (hire for the Dumps,” both of which were well r» cited, and more should bo board of this young lady yet; Mr McDonald. who is superintending the Sunday school nr Kdendale. relate.l items of good work done by our minister during the past two years: Mrs Clement and Mbs G. (I*lolllool contributed a, sacred due*. M Iws I’lement fdaying the .accompaniment. On the motion of Rev. G. Clement, seconded by Mr Moncnr. a hearty vole of thanks was passed to all who had assisted in making Iho evening such a success, especially tinting Miss .1. Mac Angus and Miss Thomson for their collecting for the presentation and refreshments. also lo Miss 'Thomson for presiding at tho piano for all the services and to Mr and Mrs Thomson for the use of their home to hold the services in. The meeting closed by singing. ‘‘God be with you till wo meet again, ’’ anti the Rev. minister pronouncing tho Benediction. The Rev. Mr Frost succeeds the Rev. Mr Clement at Edendale, and will shortly be among ub hero. Wo wish tho departing gentleman and his wife and family every success in the sphere he is going to, where he laboured on a previous occasion.

WHEY'S BUSH

Harvesting Is now in full swing and though tho weather Is not at all favourable good progress li;ai been made with tin* cutting. 'Tho threshing of tho graaaS“od crop Is about completed, and Hie returns have been very good, as high as (id bushels to the aero being recorded. Tho heaviest crops grown In tho district are on the farms of Messrs Dcvaney and Power. Splendid crops of wheat are to be seen on the farms of Messrs M. Egan, G. O'Connor, B. JBelolte and .1. Hall. The area under oats is about the same as last year, but the yields will he much higher, Several paddocks throughout the

district will thresh out from 00 to TO bushels per acre. The heaviest crops aer to be seen on the farms of Messrs W. J. Newton. Egan and James. Tho high price of grass seed has been a boon to many farmers in ibis district.

a 'il bushel being obtained in many cases. Yields of -10 bushels per acre and over being recorded on the farms of Messrs Finn. Furl in. Fgun. Power. Delaney and Cusack. The turnip crop promises well, ami a plentiful supply of winter feed is assured. A IiOO-acre farm. Die property of Die late .Mr Daniel Ilradley, has recently been purchased by Mr .M. Orlffeu. hotelkeeper. Nightcaps. Farmers throughout the district extend a hearty "Gacd miile failthe" to the popular Jack in his new venture as a tiller of Die soil, and no doubt lie will prove as capable and successful manipulating the spade and double-furrow as lie Itas already done ■■•in steering tiie "Ford" and pulling corks. A much-discussed question amongst farmers tit the present time is. what area to prepare for grain for next season, Many consider that the area will be much above the average, but I think the increase, if any, will lie small. (Stowing grain entails a great deal of work and expense besides having to contend witli Die weather at sowing time am] during harvest, that even in the event of high prices, many farmers will not break up large areas but depend on Die less expensive anil sure business of stock-raising. Itahhil trapping lias commenced and large catches are reported. No doubt "bunny" is in for a bud time. Judging by the high prices: ruling, rabbits will bo very scarce by tlie end of winter. DOC 111 K D NOTKS. (From Ottr Own Correspondent). Tlie climatic conditions have been of a very mild nature during the past month. Farmers have been able to make good progress with tho.ir harvesting. Many of tlie crops are now to be seen in the stack. A large number of the farmers intend threshing the larger part of their yields this season, the higlt price, no doubt being tlie temptation. Growing oats of late -'ears never left the farmers much of a margin, hut this year promises to be an exception. Some crops of early potatoes have already been lifted, hut the yields cannot be classed as extraordinary. It is pleasing to note that tlie price of potatoes is on Die tip grade. Tlie intake at tlie local dairy factory I is now on the down grade, being about eight hundred gallons daily. Tlie daily output of whey butter is about twenty pounds. Tlie feeding qualities of the whey seem to lie ns rich as ever before going through #!te separator, us is evidenced by the fact that many of the suppliers have to go home minus their entitled quantity. There are two extensive gravelling contracts being curried out at present between Dnchiel and Spar Hush. Mr Forde. of West Plains. lias secured Die contract of gravelling tlie new road on both sides of tlie new traffic bridge over tlie Oreti river. Mr McKenzie, of Fortrose, is tlie successful tenderer for the forming and gravelling of tlie road running between Messrs I.ilieo and Dodger's places. Tho completion of these contracts will tend to bring communication closer.

Tlie local hall committee intend holding a, dance in the local hall on 'Wednesday evening, the Hist. It is tlie intention of the hall committee to donate twenty-live per cent, of the takings towards the Belgian relief fund. The residents of the district have notv sub-set-mod over two hundred pounds to the war fund, which is very creditable for such a small district.

Tho trappers an* busy ones more among the rabbits. Some good catches arc rominpr forward. The high price sr-ems to ho tempting. The rabbits uro in excellent condition. The rabbit industry is making rapid strides year by yi'iir, and will at no distant date be classed as one of i.h,»» chief industries of eh*-* dominion. It is rumoured that a well-known resident not a hundred miles from Ijochicl intends joining the benedicts at an early • hue. 1 understand that the contract for the building of a two-storey brick house has been Tt.

-Mr Tf. If. Kirkpatrick, who lias leased his farm, intends holding a clearing sale of his dairy herd on the Sth April. Mr and Mrs Kirkpatrick are to be tendered a social prior 10 their leaving the district.

MOSSI3FRX NOTES,

(From Our Own Correspondent)

The harvest in this district is very backward this season, and many of the farmers have not started to cut their oats yet. while very few arc more than half through with putting operations. Only crops that were sown in the autumn or very early in the spring are in stack now. I notice that a few farmers have

started ploughing, probably with {lie idea of sowing autumn crops. Mr F. ('. IVer is at present reaping what is reported to he a very nice crop of wheat, and on the whole I think the grain crops are much superior to those of other vearc.

Grass threshing is praeiir;t]lv finished, although the see,J seems better in quality it. docs not seem to thresh to bu'k as was expected. I.anilis arc on toed now on most farms, and already a few .small linos <>f fa' have been trucked. Tite warm fussy weather experienced Imre for two or three weeks has been very hard on oats in stook. and stuff cut three weeks apj is only ready to slack now.

DIH’MMOXD NOTES.

f, from Our Own Correspondent.)

1 larvest operations urn going on apace It is ;i( all tlie different, stages just at present. and considerable progress is being made. The bulk of the crop is out and in si.ook. There is also the late crop which will not be ready for the reaper until about the middle of April. Sumo arc stacking, and the threshing mill arc also busy. The weather may have been a little unsettled, hut it might also have been much worse. It is reported that crops are threshing out unite satisfactorily. and they seem to be stocking tip mill'll better than their appearance at one time indicated. There are some light crops, and very many fairly stood crops, but there are not so many that are exceptionally heavy. In different directions about here there are good crops, and if anything all over a Stood average. Away to the back of Drummond and in places not noticeable from roadlines, there are perhaps some of the heaviest crops to bo seen. Such are the crops of Messrs R. Kennedy. A. Mathieson, J. and T. Meehan, Jas. McDougall, A. Allison and R. Stalker.

It is very difficult to describe the nature of the turnip crop at the present stage of its history. Treated as a crop in general or all over, it is very irregular. The cold and wet backward weather experienced in the early part of the season allowed such weeds as yarr to get too far ahead of the turnips, and in many cases they seem as If they had been half strangled in their struggle for existence. In many instances this has been the ease completely so, and more especially where sown on the flat or along with grass. There are some crops which got right away early enough, and which Seem to lie doing all right, and give promise of an abundant crop. for example. Mr D. Stalker has been exceedingly fortunate in this respect and possibly aided by generous manuring has Secured the promise of a

remarkably fine crop both of swedes and common turnips. There arc other crops put in at tlie same lime that do not. have the same show at all. There tire also crops which were too late in being put in. and which can never now come to bo heavy crops. Turnips sown in February can never lie expected to come lo much. it seems evident 100 much reliance need not lie put on turnip crops, for a sufficiency of winter feed, so far as present appearances go. Where people are lightly slocked if may lie safe enough: but even if not overstocked, only fully stocked, a mild winter may lo some extent mitigate the evils eonseuueiu on tlie want of a sufficient supply of turnips. An ample supply of turnips always guarantees tho munitions of war for a winter eompaign, .and goes far to make it successful for both sheep and cut lie.

All kinds of stock arc looking remarkably well at present, and a considerable number of fat lambs are going off in the second draft. AVifh fat lambs at 10s and wethers averaging about this oriMs. there are a good feu - pound notes walking about tlie paddocks, and of such quality as not to tic bloom hither and thither by oqtiinoxiai gales. Tlie Supply at the dairy factory is diminishing. but less rapidly than might have liven expected, and with suitable autumn feed and the stubbles, and tho test sufficiently high, It will be at least satisfactory. WALT. AC ITT OW X XOT ES. t From Our Own Corrspondcnl.) There is not much to write about. Tlie season lias been changeable, and in many cases unseasonable, but somehow when a few lino sunny days come, such as we had last week, people are inclined to forget tlie cold and stormy day that cimes at times. The latter end of tlie summer has been more gonial. ami growth in tile grass and vegetable world lias been good. Grass has kept on well. Tlie Wailacotown freezing works at Makarowa seem to be kept very busy, and large herds of cattle are to be seen very often travelling towards there, it is a good institution, and doing good work. Tlie Company is improving their ground immensely, and as tlie years roil on it will become more valuable and no doubt return a good profit to the shareholders.

From tho Ttiverlon railway soul it. Hie grtUn crops as usual are not very large, most of tlie settlers p'-eferriug pasture and green feed, especially for sheep and cattle. The percentage of lambs was good, in many cases over 10. and some of them have been sold for from 1-ls o r f tlie owe to 17s till. The wool, too, lias been a good price this season, and those having wool and lambs to dispose of have reaped well. Turnips tire looking well just now. and lute sown turnips are looking very well, and the outlook for winter feed is better in some cases than was expected some time ago. I believe Mr Celin Gray sold a paddock of turnips some time ago for somewhere about 5 or £5 10s per acre. Tlie most of the turnip crops on tlie plains are looking well, and on tlie flat Mr F. A. Price lias two paddocks of swede turnips looking very well indeed. They should gladden the heart, of any man wiio owns such :i crop.

The grain cro;'s are not very heavy, one! Mr Alex, (Iniv. perhaps, had the heaviest prop of any one about. It was very good. port of it being laid down with late rains, causing' it to be reaped mostly on the one or two sides. Mr I). Scoit had perhaps more crop than the most of his neighbours about 15 acres. it was a fair crop, and has been all cut and partly stocked. The potatoo crops, t think, will be bettor in .some places than they were last year. The quality seems to ho very good so far. Dairying is perhaps the chief industry of the district. The cows are looking well, and the milk supplied to Underwood lias been fair, but 1 believe on the whole not quite so much as last year. Meantime, perhaps, the intake per day will be about .1000 gallons. This, 1 believe, is slightly 'ess than during some period last year. Our roads are kept in fairly good condition. although tile motor traffic is very hard on them. No one outside the district could imagine the amount of motor traffic that passes through Wailacetown. Between milk carts, motor cars, and (.liter traffic the Wallacelown road is a very busy one, anti the people as a, whole seem fairly happy. Of course, there is a certain amount of sadness in connection wit it the war. a number of our young men hating gone away amt more going. Our .school teacher, Mr Moody, Mr MeWilliam, Mr Alex. Gray, Mr Met'a! I from his hce farm, and Mr (lay from Scotts, have all been in training at Tnntltam since the lirst half of January, and soon expect to be sent to the front. Mr (.lay and Mr Mot’all have been hack on a visit to see their friends .and have gone again. Tim .second parting seems to he harder than the Jirst. \Vc wish them till God speed, and a safe rct'.i rn.