ON THE LAND

Southland Times, Issue 20014, 30 October 1926, Page 8

ON THE LAND

THE WEEK’S WORK MORTALITY AMONG SHEEP SERIOUS PROBLEM REMAINS Lambing time in Southland of late years has proved an exceptionally anxious time for the farmer on account of the heavy mortality among lambs which has been experienced and the present season has not been • free of this misfortune. Reports are that deaths among lambs still continue and that the seriousness of the problem is intensified by a fairly heavy mortality among ewes. Taken all round, exceptional lambing percentages have been recorded, especially in respect to flocks which have come to profit at the latter end of the season. Complaints have been made in several quarters, however, that apparently good-conditioned ewes have died after lambing, and also that quite a number of the bigger lambs are dying. The position is one which unfortunately is not new to Southland farmers, and although certain remedies have been recommended in the past, apparently little relief has resulted and the position is as -acute as ever. One prominent sheep man has lately reiterated the contention that lack of exercise is the cause, and to remedy this has suggested that the dogs be turned into the paddocks for a period each day. It is stated that the trouble with the ewes appears to be a form of paralysis. Some time prior to the lambing season the question of renal congestion in lambs was considered by the provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union, which brought the matter under the notice of the officials of the Stock Division of the Agriculture Department. The latter gave the assurance that should specific cases of lamb mortality be brought before their notice every attention would be given the matter and the executive passed a resolution urging farmers to make known immediately any losses they might suffer in this respect. Doubtless farmers will only be too glad to adopt this course. WORK OF THE WEEK. The week has been a fairly good one for farm work, although operations had to be suspended on one or two occasions on account of rain. The bulk of the oats are now sown and farmers are engaged preparing ground for the reception of grass and turnip seed. Though there is a general complaint that the present season has been one of the most backward experienced for years in respect to growth in pastures, stock all through the province has been in splendid condition. Feed is inclined to be scarce yet; nevertheless cows are milking exceptionally well and from some quarters reports are to the effect that last season’s yields are being exceeded. Factory intakes all over the province tend to bear this out, and it is contended that this state of affairs is a direct result of top-dressing operations. Shearing is commencing in the case of dry sheep, but the woolsheds will not be in general requisition for some six weeks yet. WOOL SALES. The dates of the season’s wool sales in the south have been fixed (subject to alteration) as follows: Christchurch—December 1, 1926 ; January 6, 1927; February 9, 1927; March 14, 1927. Timaru—December 15, 1926; February 4, 1927; March 31, 1927. Dunedin—December 18, 1926; February 18, 1927; March 7, 1927. Invercargill—January 28, 1927; March 10, 1927. THE HORSE ON THE FARM. IS IT COMING BACK? IMPORTED STALLION FOR SOUTHLAND. Is the utility horse, of which the Clydesdale is the finest type, coming back to its own ? There can be no doubt of it, says the current issue of Farm Economy. Signs of a revival are in evidence everywhere. Those men with the vision and foresight to see it will reap the benefit if they have the enterprise that will permit them to prepare for it now. Mass production, irrespective of cost, made necessary in the days of the war, caused the motor truck to replace the horse. That was a war measure. Those hectic days have past. Economy of production is essential now. Where slow-moving short distance traffic is concerned the motor cannot compete with the horse. The head of the biggest carrying firm in Australia recently said—“ The slow-moving traffic to the ship’s side, and from warehouse to warehouse, costs more a yard on a motor-lorry than it costs a mile with a horse and dray, and every day the motor becomes more and more a losing concern.” This firm has 600 horses on the Sydney roads every day. Recently they sold 150 in one line at £4O per head. These they are able to replace with youngsters. The horse is coming back rapidly in Australia. This sale is an evidence. The great sale of the Widgewa Clydesdale stud in New South Wales a few months ago, when stallions sold at close to four figures and fillies at over 600 guineas, is another evidence. Australian breeders have, too, been importing stud horses from Scotland, where prices have been low. In Flashdale, a Cawdor Cup winner, they consider they have a wonder horse. New Zealand, where at least 90 per cent, of the horses are of a higher standard than in Australia, has not lagged in importing either. This country has always been first in securing the best that Scotland breeds. And now there is coming here the outstanding colt in Scotland. The uneasiness that some have felt through the presence in Australia of Flashdale, should by this purchase be removed. Cowden’s Pearl, Scotland’s best colt, has been bought by one of the Clydesdale’s great sponsors of the past in the South Island—Mr Donald Macdonald, of Edendale, Southland. Unbeaten there in the past two seasons when shown, Cowden’s Pearl should do much for the breed in the South, where they have always demanded the best. The commission under which he was secured specified that he should be superior to all recent importations to Australia and New Zealand, including Flashdale, and that a four-figure price would not debar a purchase if the right horse could be found. Cowden’s Pearl was selected by Mr Robert Baxter, who some years ago had an opportunity to pass judgment on the best horses in the Dominion. Returning to Scotland, he handled that great horse, Sunbeam, which he sold at unreserved auction for the great price of 1,400 guineas. Mr Baxter states: “Cowden’s Pearl is a beautiful, big, majestic black colt, standing 16.3 hands high, with the best of feet and legs, long straight silky hair, well-turned hocks, and flat, flinty bones, a splendid mover, great crest and chest, beautiful top-line, and, as his pedigree indicates, full of Dunure Footprint blood, just sufficiently back in his pedigree to make him right to, mate with the best of colonial mares. He holds the Scottish Board of Agriculture’s certificate of soundness, is a thorough, genuine, sound animal, and made as a stallion should be. From what I have seen of the colonial mares, he will suit them- down to the ground, and he is far and away a better colonial horse than Flashdale, the £1,400 horse imported in 1923.”