NOTHING TO LEARN

Southland Times, Issue 22728, 2 November 1935, Page 12

NOTHING TO LEARN

METHODS OF FARMING IN DOMINION MR. MURRAY WILSON’S AUSTRALIAN TRIP That New Zealanders have nothing to learn from Australians so far as farming methods are concerned was the opinion expressed to the writer by Mr J. Murray Wilson, manager of the grain and seed department of Wright, Stephenson and Co.’s _ Invercargill branch, on his return during the week after six weeks spent in Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania, and the country between and round about. “In fact, if some of our Drummond experts could see the ploughing in Tasmania, they might develop very big ideas of their own ability,” he said. “Australia is a vast country, and the various states have quite different climates,” he continued, speaking of the present season in the Commonwealth. “For example, New South Wales has had drought conditions for the past nine months, with the result that there have been heavy losses of stock and most agricultural work has been at a standstill. On the other hand, Victoria has had a particularly wet season with an abundance of feed, with the result that a record butter production is anticipated.” During the past season Australia exported over 100,000 tons of butter to the British market, and Mr Wilson said that, given favourable weather, it would not be long before New Zealand’s export figure would be eclipsed. The quality varied according to the different states, however. There was nothing even or consistent about it, and in that respect it was not yet a real menace to the Dominion.

Certified Seed Popular. Wool was selling exceptionally well, Mr Wilson said, and, with lamb prospects fairly bright, the sheep farmer should have a profitable year. It was expected that wool values would hold. The Sydney climate did not encourage the use of New Zealand grass seeds, and a lot of native grasses were sown down, he added. Melbourne’s climate was more like that of New Zealand, though, and there was more trading in Dominion seeds. “The Department of Agriculture in Melbourne is a live body and has strict importation laws and restrictions,” he said. “It is moulding its policy along New Zealand lines. The certification of seed is ‘taking on’ with farmers, who are showing a decided preference for certified lines.”