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Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 53, 17 October 1911, Page 4

>Somo- very interesting comment on the dairying outlook appears in the “A'.Z. Times,” widen journal remarks that, judging from the reports that are forthcoming from most of toe dairying centres, the alluring prospects of a record year that were held out early in the season are not likely to he realised to the extent that was expected. A combination of occurrences have assured high prices for the product in the Home market, which are likeh to he fully maintained, and no anxiety is felt hy the producers on that score. As a matter of fact, a very large percentage of the season’s output has already been sold at highly satisfactory, and in many instances record prices. The immediate cause of anxiety is the comparative failure of spring pastures, owing- to lack of an adequate and well distributed rainfall. Even at this early stage, it is reported that the supply at some factories in Taranaki and Auckland provinces is declining. This means that any advantage that might have been forthcoming to suppliers hy reason of good prices for 'hutter-fat will ho more than counterbalanced hy a reduction in the quantity. unless provision is made for a good supply of artificially grown supplementary fodder. With last season’s experience behind them, dairymen should not need any reminder regarding the wisdom of expending a few pounds in this direction, not only as a safeguard against a possible drought, hut as a necessary condition in regard to their business. Even in a normal season it pays handsomely to provide a patch oi fodder that will enable the milking season to he continued with profit m the fall as well as in the Hush of the year. In tiie grain growing districts a more hoporul tone prevails. Corn crops are said to ho looking remarkably well and promise to return splendid yields, especially those that were sown in the autumn and early winter. In localities where grass seed is cultivated there are good prospects both as regards yield and markets. Agriculturists are preparing land for rape and turnips, and cnancing the season and the apris blight. Where rape is sown with grass, that is to form a permanent pasture, it may be called a catch crop, and no great loss, other than tno feeding value, is occasioned; on tiie other hand, wnen sown alone, an tiie eggs arc- in one basket, and unless i.,0 fairly good It-tilings iut obtained the crop does not pay lor fattening purposes, especially wxtn iambs tnat nave been oougnt in as stores. In order to lessen me risk in tins direction, a large number of iarmors are now making a practice of sowing a small quantity ot Italian rye wicu the raps, tnat will provide a bite of green reed after tno crop aas been disposed 01. fsotwirhatanauig tne failures tnat have followed she swede crops in recent years ,there will be a fairly large area devoted to tJioir cultivation, farmers recognise the risks, but they are not unmindful of the value of a good held of swedes as a winter reserve for their nocks, and are prepared to speculate against unfavourable weather conditions. Past experience has, however, brought home to them the wisdom ot experimenting with other root crops that will provide a substitute incase of failure with the favourite fodder. Eor this reason the cultivation of mangolds is being tried more extensively this year, but only in small areas, because of the alleged cost oi production, mainly on account of the extra labour required. Taking the prospects for the forthcoming season generally, there is every reason to believe that it will ho a profitable one for tiie man on the land. Good allround prices are likely to*prevail for all rural commodities, and the prospective yields will he well up to the average. The dairyman seems to he the only one who is at present threatened, and it is to he hoped that the cloud that overhangs his prospects will he dispelled hy the copious downpours that are so essential to I the success of his operations.