NOTES FOR FARMERS.

Colonist, Volume L, Issue 12165, 13 February 1908, Page 4

NOTES FOR FARMERS.

In the co-operative experiments throughout Ontario Sutton's Magnum Bonum swedes gave tlio Inchest yield of roots per acre in each of the years 1902, 1903, and 1901.

Temuka farmers state wheat yioJds are turning out disappointing— from five to ten bushels below expectation, and in one case a crop was eati mated to yield 50, and returned 30 of firsts. The appearance and bulk of the straw is good, but the dry weather appears to have prevented grains at the top and bottom of the ears from maturing.

The potato crop in South Canterbury so far shows no signs of blight, but the crop will undoubtedly be a iight-yi6lding one; the tops look well, but the tubers have not developed, and it will surprise many if the yield exceeds four or five tuns uo the acre, and hundreds of acres probably about three.

There is a firmer feeling in the oat market (says the "Otago Daily Times"), consequent upon the disinclination of Southland agents and growers to quote for forward delivery. It is known that millers and merchants all over the colony tre bare of stocks, and that some brisk buying must shortly be done. In Tim&ru and Oamaru the lowest quotation for .feed oats is now 2s 4d f.o. b. , s.i., and speculators who have made contracts for March-April delivery at under that price have made haste to cover themselves. The ruling quotation in the country is 2s on t r : : j. !:.». nod this applies alike to Canterbury, North Ota go, and the Taieri. Sales of small lines of old lots are reported at 2s 3d ex store, and 2s 5d f.0. b., s.i.

The cotton industry in Queensland 'offers an encouraging prospect. The breeding of two new varieties, Jones's Hybrid and Thoaiatis's Caravonica, which easily beat the older kinds for yield, is spurripg on farmers to take up the enterprise, aa the returns already won by others justify the venture. The didieulty (of procuring suitaole labor at picking time is not co great when small areas ate planted, and the farmer does not nufc all his eggs into one basket.