FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 June 1921, Page 12

FARM AND DAIRY.

r BRIGHTER PROSPECTS. Writes our Pungarehu correspondent: “I believe the present low prices are unreal and only temporary,” said a coastal farmer. “The prospects ahead are very much brighter than they seem at the present moment. I for one sec no cause for pessimism in regard to the future'of Zealand. While realising the danger of the future, we ought to take a long view, and not let them obstruct our perception of the chee fui prospects ahead.” ' Continues our correspondent: Speaking of farming prospects, a local farmer said he was not egotistical enough to make a prophecy. There certain facts which must be noticed? z The immediate future of the dairying industry was bright, as Supplies were short. In his opinion, however, the danger mark had been reached, where land was selling at from £l5O to £lBO per acre. There was a glut on the Home markets. Already the price of meat had been reduced, and as it was absolutely necessary to dispose of the surplus somehow, it might be neteessary to reduce the price still further. In a country so blessed as this is, things must brighten in the‘'long run, and although the country at present had its ups and downs, its future prosperity was assured by its great natural resources. THE MANURE SHORTAGE. My informant also had something to say on the manure shortage, stating that they were constantly being asked to produce more, but this was impossible without fertilisers. ]n a district such as this, where the virgin bush hud disappeared, the land was producing as much as it would ever do, and fertilising and top-dressing were absolutely necessary. The dairy cows took a very great quantity of nutriment from the soil, nutrim -nt which it was essential to replace. Without manure even £lOO per acre dairy land would have to be topdressed unless sheep were put on it. The same thing applied to cattle fattening. The area used for cattle fattening had been restricted owing to the high prices ruling for dairy produce. Fattening paddocks had been used for milk production, and the surplus cattle had to be fattened on second-class land, which was only useful for that purpose after the application of basic slag. The Premier was doing his best to get Nauru Island phosphate. He urged greater economy, harder work, and an unflagging spirit of optimism. THE NAURU SUPPLIES. Tn referring to this subject, some people seem to be pessimistic as to the success of Nauru as a fertiliser producing island. A scientist, who had visited the island, recently gave his oponion on the fauna and flora and the possibilities of the island. He stated that the island offered immense possibilities to agriculture in New Zealand, but the difficulties of working and transport were hampering progress and the distribution at present. He thought the Government had. acted wisely in taking over the island in the interests of New Zealand agriculturists. He also stated that when the labor troubles were settled. Nauru Island would prove a great boon to the whole farming community of New Zealand.