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Taranaki Daily News, 31 March 1934, Page 24 (Supplement)

The autumn judging of entries in the pasture section of the farmers field competitions has commenced. During last week Mr. J. M. Smith, of the Fields Division of the Agricultural Department, visited Huirangi, Lepperton, Oaklira and Okato. The remainder of the itinerary is as follows:— Monday and Tuesday March 26 and 27, Urenui; Wednesday March 28, Tikorangi; Wednesday, April 4, Tarurutangi; Thursday, April 5, Toko; Friday, April 6, Wharehuia; Monday, April 9, Inglewood and Kaimata; and Tuesday, April 10, Hillsborough and Omata. It is rather remarkable that since it was decided two years ago to judge the pas-, hires both in the spring and in the autumn, the summer has not been nearly as dry as usual. As a result there has been a considerable growth and the pastures, which are looking very green, seem more like spring pastures than autumn. Consequently there will not be the sharp marked contrast as between spring and autumn, especially along the coast, where the pastures this year under similar treatment should compare favourably with those on the higher land around the mountain, which usually have the advantage in the autumn. * • • ♦ Very large numbers of sheep and lambs have been sent away from the district east of Stratford this year. So large has been the number that it is thought in some quarters that the district must be getting somewhat depleted. A prominent Kohuratahi. farmer, however, holds the opinion that despite the large number that have left the district, the flocks will show an increase. He points out that the season has been a very good one. . Not only was the percentage of lambs higher than usual but climatic conditions were such that the lambs have done remarkably weTL • * * • The nose of the pig is an index of his or her nature and condition. In the healthy pig the nose is moist, cool, ana pink in colour. To the touch it is elastic. In disease it changes in appearance, becoming' pallid or purplish, dry, hot and rigid, or else flabby. Many an experienced breeder can tell at a glance the general condition of a pig from the condition of the nose. When pigs grow listless and seem to be dozing or sleeping more than usual, inspect their noses, and you are likely to find in them the indications of trouble. •*• . • The country out east of Stratford supports cattle remarkably well. Several fine lines have gone out of that district this season. Last week one line of over 200 head, well forward and many of them fit for the works, were to be seen on the road. They had been secured by Mr. G. V. Pearce from several farmers in the Whangamomona, Kohuratahi, Tahora and Mangapapa districts, including Messrs. I. Law, E. B. Robertson, Selby Bros, and Murphy Bros., and were en route to Mr. Pearce’s property at Waitotara. About three weeks previously another line of about 100 head, went from the same districts to the same purchaser at Waitotara.