FARM NOTES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13761, 25 September 1908, Page 3

FARM NOTES.

THE QUEENSLAND LURE. DR. NEWMAN'S* VERDICT. Far fields are proverbially green, but Dr. Newman, who returned last week from visiting a relative who is a farmer in Queensland, does not advise New Zealanders to hurry to that State. Farming in Queensland is subject to great hazards, while in New Zealand it is safe. The soil of tho famous downs, which he inspected, though not as a prospective purchaser, is wonderfully fertile, but the erratic rainfall is a serious disadvantage. Either it does not rain when rain is wanted, or the t rain falls far too heavily. Wells are being sunk to alleviate this trouble, and the rich growth of lucerne, or alfalfa grass, whose long roots draw water from a considerable depth, is a great help to the farmer in dry seasons. Though Dr. Newman would not advise the average New Zealand farmer to sell out and go to Queensland, he believes that rich men who acquire large areas there will be able to dispose of their purchases at a greatly enhanced value when the settlement of the country has increased. The rearing of horses is an important farm industry in Queensland. The horses are not nearly as good as those raised in this country, but there is a constant market for them near at hand, which New Zealand farmers lack. Horses can be bought much cheaper here than in Queensland, but it does not pay intending buyers to come so far for them. In Little Toowoomba, in Queensland, there reside two Japanese biyyers of horses, tAVO buyers for tho Dutch Ej^t Indies, and several buyers for the Indian market. The demand seldom slackens, and it frequently provides the Queenslandfarmer with his main source of revenue. The advantage of proximity to a large market is felt in regard to several other commodities. Large quantities of frozen beef and mutton are sent from Queensland to the Philippines, Singapore, and Java. The same places take an increasing amount of Queensland butter, which is not nearly so good as the New Zealand product. Dr. Newman found ttiat trade m New South Wales and Queensland is for the most part very prosperous at present. A rainfall has improved the prospects for the coming season. J

An innovation has been adopted in the south-western part of Queensland,! where,, a co-operative sheep-shearing company has been established. The headquarters are at Clareville, which is the centre of a district in which there are many selections carrying sheep. There will be a permanent v sheep-shearing plant, and here all the selectors will bo able to get their sheep treated. For greater convenience the plant has been laid dm\ n at the woolscouring works. It is expected that owners of travelling sheep will also take advantage of the system. One reason for the establishment of this concern is probably the stringent conditions required by the Shearers' Accommodation Act in the matter of accommodation, etc. Selectors will be spared this expense. The United states Government has voted £3,000,000 for the Department of Agriculture in order to carry on the work of food inspection during the ensuing year. The war on impure food (a Washington co-respondent says) will be vigorously preceded and the Pure Food Law enforced m every instance. According to a, report placarded at the W'eraroa State Farm, the champion cow Mary gave during the season 1905-6 12,1671 b of milk, being 1158 gallons, which at 7d \yas worth U33 15s 6d, or calculated on a test of 3.78 450.1 of fat, worth at 10$ d £19 13s lOd, with 10,3431 b skim milk at $d per gallon, equal to £1 Is 6d, making the return £21 15s 4d. During the season 1906-7 it gave milk valued at £36 63 lOd at 7d per gallon, and £21 15s 3d worked out at 10id for butter-fat. In 1907-8 the value of its milk whs £36 lls 6d calculated at 7d per gallon, and by the sale of ,a calf £21 Is 6d, making the enormous total of £57 12s Bd, thus giving an income of £127 1031 03 4d for the tlifee years. The liawera Star understands that the question of establishing a co-opera-live store in connection witli the Awatuna Dairy Factory is again br hi.it seriously discussed.