AGRICULTURAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 13727, 17 October 1908, Page 2 (Supplement)

AGRICULTURAL.

\t some of the prosecution-* under the Thistles Act aKLeoogwha,* Victoria, the G. Read Murphy ' isamr,-tbe-?AJ<mnial' of Agriculture ) ofa series of-prize*" to ~* ? <- n . ndren Vii&mg'-in~'the,.. largest riumb-r ■«» ragplant' with"--which the district is infested,- to head tench-r -of the. local State' School. .A*' the ««ult. teacher* writes to ear that -o far lif.VKt uEißts .of .ragwort have "been brought to ' were brought iu daring", the,- firef'-four days. Apparently (&£><*»'£«» been very successful, and the *hiiajtrn>iaVe for tbe time being cleared ragwort of appreciable size. -fTB> enormous- amount- of damage which mawbfc.cavsed Ly "insects i<i illustrated by ~i| report in?'*he 'jonrnal of the' Franklin Jns{xt9t& .'A species of-bark'beetle-has ■ttaeked'tbe,valuable pine forests of the •--Black;. JH3b," South - Etatato. and -in -10 rear*.:doheldamage to "tie" extern of £l.280,0C0. ?-J!o efiectuaL meaas of- arresting has been found, buc a natural -' remedy veeems to - -be • working it*»lf out in a ieuarkable-way. -Two years 35SP fat fungus" .-was * found - on the- trees -which caused.- the bark to peel off. This exposed-'the- «gg» and young of the beetles. . and "ifc.-js.hoped that in*, this way they will . soon- be exterminated. '-Although. i tbe"jßpaß«e last year did not .tato-away-atgieat-deabof wool from Aus-thjareeia-no donbt that the 6tyle of' . dress worn the. eountry • is changing, and "inl-the "near future -the country must become one of the Commonwealth's chief customers. In 1907 Japan-imported £5.500,000 -worth of wool or woollen goods, thejr wfll'have to continue to import for many-Tears to come, as last- year there were only 3300 sheep in all Japan. Tbe stock in" Japan in 1906, the latest year in-which the figures are. available, were:— Cattle, -' 1,190,373; horses, 1.465.466; sheep, 3501; goats, 74*750; and swine. 284.7008.- - - FARM POULTRY. • < _ ' The question has been asked («ays Farm, •Field,'and-FiKsideK How many fowls can betprofitabry-kept on the. general- farm? Jt-isJ-df course, true that tie smaller the •flock the greater, will be the-percentage becauseasmall flock of 50 to-ICO jnay-ibe kept on -the average -farm at ■w3ry.' i r}ttl* : coßt I for food. There is -usually enough, waste/nod to support that number or>h*ns,:?ptrfc if tbe same waste food ba •divided;among-100Q hens it will be *=een $5?& tin-food cuMfper fowl will-be greater. jest enough hens a£e;kept"4o.eopsuine the waste products, sidte, there* is 'the manure, which ii'worth something. Nevertheless, ponltryikeeping may-be made a leading- feature «£&- 'system of "mixed-husbandry .and protoibry"under jiuch -a system it."will pay larger profits~than as L separate business. Xt\is the-.fajntt'that the country depends upon a!large part $f tbe poultry products. The-amount produced "on special poultry farms is small compared with the immensequantities produced on the -farms under a system of mixed husbandry. - •PLASTEfG PIECES OF POTATOES. ''As' the result of an experiment conducted '.tor' four years in succession in planting one.' two, or four piece* of potatoes; per bill, and using the same weight of "seed in. every instance, it «•*- found that'larger yields and better results have been obtained where only one piece was phwted^ia'each jkuse. Tbe average result .for the ;four years, which were very suggestive,'* were" as follows:—One piece in; each "bill, 221. bushels: two piects in each'bill, 202 bushels: and four pieces in eaiph'hiU. 82" bosbek per acre. The cutting of a potato tends to increase the number of stems -produced, -and when, from tjro to font •small potato sets- are planted in;one place there' is a greater number of; stems -produced than when one large piece is -used. ; The- average percentage of marketable potatoes from each of tbe ibr.e methods was as follows: —One piece per *i11,.73 per cent.; two pieces per hill. 67. per cent.: anil four pieces per hill. 62 per cent. It seems as though a few large; vigorous stems give better result* m/jbxrtlr quality of potatoes than - of small, weafclv. steu-.ii. winch, are ahncefc sure to grow when more than'one'piece is planted irt each hilt. Another says :—For a' number of rears- in succession an experiment m« conducted at tbe Ontario Agricultural College' [jn planting whole potatoes of different sizes,' tbe sekctions each year beiiijr made from the crop produced the year previously from a similar selection. Tlie average result*- from a duplicate experiment conducted during the eighth year after the commencement of the experiment were as-fallows:—Large who!* 1 -potatoes. 199'- battels; medium sizvd whole potatoes, -173' bushels; small whole marketable potatoes. 116 bushels; and very small whole-potatoes,' 99 bushels per acre. '- A» -a ; result of this and other experiment* it has been found that large potato**, or large pieces of potatoes, produced greater yields than cither small potatoes or" small pieces. It has been found that large potatoes, cut into pieces of about'two ounces give satisfactory results. wjxna the- amount' of seed wed and ihyield of potatoes produced are both taken into account. 'THK AGRICULTURAL REPORT. ;The report presented to Parliament by the Minister for Agriculture states that th>-number of holdings over out' acre in "Stent has increased hy 1029 for the year. and by 10.581 in the last right year*. This i» due nob only to the cnbdi virion of- forge estates, but also to tlie of - considerable areas of Crown lamlii. The area in occupation incrvnsed during the-ytor by 155.805 acres'. wliiW> the. area i»fCiiltivation incTeas.'d by 515.514 acrfs. ' The value of the production for the y*a>i"-including agricultural, perioral and dairy products flax "a* estimated at £25.000,000. The export* of these products amounted in Talue to JD17.0C0.475. It is estimated that durinz tbe year 6.000.0C01b of ;weol aikd 2,250.000 sheep and lamh>. oxen am) pigs were consumed in tM«Dommion. •- '■. "*- "h.pn the-'whole, last seaeon's harvest was w4H-up-t«» «be aremge-in the yield per aere. .The are* in wheat was. greatly trreimseribeii, owing-cltießy-to dry weather. au4.ajso.to the general of the aoricoltural .dMrictn • loward* sbeep-farniing. S'«»e- dkttxicta «mf«yp*hr<Uu nhrdlti lilop yam* 195.031 ocrs* W«r* -ovrn in «rh>;tt. yielding:-an average Af 2 - 8&4 ha«hok, and i .total- output of 5.567.139 hmhel«. The imports-of wheat - and Hour for the year w*nc equal • t<>-"356.846 «f wh<*;it. A total of 386.885 acr<-. un.l. r •»»« yi.-1.1e.! 38.82. bnsbeis p«r acre, ami an aj:jrr>igate output of 15.021.861 hiicltf'-. The of in«ri-.•«•-<I bv nearly 1J mill»uw: ihietlv in the Siutli I»I.ui«l : in cntttred bv 10.000 rbi-tly .n tli- N'onh IUlht: s.rine riTn.iinwl ahout tlw «aii»«- in ntmbetv

Tfet f-iU in wm.l *• a:tnl»uf«l ii. Mi* Antrkflß rirunu:il jani.-. During tin* v.»r 1a8.521.1521b o( w.*>h v..!u-.I *t £.V649.«a* exj»»rt«ii. > Tb*r« war. .» «Mt<-irn« r !n tin- ci)">tt "f awtoo. of*, which 1.662.275 . .iir.w<-« «•■>!•• bbtppeii. tlorJUtf tl» r«ar. :!..• total r..lu.' being £1.157.083. -I<«m>> rair»<.h «hi|>|»nl to««tV.l 235W.753.. worth £ J. 310.722. ..n.t h»<j.-528.123>"«t., «r«. r tli £5S3.'kV. „' TW c'iwwtic nntilili«n« «hi< !> y- v .iU.I daring ill* *#*.»ott »■•:* tu.l ;«|tni:frli« r ii' vourabk* ir«>nt .» <tairym.wr • jk.ih- •' \irw. A «J«I, »*t «|inw: w:--, t'.illrtwcl l.v «.i • •■>f rb«- h<.!''»t ;uul <ir-* (.uuiDKih ui-ii Wfnnl. The Hln'.n >■'. :hi« wre leu. nurkf.l i» Au. U.hhl .m.! <-iitli].imi th>n in otW prorin<--. C.iutertitirv. WMlmemn.

Taranaki, and Hawke's Bay suffered severely, more especially On the lighter soils, where the. grass w"as literally' burned up. The range of prices has been gratifying. Never-before bus' New Zealand "butter brought such prices. Up to 15s .per cwt. was quoted, and: even that price was exceeded. Forty-one new cheese factories were registered, having the immediate effect bt swelling the cheese exports, partly at the expense of the butter output. The • total, quantity of butter exported for.the vear was 25a.959cwt. valued at £1,449,271, a decrease of 49.5604 cwt. in quantity and £212,03. in value, as compared with the previous year. - The exports of cheese . amounted to 291,617 cwt. valued "at £908,873. an increase of 115,238cwt. in quantity and £345,950 in value for the season.

The high prices ruling for poultry food during the year has given a teropoi-ary check .to the-poultry, industry, but the dearnees of fowl has at least had the effect of causing many, to get rid- of poor layers and old stock. On the other hand, those who really understand poultry-rais-ing-have conserved -their stock, and- have found that prices advanced ately to the decrease in supply. The question whether.poultry-keeping van be conducted profitably continnes to be discussed. The answer is that the result will depend upon the skill, application, and business capacity of those engaged in the industry. Unfortunately there are some who think that poultry-keeping requires neiher knowledge nor experience, and their failure is seized upon as proof that the industry will not pay.

CULLING STUD FLOCKS. Tlie New Zealand Sheep Breeders' Association (North Island) is taking a plebiscite of it* members on the proposed culling regulations so much discussed at-the recent annual meeting at Palmerston North. The voting paper tent out to members is. accompanied by the following letter from the chairman of the council, Mr George Wheeler:— "At our last, general meeting the questions of culling our regfe'tered flocks by writing off 15 per cent, of two-tooths, also 5 per cent, of older sheep, and the inspection of all registered sheep sold to found new flocks, were fully' discussed; and it was resolved that thtvse questions be referred to each member of the association and a vote taken thereon. , These questions are as follow, and are' numbered 1. 2. and 3 : "1. The owners of registered flocks shall not add more than eighty-five (85) per cent, (fractions to be raised" to whole numbers) of any one year's crop of ewe lamb; to their stud breeding flocks, and tbe.y shall not. in disposing..of the fifteen (15) per cent, of trre_ culls, give such n certificate "of breeding as. would entitle them to be ebtered' in the Flock Rook. Should this rule .be infringed the Hocks shall be liable to be disqualified and expunged frc-m the Flock Rook. In - exceptional cases, as for impoitod sheep, permission may be given by the council to exempt a dock from operation of thk rule. "2. That owners of registered flocks shall not include in their breeding returns more than ninety-five t95) per cent, of the ewes they put to the ram (lie previous eeason. Any relaxation of this rule required for sjvecial selections or importations, can only b? obtained by submitting same to the council.

"3. That all regi*tereed fire« in the Xew Zealand Flock Book when noli! be inxpected. reported ujWn. and approved before truru-ft'iß are recorded in the Flock Book, and that tilt* cost of each iw-pi-ciion be horiv by the vendor. " You an- a«ked on the following pag«ynur opinion upon earli o{ these, and you can support all. or any one, or none. The voti/ig papem must be returned to tiic m-c----retarv not later than Satuidav. Oetobtr 17. " Daring the di«cnndon at our annual meeting it became apparent that so much mkappii-htnsion existed r.-g.irding tluee propunaU. that to take a v»;:e without wimf- explanation would l»e a wart* of time. "Xo. I.—l therefore take this opportunity to point, out that Xo. 1. while insisting upon tl»e culling of 15 per rent.. of all 'wo-footh«. leaves this cnlling entirely in th«' hand?* of the breeder. The nmappreheirMoii prolraWy-'arose from the fact tliat in the South -I<Handthey have not adopted the 15 per rent, culling of «•»'<■« by tlie owner a* our proposed rule 6Ugge>tn. but have appointed in-imtoit, to go through flockx and villi- them in.«te,id »f the owner. Very are- so many :ik 85 jier cent, of-two-tooth* ititroduivd to a high rLoxi tliK-k. The eni»-»- rite.l of hard«hip under tha; pr.ipn>ed rule, ate of young hred<-ei«* who have purvha«cd »ood loiv nf e«re». and are .itixioitii t" ilinv.ise their riWkn. 'Lliv i-'ply is, that eu.-s are no 1m iter after pur.-hac? tliin hefot>-. and that when in the hati.N i,i their breeder proliablv nini e th.'ii 1.-> pi-r cent, .if f'-ni.d'.i -Ht-ru eullcd. 'Hi- b-ne fit ••:' tlii* iul»- to the joei-ty would be th.n :h- 15 per eviit i.f :h>.- <-ul!i« eoiild n»J I >M and tfaPhfen-'-d to f.niiid ..'h-r I.glMered tto.-k'-. ' - No. 2 l:-!er.-|!.-e t.i p:.„t v01t..,, : Klork IVw.k .dioMs th.ii mine ..»ed .„•■. bar.- hem Minieimiu, i-emd-d :i» !>.. v iriil b vii bred from than w.o. likely, and <--r tuinly w.«> not a dv Ma hie. I enbiii:: lh.it. tie-jleiitng to t ull atitnuily. t» n..: ■:■! rul-ited t.. inspire i-ontidrt.r.- -n i.m- K1... k Hook : and that n wit!mi; ..tf ••: • j» r j i-riit. .-rif». it- anytlnng. "ti !h- • t -i- ••!' : l»'iii»i:.y. Valti.il>'-- ini|->i-!nfioii« ..: -..'.- UlMllled bv tefririllg 1.1 the .-.mil. .! - X... 5' Tii- ...!.- ef .■«.. ~.11..1 fi.,1,1 , te K ,.To.l rt.-k- in..y i.«uit in -!.r. p H .it.-; bied fl'.in. wiurli ittin-i t'..|ii ■■■■'■ • ■' nlirm.'v u- mf. ri.e. and thin t.ti.'i. to

deteriorate. the breed. The association should have the power, to inspect all discarded registered ewes, and have the rightto refuse a., transfer of-the same, eo-that-inferior females"should cease to breed stud sheep.'' •■.--.'■■

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

A Departmental Committee appointed in March of. last yeari to inquire into the facilities for .instruction in England and Wales have just'recently issued their, re-pon-in the form of a Blue-Book. This, Committee conducted an exhaustive investigation. They found ample evidence to show that the existing agricultural colleges, however well- conducted, do not at present affect more, than 5 per cent, of the farmers of_ England. The Committee find .'that-', the-winter school, after the German model, u>the best form, for lower grade agricultural education in England. Four local authorities. have already established such institutions. In introducing srteh a system the Committee suggest thatthe age of admission should not be less than sixteeen, and. that only pupils possessing some 'practical- ■ knowledge should be admitted or; at-'any rate, preferred, and that- a simple 'entrance examination -should be instituted.' The conise- shoiild extend over.two winter sessions. The Committee realise, ,however, that the lack -of suitable teachers at present pieclud?.« any large addition to the 'number of winter schools, but "they estimate that if the policy were approved,by the Government?a supply. would be forthcoming, so - that within ten years about'sixty schools would be provided. Local winter, classes held in one or two • rooms taken in a market town, are also recommended i\> beginnings and feeders to the larger schemes. Dealing with the work, of agricultural and kindred assosiatioKs, the Committee express high appreciation, and w'uggest. closer cooperation between them and the local authorities which provide instruction in manual processes. There is a great need for experiment aiid investigation in dairywork and poultry-keeping. Instruction in bee-keeping and the, preparation of honey for the market should \>2 given in many counties wbere'oi is at present unavailable. Grants ought to be given to encourage colleges giving-higher'instruction in horticulture to email holders and every couiuy fchoiilil employ, an official instructor. All counties should make provision for in-.-tniction in farriery, and all horticultural and agricultural institutions should teach farmers and gardeneis to, make use of existing mear.-s.of information regarding the weather. Agricultural libraries for rural districts are also recommended. Regarding teachers and methods of teaching, the Committee- recommend more specialisation. At present the- quality of the instruction suffer* because the- teachcis have to dfal with too many subjects. Each area the size- of an average county should have its resident agricultural adviser, attached

to .-v college or place of higher instruction.' and itinerant teachers who would be able to get into intimate touch with the sm;ill fanner should b& appointed, and grants-in-aid should be made for this -purpcise'"by'' the Board. As to the type of instructions, the Committee think that ttey- should be connected with some institution where, on a farm or in a garden, they would be in constant touch with practice. Further all the teachers in a, district should be as closely associated as possible, in order io assist each other in their work. In those districts in which theree is no suitable instruction farm institutes should be established to serve as head-quarters. These institutes should possess a farm which should be laid out 6o as to be typical of the district. The general aim should be to place before -farmers and gardeners nu object-lesson for guidance in ■ -their work and to stimulate them. Instruction also would be given in classrooms. In general the farm institutes could be combined with winter schools. Means should also be provided for research, but the Committee recommend an increase of the fcrnff of : workers at the experimental stations and teaching centres rather than new institutionfi. The Committee strongly urge- that the Board should provide scholarships enabling holders to undertake post-gratluate research and to study agriculture abroad. On the question of departmental control, the Committee's conclusion is that, while all instruction in agricultural subjects - forming - part -of K course of study in primary, oecmidary, and evening schools should be under the control of the Board of Education, scientific and practical instruction otherwise provided should be under the Board of Agriculture. As to local organisation, each county may be left, to adopt the system best "suited to its requirements, but. it should ; have a special committee which flinnld include members ; engaged in agriculture or allied industries.