DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIII, Issue 14363, 1 December 1910, Page 6

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

1 AN.VI'AL thill'OßT. The iiuiiiia! report of tho Departdeii:; .a .".:_;-.»: u! -.ar.r. Commerce, and i 'i'i,ur:-L,.. 10,- Liihi. ~, „„„■ Cu hand. The | h'.oU, v.h.l, :., ucil and pco-fu-cy ::! : fat.-!, l, oubhohed by d.rcc- '!'■" oi 1'.,, ,\l;ni:,tei.- lor tlire, ' th:- ti.,... 11.I 1 . .Mache.iii.e. ft i > not I lie.l.j .... ta11... a.? ui i.'ivvwus vcj.j, but i.i:.;.,- ~ iC.U a L-a-.» ot USelul Hi., m.-it.oa in. it. SoiaL.- eitraeli U'om tu: - U ol I'he tri.de ci Ucauniou fur tho year r-vij.,' J_ao he-.-a aUcn. us to in..p.rc .-..ueu'ed cotiti'aeia,u. iioth ei-t-ei'ual ai.d ii.ti.i-ua! cuinl.t.uiu have been ta.-ourab!..-, with the result that the value o. our export., ihoWs an in-crea.-e oi i.'-;, l-Tl.'.dlJft over tiie previous year etniiU:./_ ,iL.-.t .Vla.'ch, ei t uall:tijj; p.'l- cent., ti.e e.;uurts tutalhna £ll,-4DL,.-'o:j :.:; as a-aiia,t £17,-(Jll.-UL 10r XLUJo-IJ. T'ho imports Were valued a: showuio a tiecreaso of £1.4fJ7,iJ40 as compared With th« previous year, duo no doubt to the of the- money-market. The export/) show a surplus of £G, llib.Hb over uupoit.i. th* red; t.on in imports, the total trade v..:.-, vahied at t:;Hj I Si-iG ) .'l'JI), as coui-p:ir.-i v. i;ii for the year horli in th» value of exports and iiv total trade the are tho ...L:-d!i-,c r,...-,.i-d,-d ;ii the luvtory of the iJouiinio::. 'II.i-. \... a particularly trratii'yi.'i:." result, folloivitij; as it does !li:n:.;i!:i!.lel'.- or; ;;. j.-i-rio,! of trado de-T)re>-:o>i v, 1:.,-ii. has l»';n U'orld-uid« m Its i.'dlu..-a'.-.■■■. With the better tolif 11 "«' iM.j.a.-i-i,: in the money-oiaxkoi it i-. ror ;■ .i.i'i:.' '.) . \| t a. very substant-.'■ \: ■:■.■ :..-. u. iiapoi-Ls during the-CUT-Ai":!:ii.T:.Tl-!:.M. .statistics. 1 be ,i-e.ir. e-,-r. ~f .-,,!:,.,. c ;,0_- :l .nd com. r<!-'" lb- :a:ara! :vh;r:,. of land nctlltlTii" ..-•'. ,-M r.lie p:-.,di!i-e thereof, and tl.-o -.:' i-ll !:c--teek except diaep, eau.v.l ■.- ■ .••:-:ir.i..i! to !>. eiveri to the quei:.i.c,-i . ;" ■■. hoi.:, x -..1,,■ m..>t iu-ee.-sa.rv jsirr .-:>. ."' rla- iai.a-raa ta.u could riot h"e cbtvi-in-.d !.v i. !.-. e!a'.o-ate au.l co-tl'" systam. a:/! a. p'.-i: eniinly different from i he [, ■■:■ . i- v. a, ilevismi. The effaa.-v. :•:tr-i.-i.-■'i v.l-l] rl-- duty of colr.h ■ ia:or:-'.a tio-ii were at a da-iovaaia -,- in the iihrn.rmal sca-Tort in wli.cit •!:■■_ v, ore called urjoti to act tir-.ca no v i..:,>;, If -liahn- the furTii.shi}' '. '- ■■■■ ■■'::: r. port- i'»n tl;r> couC-:-->-> . ■' th ■ .t-.0--. Ti.,. result, hoivp.v-.-. I r.har the iuf-.rmatam v'lr.-h -:■■.: < ■ ohiaacl l,v the | WB r---- (I ■.-.-.!■ be -,:: i :;.-i,-ncly- exact for p-'act..:.-.! p'jrpi.sp.-i. Ti has been le.-irro: :l:a: the >■>-re,-i arionfwt b pra,-r.|. a'!- with that" followed in Canada and several other countries. r;ni"p:\ chops. \- - :*'a, ur.d-r c;rae'a crops wa» ' cstjm-'.t <'. :. z S-Kl.rxH) acres, a-ainst

ao-..'J_;l acre.-F in t_.-> prevloas year. 'fut'cips _,_a..v_->l a de_.ea_-e u; *.., , .'-..J acre-, and rape an iai_re___~j n_ 4.»'_ ; o acre.. (».'. .11- Lo the inire_i..ed .'ava-e_> 01 p,.-,r.s and it:.~e._--.-. of the plant.-., and .11 sumo «ii-i_r.c-.- to abiiettco ot r-.iil, ther-- was, a hir-e p.oyortioti -1 tiulttr.-auioii--t th,. iTi.is. T'no- miiiu-ii'.'c-. oth-r than eUrii.it:- v. lii.-li eoiitr.biite to these -cXiOU:. iu;-.-. . are the .-abject ot inv,;.-;i-j.tiou, and it is iion-d that, eith.r by r..tnt:,.lyii!y dc'.e...t~ .11 etilt;v.itiott or bv the di-euVery of re-...»•-.:;::

Varieties ut tuuU and todder plant-, the 10.-i.cs may be averted, tanners '.'. 11l be invited to a.-s'st towards the rci.ult by couiniun.eating to the !)-..-- pai-tiutrtit particulars of ttii' manner m v. hull th: ir crop., l:u.Vf been attacked, at:d any other miuritatiou which tiiay f tni'u.v iTijLc ijl the c.uestiou. Th.> liter crop-' oi turnips m most districts in- j elude many -.ood yields, and the- valua j c; the- maa.cold-w-uriei in res ; stlu» I dicca.-.o ar.d prcducic.-i a. quantity [ moustraiod. Ths importance of" pru- i T.diny; a supply of fodder tor dairy * utock during the summer and autumn j in the- .North, and the- winter months in I the South, is recognized by tho De- I partment, and exporims-nts are bei.it;: I made with uuuit.rG'.:.-'. plants and var.e- I tics, sotae of thy results ct" which are [ very invite farmers ia varices parts of the ( cuitn;r- to itrow experimental plots cf j the must prmrd-jint; of these plants. j The cultivation of various crop,- j>r I seed purposes is steadily »xpaudi::j;. j Peas, oat-., clovers, and tctfaiuo: and j Several other <;ra se> are produced in quantity and of line quaiKv. The cock-foot and ryegrass, ti-rcps wvi>. wry prolific, but the former rrj.: <m the i»'ra'.-> lighter in we--dit pt- bushel 1 than wa = OTHER CROPS. ! The crops Here a taiiuic -n many I ida.ee- uv. to Hie ary -..t.._aci Uui-.m e i ! the .ne; season, and m j the ravage, ut tiioea-i-,, -..liAe m some- I uu.tri..tj the yields >vu;o jojud aid oi [ excellent o,ual:ty. 'ihij s>upi>iy tur tho I uiarktt was e'-'iLi:dcraU.y leuaicud by J di..tas-> ajier ti.j eioi» was &lu:«.-d. iiio area, is. est.-'aale'l at o\>,u'J'> ae-es, v.:ta an u,ru.js yield mi ti.oi r, n< net a/.ii, area a»re», i".'o,^\jtj tolls, i2 I'JIJ'J. 'Xha_area ai oats tor tfcj-CGhims in 1010 was avrej aa evtapaied v.dtii •iOo.'JUo aerus ia. i'JO'J, and the yield per litre m IDIO iloa. 1 .""/ aerea u: tiatn v.ere !_,ri...n :a ILdU, aa against 3:)'J.tJSa aere» in R ;i -'U. j Ther,.- «ero aLl.i;:!,* ai.r..'.-> m wheat I m i'Jl'K and t-'.V-VDI tne prcvioti, year, the estimated yielth. aud SI.7Z re.~p«.'i.'t;i-eiy. The quantity j t.t wheat and imported duruu; the year ended i'ith February, i'JIU, «ai eiliial tu budieU v.'heat, and the exports duriug the aarne per.od v.er t . equal to 1,4 Ce h bUMleis n heat. A j surplus for export wa» f>ru- } du'.-ed by tiiis year's harvest. LlVfcl-BIOCK. I The seaSi.ti hiLS been teas favourable I tor stuck than vie re the nul year,. In the -Wth Island a. <Uy per.od m the early o u:unier eait-ed a | of and the prolonged ! mou: iveatiier uu.eh loilo.-.ed, and eon- I CiUUed uutil the uutunui v. a» v. ell ad- I TMtCBd, eauiin- a superabundance of Vego:at:.ou, had a very ;ulvcrst> edeet. eapccaily upon lambo/and tiiero Ha.-, a heavy mortality. (J'he late autumn was tine, and.-to.h irapruvc<.l ua cundition, di.,pellini; tho general "fear of eonttnu.d heavy looses ditruig the* winter and .-.pr.n-,). in the South island of tUe jumaitr "'as dry, but rain-i i m tho autumn produced abundance of j i-iid, and stock lattcned beyond all ei.pe.ctatr.uxs. ! SUKEi'. | TLi roturns collected at X'th April, I'J'J'J, ahuwed th*> nuaib.-r of sheep m , thti Uouunajn as an macu« oi l,'jyi,iJo4 on tho number tor the pruVioUo year. Tho returns for 3Uth Aprd, IUIU, v.ill probably alu'.v aa increase of half a mili.uii upon the previous yea«''a figures. The" lambiui ta->t year ou.te as prohtic as in tho prcr.eiLi abundant ieajuu, and, wLilo tie eii;).jrc o: iro2en mutton and lamb vtaa larger than in tho i/revious year, and the percentage of losses greater I tiiaa iu ti.e preceding tv.u vears, per--1 maiient Uuchs ivere aided to. and | extended to many ne-.r j districts. Tho tablo ifcovvs the number of a h«e;i m the Domtnim (on tireodth April.., tor the last three years (ended Uuth September.! i Sheep. l"ar. 3'Jth April. I'JU'J L'3,4i0,707 IfUS 10ur i»J,<;'i3,77-2 It is estimated that during tiie year 7,OOO,I>J<J lb. of wool, and 2,000,000 carcases of sheep and iambs, btsd.-s oxen and were consumed within tiie Dominion. Tho exports for the turreiit season are estimated at \!,W>, , "> i > carcases mutt'jn and 3,o'Jo,*Kj'J carciu-.es lamb, besides l«|j;a and pieces. The disorders which have, affected shet.jj in rertaiii districts aro clixsely iuv.-stt;»at«d by th<- Veterinary Officers «>f tht? Oe-partii.-.-rit. Tho general licaith of tho tioi-k> ii highly satisfactory. The breeding of rams for sato continueci to l)t> carri».d on ur*>n an exci'ssivo scak>. and the quality of the animals offered at maßy of the fares and sales, as well as the profits ~f breeders, has .vuffpred. The ShiT»p-J>i-i'edfrs" Associations haTo apparently found it ho|H»les» t«> obtain acsTpement amongst their members upon any «yirtem of Irt-»p«"t!on of stud s!iter> and flucks, and th«- pt,siti»n is [ i:ri»atisfa':Mrv in the t-xtretue. Setting

; a:,- brcl aiv an-'.- ic ...imi-.-r t-;- thr. - t i:ir.-!,.. uls -■• ': ; .• D ": '■.::■■ n -■ .r-i - ' .V.|.-:rai'.i. :. r, -J . •;• r -•—' ■ .. !»•■>. r . v.!:-. • .--.'■'■•'! :■'■ "<• ' A--->v.i ..ii.-.P-h...-'b : ! R-'niiif'- Mo-h" "-.-. t- bV.d a..,. -7 .eh-.... ;.. M, [rr...r. cd'or -• I-"-., . r..n_'. T-•;•;:.. • .dr. Short iii.viv »■:;■ . -.-•>:- ~» Kn U>b and hi _.'..-:■'.. - ! pa-wi .r :.i t >. ;|.r. championships for i':-' L'lii't. :>':•: :■■•-■ no! t-.w... en- les-i-.' .i-li tri!p.or,d-.[. *r;i>.!>, and four tii-. ' prii_..-. - .-.-. • ct.ir.-; tho board" in Hi.la.--.- in nhil-l, his sheep wore...!:-d.lc f romp-i... and in the, ch."ur.i>loiiihi[>s d-.f.-_.t:ii-_ all comers. An • 'tit--rnrlse ..t :t different order, which it U h-p-d will at-o result to tho advatita-o .it New Zealand sheep-brood-er.-, v..t- carried .>ut almost simultaneously by -Mr .1. K. Davenport, or (.'hr!~t-!uirch, v. !:•> took to Argentina f-r sale, hut not for exhibition, :'. seteet'o.i «[' stud shee:> .;S various" breads. 'I ho i-reat mid-ipiicat.on of the nu::i!vr of flocks in ev-ry distri,■: of the Dominion renders it ah-oit.iteiy ne.-e-sary. to insuro the.r r>r»ner i.i-tititl. atb.p.. that th- present system ..- brands and earmark should he intirelv n-vis.-d. This „:.(yr ..... b—n di.~-ii--.-d r.t .a.-.-en . c. .titer-:., -s < f ..•.riouittir.tl so-iv:-:! publish--'.! that ,<,'!i,.':. ; .,.i h- submitted tot!.,- l)ero r t::.e-,r. and a sp-ohd 0.-m----mi- of s!:iv!k.wi:wj will b-e jet up icCititi'.iao them. CATTLE. A ccttirii u: '.;.-_- iniiali-i- of cattle i-t lh-j i>ui_iu...'ii v a.- no. tasteu :.!_>_. ..earbiii it c;iu b- .-tat...t tiiai tticto Is a very hir-.-. .;_..t_ ..-,.- in in.- .utile kept tuc don..-., puipo-—., v. [..:.■ ti.i-r-' :i.i-I-TLiJ-al.-j> Utcu .t = i:L-'.;i:i:.:ii i:: tit-jt stu.;k. hit ,A.uft:iii.-.t i>-.'.-!).-i.ty ut cUI- iii'.in-i.i ta, ....ti.-.. ii ".i ii;--Mr:-::u._-. c\:. m ,-..:.■..■ .i.-:r.- t.-. :., ii.ti.vn... U--:i i"..;_..c,i,... .', t....-"i-Vs.'Li.-.v..-i»; ih.%: :.:■.'.•. i i.t- ._!..•. tii-_- uuta'ucr ul : a nut tu a uutabi-r tUtre .-. ot Uiij tvisitui ai ilio cn:tw>jti. iXt'l t/i-iy ;i. !lliS.lK.' Hi tu'.Vj bcui'. lli.Lii.-U liill 111 tiiij proviuui iviiwwa, out, it, u> ::i-; ..< jtittf, ti;- j-"_r eu».' m;s a---. lj"-.-!i i.ii.:'.:or. I'iicff -a et:it ronui if:' ' Vi-i'y i.::.'ro-.L-ii:.'i:t in bo.ii ; tti.-L- p ■:[.:>— m til- s::>t i.y I thv u t tu-j :.ir:n> uy j l:.i,i'.- .atciuu u.1.1i.:t..;;:, ;.nd m tl.-. i tjy tii-.- ot t-v.-'i-y ! <;..'*, mi'i jr..,in c-.e iii-rrL. | OJ'.ta v,l aViJjj.ilti'j, t-j til.' Oiiic-riclti (\\.:.- \ rani:,;;; Lu-^^rati-,... U.nn fc'a..-t u rv | iuru.jiisd iuuitt niuit :ut.,rc->t:ui/ tMam;>leo v: iirv-'itabie an.! uii.TL-uiablo oj/.j. la tho t-!:jui;i4 m-.i.-..L di.-v._-r.tl »it:i.lar orgaat£j..io:i-i to that at Daivitit'id will be iorcietl :ur 'ir.t- ei_;>,.i:_i iu the current «,U {.r.j-ia-ily r.a'h. a total of -iL'-j/J-.-J ..-v.t. -jii::l-i' and ifu- «x:>..iti of ctiiry-pro-iuci- sLo;v a Vtry prci-u.u-. yt._r, p::rt.c;imriy m _h----ic, ' :h_i liiiruvr re-urns in tiiis pru-iuc: ::i ' rot cut --.•—.ui.auujii—.-f.-t.-ral lacv-ji-ioi I ti> ti-orn biif.L-r to ■ th..- inujji-ity ..: lie :.o;v fac.or.c-, 'iwi-.;., ! • n> ciioc-.-!'.!-!-:::-.-;. U io pre a" I aLi_- taat v.'L,:. ti.--- ilooti;- se;ii-.n'o j sulti arv- _i-..'---.ia:af..i, it will ba :'i..f.::il tiiat v.-. ro j..i.j Li-t-it iittlo tiitfervr.ct iu I Lit tw,aLts tu the prviii-vr J).,:v.-«.vii the ' tv.'O r.r.,.i i'h... _.,-;;i;;-y cf be til protlac-> £t:lt better quality, tff fer i-:.r... rt h.:> b.e':r.:!iaiy-.oj'by'tU ' and i\:ry low ens-es of o:_-tei.-.w i.-oi-st'irc ha*.v Ik en d>.<..vei-i-!. : tilt's..- biins entin-iy in tho pn.- ' clues- i.f t.rtvnte Uairi-i. Ariar. :en-.--..i.. havio hef-:. Tr.tide fe r t'.o re.-... ?k.:: 4 -,1 ; htitier «-ittai:::i:-j; So that it may he- bre-ti-ht v.;:!.. 11 t h-J req_;ire'--icct.> ~f th-.. liriti-h n-.-:iia'.:. i:-.. f Thera !>-.. n a t-.->!i-..'-.-r:•!,.<■ ;-..ji:,- | tloa in the- hi'ii'lht «-f private <iair:c-_ '■ to conmiaii.i the i-.mtid. ...■*> ,i. b..th [ r«>- ' iiiietrs and lit-.yi 1-. ii'.l €,!.;•.- as re-ani; the- iju.ility ~f"th.- iit-.-iiiee. h:;t af-O Ir. r.-_;ar.l r,. the h.-iljiil-. 5..m.. a.-i:-t- ---'• ''•'-"■" "f vi-ltiM.: th- f..|-n:< ..1 niir-;--•.upph..-r.>. and yivii!- ;n.t.-c:-t:e.n in r... tre.itiiint .1; th>- tt.iih. ami the -em-ral e;:re ~f th- ...v.-; an.l i:;-.-m:>v-. K:l----tieav.,nr, .--ill he uunii- t,, extend tins important sere:, e, but it :s maniie-t ; taat tii? n-!»,Ie dntv ~f iiiMtnn-.: th- 1 s .tiiidii-.-? of th.. iniik-.m.iMV eannr; h.- ! undertaken be the i;..v.-r<;:u.-at aid • that the faet'-ne-; inu-t an tor theni- ) •md'a--e-.ai."-o'aTth:. i able t,, ,-Ntvnd. Th,. p. -teuriaati- n ,i\ e-.-i-am i.,r imtter-tnakiitj; has b.en | lid ipte-l by many ia-.-tor.e;. abunt •_'", i p-r e.-nt. ~f tin- s-a-n/s oiitmtl b-in-, I i:ia.ui!'ae.itr.«l -.vltti th.- aid ..? ti:-- pr.-- ! ct~.;. Tl..- r.-,uit. hav.- he.n so lii-.1-.U----satr-la.-t.,ry that th.- ad-,nth.ll -A the pr.,,..-,; u:lt verv .-,,.;n l>. .-,,:,:_. ....,...,. ,1 1..-s t.r.,,:re,s - vTith the I pat .-nrlzati.'ii ,-t t!u- .-kiiu-n-i'-- --,! i jvhey for feedine: to pin, and oakes:' but the advantaac .-f the- pr.,.,>s ,„ | the ammaU front ti!b.-roiii.-- : < I are •=,- -oru-Iciv.-ty t bv th.-| invei-Lisutioiis and e-cn. -nir.erits of th.- ' I)-partment that th.~- int-n ;ts of tinfarmers demand that the -d-in'-nrik -in't l u-h,-y ha s,> trei't. i. and it '-ho.ihi' l H ". minee.'<sary f> ,-na-t eo:npuUo rv '[...-;-. tatloti -tn-h :■- i, ~. [',,-..,. ;,i ij.:,.,,,;,".-!; Kxrioriineiit-i havir b- -a e..i.,hn-t. I be ! ! 'lie I)airy-pr.,<it:.-.. l.ivhdoii with :i " v [ t .: v \ to ay-.-rta-it'iit; th- 111-st etih-'en: : ..„l ! iiu-xi>eri-iiv nu-th. d an.l ar.-iiha:,.i-s l'i»;- ' pa-teunaini; the.-.- bv-pr...iiiet.- T!-'> ! ; qtiestion of ivint'- r fo-;d t" ; , r v,M~.\vhlh ' I will nut impart objcetiouaU- tiav-iir- t., i ; ttto milk ,s under inve-ti-ntion at t ; - '■ J-.-.p,;nmental Farms. With the e--- | i tetisio.-i of v.-:n;_- r ,!_:„-:„„ .-- ".. 1 ! very important matt.-r. "l):?.nt--:a7 : o-. \ 1 -.vn..i the p.ulk-t.-.t. i-. .-till t -xt.r,-,...d bv i suppliers to a m-n.b..,- ~,' ,;".,: rv ~ ..: ! P-'n:e.= . and invent. ■«:.,.■; I,- , ~;,...,. "!',- ! th- i).iry-pro fiu ,, jbat th.eomphnn:, hav.- not ala,-.'' | majority of r-a-e> the t. -;." ha-Vr^lv--: I accurate. Th- dt-a.and has 1, '.„ ,-. i pc-at*.-! that tii- ih.v t nn.ieii: I undertake th- te-t.„a -f the milk" l,tt ! this cannot hj» a.,-.h-I e T-.- T-i-v. prodn,,. nivlsion : est\ aap^V"„ViVk p.operly t-n-.-arde-.:, tti.-s enauiini; ih-> I;.:::o.-y tens to be .-.a-hat. Instrue-te.-t :s a!«, »:„., to m .m.-.-rs and 0.>.--ri! tti the pro-.er meti.iai . •" *ah : t.™ the santplc-i tittd miiki!..-: tile t.si- ;'-'-l suppliers arc invit-d to partieipiuf =u ths :!is-ru"tion. When th.. n-thrd-! are t-.iily imdrr-tor.d bv h..:h ■> irih.--M-e eoiupla-its »',!! I;il .To'iiht eea.e ' 'ihi irreat in. reas.; 11. the exr-rt-. ..f datrvpredti-.- f.ns int.-u>itiod th.- nee.<-i : v lor improved .-diipmn.. faeditie, no"only in th.- provision of a re-uhir ue-K----ly tle.-patefi of an oversea steamer but also in the better hamllinir ,„• : j lf .' ~,.,,. < ueo on the ..oast of tho Domiuion. Tho <U-.pati.-h 01 a steamer from Aiiekland (K'tw-vn the riMtular f.-rtni-htlv _-n;lin"s troni \\e!!m»toit did not res i.t s-rlA-fa.-t.inty. and the tra-ie is now .suff,eient to claim a regular wee :!v serri.-o durini: th- hei.L'ht of tho seas,-.'-;. '" sl "."'-'' t " ll '. v tl? ,t!io :iocoiimi>i:iti-jn at «011-nj>ton and soutlieni ports for boWiiiK t-hecso a.vaitinit shii>titenfc d»nian.ls iiiuur<!iatt> remedv. Tito scarcity of beef' eattle in the United States Las caused an demand for NV.v Zealand frozen b~-F. and the export for the year ended :.otli S.|>tember v.as the largest yc-t reac'ied. The current year's .xoort.s aro e<t ; .

a-ia-iist -JPoooS omtrters iu the pro ~-d.n- year, l.'-.-.-.de's pieces. i-WlNii. Th, re was a !ai-o increase- in the nu:;.b-r .■•' pi-s r.i.ied tu ttio N-rih i->l:iiid, aie.i .u tue autumn tee -upp'y p 'fi.vi's ..ad hac-n t'- ti:- ifoiia- ma.-t!:.c-"\ias' i-Lu-i .', b-"ve:-\ small/"_; : adjun-.t 1.,"da:i;.;n... -!-• i^steijr.aati-i: F -"'-■. dl'Ve ".:ao-r."l,sai..e; ' 1 u-.vase'd at-.;:-.- u ha- liven • l.en to breeding, and thv .-::.!:ty . f tl.- st—k of swine from a brc.-i :-.,;;it of vi..w has improve..!. Th.-r. is niueii room far advance in me-.h -is -f treatment and fe. do:-;. ::: (.-■.!-:-_ that the most proiitat'.e r. -1: ts .'t:i>: the -.xtenaion of tiie os-p-.-t trad- iit.iy be see-red. Disease o.th.-.-r than tuberculosis, has been cn- '"' COATS. M-it'inm Is!;.nd hr.s h---e:i found nn-su-t.-.i- f-r ■: d-,.t u<r tho ID.-I.ait-r.tet.tV. heard of Au-ora itoats, whh h ii he- b;i-i! dec : d-'d to rcni-v... Both tho pur- and the -rade tiro prcvin.n: l'-o:ul in :..;.-. destiu.'-tl.-.n of e-rtain cosio.-s weeds ;; i;.! bu-'ic.\ nnd there is a area! d..Ji:.-,:u! for t"".om. > l'On.'lT.Y. The_ iudt-stry ~: jv-,iiitry-rai-.liig is ma:.-"!-.-:h_us i.aV.- b," -n'"ii;..i.:"v" ::-a.c.a...-v. Thv _- .p rr hab,.:i sma'h_ but lic.ii.r i-vel of the !. ::do:> iaaritet ;-; ;. result of :.'.va;!y ttdue.d .--.uppiics f.-cn: abriad h.-i--.: il:n-d .in a., tif- tart-si. ir.iparter) -:ve. a proaii-e of a pi-.:llta-i'.e iaaritet lor Xew Zealand poultry whenever tstl'Yv".---; v '■s'h.e.d-v'has C'._ wed uiahitaln. .1. s..mo ohi/ir.-es have hcen stations. -..,;:e of the oiieratlens v.hh-h involved I.eavv ex;>;-.-..-"v.-it!i small return bell;- .-i mii:;,!"..:. I„ ;i-,. a'--en,-«f etli.rt trad, it has K-en ,'. -ide.l to e!"i. tho expo!- n 'uhry dep--te. iii)i,~li~. The hie, -in- of drau-.-ht hoises js Mir-. .-. aiidne-s and ,-tr- acih in the pt-'ii.ce :- oi'.eu wantin-. Tiie position t:a>ati-ia-:-ry. The ,-xa:ienat.on and U. en-c:- . : .~t::!M.:ns is demand, d bv all •-.--.in../.at . as c f farmers, and an .-ii'o.-t -i,l b.- i.a.de to obta-i ie-isiatiou to mve .-a,--; to this v-.s. uiiai .step towa;.:~ :!ie_imj>rov-:::eut of the he:-- ; :,,i •-._ ■ 1 tiio Dor.iini,,:i. .\ ready market !...-. b. ei . found in Australia i-r u--la! !,■:■:.vy and niedlum drau-hts. this trade havl::- to, a lar-e- than lor >oi:.e t-eiiiydive years p.:-;. -nd p;-, nti~ii,-_; to eeunnue. the .-lii.-f c uiducin<ai;-,- .•._-!,., ;;:;;.ivn— expansion of : u, r: :'..:;f: ::r " 1: ' ::ii t! "-" 11 '" i,( t! "- - ->...!.... in e,.i,.:::-n;. iho demand ■-r pci.are- t-.yd.<da!o stallions and mares has :,!-, !„,.„ v .,n M; . ;; ,; no ,|. ..„., ,;a~ ~,-,-.. o, ,-,.n-;d. rabie vaim- 10 breede.s. Ini.-rtiiiiat.-ly ihe trad- in both '.r..,.i„.,.,.:.! working !„,;-,. is d .,. -•"•'-: a ;;JrT wVo;: 1 i ,1 : :, l r m ;^;;^ 'inao.y -f our sioek -an ill be spar.-d laediuiii i : . 1— s 1, r ;,,,.,..- |,u n .os-s 1,";,'-.-,, •■eel, expend to It-.:ii:_f bur ihe buvers o.r th; tra-1- : ..5,. : -.. <].,„(,,,.,... ;.;,,, ■ruth, teat ihe .-upoly in New Z.-:i!:,„d -uVhb..d''hor-,"i;;!l..' : ;^;: n ,"; *;;.:;; .-"UU- -t-k t- Au-rrallaa .J-de,. ~-;..!.. 111 i.--t eas-s. eneoui-a-ln-r results. A ouiub.-r ..I niorou-hbr-d yearilm.s were b >!!-.;•: :.,.- s,iii-,;. Nt to the Ar-i-ntinc -:re-t v..-ue in that .ounfrv. " ' ' '"' v\"oi>r.. . iae last sea-oii's clip was i j,- h,ri:e~t •';_ 'iU-.Uity :ie.d cue of th- b.-t in <'f. !' ri ''v «^^ , '.ua.;ita''n;"i' , \.', l [; ''bur' ■j".' !:i! tiirou dio.iii the sc-ll- •"/■■ =;•'■ "}■ buy.r, ;;-;-, „;ore ntim-.-r. o.:s ;,;.;,, ;., any prov.ou- y.-ar. and the ' : -,•'""- ' V ! '■"'"'! •-" I ' ! -' - ; -0 au-il. 11 -•-.- ;n:. : . various ~.,,, ri .. , na ..; :<lfl ~ ,--•,■> aovauc;. I, : .- ~,...: , .,r :. y..M ~ I tie. v.-on; ier .earh.-t ,ho-.ve.i - ,„■ • : m j pro.-.;:,..!', but in-,.,- ,-•-..-" vo .'-' v Immh-jreritercnreh. th:s ~;ai-,r ;-,,,,[. j co le.r tn -io-.-r that i'-e in- v-bi- , t !'::. e^ rt: - : ° ! - ;:i -; hp -„i ti,- !„..'-,,"" l "', ,!t! sc-,,,-,-,1. The -r-U should have a -o-d eirect, Iho exports of woo! f., r th- s--.,v: ended ;.oth sioptember. IPIR ni),\"w!'o wer- as unci,-r: V.M'X 157.f,1P h~l \h ' va!!!'l|no;^ ;ieo? ' »»-w>-22 !£; ..The qu'ant.ty sold at the- public ~„ 'en'; a. a-in v.as _(..■>. 1 ~.j li;i l( .s, ;, n ;,,,.,.,,...,. , f ..,/ie-. ba,.. s compared ,;,,:;! is sea-,,,, lh-a-es were substantially Sd" ? " : ',' t • hl, I,r " vim,s soason/tho appreciation bemj; most marked in br.','r Tf' :iml '" f, -' nor arades of cross-'r<-il: ii,o riiliiijr rates at tho public »u<.t.o B =i iu tho middle of each «f tlo

!.-:-( iivo -,a*o„, „- 0 ,.,. ..,-. ,„ u !ei-: l!1!ll. l.lOfl. • f::itii:ivy. ,Jiillli;!. - y. '■■'-lon- ' ... )_"-jl 111! JL". M'-.im>". 10 iro-.d menne ... ln_li' f_io 'J ".fei !■.-.- n.-r'_io ... i- p e',—,s .--. Pc:. hih-bied 13—15 If}-'— i-J :>!■. I .ir.. to good h..!:-br_-:. ... 10 —if.; S l .—lo 1-.:":"--t htilf-bred S>—lo * (.. —.< »il-.-.;-i- e-vos-sbrcd 11.—132 O—H Medium -to 1 I'os.dired ... 9—lL 7-9 lui'-rior crossbred 7—Si; o—70 —7 l.iuvoln and Leicester ... 01—I'll G—7 JIKAT. Tlio quaniiiv of frozen mutton exported duri:,-" the season elided -Vlth Septemhi.r. IUGD, was the lar-est vet ler.rlied in anv vear The values for H'o7. l!.)0-i. and li'ud v.-ero as f.di. wsi—.ei.lSi'.7!W— -.1...-.7.ti<3 l.amb. -.-1.78-i.(!L >L> ii.-ino.it.-j. i.ei-f. £O-:;!.iG3 £3b'J,GO3 C:lM>.pe.i_ fjVcit. The fruit-iri-ov. h-j; industry continues to make marked expansion." It, eannot v.-;. be .-aid that production has exceeded ill- reoiiiremciit-s of tho Dominion, no ro jierfeet systems of disuibiiii .n of :'r-_!_ fruit and pre ervat'ou of r.!i- .surpius i-,t force, imt tiiis si.uat.oi. is .11 .-~.11._t near vic-v.- that- the iuipei.itive ne-es- : :>.- of piepaiin- for an e.vport. trade i;a> be.n loreed upon pro-•.lm-.-r-. A ~'ii;>!;ient. of anoles mid p-ars in e-hi— toiay- from Nelson was ar.or.lin-lv made, under a guarantee by ;!:• -■..vernn'-ent of Id per pouml a-i return i- the shipiK>r_>, :fiid tho re-.-u!i en-oiii-a-es tlio belief that a subsi an! :al exj.oi-t trade is available. Co'dstora-.:- t.u- fruit, has been provided hy frejitintr cimipaiii. s at Auckland ami N"e!-:or., and the financial iv-nl;- have b.en -..-i-isfaetorv to those uho have avail-! -f it. I.arir- areas 01 von,.-. ..n hard-. :-■•■. e-tni,.- ,„ t ., h.-arin... an.l .'--ale. o, 1 ha;' ;|,o ~'„';, „.''' v for exp-n will shortlv b- of i-on~i<ler-r.bie iinportau.-e. The iim.roi-ed supply of M-.itahl- fruits I'.-.r eanninn will doulul.-s ~!;,,.,. t l„-;,„ r h 01 ihe in-du-:i-y aU- upon a sound ha-s : ilie demuiid be 11 _■; 1.-voiid the preseiu snpplv. Tl..- manaaem.-nt ..f or.-hanls lias -i-ea't-ly improved, and in tlie eases in which it ha- l H en n-ees-arv to enforce the prov:s:on. of th.. tl.eiiard and Garden I »-,...-os Act by p-o-eeatious. the olieialers have s-ldo m been commercial iruit._irow.-rs. The ..utility of ilie fruit •■: i 1 .ethods of cultivation nml r,.1-pr-sse.o pr-sse.o ~,' p.-.ts v.'nieh are carried out. The in-:■:-t;i::_ ..f iinih.rted iruit and plain, lias had the d.dred elieet of preveuiiu- u.s.--ase-:iifee-.eo! eoii-i_;n-laents b-lut: sent to the Dum'nion. and ihe eoiidemnaiieus s'-.0-.v a steady de-e:-a--. 'l'h- r_rowiii- of iahh--i:r;..n.-.s. both tinder i_!a.-.s and in tl;,- open air, has become an important branch of l'ruitcuhure. hut Instruction is badlv needed by injiny w!:o have entered "it: this :s new beiu-; given., and the result will speedily ho seen in an abundant supply of ex,. 1! nt. u-rapos iu tho market -luring a prolonged soa-ou. BKF.9. noe-kooping on mi dern mt.fc.lod9 is ni:ik : ji_t pood pro_jrei>. Tho obs.ilete h"-x hivc-s, the tisa <-f which Is pro-l-bied by th.o Apiario- Act, are rapidly jrlvimt way to frame h:ves ) :in d disease has been -really dlminidied. Tile seaSon was not- favourable fur the production cf honey, but there was an increase in the total yield, and a considerable por.iun of ihe output was oftiuo "U-ihty. Now i.eaiaiid lioney Inu -s-.bished a hi-li fopv.t.ition m the Homo in-irket. whero it coinmauiis the I --best p:.,-e of any imported hi-iney j'iie Lisi.-ueiors have do;:a exfeilcfii, v.-< rk m c-.iiti, .-i.-.n with tho crr.dicatioti 01 disoa.e. and their advltv Is son-lit lor ho.v.ii'.! i!:j possllclity of .nivisiL. :t by !>, rs-uia! vis't to more than'a small tin:'.]".-:- of tile applicants. The aiisaries at tho liuakura rind T.r-raroa Kxiv-nir.ent::! Farms have lire;; stleCi s-c'llliy ondllet.-.1. but at W-raroa :;;;• .-nvireni::. n: :'.. unsiiiiahle. and -.lns ap-l-iry will le removed. The -iucon-reariiii; apiary at Wacrcn-a hj.:;.,. ir.ade satisfactory j-roßress. .laofthere ;s a -r-at- d-.-inaud for queens and f.ucl-u.s colonics. I'OTATO-T.ISF.AST_. Tl:e outhreak of i.oia.to-diseaso <Plr7topaihora inf—iar.-i in (Jueensland and Iji.~n-.au a led io aiiti!i..-at"ins from the Goveniiueins of th-s- States for a visit ot the Du-e-ioi- of Or.-hards. (iarden--. and Apiiiries to verify ;!:- nature of the <lis'e:i=e. and advise as to its tr-aimem ,he Queen-land re,me.~t could not lie complied w:th ow-ini: to pressure of I>-.!~-i----li-ss ~, t ],„ Dominion, but _ur Kirk vsiied T.-iMiiania and rendered nil ..r.s--i.d- so;-,:-,.. Tt is worthv of mile t'mt Tasmania r .-,s S ,. ?S( . s lerrislnflon enforein- the spravi,,- ~r p ; dat.»es as a proK Xl' K \{\y ! KXTA I. 1- AI».M.-!. Ihe expeninental ami demonstration work at the Depart meiu's several taruib has been continued, and is ~f -.reat vahm m producers; it j,- jlie ~:,-, to make these institutions still more i.i-triicnw to tanners and others, while observui- due economy iu niaua-e-U'cnt. 'lhe reports-e.i experiments instead of. as heretofore, h-im; includ.sl in the annual report of the Department, will be oublbhed as soon -,s available in the m.onihlv iourn-.l of ;;.,. Depai-lineni. and will thus reach nioro cpoekiy thos,. jor v.-hos,- benelit the eMpenmemsaiv carried out. Most of the .-tud hor.se~ have been sold, and those r-mainin.L. will be so phu-ed !)s t,, |„, remi.iu-rai.ive to th- Denartment while ot bene!- to larmei-s, Stcos are beiim; taken t,, -.non-then the ivdi-ree herd's 01 dairy cattle, so that in due time

iarmors may he supplied with bulls of undoubted nv.lkiiiK-stniiii. 'i'he stud fi.irki ~f sheep :>!'e maintained at a U:y.h standard of quality; the ordinary | I 1'"'" !'='-■ returns, and nave uls ; i ailordeil the opnortu.uitv of fonduci;:,.; experiments in tho bree'din=r and .-.arm- o. ambs for the exnort trade, lhe poultry and hcos aro In a v.n-raoiery portion, except that the Woraroa -arm, irora its environment. • >■ P. Ned unstable for experimental l.ee-i-iilture, and vko ap arv it, +l.ir establishment will bo owU and uu,-x» br«l at the poultry portant pari, m improving the poultry-ancl-ftrgs .-imply. L -' ! covcre eXpei ' ilUe,:t < ''avi* "n^S-:^ S> F •in i ot jji-assi-s, varieties „.' «.i.'..!b, varieuo. ami „,;„„„,„„ ~, roots and todder ero,s. iWment or orchards an<~> vinevi-ds" . i vnrioi.es of fniit. It is alio' Wiiu- " CII . devoured, ny iwns of i.laut and seed „} C X : " Kl To discove or e olve nmm.vcd .tram* or varieties -the a annus economic plants, which lv,! V ' <»'"nu-terivc.d by huge viekl and res.stanco to chseases and pest* Sow pM.Rr.-ss has been made i„ thl „ e ™? ous d.rectams. a considerable volume of rn-hnunary work in plam-brecdino" £, "I nur been done at t1,,. \i " ' , 7 Farm, and a snu ler but fi quantity at other farmT Tho ot "' turns ,o far have been mainly VrecUd oat, which shall be or E o°od nrcducfcv.tr wLio resistant to n ™ Some attention h ?s also been -riven to Brasses and cereals. This work™ of great importance; an d it is honed that to lead to valuable results Tho tendings for the lodsmn- and in*,or instruction of farm studente at tho Buakura Experimental Farnf are completed, and tho conditions f r the