FARMING NOTES.

Wairarapa Age, 8 May 1924, Page 7

FARMING NOTES.

There has been a bet ter tone in the beef market in tho Waikato during the past week, little difficulty being experienced in effecting a clearance at the various centres.

According ts reports of recent sales store wethers are making slightly better prices in Hawkes Bay than in the Wairarapa. On the other hand, lambs are selling better in this district. Store ewes and ewes in lamb are bringing about the same in both districts.

Waikato market reports state that there is not a very strong demand for store cattle although there is again evidence of improvement in grown steers . This class is not so much in evidence. Female stock with the exception of eows, for which there is fair demand, still proves unpopular. A good enquiry exists for store sheep, wethers and good ewes selling well.

In some eases rabbits will attack young turnip-crops, says Mr D. Miller, Government Entomologist, but their depredations are as a whole of minor importance compared with those of the fly. The diamond-back moth (plutella cruciferarum) and the cabbageaphis (brevicoryne brassicae) must rank as two of the most serious pests of turnips, rape, and other cruciferous crops.

In the House of Commons, Mr Buxton announced that 3060 cases of foot and mouth disease had been reported since August. Thirty-nine English counties were affected, Il Scottish and two Welsh, resulting in the slaughter of 103,138 cattle, 42,969 sheep and 47,693 pigs. The compensation payable is estimated at £3,237,000.

The advisability of prohibiting fne importation of stoek into New Zealand from countries where foot and mouth disease is known to exist was advocated at the Piako County Council. The chairman, Mr F. W. Walters, said the council, as a body of farmers, should consider the preventing of animals from the affeeted countries landing in New Zealand. If the disease got into the Dominion it would not be got rid of. He urged that the council should circulate the other councils to have legislation passed preventing the importation of animals from affected countries. Rasehorses should be prevented from being imnorted or exchanged from the affected countries. A motion was carried asking county councils to support such a proposal.

Mr Thomas said in the Jfouse of Commons that the output of phosphates from Nauru and Ocean Island since Government control was 1,253,270 tons, of which Britain received 320,300, Australia 794,570, New Zealand 126,800. The last shipment to Britain was in November, 1921. He presumed that the price was unfavourable. The present price wa 8 15/ below that of the last British cargo. The approximate price delivered in Britain is 3/ above the pre-war price. Mr Thomas added: “Regarding the allotment of 42 per cent of the output to Britain, it is impossible to give any guarantee concerning future adjustments between the three Governments concerned. ’ ’