DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Waikato Argus, Volume IX, Issue 771, 4 October 1900, Page 2

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The eighth annual report of the Department of Agriculture was laid on the (able of the House of Representatives on Tuesday. CROPS. The harvest of 1899-1900 has been satisfactory in so far us the yeild off/rain is concerned, but it ia to be regretted that the price of wheat, especially, leaves a very small margin of profit. Oats however, havemaintainedafairprice, owing no doubt, to the increased demand for shipments to South Africa. The Department undertook the supervision of all shipments, on account of the Imperial Goventment, and so far no complaints have been received. The secretary, however, regrets to say that there is good reason to believe that a quantity of oats that had been rejected was shipped privately to South Africa, and he adds that the grading of all grain, iu fact of all produce exported, is a matter worthy of atteution. Amongst the produce shipped was a considerable quantity of oaten sheaves, pressed and bound with wire or hoops. This form of shipping produce is not to be commended. A much better plan would be to cut the sheaves into chaff, and, by so doing, the horses would receive the full benefit, and the waste would be next to nothing. The question of the size of bags, more especially for wheat, has been receiving much attention. Some are in favour of a two-bushel bag, but others favour a bag the same length as that now in general use, but 3in. narrower, and to hold, say, 2001 b. of wheat. The latter appears the most suitable. The wheat available for all purposes, as from February 5:8, is set down as 12,514,350 bushels ; estimated quantity required for seed, 500,000 bushels ; consumption for all purposes, 4,854,000 bushels; making a total of 5,354,000 bushels, and leaving au apparent surplus of 7,160,350 bushels. The actual yield of wheat for last season exceeded the estimate considerably, 31.81 bushels per acre, as against 27 bushels. The price rules about the same as that of last year, namely, 2s to 2s 3d per bushel of 601 b. OATS. The area under this cereal was 398,243 acres, or a decrease of 19,077 acres. The yield,'however, was slightly higher, being 40.99 bushels per acre, as against 39.56. The quality of the grain is good, and the bulk was saved in perfect condition. The quantity of oats exported during the period ending March 31 was 4,597,487 bushels, an increase of 3,379,997 bushels on that exported the previous year. BARLEY. An increase of 2332 acres under barley has been recorded, 48,003 acres, as against 45.671 acres. The quality of the grain was above the average, and the actual yield, 33.02 bushels, was 5.02 bushels above the estimate. OTHER CROPS. ' There was a very large decrease in the area under rye grass saved for seed, and ocksfoot and clovers showed an increase. Potatoes showed a decrease of 1620 acres, and the average yield was six tons per acre, as against 7.73 tons. Turnips and maugolds showed a slight decrease, and there was a very large increase in rape of 21,446 acres, mainly in Canterbury and Otago. DAIRYING. This industry has made very rapid strides during the past season, butter showing an increase of 59,313 cwt, valued at £260,220, and , cheese of 47,5.11 cwt, valued at £107,266. The grader's report on butter is now universally accepted as the basis of all sales, and last season several buyers of cheese made it a condition that they would buy only according to the grader's report. The site for the permanent dairy school has not yet been fixed, but a school of instruction in cheese-making will be opened during the winter rronths at Wyndham, and another for buttermakiug at lngtewood.

MEAT AND WOOL. The prices have been somewhat better for mutton and lamb, but there is still room for improvement. The sheep in the colouy are not increasing, and there is not the slightest doubt that the continued expprt of a larger number of ewe lambs than is warranted is accountable to a great degree for the position. Very little, if any, improvement is noticeable in the small slaughterhouses throughout the colony, and it is amazing to uote the apathy ah""n by meat consumers. A measure, dealing with this matter, is urgently needed The returns show that the lambing was quite up to the average. The demand for store sheep was very keen, and the prices must have been satisfactory to settlers. The clip of wool was good, and satisfactory returns may be looked for. LIVE STOCK. Cattle show an increase of 19,115, and under the heading of cows, etc., for dairy purposes, there is au increase of '21,720, as compared with 9000 last year. The number cf horses ou November 15th was 262,390, or an increase of 3741. The demand for draughts is still unsatisfied. A very large proportion of the horses offered as remounts for South Africa had to be rejected, and the report sets out a system of inspection of stallions at the commencement of each season. BABBIT PEST. In the Auckland district the rabbit pest has steadily increased, and arrangements have been made for poisoning in the King Country, In Hawke's Bay there is very little change ; in the Wairarapa district the pest is being steadily reduced ; in the Wellington district the pest is nowhere numerous, but if allowed to increase would very soon overrun the whole district. Rabbits are now well in hand in the Middle Island, north of the Waitaki, and the same may be said of certain parts further south. In Otago and Southland, and districts south of the Waitaki, the reports show that the rabbits are more or less numerous, MISCfcLLANEOUS MATTERS. Owing to the want of united action the small bird pest is increasing at an alarming rate. It is intended to introduce a Bill dealing with the subject this session. (This Bill has been introduced, but has also been sacrificed.) Analyses of manure and soils can be obtained from the Department. The testing of seeds cannot at present be fully taken up owiug to the want of proper accommodation. An effort, however, will be made at an early date to carry out this important work. The market for hen'ip in the early part of the year was active, with a good demand, but latterly inquiries have somewhat slackened. Very grave complaints were made of the condition of much of the hemp sent down for shipment. It is evident that if the industry is to be secured, steps must be taken to grade the litre at the port ot shipment. The efforts made to eradicate phylloxera have been most successful, and many of the vineyards formerly infected are now quite free. The inspection of all vinos is still being carried out. The poultry branch is meeting with the hearty support of the settlers. Last season it was found a difficult matter ro meet the demand for eggs. If the shipment of poultry turns out a success, no doubt the business will extend, and it will be necessary to consider the question of opening depots at the different ports, where the birds can be dealt with by experts employed by the Department. The report adds that the work of the Department is rapidly increasing, and the energies of the atari have been taxed to the uttermost.