FARMING NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1500, 6 March 1903, Page 2

FARMING NOTES.

Fine weather has beeu experienced during the week, the warm days coming after rain causing a full growth in pasv tures and turnip crops. Seldom has such a good growing season been witnessed, pastures being as fresh and green just now as at any time during the spring months. The nights, however, are getting perceptibly cooler indicating the ap> proaeh of autumn. Stock generally are in good condition, dairy cows keeping up the flow of milk in a very satisfactory manner. For weaned calves and lambs the recent spring in the grass has not been altogether beneficial, scouring and loss of condition beiog noticeable. In such cases a run out on rough, dry, feed is an exeelleut corrective of this tendency to scour, and in the case of weak auimals if accompanied by a dose of Sonjet, the beneficial effects are speedily apparent. Rams may now be put with the ewe flock, and. as the latter are in good condition, the lambs should come in well together, an important point in small flocks.' Early foals may be weaned any time in March, about five mouths being the usual time for foals to run with their dams. Some extra feed should be provided for foals at weaning, otherwise a check is given to growth, which should, if possible, be avoided. If weaned on grass, a few oaten sheaves given out to Foals will be very acceptable, and, the feed being dry, tends to counteract any laxative effect of the succulent grass ami clover.

Farm work is progressing briskly, the weather being very suitable for all Wild work, including drilling and sowing. Scrub and bush may bo burnt as opportunity oilers, the present month being about the best time for autumn sowing ou hush clearing. When selecting grass and clover seed for surface sowing only the best should be taken. This may be taken as an axiom at all times, but is particularly necessury in bush clearings, there being but little chance nficrwards of eradicating weeds in such localities, ploughing being impossible. Crass and clover seeds arc somewhat dearer this season, but it will be better to use less, and have the quality first class. When sowing swamps, or other lowdyiug lands, the seed mixture should always eontuin a few ounces per nore of Lotus Major, a clover of a remarkably productive nature, its climbing habit liemg not unlike the sweet pen, while 'he foliage is eagerly eaten by all classes of stock.

The markets have been fairy brisk during tho week, prices showing a little chance. Fat stock are in good demand at late rates, lambs being very firm. Forward ttores are in keen request, but young cattle and backward stock are easier. Grain is unchanged. Oats weakening which is only to be expected in the face of tho big lurvest uow at baud. Chaff is firm at £4 per ton.. Potatoes are in heavy supply, and lower in price. Poultry are iu demand, but all save best table fowls arc lower. Eggs are from lOd to Is per dc/."n. Butter is firm at last week's prices. The fruit market is glutted, prices for most lines being lower, lia'con and hams are selling well, also ymiog pigs.