Farming Notes.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXIV, Issue 3675, 7 January 1908, Page 2

Farming Notes.

A fine week has been experienced, dry days with fresh westerly winds permitting harvest work to go on without any delay, and yet the weather has not been unduly hot Under such circumstances splendid progress is being made, large areas of oats being in stook, while binders are busy throughout the district. Hay-making is now practically over, only a few late lots having to be dealt with, and, speaking generally, the crops have been good and secured in fine condition. More hay has been made this year than usual, consequently, whatever the result of the turnip crops, hay will be more plentiful for stock feed than has been the case for some years past.

So far as the grain harvest is concerned, autumn-sown crops are turning out well, but those sown in the spring are almost without exception short in the straw and light.

Turnip drilling is now proceeding briskly, large being out of hand, and as the land is generally in fine order, with sufficient moisture to germinate the seed, a quick start and a good take should result. What turnips have already been got in are doing well, and up to the present comparatively little damage has been done by the fly. The showery weather experienced some little time back has had a most beneficial effect upon pastures, the feed being more succulent and of milk-producing nature than would have been the case had the rain held off. One of the results of this is an increased supply of milk at the creameries—a matter of considerable importance just now, when the butter market is so strong at high rates. The markets are again settling down to their normal business, with every prospect of sound prices for nearly all classes of stock and produce. Fat stock are easier, but with the demand for export taking the surplus over local requirements, prices arc not likely to recede very much. Store stock are in less demand, but prices are much better than those ruling at this date last year. Grain and chaff have a downward tendency, the new crop now coming to hand and the demand for last year's getting slow. Produce is wanted, with supplies increasing in most cases. Onions and potatoes are now plentiful at moderate rates.

Poultry are wanted at high prices. Eggs have been selling well, but now the holidays are over a drop may be expected.

Butter is plentiful, and, with cooler weather,its condition has been better. Prices are unchanged. The fruit market has been very firm, with only moderate supplies coming in. A full crop of nearly all kind's of fruit will soon be on the market.

Bacon and hams are in better supply, and meet a ready sale at late rates. Dressed pork is in brisk demand at 4Jd per lb delivered at factory or railway sation. Young pigs are plentiful at late rates.