Agricultural Affairs.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXVII, Issue 5119, 11 June 1907, Page 1

Agricultural Affairs.

In an experiment made at South Dakato station, United States, it was found that 4211 b of peas produced 1001 bof gain in pig-feeding. It took 4581 b of maize to produce the same amount of gain. Mr C. M. Jackson, of Chertsey (says the Ashburton Giuirdian) has already ripe raspberries on his farm. The canes, which were planted last spring, are runners from a new variety of raspberries which was imported into the colony last year. A large number of cattle have been sold in the Maheno district lately, due to the shortage of feed (says an Oamaru paper). One farmer reduced his herd by over a hundred head. Most of the cattle went to Southland.

An American farmer says There must be a national revolt against the worship of manufacture and trade as the only forms of progressive activity, and a clear recognition on the part of the whole people that the tillage of the soil is the natural and most desirable occupation of man. The white grub, which has been so destructive in the North Otago district in past years (says the North Otago Times), is reported to have had an effective check owing to the longcontinued drought. In some parts numbers of the grubs are to be Been dead on the surface.

A Nebraska dairyman says he once tested the milk of a cow after she was suffering the excitement of being chased about. The Bubcock tester shdwed 2.3 per cent of butter-fat; the next morning the test showed 4.1 per cent; and in a week, when she had regained her wonted state of mind, she tested 6 per cent. Farmers who allow a dog to rush and worry the cows, because thoy do not move quite as fast as suits their driver, may study this fact with profit. The substances from which alcohol may be profitably made are maize, potatoes, rye, wheat, barley, oats and sugar-beat; in fact, any grain, fruit, or root containing starch or sugar. It is estimated in the United States that one acre of potatoes will produce 500 gallons of alcohol, and that a bushel of maize will produce about 21 gallons of alcohol. The increasing demand for alcohol for motor and other power cannot fail to stimulate its manufacture.

Reports from Germanton, New South Wales, with reference to the prolonged spell of dry weather, state that the outlook for the winter months is anything but encouraging. Handfeeding of sheep is being done at Ellerslie, Jurra, Kinross Carabobola, and Little Billabong. In fact, right through the district grass is very scarce, and the supply of water for stock limited. Reports from Tocumwal state that sheep are dying by hundreds. Even in Germanton pastoralists are killing lambs to Bave the mothers. Ploughing is at a standstill, and the outlook for the early crops is serious. Only old land has been treated by the plough, and in some instances seed has had to be sown twice.