FARMING NOTES.

Waipa Post, Volume XII, Issue 944, 20 May 1920, Page 7

FARMING NOTES.

FARMERS’ INTERESTS

COMPANIES AMALGAMATE

An important amalgamation of farmers’ interests lias been agreed upon. Subject to the confirmation of the shareholders concerned, the Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Frozen Meat Company (apart from its mercantile side), the Tokomaru Bay Works, and works being constructed at Hicks’ Bay, will amalgamate with Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Mercantile business, The Tokomaru Trading Company, Te Araroa Trading Company, and the vGisborne Farmers’ Co-operative Company, will similarly amalgamate. The unity of the Gisborne Sheepfar- , mers Co. will be maintained, but (the freezing and mercantile branches will be entirely separated and controlled by separate boards of directors.

PUREBRED V. GRADE JERSEY . CATTLE.

The old question, “ Would you advise me to start into the purebred dairy cattle business?” is being asked as frequently these times as ever before, and is receiving just as many negative replies as formerly. There are so many factors which enter into the problem that one has to study the question from every angle. Good purebred cattle of either sex are seling for such good prices now that men who have proved themselves as successful with grade stock cannot afford to continue without purebreds. We all know of certain grade herds making more money for the owner than some purebred herds in the same locality, but every community has examples of men who should not have invested money in live stock.

The most economical and the most satisfactory way for the average farmer to start into purebreds is to purchase good females to start with. Care should be taken to see that they are good. They should be healthy, of the proper type, and either proven producers or with proven ancestors. It is better to have only one good cow than several medium animals.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Cultivatorsof the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous; and they are tied to their country and wedded to its liberty and interests by the most lasting bonds. —Thomas Jefferson. The Werribee irrigation district is proving a splendid lucerne-growing area, and lands under the irrigation system are being sold at as high as £6O an acre. Notwithstanding the heavy strain on the reservoir, due to the abnormally dry season, there is still a considerable volume of water in reserve. Settlers who have cultivated their land properly are reaping a rich reward from their lucerne crops. Very high prices are being realised where care and attention have been given to the raising of fodder.

To demonstrate the superiority of the purebred sire in stock raising the Ontario Department of Agriculture —through its Minister, Mr Manning Doherty—is offering four prizes at the Canadian National Exhibition next year. The first of these is in dairy cattle, where prizes are offered for the best calves sired by a purebred bull, for a yearling, and for a two-year-old. The same is offered in the beef classes. The cow may be any grade or scrub, but the calf must be sired by a purebred bull. The value of the prizes to be offered is 600 dollars.

The very favourable autumn has had a wonderful effect on the milk production in South Taranaki. At the T. L. Joll Co.’s factories, for example-, although the supply ujp to Christmas was lower than that of the previous year, January and February showed an increase of 20 per cent over the previous year, whilst March gained 25 per cent. April was 20 per cent ahead of the previous April, and thus the unusually good autumn flow will more than compensate for any shrinkage in the spring and early suifimer. The company has paid out Is 8d per lb of butter-fat to date.