AUSTRALIAN CLASSING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 280, 26 November 1932, Page 20 (Supplement)

AUSTRALIAN CLASSING

VISITOR’S CRITICISM. Criticism of the way wool for sale was arranged in the bales in Australia was made by Mr. J. K. Rautenback, who returned to South Africa last month after having spent two years studying the Australian sheep and wool industry. Mr. Rautenback, who visited all the principal stations in New South Wales, intends to return to Australia to begin wool buying and packing. He said that the Australian wool industry was likely to suffer a serious setback if the method of classing woo] were not improved. There were too many qualities in the same bale. Buyers were finding that arrer bidding for a certain quality, they received a mixture. Another serious aspect was that vegetable matter was being found, and the wool was burry. If not offering its chief buyer, Japan, what it wanted, wool of uniform quality and length. Australia was likely to lose a good customer. On account of the low prices for wool some people had not bought the best lambs, and this was being reflected in the quality of the wool. Mildew has made its appearance in certain parts of Canterbury, some crops having assumed a reddish brown ap pearance since the wet weather set in. Commenting on the trouble Mr. R. G. McGillivray, fields superintendent ot the Department of Agriculture in Canterbury, stated that mildew was quite common in some countries in damp seasons. The fungus is often reddish grey in appearance and has often been mistaken for rust. The disease is most prevalent where the growth is rank. Owing to the dry weather that prevailed until recently farmers in many cases did not feed off their wheat crops, and this has aggravated the trouble. The crop that nad been eaten with sheep appeared to be quite healthy. The reduction of leaf growth admitted the sun and air and conditions were thus unsuitable for the development of the disease, but rank growth and damp weather created favourable conditions for mildew. Crops attacked usually recovered when dry weather set in, and a few nor’-westers would probably right matters except where the attack may be exceptionally severe. Where the trouble persists yields would be considerably affected. It was not advisable to use for seed grain from fields where mildew was pre sent. In some countries the precaution was taken of burning the stubble. Mr. McGillivray said that the inquiries about the disease came from farmers in various districts, from Waimate to Omihi.