THE FARM

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13752, 27 April 1918, Page 2

THE FARM

AGRICULTURAL EVENTS FOR WEEK ENDING MAY 4. MONDAY. Cambridge Stock Sale. Clearing Sale ot Orini. Clearing Sale at Okauia. TUESDAY. Ohaupo Stock Sales. Tirau Stock Sale. Hikutaia Stock Sale. Clearing Sale at Komakorau. WEDNESDAY. Hamilton Special Horse Sale. Matamata Stock Sale. Otorohanga Stock Sales. THURSDAY. Hamilton Stock Sales. Piopio Turnip Stocking Sale. Mwrinsville Horse Fair. FRIDAY. Waingaro Turnip Stocking Sales. Waihou Stock Sale.

SATURDAY. Te Awamutu Turnip Stocking Sale.

s;iow9 in War Time— In responding to the toast of "The Judges" at the smoke concert given to judges and visitors at the Egmont A. and P. Show, Mr G. D. McLennan, of Papakura, said that the question had been debated by probably every agriCultural association in New Zealand as to whether it was desirable to hold shows during the war. He was pleased to know that generally the decision appeared to be to go on with the shows. It appeared to him vital that in this connection they should keep the home fires burning. They had their boys at the front doing all they could and making evtry sacrifice possible to help the Empire through, and it was up to those at home to keep this organisations going, so that when the boys come back they could say to them wc have done our best to keep up the breeding of good stock. The Destructive Kea— Keas have been very troublesome to sheepowners in the back country in North Cantcrburv this last season. In years gone by they were practically confined to Otago and the Mackenzie country in South Canterbury, but they have gradually worked their way north along the main range. Mr C. H. En--Bor, now owner of St,. James station, on the Clarence, considers that the destruction of keas should be placed under the control of the rabbit inspectors, and made compulsory upon sheepowners. He is paying 5s per head, and one of his men one day brought in 35. Sheep are now too valuable to be allowed to l>e killed by keas for their kidney fat. American Meat ExportsAmerican meat exports have grown enormouslv since the commencement of the war. The average three vears' prewar exports wore 493,848.0001b. The year ended June 30th, 1916, showed an export of 1,389,1.93 QOOlb. Everywhere in the United States "increase of live stock" is the cry, and it looks as if our Allies in that country are not 'going to lie completely ousted from the export trade. A few years ago it was Reported, (and lnirgely believed, that the United States would have to import largely from Australia, New Zealand, or Argentina. Mice in Australia—

With regard to the mice pest which has beeil causing so much trouhle and loss in Australia in the localities where the big wheat stacks are, the "Agricultural Gazette" states fJiat it has been noticed that a fungoid disease, the Favus disease, is attacking the mice and killing them. Mr G. P. DarnellSmith, biolojust, says that fortunately whenever animals congregate together and breed in vast numbers in a limited area, sooner or later an epidemic generally breaks out and kills off a large number of them. One disease which has killed them is the Favus disease, which has made its appearance in several districts. It is manifested as a white fungoid growth around the head and ears, and on examination under the microscoie threads and snores arc to befounain.it.