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In common with most districts, lambing percentages were down by approximately 6 per cent, on the average, being as follows : — Total ewes to Southdowns, 2,650 ; Southdown lambs, 3,742 = 103 per cent. Total ewes to Romneys, 3,539 ; Romney lambs, 3,310 =93 per cent. Grand Total —ewes, 6,189 Lambs, 6,052 = 97 per cent. Lambs did not do so well early in the season, no draft being got away in November as usual. Latterly these have been doing reasonably well, though schedule prices have not been as good as last J™ I '- The first draft of fats was got away immediately prior to shearing in December, and at approximately six-weekly intervals since, all Blackfaces remaining after the January draft being shorn. To date 2,240 have been sold at an average of £1 os. lfd. Wool. —Orutching was done during the latter part of May, twelve bales being pressed. Shearing of dry sheep was completed on Bth November, and the main shearing on 7th January. A total of 206 bales were pressed and forwarded to Wellington for disposal, mainly at the March sale. Cattle.—Run cattle have been kept in good condition throughout the year, the wetter areas on the property supplying ample feed throughout the dry weather, and in addition a hay ration was fed to weaners and bullocks during the winter. Generally feed conditions have been particularly dry. Conditions in respect to water have been particularly difficult, owing to the absence of wind to operate the mills, and, in addition one stream which has never been known to go dry before ceased running towards the end of March. Calving percentages are slightly below last year, being as follows : — Calves marked (heifer, 147 ; steer, 127) .. .. .. 274 Cows (including first-calving heifers).. . . .. .. 374 Percentage .. .. .. .. .. .. 80 Dairy Herd— The dairy paddocks provided ample feed up to the middle of January, when the dry weather began to have a marked effect on pastures, which, with practically a total absence of rain since December, have become comparatively bare. A supplementary ration of turnips has been fed daily since early in February. The heifers purchased last year as replacements to cows put out for T.B. have performed well considering the season. Only one proved to be not in calf. In addition to the usual testing for butterfat, mastitis-testing has been carried out throughout the season. Pigs. —The drastic measures taken last year in respect to the T.B. infection in pigs would appear to have had the desired effect only an occasional head having been condemned of pigs slaughtered during the year. The Berkshire sows purchased from Mr. J. A. Russell, " Blythewood," Palmerston North, have proved very satisfactory in regard to litter average and ability to rear them. Four very nice purebred sows have been retained from the first litters, and, as with all other sows on the property, are being bred to the Tamworth boar. On the foundation of the Bulls Pig Club we consented, on request, to act as custodians of the club's sows, of which there are now two, one purebred Berkshire and one purebred Tamworth. A working-bee of the members was held and a very good lay-out erected. Several very instructive field-days have been held. Agriculture. —Teams have been engaged in the usual routine work in the growing and harvesting of oats, wheat, peas, potatoes, swedes, chou moellier, carrots, and lucerne and pasture hay. Severe gales in late January did very considerable damage to 20 acres oats and 2 acres wheat which were still standing, and also to a 20 acre paddock of swedes on the run. The white butterfly has not done damage to the same extent as last year, though the diamondbacked moth has taken considerable, toll of chou moellier, though this will recover, being well advanced before being attacked. Fifty-nine tons of fertilizer were applied in the top-dressing of pastures. Horticultural and Forestry. —Hostel grounds have been kept in good order throughout the year, though suffering from the prolonged dry spell. The vegetable garden, in particular, has shown the lack of rain. An adequate water-supply is badly needed here. The usual tree-planting programme was carried out during the winter months. A total of 48,500 trees were planted as follows Pinus insignis (beach paddock) .. .. .. 43,565 Macrocarpa (home planting) .. .. .. .. 4,651 Macrocarpa (river-bank and Governor's) .. .. .. 460 Approximately 15,000 pinus insignis and 5,000 macrocarpa seedlings were planted out in the nursery, and approximately 40,000 seedlings raised from seed. Field Experimental Work. The carrving-out of field experiments on farms throughout the Dominion continues to be an important function of the Fields Division, and the total number of experiments now being conducted is 1,050, compared with 984 for the corresponding date in 1939. The investigations are mainly ecological ones in which the necessary information can only be obtained under the conditions peculiar

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