On the Land

New Zealand Tablet, 7 September 1911, Page 1774

On the Land

The Departmental report on afforestation states that during the year the operations were very satisfactory. In the four nurseries 8,951,045 trees were raised from seed, and 7,588,285 trees were sent to the i plantations. The acreage under plantations was in- <\, creased by 2600 acres, making a total of 16,310 acres ] Ji planted since the commencement of operations. The J stock of trees in the nurseries at March 31, 1911, was 21,786,740, and of this number about nine million were to be transferred to the plantations during the winter.

At Burnside last week there was a large yarding (195) of fat cattle. The sale started with prices if anything a little better than those ruling at the previous sale, and although it was anticipated that, owing to the large yarding, prices would be easier towards the end of the sale, the market was firm throughout. Quotations: Best bullocks, £l2 to £l3 10s; extra, to £l4 17s 6d; medium, £lO 10s to £ll 15s; best heifers, £8 to £9; extra, to £ll 17s 6d. There was a yarding of 4086 fat sheep, composed chiefly of prime wethers, with a few pens of medium quality ewes. • Prices for really prime heavy wethers were about Is per head above previous week's prices, while medium and unfinished sorts were close on Is easier. QuotationsPrime wethers, 22s to 245; extra, to 265; medium 18s 6d to 20s 6d; light, 12s 9d to 16s 6d. . Owing to the small yarding of pigs, competition was keen throughout, and consequently prices were better than those ruling at the previous sale. The subdivision of land is still proceeding within a radius of some miles of Hawera. Here is an instance (says the TaranaH News). One farm was originally 313 acres, but it has been -recently cut up and is now carrying four separate families. This also shows the rapid tendency towards closer settlement in that portion of the Dominion. The prices resulting in the subdivision averaged £6l 15s per acre. On? piece of 50 acres, with nothing on it but a live fence and no subdivisions, changed hands at £6O per acre. Ihe absence of all improvements furnishes a correct view of the value which buyers and settlers placed upon the actual soil, which is said to be one of the finest pieces of land in Taranaki. It is reckoned that the 50 acres will carry 40 cows, and of the 50 acres probably five will be broken up each year for cultivation.

At Addmgton there was a fairly large yarding 0 f stock and a good attendance of buyers. There was no change m the values of fat cattle. Store sheep were irregular, hoggets being easier. Fat sheep showed an easier tendency many wethers being down from 2s'to 3s per head Fat pigs were much dearer. There were 240 head of cattle penned of fair average quality. Notwithstanding the yarding being smaller than of late - the demand was not keen, and a number of lots were ' passed over. Steers made £7 17s 6d to £ll- extra to £l4 ss; heifers £5 15s to £lO 17s 6d. The entry of fat sheep was large. At the opening of the sale prices showed a decline on late rates, heavy sheep being easier by 2s to 3s per head. The market became f little l firmer towards the close, but prices generally were Is to 2s below previous week's rates. The range of prices was: Prime . wethers, 22s to 27s 6d; others, ' lbs 3d to 21s 6d; prime ewes, 18s to 23s- extra fn 24s 6d; others, 13s to 17s 6d. The yard of store sheep was of a mixed character. Hoggets formed the » larger proportion, the balance being chiefly ewS FoL*X two-tooth ewes on offer there was a good demand ♦ firm rates, but other classes were dull of sale TherP was a small entry of fat pigs, and prices snowed a harp rise. The sale was one*of the best held foTsome time Choppers made up to £5 15s; heavy baconeS - 60s to 70s; and lighter, 50s to 57s 6d (equal to S 3 to s|d, and m some cases up to 6d per lb). ■