On the Land

New Zealand Tablet, 5 October 1911, Page 1998

On the Land

Under the pure food and drug laws of the United States an article is adulterated ‘if it is mixed, colored, powdered, coated, or stained in a manner whereby damage or inferiority is concealed.’ Some judge of human nature has found a new one for milk. • The Japanese use but little of it and are silent and taciturn. The Thibetans use it freely and are gay and good-natured. The cow seems to ‘scatter sunshine.’ ' The Kerry is not a very deep milker, but its milk is rich, yielding as high as 7 per. cent, of butter-fat. One cow at Hawkesbury College gives 2£ gallons of milk per day, with a 4.8 butter-fat test. Others gave from 1| gallons to 2 gallons, with tests of 4.8, 4.9, and 4.6 respectively. They are persistent milkers. The best cow at the college is a Jersey-Kerry cross. The object in crossing is to obtain a thoroughly good allround cow. The Jersey is a better milker than the Kerry. It has a better-shaped udder. It is found that two parts -Jersey and one part Kerry make an excellent cow. The milking capacity of the Jersey is not only thus improved, but a cow of great constitution and foraging power also results. The Kerry as a purebred does not respond to liberal feeding to the same degree as some other dairy animals. Its characteristics seem to be unique as regards hardihood. Crossing the Kerry with the Jersey produces an animal that is peculiarly adapted to a hot climate. At Burnside last week there was a yarding of 4690 fat sheep, the majority of which were well finished wethers, with a few pens of extra prime and heavy; the balance being medium to small unfinished sheep. At the commencement of the sale bidding was slow, although all prime sheep sold fairly well. As the sale progressed competition got keener, and prices all round were about on a par with those ruling lately. Best wethers, 23s to 25s 6d; extra prime and heavy, from 27s 6d to 325; best ewes, 20s to 225. Fat cattle: 174 yarded. These were chiefly bullocks of good quality, with a few pens of well-finished heifers and cows. Competition was good, but on account of the number forward prices were a shade lower than at previous sale.. Best bullocks, £l2 10s to £l3 ss; extra, to £ls ss; good to medium, £lO 15s to £ll 15s; inferior, £9 to £10; best cows and heifers, £8 15s to £9 10s; extra, to £ll 17s 6d; medium, £7 to £B. Some 26 nice quality spring lambs were yarded, and sold under good competition at up to 21s. The pigs numbered 200. Stores were slightly easier, but fats were very firm at late ruling rates. At Addington last week there were moderate entries of stock and a good attendance. Beef was firm at previous week’s rates. Store sheep showed no material change. Pat lambs were easier, and fat sheep sold at an advance. Fat pigs were weaker in demand and price. There was a fair demand for store cattle, and good dairy cows sold well. The supply of beef comprised 198 head and a large proportion consisted of prime quality animals. The demand for this class was keen. There were 102 fat lambs penned, a number of which were small. Owing to the increased numbers offered the competition was- not so keen, and prices were easier. The better sorts made 15s to Is, and smaller 9s to 14s 3d. A small yarding of fat sheep was made up, principally of Southland and North Island consignments. There was a rise of fully Is per head as compared with the previous week in consequence of the supply being short. The range of prices was: Extra prime wethers, to 325; prime, 21s 6d to 265; others, 18s to 21s; extra prime ewes to 31s 6d ; prime' 18s 6d to 23s 6d. The yarding of fat pigs showed an inciease in numbers, and prices were consequent!' 7 easier. Choppers made £2 10s to £5 7s; heavy banners', ■£3 to £3 15s; lighter, £2 7s 6d to £2 15s; large porkers' £1 17s 6d to £2 ss; smaller, £1 10s to £1 15s. ’