On the Land

New Zealand Tablet, 29 April 1915, Page 59

On the Land

; GENERAL. V. s . -Farmers, when buying fertilisers and feeding stuffs, might consider the Chinese proverb: ‘ Cheap things, are not good; good things are not cheap.’ _ It is feared that cattle in the back country of the Wairarapa will have a bad time during the coming winter, owing to the rough feed having been eaten down in the recent drought. '■ In 1885 Denmark had 250 dairy societies with a turnover of £400,000, whereas in 1912 there were 3950 societies, with a turnover of £28,000,000. In 1913 the factories owned by the societies slaughtered 1,897,000 pigs. ■ No food is so cheap or is so effective in the feeding of deep-milking cattle as good pasture. It is only when the pasture is of poor feeding quality, is dried up, or is of too rank a growth, that supplementary fodder is required. The correspondent of the Christchurch Press writes that the threshing returns for Waimate County for March show -that 212,448 bushels of wheat were threshed from 7899 acres. This works out at 26.89 bushels per acre. The returns give 94,623 bushels of oats from 3205 acres, equal to 29.52 bushels per acre. Provision for the instruction of farmers in agricultural science is being made by the Auckland Education Board, in co-operation with the Farmers’ Union. The first class has been opened at Matamata, and much interest is being taken by farmers in the experiment, 27 students having already been enrolled. The figures given in the course of a speech at Uruti a few days ago were interesting, as showing the rapid development of the frozen meat industry in Taranaki during ten years. The number of vessels calling was more than doubled, the meat taken awav was nearly trebled, wool quadrupled, while tallow, canned meats, and sundries showed an equal advance. It is understood that the Maraweka Estate, near Maheno, will shortly be balloted for (says the North Otago Times). Surveyors are now busy with the subdivision, and it is expected that the sections will be open for selection by the end of June. It is good agricultural land, and should be eagerly sought after by those who purpose following dairying. There will be seven allotments of from 200 to 400 acres. The third shipment of this season’s apples to South America, which was made from Motueka the other day, consisted of 11,200 cases (says the Nelson Mail). The quality of the fruit is described as very good. Practically speaking, not a case was condemned by the inspector, showing that the strict measures adopted in the two previous shipments have had the good effect intended. Another shipment was made last week. The first shipment of apples by the Ruahine landed in South America in fairly satisfactory condition. Growers were advised to keep up grades, it having been found that, some of the fruit was not uniformly graded. There was a considerable falling off in the entry of fat lambs and an increase in fat sheep at Addington last week. Other entries were about up to the average. There was a good attendance. Store sheep sold at about previous week’s rates, passings being numerous. Fat lambs were very dull of sale. Fat cattle showed a decline of 5s per 1001 b, and fat sheep were down 2s to 4s per head. Fat Lambs. —Extra prime show lambs, to 235; prime lambs, 14s 6d to 18s; others, 8s to 14s. Fat Sheep.—Prime Wethers, 17s fid to 22s 9d; others, M3s 6d to 17s; merino wethers, 7s 3d to 9s 3d; prime ewes, 15s to 22s 6d; medium ewes, 10s 6d to 14s; others, 5s 8d to 10s. Fat Cattle. Extra steers, to £ls ss; ordinary steers, £7 5s to £9 17s 6d; extra heifers, to £11; ordinary heifers, £5 15s to £8 ss; extra cows, to £ll 10s; ordinary cows, £4 10s to £7 15s. Price of beef per 1001 b, 23s to 355. Pigs. —Choppers (practically unsaleable), 40s to 70s; extra heavy baconers, to 69s 6d; heavy baconers, 57s fid to 655;

ordinary baconers, 47s to 55s— per lb, 5d to s£d ; extra porkers, to 40s ;, heavy porkers, 32s to '36s; light porkers, 27s to 30s—price per lb, 4|d to s|d; large stores, 25s to 31s 3d; medium, 17s fid to 24s 7d ; ; smaller, 8s to 17s; weaners. Is fid to 5s .fid. ‘ There were -average yardings of all classes at Burnside last week. The yarding of fat cattle (206) was in excess of requirements, and competition was not keen, but towards the close of the sale bidding r became a little brisker. The yarding' generally, was of medium quality, and. a good number of pens were passed in unsold. Prices were from 10s to 15s per head below those of the previous sale. Quotations: Best bullocks, £l3 to £l4; extra, to £ls 7s fid; medium to good, £9 to £ll 10s; best cows and heifers, £8 to £9; extra, to £10; medium, £5 to £6 10s. Fat Sheep.—244o yarded. The yarding for the most part consisted of medium and inferior quality ewes, very few pens of really prime sheep being forward. What really prime sheep that were offered sold at about previous week’s rates, but for medium and inferior quality prices were about 2s below those ruling recently, and in some cases even more; while a good many pens of this class were passed without any offer being- made for them, as the yarding was in excess of butchers’ requirements. - Quotations: Prime wethers, 22s to 245; medium to good, 19s fid to 21s; others, 16s to 17s 6d; best ewes, 15s to 16s 6d; extra heavy, 22s to 265. A small pen of exceptionally heavy ewes brought 31s. Lambs.—soo yarded, being a small offering, and prices realised were much on a par with late rates. Best lambs, 16s to 18s; extra, to 19s 6d; medium and unfinished, 10s to 15s. Pigs.—There was a medium-sized yarding of fat pigs, and these were easier in price than at previous sale. Very few store pigs came forward, which accounts for the slight improvement in demand. ■. , A VALUABLE SOILING-CROP. Succulent green feed is a valuable asset to the dairy-farmer in the autumn, winter, and early spring months (says a writer in the Journal of Agriculture). There is nothing better for this purpose than a mixture of Azof barley (1 bushel), tares bushel); Italian ryegrass (201 b), and beans (151 b). As rapid maturity,' and a heavy growth are desired the crop should be stimulated by applying with the seed llcwt of bonemeal and llcwt of superphosphate per acre. Sown early ; in March the crop may be used to furnish a nice bite when pastures are probably failing at the end of the milking season, after which it could be allowed to develop into a crop for carting out to the cows in the late spring. The better method of utilising the crop is to allow it to mature, which it should do, given fair growing conneed of good food, having just gone through an exhausting milking season and about to bear a calf, dxtions, in July or August, when it could be cut and fed out to the cows just when they are in the greatest though this need would be generally overlooked and the feed kept till the cows have calved. On light land the crop may be fed off with advantage, though on heavier lands the soiling method is preferable. The rye-grass will come away again and give, if desired, fair feeding in the spring months. I would prefer, however, to leave it and utilise the dense matted growth as green manure preparatory to establishing lucerne or for making a fine seed-bed for any other crop. On light land deficient in humus this procedure would be most advisable, as the crop furnishes a great body of humusforming material.