On the Land

New Zealand Tablet, 16 November 1916, Page 59

On the Land

GENERAL. As showing the wonderful growth of grass in New Plymouth this season, Mr. D. Charteris, of Fitzroy, informed a Toranaki Herald representative that he has already harvested a fine crop of hay, and expects to get two more crops this season from the same paddock, an ordinary pasture, which has been well treated with slag. The amalgamation of individual bacon factories into one big concern for the North island was advanced another stage at Palmerston North on Thursday of last week, when Mr. W. Fisher presided at a meeting of representatives of bacon and dairy factories of the Eangitikei, Manawatu, and Wairarapa districts (says the Wellington Post). The position of the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Bacon and Meat. Packing Company was favorably considered. This company is a recent amalgamation consisting of Dimock and Co., Auckland Bacon Company, South Taranaki Bacon Company, .and Waikato Farmers' Co-operative Companies. The capital is £200,000, of which £120,000 has been subscribed. The amalgamation seeks to regulate distribution and secure uniformity in marketing conditions. Burnside Stock Report: Fat Cattle. —There was a large yarding, 206 being penned, comprising a few extra prime bullocks. This proved in excess of the trade's requirements, and as a consequence prices were low. At the commencement of the sale prices were down fully £2 per head below previous week's rates, and this drop was maintained throughout the sale. Quotations: Extra prime bullocks, £2l 12s Gd to £23 15s; medium, £lB to £2O 10s: light, £l4 to £l6 10s: best cows and heifers, to £l7 7s (id; medium, £l4 10s to £l6 5s : light and unfinished, £ll 10s to £l3 12s 6d. Fat Sheep.—There was a fair-sized yarding, 1615 sheep being penned, which included a large proportion of prime sheep. The sale opened with prices for prime sheep considerably above previous week's rates, but towards the end of the sale prices receded from Is 6d to 2s below. Medium sheep sold at prices on a par with previous week's rates. Quotations: Extra prime wethers, to 50s: medium to good, lis 6d to 45s 6d ; light and unfinished, 32s 9d to 365: shorn wethersmedium 31s Gd to 32s 9d, light 25s Gd to 295: shorn ewesmedium 29s to 31s Gd, light 24s Gd to 27s 9d. Lambs. —39 penned. There was a small yarding, and prices showed an advance on those ruling the previous week. Quotations: Best lambs, to 31s 6d : others, from 20s 9d to 27s 6d. Pigs. There was a medium yarding, both of fat and store pigs, consequently competition was not so keen as at previous sales. Prices showed a big drop on those ruling recently. PRESERVING EGGS IN LIME WATER. The extension department of the University of Saskatchewan has issued the results of a series of experiments in egg preservation carried on by Professor Shutt, of' the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa. This work, extending over a period of seven years, and involving as it did the trial of 25 different preparations, has convinced him of the superiority of lime water over all the preservatives tested. Concerning the preparation of lime water, Professor Shutt says: ' The solubility of lime at ordinary temperatures is 1 part in 700 parts of water. Such a solution would be termed "saturated lime water.'" Translated into pounds and gallons this means lib of lime is sufficient to saturate 70 gallons of water. However, owing to the impurities in commercial lime it is well to use more than is called for in this statement. If freshly burnt quicklime can be obtained, 1 pound to 5 gallons (501 b) of water will be ample, and the resulting lime water will be thoroughly saturated. The method of preparation is simply to slake the lime with a small quantity of water and then stir the "milk of lime" so formed into 5 gallons of water. After the mixture has been

kept well stirred for a few hours it is allowed to settle. The clear liquid above which is now "saturated lime water" is drawn off and poured over the eggs, which have previously been placed in a crock, butter tub, pail, or other suitable container. ' As exposure to air tends to precipitate the lime (as carbonate) and thus to weaken the solution, the vessel containing the eggs should be kept covered. The air may be excluded by a covering of sweet oil, or by sacking upon which a paste of lime is spread. If after a time there is any noticeable precipitation of the lime, the water should be drawn or siphoned off and replaced with a further quantity newly prepared. If many eggs are to be preserved, a large quantity of lime water may be prepared at one time in a tub or barrel and used as required, provided it be not. kept exposed for too long a period. Since lime is very cheap, and there is no danger of making the lime water too strong, one could safely use twice or three times as much lime as is indicated above, if there is any question as to its strength or freshness.' KILLING NOXIOUS WEEDS BY POISON. Could a return be made of all the country in the Dominion growing noxious weeds instead of grass (says the .Z. Farmer), many farmers would receive a shock, and if once knowing the area, and calculating that one cow or five sheep could be fed on every two or three acres, the State itself would realise the enormous and increasing loss in production that is going on. It would have been thought that the farmer himself would realise the loss long before this; but there seems to have been an idea that the removal of noxious weeds should be the last job on the farm. This is undoubtedly erroneous, and only those who have toiled to keep their farms clean can realise the importance of dealing systematically with noxious weeds. It is very doubtful if continual slashing will finally kill out blackberries. In any case, it stimulates the growth in the first few cuttings. This method is expensive, giving maximum cost with minimum results. In land that can be ploughed there is little doubt that a plentiful use of the cultivator and harrows during the summer will be the cheapest and most effectual method. The land could then be used for either swedes or early autumn crops. In places where the plough cannot be worked and where there are patches, it seems that the billhook, grubber, and spray are the competitors. Grubbing is out of the question : cutting is laborious, expensive,, and ineffectual; spraying with a spray judiciously selected, taking into consideration the cost —not so much per gallon as what quantity of spray the gallon will make—effect on the land and stock, and, of course, its killing properties. If your selection is right, then you will get maximum results with minimum cost from systematic spraying. It cannot, be expected that in a climate like New Zealand where growth is more or less going on the whole year, that any spray,' however great its killing powers, can reach the roots and seeds lying dormant! This being the case, then spray in fine weather when you think everything is above ground. Some shoots that have been missed, or roots the spray has not reached, will make their appearance from time to time, and so soon as they are noticed should be sprayed again. It is the watchfulness and care after the first spraying that is going to count, The treatment of gorse by spraying is very similar to that of blackberry. It is easier to kill, though somewhat slower in showing the effect of the first application. Briar would require watching the same as blackberry, but is more easily cut down by the poison at the beginning. Canadian thistle is easily cut down by the poison and the root penetrated, but, like the blackberry, there are always shoots coming along, and in consequence require further spraying. The farmer, having decided that spraying is the cheapest and most effective remedy, should always keep his spray on hand and a good sprayer, and systematically use it through the summer months.