ON THE LAND

New Zealand Tablet, 23 September 1920, Page 43

ON THE LAND

■» MARKET REPORTS. ; At Burnside last week fat cattle were in short supply, 127 being yarded, and, with the exception of a few well-finished cattle, the quality was much inferior to that of the previous week. Prime heavy bullocks made from £29 to £34 12s 6d; medium £24 to £27, light and unfinished £l7 10s to £22, prime heavy heifers to £23 2s 6d, medium £l6 to £lB, light and unfinished £l2 to £15." All these prices were from £2 to £3 per head above previous week's rates. Fat Sheep.—There was a good yarding of 2223 head, the quality of a large proportion being above that of late yardings. Prices at the opening of the sale were equal to those ruling on the preceding week, but eased off slightly towards the finish. Quotations: Extra heavy prime wethers 59s 6d to 61s 3d, prime 45s to 555, medium 36s to 435, light sorts to 345. Fat Pigs. There was a small yarding in this department, and all forward sold at extreme rates, extra heavy baconers making up to £l3.

At Addington last week there was an average yarding in all sections, except fat sheep, which were forward in reduced numbers. Values in mutton consequently showed a slight improvement, but there was little change in 'other lines. Fat Sheep.—The smallest yarding for some time, with a slight increase in values on those ruling on the previous week. Extra prime wethers 52s to 61s 3d, prime wethers 41s 6d to to 51s 6d, medium wethers 37s to 41s, lighter and unfinished wethers 33s lOd to 36s 9d, extra prime ewes to 53s sd, prime ewes 37s 3d to 46s 9d, medium ewes 29s to 35s 6d, hoggets 29s to 35s 9d. Fat Cattle. The market opened slackly, but livened up as it progressed, and although sales were not so free as towards the end the market was practically on a par with that of the preceding week. Extra prime steers £32 5s to £35 10s, prime steers £25 15s to £29 7s 6d, medium steers £l7 to £24 10s, light and unfinished steers £l3 to £l6, extra prime heifers to £24 15s, prime heifers £l6 10s to £l9 10s, ordinary heifers £l2 5s to £l6, prime cows to £2l ss, ordinary cows £l2 10s to £l7 10s, light and inferior cows £8 7s 6d to £ll 15s. Vealers.The supply was short and prices were higher. Runners to £9 15s, good vealers to £7 15s. Fat Pigs. —The previous week’s high rates were maintained. Choppers brought up to £ll 15s, baconers to £7 15s, Heavy baconers £9 15s; average price .per lb Is Hd to Is 2d porkers £4 10s to £5 ss, heavy porkers £5 10s to £6 ss; average price per lb Is 31d to Is 4d.

TRANSFERRING WILD BEES TO HIVE. The Horticultural Division of the Department of Agriculture supplies a correspondent with the following information on the above subject: The best time to transfer wild bees to a framehive is in October, when a honey-flow expected. Have the frame-hive in readiness with the frames fitted with full sheets of foundation, and locate it as near as possible to the wild colony, with the entrance facing the same way. Next smoke the bees with a bee-smoker to quieten them, and proceed to uncover the combs, when they may be cut out and the bees brushed into the new hive. If there is no disease present the brood may be tied with string into one or two empty combs, which will have the effect of inducing the bees to adopt the new hive. Care must be taken to transfer the queen, otherwise the bees will not stay When all the bees have settled for the evening the hive may be removed to its permanent

TANNING SKINS WITH THE HAIR OR FUR ON. We give the following processes for the informa, non of a correspondent: sera™ a ffi fre / hl 7' removed skin is to be treated (1) first scrape off all the fat with a blunt knife so as_not to

cut holes into the hide this should be done on a log, having a couple of legs in one end, like a trestle; the other end resting, on the ground. After the fat is cleaned off, take the brains of the animal, or of any other recently killed, and work them, into the hide. This renders it pliable. Take one spoonful alum; two of saltpetre; pulverize, mix and sprinkle on the flesh side. If the hair side is greasy, a little weak lye will take it out. Yellow ochre, mixed with the brains, gives a fine color to the under skin. The whites of several eggs, or the soaking of the skin £ day in oil or lard is said to produce the same effect as brains. This process is good for deer-skins, sheep-skin mats, and saddle covers, and for tanning all small furs. (2) If the skin has been already dried, soak it in clean running water 24 hours, working it with the hands until it becomes soft ; remove any small pieces of flesh or fat, and in the case of a large animal skin, scrape or pare it down until reasonably thin. If the skin is fresh, and has not been dried, it need only be washed to remove any dust or dirt. Prepare the following mixture (the quantities given are sufficient for a large animal skin, and must be . proportionately diminished for smaller skins) ; Alum, finely powdered, 51b; salt, powdered, 21b; coarse wheat meal, 21b. Mix in a large stoneware basin, and add gradually sufficient sour milk to bring it to the consistency of cream. After the skin has drained until the moisture has evaporated, lay it on a firm table, with the hair underneath, and rub some of the above mixture into every part of the flesh side ; the success of the operation depends upon giving the skin as much rubbing and handling as possible. When it will absorb no more, cover it with a layer of the composition about oneeighth inch thick; fold it up with the flesh surfaces together and the hair outside, and lay aside in a cool place. Next day open out the skin; add more of the mixture ; rub thoroughly and fold up as before. Repeat daily for two days more. Next wash the skin in clean water, removing all the composition; hang up to drain, and when half dry rub in a fresh supply of the mixture, and repeat the rubbing daily, adding more composition when necessary. In five days from the first washing, wash again; apply fresh mixture, and rub once daily until, altogether, 10 days have elapsed. When tanned, wash thoroughly in clean water, repeatedly changed, or, in a running stream; take a solution of plain alum without salt, and after the skin has drained lay it out on a flat surface, exposed to the sun; apply the alum solution to the flesh side, and let it dry. The skin will now be found as hard as a board. Roll it up into a tight roll, fur outside; take a mallet and beat it thoroughly until it is less stiff; open it out, and stretch it as follows: Take a, blunt instrument with a rounded edge, and lay the skin on the floor, work it from the centre to the sides with the blunt end of the tool, steadying the skin by placing the foot on it, using the tool with the right hand, and holding the skin with the left. When thoroughly worked all over, smooth with pumicestone, and it is finished. The more it is worked the softer it will be.