ON THE LAND

New Zealand Tablet, 30 March 1922, Page 43

ON THE LAND

MARKET REPORTS. There were good supplies of sheep and lambs offered at the Burnside sales last week. There was good competition, and practically all disposals were at enhanced values. Fat cattle were in over-supply, and competition was not very brisk. It was expected that, in consequence of the largo supply, lower prices would rule before the close of the sale. Sheep,—A good yarding, numbering 2790 head. There was a decided improvement in the quality, as compared with previous week’s offering. There was a good demand for all classes, and values advanced from Is to Is 6d per head above previous week’s rates. Extra prime, heavy-weight wethers realised from 28s to 30s Gd, prime 24s to 275, medium 19s to 235, lighter kinds from 16s 6d upwards. Prime ewes realised from 18s to 20s 3d, medium 15s to 17s, light and aged from 11s upwards. Lambs. —A large yarding, numbering 1323 head, of good quality. The offering met with a good demand at improved rates to the extent of about Is per head. Prices ranged from 15s to 25s 9d per head. This represents a basis of about Gild per lb. Fat Cattle. —A large yarding, numbering 281 head came forward. There was a much better demand, and prices showed an advance of 10s to 15s per head as compared with previous week’s rates. Quotations: Prime bullocks brought up to £ll, medium £7 to £9, light and unfinished from £5 upwards. Prime heifers brought up to £7 10s, medium £5 10s to £6 15s, light and aged from £4 upwards. Pigs.—A small yarding was offered, which was disposed of under keen competition. Prices were a shade firmer than those which ruled at previous week’s sale. Best baconers realised from 7d to 7;‘d per lb, and best porkers from 81 d to 9d per lb.

At the Addington market hist week store sheep again provided an overflow 7 yarding, the entry being the biggest of the year. Fat cattle were again in over supply, the entry being a record for this season. Fat lambs were forward in average numbers, and fat sheep exceeded the normal entry. Except for beef there was a good sale. at Lambs.- 4250 were penned, the bulk of which wore well finished. A sharp rise was recorded on previous week’s prices of about 2s per head, and over all values were from 7£d to 7|d per lb. Extra prime lambs 25s to 30s 3d, prime 21s 9d to 24s Gd, medium 18s 9d to 21s, light and inferior 16s to 18s 6d. Fat Sheep.—The market was a little changed from previous week, heavy ewes being a shade better. Freezers were bought freely up to a limit. Extra prime wethers 24s to 21s 3d, prime 20s to 235, medium 18s to 19s 9d, light 16s to 17s 9d, extra prime ewes to 21s 3d, prime 16s 6d to 19s 3d, medium 13s 6d to 16s 3d, inferior 11s to 13s 3d. lat Cattle. —An over supply. The yarding numbered 445 head, including some good station drafts. Values slipped back by 20s to 30s per head. Extra prime steers to £l6, prime £9 10s to £l4, medium £7 5s to £9 ss, light steers £5 2s 6d to £7, extra prime heifers to £9 12s 6d, prime £5 5s to £B, ordinary £3 5s to £5 2s 6d, prime cows £5 to £7 ss, ordinary £2 15s to £4 15s. Fat Pigs. Porkers were in over supply, and were easier. Choppers £2 15s to £5, light baconers £3 5s to £4, heavy £4 os to £4 15s, extra heavy to £5 6s (average price per lb 6*d to 7d); light porkers 40s to 455, heavy 50s to 55s (average price per lb 7*d to 8d).

A considerable number of people know little more than the names and not always those— the breeds they do not themselves keep. The following is the briefest indication of the characteristics of the more popular varieties of fowls, though it must always be remembered that a good strain of the less useful breeds is better than a poor—that is, a weakly strain of the very best. Orpington.— usual colors are white, buff, and black. Large breed, of a somewhat heavy build, with sma 1 single comb (also rose in the black). They are famous mothers, sitting well, and taking good care of their chicks 1 lilted egg, quite good flesh, and hardy. Broodiness is their chief drawback. Wyandotte.— Commonest color, white. Rose-combed. Good layer of tinted eggs, and some breeders have brought their strains up to a very high egg-producing standard. Heavy breed, very popular at present, and a useful bird. Hardy. a n gshan. Black; of this breed there are two varieties -the Modern and the Croad. The Modern is very tall and handsome; the Croad a splendid layer. Both give the darkest brown eggs of any fowl, and their flesh is very breed.' VeryZd;. Shghtly '**■ “ d a hea^

Sussex.-Light, speckled, red and brown. The supreme table-fowl. A large bird, capable of the fullest fattening. \ mgle comb, and plumage according to mime— Light being white with black in the hackle and tail. Long been bred in Sussex and Surrey for the London market. Inode Island Red.—Very popular American fowl—heavy breed, though small for the.term. Rose and singlecombed varieties. Good all-round fowl. Color according to name—though a White is now introduced. Plymouth Rock.—Barred, buff and white. Single comb a heavy breed, and also American. Good layers and table foul where yellow 7 legs are not objected to h a vero lies.—Salmon is perhaps commonest color Tench heavy breed, always popular abroad, and now in favor in England. Feathered legs, a big beard, and sidemuff lings on head. Good table-birds. Game. Descendants of the old fighting birds. Several practical sorts and colors. Not usually kept for strictly practical purposes though they are very handsome, and have fine-flavored flesh. ’ ana

Cochins Also not so much in favor as they were leavily-feathered in legs and body, single comb, and sevfor colors, as white, buff- ’ partridge, etc Good mothers or big eggs, as geese, or ,Ch; or they cover a large mmber of ordinary eggs. The remaining heavy breeds, such as Dorkings Brailmas, Honda,,. La Fleche, etc., are not so Popular as tW mentioned above; but if one keeps fowls chiefly as a hobby or wishes to show then these lesser-known breeds are en- ‘ %' satisfactory for the beginner, as competition is not so keen. In that case it is advisable to pay a good price foi * pen, and breed from them. But, of course before stadfed hat ’ 4,16 bree<l itSeif ’ “ d 811 its l >o * nts , should bo

I hope that God will be merciful to me, a penitent sin1 b and that He will still help me to do His will and fight His battles to the last.—St. Hugh. U

HEAVY BREEDS OF FOWLS. One particular breed of fowl, however good (says a British journal) does not suit every locality equally well. Some breeds,. for example, flourish in cold, bleak surroundings, while others do better in milder situations; some bear confinement well, while others require space. Moreover, different strains, reared by certain breeders, vary ' Ulte a lot in this respect. And then one’s own circumstances make much difference— perhaps, than any . other one feature. Therefore, it often happens that people • are not satisfied with the first breed they take up. If they have actually given it a fair chance, and found it unsatis--otacty>ry, they do wisely to take up some other. But which