ON THE LAND

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 33, 23 August 1923, Page 51

ON THE LAND

MARKET REPORTS. There were 250 head of fat cattle yarded at Burnside last week. There were very few pens of extra prime heavy ', bullocks offered, by far the greatest proportion of the yarding consisting of medium-weight bullocks, with a smaller number than usual of cows and heifers. Therewas keen competition throughout the sale, and prices for . all medium-Weight cattle realised prices on a par with those of the previous week, but extra prime heavy bullocks were, if anything, a shade easier. Prime bullocks brought from £l6 10s to £l9 7s 6d, medium £l2 to £l4, light £8 10s to £ll 7s 6d, prime cows and heifers £lO 10s to £l3 10s, medium £7 to £0 10s, old and inferior £5 to £6 10s. Eat Sheep. —A considerably larger number of sheep came forward for last week's sale, the number totalling 2379. The quality, taken all round, was better than has been the case for some weeks, by far the biggest proportion of the yarding consisting of well-finished wethers and ewes, mostly medium to good weights. There was a sprinkling of indifferent ewes through the yarding, while extra heavy wethers were not numerous, only a few pens of this class being on offer. As the number yarded was in excess of requirements, prices receded to the extent of about Is to Is Gd per head for all classes as compared with the preceding week. Extra prime wethers realised to 58s, prime 47s to 525, medium 40s to 455, light and unfinished 30s to 355, extra prime ewes to 48s, prime 39s to 425, medium 32s to 35s 6d, inferior and light to 27s 6d. Pigs were also forward in large numbers, there being a plentiful,supply of all classes. Competition was keen, and the previous week's prices were- about maintained, with the exception of a few extra heavy pigs, which sold at cheaper rates. Prime baconers realised about 7d, and prime porkers about 7ld per lb. The following quotations are contained in the report on the sale of rabbitskins, etc., held last week in Dunedin: Fairly large catalogues were offered by the brokers. Bidding was exceptionally keen, and prices for all classes of skins, except off-season, were higher by 2d per lb on the previous sale. Off-season skins, such as racks, autumns, and springs, were firm at previous quotations: Super winter does to 98d, prime 90d to 95 hi, first winter does 75d to 81d, spotted does 56d to 63d, prime winter bucks 79d to 83£d, first bucks 75d to 79d, spotted bucks 52d to 55d, early winters 60d to 65k1, incoming winters 55d to 59d, late autumns 48d to 52d, early autumns 36d to 4Hd, prime racks 29d to 30Jd, light racks 26d to 27$d, winter broken 34d to 38d, summers 25. hi to 27£d, first winter black 75d to 87d, winter black 55d to 68d, winter fawn to 66:1d. Hareskins to 30d. Horsehair 22d to 24d. LIME WASHING. Lime washing, although of no particular value as a disinfectant, is, nevertheless, of some service in keeping buildings clean and wholesome. There is no better method of keeping such outhouses, sheds, etc., proof against the spores of disease germs than by periodical lime-washing, and, in addition to mixing up the lime in the ordinary manner, a petroleum emulsion or a little crude paraffin should be added, as this is especially effective in destroying numerous forms of insect pests and spores which may be lurking in the crevices or the rough exterior of the walls of such buildings. LIME AND PHOSPHORUS. Land may need, the application of both ground limestone or marl and phosphorus. Lime corrects the acidity of the soil and the phosphorus is an important element of plant food. Ground limestone or marl does not perform the same purpose as phosphorus, therefore ane cannot be substituted for the other. A soil that has been cropped for many years is invariably benefited by applying both lime and phosphorus.

Nitrogen may be secured from the air by the growing

of legumes, and for this reason it is unnecessary, in most cases, to buy nitrogen in the form of fertilisers. Average soils contain potash in sufficient amount to grow maximum crops, but the phosphorus gives out and there is no way in which it can be returned to the soil except by the use of fertilisers. THE CONSTITUENTS OF MILK. \ The constituents of milk include the fat globules or butter-fat and milk plasma, the latter being made up of water, casein, albumin, milk, sugar, and ash, and of these the albumin and casein constitute the protein or nitrogenous bodies, which make, up about four parts in one hundred. In an average sample of milk there is usually present about 4.5 per cent, of milk sugar, 0.7 per cent, of ash and mineral matter (potash, lime, soda, chlorine, etc.), and about 87 per cent, of water, while the butter-fat varies between 3 to 4 per cent, or more, which is controlled by many factors, principally that of the breed of cow. It may be stated that the colostrum, or first milk yielded after the cow has calved, contains a very much greater percentage of albumin than normal milk, often to the extent of about 10.5 per cent., while the proportions of fat, sugar, and ash are less than in normal milk. PLANTING CELERY. It used to be said that the best time for planting celery was just before a good shower. The advice no doubt is sound enough if it can be carried out, hut even in these days of broadcasting weather forecasts it is a matter of difficulty to decide on a time just before a good shower. A more certain method is to plant soon after a good shower, when the soil has again began to dry and has lost its stickiness. Certainly it is bad practice to plant in dry soil, even if watering be done immediately afterwards. If, however, the soil is moderately moist, then planting and subsequent watering may be adopted. It may happen that the plants are growing rapidly in the bed and are really spoiling for want of removal. In that case, instead of waiting for an ideal time for planting, it would be best to water along the trench beforehand with a large can and a coarse rose and to plant a few hours afterwards when thet soil again becomes workable. This is a better plan than planting first and watering afterwards. Not only should the soil in which the celery is to be planted be moist, but that in which they are at present growing in the bed should also be moist at the time of their removal from it. To ensure this, they should be well watered the dy previous to planting.' The plants may be carefully lifted with a little hand fork. It will be found where the soil is moist that there will be a fair amount of soil adhering to the roots, and this will help to tide them successsfully over the period of planting. All yellow or bad leaves should be removed, and each plant should be examined for suckerous growths. If any of these are found springing from the base of the plant they should be removed, else they will only unduly rob the plant afterwards. The plants should then be planted with a, trowel with as little delay as possible so as not to expose the roots to sun and air any longer than is really necessary. The plants should be set centrally down the trench at about 9 inches apart, being buried a little above the base, so that they stand firmly erect. It will be a considerable advantage if a dull day can be chosen for the operation.