FARMING NOTES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 7, 23 January 1942, Page 6

FARMING NOTES

NEW TYPE OF RYEGRASS A new type of ryegrass for short rotational pastures has been tried out the Grasslands Division of the Plant Research Bureau. This new grass is the result of crossing Italian ryegrass with pedigree perennial ryegrass, and the careful selection of the best strains.

The type which has been evolved is admirably adapted for sowing down short ro.tational pastures, as it is high in yield and more perennial than Italian ryegrass. This new grass will shortly be put under certification by the Department of Agriculture, and it is hoped before long that this succulent, high-yield-ing grass will be available to farm-

It will be particularly suitable foi the South Island, where short rotational pastures are widely sown.

FEE FOR INSPECTION OF PIGS

The fee for the inspection of pigs slaughtered in an abattoir or a freezing works as laid down 105' the Meat Regulations, 1940, is 4d per pig, 2d of Avhich has, since 1937, been set aside as a special fund to provide an instructional and advisory service for the development of the pig industry by means of the setting up o<f a National Pig Industry Council and District Pig Councils representative of all interests in the trade.

As thb revenue from the 2d per pig as so set aside l has not been sufficient to defray the annual expenditure of the pig councils in providing the instructional and advisory service, the amending regulations increase the inspection fee on pigs by Id per pig in order that the revenue derived from the increase in the fee can be made available for the benefit cf the pig industry through the organisations already referred to.

INCREASE IN AMOUNT OF WOOL

SCOURED

There has been a remarkable increase in the amount of wool scoured in New Zealand. The whole of the scouring plants are working double or treble shifts under contract to the British' Government, and in the coming season will handle about 16 per cent of the total amount of greasy wool produced in the Dominion. This activity 1 in New Zealand will speed up the further processing and manufacture of the wool in the United Kingdom, and there is no>.doubt that it is a valuable, if little known part of our war effort. IMPORTATION OF PIGS

Before the making of the Stock Importation Amending Regulations, 1941, persons desiring to import pigs from Australia were required to obtain a permit to. import from the Min ister of Agriculture. Where permission to import was granted, it was necessary that each consignment should be accompanied by a declaration of freedom from disease duly verified by the certificate of a Government Veterinarian-of the State of exportation. FERTILISER CERTIFICATES

In setting e.ut it: invoice certificates to be to of superpho>ph:tte the pereenlnge of soluble phosphoric acid present in tlie fertiliser. v.'iulnr- are. by regulators under tic Fertilisers Act, 1!J2,7. allowed a fins t oi error o| U. 7.") per eon 1 , of the w! o!e bulk.

As ;i substantia! proportion of lower-grade phosphate is now being received for manufacture, the amending regulations increase its ii temporary' jr»ensure during the continuance ot the present Mar the limit of error in respect of the certified percentage of soluble phosphoric acid present in superphosphate to 1.15 per cent, and also make n proportionate increase in the limits of

error in respect of the percentage of soluble and insoluble phosphoric acid in compound manures containing superphosphate.

WHY STRUGGLE IN MUD? In the handling of a herd of dairy cows, the presence of almost unlimited quantities of mud can be a most depressing factor. Such a state is inclined to stultify initiative, breed despondency, and create a state of Irritability that is reflected in bad temper. The best cannot be expect-' ed, then, either from man or beast, no matter what the wages may be or how nourishing one can make the pastures. Conditions must be congenial—they must appeal to stock and staff alike —before optimum results can be expected.

It will be only too obvious that the farmer who permits his gateways and shed surroundings to approach the condition can expect frequent changes in staff, with consequent drop in production. If his cows come into the yard with mud to their flanks and their udders thickly coated, lie should evince no real surprise if the hired hand looks for new quarters. Few will put up with such conditions for long. In fact, it is quite bad enough as a rare occurrence without having such a state of affairs daily through the spring.

There is a simple remedy for this state of affairs—metalled gateways and concrete strips leading to holding yard. Neither road metal nor cement is subject to any rationing, so both should be emploj'ed and used freely in providing better conditions for the stock and the staff.

When this is done there will .be none of those sights; stock will be more contented; the staff will be happier; work will be more congenital; time will be saved; in fact, the farm will be regarded more as a home to feel proud of rather than as a nightmare built up by a life of drudgery.—C. Walker, Instructor in Agriculture, Thames, in the Journal of Agriculture.

FENCE YOUR HAY STACKS Almost daily, year in and year out, striking instances of hay wastage due to lack of adequate fencing are encountered. Much time is spent in harvesting and stacking a field of Lay, wages are often paid out, and the field j.s lost to the stock for from two to three months. All these things cost monej', and, in the aggregate, they represent a fairly considerable sum. Furthermore, that stack of hay which results has an important purpose to serve in the feeding of stock during the winter period. Without it, stock will not winter well, and, consequently, their production in the following season will be affected. It can, therefore, be claimed that a Stack of hay is an important and indispensable unit in farm economy.

Notwithstanding this, however, one| frequently sees instances of abuse. Although considerable initial expense has been incurred, no effort is made to protect the supply*'by the erection of a fence/ Consequently, stock feed from the s-tack, tramping much valuable hay into the mud. At times, they even burrow right through a stack, and there is a risk of stack collapse. Although it may be claimed that other duties prevent the stack from being fenced, such an excuse has little merit. In fact, it would be better not to have bay than :lo do so and waste it. At the present time, however, we need mure hay : we must aim at greater production than in the past to compensate lur probable reduction in winter growth, but. in doing so. let us at least make si.ure that v>hat we produce we adequately protect. —C.. Walker. In-truc-tor ia Agriculture, Thames, in the Journal of Agriculture,

HOME DEFENCE AN ESSENTIAL

TRAINING

Whatever you buy from your Chemist —a prescription, an everyday household medicine, or simply . a toilet article or cosmetic—he sees that its quality is unquestionable and that it will give complete faction. Eivery day your CHEMIST Is applying his skill and training for your advantage. He watches your interests. He guides your selection of medical and toilet goods. Buy from your C-T'JE MIST for friendly, personal service. Advt.