FARM NOTES.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11498, 3 February 1903, Page 6

FARM NOTES.

o "Weekly Prese and Referee." The more plentiful i-uj/ply of fat sheep and the lessened demand for ewes for fwezing have caused a de>jline in values »or this class, and only prime wethers are at all holding their own. The yarding of fat cattle are not out of the way large for tl»e time of year, and since the late fall in prices, the rate of beef keeps fairly steady at 26s to 28s per 1001b. Mr W. Hay, of Timaru, is importing 25 Eyeland rams and ewes from the flocks of Messrs W. T. Banieby end F. E. Gough, from whom Mr J. E. Davenport also made purchases on hia lecent visit to England. A portion of Messrs II E. A. and V White's clip from the Belltrees Estate, near Scone, consisting cf 1050 bales, recently sold in Sydney, averaged nearly 10$ d, the top price being 13id for 27 bales while 46 bales brought 13d, and the average for 145 bales was 12#d. The necks sold up to 123 d, iind the belike up to 92d. The average for the 1050 bales includes locks, bellies, »;ained pieces, and clippings. Meetings of the membtxs of the Pastoralists' Association and graziers unconnected with that body are beine held throughout Victoria to discuss the shearing agreement for next 6eaeon.- At one of these meeting* the principal matter discussed was the price of shearing, whether a distinction should be made between merinos, crossbreds, and comebacks, i, few holding that :>.s c-iossbrede were more, easily shorn they should be subject to a lower rate. A* against this, it was argued that an attempt to make a distinction t<etweeh the classes named would only lead to disputes, and it would be better for the squatter and shearer to fix on a uniform price, though it might weigh heavily on the individual The latter view prevailed, and it was decided by a majority that the shearing rate should be reduced during the coming season from 16e to 15s. Of eleven meetings held so far nine axe in favour of a reduction to 15s. All the meetings held in the north of the State favour paying less for crossbreds, while jaying 15s for merinos. American papers describe a new and simple method of deiding with vicious and intractable young horses, which is reported to have "had an, astonishing effect. The first trial was made with a kicking and bucking mare, which the owner said had allowed no rider on her back for at least five years-. She was tamed in about five minutes, and allowed herself to be ridden, without any sign of her former wildness and character. Thir. wonderful method consists in passing a' lijjht rope round the front of the jaw, just above the upper teeth, crossing through the mouth, and then secured back to the neck. It is claimed that no 'horse will kick or buck while thus secured, and that, after being thus treated a few timea the worst characters will abandon tneir vicious tricks for everi The Smithfield Club's Show, held in December last, appears to have been a great success. The champjoririup for cattle went b> the Earl of Stratfbmore'e Aberdeen.Angus heifer Layia of GHunie, who woe eleo cluTmpion at Birmingham. His Majesty the King won three breed cups, the special prize for the best.steer at heifer undex two yeais ctd with a Hereford, reserve for the best ocw or heifer with a Shorthorn, and the championship in tho carcase competitions with an Aberdeen-Angus. For sheep, Mr Henry Dudding had a great success with his Linoolns, winning the Prince of Wake's cup for the best pen of any breed, Lieut.-Colonel Baird*s Buffolks were , reserve, and Mr D. A- Grten's -Suffolks took the championship in this carcase competition for sheep. • Among aihe breed cup winners were Mr E. F. Jordan, in English Leioesters; Mr H. Dudding, in Lincoins; late Colonel H. McCalmont, in Southdowns, and Mr Philo. L. Mills in Sbropslhirea. , Among the artidies on nheep in the "Live Stock Journal Almanac for 1903," first place is given to that by Mr Jonas M. Webb on Southdowns, He reports that sales have been good, and the exportation of Southdowns during the year have been considerable, sheep having been seat to France, Spain, Russia, Portugal, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the United States, Chili, and Mexico. The writer of the article on Hampshire Downs states that, token al through, the results will probably • "come out an average-" Mr Alfred Mansell, in his article on Shropshires, states that 1902 will be remembered, as cne of the worst of recent years owing to, the closure of the Argentine and Uruguyan p*>rts, although large numbers had been sent to New Zealand, Australia, Tasmania, the United States, Canada, Child, Germany, Russia, Spain, and Portugal. Mr Maasell confidently antioipaties a great demand in the immediate future from South Africa- He enumerates shipments amounting in the aggregate to 835 head, whdoh were nrade during the past year to various countries.' Mr.W: A. Brown, in his article <n Leiceeters, claims that there is a reaction in favour of the bresd, and states that exports have been made to Russia, New 2iealand, and France. The year's results are described as most satisfactory. The writer of the article on 'Lincoln sheep laments .i disappointing year for the breed, owing to the Argentine difficulty, which has, of oouree, hit it very hard. The home trado, on which breeders had .to depend, was not suiJoient to absorb the rams offered- What the loss of the foreign trade means is concisely put in statistics. The number of export certificates for rams granted was in 1898, 5623; in 1899, 4426; and in 1900, 3596; in 1901 they fell to 226, and in 1902 (to September 30th) they increased dightly to 398.