JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14887, 29 January 1914, Page 10

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

During the past fow years a good many orchards havo boon planted in South Canterbury, and preparations are now being madu for planting further are.nti next autumn and spring. Complaints aro being made that a considerable number of fat lambs that should havo been dogged are being sent in to the saleyards. As a higher rate has to bo paid at tho freezing works for dagging lambs, buyers, in making their purchases, naturally allow for this, and a farmer, therefore, does not get the price ho would do if lie had done tho work of dagging before sending the lambs in. Our Tiraant correspondent recently wroto that a blight hiul been attacking the wheat in South Canterbury, causing it to die from the root upwards. A sample' of tho affected grain was sent last week to Dr. Cockayne, Biologist to tho Agricultural Department, and ho has advised that the disease is known as "tako all of wheat" Cophiobolus graminis). He recommends tho uso of basic slag on tho land as a curative acent. Oats, he says, do not contract tho disease (farmers hero noticed this), so that this cereal can bo grown with safety on the affected land. The change in the Waimunm district during .the past few years has been most remarkable, more especially in its western portion (says tho "Mataura Ensign"). The land bought from tho Edendalo Syndicate and subdivided by Mr Max Friedlander has been largely settled upon by vory competent farmers. These havo completely altered tho appearance of the landscape. Where miles' of waving red tussock met the eye there aro now prosperous looking homesteads surrounded by plantations and paddocks with satisfactory crops of oats and grass. Tho land produces excellent grass-seed, and this year several settlers will market large yields. On the upper Hedgehope flat there aro splendid crops of oats, while the young turnip crops both there and in the Mataura road give evidence of providing ample feed for winter use. ! There was somo discussion at Tues--1 day's meeting of the Springs County Council with regard to the small birds' nuisance. It was the general opinion of councillors that the birds were becoming more numerous than ever, and that they were working havoc with the grain crops, notwithstanding tho efforts that were being made by the Council and I the residents of the county generally to keep them in check. The caterpillar pest was also mentioned, and it was stated that a good deal of damage had been done in parts of Springston this j season by this much-dreaded grub. Tho ■ Council seemed to be somewhat divided on tho question of whether the small birds devoured many caterpillars—somo members that , sparrows and birds of similar size did a lot,of Rood in this direction, but others held that it was only the starlings. that • attacked caterpillars.- Ono' councillor eaid he had been forced-to proceed with the reaping of his barley almost before it was properly ready on account of tho grubs making their appearance in the crop in large numbers. ;