THE WEEK

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23972, 12 June 1943, Page 3

THE WEEK

A WELCOME RAIN Although much more rain is needed the fall at the week-end will allay apprehension, among farmers of arable land in particular; and to all classes of the producing community. The ram was comparatively light on some of the coastal areas, amounting for the lew days to only 30 points in the edY further inland, particularly in North Canterbury, there was a much more liberal fall. In the Waiau district about 125 points fell, and further back in the hills about 180 points. In the Culverden, Hawarden, and Waikari districts the fall, which commenced on Sunday, ranged up to 130 points. The rain became heavier further south, and at Amberley there was a much needed fall of close on two inches, this figure being approached in the Darfleld and Hororata districts, with slightly less in Ellesmere. Thi? country near the foothills in Mid-Canterbury received a good rain, and on the plains about 1 4 inches was the quota. In some districts light showers have since fallen, but not to an extent to interfere with the leeway that is being made up in wheat sowing. The rain came just in time in the northern part of the province to avert a serious crop loss, as considerable wheat sown in the autumn was still lacking moisture to germinate it. This fear was developing also in areas south of the Waimakariri, where there had been a few light showers, but the wheat has shot up through the surface quite unimpaired by the long absence of rain. In North Canterbury many farmers had been unable to get more than a small percentage of their wheat sown on account of the difficulty of cultivation, but another week of the present weather should see most of the sowing leeway made up. There has also been a decided fillip given to young grass and other growth by the rain. It should ease the prospects of a hard winter to a small extent. The mildness of the season so far has enabled ewes and other stock to enter the winter in good order, but unless some of the stacks of white oats held on some farms are diverted to feed needs, the next two months will be difficult. Dairymen are having a hard time keeping up their milk supplies to the city, cows in or about the profit stage being difficult to secure. This is indicated by the extraordinarily high prices being paid at present in the saleyards for the most moderate classes of cows and heifers. The front ranges are covered well down with snow, and it is likely to remain there until the spring. LAST SEASON’S WHEAT ’ The wheat threshing returns to April 30, representing close on two-thirds of the area in crop, published on this page, shows an average yield of 33.43 bushels an acre. From the first of the monthly progress returns there has been very little variation in this figure. Early in the season the Government estimate was ,37 bushels an acre. Though this figure was viewed by most wheatgrowers as optimistic there was an amount of opinion that the crop would be a 35-bushel one. However, as the official estimate in the past had been remarkably accurate over a number of years it was generally accepted. When (he harvest commenced unexpectedly light returns were gathered and preceding forecasts were substantially cut down. Even early in February a forecast of 33 bushels appeared on this page. It was reported that the department proposed to review its original estimate, a quite justifiable action in view of the drop in the earlier threshing yields, and estimate on the preceding year’s basis—33.6l bushels an acre. However, this was not done; which is rather a pity, as the progress returns are only a fracUon below this' estimate. r " * It is surprising, therefore, to read in the departmental report dated April 27, over the signature of the director of the Fields Division, Mr P. W. Smallfield, “that crops give promise of yielding above average; the estimated yield an acre is 37 bushels, against an actual yield of 33.61 bushels the previous season. Basing calculations *on the above estimates, the total yield of wheat for the Dominion should approximate 10,500,000 bushels.” Instead it will be more than 1,000,000 bushels less.

It surely indicates some laxity that such a deceptive estimate should have been maintained through all its various stages until now, weeks after the harvest has been gathered, it should be embodied in the official publications. If these estimates are not reasonably accurate, or prevented from perpetuating original blunders, their value is nil.

THE EGG SHORTAGE

(To the Agricultural Editor.) Sir,—As “Straggler” still persists in maintaining that the Registration Act is the cause of the egg shortage, why not also the cause of the war? Our 10 reasons were caused by war conditions. The Prime Minister stated that 18,000,000 eggs had been exported for war purposes. If we hope to drive the Japanese back to Japan, men and munitions wlil be necessary. As eggs are a necessity for our sick and wounded would “Straggler” advise those hundreds of farmers who could keep fowls that by keeping 24 there is no need to register, and that the eggs are, required for our armed forces, shipping, and hospitals. On an average production of 10 dozen eggs a bird, 500 farmers keeping 24 good hens will produce 120.000 dozen eggs. So what about it, “Straggler”? And after the war we will discuss the merits of the Registration Act—Yours, etc., T. S. DOVE. . J. W. McGLINCHY. *ln reply to the foregoing, “Straggler” says that the question asked by the writers about his advising farmers to keep 24 hens, “with no need to register” seems to indicate that their main concern—outside the commendable, but natural one of securing increased production—is the retention of the registration system, with its etceteras such as the National Egg Pool, the marketing regulations, and the Poultry Board. Otherwise why limit the farmer to 24 hens? There are 4500 wheatgrowers in the province, and if 30 per cent, of them were persuaded to start flocks of 100, the size of those of the “hard old days” the egg famine would be overcome. But the regimenting mentioned would have to be removed. The writers still fail to recognise that the 10 reasons set out in their previous letter as to the causes of the famine are causes affecting the commercial producer, not the farmer—to him eggs are a sideline.

The refusal of a buyer to take delivery of a pig after it had been knocked down to him by the auctioneer at Addington market was discussed at a meeting of the management committee of the Canterbury Pig Council on Tuesday evening. The pig. which had been sold in the baconer pens, was subsequently discovered to be a “stag.” The buyer’s right to refuse to take delivery was proved on legal advice being sought, as the pig did not fulfil the implied conditions. “If you try to enforce the taw that buyers pay on the hammer I think you will find that prices will be a bit light.” said a member. Top fat lamb price at last week’s Addington market was 44s Id, secured by Miss 11. Riches, of Killinchy. The price is actually the highest received at the market this season.