THE FARM INDUSTRY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 587, 16 August 1909, Page 10

THE FARM INDUSTRY.

SOUTHERN CROPS,

SNOWLESS HILLS CAUSE ANXIETY

MEAT SEASON ENDING.

In. Canterbury, north of the Hangitata, and in the Amiiri district there lias been no appreciable rainfall for six or seven weeks, and there has been so far a very dry winter, with very little snow on the. hills. This absence- of hill snow is an unwelcome feature, for farmers in those districts of Canterbury, ■.which, like parts of Wairarapa, depend largely on water races for summer-moisture, look to tho winter's snow,, on the hills to : yield a gradual supply of water to keep tho races running .through the summer. • Tho chances of getting a good snow covoring aro now rapidly diminishing," and it is 'feared in consequence.that the.races may bo frequontly dry during' the coming season. Farmers in the districts mentioned are anxious, too, for present rain, in order to bring on the grass and crops. ■ j • In North Otago, on the othor hand, there has been . an. excess J of. rain; and work on somo of tho.farms has.been deJaycd for sis weeks owing to thewet state or the soil. Further south the season has been highly favourable. Tho dry wcathor has suited the wheat crops, nud whore that condition has prevailed the early prospects of good returns aro excellent. But rain would be beneficial now. . ... ,"-,.-' , Early season's crops aro looking remarkably well. ■■ The dry weather in Canterbury has assisted the turnips to hold out very much hotter than earlier prospects indicated, their natural tendency to rot at this time.of year.being retarded.-Moreover, the dry weather enabled the stock to keep in.good condition on less feed. On the whole, it has certainly been a very good, season for sheep. . The freezing works throughout the South Island aro'nearing the end of tho season, and all are expected to be closed by the end of this month". Holders of. sheep have been advised to keep thorn over till after the shearing—a course which the abundance of feed enables most of them to follow without difficulty. That.-course is also. made, advisable bv the high price of store stock, in coropan.son with the prices.when fattened. ■ .-■• There is every prospect of a good'lambing.

/DAIRY FACTORY REPORTS.

DALEFISLD. The report to bo presented at the annual meeting of shareholders of tho Dalefield Cooperative Dairy Company states:—"During the season :9,203,6351b. of milk were received, yielding 359.091.921b. of buttor-fat, from which 033,9481b., or 419 tons, of cheese were made, being an increase of 100 tons on last year's output. • The highest test during the season was 5.8, and tho lowest 3, the average baing 3.91. The quantity of milk required to make'one pound of cheese was 9.801b., and each pound of butter ; fat made 2.C01b. cheese. After paying an advance amounting to £1-1,999 13s. 3d., writing off £169 14s. 4d. for depreciation of plant and buildings, and reserving £S1 16s. for 6 per cent, dividend on subscribed capital, thero remains a balance of £4687 7s. lOd. duo to suppliers, makinis an actual cash payment of Is 1-Jd. per lb. of butter-fat, equal to 5.39 d. per'gallon of milk of HHlb. ■ You wilr : bc called upon to elect three directors .in lieu of Messrs. Tunnicliffe, Welch, and Gallon'. Mr! Welch retires by. rotation, and being eligible offers himself for re-election. Messrs. Gallon and Tunnicliffe have- tendered their resignations." . '. PARKVALE. ■■' At.the annual meetingof the Parkyalc Cooperative Dairy Company tho directors will report as follows :-r ' . "The factory was opened on .August 31, 1908, and closed on June 8, .1909, during which time 4,589,7351b. of inilk were received, being an increase of 1,116,3181b. on last sea-, son's supply. Tho yield of butter-fat was 182,281.161b., from which 455,7551b., or 203 toris'9cwt., of cheese were made. Each pound of butter-fat ''■yielded. 2.501b. of cheese, and each pound of cheese required 10.071b. of milk. The tests ranged from 3.1 to !6.8, the average being 3.97; 190 tons of cheese were shipped to London, the bal-ance-being available for tho New Zealand trade. After setting aside tho sum of £6G Bs. 4d.", as a dividend of 6 par cent., on tho subscribed capital,'and writing £61 3s. 4d. off for the depreciation of plant and buildings, thero remains" a balance of £2373 95.. due making tho actual price paid per pound ofbutter-fatls. OJd;, equal to sd. per gallon of .lOJlb. of milk. Your directors regret to report the death of Mr. J. Bailey, during the year, and take this opportunity of placing/ on' record tho high , appreciation of his services on. the directorate. You will bo asked to elect; three directors to succeed Messrs. C. Lorenzen, H. Rayner, jun., and Mr. Bailey, deceased. Tho former retires by effhixion of time, and being eligible offers ' himself for re-election. Mr. Rayner has tendered his resignation." BELVEDERE. : " ■ ' .. ; \ The annual report'of the directors of the Co-operative Dairy Coiui»iiy congratulates shareholders on the year's work. "Tho amount of milk received was 3,910,4081b., an '■' increaso on tho past year of 544,6291b. :Tho butter-fat averaged 4.233 per cent., aud amounted to 165,542.911b., being 39,224.151b. in excess of last season. Tho-cheese made was 393,8561b. (175 tons 16cwt.),' and each pound of butter-fat averaged 2.3791b. of cheese, and it.- took 9.921b. of milk to make lib. of cheese. Tho while of the output was graded first grade, and top rates were obtained in tho London:' and local markets. During tho season advances up to 9d. per lb. of buttor-fat were,made, to suppliers, for milk, amounting to £6207' 16s. 9d.. leaving for distribution £1954 6s. 4d., .making for the whole season 11.833 d. per pound of butter-fat. In addition to this sum your directors have written off : 5 pr cent, for depreciation-of plant and . buildings, and set aside 6 per cent, as a dividend on paid up capital. 'Messrs. M. O'Reilly and G. E. Thomas retires by rotation as directors, but are eligible, 'and.oti'eri themselves for re-election." ' . MASTERTON DAIRY. COMPANY. ',-,'. The _ annual report of the Mastertian Cooperative Dairy Compaiiy, Ltd., presented to. the. annual meeting' on-Saturday: (telegraphs our special correspondent), read as follows:—' Your directors report;that the. quantity of. butter-fat received- during last season was slightly below the previous year's, and much, less.than the' capacity of the factory or than might reasonably be expected in such:a good dairyrfarming district as ours. Negotiations are in progress which will,' it is confidently expected, enable your'directors to .extend and consolidate the business of the company with satisfaction~to the shareholders jand all parties concerned; ,-With a' view to 'making; tho _ money now_ paid annually for interest available for distribution among the shareholders, .your directors :aro establishing a sinking fund, which will be.added to yearly until the present mortgage is redeemed. You will be pleased to know that although less butter-fat was handled, the quantity of butter manufactured was greater than in Lho previous year, and the grado was well maintained. This is vory creditable to our capable ;manager, Mr. W.indle, and resulted ill a cash price to suppliers averaging a fraction over 10d. for.tho season. Tho following 1 are- the figures:—Butter-fat received, 12p,2991b.; butter manufactured, 137,5941b.; ,'overrun, 14.36. . .

At the meeting the retiring directors, Messrs. W. H. Buick, H. Holmesj and J. K. Jestrup, were re-elected. The chairman referred to the. proposed amalgamation with the Mauriceville Dairy Company, and stated that negotiations were being open<kl in tho matter, and a conference of directors of both companies would probably shortly ; bo bold with a view to arriving at u basis of an amalgamation. ■ ■ i MASTKRTON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. Tho first meeting of the newly-olcctcd General Committee of the Masterton AgnV cultural and Pastoral Association was ' eld on Saturday afternoon, Mr. G. C. Sumrnercll presiding over a good attendance of members. The Auckland t A. and P. Association notified yjafc ticdr fioriiifi ebow-woulcl "bo held' on

November 26 and 27. Almibcii, .1, f-;Wtifl|« i<; Cray, W. .1). Wntsoii, (J, Diiimld, Ml.. ..1.Uapg, and \\. IViry iverii ii)ijniiiik"t|.n tiiltimitteo to net in siiptim'l, ul it liiM/ltn from the- Mannwatti mid \Vei;l<' Oiiisl.. Ai ( fit/fl I'; Association, fnvourini', Mm i'iiin|iilnlj!iirof n list of North Island own nl-imji Jlldyen,- drdw/l -up by tho variiiiifl iihwidntioiiAi Messrs. 0. CI, Conner, I), M'Urefitir, jW.l'erry, W. K. Hidwlll, 11, M(irris<.H. A. Doiwld, C. Siniimoicll, ninl J, l!< Mowlih were- npixiinlod ii. <li)|iiil-iil!(iii In Wnit dji'id the- Minister fur llnilwiiyji iii li;iVrcin/j t<i ft railway nidinu ill, Iliij fcliOW ({(oiiikls /it Sohvay. Tim im-mbuM foi , IJin (listfifcl ■(McssVd. A. W, llii|/,i! mill W, (.!.- are to bo iiekc.l l/ii «!O j O|ioriiLtj wild tlid (Kijiuv tation. . ■ Mr. riupli Morrison lifoli/ilil tip \m uitdift of incroiisiiij/, tlio iiioinbi'if.|ii|i of H«i its«»cintioii. Hi! Kiiid Unit Urn lint of iilcmlifTS now stood nt oiilv '200 oil Urn MwliMiiid, iiiiill-o coiisidorod.it would bo iin i-uwllMit umm for Urn nflsouinliim from n. liii;itifci«l slaiiiU point if it Inul ii rnvcinKi of UIOOO. ft Jew l'rom-ita incinbcnt nltuio, 110 V/n* willing doimto a gold modal Mm tiioinbcr wli(; secured tliirliirnoßt number of new iriombers. After somo disoiiußioit it v/iik deciilwl to <'ifcubriso diatriiit roproßciiiaUvcs, pkmg tliftir co-oporntion in tliu now-ini'inbMßliipwitiitwn?'' MANGATOICI.WOTJ'RII FAGTOJIY, ; Tho annual report of tho Mnnptoki (V operative Dairy Coiniwiiy (of wlndi Mr. J. :Mars is chainunii, l\ir. P. 11. WtttU' 6f.cr(v tary, and Mr, 0. Cooper ninnagor) to bo submitted to sliarcholders next rhursday states that the year linn been Micce&sfm in spito of the eerioui! compljcitiond iij.connf.ction with the contract with Mcssrii, Wilier and Riloy, Ltd., at tlio commencement of (be season. After writing off £003 12s. 3d. hir depreciation, tliere reiniiinn a sum of.WJAJ os.;4d. to Ik; dealt with, ttiicl from tins the .directors recommend a dividend of 5 pov cent. (£328 103.), lwivinp £991 10s. <ld. iiH.a final payment on butter-fat supplied, equivalent to 10.82 d. per 11). of butlei'-fat, ' The output has been the record of the company, Iwtli ai to fjuiintity and quality. Tho amount of ■milk received Han 24,1>1J,8201b., yielding 931,(50111). of butter-fat at an • avciv-ifie' tKVof 3.78, and producing 482 tons. '3cw.t.,'i3lli: 'of commercial butter. Tliq retiring directors .are Messrs. D. L. A. Astbiiry, Jacob Marx, and A. C. Peace, ■ .

FARMERS' UNION MEETINGS. Mr. 'J. C. Fowler, provincial organiser, of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, lately concluded a very successful visit to the .mm-; terville district. Though the meetings .of the'local branch might have been better attended, yet when Iho largo area over which its members are scattered is taken into consideration, the presence of from htteen to twenty must be considered satisfactory., iiic farmers in Hunterviilc district arc m thorough accord with the union, and acknowledge'that the greater prominence which it. hos exhibited and the increased activity which has been a feature- of the last year or two hare not apixialed in vain to those- jn whose interests its efforts ,are put .fortn. Over thirty names were added to the roll ot ir-cmWs, and a substantial sum was collected in subscriptions. Mr. Fowler's arrangements were to proceed next te the Manawatu lino banches. commencing with' Levin.

WANGANUI HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. The affairs of the Wanganui Horticultural Society (says our special correspondent) have caused.dissatisfaction to many of the mem-bers-for some time, and ou Friday evening a general meeting was held at the request of the discontented party, .when grievances were reviewed at length. - An effort was made to alter the ■ personnel- of the management officers. All tendered their resignations and offered themselves for re-election. A. very lively time followed, during which it became apparent that the principal grievance was the secretary. Finally, however, the o d secretary'and other officers were all re-elected, and' now it is hoped all troubles will be smoothed over. ■_.' . ■

FEILDING NOTES. After a brief'bright spell of fine-weather rain fell district .on .Saturday afternoon (says our Feilding correspondent). A mild temperature and drying wind wero experienced on Sunday, but ; in ■ the ■■evening heavy rain airain set in. ONLY ONE HOPE. Mr V. Cameron, a frozen meat authority, of Dnnediii, thinks the one liopo of the meat industry is to force ,open the markets of bermany. Mr. Cameron has recently visited Enßland ami Germany, and on his return tins week he expressed some yiows on the .meat question. Freezing companies and their clients here, he said, must bo prepared to accept for the future a muck lower- price- than ,Lad ruled for some years past-about 2d. a lb. less all throngh, or 2fd. where formerly 4|d, was got. Argentina .could afford to sell at those rates, and tho quality of- their mutton nad improved. They were' organised, to the market, and would succeed unless l\'ew; Zealand producers wero prepared to meet their prices. Engli* customers did not like their mutton fat. They, preferred a smaller, leaner article, especially in the heat of the summer. I<arm'crs must cater for that taste, and land must become cheaper. "But," ho added, there is one hope. If only we can-get the German ports open we aro right. • There is a tremertdous market there.' Heat is very scarce there now, but they won't .allow any froze.* -mutton in.at any , price.' Once you can get Germany the situation will be relieved." , •■•;;■ SHOW DATES. / - October 20 to 21.—Hawko'e Bay Spring Show. . - ■-■.-. .' '" October 27 and ■ 28.—Wairarapa and ; East Coast A. and P. Societyls Sbow. October 27 to 28.—Timaru. • . . . ''' . October 29.—Rangiora. . November 3 to 4. —Ashburton. Nov.' 3to s.—Palmerston North. ' ■ November 10 to 12.—Canterbury. November 16.—Taieri, at ■ Mosgiel. November. 18. to 19.—North Otago, at Oamaru. -■' . - ' i ■'• November 25 to 26.—Otago, at Dunedin. '- December 14 to 15.—Southland, at Inverca'rgill. ■ ' . ■ - ' . . ■■■■ ' v