GENERAL FARMING NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 832, 30 July 1910, Page 8

GENERAL FARMING NEWS.

There arrived from England yesterday by the Rimutaka the Aberdeen Angus hull Bengal Light, consigned bv Mr. A. White, to Dalgety and Co., and two heifers of the same breed, Dear Diana and Hose Bloom, consigned to the trustees in the' estate of tho late Mr. John Douglas. The animals will bo quarantined for the statutory period. Eawks are numerous in the open country around Jlnsterton, and the close attention paid by theso birds of prey to ewe paddocks suggests not only remarkable instinct, but premeditated design upon the early lambs. Although the hawk is supposed to be 1 a natural enemy to the rabuit, it is just questionable whether the benefits he confers -in one direction are not outweighed by his depredations in another.—Masterton correspondent. Tho tone of the Melbourne sheep market a week ago was decidedly weaker (according to "Dalgety's l{cvie,w"), which was attributable to demand being almost entirely limited to the immediate requirements of the local trade. All qualities, were well represented. Competition was irregular throughout, and prices in most instances showed a marked decline from last week's rates. The -market for lambs was a reflex of that for sheep. The demand was flat, and prices were lower. ■ , Exporters (says "Dalgety's Keview") are looking forward to large supplies of prime lambs during the ensuing season. It is also expected that supplies of sheep, with a good proportion of prime, will bo on an ample scale by the time the spring months are ushered in.

At the next meeting of the committee of the Stratford A. and P. Association, J[r. Thomas will move that a committee should ho set up to report on a utility herd'hook, and Mr. J. D. Hoaly is bringing forward a recommendation that judges of all dairy cattle should he instructed to judge on'the dairy merits of the animals. Fixing the date of the show is likely to cause some discussion, as an autumn show lias many adherents. In addition, there is reason to doubt if it will be possible to have the buildings erected and the grounds ready for a spring show.