GENERAL FARMING NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1080, 20 March 1911, Page 8

GENERAL FARMING NEWS.

The Agricultural Department is reported to be purchasing more cattle for "VVereroa State Farm.' . Some will probably .como from the South Island. ' Sheep-worrying by dogs is reported to be causing considerable -trouble at Otaki. The North Taranaki Dairy' Company received G75,0381b. of milk during February, an increase of 90,6341b. in comparison with 1910, says the "News." Suppliers received £1179 lis. lid., aj against .£9ll 17s. 2d. for the corresponding month of last year, an increase of ,6237.175. 9d. The increase in butter production was 2 tons lGcwt., the average test being 4.19. Dairymen in the Wairarapa district who are feeding their cows on maize, report that, despite the dry weather, their supply, of milk has been well maintained. It is probable that maize will be. grown more extensively in the future than it has in the past.—"Age." A group of prominent farmers in Jlanaia a low days ago were heard to give expression to some very strong opinions 011 the question <jf co-operative dairy production (says a Taranaki paper). The name of a co-operative factory having been mentioned, one of the speakers asserted that under cover of co-operation tho farmers of the district were robbing each other. In point of fact, there was no co-operation at all. As much as from 12 to 15 per cent of water was put into the milk of thesuppliers. The milk went to the bottom and passed undetected. . A test should be made every day and the results posted tip outside and a fine of i£!00 imposed. That might have the effect of ciiring dishonesty of that kind. Other opinions equally outspoken and entirely in sympathy with' the yrveding remarks were expressed, one gentleman quoting the testimony of a Government expert confirmatory of thesstatement that drastic measures we,e required to correct the present,state of things.

Just' now the stock market conditions in some, of the South Island districts are bad, a state of affairs largely, if not entirely, due to the unusually dry weather experienced , throughout the. summer months. The annual ram fair held at Blenheim last week, was a disapftintmenfc (an exchange states), anl Xr.rth Island breeders who took stock down 'in the expectation that changes of blond would be welcomed found that southern farmers, having beeiy unable to'cleiir their fat lamb?, were in no mood to buy. The absence of rain is being severely felt in the Levin district, lind in Ohau, says the "Chronicle." Unless a .heavy downpour soon comes farmers will be in sore strait?. The value of the water service is now seen in many directions. Farmers in Levin who have suffered from.a scarcity of, water in the past have, in many instances,-,connectc(l-;-thoii: lands with tho borough undertaking!" with tho result that their stock get. an ample supply of pure water, and tho milk yields keep up astonishingly well. According to an exchange "a very unusual and perhaps very serious position is likely to arise in connection with the dairying industry. The Taranaki Dairy Factory Employees' "Union is Mint/register-ed-under the. Arbitration .'Codtty. and is demanding better conditions of employment. and has asked for a conference between thu two bndics to settle the matters in dispute. From present indications, however, there;?is at .least a possibility that the employers may. refuse to recognise the union! Jind..-'it is feared'; that in the event of "this'' happening thß consequence may be serious, as it _is known that the union is well organised, and stronger than it has ever been before. Thn.men allege that if their union is not recognised t.hev have only one alternative. Should things reach this stage it would be a big blow to tho industry I throughout the province." " 1