GENERAL FARMING NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1088, 29 March 1911, Page 10

GENERAL FARMING NEWS.

The Maketawa correspondent of the "Taranaki News" says:—"The continued fine weather is being taken full advantage of by farmers. .Stumping and ploughing for green faod is this year in excess of all previous years, and as tho cows are keeping their end up in regard to milk 1 and tests, the smiles of the 'cocky' arewell, pleasurable. There is no mistake about it, tho • weather is most exceptional. A slight shower, light warm winds, overcast at times, and every morning a very heavy dew. Consequently, grass is still on'the grow, and everything looks green and fresh." Experiments are being mado in Auckland with cardboard butter boxes. A moro successful season for wheat could not bo desired is what some Southlanders say. of the conditions there. The wheat is in excellent condition. The bonefits derived from the splendid rains are very visible on the turnip crops in Southland. They are now thoroughly revived, and givo every promise of. a plenitude of feed for winter. Two. shillings must be tho ruling price for oats, before many farmers will sell. WhtrSi should bo no less than three shilling's: per bushel.—"Southland Times." Farm labour is said to bo very scarce in South Africa. The Nireaha Co-operative Dairy Company paid out to its suppliers this month tho 'sum of .£975' lis. 6d. for butter-fat supplied during February. Tho company shipped 200 cases of cheese to London by tho Corinthic, states the Eketahuna "Express." This brings the total shipment up to date to 27K1 cases,* A much greater fiuautity of cheese has been disposed of in New Zealand than usual. Turnip. crons this year are doing remarkably well in the Tarata district, says a correspondent of tho "Taranaki News." Indian corn is also good, and this has been considerably grown for autumn feed for cows. Some crops are fully eleven feet high. The Hawera "Star" states that Mr. F. A. Jacobsen, apiary inspector, recently spent a couple of weeks in Taranaki, and inspected a large- number of apiaries. "Mr. Jacobsen," says tho "Star," "reports that during his inspection he eamo across a number of beekeepers who still adhere to the old-fashioned "box hives, and as this is contrary • to tho Apiaries Act he left the usual notice to either transfer or destroy. Beekeeners who are not conversant with the Apiaries Act should noto that it is the intention of the Department of Agriculture to strictly enforce tho Act throughout the Dominion. Mr. Jacobsen expressed tho opinion thntTar.v naki should bo one of the best districts in the Dominion for beekeeping. The splendid country he had tho pleasure of seeing on the Waimato Plains, ho considered, was an ideal snot for bees, and many of tho apiaries could bo increased in size without- decreasing tho output of honey per hive. In fact, tho district could carry many more bees to the acre." THE POTATO MOTH. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Cliristchurch, March 28. The potato moth has made its appearance in Christcliurch, and several crops have been ruined in the .outlying dis- ■ "