GENERAL FARMING NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1113, 28 April 1911, Page 8

GENERAL FARMING NEWS.

According to the Victorian 'Government Statist'the yield of oats for this season is ' 9,699,127. bushels from an area of 392,681 acres, equal to an average yield of 21.70 bushels per acre. This compares with last season's yield of 7,913.423 bm;"aels from 381,226 acres, or an average of 20.60 bushels per acre. The Victorian Government has received the following cablegram from its AgentGeneral: "First consignment of Australian apples, ex Orontes, met good demand at Hamburg, realising 14 to 18 marks (13s. BJd. to 17s. 7Jd.) per case. Sound apples of quality and colour.in demand." The question of the supply of orchard labour .threatens to bo a troublesome one (says the Sydney "Telegraph"). At one time it,.was an easy, matter to'get good hands at ss. and 6s. a day, and even less, but such is no' longer the case. The demand for labour in other directions is so pronounced at 7s. and Bs. a day that orchard hands arc leaving the orchards to secure a higher wage ■"elsewhere.- Many growers hold that fruitgrowing cannot be made a paying concern if they are compelled to pay the higher rates of wages now demanded. The mysterious bee disease which first appeared during 1901 in the Isle of Wight and in 1907 in Bucks and the Guildford district -of Sujrey has now spread to ail parts of Great Britain. Throughout the autumn and winter bees have died from this cause at an alarming rate, and now [that spring has advanced sufficiently to ascertain their condition it is being realised how widespread has been the destruction. It is estimated that, in Hants, West Surrey,. and Bucks alone over 5000 colonies have, recently been destroyed by this inexplicable malady. The bees lose their power of flight, and crawl in front of the hive to die. Newly-hived swarms and the strongest stocks are first to succumb. i he causes are variously attributed to the contagion of affected bees, fungus growths in pollen, or a probable new 'clover sickP 5! s - -\ t tll6 annual meeting of the British Beekeepers' Association.. Dr. Maiden one of the Board of Agriculture's investigators,. stated that he had discovered a baci us in the diseased bee similar to the bacillus of plague in human beings, hut was unable to cultivate it—"Daily'Chronicle. \

English- papers by yesterday's mail report that there had been no further outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease late in March. Ihe outbreak shortly prior to that seems to have been confined to tho district it was discovered in. giving to the dryness of the season there lias been a considerable decrease in the .output of cheese from tho Tcki'ri factory, the farmers without exception having had rather a poor season. The welcome _ rain of the last few days has greatly improved the appearance of the paddocks, making it appear morn like springtime than autumn.—Hawera Star." At the annual meeting of the Levin branch , of the Farmers' Union Mr J M'Leavey nresMed, and tliO3o present were: Messrs. Neil, P. Stewart, Bcecher, Kingdon, Devonshire, Kebbell, Tompsitt, Monckton, Davics, Kirkcaldie, and 11. J Pilchards (states the "Chronicle"). Mr. M'Leavey was re-elected chairman for the oitsuing year, Mr. Kebbell vice-chairman, Mr. H. J. Richards secretary and treasurer, Mr, D.'l?. Wallace auditor. The committee was appointed, and it consists of those present and Messrs. K E. Smith, Herrick, Allen, and J. Saxon. Mr. M'Leavey or Mr. Devonshire were appointed, as a delegate to the provincial conference. The sum of ,£5 was awarded the secretary for services rendered. Tho balance-sheet showed a credit balance of -E22 7s. 2d. The number of financial members is 76. The milk supply at the Korito creamery is rapidly decreasing, and in all probability the creamery will bo closed flown for a month or two this winter (says the "Taranaki News"). /