GENERAL FARMING NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1227, 8 September 1911, Page 8

GENERAL FARMING NEWS.

Just at-present somo Elthaui farmer: are inclined' to be somewhat pessimistic as to tho outlook on account of tho unusually dry weather. The winter has been an exceptionally dry one, and a good soaking rain is wanted. There has been practically no growth in the grass so far and unless rain comes bofore long it' is feared that there will be a scarcity of feed this spriug. Tho attractive schedule of the Nelson A. and P. Association's Slow, which is to bo hold on Richmond Park on November 21 and November 22, is to hand. Entries close on November 8. The dryness of the season is being felt in tho Waikato. Springs are very low for this time of tho year, and many wells which have held good for to years or more are reported to have gone dry. During tho. past six or, eight weeks the growth of grass ha? been practically nil, and farmers have had to uso up most of their hay reserves to keep stock going. Tho list of prizcb for the twenty-sixth annual show of the Manawatu and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association, which is to be held at Palmerston North show ground on November 1, 2, and 3, is to hand, and tho attractions should bring forth largi entries. Entries for horses', cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, dogs, etc., close on October 13. In common with other parts of tho Dominion,'Masterton farmers are feeling th? effects of 'the dry spell, and grass is making very little growth. Some farmers, it is stated, are contemplating following the example of farmers in the south, and diluting their fodder for cows with molasses. • • . ■ The directors of the Wheiiuakura Dairy Co', have, says the Patea "Press," decided on consignment, through Messrs. Kearley and Tonge, of London, at lljd. per lb., without recourse. A sheep farmer in Taranaki was surprised to sco a largo seagull tackle a live lamb on his farm tho ot'.ior day. Usually these gulls or, gannets -eed on any dead sheep or lambs that may be lying around, but it is not often that tho birds will touch the-livo animal i. On the day in question the farmer saw.tho gull attack a live lamb, and befo'c he could get to the spot the bird had torn out an eye and ripped an ear off tho animal. Altogether the bird destroyed three lambs before a charge of shot finished his career."This year a splendid start' has been made," said tho chairman (Mr. C. Washer) at the annual meeting of the Riverdale Dairy- Company. It consisted 247-boxes of butter had been sold at lod., 25 at 1-ljd., and 273 at Mid. The question of whey butter cropped up at the annual meeting of the Riverdale Dairy Company. It was shown that 459211). weTo made in the season, one month being responsible for over a ton. The secretary said it was a payable proposition after January 1. ''" A return of some interest ,was presented by tho secretary at tho meeting of the Riverdale Dairy, Company. It consisted of a record .of tho return of butter-fat per aero off each supplier's farm. The secretary said it induced a healthy spirit of rivalry amongst suppliers. One hundred and. sixty-five pounds to the aero was tho best return; others ranged from 159 and 151 down to 9". For the previous year the best was 177. The drop was due to-the comparatively dry season. At the annual meeting of'the Nireaha Cheese Company the chairman of directors, Mr. C. Alberthson, moved:—"That this meeting consider the advisability of installing a plant for separating the whey 'and manufacturing tho butter-fat derived therefrom-into butter, and that a committee be set up to consider ways and means.". In speaking, to the motion, tho chairman stated the idea had been adopted with success by other .concerns in tho country. He pointed out that it the end of the season the factory had to close down when practically 300 gallons of milk was available. This could not be manufactured into cheese, but it meant a good deal to tho suppliers if the available milk was turned into butter. Tho plant would also enable separating the whey, and n deal of butter could b9 manufac-' tured from the butter-fat, which under existing circumstances was simply wasted. It was estimated tho plant would run into about .£530. Ho read a letter from Mr. Cuddie (Government Dairy Commissioner) on tho question, the effect of .which was that with the quantity of milk received at Nircaka, it would prove a payable proposition. He was anxious to see dairymen secure every possible penny from their cows. The motion was carried.

Somo important experiments with potatoes of many varieties are in progress at tho Mouniahaki State Farm, says tho Han-era "Star." Sufficient '• potatoes to plant two acres, ail carefully selected from tho best roots at the timo of digsring, are stored away in boxes in a wire-net-ting enclosure, bird and rat-prooi, and through which a current' of air freely passes, while a good roof ensures dryness. The potatoes are picked through from time to time, and those that show signs of deterioration arc thrown out. Omy • tho very, best are planted. Tho boxes all bear a number corresponding with a number in a book containing full particulars in each case. According to the manager of' tho fami, it is iutended to devote a good dear of attention in future to the selection of plants; and plantbreeding as well. •' Eight sections of 15 acres each have been fenced'off with tho object of testing different fertilisers. Each plot carries on ah average from, 8 to 7i sheep over tho whole season, and never, less than three. After, the land has been treated with manure, and tho sheip turned in,'the sheep are weighed monthly, and should a paddock require moro or less stock, an adjustment is made. 'At the end of ihe .ycai by taking the weight of tho mutton and'the quantity of wool it is 'possible to gauge with scientific exactness tho value of tho fertilisers used, every care having been taken, of course, to make all other conditions equal. That much is to bo attempted, in. tho way of experimenting with crops tho many fields in cultivation affords evidence.