GENERAL FARMING NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1243, 27 September 1911, Page 8

GENERAL FARMING NEWS.

A recent trip through the country districts of Ashburton County is stated to have revealed a large number of dead Jambs lying under the fences in the paddocks. The deaths we're caused by the recent blizzard. There were also considerable losses amongst breeding ewes. Some of the smaller sheds in the Masterlon district have commenced shearing and it is expected that shearing operations will bo in full swing throughout tho district next' week. : Triplets in lambs have not been uncommon in. the Maslerton district , this season; but a settlor of Matahiwi has a ewe which has produced a quartet, all of which are doing well. Feilding, however, can go one better than this, for it is reported that a ewe on a Sandnn farm gave birth to five lambs the other day. All are alive. It is suggested, says the Feilding "Star," that if Sir Joseph Ward hears about this, feat, ho will raise another big loan on -the country's unparalleled prosperity.

In his monthly report the manager of the . Longburn .Dairy Factory complains of very strong feed flavours in the milk caused chiefly b'y thousand headed kale being used for cow feed. He recommends that tho kale bo out several days before being used, thus obviating such strong flavours. The mortality among stock in tho Jfanawatu district is rather serious, says the Mahawatu "Times." Cattle have been dying in considerable- numbers, some from getting into. gullies, where tutu was growing, while others have died through eating more dry grass and . coarse fern than they could digest. Many slicep havo died through lack of feed, settlers having been rather over-stocked. Mr. Lovelock, of Palraerston iSjorth, -who recently returned from America with a valuable shipment of Holsteins for various -North Island breeders, expects five heifers anrl a bull by the Mait.ii, which left: San Fraucisco on September '20. It is stated that Mr. John Ewan. who imported the Clydesdale "Garthland," is contomplatinj taking another trip, to the Old Country in search of another" stallion next year. Tho • Jlohieka Fruitgrowers'. Association will niovo at the. Fruitgrowers' Conference, in Nelson: "That the Government be urged to protect planters against spread of - orchard pests by compelling nurserymen to supply trees free of pests- and disease; or, if the necessary legislation ailready exists, to more stringently enforce it." The same association jvillaiso move: —"That the Government" be urged to amend the Shippin.;; and Se.-wnen Act on ■the lines of the "Australian Sea Carriage of Goods Act, to mate shipping companies liable for 'damage to fruit in transit through carolees handling or treatment ''