RED CLOVER WITH WHEAT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1514, 9 August 1912, Page 8

RED CLOVER WITH WHEAT.

A VALUABLE FODDER CROP. As a fodder crop, red clover is valuable in districts suited to its growth. This, in particular, says a New South Wales.Agricultural Departmental note, has been proved at the Glen limes Experiment Farm, where the practice is followed of broadcasting about 101b. of teed six weeks or so after wheat is up, merely running tho harrow over the young crop before sowing the clover. During the early part of the present winter, some '200 young sheep, chiefly oighl-mouths-olds, were fed on red clover hay at the rate of lib. per head per day. The sheep took.to the hay readily, and ate it all up, being apparently very fond of the leaves. On this ration they, at the end of the first thrco weeks, appeared to bo moro than holding their own, and as it was only desired by tho manager to pull them through the droughty winter until spring, it was felt that the fodder was proving quite satisfactory. The paddock on which these sheep wero fed was almost bare of even dry bush feed, but clover hay is a nutritious diet (almost as good as lucerne hay), and tho fact that tho protein content is high makes i.O very valuable for young stock. Tho only precaution taken in laying it out was to spread it over a good length of ground to prevent crowding. Taking the value of the hay at £i per ton (and that could have easily been obtained fur it at Ihe stack), the cost of Iho ratiun runs out at just under |d. per head per day. The tost to the farm, however, was only lis: 2d. per ton. for the clover was *own in a cereal' crop, and after tho grain had been harvested tho clover was cut, and the net return in 1911 waa over £\ per acre. Tho only expenses in the second year's growth were th? culling, making, and stacking. On the basis nf 111), per. day for weaners, Iho ration for a groVn dry sheep would Im about 1!ll».. and for ewes in milk fully Jib. per sheep per day would be'ierjuireii, but oven then it would not hp excessively dear fodder to n farmer in a cool district, who had adopted a method of sowing similar to that at Glea Innca-

BEE'KEEPERS. THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE. The Beekeepers' annual conference was opened at the museum building yesterday, Mr. C. A. Jaeobsen, president of tho National Bi'i'kcepci-s' Association, Canterbury, presiding. The following were also present:—Messrs. Ward, Johnstone, W. B. Brav, and Barker (Canterbury); H. \V. Briekell (Diinedin); E. Matthews anil J. B. Adams (Poverty (Bay); \V. Bailie (Carlertou); Wntworth (Palmerston North); Hobbs.and J. Pin.v (Oliau); Allan Bates (South Tnranaki); Hooper, Teed (Wnimute); Professor T. YV. Kirk, Messrs. I'. A. Jaeobsen (Wellington); G. V. Westbrooke (Auckland); L. Bowman (Canterbury); K. A. Karp (Southland); ot the Agricultural Department were also- present. . The president, speaking of markets, stated that the ■ lack of regular supply was assigned as the main-drawback to obtaining the best prices on the English market for New Zealand honey. There really was a market in England and ho believed that it was quite possible to overcome all difficulty or instituting a co-operative system of marketing that would not only permit of better prices, hut would also enable beekeepers to regulate supplies. Another branch of activity that lay before them was to find out. the best means to improve (he quality and health of bees in the apiaries throughout the Dominion. They should also endeavour to discover which particular kind of honey would command the best prices. '

A paper dealing with different phaseo of_ tho industry, was read by Mr. E. G. Ward, secretary of' tho association. Mr. Ward recommended "that all apiaries should be registered, and suggested the following scale of fees for registration:— For one hive, 10s. Gd., and 2s. '6d. for every further hive up to the number of five, and above that number id. for every succeeding hive. The neglect shown by some owners in keeping their hives free from disease . was, he said, deplorable, and he suggested that the revenue received from registration fees could be devoted towards providing additional inspectors-. He moved: "That 'his conference of beekeepers urge on the Government the necessity of amending tho Apiaries Act by adding a clause compelling all beekeorers to register their apiaries within one month of the passing of the Act on pain of a penalty not exceeding .£5 for non-compliance." The existing law governing the inspection of apiaries, said Professor T. W. Kirk, practically covered the ground under discussion, as it already provided for compulsory registration. Compulsory re---Mration of beekeepers would greatly assist the inspectors in checking diseases. MY. Ward touched upon the enforcement/of the Foul Brnod Act and said that the lines adopted by tho Canterbury Beekeepers' Association were in the direction of assisting the inspector as much as possible in giving information as to where liives were situated. He stated that a. number of the members of the Canterbury Association had taken up the matter of assisting the inspector. Professor Kirk stated that if any member of the association know of any existing disease in the locality, in which he resided he should inform the secretary of his association or the inspector. -Mr. Bates gave an instance of the havoc which, "foul brood" had plaved amongst his bees. He thouzht that 'it would he years before it would bo eradicated. Mr. Briekell suggested that, to overcome the difficulty, the conference should carry a resolution to the effect that, ow-, mg to the great distance that inspectors have to travel, this conference recommends the Department to supnly them with motor-cycles for the purpose of overtaking their work. Mr. Bray seconded th» motion which was carried. Regarding improved postal facilities for delivery of queen bees, Mr. Brav moved "That this conference request the Postmaster-General to arrange that queen bce.5 ] in\foreign or ocean-borne mails, be carried in specially ventilated bags. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ward and carried. The matter of adulteration of honey and beeswax came up for discussion. The meeting decided to do nothing in the matter just yet. The discussion of railway rates on products of the apiary and safe carriage of bees .was held over until to-day. Tho conference then adiourned and will resume at 10 a.m. to-day. By the R.M.S., lonic, Messrs. Dalgety and Company, Limited, Wellington, are shipping to-day on account of Mr. E. Short, of Parorangi, Feilding, a valuable consignment of ten stud rams, all of the champion "Record" strain. These rams are being shipped to the order of a client m Uruguay, au'd are a repeat order of a consignment sent last year. ' The secret of the great success attending "Victor" Vats is due in a large mea-. sure tx> the excellent workmanship and to the first-class materials used in their manufacture. Managers of the largest factories recognise the superiority of "Victor" Vats, and order them in preference to other makes. At present very large numbers of these splendid Vats are being manufactured, and factories should place their orders now to ensure early delivery. Albert J. Parton, Cartel-ton.'' A WINNER OF COMPETITIONS. The Egg-laying Competitions for 1910-11 and 1911-12 were both won by pens reared 6u ''A. and P." Chick Raism. Tho first essential for profitable poultry keeping. Obtainable from all StorekecDers."