FARMING & COMMERCIAL THE DOMINION'S FLOCKS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1819, 4 August 1913, Page 8

FARMING & COMMERCIAL

THE DOMINION'S FLOCKS.

SJIEKP V. DAIRYING. , At tho opening of llio Agricultural and Pastoral Association Conlerciico several speakers made reference to the gradual dwindling in tlvu t'ross number 01 eheep in tho Dominion, particularly in the South Island. It was shown that exports of mutton and lamb were very heavy last year, and the number exported had only been'equalled on one occasion previously—some three years ago. Those who spoke oil the question early iu tho day seemed to- think that a decline in tho Dominion, flocks was inevitable, because tho extension of the dairying industry was diverting land from the purposo of growing wool and mutton to the production of dairy products. Later in Iho session, when remits were being discussed, it was shown very clearly that causcs other than tlio advent of the dairy cow have a bearing on tho question, which, if remedied, will pormit. ot a largo annual increase in flocks. For instance, it was shown that tho present system of leasing-'grazing runs in tho youth Island, covering a largo area of country mainly suitablo for sheep grazing only, is against the best interests of the occupier, and, further, that it has a distinct tendency to reduce tho carrying capacity of the land. It was pointed out that a farmer with an insecure tenure of his land naturally refrained from making any permanent improvement in the pastures towards the term of expiry of his lease, when lie was in doubt as to whether ho would get a renewal. Again, it was tho practico for some of the leaseholders to exhaust their holdings during tho last year or two, so that they would have a dilapitatad appearance when tlio leases fell in, and had to b« re-let. This was done so that the next assessment of rent would bo kept down. By this means tho carrying capacity of tho. land was reduced right through thecurrency of tho lease, particularly towards tho end. It was urged that longer terms of Iraso should bo made; also that the outgoing tenant, if he was unsuccessful at the next allotment, should bo'given full value for all tho improvements that had been effected while ho was in occupancy. Attention Vas also drawn to tlio depletion of product.iro capabilities that is taking place over large areas in Otago. Under a better system of farming many thousands of acres could be made to carry more sheep than at present. Largo tracts of country had gono out of practical use altogether, that should be now carrying stock had tjiey been properly conducted in the past. Other speakers referred to the opportunities that could be embiaced to improve the second and third-class lands of the North Island by sowing and culti- ! vating certain grasses (such as Danthonia) that have been neglected in tho past; One instance was given where third-class land had been so improved by this means that it was now carrying from a half to a full-sheep more than it did previously. There nro many thousands of acres of such lands that could be greatly benefited by more attention being given to the cultivation of natural grasses that are not so popular on the richer areas that are gradually coming under tho influence of dairying. With a good prospect of a continuance of the very satisfactory prices that have ruled for . sheep products , recently it is the general opinion that, not-, withstanding tho figures of the past year or two, tho sheep returns ivill be maintained, if not increased, more especially if some measures are taken to remedy the defects 'that liavo been mentioned above.

NEWS AND NOTES.