GENERAL FARMING NEWS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1918, 28 November 1913, Page 10

GENERAL FARMING NEWS

. fho dairying companies and farmers of Southland, according to t-ho -'Duncdin "Star," Jmvo been feeling some anxiety through tho prolonged delay in tlio ship"ment of cbeesß from tlio Bluff. Some farmers liad given tip nli hope of receiving their monthly olieqties, which would liot-bc available until the companies Jind received tlio hills of Jading covering the shipments. After a lengthy period of disorganisation, however, as a result of the strikes, shipping is nncc more becoming active; and the uneasiness felt is being dispelled. The s.s. Kia On, which berthed at tlio Bluff this week, is .taking away, amongst (ther cargo, ,31,000 crates of cheese and 6000 boxes of lintter, a largo quantity of which had bean'railcd to the port from as far north as Oamarti. Tho's.s.'Himutaka is expected to arrivo in about a week's time, and «ho will also take away a quantity rtt dairy produce and general cargo, including hemp and wool for London. Tho. efforts of the Government and fal-mors to exterminate noxious weeds aro not enhanced by the laxity with which some, districts coniba't Hip evil. A South Otago farmer, who attended Oamani show last week, expressed his disguest upon witnessing many spreading crop of Californian thistles iu a district I ho nasscd •'through.

A imigus that choked Californiaii thistlo has riiado its appearance in. the Totara district and elsewhere (says the Oamaru "Mail"). It attacks the underside of tho leaf in tho form of-a brown ,dust, and multiplies rapidly until tho whole plant is (.overed. .Tlw leaves then turn yellow and I'ho thistle withers. Investigations (imoug; crops and pastures of all kinds in which the California lliistlo is found sliow that it attacks no other form of vegetation, - not even closely allied thistles. Search has been made" in wlieat, oats rye, and pasture fields in. which tlic Califorman pest is plentiful,. but nono of t'he crops were oven tainted by the fungus. Tho fungus may only r bo a product of lush seasons sucii as'tho present, but if it can bo proved to be inimical to Califorman thistles only, it will be worthy of cultivation. A specimen lias been sent to tho Agricultural Department at Wellington.

The basis of profit depends upon the quality of the cheese. the important factor is to improve the cheese. The "Victor* - Vat, the modern cheese-maker's help, adds materially to the quality, because the sloping noltom allows the .whev to run freely, leaving the curd high and dry. Investigate tne merit* of "Victor" Vats. Albert J. Parton, Plumber, Carterton—Advt.

Develop the milking propensity and high butter-fat test by using .tho "Gilrnth" Calf Food. The - eonshtuhoubuildor; It is not only the best, but also the cheapest.—Advt.