GENERAL FARMING NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1974, 3 February 1914, Page 10

GENERAL FARMING NEWS.

Tho highest average price at the Hastings ram fnir is stated to have been secured by, the four Eomney Marsh rams entered by Mr. J. E. Hewitt, of Mangamaire, Pahiatua. Mr. Hewitt got 51gns. for 0110" ram, 48gns. each for. two others, 28gns. for tho fourth,, tho average price working out at43Jgns. Tho first step lias been made towards making North Canterbury a fruit-pro-, ducing district. Tho credit of this attaches t<> Mr. V. Oldman, of Waiaii, who, anticipiting the approach of the railway, two years ago set to work to establish a good all-round orchard. At tho present timo he has in'splendid growing condition just 1000 trees of anI)les, peaohes, and cherries, and cajcuates that- by. tho time tho railway.is ready, for traffic in Waiau his orchard will be in full bearing. Fruit-growing in Otago this season is expected to reach a, record standard as regards quantity and quality and commercial villus. Tho trado has been very brisk since -ho opening of the season, and as far as stone fruits are concerned representative dealers state..that 'the orchards of Alexandra'and Clydo hold the market easily in everything- thatmakes fijiit acceptable and profitable. It is thought that the growers thoro must bo doing remarkably well. Men who know something ' of tho actual conditions prevailing-in the dairy-, ing industry, are of tho opinion l that many of the dairymen of the Dominion are jeopardising their own prosperity by neglecting to maintain a high standard of cleanliness. It is stated authoritatively (says the Dunedin 'Star") that much improvement is required in tho South Island, and the opinion is expressed that more attention should bo given by tho State to tho need of compelling dairymen to avoid even a suspicion of using dirty utensils and plant. ' The strawberry crop in Otago this summer has been remarkable in several features. The yield has beon fairly heavy, and maintained over a long period. Indeed, the season has lasted three months, which, accordion to the "Star,", is the longest experienced for many years. Growers , havo done very well, the ;-.best dessert fruits averaging throughout at least 7d. per. lb. hi'the "wholesale' market. ■ "! .

Labour is very scarce in the Catlins and Balclutha districts at the present time, according to tho "Otago, Daily Times," and that, the farmers are having great difficulty in getting men to do;" the necessary work on the farms. With weed-clearinK and general agricul- ■ tural ; wprk in full swing there is room .'for-. ii- considerable number of ablebodied men. « . About twelve months ago a pheiiomeral growth of potatoes was obtained by Mr. M. Straubel, of Na.vland Street, Sumner, from fine sand into which lupin had been dug, but no fertilisers; applied. This year from tho same ground and without tlio. addition of fertilisers, Mr. Straubel has achieved again extraordinary success. . .•:.■..' • • Fat lambs' for export are doing par--ticularly well in the Northern and Central Otago districts, where there is an abundance.of good grass as opposed to the coastal/aroas, where it is_too rank, and' , is;')iot":. tho'';lambs'i as 'it should .do. It is also somewhat remarkable that lambs arej?ix weeks later in;,fattening);thiß year than last and Dun'edin'buyers aro considerable difficulty in getting a moderate percentage of fat sheop on the coast this year. ' ■The annual meeting of the newlyformed Milking Shorthorn Breeders' Association will , be held at Palnierston this v,-eek. -/ : ■ ■ A line,of 2500 fat wethers railed, from Taihape one day last week had an average weight of 661b. Mr. A. Fletcher, of Mdawhango, has purchased a farm at Mangapai, North Auckland, and leaces for his new homo on Thursday next. Mr. Fletcher has great .faith in the suitability of Romney. sheep for tho land in North-Auck-land; and is taking with -him' a -flock .of-5000 Homney owes bred in the Taihape district.

Threo shearers- at Mr. IV. Doole's Piikeokaha (Tailiapc) • property maintained an average of 694 sheep each day till tho shod was cut out. Tho individual average was 2311-3.