GENERAL FARMING NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2015, 24 March 1914, Page 8

GENERAL FARMING NEWS.

In connection with ,tlio„ spruce fir, and larch seeds forwarded to Mr.'Milligan by the Earl of Seaficld, it appears that something mora thaw more sentiment prompted their sending (says the Oamaru "Mail"). Mr. Robert Baird 6tates that lie lias long been of th» opinion that, tlie Now Zealand Forestry Department might profitably cultivate the Scotch fir (sylvestris) for its timber value, which he contends is greater than that of thepinus insignia. -As the' fir in .question is indigonous to the country surrounding Castlo Grant, Mr. Baird thought the visit to that locality of Sir. Milligan presented a good opportunity for obtaining some of the seed- for the . Forestry Department, and with this object in view, moved Mr. :Eyre Evans to correspond with Mr. Milligan on the subject. As, the outcome tho seed has arrived, but' Mr. Baird is of opinion that instead of being sent • to tho.Stato farms it should have gono to the Forester, so that the plant? might bo kept in a nursery and the • wed thence ■ circulated to plantations in the South Island, whero the trees would find the .conditions much the same as those in their native land. The Government orchard instructor for the Blenheim _ district (Mr. B. G. Goodwill), when in Christchurch the other "day, spoke, glowingly to a "Press" representative of the prospects of the fruit industry in Marlborough. The district this season, he said, had had a record crop of apricots, apples, and pears. The people up . there v/erc just up, and were beginto plant very extensively, and within a few years Marlborough would bo competing successfully against Nelson in tho fruit export business. A. Taiiiage district farmer has found that; silver beet .is a great factor in fattening lambs. In. November last ho Put down two-fifths of an acre in silver beet., Six weeks ago 3G lambs were fat- I iencd on tho small area of beet which ris now ready for feeding again. TIIO 'beet was grown at an altitude of 2080 feet. ' The'world exacts from you its toll -of worry and work—there' 3 110 need for you to add to it. Make things as easy as yon can—"Victor" Vats lighten 'labour anil help increase'the quality, of the .cheese. "Victor" pits liave that, eloping bottom which caused such 'a. sensation'.in the cheese-making' world. .'Every factory should Jirfve ;"Victor" Vats, they, are built : for efficiency'arid satisfaction. AVrite for. particulars. Albert J,. Parton, .Plumber, Carterton.—Advt.