GENERAL FARM NEWS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2452, 4 May 1915, Page 8

GENERAL FARM NEWS

The sale at Addington on Wednesday last is acknowledged by those who have closely followed the stock markets of Canterbury to be tho worst held for ten years. An exchange says that farmers aro faced with tho prospect of seeeing their stock go back in condition, or else sacrificing it at prices that aro in many cases only half what it would be worth if it could be got out of the country. Mr. Massoy's reply to the deputation which waited upon him on Thursday in reference to hardships imposed upon certain farmers by the obligation to tut California thistle will be received with a good deal of satisfaction. For a long time past _ farmers' have been bubjccted to irritating restrictions which _ call for a relaxing under certain circumstances. But the most satisfactory feature of Mr. Massey's reply was that the Noxious Weeds' Act is to 'ho revised during the coming session. This announcement may cause some speculation in farming circles, but it is an earnest of the Government's intention to remove a number or harassing, restrictions. The Patea branch of the Farmers' Union has decided to form an agricultural class for tho district. Sir. 11. B.rowne, technical instructor of agriculture, has addressed the branch on the subject, and a committee has been formed to carry out initial arrangements. The London "Commercial Record" has some interesting things to say in regard to the cheese market. The present prices ruling for cheese, it says, are probably unequalled in tie history of the trade. At least it can be-taken for granted there were - never before such prices ruling for colonial cheese, tn a large measure suob. rates as those that now obtain are due to the war, also the fact that the Government continues to be a big .purchaser of cheese for the troops constitutes , one' of the most important features in'the present remarkable situation: Seldom before has tho stock of English cheese been so small, all . the lower'. priced poods were cleared up long ago. There is, no prospect of actual supplies being increased at the moment, as'milk is very dear,;while there is a. shortage of labour in the country, districts for cheese making.

The area under potatoes at the Wereroa Experiment Farm this year, though small, gave an excellent return --•equal to about 18 tons per acre, the selection of good medium-sized potatoes for seed, which gave-such-excellent returns last year, was carried out again this year with the'above result. Again this year several rows were sown with the small potatoes usually, kept for seed and cut sets, but the yields from these rows did not approach that where the medium-sized whole potato was -used, thus confirming last year's experiments. — -Horowhenua Chronicle.".

One or _ the latest rumours in connection with the erection of new freezing works in North Canterbury is that the New Zealand Farmers' Co-opera-tive Association intends to erect works of its own in the Rangiora or Oxford districts, but Mr. E. \V. Relph, the manager of the association when interviewed by the "Lyttelton Times," said that -it had no intention of' erecting works of that kind for the present at least. Recently an influential deputation of' farmers representing the Oxford, Sheffield, and Malvern districts 'waited upon the board, and asked that something of the kind should be done. Thero was no doubt, . Mr.-Relph added, that farmers were in an exceedingly sorry position with regard to their fat stock, and the immediate outlook, owing to tho inadequate allotment of steamer space for Canterbury, was anything but encouraging.

Some strong comments, were passed at the adjourned annual meeting of the Palraerston North branch'of. the farmers' Union on Thursdayin con.nection with attendances, tlie chairman Remarking that it; was a- .disgraceful : thmg that a farming community like : theirs should take, so .little interest in •tho meetings of tho committees. It appears that there are 1000 members of the, union and only about 60 aro pay- .™? nibers - regard, to this Mr. ISalsillie said that, a thing that would have to be considered was .the opening or.small branches round about. If these small branches were opened round about thero would bo fairly good attendances.

IJie Fail-lie branch of- the 1 Farmers' Union have adopted the following resolution:—"That this meeting of the Fan-lie branch of_ the New Zealand X 1 armors' Union wishes to draw .the attention of the Prime Minister to the grave nature of the meat crisis in this district, in common with tho rest of (south Canterbury, and strongly urges lnm to use his utmost endeavours to secure more shipping space for South Canterbury during next month. Moreover, as the overseas shipowners' committee had dealt inequitably with the various provinces in the South Island utterly failing to grasp the situation, and as it has adopted a high-handed attitude in regard to the' basis of allocation of shipping space, the branch recommends the Prime Minister to have tlie overseas shipowners' committee reconstructed. Ihe resolution hits been transmitted to the Prime Minister.

Many a, small farmer whes© account with us a few years ago was very small indeed, has to-day grown into an account worth ■handling. We can claim to have done our. share to help him along, in handling his Home-separated Cream, Butter, or Eggs, to the best advantage. us get a chance of your business now we are short of all stocks, and can deal with your produce to your advantage. Wanganui Fresh Food, and Ico Ooy.—Adrt.

There s not a more efficient ihelper to the man on the land than the Richmond Oil Engine. Easy, safe, and reliable to work, it equals many hired hands: is always on the spot when needed and ready to start. Choose tho Richmond because of the many points in which it excele, of its solid construction, and allround goodness. Ask or write for particulars. A. J. Parton, Plumber. Car. terton.—Advt.