GENERAL NOTES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2668, 13 January 1916, Page 8

GENERAL NOTES

Tho Romney Marsh breed of sheep is more in favour in the North Island than all other breeds put together, states the Otaki "Mail." Out of 46,022 twotooth rams at April 30 last, 27,323 were Romiievs, and out of 172,126 stud and flock rams of all ages, 107,205 wero Eomneys. Excellent- secondary crops of potatoes ar<j. reported throughout the district, no sign of blight being now existent-, says the North Auckland "Times." Many growers state that by spraying the plants during the wet. or blighty period, potatoes can, especially on gumlands, be grown throughout the year, and cite many caseswhere that has been done in the vicinity of diggers' camps. Following on the success secured this season by Mr. T. Bassett, who cultivated a large area- of potatoes on the Tatariki coast line, it is probable that large acreages of the gum country -will this year be utilised for furnisning early potatoes for the Wellington market. ■_ Harvesting in South Canterbuty is just about to, begin, and already "cutting has commenced in several places, but it is : expected that it will be a week before general harvesting operations are in full swing, reports the Timaru "Post;" So far tho supply of labour offering is adequate, but when stacking operations are in progress it is anticipated that there will be a shortage. _ The crops are all on the light side, and it is anticipated that the yield for the South Canterbury district .will not be a heavy one. ' /Mr. R. E. Beattio has demonstrated that it is possible to grow wheat in this district (states tho Woodville "Examiner"). Ho has only a small patch, something like a couple of acres, but it is a glorious crop, and will return him anything up to 50-60 'bushels to the acre. Almost every farm house in Kaipara has a private t-elephone connection, and as no bureau charges are enforced, a full use of the convenience is daily made, states , the North Auckland "Times." It is estimated that the establishment of the private lines has hastened farming progress in these parts by ten years. Every day or night, the out-back settler can learn the state of the markets,-and can generally transact business without leaving the homestead. The Kaihu district has lately been connected with the Bay of Islands system, so that when the proposed lino is constructed between Dargaville and Kaihu, the whole of the Ot-amatea, Hobson, and Bay of Islands farmers will be enabled to communicate .'with one another viva voce. The cost of line construction averages £5 per mile, and the dilferent systems are a unique asset to North Auckland. Cocksfoot cutting has started at Akaroa, and in other parts of the Peninsula, and work 'will' be general next I week. Owing to' the light and short crop, the harvest will probably be finished by the end of the month, especially if the dry weather continues. This will make the season the shortest and quickest on .record. , : . . '. Mr." G."E. Allen,' of Wairarapa, the well-known Romney Marsh breeder has notified the secretary of the AVoodville A. and P. .Association that he will donate a two-tooth Romney Marsh, ram to be sold at the show for the benefit of the Sick and Wounded Soldiers' Fund. Mr. J. D. Iriglis will exhibit some fat wethers, which he will-donate to be sold for the same purpose.. It is stated that entries are coming in well, and that' everything- promises .a. successful and profitable gathering. • It is understood (states the Ashburton "Guardian") that many of the harvesters this year are asking for a stipulated wage of Is. 6d. ail hour before they will accept engagement. The average wage is expected to ,be Is. 4d. an hour, as against Is. an hour in other years. Farmers who wore in tonn on Saturday'state that the country is in a deplorable state owing to the dry weather (remarks tho "North Otago Times"), and many, crops which were looking fairly good a week ago; have gone that far back that it has been necessary to turii the sheep on to them, as they were not worth the trouble to cut. Never has the demand for clear-headed constructive thinking in business been so urgent as it' is right now. We are living in a progressive age, and must take advantage of all up-to-date methods. It is in savings from waste of any description that money is made to-day,; and by concentrating one's efforts on all details of our business we claim to bo able to produce results for our many cream suppliers. We want more cream. Can you supply lis? Further particulars, Wariganui Fresh Food Co.—Advt.