GENERAL FARM ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2981, 19 January 1917, Page 8

GENERAL FARM ITEMS

It is understood that the Government has abandoned its intention of acquiring certain estates near Masterton for land settlement purposes in the meantimo, owing to the heavy' demands upon tho Treasury. The Fields Inspector (Mr. T. Bacon) recently visited the Pongaroa district. <ind_ as the result he intends taking action against certain settlers who have foxglove, a noxious weed, on their properties.

The labour difficulty ■ is becoming nioro and more acute in the Pahiatua county. The chairman suggested on Saturday that the Government be asked to employ co-operative labour. Comment was also made by tho chairman on the number of followers of the turf, and.the fact that a quarter of a- million had passed through the totalisator at the Auckland race meeting., The suggestion ivas mado that the "punters and others" should Assist m the work of production during ' tho country's crisis. The chairman remarked that while the Government'is gotting money through the totalisator] they would find tho difference when the income tax came to be collected because of production not being vAst it shsuld be. Councillor Knox proposed that a resolution be passed, but this the chairman did not think would be of any use.

According to the Dannevirke County Council, the six worst weeds are Califoraian thistle, ragwort, pennyroyal, blackberry, ox-eye daisy, and burdock. It is reported that potato stealing is prevalent in the Waimate district. The thieves burrow under tho plant, remove the potatoes, and fill up tho hole, leaving the plant'in appearance, as if it had never been tampered "with.

A conference is about to b.s convened by the Manawatu A. and P. Association, at the request of the minister of Agriculture, of delegates of the various associations in the Wellington province, to elect a representative to tho Board of Agriculture. Mr. William Perry, of Masterton, is afc present the representative, and he is eligible for re-election.

This is tho final reminder that entries for the Feilding Show will closo to-day.- Intending exhibitors should forward their entries without delay. There is yet time to apply . for a schedule, which the secretary will bo pleased to forward on application.