THE VALUE OF CATTLE IN IMPROVING THE LAND

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3063, 26 April 1917, Page 7

THE VALUE OF CATTLE IN IMPROVING THE LAND

To one who travels considerably about the country districts of - the' North Island, the question often arises to him ■us to.whether tlio sheep farmer fully 'appreciates the value of judicious, stocking ot" cattle, as a factor in improving . the pasture, on his farm.

How often do you.hear a practical farmer in criticising another farm, roraark, "Yes, a' good farm, but.' spoilt through the lack of cattle." How many farms do you/ notico about tho country a mass of biddybid (utowai). while light next-door on his neighbour's farm there is hardly a'plant to' be seen? Think of the properties you pass in, tho train covered in fern, whilo in adjoining properties there is not a bit visible. The Tininitiated ask for the remedy. The practical fanner will tell you straight away, "Stock judiciously with cattle in. con- ■ junction with sheep." Some farmers will tell you, of farms that they purcha6» 'eclin Hawke'e Bay, being at tho time thoy wero' bought covered, in native' grass; to-day the bulk of the pasture is rye grass, and not a seed has been artificially sown. Thoy attribute tho result to 'crushing with cattle. The fact remains; that apart from tho profit one ought to dorivo from/grazing cattle, thopasture is improved, tnerefoi'o tho sheep do' Better, and likewiso tho wool clip is increased. There is always the /pry, "Yes,- we know we could do with, cattle, but. where can wo buy them worth tho money? After lie'war prices may drop." And so on. Think for. a moment of the conditions iclating to this subject, on tho othot sklo of the world—-Europe .is practically depleted of live stock such ■ as cnttlo and sheep; America, that is, the United States, is already finding n difficulty of growing enough meat for herself. Look in the papers and seo what tho Argentine meat (inferior io Now ■ Zealand grown) is making in London. ■Think what a. time after tho war it "will take to demobilise; also bear in mind that .'previous to the war. Britain never exported a, singlo pound of meat to foreign countries; whilo after this tortiblo war is over she will have to feed and -build up stricken Europe once agaiu. 4'liefo aro other .arguments which might bo commented on, but are too lengthy to go into' hore. Weigh these facts given carefully in your mind, and it looks as ■if tho meat market in tho'future will •more than hold its own. Farmers! some, in fact »■ great number of you, want cattle badly. Don't wait till your farm depreciates. Your hoggcls start, that deathly rough so well known, to pome who don't cifean tlicir paddocks from Tank grass. Chiinge your hoggets on to short clean feed frequently, and Hint <-oiHi will seldom bo heanl. Jtoll np to Pahiatua on. Thursday, May 3rd,.when you, will see a fmo yarding of over 2000 cattle of all classes-cattle bred and reared in this district, cattlo that will thrive anywhere tou like to take them, and mainly cattle that; can be bought worth tho money. Mark this date on. your calendar, and remember the T'oir starts at 10.30 a.m. sharp.—(Puljbshe.d by Arrangement.) •■ •