GENERAL FARMING NEWS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 88, 7 January 1918, Page 8

GENERAL FARMING NEWS

It is estimated: that the numbers of farm live stock in Canada on Juno 30 were as follow:—Horses. 3,035,254; milch cows, 2,642,709; other cattle, 3,325,013; sheep, 2,009,717; and swine, 2,513,526. This is an increase over last year for all descriptions excepting swino, which are less by over 300,000. The decline in numbers of sheep, which has boen continuous annually sinco 1913, appears to be arrested, the increase shown this year being over 44,600. At Bye, reports "Stock aud Station Journal," good money was niado for Roiuney rame. Sir. if. J. Blacklocks sent a consignment of 30 yearling rams, which sold up to 65 guineas, to Mr. Stone, 36 guineas, 35 guineas, and 30 guineas to Mr. Chapman; 27 guineas to Mr. Selmes, 42 guineas to Mr. A. tfinnKelcey, 25 guineas to Mr. Pearson, and down to 11 guineas, the average being £23 13s. 10d. for 30 head. Mr. Arthur Finn's consignment from Westbroke ranged from 24 guineas to Mr. Kemp down to 11 guineas. The average tor the 30 was £17 os. 10d. Colonel J. Body's consignment ranged from 20 guineas to Mr. Hobbs to 15 guineas, the average for the 12 being £16 7s. 9d. Mr. E. B. Dunstor's 4U sold up

to 17 guineas, the average being £13 14s. 9d.. ' When purchasing a dairy cow it 'should always bo ascertained if all four quarters of the udder are sound. Many animals are sold because of a weak quarter. When dipping sheep particular attention should bo paid to the upper portion of the neck, which often escapes saturation when the swim bath is used. The crutch should be used to plunge the head under twice during the swim. Dairy Shorthorns were attaining prices in England in October previously only obtained for purely beef animals. At a sale near Hereford a perfect .young cow, Lacy Ringlet 11th, was purchased by Sir Gilbert (toenail for 1000 guineas. She gave 521b. of milk per day with her first calf. Her roan calf made 120 guineas. A young roan bull made 120 guineas. An average of £142 ss. 3d. was obtained for 92 head. Nearly the highest average of any breed of pigs was obtained at Sheptoi) Mallett, Somersetshire, for Gloucester Old Spot breed, the average working out at over £19 10r.60 head. A sow,

Bapboro Faith, and 10 of her offspring made 230 guineas, the sow herself being bought in at 35 guineas. A young sow, Bngboro Spot Bth, farrowed July 28, 1016, made 41 fuincas. A young boar, Baghoro Charm 3rd, farrowed February 10, 1917, made 31 guineas. A portion of the famous Crysfalbrook Jersey herd was sold in England at the end of October, when 37 cows and heifers averaged £57 13s. 3d. A three-year-old con - , Fauvie's Sultana, liy Aldan's Golden Sultan, was run up to 110 guineas. A two-year-old Donna Dardanella, by Mabel's Scot, reached 91 guineas. A broken-coloured tliroe-Yoar-olti, Grace Lass 4th, was houghb 1)v Mrs. Watts far 91 guineas; Doctor's Princess, by Ofktanrl'fs Doctor. S2 .euinpas; and TTintali 7th, by Fontaine's Hope, 80 guineas, iveri? other good prices.

The Benroore (Otago) soldiers' block is now looking particularly well. The oat crops bear a healthy appearance, and are carrying good heads. There has been a goou percentage of Jambs, and taking the holdings all round there is every indication that belo/e many seasons are past the soldier-set-tlers will be firmly established as successful farmers. Two of tho settle:* have been married since entering iuto occupation of their leases, and hue erected comfortable residences. The most difficult portion of the race from Quailburn Stream, which is to provide settlers with a water suppiv, has been completed, and tho remaining i,a>tion of the work is well under way.

Tho number of soldiers who have taken lip Government leases i.i the Otago district now stands s.t 27. This number is exclusive of those i]inc»m;;ed soldiers who wore in posseioion of Crown leases before they onlisied. These latter are, however, eligible for the s'anio financial and other assistanco which has been provided tor solditis now applying for land. Tho general tendency on the part of tho sol'hc.rfarmers in Otago is to apply for s'oeep runs. It may bo added that so far very few sections in the Clifton Etta to lmve been applied for, but the Boldfors who aro'in possession of leases o:i this estate appear to be satisfied, and aie making good progress. Why rnoro ji[h plications for sections on this Mock have not been made is a matiar of some surprise. No valid reason is jtit forward for the,.>slow manner in which the Clifton sections are moving off. The surplus of rain experienced recently is affecting orchards, states the Christchurch "Press," and fruit it not coming on as it ought go be, owing to want of sunshine. Fungoid diseases are also more prevalent, and are .more troublesome to combat, the

most troublesome at present Umg black speck and pear scab. 'I'bo unseasonable weather is also rotardinpr tliß ripening of tomatoes, both iimlor glass and in tbo open. For t':e t:mo of the year tomatoes aro coming on tho local market very slowly. The season at the Kaiapoi works of the North Canterbury Freezing Company opened Inst weok, between i"(jQ and 600 sheep being put through. A fair number of the butchers who weio employed last season have iirivcd in Kaiapoi during the last fivo days.

An Ashburton farmer, who w;.s anxious to secure men for irvestmg, tried to make a deal with iomo jipw arrivals on t!ic street on January 'J, says the Ashburton 'Guardian." ''The farmer's offer ivns la. 6d. per l-i.'iir, but the men wanted Is. JOd. The farmer replied that ho did pot grow half-crowns on the stalks of the gram. "Just so," replied one of the men, "hut you must remember our railway faro from Taranaki has doubled suico this

time last season." Farmer soldiers coming south on leave must have been distressed to sen the havoc that the wet weat'i;r n«« wrought among the heavier ai heat crops (observes the Timani "Herald"). A notable instance is the first crops passed by the train after crossing tho. Opihi. Of what appears to .',avo been a crop of great promise, about threefourths is lying flat. Another ttfct't of an excess of rain is seen in i ; ay ly'ng on the ground and blackensd, v-lnlo the aftermath is growing h'.gh, no chance being given to the hay to Lecome dry enough for stacking. There was considerable activity on Wednesday last in the harvest licldc in Wakanui district, where binders and stookers were at work amongst tho oats and grass-seed crops. Several of the crops in the district near tho coast are now in stook, while a few stacks may bo seen on various farms. Tho wheat crops generally are expected to return better yields than has i.-een -ilio caso for several seasons, but '.rill be much later in ripening this year, k-ing quite green at the present Limn. Advice has been received from Bristol, says a Press Association telegram from Hawern, that several shipments of honey recently sent Homo by the New Zealand Co-operation Honey' Producers' Association have been sold at £14.0 per ton.