HARVEST PROSPECTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 90, 9 January 1918, Page 8

HARVEST PROSPECTS

HON. W. D. S. MACDONALD'S VIEWS.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchuroh, January 8. The Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald remarked to-day that the general, opinion appeared to bo that the prospects wcro never bettor for a, fairly good harvest. Some figures relating to a possible yield had been compiled, but in view of the weather and other possibilities ho preferred to wait till the thrashing returns came to hand before making anything public. Another shipment of Australian wheat was expected at a .North Island port in the very near future, and ho was of opinion that all the wheat purchased in Australia by the Government would bo required.

Asked respecting the plans for next season's wheat sowing, the Minister said that the question of guaranteeing next harvest's wheat had heen before Cabinet, and had been discussed, but no definite decision had been arrived at.

THE HONEY CROP The Director of .the Horticulture Division of the Department of Agriculture, Industries, and Commerce, has received from the apriary instructors the following reports concerning the honey crop prospects :— • Auckland.—Tho prospects are still fair, but the long dry spell has burnt up. the clovers in _ some districts, and unless a good soaking rain arrives soon the season will close early. Prices are keeping up both in honey and wax. . Wellington.—The honey crop prospects this season are bright, and although the pasture in places is becoming dry, a few showers will restore it to its former brightness. Colonies are, generally speaking, in very good condition, and will fully avail themselves of the opportunities of storing nectar. Prices have again advanced,' 'duo to co-operation among the beekeepers, and very shortly the industry will reach a really sound commercial fooling. Honey has a great de-mand-both at Home and abroad, and people are realising its great food value. Prices for honey in bulk (first grade), Bd. per lb.; beeswax (clean), 2s" per lb. , Dunedin—As indicated last month the prospects of a good season are' excellent.' The latter half of December was boisterous, but the weather conditions have now greatly improved. Tho recent spell of bad weather has retarded extracting. Prices are firm.

ORCHARD DISEASES Officers of the Horticultural Branch of the Department of Agriculture report that certain insect and fungus diseases are rather prevalent in orchards in 6omo parts- of the North Island and in the northern portion of the South Island. The standard, specific of these pests is what is known as 33-Baume. The experts state that the preparation should be diluted with water—one in ten for winter use, and ono in about 100 or 120 for application during the summer.•" It has been ascertained that some persons are putting a lime and sulphur mixture on the market, which only reaches a strength of 14 Baume, and are recommending that it be used as instructed by the Department. This means that the application is only one-third of the strength requisite in order to be effective. Orchardists. according to the exports,- should see that the Batimc's specific gravity is shown on each packet, and that the standard should be 33 , Baume. It is probable that distributors of the article below standard strength will be prosecuted. KEEPING RECORDS OF DAIRY COWS ' According to the Louisiana (U.£>.A.) State University, there are. nine convincing reasons for keeping, records of dairy cows. They are equally true of New Zealand:— 1. They enable the dairyman to feed each cow according to the quantity of milk she produces. . 2. They form the. only basis on which a dairy herd can be The time is here when no dairyman will buy a herd bull whose dam does not have an authentic record, creditable milk and butter-fat production. 3. Records alone will sell cows when no other quality will. Grade cows with records can be sold from 25 to 50 per cent, more than those without records.

.. 4. A system of records js the first step in building up a herd. The unprofitable cows are most expensive. Their heifer calves are usually low producers, and should not be Tai'sed. .5. Records stimulate better feeding and breeding. The dairyman who keeps records usually keeps a balanced ration, ■ and becomes interested in winter dairying, which has numerous advantages over breeding cows to freshen in the spring. . 6._ The weighiug of the feed and milkkeeps the owner in close touch with the daily condition of each cow. 7. Records stimulate better milking. Milk scales serve as a check on the milker, and induce him to milk the cows more thoroughly than when the milk is not weighed. 8. A knowledge of• what each animal is doing develops personal pride end interest in the herd.

9. Finally, records make dairying_ a business proposition, and in various incidental ways mean more money to tho man who milks. .