ADVICE TO FARMERS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 201, 20 May 1920, Page 5

ADVICE TO FARMERS

ECONOMY, HARD WORK, AND

OPTIMISM

COUNTRY'S PROSPERITY ASSURED

By TpleEraph.—Special OorresDondent. Masterton, May 19. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet at tho annua? nveoting of the Wairarapa branch of the Fanners' Union to-day, tho president (Air Hugh Morrison) l/'td something to ;ay on tho manure shortage and tho future as it affected the farmer, lie urged greater economy, harder work, and an unflagging spirit of optimism. Eegarding tho manure shortage, Mr. Morrison said that they were constantly being asked to produce more, but this was impossible without fertilisers. In a district such as this, where the virgin hush had disappeared, the land was producing as much as it would over do, and fertilising and top-dressing were absolutely necessary. The Primo Minister had obtained 2300 tons of superphosphate from Australia, but that would not touch the fringe of the problem. Last year the Auckland branch of one firm alone had handled 2000 tons. Tho dairy cow look a very great quantity of nutriment from the soil—nutriment which it vas essential to replace. Without manure even MOO per aero dairy land would havo to be top-dressed unless pheep vers put on it. The fat lamb would be the proposition of tho future, and it was a good thing-for tho country, as it made for closer settlement, but even this branch of farming was threatened by Iho manure shortage. The samo thing applied- to cattle fattening. The area used for cattle-fattening had been restricted owing to the high prices ruling for dairy produce. Fattenins paddocks had been u*cd for milk production, and -the surplus cattle had to be fattened, on wcondclass land, which was .only useful for that purpose after the application ot basic'slas.' Mr. Massey was doing bis best to get Nauru Island phosphate. However, there were no crushing plants other than one or two in tho Auckland district. • A boon to the producer would be the New Zealand Farmers' Fertilising Company, which would soon be in operation, but it was essential to establish similar plants throughout the Dominion. ' Speaking of farming prospects. Air. Morrison said ho was not egotistical enough to make a prophecy. Time were certain facts which must be noticed, lfto immediate future of the dairying industry was bright, as supplies were snort. In his opinion, however, the danger mark had been reached on the west coast, where land was selling at from £150 to £180 per acre. There was a glut ot mutton on the Home markets, already the price of meat had been reduced to 6d. per lb., and as it was absolutely necessary to dispose of the surplus somehow it might bo necessary to reduce the price still further. There would be ;our or five million carcasses in New ■ Zealand stores at the commencement of next season. One of the country's best men should be se'nt Home to net under the High Commissioner in watching the disposal of their meat. lfrentmilly they would have to find new markets. Ihe demand for crossbred wool was not as great as anticipated, the reason being that England and America preferred tno higher-priced fine duality wool, whilst Europe could not afford to buy even the cheaper wool. In the future there must be a lovelling-up somewhere, oven if they had to trade with the Central Powers. Crossbred wool must recover its market. Someone had suggested that thes. should change their breed of sheep for oiio growing fine wools, but that would bo foolish, for no sooner would the change be made than crossbred wool would be again in demand. In a country so blest as this things must brighten in the long run. Here they did not have to house tho cattle during the winter months as in England, to suffer droughts as in Australia, to fight diseases as m South America, or to corn-feed as in the United States. Though this country had its ups and downs, its future prosperity was assured bv its great natural resources. In conclusion, the speaker expressed the opinion that in a few years things would be back to normal. For the present they must practise economy, work a little harder, and stick together.