FARM NOTES.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 636, 27 May 1921, Page 9

FARM NOTES.

NOTES OF INTEREST TO FARMERS. What a fanner should aim at in selection—pure seed, good germination, a big cropper, and suitability for locality.. Some people have apparently still confidence in sheep. A Tauranga farmer the other day bought 200 in Hawke’s Bay, and reckons to make a profit despite the cost of transit. Should a cow not get away to a good start she will not do her maximum production, even if conditions improve late in the milking period.

A uniform lot of pigs feed better, look better when fattened, and command the highest price on the market. and it should be the aim of the breeder to secure this from the first.

What is wanted now is a reasonable downward tariff revision that will lighten the burdens imposed on the buying public and unfetter agriculture.

A simple and cheap cream stirrer consists of a saucer-shaped piece of tin about three inches in diameter with a long handle of heavy iron (tinned) fastened to the centre of

A pedigree animal is the produce of years’ selection by the best experts of the particular breed, during which time every effort has been made to eliminate objectionable points and to improve and perpetuate everv one of value.

As lambing time approaches Ihe flock needs attention and needs it badi'y. Sheep do not entail much labour throughout the year, but at lambing’ time the shepherd must be on the job.

Give the bull a chance. If his calves are promising, grow them out and bring out by development the good points which are theirs by inheritance. ,

Food experts have found that vegetables lose their high quality which they may have possessed when gathered on account of evaporation and chemical action that takes place while en route to the market. The highest quality can be secured only when the vegetables are gathered and served at once.

Seed maize selected in the paddock where It grew can be judged on bow It performed in competition with neiglibou ring stalks.

The sows may be given the run of the grain paddocks after harvest. They will secure sufficient food to put them in thrifty condition, prodding the fences are such as to keep them within bounds.

Someone has said ‘'Know thyself.” but a good motto for dairymen would be "Know thy herd.” You can be introduced at feeding, but the weight of the milk scales grid fat test is the only road to real acquaint ar.ee. Secure the seed maize in time to test the germination. The farmer who plants his maize without first ascertaining what percentage of the kernels are likely to send up a vigorous growth is taking a long chance. It is rumoured that several big' forward buyers in the North Island have struck serious financial trouble. One speculator is reported to have—or had on hand over .100, 1 000 sheep, bought forward' when ‘The sun was shining,” i.e., at top prices These sheep have dropped in value by fully £1 a head, and there are not a great number of speculators who can withstand a “bump” of over £IOO,OOO.