Farming Notes.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 195, 16 February 1895, Page 2

Farming Notes.

(By AciKicoLA.) THK WKLCOME RAIX. The recent rain has done a great deal of good. It is to be hoped that we shall have sonao more warm weather thereby causing plenty of feed to grow for the winter supplies. I presume that stock will have au upward tendency uovv. Holders had to sell lately on account of scarcity of feed — heucc the low prices. What with new burns, which will be sown down in grass, and the abundance of feed which must naturally follow the splendid rains we have had the prices of stock must harden. potato CRors. Mr Jas. Bennett, of Awahuri, imforms mo that his potato crop is a failure this season He has thirty acres planted out of which he thinks he will get about as much as will pay for the seed. I have heard from other sources that the potato crop is a failure in many places and it is presumed that they will be scarce and consequently the prices high. COCKSFOOT GRASS SKKD, The harvest of cocksfoot has not paid for cutting for two seasons previous to the last the price being so low, but as there is a pretty fair demand this season those who have seed will do well. The prices range from 3d to 3.jd iv the rough and 3i{d to 4d machine dressed. There appears to be a difference of opinion as to the value of cocksfoot grass. Some farmers have great faith in it and consider it to be as good as auy -grass that can be sown. They allege that the only fault that farmers who do not like it find is that it grows too rank. Well, they have a remedy for that " keep it down by having plenty of stock on it." SOWING DOWN PASTURES . As the season has again arrived for the sowing of grass seeds farmers should see that they get the best of samples from well known and accredited farmers. It is a great mistake to sow inferior seeds, especially in bush lands. There is the possibility of acting the " penny wise and pound foolish" policy in this matter. The late Mr John Manson always sowed first-class seeds and the results have proved that it is a wise course to pursue. Many settlers in the bush have cause to regret that they did. not pay more heed in the selection of their grass seeds prior to sowing. Bush selectors take heed, and beware. You cannot break up your land again and re -sow it THE FROZEN MEAT T RADII. I see that the Government in Germany has forbidden that auy frozen meat shall be introduced into that country. This is a very short-sighted and narrowminded policy on the part of our German consins. Mr Wollerman, of Palmerston North, who lately visited the Fatherland reported on his return to this colony that there was a good opening for our produce there, but the attempt to introduce it has been frustrated. I am fully convinced, however, that our frozen meat trade is only in its infancy and that it will yet find its way not only into Germany, but throughout the rest of Europe. THE BUTTER MARKET. I am confident that the butter trade will also finds its level after a while. The price appears to be at a low ebb just now in the Home market and the dairyists here feel the pinch. We are very impetuous in the colonies. Well I presume it is quite natural for us to be so seeing that we are so young. . When an industry is started and yields a good return for the promoters then everybody must have a " finger in the pie " and consequently the thing is overdone. However, as previously stated, this industry will finds its level after a while. But what they lose in butter they can make up in pig rearing. I notice that Mr Corpe's Campbelltown factory i^ ahoip to be t^kea over by 9 company, Messrs Or. y. Rans.qpie and Carl Anderson are taking considerable interest in the matter. The members of the company may consider themselves fortunate in having the services of two such capable business men at the head of affairs. They are sure to make things " gee."