Farming Notes.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 287, 8 June 1895, Page 2

Farming Notes.

THE JTATE OF OUR ROADS. As the farmers have to contribute a considerable amount towards the maintenance of our roads it is quite right that they should have s nu thing to say about the matter, and I was pleased to notice a letter contributed by a '' Setflt-r" which appeared in your columns not long since. I was led to exclaim as did the Yankee politician " Them be my sentiments gentlemen." It is very evident that a little practical common sense should be oxercised in the keeping of our ro.ids in a better state of repair. Whatever may bo said about the backwardness of our neighbours — the Rangitikeites — in taking up any mattor for the furtherence of their intere&ts, they do atteud — that is tho local body — to the kesping of the roads in a thorough state of repair — not by carrying metal in the winter season and filling up holes which are mere receptacles for all that can be thrown there — but by putting the roads in a state of repair iv the summor time. All the praise, however, is not due to the local body but to one of their workmen who was a practical niPvU in tho Old Country prior to his being employed by the JRaDgitikei Highway Board. THI". KISE iN PRICE OF WHEAT. Theie appears to be one cheering beam of light in the horizen for the farmers by the rise in the price of this cereal, although it does not effect the farmers in our more immediate district. It would be more adventageous for our farmers to hear of the rise in the price of wool and mutton. It was cheering to see a little more animation at the last stock sale held in Feilding. The auctioneer became quite excited by the competition in the bidding. Buyers were represented from as far as Hunterville, MrUobb from that district bought a pen of lambs at ss. Farmers were quite elated at this sale to see the stock " moving." THE SHIPMENT CF LIVE STOCK. Considerable interest is being manifested just now in this " industry ' — may I term it ? lam rather sceptical about the experiment. However, if it can be proved to a demonstration that such can be done, then let the matter be taken up in earnest, but don't let us overdo the matter by glutting the market as we have done with our frozen meat trade. THE FALL IN PRICE OF BACON. " What change has come over the spirit of the dream '(" As the price of wool, mutton, and beef, had so deteriorated the farmers were depending upon the " gintleman as pays the rint " to assist them, if not in paying the " rint," to help them to meet the various demands made upon their income by rates, income and property taxes, etc., but, Lo and behold, just as they were beginning to realise that the porkers were a source of income, the price of that commodity fell 50 per cent. Last season the demand was greater than the supply, and 4d and 4£d were the prices ruling for pork. This season it cannot be sold at 2d per lb. Considerable cumbers of people must have become hygienists or Jews, as neither of them believe in " touching the unclean thing" The prospects of the farmer are not so very bright at the present time, with the prices of all kinds of produce so low. It is said that there is no cloud without its silver lining, so the farmers may take courage. FENCES I see Mr E. Moore, of Apiti, has been utilising wire netting for permanent fencing. The netting has been used by farmers for temporary fencing but Mr Moore is the first, I believe, to use it for a permanent fence. The posts are nine feet apart, three wires are uei and two battens between each post. It makes a first-class fence, and is not only pig and lamb proof, but also hare proof. Amateur shootists can now go on Mr Moore's property — that is, if he will allow them — and get their dogs to run the hares against the fence and they will have an opportunity of making a bag.