DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2229, 5 November 1907, Page 1

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

INSPECTORS’ REPORTS,

REFERENCES TO POVERY BAY

The annual report of tho Department of Agriculture lias como to hand, and contains, a groat deal of usol'ul, though somewhat' belated information concerning all tho districts of Now Zealand With reference to Poverty Bay, Inspector Miller, remarks that last season was a splendid ono on tho whole, although many settlers suffered much inconvenience in consequence of tho flood. “Sheep have done remarkably well during tho past year,” continued Mr. Miller, “and no serious mortality occurred amongst hoggets, or disease in any class. Some big lines of excellent quality mutton have been sent to tho Gisborne freezing works, and since shearing it is estimated that fully 30,000 stores and breeding ewes have left the district, their destination being the YVest Coast of this island, and tho Waikato district. Largo numbers change hands at the local stock sales each week, and high prices are still maintained.” . A number of Maoris in the \\ ainpu county, Inspector Kingston reports. have turned their attention to sheep-raising, duo in a groat measure to tho high prices ruling for both wool and mutton, and are making an attempt to utilise their land, small areas having been felled and sown with English grasses. There are several Maori slieep-farm-ing companies, managed by Maori committees elected by tho shareholders, which have proved a great success, from a financial point of view. The lambing was a record in Cook county, averaging nearly 100 per cent.,' whilo in Waiapu county 97 per cent, wero docked. A great many lambs have been frozen for export. Wool: Good clips obtained generally throughout tho district, hilt wero somewhat lightened in tho northern country owing to wet weather being experienced during shearing. Dipping: This it attended to in Cook county, says Inspector Thomson, and in most cases carefully done, owners generally endeavouring to keep their sheep clean. It is understood tho auctioneers intend to erect a dip at the Matawhoro saloyards. Dipping is being carried out under improved conditions, states Inspector Kingston in his report. Considering that the owners in tho Waiapu aro mostly Natives and have a good deal to contend with, owning to their isolation, and tho difficulty of erecting dips in suitable localities, the position must bo considered satisfactory. Cattle are extensively bred in this district, anc\ are fairly healthy. Cases of tuberculosis are occasionally found in dairy herds. A good demand is experienced each spring for store cattle for bush country, and largo mobs of young cattle are brought in from tho West Coast to utilise for breaking in this land. Dairy cattle: Dairy Inspector Williamson reports “there aro 224 dairies supplying the milk to creameries, with about fivo thousand cows, and fifty-seven registered dairies, all of which aro frequently inspected.. Out of that number I have had 32 diseased cows turned out of the milking herds, which have all been killed, but out of so many cows it makes a very small percentage. .. A fow case of contagious mammitis and abortion are found, but where peoule are careful and use tho treatment recommended by tho Department, a cure is generally effected. Some apply it carelessly and then say it is no good, but generally dairymen realise that the advico is in their own interests. Decided improvements havo been effected in building and sanitary arrangements since my last report. Tho dairy country being so flat, proper drainage is a difficult matter to arrange in all cases. “The tenant system from month to month which largely obtains ihcre is very unsatisfactory, 'as a temporary occupier cannot be expected to make permanent improvements involving a considerable outlay. There should bo some means of compelling the owner of promises to comply with the requirements of tho Dairy Act in regard to buildings.” Horses are in a healthy condition, and all breeds are in good demand. In the northern district no draughts aro bred to any extent, the Maoriweed type being most in evidence, although some of tho larger European station-holders are breeding a failclass of animal. The Government horse Basuto has had a good season, 'and his stock from a former season aro turning out well. Swine: Inspector Thomson reports, “The breeds most in favor here are the black Berkshire and white Yorkshire and crosses between them. I am surprised that tlio farmers here do not pay' more attention to pigbreeding; it would pay. well, as there is a good deir and for them from the local bacon-factory.” Very few are bred in the Waiapu county. Fruit: Although this should bo essentially a fruit-growing district, very little is grown, and it is not up to local requirements. This may bo attributed to the many nests affecting fruit of all descriptions that have to bo contended with, and which aro very prevailent in this district. Settlement: Inspector Thomson says, “Nnmbors of new settlers are arriving by every steamer, new country being taken up and property changing hands continually. A largo quantity of busli has been felled in the Taliora country, and also between here and the Bay of 'Plenty, which moans room for more stock. The town of Gisborne has more than doubled its population in tho last few years ” Inspector Hingston remarks: “There is no doubt if tho unused Native lands were thrown open for settlement, a largo influx of Europeans would result, and be tlio means of giving a greator impetus to this part of tho district (Waiapu Countv) ” ‘ Noxious weeds: Notwithstanding tho difficulties to contend .with owing to unindividualised Native lands, a great deal of good work has been clone during the year in tho eradication of sweetbriar, and in the checking of Californian thistle, which frequently . breaks out on buslifallen country after being sown in grass. There is no doubt the seed is importeel with the grass-seed, and it is a pity that seed from districts where Californian thistle is prevalent should bo allowed into new country. Ragwort is- worst at the south end of this district, but has been so. far as possible prevented from seeding. In tho Wairoa subdivision, reports Inspector Ross, Natives arc proving themselves successful as dairy farmers. They are supplying factories, and it is expected that the further individualisation of their lands will givo impetus to the industry.