Farming Column

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1932, Page 8

Farming Column

THE SMALL FARM PLAN. REASON W-HY IT IS WANTED. • If thoughtful formers visualise correctly the adequate operation of the “small farm plan” as outlined by Mr. Coates (in their own district (says a writer in the Wellington Post) they will picture the permanent and convenient location of a supply of labour skilled in the farm operations ol the neighbourhood: —a supply of labour which will obviate the necessity of the wasting of time and money which is involved in th e present system of haphazardly drawing upon relatively distant sources of labour, at times an unknown standard of skill.

It may reasonably be expected that the “small farm plan,” if properly exploited, will result in the provision not only of convenient skilled labour, but also o.f economical labour, in that a system of mutually advantageous barter of labour goods and services will be found workable. For instance, labour charges may be met at times by the supplying of a weaner pig or of breeding services, this resulting in an arrangement satisfactory t 0 both parties. It is confidently believed that if the forming community consider the plan in its true position in our tanning industry, it will be recognised not merely as a promising means of minimising employment problems in urban areas, but as a fundamentally sound means oi remedying a long-felt serious weakness m tins • farm-labour question.

Important measures that often will litecl attention are top-dressing, drainage, the formation of ensilage /pits and trendies, and preparatory cultivation for special 'cropping in excess of the amount previously carried out as a means to improved feeding ana possibly increased numbers of stock. The farming community is being asked to assist in the small farm plan as a matter not of service to the nation, but of service to the farmers themselves. In brief, they are being asked not so much to help the other fellow as to help themselves as a community. Of Course, in. the process of helping themselves they will be helping the nation in a matter' of paramount current importance.

DAIRY MARKETS FIRMER. BETTER DEMAND NOTED. 'The downward trend oi both markets has been arrested and the past week lias witnessed an improvement of 3/- in butter quotations, and-up to 2/for cheese. The markets are firm and there is a better demand at these prices. This, with approximately onethird of the season’s produce unsold, is more favourable.

Last week marked the end of the 1931-32 dairy season, and most farmers by this have turned their herds out for tlie two or three months’. spell, while most, factories have now closed down.

Pay-outs on the milk supply will be smaller in the aggregate this month owng to the seasonal shrinkage, but the advance will probably he enhanced hv certain bonus payments During, the" next Ifew months. the factories which have been most conservative in regard to the monthly advances will dare best, and suppliers will benefit by their policy. To payout “up to the hilt” during the flush months is very short-sighted, hut happily factories in this district jliaie exercised commendable caution throughout the year, { so that suppliers can he assured during the next few months of the off-season of advances that will compare favourably with the pay-out of any factory which followed a con-, signing policy. This will, no doubt be reflected in the contnued -soundness of the town and district. To-day’s butter quotations are 2/and 3/- above last week’s prices. The reports indicate a firmer tone, and it is hoped that the upward movement will continue. Butter prices a,re still 10/.- to 18/- per cwt below last year’s quotations on the same date. The f.o.h. value off to-day’s spot prices is approximately 10d per lb. There are no indications of f.o.b. business, hut should this week’s activity continue buyers will no doubt he tempted to risk the rising market. The average retail price of New Zealand butter in tile United Kingdom has been reduced to 1/- a lb., and Danish to 1/1 a lb. Danish quotations are 102/- spot and 85/- f.o.b. No f.o.b. business is indicated so far as cheese is concerned, hut, as with butter, it would occasion no surprise if buyers became interested in the unshipped portion of the season’s make. The value of to-day s quotations on an f.o.b. basis is approximately s£d ! K 'r lb. r l h,. averacc retail price of New Zealand cheese in the United Kingdom remains at 8d per lh.

! CHEESEMAKING HINTS. i The knowledge which must he spo- | cia.lly sought for in eheeseinaking is j how to control the acidity in. order ■ to secure sufficient for the normal { eerio'r of Hie cheese in the varying | conditions of atmosphere, etc., to he j met with during the season. Once I the knowledge is obtained one <>l the I chief causes of failure is overcome, j and it can only he done by thoroughly understanding life fundamental principles and closely watching all details connected with the development ! of acidity. | The presence of acidity ill a P»'o--1 per degree before | he curd is vatled i s ,me of the determining faelors in 1 the quality ol the cheese. II there | is siiltii lent at this stage a soil, j wc" I: cheese, lacking both in colour ami flavour will be ’the remit.. On

the other hand, if an excess of acidity is developed be ore vatting the drainage will be too rapid, and a hard, dry chee«e, with sharp, stingy flavour, will ensue'.

Another matter of importance is a knowledge of the causes of taints and methdds of prevention. The essential point in avoiding taints, is perfect cleanliness, and this should be specially observed in milking the (fows. MANURING OF PASTURES. BY NITROGENOUS FERTILISERS. It is only comparatively recently that the Value -of nitrogenous fevtiifisers on pasture land has been realised and exploited. So far as New Zealand is concerned it is now just over three years since the first shipment of synthetic sulphate of ammonia came into the country For commercial rise, and since then many thousands of tons have been applied as topdressing to pastures either as straight sulphate of ammonia or ammoniated super.

As might be expected of a new development in grassland production, there was necessarily an' experimental stage to discover when, where and how the nitrogen should be applied to best meet local conditions, and sulphate of ammonia has now emerged from this stage as a very definite facia- in the securing of increased profits from grass.

The Government trials, extending over the three years, have defined the value of nitrogen -or the securing of early spring grass and late autumn and early winter- winter feed, with all its benefits to the dairy farmer and smep farmer. In addition, its use improved the composition and balance of the pastures in regard to ryegrass and clover. The experience of hundreds of farmers all over New Zealand confirm strongly the advantages of applying nitrogen not only for pastures but -or farm crops. In fact it ; is obvious from many reports that its use makes for the increased production that just turns the scales in the farmer’s favour at times when low prices are ruling.

1 The use of nitrogen alone is not advocated, and the best returns come from land that has a sufficent supply of phosphate* lime and potash. The absence of these factors in the soil has sometimes led to an apparent failure of nitrogen, but it is an established fact that a response must be obtained if til© conditions are right. . The new reduction announced in the pria of -sulphate of ammonia and in ammoniated super in proportion, should have a considerable effect in inducing farmers to use nitrogen on at least a part of their pastures, and. so increase 'their production and maintain their earnings, and be prepared to take advantage of any improvement in the price of their products.

BRITISH TARIFF EFFECT. The new'tariff rates now imposed by Great Britain will adversely influence the exchange of goods between Norway and that country, states a Norwegian paper. Norwa.v wi/1 lliave less to buy British —tods for. We will be compelled to do without some of those goods which have been bought in Great Britain so far, or to buy them in markets which are welling to accept our goods am! service- in payment. The great commercial nation ha® sold goods to us which have been taken home from other countries, a d possibly -some of our goods have been re-exported. Under the new conditions it may prove advantageous to dispense with the services of an intermediary, both as regards porch isj and sales. The price level in Great Britain will rise. Goods with which to r-a----'-ompen.se the imports cannot be conjured up at a moment’s notice. The Increased Customs rates wd/- be necessary in order to make this p• - -.il-ii'... and this will take time. This means higher wages, and a stiff higher price level in Great Britain. British concerns based on -export and shipbuilding yards become loss competitive. When some years have elapsed and the increased Customs rates have been capitalised, cheap foreign goods may again have -a chance in Great Britain.

-In the markets of the world the eTTecfcs will be noticed sooner. We are 1 not here concerned with a nation which lias dumped some of its over-production, but with a pcop.e who have carried on a very large export on a genuine basis.

There would seem to he every reason to pay attention to the possibilities which may arise in the markets of the world, now that this gru't competitor has taken stops to artificially enhance the eo-t of production \v it hill its boundaries. Those who aiy mnv ab/o t u withstand the competition without resort to artificial stimulus will have vw-x great possibilities when the duty aim Hie otlmr restrictions have reduced th e competitive powers of other countries. (On account of 'the mow lncre-as-f duties imposed on foreign goods by Britain, the largest concern at Kroger.), Norway, has been compelled- to ii'tfso down. It: is staled that the new British tariff (has a- ruinous effect and precludes Ihe eoniimi: l .mi of the work. The linn has made earnest appro s in. Great Britain to obtain some modiliealioii. hut without sucecs-. This ,u 11 i:i 11 ,v employs about 100 workers when m full' work. At lhe present moment, it is impossible In sav "bother i; Hi he. i, -11 in. -I -

;i j t.v thin comes fiotn health' has i gentle quality.'’ Pimples and ciiarw skm ar« caused by indigestion. To restore the akin to ies cifrina’ fresh beauty take X AM ,Vli\tiir« three time? t-n!v V.' IT \) ii *n>? r sien inr. ..