THE RURAL WORLD.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 492, 17 August 1912, Page 3

THE RURAL WORLD.

FARMING NOTES

The stock markets have been brisk during the past few weeks, a large business passing, and prices are firm. Fat stock have again advanced. Fat cattle make excellent prices, Waikato bullocks recently making over £ls per head in tho Auckland market?, while sheep were proportionately dear. With a general scarcity of fat stock, and the demands of increasing population, prices must maintain a higher level in furture unless a set back is given to the dairy industry. Stores of all classes are selling well. Dairy cows "and heifers are in full supply and brisk demand. Grain and chaff are unchanged, the latter being less sought for since the Australian drought ended. Produce is wanted at full prices, potatoes and onions steadily advancing. Poultry of good quality are scarce and dear but eggs are now plentiful at Is 4d per dozen. Fruit is selling well; but prices are not high for the time of year.

Bacon and hams are in brisk demand at late rates, stocks being ample for requirements. Dressed pork is scarce and wanted at 4d per lb. Young and growing pigs are at high rates with very few coming. THE SHEEP t FLOCKS. The interim return of sheep shows that on April 20th the number of sheep in New Zealand on was 531,994 fewer than nn the same date last year. The decrease was attributed to the shortage of nearly 200,000 breeding ewes last season, ascompared with the previous year, with its corresponding decrease in the number of lambs produced, which was further accentuated by a smaller lambing than in the previous season. The only disHcts which there have been increases are Auckland 13.557, and Otago 19,690. The total decrease in, the South Island was 335,730, and in the North Island 196,264. The flocks the Dominion now total 23,464,132. Tho export of mutton during the twelve months was 1,918,119 mutton carcases, a decrease of 61,415 carcaes, and lamb carcase's 3.035,778, a decrease of 672,685 carcases. ARGENTINE AS A RIVAL.

We have not any reliable information of the position in the Argentine said Mr J. C. Cooper, managing director of the Wellington Farmers' Meat Uo.. in his annual address, but there is one thing about the Argentine that must not be overlooked, and that is the rapid increase of their lamb export. In 1911 the exports amounted to 1,092,000 lambs, being an increase of over 500.000, as against any previous year. Last year being a period of drought their mutton exports amounted to 350.000 less than the previous year, but their lamb exports were only 50,000 less. It is very evident from this what the Argentine is out to make a bid for the lamb trade. Fortunately for us, their cilmatic conditions make it impossible for them to compete with us in quality as tbey have done with their mutton. But it means thai: in the future, with so much second quality lamb available, we must endeavour to take as many of ours first grade as possible. With regard to the capacity of the Home market to cope with possible supplies, everything depends upon the conditions of trade. Fortunately, in spite of labour troubles, trade appears to be excellent—a fact largely due to the rapid expansion taking place in other countries, such, for instance, as Canada, China and some of the South American countries. It is stated that Berseern, or Egyptian clover, which was introduced by Professor Perkins from Egypt in 1910, is proving a good stand-by winter fodder at Roseworthy Agricultural College, New South Wales. The dairy cattle, of which there are 23 in milk, are being fed upon it, and relish it. An area of three and a half acres was planted early in April, and was irrigated to assist germination. It was also watered once after the first cut. early in June. The second cut is the best. Four or five acres were put in without irrigation, but this has not been satisfactory. The professor states that there is nothing that will grow during the coldest part of the year so well as Berseem, which will give three or four cuts. He strongly recommends the fodder for dairy cattle, and although he is afraid that the dry season will discourage some from persevering with it he considers that it will well repay those who go in for it, unless there are special conditions of an unfavourable nature.