ON THE LAND

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 124, 29 April 1925, Page 3

ON THE LAND

THE MANAWATU DISTRICT. FARMING OF THE EARLY DAYS. COMPARED WITH MODERN TIMES. In his address given boforo the members of the Luncheon Club yesterday, Mr J. Linklater, M.P., who has passed through ull the stages of practical farming, gave his auditors an interesting insight into past and preseift conditions of the industry. “Mar.awatu,” stated the speaker, “is essentially a dairying disUiot, but there are, nevertheless, many thousands of sheep depasturing on its. broad acres. The earliest, records wo have of sheep coming to the Manawatu is when, some 40 years ago, 100 Merino elieep were imported through Fox toil port, but as anyone knows who is acquainted with the conditions the introductions, coming as they did off the tussocky laud of Canterbury, did no good at nil on our rich country. Next were tried the Lincolns, but through overstocking, this breed ulso failed. Then the hardy Romney was tried, and it is this breed which has built up the sheep industry of the Manawatu. It is the favourite type and Romney and Romncy-Lincoln cross are the predominant breeds in the Manawatu to day. Some of the finest stud Romneys it) New Zealand are to l>o found in this district and animals have been exported to the Argentine with excellent results. Manawatu fat lambs are now classed equal to Canterbury, und exporters are very keen in their competition for them and tho farmers naturally reap the benefit. The Southdown cross is, however, the favourite breed.”

AN IMPORTANT INDUSTRY. ‘‘Prior to freezing works being set up, sheep were selling at a shilling a leg owing to the supply exceeding tho demand, and the advent of the- refrigerator has been the greatest step towards the development of the fat sheep industry in New Zealand. The ability to freeze beef and mutton has made it possible to export our surplus stock to any part of the world, and this has been ono of the greatest factors so far as tho development of fat stock raising is concerned. HOME OF DAIRYING. “Tho Manawatu is the home of the dairy industry as all breeds cf cattle do well on its pa-Itires, and the Holstein, Ayrshire, Shorthorn, Red Polls and Jerseys have their separate devotees. The Jersey breeder says to tho Holstein fancier: ‘if 1 were to put a penny in a bucket of Holstein milk, lwould ho able to see it at tho bottom as the milk is so thin,’ while the Holstein breeder retorts: ‘lf I were to put a penny in the bottom of a bucket and you milked your Jersey into it, I would still see the penny, for when you had finished milking you would not have enough milk to cover it.’ However, it seems to me,” continued tho speaker, “that there are good dairy cows of every recognised dairybreed, but in every case it is absolutely necessary to feed your cattle to get good results. After all, half tho breeding goes in at the mouth, which means that the best pedigree cow in tho world would not give good results unless properly fed. In the past tile history of the Manawatu has been bound up in the dairy industry from which it derives a great proportion of its wealth. It is blessed with land, the quality of which is second to none in the Dominion. I have travelled New Zealand from end to end and I do not hesitate to say that we have the best of New Zealand soil. The climatic conditions for dairying ure ideal, more particularly perhaps that area between Levin and Foxton and Shannon. MARKETING DISADVANTAGES.

“The quality of the pedigree herds is uniformly high and the local standard compares more than favourublv with anything in tho Dominion. Together with the ideui conditions of climate, a high standard is maintained in tho quality of the produce, and in this respect the Manawatu is in the forefront both as regards quantity and quality. Our chief drawback is, however, the distance from tho Home markets. Denmark is one of the keenest competitors, but wo have the advantage in the respect that we are able to pasture our cattle all the year round, while Denmark h»a to house her cows during tho winter months. “Lust year 22 cheese and 11 butter factories were operating in this district, and although the season was not the best 108.320 cwt. of “butter and 80,720 cwt. of cheese was manufactured. When it is stated that, the return from butter and cheese is well over a million pounds annually, one realises what a great factor Manawatu dairying is toward the national wealth of New Zealand. ADVANCED FARMING METHODS. “Better methods of farming are everywhere in evidence in the Manawatu, for the duiry farmer has realised that he has to grow green fodder and root crops if he wishes to get the host results, and this method is followed very generally throughout the whole district. The condition of the dairies throughout, the Manawatu lias improved wonderfully during recent years, and to-day almost every dairy farm has concrete yards; water supply and proper facilities for the production of good produce. Nevertheless, much still remains to he done in order that the host quality article can he produced. There is no doubt but that the main essential in tho production of good butter and cheese is the supply of a good raw material, and I feel certain that any movement they will improve the quality of tho milk and cream supplied to factories will he of great, advantage to this great and growing industry.

ELECTRICITY’S IMPORTANT ROLE. “The advent of electricity is proving a great Loon to the dairy farmer und oyer 10,000 cows are milked night and morning in the district per medium of electrical power. Sheep are shorn, pumps driven, while power plants and factories ull derive power from this source. Power has been tuken up with enthusiasm by the farmers throughout the district and when the llorowhenun and Manawatu-Oroua Power Hoards’ works ure completed there will bo very lew farms in the whole district which will bo without this great power. Not only is the power of great help to the farmer, but his wife and family derive benefits through its application to their household duties. The washingmachine und wringer have done away with the drudgery of washing day; the electric ovens are proving a great convenience, while the electric iron is now the housewife’s joy. These and other appliances which have accompanied the advent of electric power arc assisting in the conversion of what has been a life of drudgery to one much more pleasant. I arn also of the opinion that electricity in Rio homes and farms of the Manawatu will prove a big factor in the stemming of the tide of country people in deserting the rural life for the town, and might easily tend towards the position being reversed. THE VALUE OF HERD TESTING. “Herd testing associations are doing wonderful work, continued (ho speaker,’’ by assisting in the elimination of the ‘duds’ from the dairy herds and it appears to mo that there is more possibility of increasing the output of butter-fat from tho district by this method than by any other process. Poor cows require just as much food and attention as good onos, and it must be apparent that the cow which only gives 50 per cent, of flic inilk she should give is a. losing proposition to the owner. A comparison of the returns for tho years 1911 and 1924 show that, in the former year, 40,145 cwt. of butter was produced as against 108,320. cwt. in 1924, and 11,153 cwt. of cheese as against 80,720 cwt. in tho latter year. It is thus evident that the Manawatu is not going back in the matter of production of dairy produce. Although the figures are very encouraging, verymuch more still remains to be done so far as increases in production is concerned. ATTENTION TO SOIL REQUIREMENTS. “The virgin qualities of the soil have disappeared and many of the pastures require renewing. Many farms still remain

unstamped, clearly showing l that pastures which were sown 30 or 40 years ago ure still being used, very often without any top dressing having been given to them. This clearly demonstrates that the soil is good, but if it were ploughed, stumped and the g rasscs renewed it would undoubtedly •airy 30 per cent', additional stock. As settlement advanec-s, however, this will no doubt bo done. Very rich swamps are being drained, especially in the Shannon district, and this will bring into cultivation some of the richest land in New Zealand and will prove a national asset. Tho value of top-dressing is also being xecognised, for with the continual drain on its resources, it is very necessary that pliospliatie manures ho used to bring the land hack to a proper state of production.”

FIELD NOTES FOR MAY, 1925. (By W. J. McCulloch, Instructor in Agriculture, Palmerston North.) Cereals. —In certain localities where cereal growing (wheat, oats, or barley) is carried on, sucli as portions of Wairurupa and Rangitikei districts, the end of this month or tho beginning of June is early enough for autumn sowing. The heavier clay soils, where the winters are fuirly severe, are more suitable for wheat production, and this is probably tho reason why cereals are of more importance in the South Island. Although good tilth is essential for autumn sowing, at the same time a few surface clods are an advantago in assisting to prevent the surface from caking or running together, while at tho same time providing a certain amount of shelter tx> tho young plants. Tho variety (Winter) should be one suited to the soil, climate, and general locul conditions, and as these vary considerably our guide should bo according to past experience. For example, if the area to bo sown in wheat is in good heart, only varieties with sullicient strength, or shortness of straw to avoid lodging, should ho chosen. Wheat is undoubtedly the safest cereal to grow for grain on really rich land. Good seed is essential, and this means high germination, purity, and heavy bushel weight. As tho crop has a long growing period, and may be led off once or twice, together with the fact that winter varieties of wheat are to a much greater extent than spring varieties. From a bushel and a-quartcr to two bushels pel acre is a sufficient seeding. Less of small grained than- large grained varieties need be sown. Oats, unlike wheat, require a medium to light soil. On the heavier soils suitable to wheat oats tend to . run to straw, and produce only light yields of grain. Algerian outs is tho commonest variety in the North Island, and is usually drilled at the rate of about three bushels per acre. Both oats and wheat should he treated with some reliable smut preventive. Hot water or formalin treatments aro usual for smut. Both hasten germination and cause the seed to swell and run slower in the drill which re-j quires setting to sow a larger quantity Usually from 1 to 2 cwt of super is drilled in with the seed. . . . Roots. —The mangold crop should be stored before the irosts are severe. Ino usual method is to hand pull the roots, twisting the lops off by a sudden jerk, while ut tho same time throwing the roots into rows ' four drills apart. They are then left to ripen for about a fortnight to three weeks before carting to the clamps. Pitting improves the feeding vulue, and mangolds unless pitted, frequently cause scouring in stock. The heap should be cohered with straw or piled under a plantation as a protection against Host. Ibe . • I . mu I 111 till fit

mangolds are best arranged m siiapeu clumps with the best keeping varieties, us Long Reds, at the end where they will be led last. Where large areas are to be handled an implement made ot two planks fixed together on edge in the shape ot a V and drawn at the apex between every four drills facilitates harvesting. Although tho mangold resists light frosts while lett in the ground, very little may cause considerable injury if the crops are left ly n in rows too long as that portion of the root previously under the ground is tender and susceptible to frost, \\ here neeessaiy, or where the swede crop is showing sign of disease, feeding off can be started, tliswedes being fed with a hay ration, using the poorest hay first. On heavy clay soils stock should be removed from tie too breaks after heavy rain, otherwise the soil texture may be spoiled- Swedes oil heaiy soils should never be ted oft by cattle this account. , . ... Pastures: Liming and top-dressing wi 1 Ihe slower acting phosphalic fertilises may still bo carried out but should not he postponed longer than the present On stiff heavy clay soils basic slug, ephoe, o uny of the more soluble mineral phosphates are suitable, but tho ideal dressing lor medium to heavy soils is lime at the lute of not leas than a ton per acre m e autumn, followed up by super at the ate of two to three cut in tho spring. 1 hi» latter top-dressing lias proved very efheu-,-ious, in many cases increasing the yields of pastures by over 60 per cent. Jhe great value of top-dressing is becoming more universally recognised each year as a sound economic farm practice. Besides increase in yield, a great improvement in the quality of the herbage of the pasture is always apparent. Before top-dressing the pasture should In- eaten down fairly closely and thoroughly tripod-harrowed immediately after top-dressing. On light sandy country where liumus is deficient a mixture of super, blood and bone, with a. little sulphate of potash, is usually more suitDrainnge: Drainage work should be attended to as opportunity occurs. All open ditches choked with weeds will require cleaning before the winter rains. Where under drainage is required this should receive careful consideration—jul good drainage is a permanent improvement on the farm, and often a limiting factor in the production of a paddock. Drainage at any time id expensive, and where it is too expensive to tile drain, and the subsoil is suitable, molo drainage will bo found to nave all the advantages of ordinary tile drainage with the exception of permanence, ind is far less costly. However, only soils which are heavy ill texture, free from stones, and with a good fall are satisfactory. Under these conditions the mole trains’ will usually last indefinitely. In tile drains every care must, bo taken to have ,very tile properly placed, as one misplaced file might upset the whole system.

DAIRY CONTROL BOARD. RESOLUTION OF CONFIDENCE. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, April 28. Mr W. Grounds, chairman of the Dairy Control Board, addressed a meeting of dairy farmers and other’s numbering about 50. The speaker defended the board’s policy and combated tho assertion that it had promised that complete control would not bo taken. He said that from the outlet the necessity for unfettered preliminary investigation had been stressed. The board had not been set up to improve the methods of production, though it would do what it could in that direction, but to provide better methods of marketing our exportable surplus. There had been a good deal of confusion of thought on the question of absolute and limited control, but there could bo no control wherein the power was limited. Tho board did not contemplate a policy of dictation. The board’s representatives would he in constant consultation with representatives of the distributors at Home, and the method followed would be the result of their united deliberations. Mr J. L. Clarke, secretary of the Otago Producers and Manufacturers’ Association, said that of 10 Otago factories circularised eight were against and two in favour of complete control. Mr Grounds contended that the great majority of farmers wero behind the Control Board. Control would not take place till August, 1926, and there would bo ample time to arrange details of finance in London. A motion was carried thanking Mr Grounds for his address and expressing confidence in the board.

BUTTER MARKET QUIET! CHEESE PRICES STEADIER. The Department of Agriculture lias received the following cablegram, dated April 25, from the High Commission- for New Zealand. London, giving quotations on that date: — •Butter. —Market quiet and New Zealand slow. Little Continental demand, anil large supplies coming forward. Siberian quality better than last year. Increased supplies expected. New Zealand (market steady) finest salted: 164 s to 166 s per cwt (Is 5Jd to Is 5Jd per lb) ; exceptional, 168 s per cwt (Is 6d per lb) ; salted, 172 s per cwt (Is 6)d per lb) ; exceptional, up to 176 s per cwt (Is 6Jd per lb). Other qualities: 146 sto 162 s per cwt (is 3}d to Is old per lb). Australian salted: 154 s to 138 s per- cwt (Is 41 d to Is 43d per lb) ; other qualities, 136 s to 152 s per cwt (ls_2id to Is 4Jd per lb) ; unsalted, 158 sto 160 s up to 162 s per cwt (Is 43d to Is sid per lb) ; other qualities, 140 s to 152 s per cwt (Is 3d to Is 4id per lb). Argentine: 154 sto 156 sup to 158 s per cwt (Is 4)d to Is 4jd per ib) ; other qualities, 144 sto 150 s per ■ cwt (Is 3)d to Is 4d per lb). Danish: 180 s per cwt (Is 73d per lb). Siberian: According to quality, 144 s to 150 s per cwt (Is 3Jd to Is 4d per lb). Cheese.—New Zealand weakened early this week; now steadier. English: Finest farmers’ : Market firm and stocks light, 135 s to 140 s per cwt (Is 2sd to Is 3d per lb). Canadian: In small supply, coloured 108 s to 110 s per cwt (113*1 per ib) ; white, 110 s to 112 s j>er cwt (113 dto Is per lb). __New Zealand: Coloured and white, 97s to 98s per cwt (10)d per lb). Australian: Demand quiet hut steady; coloured, 96s per cwt (IOJd per lb); white, 96s per cwt (10id per lb). Shipments of New Zealand produce arrived this week per Waimate, Maliia, Tekoa, Dorset, Port Auckland. Hemp.—-Manila market weak and neglected. “J” grade, April-June shipments, quoted at £47 10s, sellers. New Zealand market quiet with small business reported afloat. High-points, £3B; fair, £36. Only business reported fair. April-June shipments, £35. Wool.—Bradford market buyers holding back "until next London sales. Tops nominally unchanged. Oats.—Better feeling in tho market. Number 2 Canadian Western April shipments sold 26s per 3361 b. Nominal values are: New Zealand Gartons, “A” grade, 28s. _ Apples.—Market easier. New Zealand slow. New Zealand: Cox’s Orange, 25s to 28s per case; Dunn’s Favourite, 18s to 19s per case. Australian : Cox’s Orange, 14s to 20s per ease; Jonathan, 15s 6d to 18s per case; Ribston Pippin, l-4s to 16s per ease; Cleopatra and Dunn’s Favourite, 17s to 18s per case; Worcester Pearmain, 15s to 17s per case; cooking, 12s to 16s per case. Tallow.—Spot market very . quiet. Only moderate demand at auction. Mutton, fine, 45s 6d to 46s per cwt; fair to good, 43s to 45s per cwt; dark to dull, 41s to 42s per cwt. Beef, sweet and mixed, 44s 6d to 44s 9d per cwt; dark to dull, 39s to 39s 9d per cwt. Mixed, fair to good, 42s to 44s per cwt; dark to dull, 39s to 41sper cwt. Gut, etc., 37s to 41s per cwt. Eggs.—Continental supply shorter. Market firmer. English, Irish. Danish, Dutch, Belgian, 13s to 14s 3d per long 100; rtalian, 12s 3d to 13s petlong 100; Russian and Styrian, 11s to 11s 6d per long 100.

SMITH FIELD MEAT PRICES. The New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board has received tho following cable from its London office, dated 24th April, 1925, advising Srnithfield delivered prices at that date as follow :—Now Zealund wethers and maidens Canterbury quality, selected brands, 561 b and under, 9d per ib, 57 to 64 lb, 7£d, 65 to 72!b 7d; other brands 561 b and under 83d, 57 to 641 b 7id, 65 to 721 b 6sd. New Zealand ewes, 641 b and under, 63d. New Zealand iamb, Canterbury quality, 361 b and under, - 421 b lljjil, 43 to 501 b lid, seconds lljfd; selected brands, 361 b and under, 123 d, 37 to 421 b ll|d; otlior brands, first quality, 421 b and under, ll{jd, seconds llsd. New Zealand beef, not quoted. Argentine chilled beef, ox fores, 4RI, hinds 73d. Argentine frozen beef, ox fores, 33d, hinds 6d. Frozen pork, 80 to 1201 b, not quoted, 120 to 1801 b Bid. Frozen veal, not quoted. The lamb market is very firm.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd., have received the following cablegram from their London house under date 24th inst. : —“New Zealand frozen meat: Lamb 12d per 111 (average), good demand. Mutton, wether and maiden ewe, light Bj(d per lb, heavy tdd per lb; ewe light 6jd per lb, heavy 6d per lb; market slow.” LONDON WOOL SALES. Dalgely and Cov., Ltd., report having received the following cablegram from their London houso under date of 25th inst. :—"Wool market is very quiet. Wo expect a decline in merinos of 5 per cent to per cent., and in crossbreds of 7j per cent, to 10 per cent, at the forthcoming sales. Our selling dates are 7th, 15th and 20tn May. The sales will close on 21st May unless tiie offerings are reduced. Tho offerings are now declared at 135,000 bales.” SYDNEY SALES. FALL ON LAST WEEK’S PRICES. SYDNEY. April 27. At the wool sales the market opened irregularly. Competition was more restricted and the finer grades ruled from par to 2i per cent lower. Strong-haired wools were 5 to 7i per cent below last week’s level, and crossbreds showed a fall of 10 per cent. Greasy merino sold at 313 d per lb.—Press Association.

REVALUATION OF SOLDIERS’ FARMS. WORK PRACTICALLY COMPLETED. Per Preu Association. WELLINGTON, April 28. The lion. A. D. McLeod stated to-day that the revaluation of soldiers’ farms had been practically completed Still, a number of appeals and difficult cases had to bo dealt with, hut he hoped the final figures would be available soon after Parliament assembled. Determinations had been issued in 5262 cases, equal to 98j per ceiit of the applications, and 85 were still to be determined. Reductions in tho capital value of leaseholds totalled £1,572,583 and in mortgages £653,610, a total of £2,226,193. Discharges or reductions of debts to private mortgagees and unsecured creditors amounted to £84,595. out of total debts of £119,239. It had also been arranged to purchase private mortgages at a discount of £152.223. The department was now reviewing the position in resjicet to advances for stock and improvements. This involved dealing with 10.000 accounts. ,

A Wellington firm report that as eggs are falling off in supply, prices have again firmed, and eggs are now retailing at 3s 2d to 3s 4d. Last week tho firm returned 3s 2d per dozen for fresh eggs.