FARMING AND COMMERCIAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 9, 8 December 1926, Page 5

FARMING AND COMMERCIAL.

NOTES BY “PLOUGHSHARE.” THE DISTRICT. Many farmers are busy hay-making, there being some fairly heavy crops about. Shearing operations are still under way, there being quite a number of sheep to be put through yet. Potato crops are coming on now, although in most cases they received a check with the late frosts. It will pay handsomely to look after the crop as there should be a fair price offering. In most districts feed is plentiful and all stock look well. One notices fair large areas being turned over, most of this work being done by tractor. Late sowings of oats in Bainesse district are now' showing up well. THE HAY CROP. Hay will vary in quality not only according to the land on wliich it is grown and the season, but also according to the period at which it is cut, that cut earlier being the more nutritious though there will be less bulk than if left longer. Hay containing a good deal uof clover is more nitrogenous than that with little or no clover in it. The conditions under which hay is gathered in, and under which it is stacked, exercise tho chief part in determining its quality and value. In general, while it is better to have silage than baa hay, it is found more profitable to make hay whenever' it is possible to securo this in fair condition.

The best time to cut for hay is when the clover and the general run of grasses are in bloom. By cutting then you are sure of getting quality and the stems are not hardened up. Many make the mistake of leaving tho hay lying out too long, and then carting straight to the stack. Although a little extra labour is entailed, it is a safe plan to rake it into windrows the day following the cutting, and then put it into small cocks. Later these can bo put into larger cocks and then carted. This will ensure quality and prevent unnecessary loss of leaf. Wh<sn put together in the Btack, certain chemical changes take place in the new hay which give rise to the production of heat and sweating. The amount of heat developed in a stack will often largely determine the quality of the hay when it is cut out. Tho fermentation which takes place in the stack is brought about by tho starch in the grass being changed first into sugar, and then passing through the successive stages of alcohol, acetio aldehyde, and finally acetic acid. Overheating is due to an excessive development of a suffocating, inflammable gas known as acetic aldehyde and where this occurs not only may the hay be charred and its qualities for feeding spoilt, but spontaneous combustion may even take placo in the stack. A good sweating will often improve the subsequent quality and palatability of hay of a somewhat coarse character when put together, but the fermentation should stop at tho sugar stage, and to obtain this the hay must be dry and in good condition when stacked. The plentiful addition of rough salt adds considerably to the value of hay. In building a stack, the main idea is to keep tho sides square and slightly overhanging until you begin to dray in for the tpp, tho centro well trodden and high up. The most important item is to have your stack coverings ready as many tons are lost through this oversight. Until a stack has settled properly rain will penetrate very quickly and so spoil the hay. ENSILAGE. The silo stack possesses the advantage of cheapness and simplicity, and nothing beyond ordinary care is necessary to ensure success. In selecting a place for the stack, advantage should be taken of hillsides, so that tho drawing-up tongue leading on to tho stack may be as shallow as possible. It is best to cart immediately after the grass, etc., has been cut; the weight of the fresh herbage helps to ensile that below it. Not more than three days should be allowed to elapse before carting fresh material upon the heap, otherwise the surface of the latter will ‘ become mouldy. Silage may be fed to cattle at any time it may be required after it is once put together. It will keep good for years if well secured. Though ensilage affords a most useful alternative when the weather is too unfavourable to permit the saving of hay, it should not be regarded merely as a substitute for haymaking.

Silage can be made in all kinds of wear ther, and it is capable of affording a succulent and nutritious food to 6tock at all soasons of the year. Consequently it possesses a special value in seasons when thero is a dearth of roots. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF FOOD. The chemical composition of a food is only a partial guide to its feeding value. It ns necessary also to take into consideration tho extent to which 'each constituent of the food is digestible. Clover hay, for instance, contains about 12 per cent, of nitrogenous matter, but not much more than half of this is digested in passing through the system of a bullock or of a sheep. On the other hand, the small proportion—about two per cent.—of fat in barley is practically all digested. The proportion of each ingredient digested depends upon tho food itself upon the nature of the other foods with which it is accompanied, and also upon the kind of animal. THE FLEECE. Fleeces vary much in accordance with tho breed of sheep, climate and tho age of the sheep. Tho fleece is composed of wool and hair, the wool in most breeds preponderating. Tho endeavour of a breeder ig to breed out the hair, or at least to confine it to certain parts. Sheep in hilly and wet countries have more hair than those in drier places because it is a function of the hair to shoot off the wet. Hair is found most on the parts which come into contact with the ground when the animals lie down; the thighs, even in breeds where improvement has been practised for many years, will often show much hair or “breechiness.” The character of the fleece is greatly affected by climatic conditions. During cold weather thinner wool fibre is produced than in hot. RESULT OF GREEN MANURING. No addition of mineral matter to the soil takes placo. as the result of green manuring as tho crop obtains all its mineral food from the soil; unlike the nitrogen, which in the case of leguminous crops is taken from tho free nitrogen of the atmosphere, and the amount added to the soil is a direct gain. The quantity of nitrogen supplied to a soil by tho growth of leguminous crops in a rotation is almost sufficient to counter-balance the losses arising by the sale of nitrogen in the farm products. Apart from the nitrogen the largo quantity of organic .matter the green food supplies adds materially to the improvement of tho physical properties of soils. This factor is of immense importance in the improvement of poor sandy soils. ’ GENERAL NOTES. Roughly speaking, about three-quarters of flesh consists of water, and the proportion is higher in the case of young animals, i and in animals imperfectly nourished. In the case of milking cows tho main purpose is the supply of a succulent food. Cultivation at the right time, that is, when it is performed at a right condition of moisture between wetness and dryness, establishes a tilth most highly favourable for plant growth. Tho object of a “flock book” is to preserve the purity of the breed by registration of all pedigreed animals, and to encourage improvements along certain specified lines.

By an application of lime the soil is considerably loosened, the land is rendered more free to work, the movements of the soil water are facilitated, and altogether the conditions are rendered more favourable for plant growth. Ploughing the land in a wet condition may produce puddling of the soil from which it may take a long time to recover. The following is, an analysis of different food ingredients in bran: Water, 9.99; albuminoids 14.02; oil, 4.39; carbohydrates, 65.54; ash, 6.06; phosphoric acid, 2.20; lactic acid, .23.

When a large herd of milking cows is kept, the making of s silago has a distinct advantage. Rough grass from way-sides can be made into silage. Every animal, and every cell of an animal’s body, throughout its life is performing work, and therefore requires a continual new supply of energy to continue its life’s work. In considering the nature and tho utilisation of tho food of an animal, we have to study in the first place the transformations to which that food is subjected as a preliminary to its absorption into an animal’s body. This study embraces the details connected with digestion. Drainage of land, application of lime, and cultivation of the soil will lessen tho losses from foot-rot as well as from so many other diseases. The growth of forage crops tends to fertilise rather than impoverish the land as the greater part of the mineral matter and nitrogen in them is restored to the soil in manure, and only a small portion, perhaps on an average not exceeding 5 por cent., is retained in tho bodies of the animals consuming them. In the case especially .of the leguminous plants the growth of forage crops has a tendency rather to raise than to lower the condition and productiveness of a farm. A knowledge of the principles of breeding alone does not make a successful breeder, whose work requires in addition skill of eye and hand, sound judgment and constant experience. It is increasingly recognised that sound scientific knowledge will prevent mistakes. Docks thistles, etc., should be cut early to prevent seeding. Grass grows at the expense of air, water and salts in the soil. The Jersey does not claim to be a dualpurpose cow, and consequently does not easily put on flesh. The question of pedigree in Jerseys is peculiarly important to breeders, as the influence of the sire is carrying on tho milking proclivities of the breed is most marked. Comparing fat animals with other products of the farm, it is stated that of limo the land would lose about twice as much in the animal increases as in milk.

BUTTER AND CHEESE. NOVEMBER GRADING FIGURES. The figures of the dairy division of tho Department of Agriculture show that the salted butter graded for November was 9925 tons and the unsalted 326 tons, a total of 10,251 tons, compared with 8801 tons salted .and 436 tons unsalted, a total of 9237 tons, for November of last year: an increase of 10.9 per cent. For the four months ended November, 1926, the respective quantities were 23,545 tons and 441 i tons, a total of 23,986 tons, compared | with 20,678 tons and 1146 tons, a total of 21,824 tons, for the corresponding period of the preceding season, an increase of 9.9 per cent. The cheese graded for November, 1926, comprised: White 7079 tons, coloured 3576 tons, a total of 10,655 tons, compared with 6246 tons white and ; 3478 tons coloured, a total of 9724 I tons, for November, 1925, an increase lof 9.5 per cent. The quantities for the j four months ended November, 1926, were: White, 14,065 tons, coloured 6899 tons, a total of 20,964 tons, compared with 13,334 tons white and 7157 tons coloured, a total of 20,491 tons, for the corresponding period of the preceding season, an increase of 2.3 per , cent. j Converting these figures into butter{fat equivalent, there is an increase of j 7.6 per cent in butter-fat production : for the four months, as compared with ! the corresponding period of the 1925-26 .season. j Stocks held in the various grading stores at November 30, 1926, were: Butter, 6912 tons, cheese 6040 tons,.as compared with 4384 tons butter and 7014 tons cheese held on November 30, 1925.

WELLINGTON STOCK EXCHANGE. YESTERDAY’S BUSINESS AND PRICES. At the afternoon call yesterday on the Wellington Stock Exchange a sale of Goar Meat shares at 37s 6d cum dividend was reported and this was the only transaction recorded during the day. There was a good demand for Government Btocks and bonds with buyers of the 4j per cents, at £96 15s, the-5 per cents, at £99, and the 5i per cents, at £IOO 15s. Now Zealand Breweries bonds were firm at 24s 6d. Bank shares were firm and in good demand with bids of National Bank of New Zealand at £7 Is Bank of New Zealand at 595, and Bank of New Zealand rights at 6s 6d. Bank of New South Wales at £44 7s 6d. Union Bank at £ls 4s, and Western Australian Bank at 545. New Zealand Guarantee Corporation shares were steady, tho ordinary being in demand at 10s 3d, and tho preference at 20s 6d. New Zealand Investment shares were wanted at 9s 3d, Wellington Investment at 10s 6d, and Wellington Trust and Loan at £6 10s. There was a bid of 24s for Christchurch Gas shares, and 26s for Wellington Gas ordinary, and 16s 3d for preference. National Insurance shares were steady at 72s 6d. Union Steam preference shares were wanted at 20s 3d, and Kelburne Trams at 275, There weae buyers of Crown Brewery at 20s, New Zealand Breweries at 52s 6d, Staples and Co. at 375, and Ward and Co. at 42s 7d. In tho miscellaneous soction there wore bids of 50s for British Tobacco, ordinary, 39s for Burns Philp and Co., 36s lid for Electrolytic Zinc preference, 70s for Farmers’ Auctioneering ordinary, and 21s for New Zealand Milk Products'. Yesterday’s buying and soiling quotations were as under:

SALES IN OTHER CENTRES. Per Press Association. ' AUCKLAND, Dec. 7. Sales. —City of Auckland (1940), per cent., £96 10s; New Zealand Breweries debentures, 24s lid; Bank of New Zealand, 59s 3d; New Zealand Insurance, 27s 9d; Farmers’ Co-operativo Auctioneering (B pref.), 17s; Loan and Mercantile £96; Northern Steam, 14s 3d; National Timber, 14s 6d; New Zealand Breweries, 52s 3d; J. Staples and Co., 37s 6d; His Majesty’6 Arcade Theatre (prof.), 21s; Milne and Choyce debenture stocks, 24s 3d; Moanataiari, 5s 8d; •ditto (contrib.), ss; Kawarau, 3s 3d; Lucky Shot (contrib.), Is sd; Now Zealand Consolidated, Is 3d; Waihi, 17s 6d; Grand Junction, 2s.

DUNEDIN, Dec. 7. Sales. —Dental and Medical, 17s 6d; National Electric, 19s 3d. Sales Reported.—s£ per cent. Inscribed Bonds (1933), £101; Kawarau, 3s 4d.

PRICES OF METALS. LONDON, Dec. 7. Copper: Standard, on spot £57 Is 3d per ton, forward delivery £57 16s 3d. Lead: £2B 15s and £29 3s 9d. Spelter: £33 2s 6d in both positions. Tin: £313 17s 6d and £299 12s 6d. Silver: Standard fine 26 5-16 d per ounce.—A. and N.Z. cable. RUBBER STOCKS IN LONDON. LONDON, Dec. 7. Rubber stocks, 44,495 centals. —A. and N.Z. cable. CANTERBURY MARKETS. CHRISTCHURCH, Pec. 7. The price of cornsacks for the current season will be Is 5d each to farmers, 4d less than last year. Rust is reported to have made its appearance in barley crops. Early oats are being cut in some districts, and many fields are now commencing to change colour. A fair amount of fowl wheat has been sold at 6s f.o.b. for March-April delivery. Buyers are not so active as last week at this price. Chaff is easier, being quoted at £5 10s to £5 15s on trucks. Partridge peas are being traded in at 7s on trucks. AUSTRALIAN LAMB. FORTNIGHT’S EXPORTS. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Dec. 7. The New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board has just received a cable from its representative in Australia, advising that 188,054 carcases of lamb were exported from Australia for the past fortnight ended December 3, 1926.

WOOL MARKETS. WELLINGTON SALES. LEVIN AND CO.’s REPORT. Levin and Co., Ltd., report that the following: aro some of the results of the wool sold by them at tho Wellington sale on Monday : Down. —Puketiri, 3 bales 17id; Par over Te Parao over 6 over Katatane 3 bales 19id; Waikuku, *.4 bales 16jd; various, 12 bales 18jd; Kaiwarra, 8 bales 19jd. Three-quarter-bred.—RM/S 34 bales 12Jd; Taimate, 27 bales 13d; .HJD/F, 6 bales 12*d; P P 5 bales 13Id; JD, 4 bales 13£d; Kaiwarra, 9 bales 15d, 5 bales 13Jd 5 bales 11, 13d, 16 bales 13|d. Ilalfbrod.—T in circle, 6 bales 143 d; RM/S, 9 bales 153 d; Taimate, 5 bales 15id; JH/T in diamond, 11 bales H^d; NGA, 10 bales 15jd; The Throne, 14 bales 17id, 6. bales 143 d, 11 bales 16d; 9 bales 11, 15id; 4 bales 11, 143 d; WAIAU, 6 bales 15id; Avondale/Marlbro, 12 bales 13£d 5 bales 13Jjd, 5 bales 13jd; various, 8 bales 16id; JD, 4 bales 15d; Kaiwarra, 6 bales 17id, 8 bales 163 d, 6 bales 14£d; cross keys, H/Hudson, 4 bales 17id. Crossbrod. —85, 5 bales 13d; AEC/T, 4 bales 123 d; TRC/2 in circle, 10 bales 12id; B in circle, 10 bales 12^d; Stronvar/W in box, 4 bales 143 d, 11 bales 13Jd, 4 bales 123 d, 4 bales H, 16id„ 14 bales H, 14d; EWBH, 14 bales Hid; Puketiri, 18 bales 13id, 5 bales llid 8 bales H, 12yd; SBO, 10 bales 12id, 4 bales H, 12Jd; Hillend, 7 bales 113 d, 31 bales llid, 7 bales 13id; LPL/Roskild, 21 bales 113 d; WTW, 7 bales 12id, 6 bales lid, 6 bales 10icl; —O —, 7 bales 123 d, 20 bales 12Jd, 8 bales 113 d, 6 bales H, 12jd; TOR/Waitohu, 21 bales 12id; GIIW, 11 bales 113 d, 6 bales 11, 12id; JICK, 5 bales 123 d; WR/The Cliffs 11 bales 12id; TAWA, 15 bales 12|d; TYB, 12 bales 113 d, 6 bales lid, 4 bales ll,' 13£d; CR/Claremont, 8 bales Hid; JR/Te Moana, 8 bales 113 d; OB 9 bales 12id; HUIA, 24 bales 12id; A 4. 8 bales Hid; cross keys 11/Hudson, 6 bales 14jd 8 bales 123 d, 24 bales Hid; Hillside/NZ, 8 bales 12|d 11 bales 12id, 5 bales H, Hid; lIBD, 5 bales 11, 14id; FR/W, 12 bales lid, 7 bales 11. Hid; T in circle, 4 bales 12d; Te Kopura, 13 bales 13d, 4 bales 12d; ICA, 28 bales 13id, 14 bales 12Id 11 bales 11, 13^d; Waiteko, 7 bales 13d, 9 bales 12id, 11 bales 12d, 8 bales 11, 14d, 6 bales 11, 12jd 6 bales 12d; ED/Bowood, 32 bales 113 d; SIIR/Mt. Baker, 27 bales lid; JOBP, 4 bales Hid, 4 bales 11, 133, 4 bales 11, 13d; Langdale/PA, 11 bales 12|d 5 bales H, 13jd; ETP, 4 bales 11yd; Lowlands, 6 bales 12id; Strathcdcn/A 35 bales 123 d, 14 bales 113 d; RAR, 31 bales 12id; RM/S, 12 bales 10icl; EON/EKA, 6 bales 12id; Taimate, 23 bales 12d; XXG, 6 bales lljd; J in cirele/Koraha, 10 bales 113 d; Craigiclea, 5 bales 13id, 13 bales 12id, 15 bales llid, 5 bales lid, 9 bales lid, 4 bales H, 133 d 5 bales II 12d. 5 bales II Hid; ADY in diamond/Tautamai, 10 bales 12id, 5 bales 113 d; J \V S, 24 bales 12d; A D / F, 5 bales 12id; 11/Hillside, 15 bales llid; JII joined/T in diamond, 15 bales llid; JRF/Blooinfield, 8 bales 123 d; P L/ B, 6 bales 123 d; W E W/A/Sherwood 4 bales H 12d; PL in diamond, 7 bales 113 d; E2/CEP, 12 bales llid; Tiraumoa, 9 bales II 12id; Springlea, 5 bales llid; A E A, 5 bales 12id; Totara 4 bales 12d; CEMR/Toro, 5 bales Hid; HJR, 8 bales 12id; Woodstock/Y3, 9 bales II 12d; J \V C, 10 bales lid, 6 bales 10id; Kowhai, 17 bales 13d; II W K, 14 bales 12id, 4 bales II 13d; R J 11, 12 bales 12d, 11 bales II 12id; Itewanui, 15 bales 13d, 12 bales 12id, 9 bales 113 d, 9 bales lid, 20 bales 133 d, 9 bales II 12id; REM/Ruru, 11 bales 13d 17 bales 123 d, 17 bales 113 d, 4 bales llid, 8 bales II 133 d, 12 bales 11 13R 7 bales 11 llid; S B, 6 bales lid; Lowlands 7 bales II 13d; C W W, 7 bales 12id, 5 bales II 12d; Te Munga, 10 bales llid, 6 bales lid, 16 bales 10id 5 bales H lOJd; BL/Makaraka 27 bales II 14d; ICourarau/Feathers, 15 bales 13d, 32 bales 123 d 24 bales 113 d, 18 bales 113 d, 9 bales H 14d, 11 bales II 123 d, 9 bales II 12d; 4 Stars/OJW, 12 bales 103 d; To Towaka, 13 bales 12d; Mataa Bay, 11 bales 12id, 4 bales II 13id; RWB/Glengarnock, 6 bales H 12d; BL invcrted/Wainella, 7 bales II 12id; MB/ Rayneville, 16 -bales 12id, 5 bales lid, 8 bales II 13d; Eureka, 7 bales 12d; AII, 7 bales lid; EC/Monovale, 10 bales 12d; Kia Oro/LB, 12 bales 113 d; HF/RAI, 4 bales 113 d; Patuna, 14 bales 13d; 16 bales 12id; 11 bales lid; 10 bales H lid; Beaumaris, 10 bales 13id; 8 bales llid; 7 bales H 13id; 4 bales II 12d; Tuscan Ilill, 7 bales H 12|d; L S/M, 5 bales 103 d; EBY, 19 bales 123 d; 7 bales II 13id; WHD, 13 bales 13d 20 bales 12d; 8 bales llid; Kohiwai/SL, 7 bales 113 d; 5 bales II llj; RCC/Tarcnuru, 11 bales lid; Patuki, 35 bales llid; 19 bales 11 llid; CL/R, 9 bales llid; Part Te Parae over 6, 4 bales 15d; Katatane, 17 bales 14id; 41 bales 13id; 16 bales 13id; 18 bales 14id; 14 bales H 13id; WMH, 13 bales llid; EBT, 11 bales 113 d; WWW, 9 bales 103 d; DAS, 14 bales 10id; WG, 5 bales H 123 d; SJA, 7 bales 15id; 19 bales llid; 11 bales lid; Matahiwi/diainond, 6 bales 15d; 20 bales 14id; 15 bales 123 d; 12 bales 12id; 3 bales H 14id; 10 bales H 13id; 6 bales II 123 d; Part To Parao over 6 over Ratukawa, 13 bales 14id; 25 bales 133 d; 5 bales 12id; 13 bales II woodside over KM, 9 bales 12id; JDC, 11 bales lOJd; Tawa Tapu, 24 bales 12d; 12 bales 123 d; HJD/F, 5 bales 12id; 11 bales H 13d; Tang, 5 bales 113 d; b bales lid; 12 bales 10id; 8 bales lOd; Waikuku, 4 bales llid; Brooklands/Tiraumea, 20 bales 123 d; 4 bales llid; 15 bales H'*l3id; 4 bales H 113 d; PB/G, 15 bales, llid; VISV, 16 bales 113 d; 7 bales H 12id; TAS/Fairfield, 11 bales H 13id; ETM, 8 bales, 113 d; VALD’OR, 16 bales 113 d; 5 bales 103 d; 5 bales H 13d; S.S.S, 5 bales H, llid; JC/ Takarau, 10 bales lid; FBC, 10 bales, 12d; 4 bales II 12id; WL, 8 bales llid; 4 bales 113 d; 74 bales 12R1; 29 bales H 12id; Roaha, 7 bales 12id; MB/Hakawai, 18 bales 12^d; 8 bales 12d; 11 bales II 12id; i\l/Waihora, 4 bales 113 d; FJB/Rataiti, 10 bales 113 d; 4 bales lid; CSA, 11 bales 12d; 4 bales H llid; TEC, 15 bales 12d; 4 bales 11,12 id; GSB/00, 5 bales 10id; 5 bales H lid; JHT/ Homewood, 17 bales 133 d; 9 bales H 12id; WTP/A, 9 bales lid; diagonal through semi-circle EPS, 9 bales 113 d; WBC/RAI, 7 bales 12id; T/TT2, 8 bales, Hi; JAH/D, 14 bales lid; 7 bales H llid; arrow above semi-circle/Awatioitoi, 23 bales H 14i; 9 bales H 123 d; 14 bales II 12id; BET, 5 bales, 12id; Jenolan, 13 bales llid; EL/S, 11 bales llid; Corrow Hill/clovir leaf, 5 bales 12d; 6 bales H llid; E/O, 19 bales llid; 13 bales 103 d; 6 bales H 123 d; LEW, 4 bales, 10id; Tarata, 9 bales llid; 6 bales II 12id; FBB, 4 bales 12d; 4 bales H 123 d; Mona, 16 bales 12d; 11 bales llid; 7 bales H 12id; CEMR/Toro, 7 bales, 10jd; CL/ RAI, 7 bales 103 d; R/Kariri 11 bales H, 10id; M. Pyramid, 12 bales, lid; GMK, 6 bales, 12d; Opunake, 6 bales 123 d; 13 bales 12d; 6 bales 10id; 5 bales lOd; API, 4 bales 113 d; 4 bales lid; 4 bales 10id; NUI, 4 bales 12id; 4 bales 103 d; 5 bales 103 d; 4 bales H 12fd; 5 bales H 10id; Various, 9 bales, 13jd; PF, 8 bales llid; Rahiwi, 5 bales 12id; 5 bales 12id; JOB/Pihautea, 10 bales 12jd; 6 bales llid; 4 bales 103 d; I 9 bales H 133 d; 4 bales H 12d; Kaiwarra, | 27 bales 13id; 7 bales 133 d; 20 bales 123 d; 10 bales 12id; 27 bales 12d; 11 bales llid; 23 bales llid; 9 bales, lid; 14 bales 12d; 8 bales llid; 19 bales lid. Lambs: JOBP, 6 bales 14-id; Stratheden/A, 6 bales, 123 d; Kourarau/Feathers, 6 bales 14id; 4 bales 12id; Brooklands/Timaumea, 7 bales 14id; Tawa Tapu, 4 bales 12d; JOB/Pihautea, 4 bales 12d. THE MILK FOR THE CALF. The Dairy, an English paper, says: “In feeding it has been found that it is not a bad plan to change the calf from sweet to sour milk if it has to be reared during the warm season of the year, when milk is apt to sour suddenly. Calves that are fed on sour milk do as well as those fed on sweet milk, and are less liable to some of the common troubles of young calfbood. The risk lies in sudden changes from sweet to sour milk, and vice versa. Any sudden change is liable to upset the digestive system and to bring on

scours. Tho removal of the cream from tho milk fed to calves can be compensated for by replacing it with flaxseed jelly. Hair a tea-cup of the jelly should bo added to the milk at each time of feeding, the quantity being gradually increased until a pint is fed in the skim milk twice daily. The jelly is quite easily made by boiling a pound of whole flax seed or linseed in water until a thick paste is formed. This need not be strained, but must be kept in a cold place until used. Calves should also be taught to eat as soon as possible, hay being kept by thenij and a little middlings being given daily from a shallow trough. The ground grain is fed to calves in the milk; the grain should be added to the milk after it has been poured into a pail, as it will be found to mix better than when the milk is poured on the grain.

Buyers. Sellers. N.Z. GOVT. LOANS— £ s. d. £ e. d. 4j p.c. Ins Stk. 1939 — 97 0 0 41 p.c. ditto. 19*38 ... — 96 17 6 51 p.c. ditto, 1933 ...100 15 0 — 5j p.c. ditto, 1936 ...100 15 0 — 4j p.c. Bonds, 1938 ... 96 15 5i p.c. ditto, 1933 ...100 15 0 0 _ 5£- p.c. ditto, 1936 ...100 15 0 — 5 p.c. P.O. Bonds. 1927 99 0 0 99 5 0 DEBENTURES— N.Z. Browcnes (bonds) 1 4 6 1 5 0 Petonc/Lower Iiutt, 51 p.c., 1927/1952 Makerua Drainage ... — 95 10 0 — 101 0 0 BANKS— National of N.Z. ... 7 1 0 — Now South Waits ... 44 7 6 45 0 0 New Zealand 2 19 0 2 19 6 Ditto (rights) 0 6 6 0 6 8 Union of Australia ... 15 4 0 15 6 0 Western Australian ... 2 14 0 FINANCIAL— Abraham & Williams (ord.) 4 2 0 Ditto (pref.) — 4 15 0 Equitable Building ... — 9 15 0 N.Z. Guarantee Corp. (ord., 8s) 0 10 3 — Ditto (pref.) 1 0 6 — N.Z. Invest., Mortg. 0 9 3 N.Z. and River Plate — 1 4 6 Wellington Invest. ... 0 10 6 0 11 0 Well. Trust, Loan ... 6 10 0 — Wellington Deposit ... — 0 10 4 GAS— Christchurch 1 4 0 Gisborne — 0 11 9 Wellington (ord.) 1 6 0 1 7 0 Ditto (pref.) 0 16 3 0 17 6 Ashburton — 5 0 0 INSURANCE— National 3 12 6 MEAT PRESERVING — N.Z. Refrigerat. (10s) 0 6 11 Gear — 1 18 0 TRANSPORT— Union Steam (pref.) ... 1 0 3 — P. and 0. def. stock — 247 0 0 Kolb. & Karori Tram. (ord.) 1 7 0 WOOLLEN— Kaiapoi (pref.) — 0 15 6 Wellington (ord.) ... — 6 12 6 Ditto (new issue) — 6 10 0 COALWestport '■ — 1 16 0 Waipa — 0 15 6 TIMBER— Taringamutu — 1 6 0 National — 0 16 0 BREWERIES— Crown 1 0 0 — Manning and Co. ... — 1 1 0 Now Zealand 2 12 6 — Staples and Co. 1 17 0 — Ward and Co 2 2 7 2 5 0 MISCELLANEOUS— British Tobacco (Aust.), (ord.) 2 10 0 — Ditto (pref.) 1 0 9 — Burns, Philp and Co. 1 19 0 — Electrolytio Zinc (ord.) — 1 16 8 Ditto (pref.) 1 16 11 1 17 3 Farmers’ Co-op. Auct. (ord.) 3 10 0 . Howard Smith — 1 12 6 N.Z. Milk Products (bonds) 1 1 0 1 3 0 Scoullar Co — 1 2 9 Sharland and Co. (ord. and pref.) — 1 2 6 Smith & Smith (pref.) — 0 19 0 v\ airarapa i armers (£5) — 4 0 0 Ditto (pref.) — 0 16 0 MINING— Blackwatar Mines ... 0 5 6 — Waihi 0 17 0 0 18 0 Kawarau 0 3 4 —