FARMING NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 41, 17 January 1938, Page 5

FARMING NEWS.

RURAL RAKINGS. The chief mangel growing areas of Now Zealand are Wellington, Canterbury and Otago. Last season a total of 13,210 acres were devoted to mangels, the provincial acreages being as follow: —North Auckland, 210; Auckland, 524; Gisborne, 196; Ilawke’s Bay, 708; Taranaki, 807; Wellington. 3732; Nelson, 87; Marlborough 121; Westland, 4; Canterbury, 4304; Otago, 2390; Southland. 127; total, 13,210. Reporting upon a tour of inspection made by Mr C. 11. Newson, stock and noxious weeds inspector, Mr T. S. Robertson, county engineer, and himself, Mr 11. P. Ford, stated at a meeting of the council that ho could say quito definitely that the Rotorua district lands were now freer of ragwort than they had ever been before. The tour had shown that very definite results had been achieved, both by the men employed under the subsidised scheme and by the co-operation of farmers, especially in the Ngongotaha Valley area, which previously was one of the worst in the district Although the weather continues very hot, periodic rains keep pastures flourishing. and on the lowlands, at any rate, little uneasiness has been felt, says a Waikato report. Sheep business is fast getting -into its stride, and in another week or two a reliable working basis should be established. At the moment there is a good deal of uncertainty, yet, so far, it has not operated with any disadvantage to the breeder. That he is not blind, however, to the instability of the market is evidenced by his eagerness to get his surplus unloaded. Supplies of lambs are reaching the market much earlier, with the intention to sell unmistakably demonstrated.