GLEANINGS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8338, 25 January 1913, Page 2

GLEANINGS

What is said to be the largest haystack in the world now stands near the warehouse at Corcoran, Tulare County. The gigantic setting contains 1600 tons of baled alfalfa, and with a height of more than 40 feet covers 10,000 square feet of ground. For a Shorthorn bull, which he bought in tho spring for £136 10s, Mr George Campbell, of Fieldside, near Aberdeen, has secured £3144 at a sale in Buenos Ayres. Mr Campbell, who exports Shorthorns to the Argentine, obtained an average of £976 for eight bulls. Prairie grass, according to an expert, is to play an important part in agriculture. Owing to the avidity with which stock will eat this grass, it is not ranked amongst the grasses that will stand, because it is generally not given the chance to seed. It is a fine pasturage grass, and is good fattening and grazing feed. Tho late Mr John Grigg, of- Longbeach, said an expert to a Timaru “Herald” reporter the other day, was a pioneer in agriculture, and he was so impressed with this grass and used it so that he became known among his friends as “Prairie Grass Grigg.” For prairie grass a future is predicted in the agriculture of this country. A threshing * machine proprietor at Kyle, Canterbury, has constructed a contrivance, which he has attached to his mill, whereby the services of one stackman and tho band-cutter have been dispensed with. The elevator is attached to the combine in such a way that it cuts tho bands and conveys the sheaves to the self-feeder as quickly as the forkers can throw them in, tho bands of the sheaves being cut by knives protruding upwards from the bottom of the elevator box. The device was given a trial on Monday in a paddock of Algerian oats and did satisfactory work. It is reported that tho Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers’ Company, Ltd., are opening a branch at Wellington for tho disposal of their fruit. It is under the management of Mr J. Creed. Tho business is to be entered into very thoroughly with a view to tho placing of Hawke’s Bay produce in the hands of the Wellington public at reasonable prices. The depot is situated in Cuba street and will he opened within the course of the next day or so. It is anticipated that this move will secure considerable support from the Wellington people, as the company has often been requested to adopt this method for distribution. It is estimated that in Holland there are not more than 2,500,000 acres of first-class land, yet on this over 5,000,000 people make their living. Last year the export of butter and cheese totalled within a trifle of £4,500,000. On each of the farms, which run to about 60 acres, there is carried live stock to the extent of 23 cows, 9 heifers, 40 sheep, 15 pigs, and one or two horses. Of the holding some 24 acres is in grass, on which tho cows are fed, and the balance given to such cultivation as is called for. The secret of the success of the Dutch dairy farmer is in efficient cows, excellent car© of them, cooperation and superior quality in butter and cheese.