GLEANINGS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8355, 15 February 1913, Page 2

GLEANINGS

The expert of butter from the Auckland province for the fortnight ending on Saturday reaches a total of 25,6 U) boxes, an increase of 3G05 boxes on the quantity shipped for tho corresponding fortnight of last season. The Maypole Dairy Company, who make a feature of Dutter and margarine blending, have declared a profit for tho half-year of £500,000, which Is equal to 200 per cent. It is understood that the company are heavy buyers of Australian butters. Disinterested authorities declare that Australian dairy farmers are losing half their profits * through unbusinesslike selling methods. Though some of the maize crops in the northern portions of the Wairarapa were sown very late, they are looking well, and promise a good yield. The maize crops in the Masterton and Carterton districts have done remarkably well when tho meteorological conditions which have existed are taken into consideration. There promises to be very good crops of peas in most parts of tho district. Chatting with a “Taranaki Herald” reporter a few days ago a well-known agriculturist and a man conversant with the whole district, gave it as his opinion that this season was one or the best ever experienced in Taranaki as far as grass was concerned. He, however, did not think the root crops would be as heavy an usual, chiefly owing to the.ravages of the fly. Bee-keeping is now becoming quite an industry in the iWairarapa. Tp give

some idea of the magnitude of the industry, it might be mentioned that the firm of Messrs H. Beale Co are now engaged on orders lur tint that will accommodate over 25,000*1. of honey. Other orders for tins ai t in sight, which will bring the quantity catered for by Messrs Beale and Co. up to 40,0001 b. As these arc only the tins handled by one firm, And they tic not include those for our largest producer, tlio fact is established that the bees in the Wairarapa hare been busy. The cheese export from Southland factories shows no sign of diminution, more especially with regard to Loudon shipments. The Delphic, which lelt Bluff tho other day, took away a total of 0890 crates, representing the output of Cl factories, of which the following had the largest contributions: Edcndale 920, Mataura 400, Orepuki 202, Aparima 212, Island 240, Seaward Downs 180, Thornbury 166, Whiterig 163, Kennington 148, : Birchwood 140, Aw am a 130, Dominion 120, Ryal Busi. 123, Wright’s Bush 120, Glenham 110, Lochicl 110, Tisburv 102, Otamita 100, Otautau 100, Pino Bush 100, Tuturau 100. This season’s total consignment to date for London now stands at 47,007 crates. Ploughing is the hardest work the farm horses have to perform. low teams but are doing 10 to 30 per cent, of unnecessary work. We are told that about 50 per cent, of the draught of a plough is due to the cutting of tne furrow slice. The cohdition of the cutting edge must then be of first importance. Expert ploughmen recognise this, and in competitions file their shares to knife edges. One authority claims that an old share re-sharpened has shown 36 per cent., heavier draught than a new share. The set and adjustment of a plough has almost as much to do with the draught as the condition of the share. About 30 per cent, of the draught of a walking plough is due to the friction of tin plough on the bottom and side of the furrow. Steps are being taken to form a farmers’ co-operative society in North Taranaki. Addressing a meeting representing the various dairy factories m the neighbourhood of Inglewood, Mr G. H. Buckeridge dealt very fully \vitb the aims and objects of societies of tins kind and outlined what had been done on similar lines in the United Ivmgdom and on the Continent. Ihe pioposal ivas warmly supported, and a number of prominent men -m the dairy world .wore appointed delegates to attend a general meeting to bo held at HaWera shortly. Tho attractions of casein manufacture do not appeal to suppliers of the Stratford Dairy Company. At a wellattended meeting this week a proposal I. instal a plant there fount} only olio Supporter. Tho main objection seems to bo that dairymen are not satisfied that casein whey is a good food lor calves and pigs.