MISCELLANEOUS.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 22 March 1920, Page 4

MISCELLANEOUS.

A very old orchard in PohanginaJ \ consisting of five acres of apples, pears and stone fruit, appears to have completely lost the codlin moth, which was previously threatening its ruin. This has been brought, about without the trouble or expense of spraying. The owner’s little flock of stud sheep are kept in the orchard, and greedily devour every bit of fruit that falls. The plan offers a valuable suggestion to our orchardists.

It is reported that Queen Mary smokes. She smokes one cigarette after luncheon, but limits .herself to that, as she is a believer in the strictest moderation iq all things. The announcement of this conferring of the Koval approval on cigarette smoking by women appeared in “Reynolds’ Newspaper.” It does not appear to have called forth any protests in England, tint Lucy Page Gaston, American president of the International AntiCigarette League, has written to Queen Mary as follows: “Knowing your high ideals of womanhood, and live interest in safeguarding youth, the

story has caused a shock to America. It will be extremely unfortunate if English standards fall below those of this country through your example.” But there is no word, as yet, that 'Queen Mary’s aftcr-lunclicon cigarette has lost any of its charm for the Royal smoker.

The disparity in the returns obtained front one farm as compared, in many cases, with a neighbouring farm of equal area and quality, was referred to Vv Mr .1. B. Richards, chairman of the 'Stratford Chamber of Commerce, at the annual meeting on Friday night, as positive proof of a great need for a icvlliag up of the whole. While some farmers were able to make as much as

;gn gross per acre from their land each Vear, others were making only about half. It was these farmers with the tower returns whom they wanted to gut ■after and induce to strive for better results. This was being done in a small \vay through the medium of the model 'dairy farm, but he thought the people of Taranaki hardly yet, realised the wonderful possibilities of their province. There was no risk of drought or other scourges, which could paralyse the small farmer, and there was great scope for increased production by the adoption of a short rotation cropping system. Permanent pasture, once established and maintained by topdressing methods, would certainly give excellent results, but the short rotation system gave much greater returns.

It is proposed to entertain His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales at a monster boxing tournament at Hastings. Special sealing accommodation will be provided at the ringside for the Prince a-ud his suite, and the profits will be devoted to the fallen soldiers’ memorial hospital fund.

A man named William Chandlc was charged with playing an illegal game at the Mofrinsville Show. It was alleged that Chandle openly played “Crown and Anchor” on the grounds; that his agents advised him of the approach of the police, and that when the constable was near he' played a harmless game. At the close of the day he offered the police constable a present to refrain from taking action against him. Chandlc' 1 was convicted and ’lined £2O.