FARM AND STATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2810, 22 January 1908, Page 20

FARM AND STATION.

(Continued from page 9.)

LOCAL x. AND P. NEWSA' representative of the North Otago Times had a chat with Mr Duncan Sutherland the other day about shearing and shearers. Mr Sutherland has just finished hie fortieth shearing at- Omarama, and- has during that time at Omarama, Morven Hills, Black Forest, Lake Ohau, and Birch-, ill shorn' considerably over 3,000,000 sheep. The greatest - number of sheep shorn at Morven Hills in one day was 4812, at Omarama 2482^-day after day from 2400 and 2850 being shorn. The beet shearer who was ever at Omarama was Bushell, and it was quite a treat to see Jack M'Gee and Alexander M'pallum shear. 'The best to leave 'the fleece intact on the hoard was Jaok Dow. In one day Alexander M'Callum shore 214, D. M'l/ennan 204, Alexander Hall 194, and Pat Lamer 192. The policy of the Taieri and Peninsula Milk Supply Co. in replacing creameries with cheese factories in localities where the settlers desire it, and the circumstances warrant the change, is being amply justified by results. Among suppliers a per- '> ennial interest attaches to the question, "Which pays the better— butter or cheese?" We (Clutha .Free' Pre 63) have been showna letter writfen by a Momona settler which is strong evidence in favour -of cheese. He says; "For the first eight days of November our factory made butter, my supply, being 1731b butter fat at lOd; for the remainder of the month I supplied 4681b of butter fat (which was manufactured into cheese) at Is per lb." * Comparing , the cheese price with the butter the settler_conBiders he lost £1 8s lOd for the first eight days of the month, and if butter .had been manufactured for the whole of the month his loss would -have been £5 6s lOd. This on a herd of 14 cows- speaks for itself. <- I am very pleased that we have a cheese factory here ; had we been able to start at the beginning of the month my return from 14 cows would hare been -£32 Is, I rnierht add that my test for the month was 3.6." The outlook for the man on. the land in this district (remarks the Mataura Ensign) is at present a particularly bright one. The oat crops are looking as well as they have ever looked in the fattest years previously, and from present indications the harvest should be a rich one and an early one. The grass harvest is in fair swing, and the bulk of the crops should be in stock within the week. The yield is a good one, and, in spite of the heavy winds which have prevailed, there seems to be a large quantity saved. Late turnips eeem to have got a hold, and there is every appearance of a first-class crop. Pasture is excellent, better th*n is usual at this time of the year; and the prices for all claeees of stock remain constant. The good state of pasture must be attributed to the heavy daws as much as to- any other single circumstance. The calm and warm weather has assisted in keeping the etook Jn good condition. Lambs especially are in splendid condition, and this year there, should be a lot of fat lambs sold off the mothers, a very unusual thing for the district. It ie oomraoTtly s&zcl itTa&b "me farzzxer'e lot * JO. not a happy one,, but from current indications in this district it ie the exception that proves the rule. The weather for the las? few week's (says the Cromwell Argus of • the 13th inst.) has been^ exceptionally warm, and .the district now has a very dried-up appearance. The crops are coming in fast now, and will _be much earlier than usual this year. Cutting will be in full swing at Hawea Flat this week, also about here, the warm winds of the past few days having ripened the crops very fast. The yields will not be quite up to the expectations of a couple of months ago, but the crop will be a good average — *»«- with some really fine ones of wheat In

a few case's. Probably one of tie 'finest crops of wheat grown in the district this year is at Mr James Haugh's farm at Maungawera, which is the best ever grown there. " A visitor to the country brought to our office last evening (writes the North Otago Times- of the llt£ inst.) samples of the 6traw of New Era wheat and Storm King oats. The former was grown on the farm .of Messrs Johnston. Bros., and ths latter "on that of Mr Rainforth, both in the Waiareka Valley. The # New Era wheat was introduced to this district by Mr John Macpherson, of Totara. The wheat is evidently of some consequence, the heads of that shown us being seven inches long. Both wheat and oats are of " luxuriant growth, the wheat being nearly 6ft high. Whatever effect the dry weather has had on the pastures it has certainly not injured either of the crops under notice; indeed, they look as if dry weather would do the-n good, for if they continue to progress as the-y have begun they will give- excellent results. They are yet some weeks away from the reaper and binder stage, but both give evidence of drawing on sa sufficiency of moisture in the ground, The following extracts are ' f rom< -last Thursday's Oamaru Mail: — There appear to-be no unemployed; at all ..events those who have no work have siot sought it : on the contrary, ."vjiey.. must have eluded it, for no seeker for employment has sought the aid of the local labour bureau during the past few weeks. There will 'be 'a keen demand for harvest hands soon, *and theywill be difficult to obtain. — Land in the Oamaru distriot appears to be attracting some attention from- the north. The representatives of Messrs Harcourt . and Co. (the Wellington land agents) was in town yesterday with some gentlemen from the North Island who had been looking over the country with a view to possible purchase. — The Waiareka Valley and the Tables portion of the North Otago district have never before yielded in 3uch abundance, and' wherever the -eye may roam "every prospect pleases." Numbers of the fields have now been shorn of their harvest, and on these the returns have generally pro-ved beyond anticipations. Mr w. Seth-Smith, of Ngapara, last week cut some excellent oats, and during the past day or two a crop of wheat has been garnered •which is expected to thresh out at least 45 bushels to the acre. This, fortunately, is not ait exceptional crop; there will be others which will prove even heavier, while there are few indeed which will not ! thresh 35 bushels. On the main south-! line, too unexampled success has ■ crowned the year's endeavour for the farmer, and down as far as Hampden there as hardly a. crop which is not a picture. A visitor from the North Island was amazed to see : a reaper and binder at work' in a 1 field of cocksfoot which was being garnered r or the seed. He eaid that such a, crop in the north wotfd turn a farmer delirious with delight * We regret that the -game- bright prospects do not show in the Upper VVaitaki, but even from there we hear of few complaints and many, orops .varying^ from fair average to good. Today's shower was general in the district, and. while it may in places delay harvest for a. day or two it will freshen up the whole countryside and help along the root crops tremendously. So severe have been the depredations of small birds in some parts of the district (says the Mataura Ensign) that some "erstwhile vigorous crops have been prematurely dwindling to next to nothing. A fortnight t.go one farmer near Gore estimated that his oats would yield 40 bushels to the acre Since then the small bird has come and seen and conquered, and the estimate has shrunk to from five to 10 bushels. The following distriot notes appear in the Southland News of the 16th inst^: - Waikawa Valley : The crops along the Wav kawa read range from good to indifferent. Some very good paddocks of oate are to be met with, while just across a boundary fence may be seen one but a few inches in length. This clearly shows that m the one case good husbandry finds its .reward, and that bad cultivation means bad crops. In wet seasons badly-cultivated fields may do right enough, but both last season and this have proved conclusively that nothing but well-worked land will stand the- prolonged dry weather. A few good crops of early-sown turnips may be seen here ana there, but nothing that has been sown since the middle of December has been able to cet away owing to lack of sufficient moisture. Unless a copious rainfall comes very, soon tho outlook for winter is not too promising. The potato crop, though :n most oases looking well, does not quite justify the' appearance when Ac tubers are examined. The area also foils a good bit shor^ of last year.— Hedgehope : " The weather has been very dry, and the ground is very parched. Rain has just begun, however, and it is to be hoped that we will have enough to rescue the crops from their precarious condition. The turnips that have been eown within the last week or 1 two have mostly lain dormant in the ground", and the rain has just come m time to be of use to them. The oats wi 1 also benefit to a larje degree, as' it will fill out the ear just in time before they ripen. Farmers who go in largely .ior fattening lambs are on the move in search of suitable lines. As much as 13s has been paid for stores, which is a very (satisfactory price for the grower. The 'ow prices" for wool caused a good many farmers to cease shearing operations until they had finished turnip-sowing. A fresh, .start has, however been made, and some' very good clips have been recorded. The wool is in good condition. , Several farmers ha.vo decided to hold till prices brighten, and according to latest reports it will not be long. ' x At the Magistrate's Court, Winton, last week, Inspector Wright proceeded against two Hedgehope farmers for failure to destroy rabbits on their lands. John Proctor, who pleaded •guilty, was convicted and fined £2, with costs 7s. George McLeod, who pleaded not guilty, was, after evidence, had been given, convicted'and fined *T luv withj costs 7s. The following, settlers were 'charged witb breaches of the Babbit Nuisance -Act at Naseby on the 13th inst., before MrM'Ennis, S.M. :— lnspector of Stock" (Mr Kirk) t. Margaret M'Lennan (Wedderburn). — Charged with failing to take reasonable or diligent steps to destroy rabbits on her land after being 1 notified by the inspector to do ,so.. Evidence- as to m6peotion made and the state of the land of defendant was given by Inspeotor Clapco^t and -Agent Delgleish, and defendant was" fined £2 and ordered to p$V court oosta 10s and solicitor's fee £1 Is. His Worship remarked that as this was a first offence and the defendant

a ' woman lie had been lenient, aa the fina could be £10 and costs. Inspector of Stock (Mr Kirk) v. Patrick Kearney (Mr M'Neil)—Two informations were laid against defendant — one for failing- to destroy'^rahbit* on his homestead blook at Ranfurly and another in respect of his ■ Gimmerbum, m property. Defendant alleged that : he had done some work although hardly sufficienu to satisfy the inspector. His Worship entered a conviction of £1 in each case wad 1 ordered defendant to pay 17s court costs and £1 Is professional fee. His Worship advised defendant to comply with the inspector's requirements, ' otherwise ' sucb lenient treatment could not be hoped for if he were before the court again. Inspector 'of Stock (Mr - Kirk) v. Michael! ' Graham (Waipiata).— Charged with failing, to destroy rabbits on his land. Defendant stated that he" had laid poison three times but lately had been busy /vith shearing, etc.. but that he would at once take steps to comply with the inspector's demands. Convicted and fined £1, and ordered to pay 10s court costs and £1 Is professional fee. , A meeting of the committee of the Palmerston. and -Waihemo ,A. and P.-As-sociation was" held' on the 11th "inst.,"" Mr A* Fleming '(president) in^the. chair. - The treasurer read a rough balanoT-sheet- show-in-g that the receipts of the annual show'amounted to '£159 7s ~7d, the principal 6ources*of revenue being as follows:— .'Entry, 'fees,'*29'9s/6d; gates, £45 8s 6d!;- mcmv v ber's subscriptions, ~ £33. _ The\expenditure' Was £153 4s "10d, 'including prise Wmey £103 10s. There was thus a 1 surplus oa the -gathering of £6 2s 9d,*but 'there -were several subscription lists stilt to opme in, - and the exact • position was not yet available. The weight-guessing competition had resulted in a small .'profit. On the motion of Mr Clark the draft balance-sheet was approved, and the accounts passed for' payment. The Field Steward (Mr Souter) - mentioned that Messrs J. W. Blair, J. Mit^. chell, J. Goldie, G. Livingstone, and Aj Douglas, had given their, services as judgesgratuitously, and declined, to accept theifc expenses. On Mr Souter's motion the secretary was instructed to write thanking the gentlemen named for their generosity. Tho Palmerston Amateur Athletic ClubVwas granted the use of the grounds for a sports meeting to be held on January 29. Mr Gillies brought up the question of the a**, commodation provided by the Tailway authorities for the carriage of stock to andt from shows. . He » .said no provision was, made for tying up stock, .and .cattle run-. . ing loose in a truck were liable to injury. All that was required was a few rings, which could be attached to walls of the trucks.— lt was decided to place Mr Gillies*' suggestion before the 'railway authorities. Gocd news ! There can be no doubt now that cheese wjll be "good goods" this sea- , s«- .Te (^""(jhani Farmer) have jfc' oni. excellent authority A that advice iras been* i^.^ - v lv ,ut o-xiect that -there, is/.a'V. ascertained scarcity of cheese at Eomej, moreover, the market is rising, , and "" there)' ' is a strong- prospect of sales reaching ans 1 ' abnormally high figure. The news will' be^ received' with' satisfaction -'throughout the Lower •Mata.urs that the; firafi'-parcel of thiai^ ' season's cheese Home on consignment^,* by several district dairy factories, has rea-" lised a very satisfactory figure-^-a goodf deal better' than the consignors anticipated • would be given) at the I 'opening sales. The following items are from last week's Winton Record : -^-Some splendid crops of, grass seed, "already in s'took can be seen' in "" the Oreti Plains distriot now. — We are " : n-~ formed that wheat harvesting has already commenced in ' the Dipton district.— An exceptionally early arid heavy crop of oata on the farm of Mr Duncan King were cut this week for chaff, and is' the first that has come under' our notice, this season. — « It is " reported that Messrs Kennedy and Son have obtained £15 an acre for the' Meadowlee farm, Drummond. — The rain which fell throughout Wednesday night and! yesterday just came at the time when mostwanted, and will assure the turnip crop's success for this season. The rain appears to hay& "been general throughout Southland 1 . • Saturday's Oamaru, Mail says:— At cv meeting of ,the direotors of the Farmers* Saleyards Company, held this morning, i£ was degided to greatly" increase" the accommodation of. the yards, as owing to ih<s amount of stock put through weekly some inconvenience has been caused_ to patrons. Both cattle and sheep yards will be greatly extended, and an additional drafting race supplied for the latter. It was also- decided to erect at- once a caretaker's cottage, so _ that travelling stock as well as thoser' brought forward for sale may be sure oF prompt attention, and. to advertise^ *or ten Iders. for catering caret'aking "under "tEe new- conditions. .To meet^ this ' expense it.' was decided to make a further call on the shareholders- of 2s 6d per share, .and td ,"_ place all arrears 'unpaih within' a. month, in! the hands of the .solicitor for" collection. ' _ -