LOCAL A. AND P. NEWS

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 4 March 1908, Page 20

LOCAL A. AND P. NEWS

Steps are already being taken in connection with the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society's winter 6how. The dates have been fixed for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, June 2 to 5. Previous to last year the show opened on Wednesday and closed on Saturday, but in order to meet the convenience of many country residents who desired to return to their homes with their exhibits at the end of the week, the opening day was altered to Tuesday. The sub-committee met last night to revise the programme. Large entries have been promised, and, notwithstanding the dry season, the show promisee to surpass any of its- predecessors. Comparing Greenfield Estate with what it was two or three years' ago, one cannot help being struck with the marked diminution in Canadian thistles. A few years ago (says the Clutha Leader) these were rank and widespread, and in many places it was difficult for stock to get through them, and they appeared a menace to successful settlement. Now, however, the growth seems to have gone quite out of them, and they are not half so rank and plentiful as they were. Agriculturists, who should know, say that the land has become "thistle sick," and that they will eventually die out altogether. In connection with the recent land ballot m Oamaru (says the Mail) one of the sections, about 100 acres, on whioh was a beautifully prolific orop of a most obnoxious weed, went a-begging. At the close of the ballot a disappointed applicant for a betterclass section was induced to take the despised one as a substitute — there was a possibility of his doing some good witn it, and, if he could not — well, he did not stand to lose much. Seventy acres were ploughed and sown in wheat, from which has bee.n threshed over 600 bags of grain. This has been sold at 4s 3d per buahel at the sidings, and the farmer is rejoicing. The Palmerston Times reDorts that the

weather during the past week has been favourable for harvesting operations, and in the course of a few days all the grain in Shag Valley will be in stack. A few farmers have already threshed out, and weundovstand that the yields have been quite up to expectations. In every case the sample is an excellent one, and local farmers should be aTiile this season to command top prices for both wheat and oats. Says last Friday's Oamaru Mail: — The outlcok for the dairy-fanners is becoming more serious, and if rain does not come shortly, and that in fair quantity, the position will be even worse than it was Ja^t year. Of grass there is at present practically none about the district, and this fact docs not augur well for winter feeding Certainly the dairyman has a "crumb" of comfort in the fact that last year's experience brought him the wisdom of savine his straw, and of this fall-back he will be able to avail himself, but his turnips, which showed such promise in their early stages, are becoming blight-attacked and withering away, although they might even yet be saved by timely rain. The reflex of the present drought is seen in the volume of the milk supply, and as showing the extent to which this has fallen away, it is only necessary to mention that at the local butter factory there are three men employed, ■whereas in the normal year the management would epect at this Lime to have in employment about a dozen. The daily supply averages about 5600 gallons — about one quarter of the daily supply during a pood season. The late heavy rain (writes the MilburnClarenden correspondent of the Bruce Herald) has done a great deal of pood to the turnip crop, and has freshened up the grass paddocks a lot. The blight was making its appearance and working very rapidly in the swedes, but has now been checked a little. Mr W. Grey has a particularly fine healthy looking crop near the Toad. Harvesting operations are being pushed ahead when weather permits, and stook threshing has been the order of the day with the mill, and it is expected that in about a fortnight's time the 1908 harvest will be a thing of the past. I have not heard of any heavy yields yet, but the general return should be well up to the average, and perhaps more. The Heriot correspondent of the Gore Standard writes: — Our district is more than usually active, owing to an early harvest — the earliest since settlement began herf. The crops are ripening more evenly than In seasons gone by, and I am told that the grain has filled up and matured much better than was expected, which may be attributed to so much sunshine. But the heat is affecting the grass. Late sown turnips were making no progress until j Sunday, the l&th ult-, when a change came with the rain, causing all places to look i quite refreshed, and again on the 24th ult. [ we had excellent rain, the heaviest fall for ! a few months, which has done much food, especially to grass and turnips. Owing to the long spell of dry weather creeks were dry that have not been seen dry for the last SO years. Threshing graes seed 1 has been having general attention lately. Mr Jame3 Finlay. of Heriot, threshed over 200 bags, and Mr Wm. M'Donald over 408, the return being between 50 and 60 buahete to the acre. Many others have had similar returns. Stacking has commenced, and provided the weather is suitable most of the grain will be secure by the end of March. On many farms there seems to be a heavy yield. I notice on Mr Brownlee's farm. -Crookston, a fine orop of wheat which is now being harvested. The Clutha Leader reports that the Greenfield settlers have had another good year, and one hears on all hands of the fine crops all over the settlement. District lamb-raisers (says the Wyndham Farmer) are at present in a state of fidßet over the respective prices ruling for store and fat lambs. The best offer for fats is 4£d a lb at the freezing works, which works out at 14s for average sorts. On the other hand, stores cannot be bought for less than 12s 6d, and at this price there is nothing in it for the fattener. Meanwhile lamb feed is going begging. There was an attendance of about 30 members at the monthly meeting of the j Waitahuna Farmers' Club, held on the 24th ult. The president (Mr R. M'Corkindale) was in the chair. The Chairman read Mr M'Ara's resignation as secretary of the Club on account of his removal to another part of the Dominion. In severing his connection with the club Mr M'Ara wrote: "During the eight years I have filled the position of secretary it ha 3 been a pleasure ; to work with the members in furthering the interests of this institution." Mr George Ross said that it was with extreme regret that he moved that Mr M'Ara's resignation be accepted. It had been a pleasure to them to have a man of Mr M'Ara's ability a=> their secretary. The motion was put to the meeting and carried. Mr R. York" was appointed to the vacant position. It was resolved that the next show be held on Tuesday. 29th December ; date to be subject to confirmation at annual meeting. Mr Ross referred to the injury done to their fences and property through the cattle and horses grazing on the roadlines. The nuisance was getting worse, and he suggested they should aak the member for the riding to have a ranger appointed. It was decided that Mr Oudaille be asked to have a lander appointed to olear the roads in Waitahuna of wandering cattle. It was resolved to draw the attention of the district engineer to the defective design of the new railway yards, and in the event of his visiting them the members of the executive to point out to him what they cons'dered was required. The Fairfax correspondent of the Western Star writes: — At la?t we have had splendid rain, which give* turnips, grass, and rape a much required freshness. The harvest can now be said to he general, and sr> far as anpearance goes the orops will ■thresh equal to any previous year. The November sown turnips are looking excellent, and give every indication of abundance of winter feed, the swedes in particular looking all that can be desired ; and harvest being so early many farmers whose late 6owing of turnips did nob succeed well will go for a catch orop" in the shape of rye, red olover. or anything that will grjve an e*rly bite and carry stock on to spring. Barley is very early, and will soon sprout after being eaten down, so that it will meet the early spring feed. Stook of all sorts are looking wejl, and sheep are well maintaining their price. Muoh against general expectations the last Oteutau sale indicated good prices, voting sheep in particular selling well — lamrw, good, up to 15e, and stores to 12<? 6d to 13s. THe fact that fat lamb buyers new to a-re. operating freely should

give fat lambs or fat stock of any tort a considerable fillip. The much-needed rain will do the dairyman a great amount of good, particularly as the stooks will soon be cleared and' the cows get the green herbage among the stubble. If the home price of butter is maintained in the Dominion then winter milkers may expect to make handsome prices for their winter industry, which at any time pays better than summer milking, if cows are properly housed and fed. Winter cows in or coming to profit are good property. From £8 to £10 and £12 has lately been given for quiet cows. This year should give farmers who want to sink for water a good test. Where water can be struck now can be relied on as permanent, this being the driest summer in the memory of the oldest Dominionist. Wind-mills are a great acquisition, and should be on every farm where there are no "permanent creeks or rivers. Dams are not only dangerous, but are injurious to stock, particularly milk cows, as stagnant water contaminates the milk. Under date Saturday, 22nd ult., the Park Hill correspondent of the Tapanui Courier reports : — I am pleased to write that after the long soell of dry weather rain has come, and on Sunday, 16th, we had a good fall, which was very welcome and did a lot of good. Again on Friday, 21st, we had a heavier fall, so that it can be said the drought is over in this district for a season, and the country all around looks refreshed. Grass has taken a fresh start, and the turnip crops, especially the latesown ones, which were at a stand still, will benefit greatly. Some of the latesown turnips were very patchy, but I now expect to see them fill up and look progressive. The pasture for stock was fairly burnt up, especially on the Tidges, and stock were commencing to feel the drought. On some places farmers had to reduce the amount of stock carried. Creeks that have not been seen dry for over 30 years were completely dried up, and this was much felt, even for domestic nurposee, many having to cart water a considerable distance. Harvesting is now in full swing, grain having ripened more uniformly than was usual in seasons gone by ; and I am told the crops have filled and matured much better than was expected. In fact on some places they are very heavy. Threshing grass seed has been having general attention, and a lot has been put through, the returns being satisfactory. Mr Jas. Finlay threshed over 200 bags — a very nice lot of clean-looking seed, which would average over 50 bushels to the acre. Mr Wm M'Donald threshed over 400 bags, which would also average over 50 bushels to the acre. Several others have had- the same results. Stacking has commenced on some farms, and providing the weather keeps suitable all cropa will be secured- by tho end of March — that is, judging by the forward appearance so far. \ The Hampden correspondent of the Palmerston Times says : — rThe oat crops in the district are threshing out well, Mr J. Kemp (Mceraki) will have a field of about 90 bushels per acre, and Mr J.Craig (Harnpden) reports a profitable yield of 60 bushels. On*the Moeraki Estate the oat crop would probably have averaged nearly 100 bushels per acre but for the ravages of the caterpillar. This crop which has not yet been pillar. This crop, which has not yet been threshed, consists of 90 acres. The Fairfax correspondent of tho Western Star writes: — By way of recompense for the dry parched summer, we are now getting beautiful occasional showers with mild sunshine ; and although the crass was very parched and dry, there is now a. growth of greenness sufficient to give stock a succulent bite. The dairy factories will notice the benefit in an addition to the daily milk delivery. The harvest is every where in full swing, and many have finished stacking, and those who threshed out of the stook report the very best results — oats as white as linen and very plump. The great benefit to be derived from such an early harvest is that the general farm work for the ensuing year can be put in motion. If a catch crop is not wanted the plough can be in hand, so as to again ensure another early harvest, which in droppy Southland means a lot. Although there are a great many lambs on rape they are not making great progress towards fattening. The cause no doubt can be found in the very dry weather in nox giving rape that start it requires to produce a number of fat lambs in March. So far the price is satisfactory, 11s to 12s 6d for stores and 14s to 15s for fats, with a still further advance expected for fats. In cattle, cows coming to profit are good property, and very saleable at from £8 to £10, and as high as £12. On account of the very visible advance in butter, winter milk should be remunerative. Forward two and three-year-old steers are in demand at advanced prices, and an article that recently appeared in the Witness is well worth the notice of farmers It advises breeding nothing but the best of any breed and bringing our two-year-olds to maturity at that age by feeding them so as to weigh from 10001b to 11001b ; such can be done in breeding the Shorthorn, Hereford or Polled 1 Angus, and at the low price of 20s por 1001b a two-year-old at either of the above weights would pay handsomely for rearing: but while Southlanders will persist in breeding and crossing with the Ayrshire, then the above weights will never be attained, and saleyards will be continually filled with pronounred rubbish. Horses are at this se* c on of the year in demand for contract and general farm work. The Western District is getting a proper clearing of young and, in many oases, undesirable stallions. The district is looking well, and a number of farmers have so far benefited by the dry weather in that they are now erecting wind-mills so as to guard asrainst any future shortage of water ; and no doubt whore water is struck this dry season it can fairly be looked upon as permanent.