FARM AND STATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2895, 8 September 1909, Page 19

FARM AND STATION.

" (Continned from page 9.) AGRICULTURAL A3D PASTOBAL SEWS. A Hawea correspondent writes to the Cromwell Argus stating that the principal topic there just now is how to get the Eurplus wheat to the Dunediu market. 2<©veral waggons are engaged carting, but not nearly sufficient to enable the large quantity to reach the market in a reasonable time. The crops are looking very well, and it has been a splendid winter for stocks . . It is estimated that the 12 new dairy farms that will shortly be cut up on part of -Mr Donald Macdonald's Edendaie Estate will bring 900 more dairy cows into the district. This number is sufficient of itsalf (says the Wyndham Farmer) to supply a good-sized dairy factory. The North Otago Times states that a cablegram has just been received from Melbourne by Messrs Mitchell and O'Brien, who took a shipment of horses there at the beginning of the winter, that their thoroughbred horse Applegarth, by Treadmill, out of Goldleaf, secured the championship at the show in Melbourne Applegarth was knocked about a bit on the passage acrcss the Tasman Sea, so Messrs Mitchell and O'Brien were unable to put the horse up for sale in his then condition. The injuries he sustained were not serious, and he has r covered himself with renown by securing the coveted position at such an important show. Many farmers in the vicinity of Thornbury (Southland) took the precaution to remove their stock on to high ground last Thursdays otherwise their loss would have been a serious one. The sale of the Bankview Estate, one of the best sheep stations in the Gladstone (Wairarapa) district, was effected last week at a price touching close to £20,000. The Dannevirke Advocate states that a resident of Wanganui was the purchaser. The Eaumati Co-operative Dairy Company (Dannevirke district) is an economi-cally-run concern. It turned out 121,033!b of cheese, and the total of the bill for wages, was £197 9s 3d. This includes the tSdary of the manager and secretary. Good progress is beisg made in the erection of the Pukerau Dairy Factory. The foundations and- main walls, which are of concrete and biick, are completed, and a start has been made with the roof and brickwork, so that the building should be completed in good time for the coming milking season. A Tsranaki farmer (says the Waimate •Witness) lest six good dairy cows the other day through over-feeding on .mangolds. The amimals were four-year-olds, the pick of the herd, and in fine condition, representing a value at least of £50. Th°y were dead in the paddock within 12 houis of the over-feeding. A Fairfield farmer has informed the Ashbuntaa Guardian that from observations he has made in his own and other surrounding districts, the present lamfoimg will be the- highest he has seen since his residence in the district. The lambing eeasoui is by no means yet completed, and he knows of flocks that already have a return ranging from 120 to 140 per ceAt. During the month of September 37,236 acres of Crown lands 'will be opened for tale or selection in New The bulk of this (19,504- acres) is in the Auckland land district, and includes a pastoral run; while there is. another run of 5326 acres to be let in Hawke's Bay. In Otago, a small Section of 12 acres first class land in the [Tautuku district and 987 acres second class Jand in the Glenomaru district will be open t>n optional tenure. Ten sections (85 acres) in the Lower Hawea "district and a section of 115 i acres in the Woodland district, will be offered on renewable lease, also a village Jioinestead section of 11 acres ir the Komaka township. In Southland two sections of 19 acres each will be open for renewable Was© in Tisbury Tillage Settlement. "Whether the farmers realise it or not it fs quite evident (says the Clutha Leadei) the tendency is to increase the taxation of the Jand.. This tax has doubled durn.g the latt

11 years, and this despite the fact that daring that time no less a sum than £5,000,000 has been spent in purchasing private estates*: which before the purchase paid land tax, but now, being Crown lauds, are exempt. The amount of land tax (ordinary and graduated) on those estates would not be lesa than £20,000, so that the land tare— which increased from 267.286 to £557,846 (considerably more than double)— was collected from £5,000,000 worth Jess of land. Yet tne waterside workers and efchei city organisations axe clamouring for further taxation on the land, though at the sa.pae time they complain that Tents are going up. , At the Canterbury By-products Company s skin sale at Sockburn last week prices showed a marked advance, in some cases amounting to from 9d to Is, compared with the previous week. Prices were : —Crossbred4s to 6s sd, halfbred 4s 9d to 9s Id. three-quarter-halfbred 2s lOd to 7s lOd, merino 3s 6d to 5s lOd, hoggets 4s IS to 5s Bd, lambs Is 4d to 2s 9d. There were many bargains for creamery owners at the sale of the South Canterbury Dairy Company's machinery and plant on Saturday afternoon. An Alpha-Laval separator, as good as new, and whach cost £92 10s from the shop, was sold at *». *° Mr Craig, who has bought the Geraldme cheese factory.