OUT AND ABOUT

Otago Witness, Issue 4028, 26 May 1931, Page 13

OUT AND ABOUT

THE WEEK IN OTAGO. The weather continued to be mild and seasonal throughout the week in Otago, the few light rain showers experienced being very welcome. BURNSIDE MARKET. Average yarding of fat stock at the Burnside Metropolitan Market met with a moderate demand, and there was little alteration in values, which continue to be low and unpayable, in view of the high rates paid for the stock when stores. An entry of 167 fat cattle (239 last sale), despite the relatively small offering, made values little better than a week ago. Early in the sale prices were under in the case of heavy cattle, or on a par with those of the previous week, but some slight improvement ensued towards the close of the sale, prime average weight bullocks appreciating about 10s per head, and beef may be quoted as making to 27s per 1001 b. The sheep entry totalled 3064 (2500 last sale), and evoked a mild and “sticky” demand. Early in the sale heavy wethers were cheaper than a week ago. but later firmed up and made values much the same as the previous week, heavy ewes moving off at unchanged rates, but medium ewes and light wethers were better by 9d per head. Butchers’ wethers may be quoted as making to 3d per lb. About 1200 fat lambs (1000 last sale) met with good competition. The quality was not so good as the previous week, but many fair average pennings were included, together with a few well filled yards of prime lambs, and heavy. Both export buyers and butchers bought freely, and rates were maintained, best light primes making to s|d per lb. A fairly large entry of store cattle met with a more or less weak demand, the only class commanding the attention of graziers being well-bred fat and forward bullocks, and prices for these were low, and yet, compared to beef prices, fairly good. Aged bullocks, of size, made to £9, good forward bullocks, £7 to £8 17s; and ordinary three to four-year-old bullocks, £5 5s to £6 10s. The entry of fat pigs, 118 (77 last sale), sold readily enough at a decline of 5s per head for bacon pigs, with porkers firm, the former making to 5Jd and the latter to 7d per lb, few porkers being yarded. Stores sold well, the best of the 42 (54 last sale) being young sorts, which made the previous week’s money.

COUNTRY STOCK SALES. BALCLUTIIA. There was a considerable improvement in the stock market sales at Balclutha, sheep being in fair demand at prices slightly higher than hitherto. The yarding was not large, and the attendance was smaller than usual. Fat ewes sold from 9s 3d to 13s, extra to 22s 9d, fat wethers from 10s 3d to 14s 4d, one nice line bringing 15s. Fat lambs brought 12s 3d to 13s 6d, good forward wethers from 7s lOd to 12s lOd. Store ewes were hard to quit, prices ranging from 4s lid to 6s, whilst one pen of well-grown and conditioned ewes, four-tooth, brought Ils 2d. Store lambs, mixed sexes, 6s- another fat and forward line 10s 3d. Good forward bullocks from £7 15s to £8 17s, store bullocks from £6 10s to £7 ss. Steers, two to two and a-half years, brought £3 6s to £4 18s, heifers £2 19s to £3 17s, three-year-old steers from £6 4s to £8 2s. There were no dairy lines offering. A “DOUBLE” MARKET. Owing to the Dunedin Winter Showbeing held on June 2 to June 5 inclusive, there will be no stock sale at Burnside during that week, there being a “ double ” market on May 27 in order to meet the position. WOOL PACKS MADE OF FLAX. After several years of experiment, Mr R. D, Coghill, a young Dunedin chemist, has produced from New Zealand flax a woolpack which appears more than capable of standing up to the tests required and the rough usage it might be expected to receive. The durability of the flaxmade pack was strikingly illustrated in one of the Harbour Board's -.wool sheds recently, says a Wellington exchange, when a practical demonstration w-as given in the presence of the Minister of Lands, Hon. E. A. Ransom, the Minister of Justice, Hon. J. G. Cobbc, the secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Dr E. Marsden, and Messrs R. Semple and I’. Fraser, M.P's., and prominent business men. Packs filled with wool were placed in the press and subjected to the full pressure of 104 tons. They were then taken out, lifted by the electric crane, and then dropped to the floor several times from a considerable height, but appeared none the worse for the unusually severe handling they received. Mr Semple explained that Mr Coghill had experimented for years with a view to treating New Zealand flax in order to make it soft enough to stand the loom. He had achieved this, and the article he now produced was superior to jute in every respect. Between £500,000 and £600,000 was sent to India every year for jute packs, sacks, and bags. The question of cost, of course, was of paramount importance, but he believed that the wool pack of New Zealand flax could be produced at a price which would compete with the imported article and leave a margin of profit. It would be a great industry for the Dominion, for when its own wants were supplied there would be the Australian market, worth approximately £4,000,000 a year. It would also prove to be the salvation of the dying flax industry and give employment to thousands of men. The flax-made pack had the requisite strength to withstand all the rough usage of transportation. They all knew how the fibre from the jute pack got into the wool, the difficulty that caused the manufacturers, and the thousands thus lost 'to the Dominion. A woolpaek made by Mr Coghill’s process had no loose fibres like jute to get into the wool. On behalf of those present, Mr Ransom returned thanks for the opportunity given to attend the demonstration. He wished those responsible for the production of the pack every possible success.

WHEAT GROWERS. Mr Forbes’s encounter with the Canterbury wheat growers shows how hard it is to satisfy some people, says an exchange. In the present season growers are receiving 5s 4d a bushel on trucks at country stations, compared with about Is 6d to 2s in Australia. Next season they will receive 4s fid, a price which will probably prove to be at least double world parity, judging by the fact that surplus wheat now amounts to 730 million bushels or 100 Vwi • I > Ons n,orG than at this time last year. V\ hile producers of wool, meat, butter, and cheese have no choice but to accept world parity, wheatgrowers continue to receive a magnificent premium on their crops, some of it taken in high prices for wheat, flour.- and bread from their fellowProducers. Still they grumble. No wonder Mr Forbes administered the mild reproof and warning that “ people become exasperated when they have, to pay such a duty on an especially when it is levied on their daily bread or on fodder for their livestock. Fortunately- the Prime Ministers mind was made up, and the wheatgrowers were not successful in adding another threepence to what is already an unconscionable tax on the whole community.

LABOUR-SAVING MACHINERY. Last summer the Ministry of Agriculture, invited Mr Thomas Baxter, of the National Farmers’ Union, Mr Georoe Clarke, of the Agricultural Workers’ Union, and Mr J. E. Newman, of the Institute of Agricultural Engineering at Oxford (says the Field) to make an investigation of the new- types of machinery now- being used successfully in the United States and Canada. Little is said about the actual reduction of labour costs effected by the used of machinery of the new types, but it is evident that the investigators made a thorough survey Perhaps it was not considered politic to stress the possibility of effecting labour economies. Particular importance is attached to this report to the advantages of using row-crop tractors for the cultivation of sugar beet, potatoes, and root crops generally. It is recommended that a machine of this type should be placed at an agricultural college and used for demonstrations. These row-crop tractors, i 1 Sl A es able to pull ploughs and do all the work of the ordinary light tractor, become, when their various tools are fitted, self-propelling drills, hoes, and other implements. They are usually fitted up to woik two or four rows. Obviously such a universal machine might be used more generally m arable areas. The investigators report that they saw tractors of this type at work hoeing four rows at once, travelling at four miles an hour, and doing over 40 acres a day. One of the most popular tractors of this kind is the t'armall, manufactured by the International Harvester Company. Another machine recommended for trial is the combine hay-baler, which bales hay direct from the windrows in the hay field. The machine seems to be simple enough, and if it is suitable would save much labour not only in stacking at hay time, but also in cutting out hay through the winter. Plant setting machines and one-way disc ploughs are also recommended for trial. Not the least important section of this report is the conclusion that our agricultural colleges should devote more attention to training young farmers and would-be tractor drivers in the use of machinery. Ln America the view is taken that the farmer must be as competent to care for his tractor as he is to care for his horses, lhe colleges in Canada and the United btates are generally far better equipped tor the instruction of students than colleges and farm institutes in England. Certamly if British agriculture is to take advantage of mechanisation, a first step must be better provision for a proper engineering training for the men who will have charge o f tractors and mechanical implements.

CLEARING SALE. Ttn fl 1 BAL CLUTHA, Maj ’ 20 - lhe attendance at the clearing sale held by Messrs Donald Reid and Co. on Tuesday on account of Mr Murdoch Tosh, the Gask Farm, Kaitangata, was the largest seen in the district for many years. Bidding was brisk throughout, and the prices realised were remarkably "ood for a period of depression in the farming industry The milking cows, a wellselected herd of 61, mostly ShorthornFriesians, realised from £4 10s to £l3 lbs, the average being about £6 10s. Two-year-old heifers fetched up to £6 7s 6dempty heifers, £2 Us: yearling calves’. 31s; one bull calf, £5; Shorthorn bull, £7 os; horses sold to £9 10s; ponies, £5 10s to £9. TAIERI AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. There was a good attendance of membeis at the monthly’ meeting of the Taieri Agricultural Society. Mr James Walker presided. The Outram Town Board, replying to the society’s application, granted permission for the erection of a building on the Domain on the same terms as for former buildings. The secretary was instructed to proceed with the calling for tenders for the work. The Timaru A. and P. Association asked for support for the following resolution: —“That in view of the” low price of tallow, for which the present excessive supply of whale oil is largely responsible, this association urges the Government to take immediate steps to prevent the unlimited slaughter of whales in the Rose Sea Dependency, and considers that a largely increased royalty on whale oil and a strict limit to the catch in each season, together with sufficient supervision to assure this limit be not exceeded, would result in better prices for tallow, and also an increased and permanent revenue from the whale oil industry of the Ross Sea Dependency.”—The resolution was approved of, and a copy forwarded to the Prime Minister. The secretary submitted a draft copy of the receipts and expenditure for the past year.—This was approved and ordered to be printed for the annual meeting The secretary reported on the procedure for the election of new officebearers as follows:—The following members of committee retire by rotation, and are eligible for re-election:—Messrs R. Thomson, W. Kirkland, J. Murray, A. Bathgate, C. H. Leith, G. Ford, J. Nichol,

G. T. Bathgate, E. F. Black, J. C. Renton. J. A. Gow, and J. Walker. The following nominations have been received: —President, Air R. T. Kirk; vice-president, Messrs A. S. Gillespie and R. Thomson; committee—Messrs R. Thomson, W. Kirkland, J. Murray, A. Bathgate, C. H. Leith, G. Ford. J. Nichol, G. T. Bathgate, E. F. Black, J. C. Renton, J. A. Gow, J Walker. A. S. Murray, R. Gawn, A E. Blair, D. Service. G. Stevenson. M. Bathgate, A. Wilson, J. B. Hamilton, and J. S. Blackie. The election will take place at the annual meeting of members in the County Chambers. Mosgiel. on May 28. FARM ACCOUNT BOOK. The issue of a simple farm account book suitable for the man on the land may well be welcomed. The book referred to is compiled by Dr J. W. Watson, farm economist at Canterbury Agricultural College. By using the files provided, the farmer can keep his accounts in a convenient manner for reference, and later, transfer some to the account book, and so have in a handy manner all the information required for legal and taxation purposes. The files are labelled. (1) Accounts to pay; (2)Accounts paid: (3) Bank; (4) Correspondence received; (5) Correspondence dealt with. The account book itself contains full instructions with illustrations for keeping detailed accounts. In view of the fact that the college is issuing the book at a nominal cost, the co-operation of farmers’ organisations, accountants, stock and station agents, dairy companies and banks is being sought in the work of distribution. Any surplus above the cost of production will be set aside to reduce the cost of subsequent issues. The price is only Is 6d for each account book with infractions and files complete or without files Is, post free. Applications for copies of account book should be remitted with payment to the Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, or to the printers, Turners, Ltd., Colombo street, Christchurch. HERD TESTING IN OTAGO. The herd testing operations of the Otago and Southland Association have been continued throughout the month of April with every success. The total number of cows under test for the month was 8105, the number of herds being 266. The figures for the same month last year were 7781 cows and 237 herds. Last year's average milk yield per cow for the month was 5621 b, the mean test being 4.2, and the butter-fat production averaging 23.781 b per cow. For the present year the April figures are:—Milk average 5761 b, mean test 4.2. butter-fat average 24.581 b. In the Taieri group the number of herds under test during the month was 27, comprising 933 cows. The milk yield per cow for the period was 5391 b, and the mean test 4.4. The butter-fat average per cow was 24.07. The best herd in the group is credited with a butter-fat average for April of 45.61 b per cow, the number of cows being five. The lowest herd in the group, which comprised 38 cows, returned an average of 15.291 b of butter-fat per cow. The best individual performance in the Taieri group was that of a crossbred animal which reached 651 b of fat for the month, which compares significantly with the lowest tally of 51b. Herd testing in the Taieri district is of comparatively recent establishment, but there can be no question whatever that the production of the dairy herds in this region has been considerably improved as a result of the judicious culling that has been possible in consequence of the revelations made by the monthly testing returns. Interest in herd testing has increased greatly in the Stirling district throughout the past year, and it is not difficult for those closely associated with the dairying industry there to discern very satisfactory results that have followed upon its adoption. The number of herds under test in April was 26, comprising 998 cows. The milk yield per cow was considerably better than that recorded on the Taieri Plains, reaching the very satisfactory level of

5851 b per cow. The mean test was 4.3, and the average butter-fat production for the group stands at 25.141 b. The position of pride in the list of best producers for the month was held by an animal which yielded 581 b of butter-fat for the period under review, the bottom place on the list being occupied by a cow that could do no better than produce 61b for the same term. The best herd in the group, comprisino- 66 cows, averaged 32.121 b of fat for ”the month, and the lowest herd, which contained 30 cows, yielded 16.301 b of fat. So far as can be judged from the operations of the association in the Owaka district during the past season it would seem that the coming season will see a fresh access of vigour in respect to the testing of dairy cattle. Rapid strides have been made in this district since the association first established a group there, and there are indications that this state of affairs will be retained for the ensuing year. The number of cows under test in the Owaka group for the month of April this year was 24, comprising 429 cows. The average milk production for the month was 5011 b per cow, and the mean test 4.2. The butter-fat average per cow was 21.181 b, and the best herd in the group, numbering 19 cows, was credited with an average fat yield of 29.891 b, the lowest herd, containing 20 cows, averaging 14.41 b. The best producer in the group yielded 481 b of fat for the month, and the poorest animal returned 61b for the period.

JOTTINGS. Mr W. Grounds (Hokianga), Mr Dynes Fulton (Tuakau), and Mr W. Lee (Waikouaiti), the retiring members of the Dairy Produce Control Board, have been declared re-elected unopposed. Prize-money amounting to £15,213 will be offered for the Royal Agricultural Society of England's Show, which will be held at Warwick from July 7 to July 11 next. Fat stock values have not yet commenced to appreciate to any marked extent in Otago, although light prime wethers and medium ewes commanded rather more attention at the recent stock sale at Burnside. Stock feed conditions continued promising during last week throughout Otago province, and. excepting on one day, the autumn weather has been delightful, and the prospects of a successful Dunedin Winter Show are gratifying to all immediately concerned. Despite the untoward monetary position affecting all of us, the show will, it is believed, be on a par with previous fixtures. In New South Wales the production of seed potatoes from selected disease-free strains is being given systematic attention, and seed potatoes from growers whose crops are certified for variety, purity, and freedom from disease by the Department of Agriculture have realised on many occasions £3 per ton more money than uncertified seed. Investigations into cattle diseases and the feeding of cattle, for which the Empire Marketing- Board is granting £SOOO a year, -will be carried out by the Federal Council for scientific and industrial research at the stock experimental station at Quealban, near Townsville, Queensland. What would appear from recent reports to be an effective control in respect of Canadian thistle lias made its appearance in certain parts of the Clutha County, and many farmers are watching their crops of this pest assume a blackish, sick colour and then die right off. How effective the blight will prove to be remains to be seen, but there is no question as to the damage it is doing at the present time. A method of canning new potatoes has been devised in Britain. It will provide new potatoes throughout the year. The Ministry for Agriculture is so impressed by it that it proposes to introduce legislation authorising sale under a national mark. The canning of British vegetables,

which are sold under national marks, hag been so successful that 35 canneries have been opened in the last few years, with a total capital of £3,000,000.

After an investigation of the European wool and sheepskin markets, Mr W. Innes Kerr, of Messrs Kerr and Company, of Sydney, returned by the steamer Bendigo, which arrived at Melbourne the other day. Referring to the skin markets, Mr Kerr said that they had again reached a point of stability. France purchased 60 per cent, of Australian skins. There had been a distinct revival in trade with Australia since the Federal Government had reversed its decision to impose a duty of 4d a lb on all skins exported. Asked about the dumping of Russian wheat; Mr Kerr said that it would have to be accepted, because Great Britain had been exporting large quantities of machinery into Russia, and had to accept the wheat in return. “ I do not claim t<> be a prophet, but next November- will see conditions well on the up-grade in the Dominion, said Mr Julian Foster, United States trade commissioner, during an address at the Palmerston North Launch Club. During the past week, said Mr Foster he had received cables from the United States indicating that the bottom of the depression had been definitely passed The United States was now in the “ convalescent stage,” and three or foui months would see definite improvement in business conditions. New Zealand was definitely tied up with the interests of overseas countries and would be in a happier position by next November, he added A farmer who did not have his stock and implements mortgaged in these days was very fortunate, was the view hazarded by counsel in the Blenheim Magistrate’s Court the other morning. “Do you think so? ” queried Mr T. E. Maunsell, S.M., in surprise. “Yes, sir,” replied counsel “ That is not my experience,” commented his Worship. Counsel submitted that it was common knowledge that most farmers were “up to their ears” in debt. “Well, I know of a great many famers who are in a more fortunate position; but, of course, you are speaking relatively.” “Yes,” counsel acknowledged; "but it is very rare in these days to find a farmer who has not got his chattels mortgaged.”

“ It is distressing to see so many eases of working in harness old and decrepit horses,” said the Rev. H. Northcote, at a meeting of the Canterbury Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, when the society’s inspector reported that in five of these cases the horses had had to be destroyed. The inspector explained that at this time of the year horses were in generally poor condition. Many of the offences occurred among hawkers of apples and potatoes, which work had been taker, up by a number of the unemployed. " We

have to allow a little latitude where the people concerned are in financial straits.” stated the chairman, Mr J. O. Jameson. In all parts of Victoria the conditions are favourable for dairying, and the production of. butter is much greater than usual. Light rains, accompanied by scattered showers, have been experienced in the coasrtal and Moreton districts of Queensland, where production is gradually decreasing. The weather is mild in New South Wales, where production is also decreasing. Production is stationary in South Australia. Very good rains have fallen in that State, and although moderate importations are still necessary, an early increase in production is expected. No appreciable increase in production has followed the general rains which have fallen in Western Australia. The production of butter in Tasania is fair, but showery weather has been of benefit to dairy farmers.

That New Zealand must change its methods of refrigeration of meat, particularly mutton, for export to Great Britain, to the " quick freezing ” system, to counteract the prejudice of people at Home in favour of Home-grown sheep, is the opinion of Mr B. E. H. Tripp, a prominent South Canterbury sheep breeder, who has made extensive investigations into the marketing of New Zealand’s primary products. By “quick freezing ” the meat is frozen before the carcass is cold. “It*is difficult to realise,” Mr Tripp said in an interview, “ why there should be such a gap between the price of our frozen meat and that of home-grown sheep in Great Britain. To bridge this gap, or half-bridge it, would place most of New Zealand's sheep farmers on the way to fortune.”

Perhaps something might be done in the schools, as suggested by Miss E. Andrews, to teach children the value of money, but surely this can be better done in the. home. The parents are chiefly responsible if children get the idea that money is a sort of manna from heaven or is produced on the impulse of the father and mother from pocket or purse. The youngsters cannot be blamed if they do not realise that the money was not come by without labour or effort and if they regard it as merely a token to exchange for sweets. It is for the parents to teach children that money is not obtained easily by making it the reward for something done. That in itself will inculcate respect for money, and help to exorcise the idea that it will burn a hole in the pocket if left there. Thus children will learn to distribute their spending, to save up for a future delight, and to get what may be called the “ budget-sense ” which seems to be lacking at present, not only among juveniles but among many adults as well.

Experiments are to be conducted at the Kaiti freezing works, Gisborne, under a process evolved by Dr W. A. Bowie in regard to freezing carcasses for export. Their condition will be reported upon on their arrival in London. This matter was mentioned at a recent meeting of the Poverty Bay provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union, when the secretary, Mr C. Blackburn, said that, apart from a study of medicine, Dr Bowie had been deeply interested in matters relating to stock and had displayed a keen interest in killings at the freezing works. He had aroused the interest of the Gisborne Refrigerating Company, in a process he had evolved. It had been agreed kill 1000 sheep, added Mr Blackburn, and send them to England under a process indicated by D r Bowie, who maintained that the carcasses must be cooled down for a longer period than at present adopted before being placed in the freezing chambers. He thought the members of the executive should meet Dr Bowie at the freezing works and have the process explained to them. If the carcasses arrived in London in better condition it would make a big difference in the prices received. It was decided to adopt the secretary’s suggestion.