THE FARMER

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 525, 27 May 1880, Page 3

THE FARMER

SIBERIAN WHEAT. A new competitor has recently appeared in the German corn market, in the shape of Siberian wheat. The most astute of the corn dealers were taken by surprise at the apparition, which none of them had expected. The land which for so long a time has been regarded as an unproductive and comfortless waste, of no value to anyone except the huntsman and the miner, has produced an enormous quantity of corn; and as soon as the means of intercourse are complete, Russia in Asia will pour a wealthy increase of means of sustenance into the lap of needy Europe. "It was an event of great significance for the

future,’’writes a Brernan correspondent,“when the first steamship laden with Siberian corn entered our harbor.” It was grown far in the interior of Siberia, and carried in barges constructed for the purpose along the Jcnissei (or Yencseu) to the mouth, where it was shipped on the steamers, and, after surmounting great difficulties, brought into Europe across the Polar sea. The loads which have as yet arrived consist of an excellent quality both of wheat and rye. Who could have believed, only a quarter of a century ago, that Central Eutope would feed upon bread and cakes, puddings and tarts, made out of corn grown by Siberian agriculturists? And yet we have politicians amongst us who bcleivc, or affect to belcive, that llussia in Aisa is no better than continued barbarism in Asia? The Danubian Principalities, southern llussia. and North America have to face a pew and unexpected competitor in the Continental com markets; and were it not for the terrible passage through the great ocean of ice they would find this competitor a very troublesome one. A GOLD MINE IN A COW. One of the most remarkable cows on record is the 10th Duchess of Airdrie, owned by Hon. Mat. Cochrane, which has just given birth to her ninth calf, a red heifer, to be named the Bth Duchess of Hillhurst, by 3rd Duke of Oneida. Of the 10th Duchess and her daughter’s calves, Mr. Cochrane has sold the following animals at the prices named :—ln the winter of 1875 the bull calf, 4th Duke of Hillhurst, at TOOOdol; at public auction in Toronto, June 16th, 1875, the bull calf, sth Duke of Hillhurst, two months old, at 8000dol,and the heifer Airdrie Duchess sth, eight months old, at 18,000dol; at auction sale in Toronto, June 14th, 1876, the cow Airdrie Duchess 2nd, at 21,000d01, and the heifer Airdrie Duchess, 3rd, at 23,600d01. In August, 1877, privately, the heifer 6th Duchess of Hillhurst, at 12,000dol; and at a public sale at Bowncss, Windermere, England, September 4th, 1877, the heifers 3rd Duchess and sth Duchess of Hillhurst, at 4100 arid 4300 guineas each; making a total of 131,900 for eight animals soldi He has still in his possession, besides the 10th Duchess, Airdrie Duchess 4th, 7th Duke, and 7th and Bth Duchesses of Hillhurst, five animals, and had lost four animals by death. The above result has perhaps never been equalled by any one animal of the same age. In December, 1875, an offer of 25,000d01. for the 10th Duchess was refused, and the same for her daughter, Airdrie Duchess 4th. Since then the old cow has brought three heifers undone bull; two of the heifers have been sold for 33.500d01r and there still remain the bull, and the heife just dropped, besides the dam, who will prob ably breed a number of calves yet,—Nova Beotian’Journal.