AROUND THE FARM.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 156, 28 October 1926, Page 3

AROUND THE FARM.

STOCK AND STATION JOTTINGS. TARANAKI CATTLE That some dairy cattle have wintered badly in Taranaki is shown by the condition of the cattle on the roads there recently. One evening last week a large mob of yearlings were being driven north. To keep on their feet was as much as many of them could manage, they being in a very emaciated condition. BETTER DAIRY PRODUCE “Not for decades has there been such a general disposition among dairymen to effect improvement in quality,’’ declared Mr. W. M. Singleton, director of the dairy division of the Department of Agriculture, in addressing members of the' Dairy Factory Managers’ Association at Wellington. It was cxpcc.ed, Mr. Singleton srid, that when cream grading became general and on a uniform basis throughout the Dominion there would be evidences of further improvement in butter. Dairy companies manufacturing both butter and cheese were anxious for improvement. The Dairy Produce Board very considerably stimulated this desire. CATTLE TICK AT ROYAL SHOW Every precaution to prevent animals at the Royal Show being infected with cattle-tick will be taken by the live stock division of the Department of Agriculture. It is realised that a serious danger exists, but not one tick fas so far made its appearance at an Auckland show. All animals from infected areas will be dipped and inspected befor leaving their respective districts and will be examined again on arrival at thef show grounds before being allowed to mix in the sheds. A special officer of the department will be in attendance during the show and will carry out regular inspections. CONDITIONS IN CANTERBURY A run through North Canterbury (states the TreSs) impresses one with the' exceptional character of the season. There seems to have been an extensive sowing of green feed in the autumn and win" or, and ewes and lambs should be well provided for in the spring. Lambing is now well under way, and percentages over the ordinary are being reported. There are cases where losses have' occurred through overfeeding of the lambs. The ewes are generally in good condition, and from all appearances it would seem that when the works open there will be' increased and better conditioned offerings than for some years. It will need something of this sort to offset th r ' lower price's, which it now seems will be inevitable. VALUE OF FARM LANDS “When we become sane and laud values drop,” said Dr. Sadlier, Bishop of Nelson, and chairman of the trustees of the Cawthron Institute, “the

Institute will be consulted and farmers will know exactly what their land will be worth, and what they can do with it. Even now, if a man comes to us we have maps which show the class and condition of all the land in the Dominion. He is given advice as to cropping and told what fertilisers are required. This information is given him absolutely free—no charge is made. ’’ INTEREST IN HERD-TESTING The Clandeboye group of the South Canterbury Herd Testing Association is now well established, as the testing officer, Mr. D. Pemberton, lias staned on his duties with 850 cows in 27 herds. This number is well up to the expectations of the committee, and assures the financial success of the project. Considerable interest has already been created by the scheme in the district, and the first month’s testing shows, the wide variations that exist even in what is generally accepted to be well selected herds. The cn.husiastic manner in which the scheme has been taken up must be very gratifying to the Timaru A. and P. Association, which was responsible' for its inauguration. ROOM FOR RESEARCH Referring to the fact that Now Zealand lags behind as far as agricultural research is concerned, the annual review of Messrs. Pync', Gould, Guinness Ltd., says that definite information as to the quality and quantity of manures required, the correct amount of seed to be sown, and best methods of cultivation, would go far to give' tillers of the soil the confidence necessary to depart from a routine which is no longer profi able. The value of this information would be enhanced if the results achieved by practical farmers could also be supplied. Much has been written on the controversial subject of wheat-growing, but we ask what information is available to show farmers when it is more economical to use a true.or than a six or four horse team ? TAIL-LESS SHEEP IN AMERICA Experiments in evolving a tail less breed of sheep have been in progress at the South Dakota (United S.ate:-) Experimental Station for the past nine years. As the foundation stock, native Siberian rams, which have no tails, have been used for crossing with Shropshire, Hampshire, and Rambomllet ewes, lambs have been produced with tails so short that they do not have to be docked. If it is found that this new strain is prepotent, the problem will seem to have been solve'd—at least so far as the tail is concerned Of the quality of the wool nothing is said. . , ,