FARM NOTES.

Shannon News, 2 March 1923, Page 2

FARM NOTES.

KEEPING THE BOY ON THE FARM. A great many farmers do not study this problem in the right way. They , try to persuade, and often compel, the boy to stay on the'farm*, and* yet do! nothing to make farm life attractive and interesting to him., Whenever \ farmers do 'more to make farm life attractive and interesting, then there will not bo so many boys leave the, farm and go to the citjp There is more truth than poetry old saying that “all work and no play makes jacti a dull boy” (says, an American farm paper). Do not work „the boy from daylight to dark, but give him time for recreation. *The boy who has some fun along with,his work will do , more work than the boy /who has nothing to think about but work. V\here is the boy who will not work hard tb get the crops planted .if” promised a fishing trip? And when 'you the boy a promise see that you carry it but, because if you disappoint him a. few ,• times you will lose his confidence. Provide some outdoor games, ‘such as foot- ,■ bail, tennis, or cricket. Provide plenty of good books and magazines for the 1 boys to-read, and no home is complete without, some musical instruments, which do so much to make the home cheerful' After you have made sure that the boy has enough time for re-. ■ creation, then give him something that will give' him'ipterest in the farm. Give him a pig or a calf and make him feel ho is your partner. But never let the boy say dhat “his calf became dad's. ‘COW.” . . . '•(./ L l .4’ , ■ —Z —' Y THE PRODUCER PAYS The research department of the Amcrican Farm Bureau Federation has just showing thqi during the past year prices . on farm products have risen one point, as compared with 25 points on commodities pother than farm products. Discussing this fact recently, the president of the Federation told of a former Congressman of his acquaintance, who is now a lawyer ini Chi cago. He.met him in a restaurant, and he complaining of having to pay. 5 the plasterers who were working,on a -new home he was building £3 10s a day. “And that’s not all,” said the lawyer; “the contract says double pay on Saturday afternoon and Sundays, and Mon-» day off for rest.” ■ v '‘But are you actually paying that? asked.the president. , > ‘‘Surely I am.” . “ ‘ ~ “Where do you get it? Don’t you get the price off your clients-?” ■ , “Certainly.' How else could I afford to pay it?” “ Where do’your clients get it?” /“Oh!” after a minute. “I see the ' drift of your questions. Of pourse, . none of us really pays the' bill. It- s the farmer, the man who produces all. - whose prices have nut risen, who is paying the plasterers, the lawyers, hnd all the other folks’ bills./’ ' What an apt illustration of the present position iu all agricultural countries ! ,

WAIKATO MARKET REPORT. Beef.—Since last feporting the beef market has suffered a .decline, cow beef especially suffering. There seems no reason to fear that this Will long con- . tinue. Mutton.—Supplies arc plentiful evorvwhere and an easier tone pi’evails. Lambs are still selling on the basis of 9d per lb, but frpm reports a drop in value is not improbable. Store Cattle.—The decline anticipated in our last report has strongly-set . in. This embraces, all classes of cattle with the exception of in, calf heifers, towards which the fancy is surely inclining. An advance in this class is certainly due. „ ’ Store Sheep.—ln defiance of prophecy store sheep still maintain their position and have even strengthened it’ during the past week. It seems not unlikely,, however, that a check will soon be encountered. Quite a lot of breeders still i remain with requirements unsatisfied, and good lots of ewes are assured of . good reception. Wethers plso owing to their scarcity are sure to continue? popular. . . Pigs. —Still remain firm with inclination to advance. ... Horses. —At our Hamilton fair a jsyeek , ago the enquiry for draught animals was much stronger and good business in this class was transacted. ; y