AGRICULTURAL JOTTINGS.

Shannon News, 2 July 1926, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL JOTTINGS.

In India about two millions and ahalf acres of land are under sugar cane cultivation. ' , The directors of the Cheltenham factory have , decided to advance Is 6d, per lb. r'espect to butterfat supplied in May. Early ploughing is one of the surest means yet known of conserving moisture in the soil during the following summer. The average dairy cow under ordinary conditions requires about one and one-fourth to one and one-half ounces of salt a day. _ One idea that has been suggested in certain circles is a system of Government registration of bulls with a view to the eventual elimination of the

scrubs. Hay may be very useful for pigs, whether out at range or in pens during the winter, and will to a large extent take the place of green food whoa this is scarce. Remoteness from markets is usually a hindrance to profitable agriculture. New Zealand is far from her 'market, but has devised transport service to overcome this handicap. ; , There are some good crops of- swedes and mangolds about this district, (says the Huntcrville Express). - Although grass and other green fodder is not too plentiful, most dairy farmers have plenty of hay in stack. “Late to bed, early to rise, work hard and economise,” was described as the motto to the Agricultural Department by Mr. W. M. Singleton, Director of the Dairy Division. The fact that his audience was largely composed of “men on the land” ensued a full appreciation of this expression. As an instance of the possibilities of wheat growing in Southland, the splendid result- achieved by Messrs Alex and William McKay, of Wendonside, is cited. Mr. Alex McKay’s area 26 acres returned 517 sacks (each 3 l-4rd bushels), this being equal to 66£ bushels per acre, while the return from Mr. William McKay’s- area was just a trifle than this. The whole of the wheat is of super-excellent quality. “There is nothing worse for a country than to have men walking off their farms,” said Mr. G. Pinn, (Auckland) at the conference of dairy cattle breeders. It should not be allowed, he added, and it would even pay the country to give those men money to carry on. They were quitting their farms with the result that the land -was going back. The remarks met with applause. “The commercial relations between New Zealand and th’e Argentine are today very cordial,” states Senor Humberto Bidone, Consul-General for the Argentine. “Last year New Zealand exported to the Argentine 19 cows and 406 sheep. Argentine will be the biggest market for pedigree stock of New Zealand so long as the Dominion continues to 'export the very best animal?.” The grass grub is playing havoc with some of the pastures in North Otago. Lawns in Oamaru have also been badty attacked. Bo far as the latter are concerned, a spraying of kerosene is said to be an effective remedy. Where large areas are affected, it is difficult to find a remedy. The grub is very general throughout the Dominion, and usually conducts its operations at this period of the rear.