SOUTHERN JOTTINGS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 21, 16 April 1927, Page 18 (Supplement)

SOUTHERN JOTTINGS

THE COMING OF WINTER FEED POSITION GOOD (From Our Own. Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. “When winter comes” is not upsetting the farmer this year, as he stands on the mountain top and views the prospect from afar. Not for many years have the hills, valleys and plains looked so well. There are, nevertheless, many parts of the island that are going back to second growth, because the holders have heen unable to make progress on account of low prices for produce, and a high rate of interest to pay for their mortgages. This is a bad business to many tillers of the soil wnc started out on new farms full of hope, dnd yet had to abandon everything. It is unfortunately true that the past, season or two has been unrecoverable to them, and they have been obliged to go out. On the whole, however, the country is looking remarkably well, and there appears to be every prospect of sheep and cattle wintering well. There is, generally, an abundance of feed, and providing normal winter conditions prevail uie next season, particularly dairying, should open well owing to the present splendid condition of all stock. There is also a feeling of optimism in regard to the outlook for stock. The cattle market lias been active, • and there has been a fairly good demand for fat cattle, particularly in the Taranaki district, with an appreciable rise. The sheep market, too, apnears to have improved, with a rising tendency, and this, no doubt, is accounted for by the better prices obtaining for wool. If all reports from authorities are confirmed, the next wool season should show still further advancement, in view of a shortage of this product. The dairy business is the only one that is causing anxiety, and unfortunately this is so widespread that all the provinces are suffering from the slump caused. It is to be hoped that the markets for New Zealand butter will rig-i. themselves before the next dairying season commence. o . HERD-TESTING The Okoia Hera-testing Association, in the Wanganui district, has completed its operations for the month encied April 7. it is interesting to note the big difference between the product of good cows and bad cows. The tour hignest cows yielded respectively 1,71ui0 milk, 7651 b, 7501 b, and 7501 b, as compared with tne four lowest, 1351 b, 2ooib, 2701 b, and 3151 b. The tests of the four highest cows were 5.0, 7.0, 6.6, and 6.5, and Of the lowest 3.1, 2.7, 4.2, ana 3.7. The difference in the production of butter-fat is most marked. The four best . cows gave respectively 85.50i0, butter-fat, i>3.551b, 40.501 b, and 43.731 b, while the lour lowest yields were 4.131 b butterfat, 6.881 b, 11.341 b, and 11.651 b. With 25 nerds testea, tne association average is si>7lb milk, -i.3 test, 23.021 b butterx he Waikoau sheep dog trials proved ii great success, and tne working of li.c dogs v»cis Highly commended. in ; class i., W. sitaiiiiand s a tar was first, o. aichol*s Bob second, and W. Stanixctuu s iviit tnird. Class 11.: Mr. Btaniumu's ray 1, I-\ Jessup's Gleri 2, K. 'x oW s siack Rose 3.. class ill.: i' jessops Wag 1, J. Thoms Tip 2, R w iiite s Lass 3. IN rov'ERTY BAY liep— U received from Loverly Bay mu j cate that tlie prospects lor winctr aie an mac couiu be desired from pastoicuisi paint ui view.’ The weucuer conditions have been conducive to grow tli, ana ail along the east coast Luue is an auunuance of feed. As a matter of iuci, iurms are really underi.iocKed at tne present time, and many noiamgs couia carry a great many iiioiti cattle unin tliey are uoing. Tne country presents quite a different appeuraxico to this time last year, tne conditions under which the farmers iUDouteu being entirely reversed, cast year tne prolonged drougl *: had toia its tale on tne pasture, and there was a great shortage of both feed and water. This year, however, those ais abilities have been removed by a generous season, and there has been a nroiific growth in all plant life. On the whole, the farmers of the East Coast are looking with equanimity on the coming of winter. A WONDERFUL COUNTRY That New Zealand is a wonderful country all are prepared to admit. However, it is claiming more attention from outside, and it has lately been specially commended for cottongrowing. An expert from America considers that the New Zealand climate is more adapted for successfv cotton-growing than Australia, whit it is now reported that a large acreage in the Wairarapa district is to be utilised for flax-growing purposes. Thousands upon thousands of bestplants are to be pianteu out, and in a couple of years’ time it is estimate! they will be ready for cutting. In America there is an unsatisfied de mund for binder twine, and it is confidently believed that by the development and cultivation of flax a high grade product can be sent overseas it is stated that a big farm is to bt utilised for the purpose, and the experiment will be watched with tie. greatest interest. There is no douU that the lands of the Dominion present many attractive possibilities besides dairy, sheep farming fruit, and grain growing, etc., and it is only a matter of time that secondary industries will be -in important contribution to the prosperity of New Zealand. A NEW WOOLSACK As sheen now play an important part in Auckland provincial farming, ilockmasters will be interested to learn that, according to a Bradford correspondent, attention has again bee.i directed to the question of the elimi nation of jute fibres from wo. by - arrival of two speciallv treated bale? at the Bradford office of Laycock, Bor* and Co., Ltd. The method of treat ment, which was carried out in Australia, was to • >ly chemical solution to the surface of the bales, and then to pass them through heavy rollers. In that way the solution was squeezed into the texture, and every loose fibre became so fixed that even when it was cut there were no jagged edges or fibre to find their way into the wool. On# bale contained greasy crossbred, and the other scoured Merino, and it is understood that they have created a very favourable ini-pi-essio.: among Bradford importers and the trade generally. Both aie stated to have come through tlie transit and handling very creditablj, though the bale containing the greasy wool was on the thin side. It will weigh no more than bib to .lb and has been split by the crane hooks rather more than usual. the om containing the scoured wool is the usual 121 b tare, and this had carried perfectly. The general adoption jf this kind of bal • be expected to help very considerably in piexentmobjectionable fibres finding, theii into wool, and ultimately into partiv and fully manufactured goods.