FARM AND DAIRY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 328, 21 January 1909, Page 4

FARM AND DAIRY

Air. T. Cee, of Cheviot, speaking at a Christchurch reporter, said ihat the present season, is one of the most favorable that has beeji experienced, in (he district as far as grass and green feed are concerned. The crops, he added, we:' looking Well, and there was every prospect of an abundant harvest. With reference to the caterpillar pest, Mr. (lee said that ilie insects had not made any very extensive excursions into the district, and from what he could gather, the major portion of the damage has been wrought in • the. Aniberley and Oliiami districts, lie attributes the prevalence of caterpillars to the season, which he says is well suited to their development. He remembers a .similar plague some twelve or thirteen yeavs ago iu the Cheviot district, and says that Ihc season was very like, the present one. Waiitirapa, lias been favored this season with an abundance of feed, the best for years; but tlmt fact is not so beneliiiul u, it inav.nl first appear (remarks the Wairarapii Daily Times). The truth is that farmers whose pastures are covered with rolling green grass have not sullicieiit stock to cat it down, nor can they get them. In fact, it is now almost an impossibility lo obtain sheep of an; das.-, especially lambs, a- all roads just now si em to lead to the licey.iiig works at Wellington. Last year the position was the reverse -pleulY of slock but no feed- .mil lamb, Ihat. could (hen lie solo for three siiilliiif;- are now bringing up lo ton shilling-. The fat lamb trade this year is euorinous in litis district, and the freezing companies should have no cause for complaint. The hope is expressed by the farmers' L'nion Advocate that the (iorernment will pay Mr. C. .1. Heakcs, the new Chief Yclcrinuriiin, a good salary. ".Mr. 'Ko'iikW says tlm Advocate,'"is well known to farmers, and well liked by them. ,aud what is more to the point, has their confidence, and his past experience in the Dominion is just what is wauled to ensure his successful occupancy of ■* most important position. We need not again point out the iiupnrUiuce of lite industry. The success or nun-success of it means prosperity ov the reverse. We should like lo impress upon the authorities as forcibly as possible that veterinary science is now a profession very much alyin lo the medical profession'in importance. 11l the old days, before. I'rofcssor Dick raised the status of the profession, the farrier was generally a young blacksmith, with the most rudimentary smattering of veterinary knowledge. Now he has to go through as dillicult a course as a medical student, and ranks high ill the profession as n, scientific man. The Pasteur Institute, has given the profession a still higher standing." Mr. Siinms, tlovernment Poiuulogisl, states that, spraying operations iluriiu the present season have been most successful not only from the ollicial's point of view but also the orchardist's. All the commercial growers have, sprayed their trees, and fully 75 per cent, of private orchardisls have given their orchards the necessary bath. Sonic of the big growers state ihey believe not one per .cent., and they arc certain not two per tent., of lmiih could be found in their trees this year. The only fault from ollicialdom is in connection with gardens where there arc only two or three trees, owners of which seen: to think thev arc nut affected by the Act. Thev are. however, to the extent of spraying or cutting down, and the ollieials intend insisting upon a choice being ma de.