FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 207, 6 October 1909, Page 4

FARM AND DAIRY.

AX INTERESTING CASK. A case of interest to farmers mid horse-owners was heard at the S.M. Court yesterday. Michael Jones, the owner of the thoroughbred stallion Gilnoekie, sued I'aul Jenkins (Paura Rangikauhata), a fanner, on the Smart road, for .C. 1 ! 10s. in respect of the services of defendant's mare by this stallion. Mr. George Grey appeared for the plaintiff, and .Mr. J. C. Xieholson for the defendant. The plaintiff proved having sent the groom out with the horse, and that the groom had reported the services of two mares. Part of the account had been paid, for one mare. The account had not been disputed. The groom's evidence, taken in Stratford, was to the effect that the service had been effected, and several further visits made. The defence endeavored to set up that it was the custom for stnlliomnastevs to make these subsequent calls, 'this the Magistrate refused to do, stating that there was no such custom, ' and therefore law, in New Zealand. His Worship intimated that the stallionmasters here were very liberal in their treatment of clients, for they hud just had it in evidence that where a mare proved not to he in foal, and there ha.l been no guarantee, the owner was entitled to have the mure stinted at halffee during the following season. The defendant stated that the groom had failed to keep his appointment to make a second call. So he went to Mr. Jones, and complained. Plaintiff said that h 3 had better bring the mare in, hut that he refused to do. When he paid the CIS 10s he told the plaintiff that r nc wouldn't pav the other £3 10s until he had seen "llie other fellow." Plaintiff said he would liave to pay, to which defendant replied. "I'll see," and walked out of the stable. Judgment was given for the full amount of claim with costs.

The directors of the Stratford Farmers' Co-operative Dairy Co. have decided to consign the season's output of butter through the National Dairy Association, to be handled bv Messrs Pearson and Kutter.

Speaking with reference to the slump in the frozen meat trade, the Prime Minister states, as to the remedy, it scenic.l that it could be "Heeled by regulating the supply of meat at the New Zealand md. "The proWem is how to effect this. I informed the poopie interested at Home that I would be glad to coaler with those interested at this end. with the view of seeing whether the supplies could not be regulated so as to ensure-better prices, and this, of course. I will Tic pleased to do."

Ray* Che Wellington Post editorially: "If the sheep farme r has lost in the carcase, he has to some extent been compensated by the enhanced price [or wool and skins. The outlook is bright, but (here are no indications of a boom, nor is such to lie des'ired. At the same time, the price of country lands, as reeont transactions show, is still high in thi' AVelliiistnn and Taranaki districts, and this in itself should signify that producers approach fho now 'exporting year with greater confidence and hope Hum seemed likely from the Cassandralike forebodings that were common enough in the middle of winter." Tn connection with the marked im provement in milking sheds On dairy farms (hat has been shown in all sh"(is recently erected, a rather striking feature may be mentioned, and this is the absence of provision for light by means of windows. II seems rathe,- odd that the splendid sheds now being erected, with the accompaniment of concrete lloor. concrete race, ample water stipplv and «iii-w:|-liiua facilities, should hav'j such inadequate provision ior light and fre-h air. The old order was generally 11 shed with an open front, and, though lacking the many facilities now in evidence at all new sheds, certainly assured an ample supply of fresh nfr and a good light. In some instances a current of fresh air is obtained through the filled by means of sliding panels, But windows are a rarity, despite the fact that the buildings are commodious in every way and as, well built as many dwelling-houses—Tlawera Star. Siberia. Mr. John Foster Fraser toid n Post reporter, is a twin Canada, and as one example of its development he mentioned the tremendous increase lithe manufacture of butter. Omsk is flic centre of a vast agricultural and pastoral plain. An enterprising Dane turned up there one day and tasted some of the home-made butter. He was struck by its quality, and the possibilities in export. He took up the business, and in that year exported about .10 puds (a pud being equal to about 301bs). Five years later Mr. Fraser found, on a visit there, no fewer than 50.000 puds a week were being sent away. There were fourteen firms in the business —and "here's the point," said Mr. Fraser: "Of Ihe fourteen, thirteen were Danish and the other-a .lewish concern. The Russian has no aptitude for business. He will never develop the vast resources of the Umpire alone." The proposed introduction into Now Zealand of the spineless cactus, as menlioned by our Wellington correspondent, is n matter which the Department of Agriculture should look Into verv carefully. II may be the boon it is claimed In be. bill, on the other hand, it may not be, and as tliere some doubt on the point, the (loveriunent will be very foolish to permit the introduction and acclimatisation of Ihe plant until thov are satisfied it is harmless. The worst feature of the spineless cactus Is the possibility that it is not a fixed variey. Wo may assume that the spines were developed in the first place to meet tlv; conditions in which the plant lived, m.l there is no guarantee that the nrlilici.i!'y bred spineless variety will remain spineless. Neither of its' parents, as an American paper reminds us, arc reallv spineless, the smoother of the two having a strong tendency to revert to a more spiny condition. This Wing so, is it worth while to introduce into New Zealand a plant which may he a blessing, but which is apparently quite capable of deveiopinjr into a curse? Over in Queensland prioklv pear is such a nuisance that special systems of land settlement have liecn devised to meet it, and in the worst districts the freehold of the land, which mav he as much as ->.>fiO aeres, and a bonus in addition; are grunted to settlers in return for the complete eradication of the "pear." —Ohristchurcli Press.