FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 211, 11 October 1909, Page 4

FARM AND DAIRY.

At an auction sale at Duncdin a week ago the liret of the new season's potatoes realised up to 7%d per lb, a record for that market, the previous best price being (l'/«d. The lot was a small one of 201b, and was locally grown. A consignment of twenty-five stud merino rams has just been shipped from Otago to India, said to be the liret shipment of sheep sent to India from the. Dominion. The breeder and shipper was Mr. Watson Shennan, of Puketoi station, who is to be congratulated on having received an order for merinos against the breeders of Australia.

Generally speaking, the outlook 'or the coining grain season in South Canterbury is all that can he desired, and the crops are. all looking well (writes the Temuka correspondent of the Christchurch Press). There has been a further large area of wheat sown by farmers since the weather took up, and the light rains will help on the growth very mucn. The winter wheat everywhere is looking strong and healthy, indicating a great harvest. As might be expected after the poor prices obtaining for oats, there is not a large quantity under cultivation in this district. The lambing season is in full swing. The usual large percentages are reported, and it is safe to say that they will exceed those of the past season or two.

Analysis of the lucerne plant shows that it ranges among the best animal foodstuffs. When the plant is coming into bloom, analysis shows that it contains the following percentages:—Protein, 18.47; fat, 1.14 j carbohydrates, 04.04; water, 4.4; ash, 11.95. It'may be stated that the value of the feeding stuff is to a great extent measured by the quantity of protein. Tn the early days of a dairy company, any one who finds money to help it along is a public-spirited and generous man, but as soon as the company begins to feel its legs this public-spirited and generous man develops into a social pest, whom the suppliers consider it meritorious to starve out, says the Opunake Times, which continues: "We do not think it is from any wish to he dishonest that this change of front takes place, but it is more from a want of thought; whichever, however, may be the cause, dishonesty or thoughtlessness, the effect is the samo on the unfortunate dry shareholder. We quite admit that the man who milks the cows is entitled to receive all they will produce, but so long as he needs the use of o pound from either the bank or a dry shareholder, he should not cavil at paying interest on it, or when he is l in A position to do without the aid of outside capital hj" should pay off his indebtedness to the bank, and ip like manner pay back in full what he borrowed from (he dry shareholder too."

The Eilendale Dairy Company lost .€lO3 in its attempt to make Stilton cheese hist ,-eason. Il is slated that no fewer than ten dairy faHorics have commenced operations during the past year in the Invercargill district. Hnwcra Dairy Company Ims deferred the final disposal of its output till ISth October, but meanwhile is consigning to Messrs, Ilenrv A. Lane and Co.

The Opunake Times hears the potato blight has made its appearance in several gardens this season, and that spraying operations are being resorted to. In one case the tomato plants also appear to be affected with a similar complaint.