FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 May 1919, Page 6

FARM AND DAIRY.

THE NATIONAL DAIRY SHOW. The above attractive fixture will commence on June 17 and extend over a period of four days. Many handsome trophies are being offered in connection with the dairy produce section, which is always a feature of this big show. Apple growers are also being specially catered for, a splendid twelve-guinea trophy having been donated for the apple championship. In addition to the great machinery display that is invariably staged at Palmerston North, a number of outside features are to be provided, including the popular intercollegiate football match, dog trials, hunting, competitions, etc. Considerable interest is being created in the amateur, photographic section, the prizes including a five-guine'a trophy' and several, other specials. The exhibition and sale of purebred cattle should also be an attractive feature, numerous entries having been received. The Manawatu Poultry Association also hold their well-known fixture at this show and now that peace reigns supreme in connection with the fancy, the coming display should bo a record one. Numerous new features and prizes adorn the schedule. Cattle entries close on May 17 and general entries on June 2. Schedules can be obtained from th(? secretary, Mr. W. T. Penny, box 85 Palmerston North.

AN IMPORTANT SALE. Tn this issue an important dispersal sale of Jerseys is announced by the auctioneer, Air Newton King, on account of Messrs J. H. Street and S. •W- Shaw. Both vendors have only small farms and lind it necessary to considerably reduce their herds so they are giving the (auctioneer instructions to sell the lot on the 13th June at Bell Block, absolutely without reserve. The catalogue giving full particulars of the breeding of these cattle is now available and can be obtained from any of the auctioneers' offices. It will be noticed at once on glancing over the list the strong vein of K. 0.8. blood in the schedule, this having been obtained by ilr Street-tiy the introduction, of the aged bull,.'"lC. \gee 7th" to this herd and looking at the quality of his yearlings to three heifers he should be exceptionally pleased With the result. The older cows are mostly sired by such well-known bulla a's "Ijfagnots Lad," "Belvedere Bilberry' Lad" and "Dawn's Eminent," so that the quality in this respect cannot be questioned. The cows were all tested on the 2nd April by Mr Roller, manager of the Bell Block Co-operative Dairy Co. and run from 5.2 to 8.4 with an average of 6.1 which must be considered quite satisfactory. Enquirers are invited to send for a catalogue early.

'Prices for all classes of stock, with tlie exception of fat pigs, have dropped during the past few months (says the Okaiawa correspondent of the Haweva Star). Calves are practically unsaleable, and can only bo quitted at a loss. Twenty-three shillings was the only bid for a line of Shorthorn calves, almost yearlings, at the last Bale here. It would have paid the owner to have knocked them on the head when they were born. The skins and veils would have been worth about 10s Cd, and the carcases could be boiled up for the pigs. That portion of the Hawke's Bay district lying between Dannevirke and Napier is stated to be suffering from a severe drought. Little or no rain has fallen in the district this year, and a large area is said to be practically destitute of herbage. The freezing companies are already congested, and with no prospect of killing, sheep have been sold at as low a figure as 4s a head. Some stations that have commenced to boil down their stock are securing a return of 8s a liead for the skin and the tallow.' Mr. J. V. Brown, M.P, for Napier, has suggested that the Government should buy the stock that farmers are unable to | feed, thus relieving pressure on the driedup country, and, at the same tithe, making available at a reasonable price stock I for soldiers' farms.