RURAL TOPICS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9114, 13 June 1908, Page 6

RURAL TOPICS.

(By"Agricola.)"

THE WEATHER. It is just as well to commence my script with, this subject, for it is one which farmers' generally open their conversation with, and which is of such absorbing interest to them, for upon its vagaries depends prosperity to them—and the reverse. Fmtunately the weather still continues wonderfully genial and mild. Thoi'j has been a muderate amount of rain since last • Saturday, but not sufficient to do any damage, or militate against farming operations, which still continue to be carried out with despatch. Yesterday one of tne hardest frosts of the season (registering eight degrees) was experienced, which w;ss followed by a warm sunny day. The ranges are all but devoid of snow, and at the time of writing a mild but strong nor-west wind is blowing. STOCK SALES. It is pleasing to be able to record that the class of sheep yarded on Wednesday, at Messrs Abraham and Williams' sale, showed a marked improvement in condition generally, to those submitted on previous occasions this winter at our lo:al sales. It may be taken as a fairly sure indication of the mildness of the season and how pastures have recuperated, and that stock are on the up-grade, and that as the bidding was brisk, that purchasers have faith in future prospects. In contrast to sheep, cattle were not in demand, those submitted being a rough lot. SOMETHING ABOUT WAIKATO AND RABBITS. A gentleman who has been connected with cattle and sheep-breed-ing, and who combated the rabbit pest in the Wairarapa, has recently been touring the northern, portion of this island, and has kindly given me some items of interest concerning the Waikato. He visited several of the stock auction sales at Hamilton and other centres, and was a good deal surprised at the excellent quality of the fat cattle yarded, composed principally of Shorthorns, together with smaller lots of Herefords and Polled-Angus. Store cattle were also remarkable for their forward condition. Asked as to how the stock of the Wairarapa compared with those of the Waikato, he thought that the cattle of the latter district would corrpare moro than favourably with those of this district, but it was rather hard to judge, as the fat cattle where all sold in the auction yards in Waikato and exposed to public view, while here the best of our local beef was sent direct to Wellington to be slaughtered, and. escaped criticism at the hands of the public. He expressed satisfaction with the good quality of a great deal of the land and its capacity, and mentioned that there were still large areas which could be t?ken up and made productive. Rabbits in some parts of the Auckland district that he had visited were far too numerous, and from what he gathered settlers did not appear to appreciate the danger of the pest spreading. If rabbits were as thick in the Wairarapa as in some localities up north, land owners would be prosecuted by the inspectors. PASTQRE LANDS. One good result from oae summer drought is the clearing of a very large quantity of land by fire, and the "sweetening" of pastures, leaving them clean and healthy for stock. This should have an appreciable effect in keeping sheep in good heart and lessen the mortality among them in the spring, for nothing tends more to such an end, particularly so with hoggets. DAIRY COWS. A question which * is exercising the minds of dairymen is that of the price which will have to be paid to replenish their herds, so many animals of which had to be sacrificed during the summer drought. Opinion is that high figures will rule, though at Hukunui, in the Forty Mile Bush, it is reported that some changed hands at exceedingly low rates recently.

THE WAIRARAPA DROVERS' I AND SHEPHERDS' UNION. In my last contribution I hazarded the remark that the Union intended to stick to their guns, and recent events verify the statement—viz., a largely attended meeting of members of the Union was held in this town last Wednesday evening, and a very great amount of interest was taken in it by thosa concerned. Members from distant places, such as Pahiatua and Featheis.on, putting in an appearance. Quito a number of new members were enrolled, and members fees are being paid into the treasurer rapidly. The real business before the meeting was to confirm a, resolution to take the dispute before the Conciliation Board, and then to the Arbitration Court, if necessary. This resolution was confirmed without dissent, and the Management Committee were instructed to give effect t.j the decision, and an application will accordingly be formally lodged with the Clerk of Awards almost immediately. For the information of the ' public, I may say that the districts embraced and registered by the Union include the Counties of Fcatherston, ! Wairarapa South, Masterton, C?istlepoint, Akitio, Mauriceville, Pahiatua and Waipawa (in ilawkc's Bay), and the boroughs wholly or partially surrounded by them. LIME FOR FRUIT TREES. If your trees suffer from scale aphis, fungus, or smut, try lime, it is a splendid fungicide. Take dry lime, finely powdered (quick or slack), and sprinkle during showery weather over the trees; it will promote the growth of the young shoots as well as the general health of the trees-—as well as being destructive to insect pests. A good plan is to open out the ground round the trees, exposing the roots to frost and air for several weeks, lime well, *»and then fill up with the soil .which has been previously removed. Many insects harbour in the earth, and this plan will do much to destroy them, and the orchardist will be surprised at the result on his fruit crop.