RURAL TOPICS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3020, 17 October 1908, Page 6

RURAL TOPICS.

(By Agricola). THE WEATHER. During the pist week the weather i conditions have been very changeable, a good deal of rain having been exi perienced. Last Sunday night and during the following day there was quite a cold snap from the south which resulted in some slight damage to such early vegetable plants as tomatoes, .potatoes and pumpkins, which are in exposed situations. There is now a very forward movement in the grass throughout the Wairarapa, while cjreal crops have made a very marked growth during the last eight or ten days. Where early shearing has commenced a good deal of inconvenience has been experienced, and wprk retarded by the broken weather. Consequently very little progress has been made- since Saturday last. The cold temperature of the early part of the week has not been at all favourable to sheep which had been denuded of their fleece and will tend to throw them back in condition. THE LAMBING AND CONDITION OF SHEEP. The work of docking is now well forward, and records to hand indicate that the increase this season is below last year's average. It is true that on many of the farms the percentage runs high, but on several of the larger properties the range is from eighty to ninety per cei.t. it. said that there 11 < iu number of "dry ewes" simuwr f l,ri flocks th'« season, which in a great measure accounts for the shortage in the lambing returns. From many sources I learn that sheep are in excellent condition, having wintered well, and that the wool clip will be a suund, well-grown one. FRUIT CROPS. There is every reason to believe that there will be a splendid yield this season, as the ahsence of heavy gales and late frosts have been most favourable to the setting of the fruit. There is a great deal of neglect on the part of many people with a few fruit trees in spraying therh to keep them free from insect pests. NOXIOUS WEEDS. The African box thorn is the latest to be scheduled under the Act. It may be said about it that whatever its disadvantages may be, that it is a most valuable hedge plant, and being evergreen affords splendid shelter, and is impervious to stock. On many parts of the coast line of the Dominion were other shelter will not grow on account of the cold souterly saltimpregnated blasts of winter, it has been found to grow well under the most adverse circumstances. It does not spread like gorse, blackberry or sweet briar. I think the worst that can be said about it is that the seed may be carried about and spread through the agency of birds. Inspecting a hedge of thorn ot long standir/g I failed to see any signs of it spreading. RECENT WOOL SALES. The sales in Wellington last week markedja fall in value as compared with the prices realised at the last series of sales in Masterton. The London reports being so discouraging would account for this. The latest advice from London , however, indicates a firmer tone in the market, with increased values, largely due-to American and German competition. The following are some of the recent quotations for the fleece portions of New Zealand clipsßakaiata, 6|d; Kekerangu, BJd; Okirae, 6&d; Kaingaroa, 6|d. DIPPING SHEEP. Once again the report of the Department of Agriculture shows that the dipping of sheep in many instances is not carried out as it should be. It seems strange that after so much has been written on this subject, and farmers mulcted in penalties in the S.M. Courts for exposing sheep affected with lice, that they should still persist in carrying out this imi portant work in a slovenly manner. The farmer who shirks the work of keeping his sheep free from parasites and in a healthy condition is certainly not an economist, for nothing i? more detrimental to the well-being of the ' animals than vermin. The report, among other things, recommends that every sheep that is dipped should receive a brand, so that any which had been missed could be readily distinguished. This is good in its way, but after all not of much value, and the branding would injure a portion of the fleece. On small farms there should be no difficulty in getting a clean muster of the flocic, and seeing that every sheep is dipped. If the Department would, through its numerous inspectors, educate the farmer that it is absolutely impera tive, if flocks are' to be cleaned effectually, that the animals must be thoroughly immersed in the dipping fluid for a term of say not less than onejminute in a reliable and properly mixed fluid, a very great measure of good would result, and there would t be few prosecutions for r.eglect. Some farmers who read this may think that a long and expensive dip is advocated, but this does not necessarily follow, for there is nothing to prevent animals receiving, a thorough soaking m even a very small dipping trough. The operation will take a little longer to perform, which will be amply repaid by the good results. ARGENTINE COMPETITION.— BREAKERS AHEAD! j Information supplied in advices from the New Zealand High Commissioner, as reported by Mr H. C. Cameron, Produce Commissioner in London, and laid before Parliament, on dangerjfrom Argentine competition in the London mutton market should be read with interest by all who are engaged in the pastoral industry of the Dominion, or have its welfare at heart. Tho Argentine has so often been held up as a bugbear to our prosperity, and Wolf! Wolf,! so often been cried in connection with that vast country, that many individuals scoff at the idea of any danger or rivalry from that source. The following extract will show the trend of events and what is going on, and contemplated with regard to the Argentine mutton trade:— "It has been rumoured on more than one occasion that North American meat companies have endeavoured to get a footing in New Zealand in order to secure ' regular supplies,

but it would appear that they have been unsuccessful in their efforts. That they have J,been determined to secure mutton supplies is now evident, for recently Messrs Swift, one of the strongest and most energetic of these companies have acquired the La Plata freezing works in Argentine, and have commenced the importation of River Plate mutton on their own account for the supply of their retail customers. This firm has now distributing depots in all the chief centres uf the country, and if the example set is followed by the other North American meat companies it is apparent that such competition in the mutton trade will be established as must reflect detrimentally on the New Zealand trade. At the present moment it is reported that two companies are following Swift's example, and have purchased interests in Argentine freezing works." Quite recently attention was di- ! rected in these columns to the inferior class of mutton which was being bred and sent from these shores during the last year, to London. If we are to hold our share in the markets of the world arid against such a formidable rival as the Argentine may become, with its vast territories, good and cheap iand, cheap labour, and proximity to the European markets, it behoves us to improve to the highest point our produce, for in so doing is our only hope in combating competition. THE WERAITI ROAD. It is satisfactory to note that progress is being made in connection with the work of metalling, as a link in the opening up of the chain of communication with Brancepeth, Fernyhurst, Stronvar, and the country to the eastward of those localities by the nearest possible route to Masterton. Should the County Engineer be fortunate enough, in prospecting, to find good limestone on the Weraiti Saddle, it will lessen the cost of metalling, as well as hasten the completion of the road.