GENERAL NOTES

Wairarapa Age, 26 March 1920, Page 7

GENERAL NOTES

BREEDING FROM EWE LAMBS. One of the greatest mistakes in sheep husbandry, according to experiments at the University of Winconsin, is the unfortunate practice of breeding from ewe lambs. The lamb, it is pointed out, makes its best growth in the first twelve months of its life, and if it is bred from under one year of age its growth is greatly retarded, and dwarfing must of necessity result. The practice of breeding from ewe lambs; even if well developed, leads to destruction of the flock. The size of the individual is checked, constitution is lessened, weight of fleece is greatly reduced, and tho percentage of lambs raised from ewe lambs is generally only 50 per cent of that of the older ewes. Nature has not as yet provided the lamb with the necessary qualities to become a mother at this early age.

MEAT SITUATION IN GERMANY AND AUSTRIA. A new joint stock company, known as the Butchers' Association of Berlin, has been formed in Germany to handle meat imports for its members and control cold stores, says a correspondent to the National Provisioner, under date of Setpember 20th. It is fully anticipated ,that the company will control most, if not all, of the meat-import to be brought into Germany under a second appropriation of some 3,000,000,000 marks (£150,000,000), which the Government is asking for to reduce the cost of living. The Association is itself putting up a credit of 6,000,000 marks' (£300,000) for the purpose of facilitating buying in foreign markets. ' That there is a shortage of meat in Germany is by the announcement that the rationing system will be continued indefinitely. For a time it has been abolished or'ignored in the occupied territory along the Rhine but has lately been again introduced. Fresh'" pork is being distributed in Austria, and, according to Vienna papers for the first time for years. Each consumer who3e name is on the list is entitled to a quarter of a lb per week. The following maximum prices for beef have been fixed by the authorities killed fores, 4s 6d per lb; hllds, 5a lOd; roasts, 8s 4d per lb; imported fores, 16s; hinds, 16s lOd roasts, 19s 2d a lb. These prices are based on a par, value of lOd for the Austrian crown, and illustrate in a striking manner the depreciation of the currency of the country. y SHALL I BUY A FARM?

A good many inen in the cities and larger towns are just now asking the question, "Shall I buy a farm?" Most of these men have a real longing for the country, Some of them have boys and girls who have reached aft age to bring more or less anxiety, for it is not easy to bring up young folks in the city so that they will be good and clean and true Then, too, everyone knows that there is pure air, good water, and fresh food in the country. So over and over again tho inquiry is made, "Shall I buy a faraP" There would be a lot more fun in eating another man's dinner for him than in answering that* question satisfactorily. So much depends on the man, his wife, and his young folks. If they think of the country as a .jreat, beautiful playground, and makng a living on the farm nothing but i picnic, then the best place for them is where they are provided they have something to do and are saving a bit ;>f their wages. But if these good people are sure ihey are not afraid of hard work, that they will leave the country arith all their might,., mind, and strength, and'that fhey can stick to their job thrdugh thick and through ;.hin, then the farm is waiting tor ;hem. Let them go and put the very best that is in them into learning the j;reat art of farming. The country aever has enough earnest, wholdbearted men' and women. It never will have. For every such person the rarm has a clear call.