FARMING NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 339, 10 September 1898, Page 2

FARMING NOTES.

- The weather has been fine during the week, sufficient showers having fallen to keep the land moist and vegetation moving, though grass is none too*plentiful at present. A light frost has been experienced over most of the Waikato, and some damage to early potatoes re ported, but as few potato crops are yet above ground, comparatively little loss can have been sustained. Now that the turnips are rapidly disappearing, on many farms being quite cleared off, stock-owners are looking forward to a more vigorous growth of grass to help flocks and herds along, their condition in many cases being none too gooil for the time of year. Considerable mortality among dairy cattle is reported from various parts of the district, and it would appear as if the present season is to obtain an unenviable reputation in this respect, many settlers suffering heavily. With the opening of the creameries a tetter demand for cows is being evidenced, but this is only for the best sorts, others being dull of sale. Fat stock have experienced a sharp drop in the local and Auckland markets during the week, most likely owing to the turnip and other food supplies giving out before the grass is sufficiently forward to carry the stock; consequently, holders of fat stock are anxious to quit, and, by forcing supplies into a glutted market, bring about the very result they fear. The produce markets are firm, oats aud chaff showina an advance during the week. The wheat market is still in an unsettled state, few sales being reported. There is, however, nothing in the position calculated to cause holders of wheat any anxiety, as, with the very moderate stock hold in the colony, it is most unlikely that any drop in values can take place before next harvest. Sales of seed wheat are now almost over, and, on all sides, a good business has been reported. The rise in the price of bonedust is most unwelcome to agriculturists, who, not unreasonably, regard bones as the mainstay of their fertilisers. The addition, and, in some cases, substitution, of guanos, superphosphates, and other manures for boneduat may tend to equalise the manure bill somewhat, but the steadily increasing price of bones is a very unpleasant factor, and one which farmers wilt have to face in the near future.