FARMING NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume VI, Issue 443, 3 June 1899, Page 4

FARMING NOTES.

The weather hai been fine during the ptwt week, several frosts occurring, that on Monday night being the sharpest experienced this season. With the improvement in the weather, combined with bright sunny days, the roud- have had au opportunity to dry up a little, but in those localities where the laiul is of a heavy or retentive na ure, considerably more thau a week of fine weather is needed to effect much improvement in this respect. The greatest benefit pained by the present fine spell is in the opportunity afforded for pushing ou the farm work, and the greater progress made by stock on swedes. Nothiug is so piejudicicil to stock on turnips as continual wet, no doubt the restricted area to which they are usually confined reuders animals moie susceptible to damp aud cold, while on most Waikato lands the ground underfoot soon becomes poached with the constant beading in soft weather, thu3 making everything unpleasant, even the roots becoming soiled and dirty. A frosty winter, though low temperature may be registered at night, is far and away the best for turnip-feeding, the improved appearance of both cattle and sheep after even a few diys of bright, clear weather being always very noticeable. With the advent of cold weather ewes in lamb require some extra attention and feed. Those timed to come in early will now be getting heavy and more likely to get into trouble in ditches and soft places about the farm. A rack with hay or straw and a few swedes carted out to them occasionally will do the ewes much good, and the addition of some extra feed beyond grass only wiil be amply repaid by the increased strength and condition of the sheep aud reduced mortality at lambing. Aged ewes specially are apt to give a lot of trouble unless kept going before—and right up to—lambing, and then, if this has been neglected, it is too late to do anything for them, save take their skins off. Owing to the encouraging prospcjts for fat lambs, sheep-breeders have gone in m. re heavily than usual for this line, large numbers of ewes now being bred from what—in other seasonswould be fattened off for the butcher. If all goes well the venture will prove highly successful, but to ensure this, both ewes and lambs will require the very best attention during the winter and early spring. The stock markets are firm, but no mated.l alteration has taken place during the week. Beef and mutton are about the same, with the former perhaps a shade firmer, and further improvement is shortly expected. Stores of all kinds are in brisk demand, the requirements for turnips and improved prices—looked for—in the spring for anything fit for freezing, being the roost important factors. Iu produce there is little to report. Southern potatoes have obtained a firm hold of the Auckland market, though the quality is no better than Waikato grown —at least thii season. Grain and feeding stuffs show little alteration. Wheat is slowly firming in the English and Colonial markets. Oats are advancing ; also good chaff, the latter being reported scarce. Maize is depressed, and with the early arrival of the new crop into the markets, values are expected to rule unprccedentedly low. Dairy produce and eggs are moving up, the continued high price: of the latter being the feature of the present season. Poultry and pigs are in demand, the latter at full rates.