FARMING NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 470, 5 August 1899, Page 4

FARMING NOTES.

After a further spell of sharp frost the weather took a, change on Tuesday, the month opening with a warm, still day that seemed quite oppressive after tho keen air of the past few weeks. Such continued frost as that lately experienced will prove highly beneficial to all ploughed land, which, with . the advent of warmer weather, may be expected to break up into a fine tilth with very little working. Young grass and even old pasture has, however, felt the effect of the continue-) freezing and thawing, and shows in their brown appearance the need for some milder weather. For the time of year the roads, generally speaking, are in fair order, and with the lengthening days a further improvement may be looked for. A number of creameries about the district are now commencing operations for the season, under more favourable conditions than have obtained for some years past. The price of milk has been materially increased, competition in the business fairly established, and milk suppliers as a body are in a stronger position than ever. Considering the poor outlook for most branches of farming, and the wretched prices ruling for produce, our settlers are to be congratulated upon having creameries running in all the local centres, the cash returns from which have become, in many cases, the most important section of the income for the year. Now that we are fairly into August, more vigour should be put into graingrowing work, this month being a favourable one for getting in the bulk of the oat crop. Spring wheat also will be largely drilled if the weather keeps fine. The addition of some artificial fertiliser, unless the land is in really good heart, will generally prove a remunerative investment, as it helps to carry the crop safely past the cold, dry spells that are frequently experienced during the Spring months. From 1$ to 2 cwt per acre of the Westfield special corn manure, will ensure a free growth of the plant during .its early stages, and by feeding the crop off with sheep, say about the middle of October, the tendency to produce a too luxuriant growth of straw will bo checked, and the full benefit of the manure obtained in the grain yield. The necessity for further experiment in this direction is greatly needed in Waikato, where grain yields are far below what they should be, but experience has simply proved that a superabundance of straw prejudioially affects the yield of grain, and, also predisposes the crop to attacks of fungoid disease. Upon high and dry situations early potatoes may now be planted, care being taken to obtain the shelter of trees or a hedge against late visitations of frost. Lambs will now be coming in freely, the ewe flock needing constant attention to prevent acoidents and losses. Drains and ditches in the lambing paddocks should be examined once, if not twice, daily ; many a fine lamb being lost through neglect in this respect. Where ewes have lost their lambs, and there happens to be twins—about the same age—in the paddock, it is a good plan to skin the dead lamb and tie a portion of the skin on one of the twins, the disconsolate ewe will at once take to the stranger, and the rseult is two strong lambs, instead of stunted ones, and five minutes' work will*do it. The markets have been fairly brisk during the week, pigs, eggs and freßh butter, however, being about the only lines to show an advance. Fruit is dull, the markets being oversupplied with Australian and Island shipments. In the stock markets the absence of demand from the Freezing Company is intensifying the glut in fat cattle and sheep, the rapid disappearance of the turnips being largely responsible for the haste to' quit stock, much of which, is not thoroughly fattened. Prices are expected to improve as the month advances, awl this willbe helped by the warmer weather and increase of feed, and in the case of sheep, by the desire to hold back for shearing.