FARMERS’ COLUMN.

Waipukurau Press, Issue 310, 19 September 1908, Page 6

FARMERS’ COLUMN.

' STOCK SALE .DATES. Hastings —Tuesday, September 22nd. Kaikora North—Thursday, September 24th. Waipukurau — Tuesday, September 29th. The “ Ashburton Guardian ” says that a farmer, in the Ashburton county, who bought a fairly large area of land when it was much cheaper than it is to-day, is reported to have sold out at a clear profit of over £BOOO. It is said that the same 'farmer has for several years made a profit of 20s per year out of each breeding ewe of a large flock owned by him. After all, it would seem that farming has very, few equals as a means of making a fortune in a comparatively short time.

Last year farmers in this district were much troubled concerning the outlook for feed, owing to the drought, says the “ Feilding Star.” The man who looked ahead urged his neighbours to prepare for the time of trouble by growing green feed. One farmer at Colyton (Mr S. Melvin) demonstrated the value of the practice by showing us yesterday two sheaves of green oats cut from an acre patch which he had experimented with. The land was stiff clay, scrub drained. It was kept well harrowed and free until the sowing’, on March 7 ; and his reward has been that he has been cutting stuff since the last week in May. The second growth is 2ft. high.

In many cases the cows have “ come in ” rather too early, considering the state of the pastures, says the Hawera “ Star.” Overstocking is one reason for the scarcity of ■winter feed, and another is that, insufficient “extras” are provided in the way of silage, hay, etc. Mangolds are to be seen on almost every farm, but they are not so satisfactory as the hard feed. Owing to the fine weather prevailing of late pastures .are now showing evidences of growth. Ibis will be appreciated by farmers, for if a dairy herd is in poor condition at the commencement of the season it must follow that the farmer’s cheque will suffer.

It is satisfactory to know, says the “ North British Agriculturist ” of July 23rd, that a fairly good inquiry is being experienced for Border Leicesters from New Zealand. Within the past few days Messrs Campbell and Sons, Illieston, Mid-Calder, have disposed of their first Ayr and champion Glasgow gimmer to Mr Landells for exportation to that country. Along with the gimmer goes the very attractive shearling ram that was fourth at Ayr and second at Glasgow. Both are by the Clark sheep, which have been doing so well in the Illieston flock, and both show quality and breeding in a high degree. Mr Landells has also acquired from the Dalkeith Park flock the very good homebred old ram which was fourth at the Royal, and was also well forward at Edinburgh.

Mr W. Telfar, of Ohara, writes to the “ Taranaki Budget ” as follows have been experimenting with grasses for the last three years, and have tried all known grasses from Yorkshire Fog to Phalaris Commutata, and I find for this district (Ohura) that Paspalum Dilitatum is one of the most unsuited of them all, and I have it on good authority that the experimental farms in Australia are now eradicating it as fast they can. There is no growth in it except for about two months in the warm weather, and then through the winter it is dormant. But Phalaris Commutata is at its best in the winter, and being stoloniferous and deep-rooted, it is enabled to withstand continuous dry weather. I had-it growing on some dry tawhero spurs last summer, and in spite of the drought and caterpillars it still kept green, but in the winter .it seemed to be. at its best, and with all the hard frosts this last month or two it was still growing away. For milking cows I would strongly recommend it.”

Cattle are very firm in Southland, beef being quoted at 26s per lOOlbs. The general impression is that good bullocks are first-class property, and holders are firm in their ideas of value. Dairy cows are meeting with a strong demand. There is an abundance of feed in the district.