Agricultural.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2352, 6 August 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

Agricultural.

RURAL NOTES.

{From thk North British Agricoi.turist). Thu Earl of Dunr.tvtn has introduced into the House of Lords a bill dealing with the subject of allotments for agricultural labourers. The Kent fruit-growers, instead of sending their produce to London bv water, are again sending it by rail, tb<> companies haring agreed to a reduction of 20 per cent, in (be railway rates. It is said that the finest pork made in the world is that of the Madeira Islands, where the swine live principally on nuts. There is a great demand for labourers in Kent, fanners being compelled to employ men at work hitherto done by women. American cheese imports at (Glasgow have fallen off nearly 100 per cent in two years. The total imports in ISSG were 130,072 boxes, or 3G12 tons, against 2.70,137 boxes or 7200 tons in 1881 A great ‘ corner' in wheat is reported from Chicago. One cliipie is said to hold forty millions of grain at Chicago, all the stocks at St Louis, Toledo, New York, and San Francisco, and half the wheat in stock in Liverpool. A significant fact in the midst of the agricultural depression is that in fruitgrowing districts the land still continues to fetch hi gh prices. At Sittingborne, £350 and £2-50 per acre for fruit orchards has been realised within the last few days.

Lord Lansdownc, in acknowledging an address signed by 500 of his Wiltshire tenants, writes from Canada that he has no reason to apprehend that the attacks made upon him regarding the management of his Irish estates are likely to be successful in prejudicing the public opinion of the Canadian people. About 4000 tons of horse, mule, and donkey flesh were sold in Far is for human consumption during the past year. The average price the meat fetched was threepence per pound. The farm of Mnrrial, in the parish of Insch, and on the estate of Wardhouse, IS3 acres in extent, has been let at a reduction of rent of 35 per cent. The rent will now be about 13s fid per acre. After a cow has dropped her calf she will be naturally somewhat feverish, and inclined to drink a great deal. Care, should be taken to warm all drink given until the calf is at least a week old. She should have laxative, cooling food, and a thin slop made from bran with tepid water is the best thing she can have. This is very stimulating to milk production, and if the udders show signs of inflaming, draw down the milk thoroughly several times a day.

To tame a horse, rnh a little oil of cumin upon yonr hand, and approach the horse in the field on the windward side, so that he can smell the cumin. The horse will let yon up to him without any trouble. Immediately rub on his nose with your hand a little of the oil. Yon can then lead him anywhere. (Jive bio a little horse-castor—a wart which grows on horses' legs, and which should he grated fine—on a piece of loaf sugar. I’nt eight drops of oil of rhodium into a lady’s silver thimble. Take the thimble between the thumb and Tiger, stopping the month of the thimble to prevent the oil running out while you open the horses month ; then tip the thimble over upon his tongue. He will follow yon like a pet dog, and will be yonr pupil and your friend. It is as good as galvanism. The spirit of lawlessness and defiance is fairly in the ascendant in Wales. Sales of farmer’s effects for payment of tithes were again attempted on Saturday, but completely failed. A great crowd attacked the auctioneer, tbc appraiser and other officials, wrecked tlieir carriage, and so frightened the horses that they bolted, and did themselves such injury that they had to be shot. The crowd then compelled the auctioneer and the appraiser to get down on their knees aad swear by Heaven that hj« would never conduct distraint sales again. In a letter recently delived at a meeting of the Framlington (Suffolk) Farmers' Club, on the “ Prospects of Agriculture,” Mr George Goodorham, of long and varied experience as a landowner and occupier, said:—“ Tenant-farmers, now is yonr time to hir-’, or—if any of yonr friends have got any surplus money—to buy ! There is a good prospect before you if you will but go to work. Twenty years ago, when land was running up to an extraordinary high pitch, I said if I had ten boys I would not make more than one a farmer. Now, however, if I had ten boys and they were so inclined 1 would make them all farmers.

The following remarkable incident was reported a slwt time since, with respect to the ‘tithe war’ in North Wales A formidable band of bailiffs visited recently one of the largest farms in the disturbed district. On presenting- themselves at the door of the house the bailiffs inquired from the servant if her master was at home.' ‘Nohe is not,’ answered the servant. ‘ls your mistress in f’ ‘ V es, she is; do you want to see her?’ Upon this the mistress of the house, a smart, sprightly woman, made her appearance. ‘ls the master in?’ again inquired the bailiffs. ‘ Oh, yes, sure,’ was the ready reply; 1 would you like mo to send him to your’ ‘lf you please, missus,’ answered the bailiffs. ‘ Will you go into the yard, and he will be with you directly.’ The farmer’s wife then closed the front door, and passed through the back to the farm buildings and unloosed the bull, which came roaring into the yard where the bailiffs wore awaiting the ‘ master.’ ‘ There, that is the master here,’ called out the dame, as the representatives of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners beat a hasty retreat, mounting the gate and fence with the greatest alacrity.

Tub World’s Wheat. —The total wheat crop of the world is given at ‘2,031,322,235 bushels, or, in round numbers, at rather over two thousand millions. The United States heads the list of the wheat producing countries of the world, and being given as under, in bushels, shows:—

Bushels. United States 457,000,000 France 299,000,000 India 259,000,000 Russia 214,000,000 Austria-Hungary 143,000,000 Spain 132,000,000 Italy 130,000,000 Germany 82,000,000 Great Britain 05,000,000 Turkey 41,000,000 Canada 37,000,000 Algiers 23,000,000 Argentine Republic and Chili 29.000,000 Ruumania 23.000,000 Australia 22,000.000 Belgium 19,000,000 Egypt ... _ 10,000.000 Sweden and Norway 2,500,000 Switzerland 1,000,000