On the Land

New Zealand Tablet, 22 June 1911, Page 1174

On the Land

• inn/ 9 ?! 1 the aikat exported only 90 boxes of butter, in 1904 the export had increased to 39,650 boxes, and three years later 84,400 boxes were sent out, while last year the factories produced 160,230 boxes for export. Sterilising _ milk destroys all the germs and most of the spores in it. Pasteurising milks kills the germs, but not their spores, whilst chemical preservatives in milk cream, etc., make it obnoxious for the growth of all kinds or micro-organisms. . WJien cream fails to ripen it may be due to some of the following causes: —The temperature too high or too low. In this case the species of bacteria whose optimum temperature is above or. below that of the cream ripening organisms take charge of the cream. . Putrefactive organisms work at a rather high temperature, while a low temperature induces the development of bacteria which produce bitter flavours. - Chemicals such as boric acid in. cream prevent its ripening. Speaking the other day, at the New Plymouth show, the Hon. D. Buddo_ said that as regards the primary products of the Dominion, they had had a record year in the matter of exports of produce from this country, and there was more to follow. As yet, the surface of much of the best land had only been scratched. The farmer of the future would have to go in for, more intense farming, and the working of restricted areas should give better results. Mr. E. J. Shelton, in charge of the pig-raising department or the Hawkesbury College, advises that the Tam worth boar and Berkshire sow is the best cross for the production of bacon and ham. The Tamworth being a lengthy, lean type, introduces these qualities 'into the more fatty Berkshire, resulting in an evenly-streaked bacon, which commands a ready sale. This cross, owing to its not producing super-abundant fat, is also specially well adapted to the Australian climatic conditions.

Speaking to a Dominion representative the other day about the grass grub, a Wairarapa farmer mentioned what he said was a common remedy for the pest. Many farmers who had had experience with bush land had encountered the grub, he said, and their most effective means of dealing with it was to put as many cattle .as the section would hold. The trouble needed to be taken in hand early—as soon as it made an appearance. . It was no use putting on light cattle heaviest were required. The effect of this treatment was wonderful; the cattle simply crushed the grub out of existence. Referring to the present ravages of the pest in the South Island he said that the farmers there, in many cases, had not got the cattle just now to put on the land. At the Burnside stock sale last week 168 head of fat cattle were yarded. Prices on account of the small attendance of butchers were a shade easier, competition being dull. Quotations; Best bullocks, £ll to £ll 15sj extra, to £l3 ss; medium, £9 to £10; inferior, £7 15s to £8 15s; best cows and heifers, £8 to £9; extra, to £l2 10s; medium, £6 10s to £7 ssj inferior, £5 5s to £5 15s. There was a large yarding (nearly 4000) of fat sheep of fair quality. I rices, owing to the freezing bikers’ operatinos, were a shade firmer. Quotations : Best wethers, 19s to 21s; extra, 22s to 245; medium, 16s to 17s; inferior, 1/s 6d to 15s; best ewes, 15s to 16s; extra, to 18s; medium, 12s 6d to 13s 6 S ; m oAA ’ ? s . lld - The yarding of fat lambs totalled about 2000, Prices were much the same as previous week. Quotations: Best lambs, 13s to 14s; extra, to 16s; medium, 11s 6d to 12s 6d; inferior, 10s to 11s, There was not a large yarding of young pigs, but the nurabet 1 forward was in excess of requirements, and sales were hard to effect, rat pigs (except for a few pens of extra choice porkers and baconers) were also easier. At Addington last eek there were moderate entries of stock on account of wet weather, and the attendance was not up to the usual average. Store sheep sold at about late rates. All lambs fit to freeze sold readily, and at an advance in prices, and prime fat sheep sold at the previous weeks rates. Fat pigs and good dairy cows sold well. I here were 3755 fat lambs penned, and they were mostly of inferior quality. There was a keen demand for all that would freeze, and prices were firmer. There were 3199 i'q w^ or export at 8s 8d to 17s 6d, and a few extra to 18s pd. Ihere was a moderate yarding of sheep, ewes forming the larger part. The demand was not very keen, ana the sale was slow compared with the previous week,, prices, if anything, being a shade weaker for all but prime quality. The range of prices was: Prime wethers.- 17s to 21s 3d; medium, 14s 6d to 16d 6d; light, 13s 6d to 14sprime ewes, 14s 6d to 19s 3d; extra, to 20s 6d; medium! 11s to 14s; and aged and light, 6s 6d to 10s 6d; merino wethers, 10s to 13s 2d. The yarding of fat cattle totalled 353 of fair average quality, and included some prime lines of steers. The sale was somewhat irregular, and prices on the whole, rather easier , than the previous week. Steers made £ll 12s 6d to £ll 17s 6d, and extra to £l7 for show bullocks, heifers £5 7s 6d to £JO 17s 6d, and cows £4 10s to £B, extra to £lO 2s 6d. ’ A small entry of pigs met with a good sale. Choppers sold up to 80s, large baconers 47s 6d to 555, and lighter 37s to 45s (equal to 4d to 4id per lb), large porkers 29s to 345, smaller 22s to 26s (equal to 4Jd per lb). x u