On the Land

New Zealand Tablet, 18 January 1912, Page 54

On the Land

According to the last census it is shown that the poultry of the Dominion have increased by over half a million head during the past five years.

' Recent Parliamentary papers show that Ireland has one pig to every three persons, while Denmark has one to every two. Holland has, roughly, one to every five persons, and Belgium one to , every seven.

A general advance in prices was the notable feature of the second wool sale of the season, held at Auckland on Wednesday of last week. Compared with values obtained at the opening sale of the season, the prices paid were higher by -id to Id per lb. The total of 6672 bales was submitted. The bench of . buyers was fully representative of British, American, Continental, and local firms, and competition was spirited.

Last year no fewer than 64,828 calves were inoculated for blackleg in New Zealand, the whole of the work being done by officers of the Agricultural Department free of charge. This work of blackleg inoculation in the affected districts has had the effect of reducing the number of deaths from the disease to an almost negligible minimum, the whole of the mortality reported during the year being only 30 animals.

The yarding of sheep at the Burnside saleyards last week comprised 2342, about 250 less than the number yarded last week. There was a good proportion of prime wethSrs and ewes, which realised up to 21s' 9d. Taking the quality into consideration (says the Otago Daily Times), prices were easier to the extent of about Is per head as compared with late rates. There were 607 fat lambs forward, and 180 store lambs of mixed sexes. The latter went in one line at 10s 6d per head, and the fat lambs realised up to 16s. There were only 127 head of cattle yarded —a rather surprisingly small number after the high prices ruling lately. These high values were again maintained; prime bullocks making up to £ls. There was another consignment of North Island cattle offered for sale in good condition and under keen competition, being sold before the other cattle forward. Pigs were exceptionally dear, realising high,prices owing to the small number yarded.

At the Addington market last week there were fair entries of stock, and an average attendance. Store sheep were in keen demand, and there was no change in fat lambs. Beef and fat sheep were firmer in consequence of a small yarding. Fat pigs sold at improved rates. The yarding of fat lambs totalled 1598, and though there was a fair proportion of prime sorts, there was also a number of lots that were not, well finished, and these did not bring as good prices as similar lambs in the store pens. There was a small yarding’of fat sheep, and they sold firmly at previous week’s rates. The range of prices was Prime wethers, 17s 6d to 225; others, 14s 9d to 17s. The supply of beef totalled 160, and the quality was mostly medium. The competition was slack at the opening, but improved as the sale progressed, and prices advanced fully 2s per 1001 b, the range being 25s to 29s per 1001 b. Fat pigs were in moderate supply, and they met with a keen. demand, and prices if anything were firmer. Choppers made 50s to 89s. Heavy baconers brought 60s to 70s, lighter sorts 50s to 58s (equal to s|d to 6d per lb).