On the Land

New Zealand Tablet, 18 September 1913, Page 59

On the Land

' . / GENERAL. ..-,_.,', : - / .< During the month of July 788 farmers visited the Ruakura Farm of Instruction, 90 farmers visited the Mouhahaki Experimental Farm, and 70 farmers visited the Waerenga Experimental Farm.: . \ - Co-operative field experiments were conducted on 586 farms in the Dominion last season, while 440 farmers, provided with free seed, lime, and inoculated soil, tested lucerne on their holdings. / According to the Kansas wheat-growers, the idea that large kernels of wheat germinate better than, small ones is a mistake. The germinating power is, rather, dependent on the density of the kernels. A Wellington business man who returned from a visit north told an Evening Post reporter that on all sides he had seen evidence of lambing season in the Wanganui, Manawatu, and Rangitikei districts. Farmers had informed him that the mortality rate among the lambs was exceptionally low. In connection with the average yield of cows in Victoria, the following figures have been collected: Average yield of cows in 1907: Victoria, 256 gallons; New South Wales, 257 gallons. In 1908-9: Victoria, 243 gallons; New South Wales, 257 gallons. 191112: Victoria, 340 gallons; New South Wales, 277 gallons. It is significant to notice that in 1908-9, in districts under supervision, the yield was 384 gallons, against 221 gallons in districts not under supervision; and in 1911-12 475 gallons against 302 gallons. There were fair yardings of fat cattle and pigs at Burnside last week, but the supply of fat sheep was in excess of butchers' requirements, consequently there was a drop of from Is to Is 6d per head in prices. There was a yarding of 161 head of fat cattle, made . up principally of medium to prime steers and heifers, with an odd pen of heavyweights. Prices. at the commencement of the sale were 10s a head dearer, but as the sale proceeded prices receded to previous week's rates. Quotations: Extra prime bullocks, to £l7; prime bullocks, £l3 10s to £ls; good do, £ll to £l2 10s; light and unfinished, £9 to £lO 10s; extra prime heifers, to £l2 2s 6d; prime heifers, £9 10s to £lO 10s; good heifers, £8 to £9 ss. The fat sheep forward totalled 3358. Of this number the bulk was prime wethers and ewes, a larger proportion of the yarding than usual being composed of ewes. Best wethers, to 32s ; 9d; prime do, 28s to 30s; good do, 24s to 265; light, 20s to 225; best ewes, to 31s; prime do, 23s to 255; good do, 20s to 225. Messrs. Stronach, Morris, . and Co., Ltd., sold 3 lambs—the first of the season—--1 at 22s 6d and 2. at 19s 6d. Pigs: Sixty-seven fats and 124 stores were yarded. Prices were easier than those ruling the previous week. At Addington last week there were average entries of stock and a good attendance. There was no change in the values of fat cattle. Store sheep were offered < in smaller numbers, and the only change in prices was that ewe, hoggets were firmer. A few new season's fat lambs sold well, and fat sheep opened firmly, but the market eased somewhat later on. Fat pigs sold freely at an advance in prices. There were 26 new season's fat lambs entered of nice quality and well grown They sold well, the best making 25s to 28s, and lighter 19s to 22s 6d. The entry of fat sheep was somewhat larger than for the previous two weeks. The market x opened very firmly, but eased off somewhat later on. / There were a number of lots of unfinished wethers that .*■ were not even forward enough for graziers, and these were dull of sale. The range of prices was: Prime wethers, 23s 6d to 295; lighter, 21s to 235; prime ewes, 20s 6d to 27s 6d; others, 17s lid to 20s; hoggets, 18s 6d to 20s; merino wethers, 18s to 225; merino ewes, 18s3d. Beef cattle were represented by a yarding aggregating 267 head. The range of prices was?

Steers, £7 lis to '£ll*2B. 6d; extra, to £l6 /12s/6d-J heifers, £6 7s 6d to £9 .ss; extra, to £l2 ss; cows, £5 15s to £9; extra, to £l2 15s. There was a medium entry of fat pigs. . The prices realised were: Choppers, £3 10s to £6 10s; large baconers, £3 12s 6d to £4'4s; lighter, £2 15s to £3 10s, /equal to 6d to 6|d per lb. Large porkers, £2 18s to £3 12s; lighter, to £2 6s, '■': equal to 6d£ to 7d per lb.. Store pigs realised £1 18s to £2 2s; medium, £1 8s to £1 17s;"and small sorts, £1 2s to £1 7s. ~. " " _ DAIRYING PROSPECTS." * _/_ As far as can be seen everything points to another profitable season for dairy-farmers in New Zealand (says the Dominion). In the principal dairying districts the weather during the past few months has been extremely favorable, and consequently the -j growth of grass is further advanced and of better quality to-day than it was at this time last year. The continued spell of dry weather experienced in the north during the fall of the year left the pastures very bare for winter grazing. The mild weather which has prevailed since has led to a wonderful recovery and has permitted the stock to come through in better condition than was anticipated. In parts of the South Island the winter has been unusually wet and severe on dairy cows, and as a result the districts affected are a little backward. The majority of dairy cattle have come through the winter in much better condition than usual. With regard to markets the prospects for cheese are exceptionally bright. The majority of the dairy companies have already made arrangements for the disposal of their season's output at prices which wilt enable them to pay up to Is 2d per lb for butter-fat. It is estimated that the production of cheese will be somewhat higher than the figures of the previous season, but of course that will depend to a large extent on the weather conditions, and the measures adopted by stockowners to provide supplementary fodder so that the milk flow may be sustained during the whole period of lactation. In the butter-producing districts, practically the whole of the factories are now in active operation. So far most of the output is going into the local market, with the exception of special shipments which are being reserved for the Vancouver trades. Very few outright sales for the season's output have been recorded, though negotiations- are now being carried on. At present the ideas of values between buyer and seller are hot exactly reconciled. It seems certain, however, that good average prices will be received when the final adjustments are made. English reports on the butter market indicate that the best brands of. New Zealand butter will be sought after this season, and that good prices will be forthcoming for lines of approved quality. Just at present the Home market is fully supplied with Siberian butter, more in fact, than can be utilised, and fairly large quantities are said to be going into cool store. It is estimated that the total local .production of butter will be equal at least to that of the 1912-13 period, notwithstanding the fact that a considerable quantity of the milk from districts which made butter last year, will be diverted to cheesemaking during the coming season. The extension of dairying in the Auckland province will largely account for the output of butter being maintained.