Papers Past | Newspapers | Manawatu Standard | 10 March 1928 (2025)

FARMING AND COMMERCIAL

BY “PLOUGHSHARE.”

CARE OF PASTURES. BENEFITS OF TOP-DRESSING. Amonprst the most important farm operations during the next few months will bo those connected with the renovations and top-dresstog of pastures. There is no longer any doubt regarding the wisdom of treating grass land with fertiliser in order to promote growth of herbage for all classes of stock. Reliable evidence has been forthcoming, particularly during the last few years, that all classes of land show a ready response to fertiliser and it is now not a question as to whether top-dressing pays, but rather to find out the manure that will give the most profitable returns on various classes of land. Formerly, when pastures showed signs of running out, it was the usual practice to plough and re-sow the area and the farm rotation on sheep and grain growing country was made to fit in with a certain area of new pasture being put in every year. Nowadays very little grain is grown in this locality and for other reasons most farmers are adverse to breaking up lea land other than what is required for the cultivation of rape and other fodder crops for sheeep and lamb fattenjiing or to provide a small area for roots and green feed for dairy cows. Local experiments have proved that apparently worn out pastures can be brought back by systematic top-dressing by an expenditure on manuro that is quite justified by results. For a great many years the extraordinary- richness of the heavy land enabled plant life to draw upon the natural resources, but there are now unmistakable signs that even the best land- requires artificial assistance in order to maintain its full usefulness. For a long time a proportion of tho natural constituents of the sod have been carried off tho farm in the form of dairy or stock products. To maintain efficiency and to restore the depleted reserves of plant food in the pastures under his care is a responsibility with which every far-seeing farmer is closely concerned. In addition to stimulating the growth of useful grasses in "place of weeds it has been found that where top-dressing has been done the grasses come away several weeks earlier in the spring by comparison with untreated areas. It has also been shown that during the present dry- summer tile milk yield of cows was maintained better on the pastures where fertilisers had been freely used. There is another aspect connected with top-dressing which is of great importance and may be briefly referred to. It is now. generally recognised that many of the ailmonts from which sheep and cattle ofton suffer are caused by- foul pastures that arc lacking in some of the constituents required by the animal for the formation cf:bone and tissue or to provide for its natural bodily needs. CHAIN HARROWING.

On open country where it is possible to Use /the tripod or chain harrows these implements are found very effective in cleaning up pastures and to let the air in to the roots of the grass, besides distributing the animal droppings that have accumulated during the year. Some of the newer makes of chain harrows now on the market are provided with special parts which drag all dead rubbish away from the plants and make a very effective job which greatly assists any manures applied afterwards to give the fullest returns. Either as a separate operation or in conjunction with top-dressing the use of the chain harrows cannot bo too strongly recommended. HILL COUNTRY. On hill country tho months of March till May are considered the best time to got the work of top-uressing put through as it enables the manures to bo carted out before the wot weather makes roads and tracks difficult of transit.

In a recent note dealing with top-dress-ing of hill country, Mr J. W. Deem, fields supervisor ot the Department of Agriculture, makes the folloyvmg comment: “Fertilisers may bo put on at any time, the wettest period of the year being the most unsuitable. Once tho manuro has come in contact with the ground there is very little danger of it being washed away unless tho soil and“~altr goes, but there is no doubt that heavy deluges of rain immediately after sowing must wash, considerable quantities . away, particularly on steep land. Considerable experimental and investigation work lias been done with different fertilisers on this typo of country during tho last few years, and,.while phosphatic manures give fine results, the following are recommended as likely to give the most economical returns in tho order mentioned.

“Where the country is difficult to topdress and a mixture that- will last a few years is desired an application of 3 cwt per acre or more ot half super, half Nauru, or basic super or super is recommended. If the country is easy and it is desired to make lighter and more frequent dressings the order is reversed to some extent, the following being advised: Super, half super half Nauru, or basic super. In top dressing hill country a good general growth during the whole of the growing season should be aimed at rather than a big flush of grass in the spring with comparatively less growth in the autumn. Excessive growths of grass in the spring can be successfully handled on a dairy farm, but on the average sheep farm they are rather troublesome. Basic slag will give excellent results on most of the hill country but it being difficult to distribute by hand is avoided by many for this reason. Those who are prepared to put it on may do so . with every confidence.

“The use of potash in conjunction with phosphates is agitating the minds of many farmers. This fertiliser might bo useful on some of the light soils, particularly near the coast, but so far we have no definite information that its use is an economic success on the average land, and until this can bo determined farmers are strongly advised to confine the Uuik of their expenditure to phosphatic manures.”

On flat country ea«y of access top-dress-ing may be done at any time now, or if preferred some of the paddocks may be left, for treatment until early spring. It is often found that on heavy quick responsive land early autumn top-dressing over the greater part of the farm encourages tto growth of rather more pasture than can be successfully dealt with and it has been found advisable to defer sowing one • r more fields until the spring when a quick growth is secured that will carry i.tock on during the full growing period without becoming overgrown and rank. Undoubtedly the host knowledge is that gained by the farmer on his own holding where observation will soon determine what manure will give the best all round returns. Scattered throughout the district the Department of Agriculture has, during the last three years, established a number of manurial experimental plots on different classes of sqil, the results of which are now far enough advanced to provide a reliable guide as to the action o different fertilisers in the various localities. It might be advisable for tiiose without experience, who contemplate topdreesing this season, to visit the experiments and note results before purchasing their fertilisers.

USE OF MANURES. The farmers are taking more interest in the qualities of manures now than they have ever done before. Where formerly a man did not trouble much about analysis, -he now requires to know what he is paying for with the idea of getting full value for the money expended. Observant farmers now realise more than ever before that the only chance of making a profit is to produco crops as economically as possible, and that to do this it is essential to use the right manure at the light time. Too often the use of manures is looked upon as a means of procuring a largo yield of one particular crop to which the dressing is applied. Correct manuring means maintaining that coiiditho continual production of crops and tion of soil fertility most suitable for health in the farm live-stock. AUTUMN CATCH CROPS. | The heavy rain which has fallen during the week has brought great relief to all, especially in farming circles. Following the preceding light showers, the heavy downpour will ensure the safety of late sown crops and give pastures a good start lo- . autumn growth. Although too late to save dairymen from a had mid-season yield, its

effect should now prevent a further falling off in the milk supply. Unfortunately, the exceptionally dry period compelled many dairymen to encroach upon their reserves of winter feed in the hope that rain would como soon 1 enough to prevent cows going dry altogether. Unless immediate steps are taken to provide some additional reserves of food to take tho placo of that which have been used during the drought period there will bo a shortage during the winter. Fortunately where mangels liavo been properly looked after this crop has not been so adversely affected, and fair average crops w-ili be' harvested. No time should bo lost before ploughing land that was in turnip or stubble crops and getting in somo quick growing fodder plant for spring use. Among the cereals usually recommended for this purposo are black skinless barley, Algerian outs or Cape barley, all of which come away quickly and in tho case of sheep will stand several feedings before being ploughed over in tho spring. The skinless barley is an exceptionally quick grower and if feed is wanted urgently this cereal might be given preference. As a rule cows are not very fond of barley or green oats in tho spring unless they are supplied with a good hay to balance the ration. The feeding value of any of the cereal crops mentioned, particularly Alegrian oats, would be greatly improved by the addition of a bushel of tares per acre at the time of sowing. Under ordinary conditions oats and tares sown in the autumn are well advanced for early spring usp and if not required then may be made into hay in time to get the ground ready for sowing down again before the end of the year. As a temporary or emergency standby for all classes of stock the claims of Italian rye cannot be overlooked. This quick growing leafy grass is widely favoured in preference to a cereal for spring feeding and will keep on growing until the ground is wanted for roots or other crops. Whatever it is decided to sow, the main objective is to get the seed in as soon as possible and to add a good supply of quick-acting manure to give the crop a good start before winter. A safe precaution that would give good returns would be to top-dress a paddock or two with 2cwt. superphosphate at once. This in most instances will greatly increase late autumn feed and promote food growth early in the spring when it is most needed.

BRITISH BACON PRODUCTION

HOME SUPPLIES. In view of the interest that has been shown recently in the development of the bacon industry in the Dominion and the possibilities for developing a largo export trade with Great Britain, a review of some of the correspondence in an English farming journal may not be without interest. It seems to indicate that the English farmer is also faced with the problem of producing his pigs at a price that will show a satisfactory margin of profit year after year. The British Ministry of Agriculture has been urging home growers to breed more pigs so that the whole or a large proportion of the £20,000,000 spent on imported bacon and hams will be kept in tho country. The circular goes on to state that “English ham and bacon is the finest in tho world when carefully fed on grain, potatoes, and milk products. The keeping qualities of the resulting meat are such that the hams can be matured after curing slowly and naturally eo attaining that wonderful mellow flavour for which that English product is famous.” It is pointed out that there is not enough English bacon to go round arid merchants have to ,play into Hie hands of the foreigner to procure supplies which are mild cured and inferior to the home grown product. This money, it is urged, could be kept in the country if only tlijc British farmer could be induced to produce enough pigs to meet the home demand.

A large breeder of pigs replies from the farmers' point of view as follows: “We, who are producing; pigs, know full well the extent of the market which this country provides, and tho fact tiiat we buy £20,000,000 worth of foreign bacon a year has not. been lost sight of by farmers. The simple fact remains, however, that whenever the pig population of this country exceeds the average, down goes the price of pigs to a figure which is often below - the cost of production.” In a leaflet 1 issued last year by one of the largest bacon-curing firms which was de? signed to encourage increased production of pigs, the cost of production of a bacon pig was set out. It was shown that 20s a score would show a profit of £l 15s on a 9 store pig, at 19s a score tho profit would be £1 6s, at 16s a score the profit would he nil.

“A great many farmers were influenced bv this propaganda, with the result that .60,000 more pigs were bred, and what happened? In October last the price for best quality sizeable bacon pigs was 12s a score and by November had dropped to 10s a score, at the former figure showing a dead loss to the farmer of £1 16s on every pig produced and £2 14s at the latter.

The letter concludes by saying: “And farmers must breed better pigs and more ot them. Is it to enrich the pockets of the bacon curers, or to provide cheap food for people who are better paid than are farm workers, or is it just a plan to expedite the ruin of farmers?” It is a part of the twenty millions that the English consumer pays for imported bacon and hams that the Now Zealand exporter is after. As an outlet for surplus pigs over local requirements the English market will doubtless prove useful, especially in view of the high tariff barrier that is to be imposed by the Commonwealth against New Zealand pigs. Any estimates based on a higher price for export than about five penco per pound do not appear to be well founded. In the light of present conditions it would be well for producers to exercise caution before increasing the pig population of this country with, a view to building up a large export trade, until the possibilities of outside markets have been thoroughly tested over a number of years. The praiseworthy efforts that arc now being made by co-operative pig marketing concerns in various parts of the North Island are doing good service and should be supported by farmers in every district.

TOBACCO CULTURE. GROWING INDUSTRY IN N.Z. WELLINGTON, March 7. When the Nelson tobacco 'growers commenced raising tobacco for export last year they founded an industry which shows every indication of becoming one of the most popular in the Dominion. The Nelson growers entered last season with about 300 acres sown with tobacco, which was subsequently sold under contract to W. D. and H. 0. Wills. This year the area sown has just doubled and the same firm is prepared to take over ail the. leaf raised at fixed prices, provided that the cured leaf is up to the standard imposed by the Government grader. Wjiat is more striking, however, is the fact that tobacco planting has begun in other parts of New Zealand. A group of farmers at . Tauranga have succeeded in inducing the I Department of Horticulture to dispatch its i instructor, Mr C. E. Lowe, to the district for one week. While in Tauranga Mr Lowe will advise the growers not only on the question of raising and handling tobacco, but will report on the suitability of the district for tobacco raising and to what extent there exists any desire to enter this industry. It is expected that Tauranga will lend itself to such crops, as the climate is fine and dry and there should be found the right kind of soil for tobacco planting—ground which is t ot too rich. In rich soil the leaf become rank and strong. Another important indication is given by the fact that the Gallaway Experimental Farm, near Alexandra, Central Otago, has raised a tobacco crop, specimens of which are now being sent to Wellington for examination. While the crop was put down solely as a venture, it has proved very successful, and it is expected that a leaf of good flavour will he obtained. Enquiries as lo tobacco raising are pouring in to the Department of Horticulture and it is considered highly probable that before long there will be planting in most fruit-growing districts. The Minister of Agriculture (Hon. Mr Ilawken) stated recently that he looked to this industry as likely to provide a use for the poorer soil on the farms and this expectation seems in a fair way to be fulfil leu. ;

FEILDiNG STOCK SALE. STORE PRICES EASIER. RISE ON FAT MARKET. (Special to “Standard.”) FEILDING, March 10. For the third week in succession the ■Feilding' stock yards contained a penning of 20,000 sheep or over yesterday and, despito a large attendance of buyers, prices were easier, throughout the whole sale proceedings being dull. The quality of tho sheep on the whole was inferior when compared with late yardings and this fact perhaps accounted for so many passings. Two-tooth ewes in particular did not seem to be required, although one small pen of early shorn Romneys brought 56s 10d. Sound mouthed breeding ewes of mixed ages but of good build and condition provided the best sales and somo lines of well forward lambs also sold well. Fat sheep realised higher values than of late and fat cattle were also in demand. Store xmiterial found a good market, weaner Jersey heffers of pood quality making up to £?. 15s which however, was not the highest pr’Ce pa.d since the 'aef cattlo fair. Detailed prices over tho whole yarding were as follow:

Fat Sheep.—Lambs: 20s 6d, 21s 3d, 22s 7d, 23s 9d, 27s 7d, 29s 6d ; ' ewes, 15s 9d, 16s 3d, 17s, 17s 9d, 18s 3d, 19s 5d to 20s; wethers, 22s 9d, 25s 10d,'265, to 26s 6d ; 2-th maiden ewes, 29s 6d ; 2th S.D. ewes, 255.

Store Sheep.—Good 2-th Romney ewes : 36s lOd; others, 22s 9d, 23s 4d, 24s 6d, 31s 2d, 32s 3d; 2-th ewes in lamb to S.D. rams, 32s 6d ; 4 and 5-year ewes, 18s 9d, 19s Id, 19s sd, 20s Id, 20s Bd, 21s 3d, 21s 6d, 22s 2d, to 235; 4-yr ewes, 22s 3d, 23s Id; 5-yr owes, 12s Id, 15s 4d, 17s 7d, 18s 3d, 23s 4d ; 4 and 6-th ewes, 20s Bd, 22s 6d, 235, 25s 7d; inferior 4 and 5-yr. owes, 16s, 18s 8d ; fresh full-mouthed ewes, 14s lOd, 15s 9d to 18s; sound-mouthed m.a. ewes, 16s, 19s, 21s 9d; 4th owes, 17s 2d; cull ewes, 8s 6d, 9s 6d, 10s 3d, 10s 6d, 11s 6d; 2-th wethers, 20s 6d, 245; good shorn b.f. rape lambs, 18s 18s Id, to 19s: medium ditto, 12s 4d, 13s Id, 13s sd, 14s lOd; w.f. wether lambs, 11s 9d, 12s Id to 14s 9d; ewe lambs, 16s Bd.

Dairy Cattle. —Jersey heifers, r.w.b. : £3 7s 6d, " £4 10s, £4 12s 6d, £7 5s to £8; cows, winter calvers, £6, £7 15s, £8 to £8 ss; cows in milk, £4 12s 6d. Store Cattle. —Forward cows : £2 7s 6d, £3 6s, £3 10s, £3 12s 6d to £4 10s; cows with calves, £4 10s; weaner Jersey, hfrs, £2, £2 7s 6d, £2 Us, £3 Bs, £3 13s, £3 13s, £3 15s; weaner steers, £2 9s; 18mos. hfrs, £3 7s 6d ; young cows, £4 10s; 3-yr steers, £8 Bs. Fat Cattle. —Cows: £5, £5 56, £6, £6 ss, £6 7s 6d, £6 10s, £6 15s, £7, £7 12s 6d, £7 15s to £8; heifers, £4 2s 6d, £4 13s 6d, £4 16s, £5, £5 12s 6d, £6 15s to £7; bullocks, £9, £9 2s 6d.

AUCTIONEERS’ REPORTS.

Dalgety and Co. Ltd., Palmerston North, report having a very large yarding of sheep and a moderate entry of cattle. There was a good demand for sound breeding ewes, but low condition and medium sorts hardly realised late values. There was ready competition for 2-th ewes and a brisk demand for Southdown rams. Quotations: Eat lambs 22s 7d to 27s 7d; fat ewes, light 16s 3d, 17s to 17s 4d; fat ewes 18s 3d, 18s 5d to 18s 6d ; fat wethers 265, 26s 6d ; fat and fwd. ewes 15s 9d; forward ewes 14s lOd; empty store ewes Bs, 9s 10s to Us 6d; inferior 5 yr. ewes 16s 8d to 17s, 5 yr. ewes 19s to £1; 4 and 5 yr. ewes 20s Bd, 22s 2d, 23s 3d; 4 and 6-th ewes 25s 7d; small 2-th ewes 23s lOd; 2-th ewes 31s 2d, 32s 3d, 32s sd, 36s lOd; small b.f. lambs 10s 9d; medium b.f. lambs 13s Id to 13s sd; w.f, wether lambs 11s 9d; ewe lambs 16s 8d to 18s lOd; 2-th S.D. rams 8, 9 to Hi gns; fat cows £6, £7, £B. WEEKLY WESTFIELD SALE. BEEF AND MUTTON FIRM. HIGHER PRICES FOR PIGS. AUCKLAND, March 3. Prices were well maintained at the Westfield fat stock sale yesterday. Competition for beef was again keen and prices were on a. par with last week’s rates.'* An average- yarding of sheep met with a brisk demand and last week’s rise in values was easily sustained. A line of extra heavy prime wethers sold up to 33s 9d and averaged 32 9d.

Competition was steady throughout for lambs. Values were about equal to late rates although the market showed an easing tendency.

Calves were penned in average numbers and values showed little variation from last week.

A smaller yarding of pigs sold _ under brisk competition. Heavy well-finished baconers and porkers improved in values while lighter sorts sold at late quotations. The following table shows the prices realised this week, compared with last week: —

BEEF (per 1001 b.) This Week Last Week Extra choice ox . 34/ 34/

CANTERBURY MARKETS

Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH. March 9.

The main interest of the week has been centred around the oats market. The cause is inquiry from the Old Country and to a smaller extent the operations of local forward sellers to cover impending shipments. In regard to the Home inquiry it is not known yet whether any actual business has been done, but the prospects have hardened the value of A Gartons, the grade wanted, by 2d a bushel within a few days. Quotations are 3s 7d to 33 Bd, f.0.b., 5.1., for March-April, or equal to 3s to 3s Id on trucks. Growers locally are not offering oats very freely, mills for the most part concentrating on the tiirashing of wheat. However, the disinclination to sell wheat at _ the current price, and the hardening in oats may cause a change in policy. Peas have sagged during the past few days. Very heavy quantities were sold forward to England some time ago at as high as 76s and 77s a quarter (eight and a third bushels), and the price to-day is 68s 6d, approximately a drop of a shilling a bushel. Home buyers have sold back at 6s 6d. March is being quoted at 6s Bd. There are no buyers, however, at 6s 6d for April-May. Prices on trucks for these months are 5e 9d a bushel. The reasons advanced for the slipping in price are the carry-over in England and the heavy crop in Tasmania. There has been a cessation of offers of what, due to most growers preferring to stock or to stack until the market steadies up and also lo the rain interrupting thrashing. Barley is very “sick” and purchases have been made at 3s 10c! on trucks. There is quite a brisk business in seeds, which are going out freely in small lots.

Machine-dressed new' season’s cocksfoot has been selling at 12i<J a lb, but a 12d quotation was current to-day. Values at the bays range up to Bd. Perennial ryegrass is in good request at 5s 3d, f.0.b., 5.1., and Italian is also being bought. It is on the early side for much clover seed to bo offered. Cowgrass and white are worth Btl to 9d on trucks. A steady run of inquiries from botli Auckland and Wellington is keeping the potato market firm, particularly for “prompts." Later months have also improved. A few lots have been bought for immediate delivery, at £6 17s 6d, f.0.b., 5.1., but March figures are £6 10s or £5 ss'on trucks. April ip quoted at £5 10s or £4, and July-September at £6, t.0.b., 5.1., from March 1 to date 200 tons have been sent north. Onions are unchanged, but the demand has slackened.

BUTTER AND CHEESE. LONDON BUYERS’ REPORT. The New Zealand agents for Messrs W. Weddcl and Coy., London, report as follows : Tho following a.re the top London

Tho past month has been full of interest to our dairy farmers. Unfortunately, many havo suffered from the effects of the dry weather, but, whilst the fall in production has been severe and is to lx> regretted, the ill-effects have been greatly lessened by the buoyant state of the London market which quickly responded to tho fall in production. As shown above, prices havo advanced 10s per cwt in butter and 4s per cwt in cheese, since our last report of the 15th February and, moreover, “market firm is the latest report to hand. This movement has been brought about solely by tho statistical position, the estimated quantities of all makes in store in the Unitea Kingdom being only 5841 tons of butter and 3675 tons* of Australian and New Zealand cheese, whilst shipments are already showing signs of falling off, consequent upon the reduction in gradings. Forward buyers of butter and choose have again been very active and it appears as though many of the larger multiple shops have decided to cover their future requirements. Sale of finest butter commenced at Is and roso to Is at which figure some fairly heavy sales have been made, and even Is 5d Is reported for local trade. More activity, however, has been experienced in cheese, sales opening for January to the end of season’s make at 83d, rising at short intervals to 9d per lb, at which price sales have been efleeted, but as there are larye sellers at this figure, it is doubtful if there will bo sufficient forward buyers to absorb the quantity now offering. On the Ist June next it is expected that the duty on butter imported into Australia will bo increased by 6d per lb. and this will certainly curtail, if not altogether prevent, further sales for that destination. It remains to be seen ■whether buyers will cover requirements from New Zealand for export prior to June Ist. On the other hand, Australia lias had good rains and responds very quickly so that it is probable that their late season production may be fully sufficient to cover their local requirements. GRADING RETURNS.

Turning to the grading figures given below, we find that our butter production for February has fallen by 3400 tons as against January of this year and is lower than February, 1927, by 1100 tons, equal to a 12 per cent. fall. The total gradings for seten months ending February 29th still show an excess over the same period last year of 4950 tons. In stocks stored in New Zealand, however, there is a drop of over 54 per cent, being now 6371 tons a*> against 13,800 at the end of February, 1927. Certainly, last year there was a tendency to hold back later shipments on the part of some factories. The cheese gradings for the month show a decline of nearly 7 per cent as compared with February, 1927, whilst the quantity stored in New Zealand is lower by 32 per cent.

Dalgety and Co., Ltd., report having eceived the following cablegram from their London house under date of llie Bth. instant: —Butter: Market quiet during this week but now more doing. We quote Danish 198 s to 200 s (200 sto 2025), New Zealand finest salted 171 s to 174 s (170 s to Australian finest unsalted 164 s to 168 s (162 s to 1665), salted 164 s to 168 s (162 s to 1665), Australian G.A.Q. 156 s to 160 s (154 s 1565). Cheese: Market firm. We quote New Zealand cheese white and coloured 97s to 98s (96s to 975), spot price for Canadian white 100 s to 104 s (100 s to 106 s), coloured 102 s to 105 s (100 s to 102 s). Last week’s quotations are shown in parentheses. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., have received the following cablegram from their London house under date 7th inst:—-Dairy Produce.— Butter, New Zealand £8 12s to £8 14s; cheese, £4 17s to £4 18s; market firm.

PRICE OF BUTTER. RISE IN SYDNEY. SYDNEY, March 9. The wholesale price of butter lias been increased by jd to Is 6jd per lb.—Press Association. CHEESE CONTAINERS. REDUCING THE SHRINKAGE. Per Press Association. HAWERA, March 9. Hon. O. J. Hawken was present when a hundred representatives of dairy factories assembled to-day for the opening of a plant for the manfuaeture of vacuum cheese containers, and the opening of a number of containers in which cheese was packed several months ago under the supervision of Mr P. O. Veale, scientist, of the Hawera dairy laboratory.

Twelve containers were opened containing cheese, some put there at two days after manufacture, and the rest at fourteen days. In contrast were a number of cheese crated in the ordinary way. The object was t.O ascertain the amount of shrinkage in the different methods of handling. Mr Veale found, after careful weighing, that the shrinkage under the vacuum was very small, ljlb. for four white unpasteurised cheese and jib. for four coloured pasteurised cheese. In contrast, the shrinkage in the crated cheese was 2221 b. and 211 b. respectively. These were all cheese taken into the container at two days from manufacture. With the cheese taken at fourteen days the shrinkage was a little more.

At the same time a container was opened which had been sealed for fourteen months, and the shrinkage was found to be only lib.

Mr T. A. Winks, president of the Taranaki Dairy Federation, said that the saving could he estimated when it tvas realised that an average for the first fourteen days was 1 per cent., and from that timo to arrival on the London market 2j per cent.

FROZEN MEAT. Dalgety and Co., Ltd., report having received the following cablegram from their London house under date of tho Bth instant: —Lamb: New Zealand prime Canterbury lamb 28/36 9ad, North Island 9jjd, Canterbury 36/42 9|d, North Island 9R), Canterbury second quality 9d, North Island second quality Sjd, Canterbury 42/ 50 9ad. Market easier, beter demand. Mutton : New Zealand prime Canterbury mutton , 48/56 7Jd, North Island 7d, Canterbury 56/64 7d, North Island 6jd, Canterbury 64/72 Sjjd, North Island s|d. Market unchanged, demand fair. Beef. Argentine chilled hinds 6jd, fores 4jd. Pork : English porkers 80/100 lOd, New Zealand porkers 80/100 6Jd, New Zealand porkers 100/120 6jd. MELBOURNE HIDES SALE. MELBOURNE, March 8. Hides, excepting stouts, are id to |d lower. —Press Association. BRADFORD WOOL MARKET. LONDON, March 9. The Bradford wool market is firm. There is more inquiry than actual business. —A. and N.Z. cable. TALLOW MARKET. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., have received the following cablegram from their London house under dat-o 7th inst: “Tallow, fine mutton, 37s 9d per cwt, good beef 38s 6d per cwt., mixed 37s per cwt. Market active.”

WELLINGTON STOCK EXCHANGE. YESTERDAY’S BUSINESS AND PRICES. Markets were gain firm on the Wellington Stock Exchange yesterday, and a fair volume of business was reported. In the stock and bond, sections there was a firming in quotations for Government issues. The chief activity was in the banking section. Bank of Australasia cum. dividend wero a shade firmer, sellers asking £ls 2s 6d. Bank of New Zealand sold on ’change at £2 19s 3d, with further buyers offering £2 19s Id, and sellers staying at tho former figure. Sales of National Bank of New Zealand wero reported at £6 18s 6d, with further buyers offering at £6 18s. The sale was also reported of Union Bank of Australia at £l4 13s, with further sellers asking £l4 14s 3d. Sellers quoted National Bank of Australasia (£5) at £8 18s 6d. Bank of New South Wales showed a slight firming on Thursday’s quote, buyers offering £47 7s 6d. Among the miscellaneous section the sale was reported of Electrolytic Zinc preference at £1 11s 9d, the market firming to £1 12s 6d, with buyers staying at £1 11s 6d. Whereas Wellington Woollen Company stock was reported sold at £6 2s on Thursday, a parcel was reported sold yesterday at £6 Is 9d, sellers’ quotations firming at the close of £6 2s 6d, with further buyers offering £6. The prices at the close of the day were as follow: —

THE RUBBER INDUSTRY. INCREASED USE OF “RECLAIM.” The world's production of crude rubber last year was about 598,000 tons, a reduction of 20,000 tons as compared with 1926, while consumption of crude rubber rose by over 30,000 tons to 578,000 tons.

Malayan and Ceylon exports accounted for only 50 per cent, or less of the total, (he net Malayan shipments falling by some 50,000 tons to 238,000 tons —a decline of 18 per cent.: the Ceylon shipments were only about 2000 tons (less than 4 per cent) lower at 57,000 tons. Those reductions were once more offset by increased shipments from other countries, while they were completely nullified by this and the extended use of reclaimed rubber; one estimate places American absorption of “reclaim” last year at 190,000 tons, against 164,000 tons in 1926 and 90,000 tons in 1925.

OWNER PROTESTS. DISQUALIFICATION OF COW AT ROYAL SHOW. CHRISTCHURCH, March 8. Disqualification of Mr J. A. Johnstone’s cow, Bushey Park Tea Rose, which was reserve champion in tho Shorthorn class at tho Royal Show, was referred to at a meeting of the general committee of tho Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association.

Mr Johnstone wrote stating that the rules were made in order to prevent any dishonest practice, but as there was no suggestion of such in the present case, the action of the cattle committee in disqualifying tho animal on a more technical detail, which was admitted by the writer, was unfair. Tho cow. since sho was a yearling heifer had been every year at tho Canterbury Show, and in making tho entry Mr Johnstone’s manager had always dcscirbed tho animal as bred by tho writer. It was well-known to every Shorthorn breeder in New Zealand that the writer was not the mating breeder, but his manager and he, in common with many other breeders, .were of opinion that tho place of birth constituted the owner of the dam at that time'as the breeder of his calf. It was, the writer concluded, quite anti-British and unsportmanlike to take advantage of a mere triviality. “The matter was thoroughly threshed out by the committee,” said Mr H. S. S. Kyle, M.P., in moving that tho letter bo received. “Wo don’t want any acrimonious correspondence.” The cow was advertised all over New Zealand as tho champion cow, and Mr Johnstone received the credit for being tho breeder, remarked another member.

PRICES OF METALS. LONDON, March 8. Copper.—On spot, £6l 3s li-d per ton; forward delivery, £6l Is lOjd; wire bars, £66 15s; electrolytic, £66 10s and £66 15s. Lead, £2O 10s and £lO 10s. Spelter. £25 5s and £25 2s 6d. Tin, £230 7s 6d and £232 12s 6d. Silver. —Standard, 26 3-16 d per ounce ; fine, 23id. —A. and N.Z. cable. MELBOURNE PRODUCE PRICES. Received March 9, 10.15 a.m. MELBOURNE, March 9. Wheat is steady at os 6d ; flour £l2 7s Gd to £l2 12s 6d; bran £G 15s; pollard £7 10,s; oats, milling, 4s to 4s 2d ; feed, 3s Gd to 3s 9d ; barley, English, 5s to 5s 3d, Cape 4s 5d to 4s 6d ; potatoes £4 to £4 ss; onions, £7 10s. —Press Association.

WELLINGTON PRODUCE MARKET. (By Telegraph.—Special to “Standard.”) . WELLINGTON, March 9. There is a fair demand on the Wellington produce market for fowl wheat, the price of which seems to have steadied at 7s a bushel. Maize is 6s 6d to 6s lOd. Wairarapa chaff is being offered and the market is slow at £7 10s a ton. Oats, B grade, are 4s 2d to 4s 4d; A grade are 3d dearer. Onions, Canterbury, are unchanged at 11s to 13s a ewt. Southern potatoes are mostly supplying the market, quotations being 9s to 9s 6d a cwt. ' PAPER PULP. BRIGHT PROSPECTS IN TASMANIA. Mr W. L. Baillicu, of the Electrolytio Zinc Co., is particularly hopeful with regard to the proposed paper-pulp industry at Gecveslon, Ihion. Experiments were proceeding, ho said, and the future was so bright that it. was estimated there would be an expenditure of £2,000,000 to £3,000.000. The Zinc Co. had spent more than £4,000,000 in bringing its plant to its present efficiency, and further large developments were in sight. The company was destined to play a big part in nitrogen fixation.

POULTRY AND EGGS. PRICES IN WELLINGTON. (Bv Telegraph.—Special to Standard). WELLINGTON, March 9. Though there has been a good demand for eggs, tho supply is falling off and prices have advanced substantially. Hen eggs, 2s 2d to 2s 5d per dozen; second grade, Is 8d; pullet eggs, Is 7d ; duck eggs, 2s 2d to 2s od. Boiling fowls, light 4s 6d per pair; heavies 5s Gd to Gs per pair; ducks, 10s to 11s per pair; cockerels, Is Id per lb.

Choice and prime OX 31/ to 33/ 30/ to 33/ Choice and prime cow nnd heifer ... 25/ io 28/ 25/ to 28/ SHEEP (per head)Prime wethers 25/ to 33/9 25/ to 32/6 Unfin. wethers . 2.1/to 26/6 19/ to 24/ Prime ewes 20/ to 28/ 20/ to 29/6 Unfin. ewes 10/ to 20/ 11/ to 18/ Prime lambs 19/ to 28/ 19/ to 32/6 CALVES (per head) — Runners 60/ to 111/ 70/ to 102/ Vealcrs 32/ to 86/ 30/ to 85/ PICS (per head)— Baconers 53/ to 93/ 55/ to 87/ Porkers 30/ to 63/ 30/ to 53/ Weaners 5/ to 10/ 5/ to 9/ Slips 10/ to 26/ 9/ to 12/ Large stores 27/ to 36/ 15/ to 32/

quotations : — Fob. 25. Mar. 3 Feb. 18. Danish butter 186/ 192/ 200/ N.Z. Unsaltod 170/ 172/ 178/ N.Z. salted 165/ 168/ 176 Quiet Firm. Firm. N.Z. clieeso, white 95/ 95/ 97/ N.Z. ” coloured 95/ Firm. 95/ 97/ Steady. Firm.

GRADINGS. (In Tons). 1926 1927 1928 Butter erraded — During Feb. 7,300 8,050 6,951 7 mths. ending Feb 48,650 53,800 58,750 Butter in store — 29th Feb. 1928 9,150 13,800 6,371 Cheese graded— During Feb. 8,850 9,600 8,942 7 inths. ending Feb 52,700 54,400 55,650 Cheese in store — 29th Feb. 1928 13,000 13,250 8,988

Buyers. Sellers. N.Z. GOVT. LOANS— £ s. d. £ s. d. 44 p.c. Ins. Stk.. 1939 97 10 0 97 17 6 4* p.c. ditto, 1938 ... — 97 17 6 54 p.c.'ditto, 1933 ...100 7 6 100 17 6 p.c. ditto, 1936 ... — 101 0 0 4j p.c. Bonds, 1939 ... 97 10 0 98 0 0 p.c. ditto, 1938 ... 97 10 0 — p.c. ditto. 1941 ... 97 10 0 — 54 p.c. ditto, 1933 ...100 10 0 101 0 0 DEBENTURES — Wellington Gas 100 0 0 — N.Z. Breweries (stock and bonds) — 13 4 BANKS— Australasia (cum. div.) — 15 2 6 Commercial of Aust. (ord.) — 18 0 National of N.Z 6 18 0 — National of Australasia (£5) — 8 18 6 New South Wales ... 47 7 6 — New Zealand 2 19 1 2 19 3 Union of Aust — 14 14 3 FINANCIALAbraham and Williams (prof.) — 4 7 6 Dalgcty and Co 13 15 0 — Equitable Building ... — 9 0 0 N.Z. Guarantee Corp. (ord., 8s) — 0 8 8 Ditto (prof.) 116 — N.Z. Loan and Mere. (ord.) 98 0 0 99 0 0 GAS— Christchurch 13 6 — Ditto (new issue) 0 8 7 Wellington (ord.) 17 6 — INSURANCE— National — 0 15 10 New Zealand — 2 10 South British 2 18 3 — MEAT PRESERVING— Gear — 1 17 6 TRANSPORT— Huddart--Parker (ord.) (cum. div.) — 2 9 6 Ditto (pref.) (cum. div.) 110 — Union Steam (pref.) ... 10 2 — P. and 0. def. stock ... — 242 0 0 WOOLLEN— Wellington (pref.) 6 2 6 — COAL — Wcstport-Stocktlon (ord.) 0 12 — Ditto (pref.) — 0 17 6 Waipa — 0 17 6 TIMBER— : National — 0 12 6 BREWERIES— Staples and Co — 1 17 9 MISCELLANEOUS— C. M. Bonks (ord.) ... 12 0 — British Tobacco (Aust.) (ord.) 1 19 9 2 0 0 Dental and Medical Supply 0 16 0 Electrolytic Zinc (prof.) 1 11 6 1 12 6 N.Z. Farmers’ Fertiliser 4 2 6 — Sharlnnd and Co. (ord.) — 10 6 Wilson’s Cement — 1 18 3 SALES IN OTHER CENTRES. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, March 9. Sales. —English, Scottis i and Australian Bank. £8 2s (three pare ;ls; Bank of New South Wales, £47 12s 6d; Bank of New Zealand, 59s; Coldsbrough Mort, 49s 7d (two parcels): New Zea and Refrigerating (con.). 7s 6d (four parcels); WestportStockton Coal (prof.), £3 13s; Christchurch Gas. 23s lid. Sales Reported.—Commercial Bank of Australia (pref.), £6 17s 6d: Bank of New South Wales, £47 12s 6d; Monteiths’ Brewery, 19s Id. DUNEDIN, March 9. Sales Reported.—National Bank of New Zealand, £6 18s 6d: Bank of Australasia, £15 2s; Union Steam, 20 s Id. OIL MERGER PROPOSED. A MERICAN INTERESTS. NEW YORK, March 9. Efforts are now bein^ made to create a giant oil corporation itli total assets of 500 million dollars, in s hich ail the Sinclair interests will disappear from the names of the various corporations in which they now invested, but. will continue to own many millions of stocks. The Sinclair Consolidated Oil Corporation and the Marland Oil Company vill be the, princinal factors in the merger which, Because of its huge extent, may possibly have to face art action of the Fe deral Trade Commission along the lines which more than a decade ago broke up the vast Standard Oil interests into constituent parts. —A. and N.Z. cable.