Welsh Newspapers
Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles
17 articles on this Page
Hide Articles List
17 articles on this Page
Farming NOTES. I 4 «
News
Cite
Share
Farming NOTES. 4 « SPECIALLY WRITTEN BY A PRACTICAL FARMER. *Wa Weef pILOf>0?,e dealing- with one subject this Some will be cutting their hay and «rs waiting, and if the break in the laats those who a.re "Waiting to cut ,iJ},1 > Peril ai>s, te best off in the end. PT RC'HASIXO MAXTOR,BS AND I'EEDrXG In STUFFS. tio branch of agriculture is the chemist more assistance to fanners than in the hac~e air manures and feeding stuffs. How- ^6r a man may be, whatever may Practical experience, he can form no -pc 0y$?te opinion of the value of manures fe.ediTi.g- stuffs as cakes and compound '*s' by inspection, and he has to fail "back ,—B the chemist to ehed lisht upon this r. t one time fraud was rife in the 0« and, perhaps, there are fewer ca^es 1. Q-edoorate fraud now; still, we have only Van00* at the scientific reports from the of °ds societies which .take up the analyses Ures aTK' eak<'s for their members to \at-,ov' important it is to keep a careful *'hat 011 ra'anilrf''s and feeding stuffs pur- 0C.('s- Everyone who has experience of the ^J^11 of the Fertilisers and Feeding' Stuffs knows how extremely difficult it is to ain proof of fraudulent- dealing. Many ^fau rs from ignorance help the shady Im tf' lien a man with his eyes open ■thr ases an exorbitant price an article guaraateed analysis of which in no way *>f v03 tne pri'e, he must bear the burden Citiw. °vyn foolishness, and, judging from ^-stioais submitted to the agricultural ar"^ from the reports of the oonsult- So5. c_hemists to the Leading agricultural ^^eties, s'uoh cases a.re by no means un- ^p-Qrrio'i]. One oa":i not blame the manure j0'°T,^lant for obtaining the best price he can stuff, and even the attractive-looking ajhf sometimes supplied may be ju.stifi- »b ^*nam hi*s point of view, but the farmer ouidi remember that only phoepha-tes, a'7u* nitrog-en concern him. If the Vu^8 .C'ws a dozen other substances it W not benefit him any more—in fact, it ij^, uld incline us to have a sample analysed, th16 buy<'r insist on, knowing these items, and he should further remem- j"*1* that it ie onily the minimum guarantee C!°xm^s- T'^e ohernist to the Highland 3,n AgiricaiiltuTai Society of Scotland made g/ interesting report this month, wbioh bbqtad be read by all farmers. The floillow- is a rALrt of the report in question: — t my report in June last year I referred Fertiliser^ and Feeding Stuffs Act, J/ and pointed out that this amended Act j^fcatly increased the facilities far purchasers a fertilisers and feeding stuffs obtaining under the Act. Last year, contrai-y Cxp tions, the operation of the Act had til; diminisihing the numbers of fer- and feeding stuffs analysed under the ™-Qeme of the society; indeed, the numbers ^^yse-d under the society's scheme were T,^a^'er than they had been for several years vi°nsly. Possibly, the effects of the new 1-t are being felt to a greater extent this Ba3"1*' aT1:^ niem l>ers who use-id to have their analysed under the society's scheme aI:OW ba,T^T1;2' them analysed under the Act. Aot *5air!e time, the operations of the ajne limited in various directions, and supersede the scheme o.f the society. are a great many articles which cannot l' aTjalyc.rxl under the Act, such as soiL" 4,. fl=!tlOT,es, sheep dips, and poisons, milk, 'which can be undertaken under the tjr1^3 ^heme. F.ven in the case of fer- :19ers and feeding stuffs many ^ises aTise "^hich me/mbors are u'nable to have ma^e under the Act, or ftnd it un- ;0f e0, ^wu^' "which the sehetme t< Wie society suprprlies what is required. In my last r<T>nrt I referred to samples iniitation or flaked bone meal. I continue 1^° 'Teeedve many satcih samples. Many manti- _^etu7"T^i gcera to ('Jiti-n^po the meaai- ling of the term bone meail, and to apply it '1-0 a.71 ijindB of faJfftd produce'tions containing i'n¡ore or less bone. Bone meal should consist of raw bones, from which the grease has been lromoved, ground to a more or less fine meal, feven g-ood sample? are liable to contain a •little impurity, ?u<-U as Kind, :-111<1' hair, annnrs! matter. But even in <(irty thes-a impurities should not amount than a email fraction of the whole. Cejw/rUy tshe custom has grown tup among ^5)'xt n Arms of turning out as bone meal Q'1-eS 00in,^aiDingr large pei-centagee of <1 «^ria^S^C>t,"ler ^han raw bone, and in some °f th no raw bono at all. Many W ?T*' are quite pood manures, .iiey p-hould be sold as what they are, TOejy, m-istures, and not as bone meals. samples received during the pre- year were (1) a sample consisting of traw bone and one-half a mix- of ground sinew, hoof, and flesh; (2) a j_ !^l~re of bone meal with horn and hair; a TK'CII1liar sample consisting of de- eiatinised bone and some finely-ground Otis lyteparation, which may have In*11 flesh. Low grade muriates of ('Potash, which are properly known as potash i^alts or ijotasih man rare salts, continue to be :ld as the moiv valuable sul/phate of potash. "ro such samples reached me recently. It ap^;eaa-s a-leo to be common even among •l^elass firms to state the percentage of 'op*'36*1 'n manures in tho form of sulphate n Pota sh. This is a most improper and mis- ,practice, and the only reason for its iij^Ption is to mate the percentage look 'it?geT> and, therefore, to obtain an unfair vantage over rivals who make the etate- in the fair and proper form as potash. -:t'Ji t'k'0 potash as sulph-ate of potash e Percentage is made to look nearly twice as when it is stated in the proper way Potash. Tho statement as sulphaite of 'JVj'pa&h is not in conformity with the Fer- an d Feeding Stuffs Act, which requires Q Potash to be stated as sutrth, 'and pur- asers should insist on having the state- made 0:1 the invoice in the proper way. Itav. ver sa'n:PIc's ground lime than usual ^>eaT1 £ eTL't ™ f°r analysis. Of those sent jj contained under 60 rer cent, of caustic 6^ On.e which was guaranteed to contain "tb 1X311 <XYnt- obtained only 57 pe.r cent. On of* other hand, two excellent samples, eaoh T(. _hieh contained over 80 per cent., were lj/^n'ed. Several members have mentioned •]e raemures of a worthless or almost worth- fJT>e are being largely ad->-ertised and 'tis f'leir dis'triots. In some cases adver- ^^raent of such manures were sent to me. are of the usual extravagant and lau- ^^tory type, and claim far great virtues for ^v^Se rubbishy articles than are possessed by the liest and most expensive artificial .j^es. In no case has any member sent ,a sample of srach a manure for analysis, ^^h articles are usually sold to the more ^ary and ignorant farmers, and these are the men who send samples to be a/nalyeed. i>e»» •TDOn^ the samples of feeding stuffs ^yed was a sample of ground rice husks, w is a worthless article, and may be ijs yaJly in jurious. Its actual feeding value ■tower than that of Oat husks, and as it K a large percentage of sdlioa it may a« an irritant in the digestive systems of -to lrna^-s- The sample in question was ground ,a fine meal, and looked very nice. Another
Advertising
Advertising
Cite
Share
M^OBBING |^T\EHSBS ly"*7 PfllW Elliman's |. Embrocation fl ,he safe and effectual medium for rubbing out ■ r°reness of the Limbs after exercise, n Tene&cial added to the hot or cold bath. t ^evp'er walking—added to the footbath—it re- fij ^p63 l^e aching of tired feet. iH Wi,° k«ovv how to rub, when to nib, and fl not. to rub is not universally known. To I I fl Unto &uch information was the origin of the S t"ir ^°Pu'ar ■ *JXIMAN R.E.P. BOOK. 8 lr^e^ aiu* Rubbing Eases Pain Handbook, ■ 5" Pages, cloth board covers, illustrated. fl troy^P- Book treats of Ailments that bring 8 I^in every household. Also contains First S HVl!- mat'on, and instructs respecting the IK 'S'ene of the Athlete," and Massage. I aches and pains IB ^assa^ atnanable to treatment—by judicious H £ llj,jSej"-are commonly relieved by the use of 9 which, applied early, often checks the Pment of serious illness, as in the case of I fl from taking cold, etc. TheR.E.P. 8 ^3Ses» is^ent post free to all parts of f ■ ^pon ti« terms stated upon page I of j fl BookJet (4-3 pages) wlueh is | fl 4 in eaeita cartoa containing EI);- j. fl n^versal Embrocation, price 1/H, 2/9 I 39 5'0{ 41- per Lottie (2/9 equals 3 of 1/15 4/-equals j 4LLI t\iAN. SONS fJ CO., SlocØt.
LATEST QUOTATIONS FROM FAIR…
News
Cite
Share
LATEST QUOTATIONS FROM FAIR AND MARKET. Markets during the week have undergone comparatively little change in any direction. The grain trade is, .perhaps, a little firmer, on the whole, although in several instances valuea were lower on the week. Fat. c'attle have continued to command fairly good prices, though recent figures have not been fully maintained. GEAIH". The demand for grain up to Hfonday was usually slow, and values in the majority m cases were slightly lower. The -tone since, however, has been rather firmer. The average welling price of wheat during the week ended June 13 wa^ 32s 7.d per quarter of 4801bs, this average being computed on 40,160 quarters returned 'by the inspectors of the Board of I Agriculture. Bristol prices were about 32s 6d to 34.3 6d peT quarter of 49&libs for English wheat, whiile foreign marked a fall of about Is to Is 6d on previous priocs. At Ross about Id per bushel less was being accepted, white selling from 4s to 4s 6d land red from 3s lid to 4" 3-d per bushel. Birmingham quotations likewise showed a, reduction, Plates ex Sharp- ness being 36s 6d to 37s per quarter. At Gloucester English reds were 32s to 33s and whites 338 to 34s, while foreign ex Sharpness was 3&s 6d for Mate and 42s for Manitobas. In London the tone was firmer. No. 1 Noirtiherm Miaaxitoibta was 42a 9d iainded and EingHfih red 35s. Values gxm'e-raJly were 6d to 9d dearer as ooanipared with ]1ridaY. There I was scarcely any :busiTlees .()IJ1 the Newport (Hon.) Corn Market on "Wednesday. At Here- ford there was next to nothing doing. Eng- lish wheats were normally Id per bushel lower on the week. Barley is practically uneha-naed. The sales returned by the inspectors totalled only 824 quarters, the averacre price bean? 245 5d per qv.arter of 4C01bs. Foreign barley likewise, was slow. There was little doing at Bristol, prices being about 22s 6d per quarter. At Rose grinding barley was about 26s per quar- ter. The Birmingham pTice was 22ls 9d ex Sharpness, and Gloucester 22Is 6d. In London Black Sea barley was 2Zs quay. Barley was idle at Hereford. Oats have continued steady. The official return of British sales for the preceding I week was 9,015 quarters of 3121be and the average tpriee 183 4d per quarter. At Bristol the price was unchanged, Irish black being offered at 17s. White oats at Ross were 20s and black IBs per quarter. At Gloucester black made 13.9 to 19s 6d and white 19s 6d to 203 6d. In London Plate oats were 15s 3d quay. :No business was reported in oats at Hereford. Maize was offered more freely at slightly lower Round maize was alPout 25s to lower prices. Round maize was alPout 25s to 2513 6d per quarter at Bristol, and Birming- ham prices were abouit the same ex Bristol. Galfox maize ex Sharpness was quoted about 26s ait Gloucester, and Beesanabian about the same figure. London prices were 25s 3d quay for both Plate and Odessa descriptions. Maize at Hereford was about 3d easier on the week. CATTLE. Cattle markets have been moderately well snpp'iied with fat stock, and prices have slwwll little movement, (brut in some instances were, perhaps, a shade harder. Beef was in rather short supply at Bristol, and best quality beasts made 65s per cwt, secondary gelling about 60s. The trade in store cattle was a little dull. Dairy cows made from 15 to 20 guineas. Ross June Fair was well- attend ad. Best quality beef mode 6jd to 7d per lb and seconds 5id to 6d. Veal was 7Jd to 8d per lb. Cows with calves made £ 12 10s to £16, two-year-olds £11 10s to £15 10s, and yearlings £9 10s to £12. Best made 7id to 7jd per lb at Birmingham, Shorthorns 16?:d to 7Jd, bulls and cows 5d to did, and calvas 7d to 8d. At Monmouth cows with calves realised £14 10s to £16 5s, milch cows £13 to JB15, two-year-olds £11 58 to £14 10a, and yearlings £6 5s to £10 10s. Under the ham- mer heifers sold from JB16 158 to £18, bullocks £17 2s 6d to £19 2s 6d, fat calves 588 to 92s 6d, and store calves 25s to 47s 6d. Trinity Mon- day Stock Fair at Usk was well attended and brisk. Best quality beef made 6Jd to 7d, eec-onds 6d to 6^d, bull 5d to 5!d, amd veal 8d to 8 £ d peT 1b. Cbws with calves sold from £12 to £16, yearlinigs £8 to £12, t.wo-ycar-oldB JE11 to J616, amd throe-year-alcLs £16'00 £21. Waun Faiiir was wetl attended, and prices ruled high. In London there was a firm trade in English beasts at about 2d per stone advance. Polled Aberdeens made 5s 2d to 5s 4d per stone, polled Norfolks As lOd to Era, Shorthorns 4s 6d to 4s 8d, and bulte and cows from 3s to 4s. Irish store yearlings were about £6 10s to £7 each. Eat stock wire in short supply at Roath (Cardiff) Market, amd prices were firm. Choice Ileretfords made 7d to 7.td. beat Irish 6,d to 6Jd, seconds 6Jd, and fat cows 6d. In the carcase market best slides of beef fetched up to 6id, very choice 6gd, seconds 6Jd, hind- quarters 7;« to nd. forequarters 5td to 5 £ d. Calves were 8d to 9d per lib. Whitland Market prices were firm at late rates both for fat and store cattle. At Newport (Mon.) cattle were scarce and made good prices. Beot beef realised nd per lb, second qualities 7d to nd, and cows 52d to 6d. Calves were plentiful. Fat beasts at Hereford made good prices, but store sitock was slow. Best beef made 6%d to 6:;d per lb, some prime bullocks and heifers reaching 7d per I b. Veal made about 8d to 8jd per lb. Butchers' prices for beef at Xarberth were 7d to 9d, veal 5d to 7d; Whiitiland 7d to 8d, veal 6d to 7d; Llan- dilo 8d to 9d, veal 7d to 8d; and Haverford- west 6d to 8 £ d, veal 7d to 9d. Sheep have been usually in moderate request, with values about stationary. Bris- tol prices for mutton were nd per ib for Down wethers, prime nd, heavy 7d, ewes 5Jd to 6d, and lambs 9Jd to lOJd. Wether mutton at Ross made 8d to 9d per lb, ewe 7d to 8d, and lamb 9d to IQd. At Birmingham wethers made 7id to 8id, eweis and rams 5jd to 7d, and lambs lOd peT lb. Trade in muttotn was rather eLow at Monmouth. Wethers made 8d to 81<1. ewes 6 £ d to 7d, and lambs lOd to lid. At auction wethers sold from 32s 6d to 47s, ewes from 28s to 46s, and lambs from 25s to 34s. At TTfft shorn wethers made 8d to 8Jd, ewes 7d to 8d, and lambs 9d to 9;d. There were no eheeip or lambs on offer at Waun Fair. In London English wethers made 2d per stowe more, lmt ewes were about previous figures. Prime wethers made up to 6s, secondary qualities up to 5s 6d, ewes ranging from 3s 6d to 4s 2d and lambs 5s 8d to 7s 6d per stone. Roath (Cardiff) prices were 8d to 8Jd per lb for wethers, 6id to 7d for ewes, and lid for lambs. In carcase wether mutton made 8d to Bid, ewes 6id to 7d. and lamb 9id to 101 d. Wether sheep at Birmingham fetched nd to 8A-d and lambs lOd to lO^d. Sheep were plentiful at Newiport (Men.). Best wether mutton was about 8"d per Ib, ewes 7d to 7k!, and lamb 7d to 9d. The she&p trade at Here- ford flucttva.te.d considerably, and some fat sheep made 4s to 6s peT head more than a I week ago, but others did not sell so well. ¡ Lambs were about lOd to lid per lb. Butchers' prices for mutton at Narberth were 9d to k lOd, lamb 101; at Whitland 8d to 9d; at Llan- dilo 3d to 9d, lamb 1M to lid; and at Haver- fordwest 7d to 8 £ d, lamb lOd per lb. Pigs were a fair market, as a rule. At Bristol baconers were 83 9d per score and porkers 10s. Ross quotations were—light weight porkers 9s 6d to 10s 6d, heavy 9s 6d to 5B 9d, and 'bacofners 8s to 8s 6d per ecore. Sows with pigs realised from zC6 5s to £ 9 15s, strong stores 34s 6d to 46s, and weaners 14s to 18s. Pigs were plentiful at Birmingham and t,rad,e quiet, baconers selling about 8s 9d, porkers 9s, -and sows 6s per scoire. Strong sitores at Monmouth sold from 35s to 41s 6d, three months 31s to 35s 6d. Pork was 9s to 9s 6d per score. Under the hammer porkers sold from 353 to 48s each and sows and pigs from L4 to £ 5 5s. At Usk Fair sows and pigs fetched 4-6 to £10, strong stores 35s to 45s each, threo months 18s to 20s, weaners 14s to 16s each, heavy weight porkers Ss 6d to 9s, light 9s to 9s 6d, and baconers 8s to 8s 6d per score. There were only a few lots of pigs at Waun Fair. Birmingham prices for bacon pigs were Ss 10d to 9s. for porkers 9s to 9s 2d, and sows 6s to 63 3d per score. At Roath (Cardiff) choice small porkers, fetched 10s 3d to 10s 9d per score, heavy weights 9s 9d' to 10s, and baconers 9s to 9s 6d. Porkers at Newport (Mon.) made 9s 6d to 10s per bcotc. Pigs were a slow trade at Hereford. Butchers' prices for pork at Narbcrth were 7d per Ib, at Whitland 6d to 7d, at Llandil-o 7d to 8d, and at Haverford.west 6d to 3d per lb. BUTTER. The demand for butter has been active, and while the supply has been good, prices have held firm, and now show a tendency to harden with the advance of the eeason. At Cork on Wednesday firsts sold at 94s, seconds at 933, superfine lOCs, fine mild 94s, and fsesh 93s to 101s per owL Cardiff prices for finest Irish creameries were, 1093 to Ills and fac- tories 953 to 105s. Danish sold as high as 116s to 118s, an.d Siberian from 100s to 106. London quotations for Siberian were from 1(>Os to 104.3, Danish 112s to 115s, French 94s to lla4, Irish creameries 110s to 112s, 'and fac- tories from 96s. At the country markets Xar- berth prices were 10d iper lb for cask and 10d to lid for fresh, Monmouth lid to is for fresh, Whitland lOd to lOid cask and lid to lljd fresh, Llaindilo 10d to lid casik and lid to Is fresh, Haverfordwest 9d to 10d, and Carmarthen 9j to ICd cask and ICd to Is fresh. CHEESE. Cheese both old and new has he-en a firm market, with an upward tendency. At New- port CaerphiHyN sold from 365 to 42s per owt, fancy dairies from 44s to 46s, truckles 56s to 60s, Derbys 56s, a'nd doubles 50s to 64s. Lon- don prices for finest Cheddar were 70s to 74s, American new white 57s, Canadian new white 57s to 58s, and finest old white 64s to 66s. At Cardiff Canadian old cheese is from 64s to 65s, nejw 56s to. 63s, Caerphililys 42s to 45s for best, and 25s to 383 for other qualities. Ched- da,r new 56s to 64s and old 70s to 72s. New Gloucester -doubles are about 52s to 55s and Somersets 50s to 55s. Llandilo prices "were 4*d to 5d for old local chepse and 3d to 3id per lb for new. Carmarthen quotations were 22s per owt for new and 48s far old cheese. Haver- fordwest 31d to 5d per lb. POULTRY. Poultry prices have shown little variation. At NaT-berth live fowls were from 4s to 5s a pair and duok", 53 to 6s. Dressed fowls at Monmouth made 5s 6d to 6s per couple, or 9-d to led per lh, gprring chicken 6, to &s 6d per couple and ducks 6s to 7s. Live fowls at Whitland sold from 4..s 6d to 5s a pair and dresteect poultry from 9 £ d to 10d per Ib. Llau- dilo prices were 2s 6d to 2s 9d each for live ducks, lid to lljd per lb for trussed, spring ohickeins 3s to 3« 6d each, fowls 4s to 4s 3d per couple, trussed 10d per lb. Haverfordwest ducks 2s 9d to 3s 6d each, fowls 2s 6d to 3s each, and Carmarthen fowls (dressed) 4s 6d toO 5s 6d per couple, and ducks 3s to 4s each. EGGS. Eggs are not so plentiful, and are ratiher dearer. At Cardiff Irish hen are quoted from 7s to 73 9d per 120 amd duck 7s 3d to 7a 9d. Continental are about 6s to 6s 6d. Country market prices were 16 for is at Narberth, 12 to 14 at Monmouth, 16 at Whitland, hen 14 to 15 and duck 12 to 13 at Llandilo, 14 to 16 at Haverfordwest and 15 a.t Carmarthen. WOOL. Wool markets have been very unsatisfac- tory all round, quotations being 3d to 3id per lb lower than a year a.go. Business is on a very limited scale, holders of wool being reluctant to accept the prices offering. At Brampton on Wednesday half bred wool was quoted 8 £ d to 9d, crosses 7d, and Cheviots 7d to 3d. Brachley prices were similarly low, the highest auction figure being 18s 3d per tod for Shropshire, while several lots Fold from 17s 6d to 178 9d. At Wellington (Salop) there were 100,000 fleeces on offer. Best fleeces made from 8d to 9d per lb and inferior 6d.
HIGH PRICE OF BEEF. 4
News
Cite
Share
HIGH PRICE OF BEEF. 4 SHORT SUPPLY OF ENGLISH CATTLE. A meeting of the executive committee of the National Federation of Meat Traders' Associations Incorporated has been, held to consider the question of the prevail- ing scarcity of cattle and the consequent high retail prices of beef to the consumer. The only remedy for the present state ot affairs (a press representative was officially informed) was, in the opindon of the federa- tion, that the present embargo should be taken off Canadian store cattle, which would permit of the stock being brought into this country and fattened on English pastures. The present outlook to the consumer was regarded seriously, and the federation a.re considering a proposal to ask the Govern- ment to hold an official inquiry into the whole question of British meat supplies. On Saturday last the retail market prices Of beef rose Id. per pound. That fact in itself is serious enough to. thousands of families whose weekly budget has to be framM on economical lines. Unfortunately, a further increase of Id. is to be anticipated. Nor is there any prospect of a decrease until the arrival of American grass-fed stock in some six or eight weeks' time. The price of prime roasting beef per po-and ranges from 11-d. to Is. Id., as compared with 9Jd. and 10Jd. in the beginning of the year; of mutton, 8Jd. and 9d., as against8d.; and of lamb lid. and Is., as against 8Jd. and 9d. The scheduled prices in a good market- j ing district were:- English, lamb (leg), 1M. to 113. English sirloin, is. Id. Foreign beef (ribs) was 7id. to8td. Sirloin, 8d. to 9d. Foreign lamb, 8!d. to 91d. The retail traders claim that the increase has been forced upon them "owing1 to the short supply of cattle in this country, coupled with, the largely-reduced arrivals of live stock from Canada. and the United States." At Stockton-on-Tees cattle market on Wed- nesday the price of English beef advanoed 6d. to la. per stone, and dealers expressed the opinion that dearer prioefi would con- tinue for another six weeks, till grass-fed cattle cajne upon the market. The local retail prices sore Id. to 2d. per lb. higher. The advance in prices at Chicago last week has affected New York retailers, and there has been a general advance of a penny per pound. The price of meat has risen from 20 to 25 per cent, recently in Berlin, and beefsteak fillet is now sold at 2s. per pound.
OF INTEREST TO FARMERS
Detailed Lists, Results and Guides
Cite
Share
OF INTEREST TO FARMERS In this issue will also be found the fol- lowing articles of interest to agricul- turists PAGE. Cardiff Union Agricultural Society 8 Farmers' Many Troubles 8 Richmond and Hereford Shows 12
FAIRS FOR JUNE.
Detailed Lists, Results and Guides
Cite
Share
FAIRS FOR JUNE. The following list of markets and fairs is supplied by local correspondents, and every care has been taken to ensure accuracy. No responsibility ca-n, however, be accepted for errors. Rewers.are invited to send addi- tions or corrections, so as to make the list as useful as possible. June June. Penrhys 20 Llanwrtyd 23 Reynoldstone £ 0 Crymmych 26 Wick .20 Llechryd Prestelgn 20 Newport (Pam.) Llandilo 21 Builth r? Llantwit Major 22 Narberth 2s» Tregaron 2i Cardiff £ 9 Cowbridge 24 Newport (Pern.) 29 Llaabadarn Fawr 2* Lam peter 29 Bhayader 24 Cry mm y oh 30 Aberavon 24 Tregaron so Llandilo 2b
SMALL HOLDINGS AT NEW- PORT.
News
Cite
Share
SMALL HOLDINGS AT NEW- PORT. The applications for small holdings con- tinue to multiply. At Newport the corpora- tion has now had applica-tions for over a thousand acres, but the difficulty is in getting the land. The committee charged with the matter on Monday reported that Newport has not been able to get anything like the quantity of land that there is appli- cation for.
EVERY MAN HIS OWN GARDENER.…
News
Cite
Share
EVERY MAN HIS OWN GARDENER. + QUESTIONS ASKED AND ANSWERED. By J. MUIR, 30, Bouverie-etreet, Fleet-etreat, London. Name of Rose.—Mary Rees.—General Jacque- minot-one or the good old sorts. Sample with no Particulars.—I have received a small glass bottle corataiii-mg insects and leaves, but no note of inquiry. Do not feed broody hems on Indian, com. It is a heating food, and encourages a con- tinuance of sitting. Iris After Flowering.—A. Smith.—You must net attempt to transplant them at this season, as you would spoil them. Move ln, October, or between that and February. Popularity of Kow Gardens.—This was con- spicuotusly recoi'd'&d on Whit-Moriday. when 85,003 visitors were present. The Crystal Palace followed, with 48,000. The Board of Agriculture urges all ■wfheso goose-berry bushes aire suffering from the new pe&t—the American mildew—to spray promptly with a solution of one pound of liver of sulphur to 32 gallons of water. "The Diary of a Working Farmer," by :.L Primrose .M'Connel'l, is a delightful 2s. book; but even this eminent agriculturist has a hankering after the garden, as he states: — "I would be both happy and but-y if I had nothing but the garden to look after." Boso Blooms with Vacant Centres.—J. Richardson.—This is not a habit, but the raid-dies maist have been eaten out by the grubs when in bud. All sur"h buds ought to hare been removed before they developed, as this is am casement to the plants and a great assistance to the perfect flower.?. The First Green Peas end Sitirawbcrriee.— The firdt field green peas offered in Covent Gc.rden appeared en June 3. Tine first open- air strawberries 011 June 9. I gathered the first rive strawberry in my own garden on June 10. The variety is Royal Sovereign—a most ftpc-ilific and reliable- sort. Suckers .on. Dorothy Perkins Rose.—" J. T. S."—The strong shoots that have come up from the bottom "are probably not suckers. Be quite sure that they are before you remove them. Compare the foliage with that c.f the tep wood. The most substantial addi- tions to the .plasit cofee in eucker-Jike sh-upts. The r ose Miadani Able Oh a nt en ay is one of my favourites, and merits another word cf roeonrmandatio'n. As a bush .plant in the. 0-pen, it was the first to open its- blossoms the last week in May, and its weld-formed pink and salmon flowers were meet perfect and charming, as they always are. Hen Laying Double-yolked Eggs.—Miss Christy .—There is no advantage in securing these big eggs, as their prodn,crtion is the 1-csult of disorder and irregularities, which. arc against consistent laying. Give hailf a teaspoonful of castor oil every other day for a week, or the same quantity of Epsom salts. Flint Grit and Oyster Shell.—H. Bonnet — Both are not needed in the poultry-yard. Of the two the oyster shell is the most useful, and there is a great demand for such. You could secure a wholesale sup-ply of shells from any of the largo fish-shops in Liverpool. Make inquiries at some of the quarries in Lancashire or North Wales about, grit. Two Types of Glo-ir de Dijon Rose.—I have two quite distinct forms of this geiserous old rose. The flowers of one are quite 'paile and nave little seent, while the other is a rich buff and delightfuflly fragrant. They grow side by side, anil cover a.n extensive wall space on the house. The light^-coloured sort is hardly vvorta growing, compared to the other. Leaves Falling Off Lupin Plants,—W E. Jugham. 1.11s is a. result of growing them in bad'ly->Prep,a<red soil. and it is from the roots the rarnedy must come. Yon can do nothing now, but in October lift all up and re-plant in 8-oil tuiat has been weil-maniured and dog and oroKen up to a depth of two feet, In this they win be quite a success next year, and continue yo. Too Many Sitting liens,—" Over-stocked."— There is no aemanci for broody hens now. No one will ouy thoin in that state. Drive a few stakes in the ground in a cool posit iou, surround wnn wire-netting, put a piece on the top, ana pi.a.c.e the broody hens inside. Do not give them a coop or shelter, tut full exposure, ".n.d they will soon drop their inchnatio'R-to sit, cu^j will lay again. ■^cse wish plant hae been in bloom in n y gardan since June 1, and it is exceptiv/na^ly attractive. B€iara,t4fuil Tk:res now so J^tous that one can hardly tell wnic-h to a -re most, b,H,t that under notice is J it is altogether lovely. Thj ms are beautifully formed, j tvfth uro-id* ■aTin'etaJ-1'ic red» streaked and or* climber may grown as a busk -Da5 iL Gohdition.—1" Cartridge."— Many from over-feedii^g, but "uq. m'ltln opposite cause. You the* exclude aid «Uie bdsc'u;its constantly, as i-ri?- anri V C?riris' aud are extremely Give a tea,spoonful •+? <?c'tasiena]ay, amd anub the skin O? mixture:—Olive oil one oimoe^ 0 oufll'€,eiS* eujlipilifur fo*ux Farm Books for Small Holding.—Liscard.— Y.ou will net find one big volume so intsttruc- I the, liclpfu.'l, and convenient as smaller books dealing fitly "with the separate sub- jects, ajid you should secure a number of the latter. A most excellent and reliable series of handbooks are published by Meters. Collingri-dge. 148, AMersgate-street, London. Thoy include "Dairy Cows," "The Horse," Pigs for Profit," "Fowls for Profit," Chicken Rearing," Duicks, Geese, and Turkeys," price ls. each. Worms in iSoil.—" H. H. H.The least objectionable a.re the earthworms. They are natural to all soils, but when, over-plentiful they do harm to some crops, their burrowing in the potatoes being their main fauLt. They are very partial to rich soil. Moles know this, as they always hunt most there, and the worms should be kept down by dressing the sou wi'fh fresh lime or plenty of soot when the ground is vacant. Earthworms are never taken much notice of in farm land, and it is only in the richer soil of the gar- dems that they are Looked upon as enemies. Roaes not Succeeding.—" T. T."—The roots are not acting properly, and I fear they widi not succeed unlets re-planted. Remove the soil round the stems till you meet with the roots. Give some new soil and a little manure. Raan a.) I very firmly. Keep moist, but avoid saturating the -roote. In October pull them up. llig the soil to a depth of two feet or more. Give a dressing of manure, and re- plant. It is a more amiable sub-soil they are crying for. Provide them with this, and they will please you. Liver-rot in Sheep.—"A Montgomeryshire Farmer. This- is known, as flnike, ajid kills more sheep than any other disease. The dis- turbance is caused -by a special smaiil, which abounds on some pastures, more particularly low, moist meadows. Dressing with fresh lime ist an antidote, and siprrimlnling the sur- face with eaflit is a-lso a prevention. Sheep should always be drawn from fluky meadows in wet weaitiher and put up ()1]1 higher land. The following is a most drench: — Chloride of lime i drachm, ginger 1 drachm, Barbadoets aloes 2 drachms. Give the above quantity to each in one pint of warm gruel. Erecting a Greenhouse.— Barkis. "—Your suggestions are quite feasible, and you will find such a greenhouse as you propose both useful and interesting. Have the passage up the middle and astiWge on each side about two feet up from the surface. Tomatoes in pots will do well om tho back wall. You could plant a Manecbail Niel rose out at the fur- ther end from the door, and train it there, or a grape vine would be a success in this position, and train it on the roof The Plants rn pots may consist of Asparagus lennisKimus, Begonia Gloire de Lorraine, uytisua nacemoeus, maidenhair and other ferns, .geraniums, fuchsias, amd others thiat you may fancy. The tomatoes •will be a success in eight-inch pots. Grow in a mix- ture of fully three parts loam amd. one of manure.
..; RURAL JOTTINGS. #
News
Cite
Share
RURAL JOTTINGS. # VALUABLE HINTS AND INFORMA- TION. FERNS IN THE SUMMER TIME. All ferns—indoors putt in the opant air-a NI now most attractive in ^heir delicate g reefnmess. G ay flowers haw* .hosts of admirers, and never fall to give joy; bat, although ferns are quite void Of rich colourings, the exquisitely-formed fronde, their extreme gracefulness, and their refreshing shades and hates gratify all, aind the anxiety to have ferns in good order is world-wide and keen. Plants that were potted in the spring should now be rooted into the new stoil. This will stimulate .growth, but, if slow, do not give too much water at the roots; indeed, the Watering of feme is worth studying. No plants suiter more than when over-dry at the roots. The fronds shrink; them, they are use- less. They do not pick up again, like the leaves of foliage plants. Extreme or drooping dryness must, therefore, be avoided, but pjp should over-wetness. When this occurs the fronds become yellow, t'hetn the attractions of the plants depart. A sickly fern is a cheer- less possession, Make a f'tudy, and give daily attention to keeping the roots in a ha,pipy medium of moisture. Just nOw is the most dedicate time -with. them. Later, when in full frond, there is lees danger, as both roots and frondts are more robust then. Shade aJl from sunshine. Do not keep them in seimi-dark- ness, but well in the light, but subdue the sunshine. This applies to all, whether in g,la6s-uouse or windows. On no account let them stand in draughty places. Do not attempt to give amy that were potted this spring any liquid manure. They do not need it, and it wilt do more harm than good. Plants that were not re-potted this sipring should receive liquid manure now. It will develop the fronds handsomely. Liquid made from cow, horse, or sheep droppings is the most suitable for ferns. A little soot should alway.s be added, as it gives the fronds a
Advertising
Advertising
Cite
Share
GARDEN Seeds, Flower Seeds, Farm Seeds, Seed Date, Barley, Vetches, Clover Seeds and Ryegrass, Special Mixtures for Perma- nent Pastures, Seed Potatoes, Artificial Manures—Superphosphate, Bone Manure, Special Garden Manure. Garden Tools of eveTy description—Seed Drills, Chain and Dra.g Harrows, Cultivators, Rollers, Ploughs, Lawn Mowers, Garden Rollers, Garden Bar- rows. Churns, Cheese Presees, Cheese Vats. Oil, Gas, and Steam Engines. Bee Appliances of all kinds. Sitate requirements. Catalogues free.—JOHN HIBBERT AND SONS, 10 and 11, CasMe-etreet, CardiiS. vrl563
TO BUY OR LEASE LAND? «
News
Cite
Share
TO BUY OR LEASE LAND? « ALLOTMENTS AND SMALL HOLDINGS. [By MR. GRIFFITH JONES.] It is desirable that Wales should lead in the movement for the acquisition 01 allotments and small holdings. Its inhabitants have agitated long for com- pulsory powers, and now that they have been obtained the local authorities should exercise the rights vested in them. I desire to consider here the practical question for every intended applicant, whether to apply for a loan from the local authority to buy his holding or for a lease of land acquired by them. I propose to take the financial aspect of the question in the first place. If he buys his holding and borrows four- fifths of the purchase money from the county council, he will, of course, have to pay interest thereon and a sum which will in the course of eighty years pay off the amount borrowed. The council will borrow the money to re-lend at about £3 10s. per cent., re-payable in eighty years, and they will advance the money at a small increase to cover expenses, say, £3 15s. per cent. To this will have to 'be added 4s. 9d. a year for every £100 borrowed to re-pay the principal sum within the term men- tioned. The total, then, payable yearly to the county council for the loan will be £3 19s 6d. for every £100 borrowed; for simplicity, say a round figure of £4- for every £100. At the end of eighty years the property will belong free of mortgage to the borrower, or, more than likely, to his executor. Let me take a concrete instance. The tenant buys his farm from his landlord for, say, JE500. Ho can borrow from the county council four-fifths of the amount, that is to say, in this case, £400, and he will have him- self to find £100' to make up the pur- chase money of £.500. He will have to pay for the loan of £400 and towards re-payment of capital £16 a year, and if £4 is added in respect of loss of interest on the £100 provided by himself, his holding will cost him a sum of JS20 a year. Let me now consider what the yearly rent would come to if he were to take a lease of land of the same value from the county council. The council acquires and lets the land at substantially its agricultural value, and as land on that basis does not yield more than £2, or at most £2 10s. per cent., the rent would come, at £2 10s. per cent. on land of the value of £500, to £12 10s. a year. The tenant by buying his land would, there- fore, pay £7 10s. a year more than if he leased it from the council. Looking at the matter from a pecuniary point of view, the tenant would be more in pocket under a lease than if 'he bought the land. If the tenant invested the yearly saving of £7 10s. mentioned at compound inte- rest he would be much better off at the end of eighty years than the person who had purchajsed his farm would be at the same period. There is, of course, the sentimental consideration, that by purchase the tenant becomes in name owner, whereas in the other case he will be only lessee. But when it is remembered that his land- lord (the oouncil) will give him security of tenure so long as he or his legal representative personally cultivates the land, the love for a freehold ought not to induce one to pay an extra £7 10s. a year for the luxury. If the council resume possession they will have to pay the value of all improvements, including the cost of buildings, drainage, &c. It seems to me, therefore, that it is infinitely better for a tenant to take a lease than to buy land. Before leaving this subject, I should like to consider the advance made by the council from their point of view. The margin of security is very narrow. The Chancery judges have long since laid down a rule that trustees should not advance more than two-thirds of the value of agricultural land. In the case of a purchase of JE500 it is contemplated that the county council should advance four-fifths of- the purchase money, that is, £400 on land of the value of £500, whereas trustees would not be allowed to advance more than JE333 13s. 4d. (two- thirds) of the purchase money. This Chancery rule is also adopted by private investors generally. Assuming that there is, in fact, a margin of £100, it would be reduced quickly to £75 or thereabouts if the int-erest fell into arrear, not an unlikely contingency when it is remembered that the interest exceeds the annual agricultural value of the land. Doubtless, the council would, like private individuals, show some indul-
Advertising
Advertising
Cite
Share
CANADA OFFERS NOW FREE FARMS IN WESTERN CANADA. CHEAP LAND IN EVERY PROVINCE. New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Yukon. HAPPY HOMES, HEALTHY CLIMATE, LIGHT TAXES, BOUNTIFUL HARVESTS UNDER THE OLD FLAG. < CANADATNEEDS Experienced Farm Hands. Farmers financially able to take Homesteads. or to Purchase Lands. Female Domestic Servants. Government Agents everywhere in Canada. For free maps, pamphlets and full particulars, apply to Mr. H. M. MURRAY, Canadian Government A^ent, Sr. Queen Street, Exeter; Or to Mr. J. OBED SMITH, Assistant Superin- tendent of Canidtan Emigration, I I and 12, Charing Cross, Ji.W. ~WSMF: Farmers, Farm Labourers, Vignerons, Orchardists, Market Gardeners, and Domestic Servants, are offered ASSISTED to PASSAGES nR I ri m I WESTERN AUSTRALIA v from £6 to M7. 10s. ¡ Free Grants of 160 Acres. 50,000,000 ACRES AVAILABLE FOR SETTLEMENT. Excellent Climate. Work can be carried en all the year round. For Illustrated Pamphlets and farther apply to the Agent-General for Western Australia, 13, Victoria Street, London..V\V.
TACKING SHEEP AND COLTS
News
Cite
Share
TACKING SHEEP AND COLTS Before his Honour Judge Owen at Aber- gavenny on Monday William Nelson, farmer, of Walterstown, brought an action against James Price, his brother-in-law, for tacking sheep and colts. Mr. Albert Parsons, barrister, for the plaintiff, eaid that zEI75 ha.d been paid into court, and the question in dispute was, What was the proper oharge per hea,d for tacking: Rheep from November to February ? Defendant had paid on the basis of 2d. per head for sheep, and plaintiff claimed for 3d. Witnesses were called, and said the eustoniary charge per head for sheep was 3d., and 2s. for colts. In the result his Honour allowed 3d. per hea<d for the sheep and 18. 6d. for the colts.
Advertising
Advertising
Cite
Share
Gardening for the Masses BY A PRACTICAL GARDENER* A Gardening Handbook, con- taining all the information required for Amateur Gardeners. Price Sixpence Bound ia Cloth, One Shilling Met Postage One Fenny Extra. ON SALE at all Newsagents, Or from WESTERN MAIL LIMITED, CARDIFF. W* -i^l Your CHICKS will J1 always find a READY 4 Jpj MARKET on account B mS J fed appearance if you H wBm iJ ^ecc* t"cm uPon H SPRATTS I wQf CHICKEN MEALI as the Morning Soft Food, B AND [SPRATT'S 'CHIKKO'I I as the Evening Dry Feed. fl | These foods enable you to obtain H B BEST PRICES and invariably give 8 B the greatest possible satisfaction. B Sastptes and booklet Free, from Chicken Department- (Mm Spratt s Pateot Ltd., 34 & 25, Fencburch St., Ii C. Jh
..; RURAL JOTTINGS. #
News
Cite
Share
dark rich green colour. The manure may be given ones a. week. Ferns in windows may be stood outside for a few hours on mi'ld days when the liquid manure is feeing given. It will refresh them in more ways than one. Lf any cf them become sickly from some unapparcnt cause, turn the roots out of the pot and see that the drainage is right. This j.s the first place to look for disturbances of their progress. All may be sprayed overhead frequently. Use. tepid water. Keep hardy ferns in the open always moist at the root. They enjoy humidity. It keeps them healithy and free from insects. SEED PODS ON WALLFLOWERS. I need hardly point out how very accept- able wallflowers aire in all gardens. The recent displays of flowers and, above 3011, the exquisite fxagTance they have distributed will as-sure them a. continuance- in all gar- dens; but now that they have played their good part do not neglect them. One of the urgent attentions all should receive at once is to out every seed p-od off. If the shoots are straggly, these should also be shortened, when strong, bushy plants will result that will blossom .profusely next spring. DO NOT OVER-EARTH THE POTATOES. Potatoes are not very early this season. Their progress can only be assured with fine weather, and much of the past has n-ot been in their favour, but they have picked up greatly of late. One necessary attention to all is to draw the soil on each eide of the plants up in a ridge. This is known as earth- ing up, and is done with the object of sup- porting the stems and covering all the pota- toes. When the plants are not earthed up the tubers often peep through the aairfaee. They become grron from exposure, aœd are unfit for the taible, but by drawing the earth up it. keep-s th-sm all covered and perfect in colour. Many, however, make the mistake <5f drawing up too much earth to them. They make great ridges, and a thick coating of soil ftomds between the tubers and the air and light. This is a hindrance which tells ngainet both MZ3 and flavour, and the more superfluous earth that is heaped on them the smaller the success. In trials im 1906 and 1907 of lots merely covered with earth, others with a medium coating, and some with a. thick layer, the thinner furfacinrrs produced much the largest tubers, the heaviest crops, and the bast quality. This will be well understood by all who have studied the nature of the potato, and knew the good parts air and sunshine play in •devalopi.riig fine oroips and keeping off disease. SHEEP DROPPINGS AS TLS XT FOOD. She-op dung is the richest of all animal fer- tilisers. The best and greatest crops on the farm follow the feeding of sheep, and they are most- ca pable land reformers; but thei r influence is less 11\ the garden, as th-fir manure is rarely obtainable, and never in sufficient quantity to make a substantial im- pression. Were onion beds and other quar- ters dressed with sheep dung the results would be surprising; but little furrier can be f-urgested than that all who possibly can should secure some dropT^rgs and convert them into liquid manure with which to -warier the pot plants and other things. A few pound.? of droppings will do this, and theee may be secured in many parts on inquiry. I know a most successful amateur grower who receives all the malllouriaJ parts of the sheep from a butcher every week. Hia fuchsias and geraniums especially are extra- ordinarily fine, and his crops altogether supe- rior, and all is traceable to the eh-eep dun-g, which is the only manure used. XEW GROWTH ON PALMS. Palms are very slow-growing plants. The majority of them rarely make mere than two or three now leaves in the year—some only one—and palm-growers have to wait patiently on great s-ize being attained. There aro many plants, too, that are indisposed to produce ia new leaf, and they ar-s highly un- satisfactory, as it is not ep,couraging to keep and tend any plant that makes no progress. It is owiJb to the slow growth of palms that so many of them go wrong from over-water- ing .at the roots. Excesses are given, and there is 110 demand for such. The plants cannot utilise it in their slow growth, amd a great aid to the production, of now leaves is consistent watering. Even big palms in full growth and leaf are somewhat sluggish drinkers, the safety point being keep them in a medium state. The young leaves are greatly assisted in pushing up by slightly spraying the centre of the plant every morn- ing. Do not give so much water as to be always lodging in the socket there, but juist sufficient, or a very small quantity, to soften growth. Young palm leaves are,very tender. They will soon spot and discolour in the sun- shine, and shade is a requirement of the young and tender. Palm leaves ought to remain fully ornamental on the plants fo.r many years, and this is why it is so highly desirable to get the young ones to develop freely amd spotlessly. HELPING THE BEANS AND PEAS TO POD. All are now longing to gather green peas and. broad beans. The former will be ready first, and both will be induced to fill their pods more rapidly if the ends are nipped out of the stems. Top them at the highest flower that is open. Remove by pinching with finger and thumb. The crop will come 1Ill(),re in together then, and swell up to their fullest. Where black fly is on the broad beans collect the tops and burn them straight away. WITHERED ROSES. Thc- roses now eclipse aN other attractions in the garden* and the delightful enjoyment they afford should be embraced on every possible occasion, They should be inspected in the morning before the day's busdnesa is begun. How refreshingly sweet they are In the evening one should dwell amongst them, looking at every bud and flower, amd promptly removing everything that is objectionable. The .plants and. blooms will then be in constant order, and the utmost pleasure will be experienced. I have previously urged the removal of all puckers and the killing of grubs. Do not omit. these, as this is their most active and harmful season. Be equally careful in removing all withered flowers. It is easily detected when their attractions are over. The petals fall or shrink, and seed pods form, which shouM be looked upon as parasites, as they draw much sustenance from the plant. They require nipping off daily, acd the sweet beauty of tho plants, are enhanced by it. FINE FLOWERING PYRETHRUMS. The class of pyrotbrums that produce beau- tiful, showy flowers alnao&t like chrysanthe- mums are of modern introduction. The old types have been improved exceedingly, and as hardy flowers in June they a.re amongst the most ehowy and useful. There aire single and double flowering kinds, and aJU shades and colours are represented. Isolated plants do not make a great show, but when planted m groups or, better still, in a bed together they are most attractive. The flowers have stems over one foot in length, and they are most useful as cut-flowers, and well adapted for room and table decorations. Once the first crowd of flowers a.pe over cut the plaints down. somewhat closely, when they will re- grow and bloem a (gain in September with all their June-like freedom. SOWING SEED OF PRIMULAS AND CINERARIAS. Both cinerarias and primulas are excellent flowers for the greenhouse in winter amd spring. They grow compactly, flower freely, aDd can be Tajsed from seed every year. Now ja a good time to sow. Do not put in a let, hurt a dozen, or two plants of each will be much appreciated. Drain and flll a six-inch pot with sandy soil. Make it firm and leveil on the top. Scatter the seed here. Cover most slightly, and water. Place in a oorner of the •greenhouse, and put a bit of glass omr the top of the pots. Let these remain till the plants appear, them give more air and light. While enjoying a pipe blow the smoke on the torp of the cinerarias often, tlo dÏSl..D\U8t green- fly, which is their great enemy. Primuiias require a little more warmth amd protection than cinerarias. The former must be grown when young in the greenhouse, but the latter do well in a frame, and, apart from their favouring insects, they grow like weeds. THE JUDIS TREE. This tree is now in flower. I have a speci- men. of it. about fifteen feet high, aud it is a subject of much beauty and interest. Its botanical is Cercis Siliquastrum, but Judis tree is commonly applied to it, as it is generally believed this was the tree on which Judas hanged himself after the betrayal of Christ. It is quite hardy, grows in all gar- dens, and bears crowds of rosy-purple pea- sh.aped flowers. The leaves are not very plentiful or luxuriant, but the flowers are exceedingly numerous. THE MOST HEALTHY LAND FOR POULTRY. Poultry are so generally kept that it is assumed they will succeed on all soils, but they are n1-11oh mare easily mlamraoged amd successful on some soils thau others. In many oases some of tibem a.re always more or lees ailing, while in others they are con- tinually robust. Plenty have mo choice, but must miake the best and moat of existing con- ditions. All who intend going largely in for poultry-keeping or farming should give keen consideration to tho nature of the soil, and only soloct such positions as are most appro- priate. This will be found a most acceptable facility. Heavy, w6trreta,in:i!ng soils a.re the most objecticmsMe. Success is ap-WLH work here, and cannot be mainrtaained, as every- thing tends to ailmenKts but on a light, porous soil, where the wet never stays and that is always sanitary, sickness is excep- tional and good health easily mikes. Decided preference should toe given not only to sur- faces thatt are naturally dry, but also to porous sub-soils. Look into these points inquisitively. Where fowls are often, sickly and the goal is cold a.nd wet-retaining, do not be disheartened and contemplate giving up poultry, but introduce 00trn.t'eraetione, amd drain the site of the run. Dig trenches one foot wide and two or three feet deeip, and ftllup with clinkers, broken brick?, and micn- like materials. Pipes may also be used, all inclining to outlets. Two years ago I was asked to inspect very wet poultry laud where I things were not going well. I advised draan- inig. This was at once done, and ever since perfect success has been met with. DUPLICATE PENiS FOR POULTRY. Where poultry are kept in confined rums, as so many are, the rule is to let them occupy the whole space available continually, and no opportunity is afforded of giving theim a change of ground. This is always beneficial, and greater efforts should be made to secure it. This is easily done, no matter how small the run. by dividing the space and letting the fowls run on alternate weeks or months in .elaioh space. The vacant one 8Weetcm8 while the other is in use, and it is a great facility to health and productivenass. MOISTURE FOR RASPBERRIES. Raspberries are making a grand promise of full crops. Bloom buds are abundant, and 'nothing will make the crops a failure now. They can be de-pc<aded upon to respond to all that is done for them, and no small fruit ia more valuable for home use or selling. A special partiality of the raspberry is the love of moisture at the roots in summer. It is never a success when the roots lack moisture while in leaf, flower, and fruit, but keep wet from now till the fruit has ripened and been scoured, and all will be glowing. If growing in light, sandy soils, keep a look-out that thoy do not become dry. There is danger of this—indeed, it. will occur in all soils in dry weather—-and before a leaf droops or becomes yellow givs abundance of water. Keep all green. All kinds of liquid manure may be given them freeiy. when the fruit will be large and richly juicy. PROPPING UP STRAWBERRIES. Strawberries form in clusters, each £ t:«n having a number of fruit on the top. The wsight of t-he=e as they develop bend them down till they rest '111 the soil, and the most p-^rfert fruit in size, colour, and flavour axe secured when this is prevented by keeping the fruit up. An ea->y way of doing this is to get a number of little forked bits of sticks. Pu-.h the end in the ijoil and the bunch of fruit in the fork as high up as the fruit will reach. This not only keeps the fruit off the soil, but out of the way of the slugs and snails, and as it is elevated above the leaves it. all ripens beautifully. The whole of the crops may not be done in this way, but the lü'1: of the fruit ought to, as the labour and expense are nothing and the superiority attained great. PROTECTING STRAWBEEEIES FROM BIRDS: Birds are ,alway. go-od judges of fruit, and the deIieioa-> strawberry never escapes thedr attention. They consume heaps, and have a peculiarity of selectin-g the best. They may he driven off and off, but the only sure means of saving the crop is to exclude the birds with net-. The old etrins-made one-inch fiiSihi.ng-net3 are the j-ort to use. They aro cheap and durable. I11 gardens where exporso is no object frameworks are raised up, with posts and rails, over which the nets are placed, and one can walk inside and gather and enjoy the fruit; but in the poor man's garden temporary arrangements only are made. The nets should never reet on the plants, as it is injurious to them, and the birds pick the fruit through the meshes. The nets must be raised one foot or more above t-he plants. This may be done by strong forked sticks or rods bent over the rows or beds lioop-like, and the net puit to reet on them. This is a- very good way. The nets are easily re-moved when the fruit has to bo gathered, and then put <m again. THINNING SEEDLING FLOWERING PLANTS. Seed of annuaii flowering plants sown in the bode and borders has now -produced plants well abcAe the ground. The majority are too crowded, and they ought to be thinned out at one.?. The advantage oft this i.3 that the plants grow mere robustly and bear larger flowers that produce the most vivid colours a.nd perfect forms. The display made by crowded plants is trashy compared with the well-developed. The display from thinned plants is also the most durable. Thin them, if possible, when the fioil is wet or imme- diately after rain. They draw cut easily then, and those left are not upset. If the soil is not wet water all the plants on one evening and thin them out the next. Puil.1 c'u.t the weak ones, and let oach have room according to its probable development. The plants drawn cut should be planted else- where to fill rap failures or vacancies, or some poor neighbours will be thankful for the sur- plus.
TO BUY OR LEASE LAND? «
News
Cite
Share
gence to a backward mortgagor, and allow his interest to run into arrears for a year or more before taking drastic measures against him. Then come the inevitable costs of sale-the solicitor's fees for deducing title and the auctioneer's charges for- advertising and selling. The margin is, therefore, very meagre to meet contingencies. Then such things as collusion between veijdor and purchaser have been known. W hen the real purchase money is. say, £ ->00, the parties agree to put it at £600. This trick would enable the buyer to get an advance from the council in the case supposed of £ 480 instead of £ 400fj leaving the buyer to find £ 20 ohiy instead of £ 100. The council would, of course, protect themselves by a Valua- tion, but a valuation is illusory at best. The real value is the selling price, and. that is dependent upon numerous cir- cumstances. There may be several pur- ehasers in tho field to-day and none in a, year's time. I have said enough j I think, to make it clear that it behoves a county council to be exceedingly careful in advancing money oil mortgages. Before concluding, I should like to point out what appears to be a, blot Oil the recent Act.. The council cannot acquire oompulsdrily a holding of less, than fifty acres. The object is obviotis. Ifc is to prevent the council, while creating small holdings and allotments, from destroying those already in'exist- ence. I hardly, think, however, the Act carries out what was the real intention. It has now the effect of protecting pros- perous tradesmen at the expense of the working class. Allotments, to be of use I to the working class, must be within. a reasonable distance of the town they live in. It will be found, however, that most of the land within a radius of a mile of a town is accommodation land.* It is not essential that small holdings should be within the radius mentioned. Doubtless, the majority of the allot- ments will be used as garden plots by artisans and others residing in towns. I have in my mind the circumstances surrounding Aberystwyth. I believe no land can be compulsorilv acquired within a mile of the town for allotments owing to the restriction before men- tioned, as there is no holding exceeding fifty acres in extent within the limit mentioned. There is, however, a little beyond the distance mentioned land admirably adapted for small holdings. I refer to the Penglaise Estate. It now lies with the public through their representatives to put in force without delay the simple, easy, and cheap facilities for obtaining land com- pulsorily. The efficient exercise of the rights now given will have very far- reaching and indirect effects. It will bring more land into the market, and thereby reduce the selling and letting. value of land generally. The above are only instances of changes that will come to pass with respect to land proprietor- ship.
Farming NOTES. I 4 «
News
Cite
Share
sample was called oockle wheat meal. This consisted of the ecreeninigs from wheat ground to a meal. Such a substance consists to a large extent of weed seeds. Though no harmful seed could be detected in this sample, such an article is not a safe food, a.-t it is always liable to contain unknown quantities of weed seeds which may be more or les.3 poisonous." The chemist of the Highland Agricultural Society is not alone in taking up a firm atti- tude in this matter. The Royal Agricultural Society of England has deemed it advisable 'I to take more drastic action in this matter. For the guio(la1we of the members the council has ved to publish in their official report the names of vendors of samples which have been found to fall considerably short of the guarantee. This is- only reverting to the sccieity's former practice, and certainly should help to make manufacturers and dealers very careful, for this sort of adver- tisement is not desirable. At the, last meet- ing of the council reports were submitted dealing with three samples. In one the meal fell considerably short of the guarantee, and the result of the correspondence was that a liberal allowance was made to the purchaser. In the case o-f a compound manure an allow- ance of £ 2 10s., or 50 per cent., was made on a. ton, and in a ease üf a potato manure I offered at £5 10s. per ton, carriage paid, the analysis failed to disclose value for one- third of this amount. The consuiltting chemist valued it at 303, which the Royal Council deemed a liberal allowance. At the present time, with few exceptions, there is little danger of purchasing injurious ingredients in a manure, and the loss suffered is gene- rally through poorness of quality. In the c.ase of food stuffs, however, it i.s different. SuT7gta.noes highly injurious to the health of stock a.re sometimes found in elites and meals, and occasionally an actual poison mak.pa its appearance; indeed, in feeding stuffs purity is almost of more importance than quality, but both are of great, moment, and farmers in their own interest should I take oarefuil note of the scientific reports from agricultural societies. Farmers should also .carefully study the quarterly reports of their own county agricultural analyst. X-ext their own county agricultural analyst. X-ext week we shall draw attention to the reports of the Glamorganshire analyst and other county a*gricultural analysts.