FARM TOPICS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9999, 31 March 1898, Page 2

FARM TOPICS.

" Weekly Press and Referee." The Rabbit Act. The question of trapping and poisoning was discussed at a meeting of the Waita. huna Fanners' Club on the 28th nit., and ultimately the secretary was instvucted to write to the Minister of Lands stating that in the opinion of the club the most effective method of coping with the rabbit pest in this district was by trapping. In the course of discussion it was pointed put that there were less rabbits in the district this year than had been the case for some years previously, and the case was attributed to the vigorous system of trapping that was carried out last year. The Minister for Lands is determined that the provisions of the Rabbit Act shall be strictly enforced (flaye the Otago Daily Timen) To a question from a representative of that journal as to whether he had anything to say about the agitation in the Kurow and Waitahuna distriot-s regarding the enforcement of the Act, he replied, "No ; nothing except that the people have got to kill the rabbits." Mr McKenzie also said that no inspectors had been suspended or dismissed for not enforcing the" Act; but that " i they did nofc discharge their duties they would be discharged themselves ; about that there need be no mistake. ,. The Potato Market. Oα potato market prospects, the Tasmani,an Farmers' Association states that "recent exports have been above the average, partly owing to harvest and thrashing operations being sufficiently advanced in some districts to permit attention to be turned to digging, partly through the continued dry weather having ripened many of the crops off, but principally through the satisfactory prices consignments are realising, bringing a profit even to those whose crops are turning out as low as a ton to the acre. Deliveries are likely to be heavier now-, but we do not. look for much diminution in value, as Queensland will be entirely dependent on Tasmania for some time, while Sydney will soon be very nearly in the sanle position. Victoria, usually at this time a heavy exporter to West Australia, Qneeneland, and New South Wales, is experiencing » good deal ot difficulty in supplying her own needs, with not much prospect of improvement for some months. Siuth Australia is apparently short, and will probably draw from Tasmania should values decline. West Australia and Queensland also will now draw regularly from ua, so we can now look forward to a satisfactory outlet for from 8000 to 10,000 sacks per week; beyond that, bearing in mind the shortage in crop now being dug, and the more considerable shortage certain to be disclosed when the late crop is placed on the market, we think Tasmanian growers should not go." The Wjbrpinq Wellow as' Foddbb. The weeping willow in the Hastings district, says the Standard, is of considerable value for other than ornamental and shelter purposes. Large numbers of treee are now being denuded of their branches for food purposes, cheep, cattle, and horses being very fond of the leave*. After the leaves and tender branches are fed off, the limbs are dried and used for firewood, and in due ourse the tree again springs forth fresh branches, to probably undergo the same] process at some future time.