H.—29b

38

Literature in pamphlet and leaflet form pertaining to all branches and dealing with all phases of agriculture was provided in profusion. A. very pleasing and commendable feature about these was that they were written in plain language that an\ layman could read and understand, all scientific and technical terms being strictly avoided. I noticed thai the departmental officials in charge of exhibits also avoided using scientific or technical words when conversing with and giving advice to the public. This practice, which is no innovation, and has also been endorsed and acted upon by the United States Department of Agriculture, is undoubtedly a step in the right direction, and coincides with the great national, movement so universal throughout both these countries Whereby every means and. channel is taken advantage of lo impart knowledge and educate both the individual and agricultural eonimun i (ies in matters agricultural, which are served up to them in such a way that he who reads caiinol help but learn. 1 also had opportunities during my sojourn in America of visiting a good many horticultural exhibitions or shows, and was much sttuck. with the manner iii which the greater number of exhibits were set up. Specimens of fruit, cereals, and vegetables were displayed in large glass exhibition jars, which were filled with a liquid that not only preserved the article for a number of years, but also had the effect of the article retaining its true colour no matter what that might be. Exhibits set up in this manner are undoubtedly of great advantage from an educational point of view, and wherever displayed caused a deal of attraction. Exhibits in connection with feeds and up-to-date appliances, (fee, used in I he poultry industry also formed a prominent and attractive feature at all American exhibitions. Potato-growing. Potato-growing is extensively carried on both in the United Slates and Canada. The potato lias acquired a position next to wheat for human consumption in the annual field crops of the world, and enormous quantities are utilized in the arts and for stock-food. The world's crop of potatoes exceeds that of wheat by some two billion bushels. The two greatest potato-growing countries are at war—viz., Germany and Russia. Germany annually grows 8,000,000 acres, prodtlcing over 1,600,000,000 bushels, which are dealt with as follows: 12 per cent, for seed, 40 per cent, for feeding live-stock, 28 per cent, for human consumption, 0 per cent, for alcohol, 1 pel cent, for starch, and 10 per cent, for loss and waste. Russia produces over 1,500,000,000 bushels. In 1914 the potato crop of the United States yielded 450,921,000 bushels and that of Canada 85,672,000 bushels, whilst Great Britain and Ireland in the same year produced 272,511),000 bushels (weight of bushel in all cases 60 lb.). In both the United States and Canada there is a great, demand for and attention is given to the production of large-sized shallow-eyed potatoes of good quality for hotels, restaurants, and dining-cars, the practice being to bake the potato in its jacket, one being sufficiently large lo do for a, person's meal. Potatoes suitable for this trade always command a high price. Forage and other Feed Crops for l''arm-aiiiinals. In New Zealand, situated as we are in the South Temperate Zone, surrounded by the waters of (he Pacific Ocean, we are not subject to the extreme range of temperature both of heat and cold experienced in countries like the United} States and Canada, which form part of the great Continent of America. Our annual average rainfall in both Islands also is greater, spread over the entire year, and more assured, having no real droughts, but sometimes experiencing dry seasons in local districts. Our Comparatively mild climatic conditions are such, together with our vast ticreage of pastures of introduced grasses, the latter supplemented by root crops, rape, kale, a little hay, and in some parts ensilage, that we are enabled to feed our stock almost, entirely in the open field the whole year through, without- having to make provision for housing and the storing of vast supplies of (odder to carry on for five to seven months of each year, as in sonic of the States and. Canada; besides which, farmers in those countries arc burdened with the providing of the necessary labour to hand-feed and tend stock during such a lengthy period. Grain of all sorts arid concentrated commercial feeding-stuffs also enter largely into the conditions undo- which dairying and stock-fattening are canted on. With regard to "concentrated commercial feeding-stuffs," most States have enacted that manufacturers, importers, manipulators, or persons who become responsible for the sale of feedingstuffs must register, and before offering or exposing for sale any feeding-stuff as defined in the law must submit the required certificate, accompanied by fees, and an order for State Chemist's labels to the value of £1 or some multiple, for each feeding-stuff it is desired to offer for sale. These Chemist's labels must be attached to every package of LOO lb. or fraction thereof. Great care has to be taken that all shipments or sales of feed equal or exceed the guarantee for crude fat and crude protein, contain less crude fibre, and have ihe net weight and materials printed on the Slate Chemist's labels, which require to he attached io each package. Heavy penalties for breaches of the Act are inflicted. Maize. —The maize crop is the greatest of the crops of the United States. In forage crops as well as in grain crops maize heads the list. In Canada as well as the United States maize is the main silage crop. Within the last thirty years silage has come into general use throughout the United States and Canada, especially in regions where the dairy industry has reached its greatest, development, Silage is recognized as a good ami cheap feed for farm stock, particularly so for cattle and sheep. The reasons for the popularity of silage are that it is the best and cheapest form in which a succulent feed can be provided for winter use. An acre of corn can be placed in the silo as cheaply as it could be secured by any other met hod. (hops can be put into the silo during all conditions of weather. A given quantity of, say, corn will, produce more milk than the same amount if otherwise cured for feed. There is less waste in feeding silage