446 



GENERAL AGRICULTURAL NOTES. 



[March 1896. 



cattle-rearing industry is now located in the south, the attention 

 given to wheat and maize growing having driven live stock 

 from the northern districts ; but althougli there is no actual 

 increase in the number of live stock, yet there is no doubt that 

 their value has considerably advanced, owing to the great strides 

 made in improving the breeds both of sheep and cattle. 



Exports of Apples from the United States. 



In the report for 1895 of the United States Secretary for 

 Agriculture it is stated that the economic value of apples for 

 export is becoming more generally known to the horticulturists 

 and farmers of the United States. Each year their exportation 

 to Europe increases in quantitj^, quality, and value. Good 

 winter apples carefully selected and properly packed always 

 meet with a favourable reception and command good prices in 

 Great Britain and on the Continent. It is remarked that the 

 best known American apples in Great Britain and continental 

 countries are Baldwins, King of Tompkins County, Ribs ton 

 Pippins, Northern Spy, and various Russets ; but there is no 

 doubt that the Winesap, Jonathan, Greening, Ben Davis, 

 Vandever Pippin, and other well-known varieties grown in 

 United States orchards would be very acceptable, and always 

 secure for their shippers fair prices and profits. 



Apples are shipped in barrels holding about three bushels, 

 weighing about 112 lbs. The freight of these barrels from New 

 York to European ports is less than 4s. per barrel, or Is. 4(i. per 

 bushel. 



Export shipments of apples from any of the States east of the 

 Eocky Mountains can be made remunerative, according to this 

 report, and the variety which has sold for the highest price in 

 British markets is the Albemarle Pippin, which is successfully 

 grown to its greatest perfection in the State of Virginia. This 

 variety has sometimes netted the growers 9s. 4(i. a bushel in the 

 orchards. 



New Zealand Horses. 



The Auckland Weekly News states that the Government 

 have received information through the Agent-General that the 

 Clydesdale horse bred in New Zealand has grown in estimation 

 in England for draught purposes and fetches very high prices 

 in the open market. The average price for the Clydesdale 



