COUNTRY NEWS AND NOTES.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12935, 15 October 1907, Page 8

COUNTRY NEWS AND NOTES.

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

Onr Oamaru correspondent telegraphs as follows -.-Cold winds continue to delay the growth of orops and grasj, and the spring promises to be a late ono unless the weather improves. The fine rains of August have moistened tho soil thoroughly, but warmth is now required. Lambing returns promise to be satisfactory, from 95 to 120 per cent, increases being reported. The loss of ewas and laniba has been very slight in spite of the rough weather, which had occasioned loss only in exposed localities. A Marton resident, who purchased a thousand acres between Mangaweka nnd Taihapo at £7 per acre, has, in four years. earned the price ot the land by grazing store sheep and cattlo on it,'and has a banking account to boot.

Pear trees in the North Canterbury district are showing a wonderful profusion of bloom. iSomc of the trees are as white as if they were covered entirely with snow flakes. Our "Methven correspondent writes a.s follows:—After a few days' threatening weather a fine soaking shower fell on Thursday morning which

will do an immense amount of good. There being .slight frosts for some timo pa.st, growth was a bit backward.

Another English Romney two-tooth ram has been .secured by Mr E. Short (says the "New Zealand Times.'') It was bred by Mr Palmer, of Lenham, Kent, and will not reach the Dominion till tho end of the year, as a condition of the purchase was that tho owner should have its service foT his stud ewes. Mr Short considens it is tho best hogget ho has seen this year. It is said to have a very fine "body and an excellent fleece, "it is a soil of Mr C. File's old champion, Jumbo 48th.

The showers in the ElUwmero district during the past week (writes our correspondent) had a beneficial effect on the croixs and grass. There is now some chance of the farmers getting a strike of rape and early turnips. It will bo more encouraging to sow gra.ss and clover now, as owing to the scarcity of seed a very high price is ruling. It is estimated by ono whose opinion is of some value (says a Manawatu paper) that the loss of lambs on account of the recent inclement weather will be from three to four per cent., this including the high country, where conditions were most severe. He nlsc considers that the lambing will not be less than 100 per cent. Tho big burn which took place at Mangatu last summer, when 4700 acres of bush went up in smoke, is to be exceeded by an even larger one this year (says the 'Poverty Bay Herald"). Mr Buchanan, who last year cleared some 3000 acres, is felling 2000 acres, while Mr Dods, adjoining, is bringing down 1200 acres, and Messrs Barron Bros, are also clearing an extensive area. Altogether in this block there will be over 5000 acres alone which will all be fired at the same time. Other settlers higher up the valleyare also bringing large areas into occupation. The clearing in the Mangatu district now extends right through to Pontutu.

The ram in Mr E. Short's imported stiing of Southdowns, brought by the Arawa on Thursday (says the "NewZealand Times"), haa a wonderfully dense fleece of fine quality and covering him splendidly all over. He waa considered tho shortest-legged Southdown seen out this year. With the true symmetrical carcase he has a nice biown face. The latter is difficult to secure in England now, as dark faces are general. - Another weakness in English Southdowns is a tendency to "monkey" ears. The ram is from the Duko of Devonshire's flock. One of tho ewes (the three carrying all before them at this season's shows) was champion as a single ewe on three occasions. One thing which struck a recent visitor to London from Wellington (says the "Post") waa tho fact, he say», that he was able when at Home to obtain New Zealand poultry of superior quality to that which is sold in the Dominion, and at prices below what are ruling in this country. There is no doubt, he asserts, that the best birds are sent Home, and it is strange that they can be sold at a profit at rates below those prevailing in New, Zealand.

Yesterday's "North Otago Times" says:—The cold winds continue to hinder the growth of grass and crops. Farmers who were in town on Saturday reported that in all localities* the spring was a late one, in spite of the fine rains which fell in August. Lambing is turning out well, and satisfactory percentages are reported by many, whilo tho mortality is said to be small.