COUNTRY NEWS AND NOTES.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14547, 26 December 1912, Page 4

COUNTRY NEWS AND NOTES.

* - JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS. Our Gisborne correspondent telegraphs that shearing on the East Coast is nearly over, most of the big stations ' having cut out. There has been an abnormal clip this year, and the wool ■ on the whole is of good quality. Our Wainui correspondent telegraphs thut owing to the unsettled state of tho weather, shearing operations have been to some extent delayed this year. The Krjtes seed is coming on well, and it looks as it' there will bo a good yield. Tho nbsence of tares in the crop this , voi'ir is very noticeable. Tho prevalence of udder disease amongst cows is a somewhat serious matter on tho Peninsula at present. The Akaroa ''Mail" hoard that 0110 farmer who had a herd of 45 milking cows had to turn out 38 who were affected with i this complaint. In several other oases : rows had to be turned out for the seaj son, and tho loss is a serious one. i The cr.cksfoot crop has greatly iinj proved during the last threo weeks, i liotli in the nuddocks and. on tho sides iof the roads (.says our Governor's liny I correspondent). Thero is now every ! indication of there being a very fair amount of wed to bw harvested. Tho County Council has let tho roadsides lor tho crop. It now depends greatly tin the weather, ns it is v most ficklo I and uncertain season. The enrly I cherries were a very good crop this i spring, and for tho other early fruits ] there" vroro also good crops. Later • frnitr. seem to be a fair avorago this I season. Most of the hay has been f carted and stacked in gowl order and i condition, but sonic of the crops aro ! still lying out in the paddocks.