THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15488, 15 January 1916, Page 2

THE COUNTRY.

news and notes

JOTTINGS FOR FARMEBS,

A Pahiatoa telegram states that the Tararua Dairy Company has decided to communicate with Mr Cuddie of the Department of Agriculture, r es 'r,ccting the making of rennet ;n thef Dominion. The danger of an early shortage of rennet is fully realised by the directors, in view of the fact that Central Europe, and Poland in particular, -where tho raw material is extensively produced, are seriously affccted by the war.

Soft deposits of carbonate of lima have been discovered at Flasbourne, principally on Mr A. Thompson's property, and there is a probability of their proving a valuable source of supply for the farmers of jMarlborougu. The question of developing them was discussed with much interest at the meeting of the Farmers' Union held at Blenheim on Saturday. Mr Aston and Mr McTaggart, of the Agricultural Department, and Mr Morgan, of the Geological Department, have interested themselves in the matter, and the result is that soft deposits were found underground. A sample was taken, and on a rough test it showed a quality of SO per cent. A more exact analysis is being made, and will be published in tho "Agricultural Journal." Acting on the advice of the Department, Mr Thompson cancelled his order for a rock-crusher; and ho is now opening up the soft do posits in the hone that they will prove to bo of sufficient extent and value to serve the requirements of the general body of farmers.

HAN3IER SPRINGS. Tlic weekly euchre tournament in aid of the lied Cross Hospital Fund was held in the hall on Wednesday night. There was a good attendance. The prizes were won by Miss Thomas and Private O'Neill. A. cushion and doll, presented by Misses E. Kermode and Patterson respectively, were sold for £1 14s. The takings at tho door amounted to £1 12s, making a total of £3 6s. ' A dance was afterwards held. Mr Dodds gave the use of tho hall free of ccst. KAIAPOI. A party of children camping at Kairnki for the holidays gave an enjoyable impromptu concert at Mrs Featherstone's residence on Thursday afternoon. A collection realised £2 for the Kaiapoi Red Cross Fund. HALSWELL. At a meeting of the trustees of the Halswcll Methodist Church, held on Thursday, it was reported that the cost of painting and renovating the building had been entirely liquidated by tho generous contributions of members and friends. Gratification was expressed at the splendid results achieved, and with the object of furthering the church's ; interests in the district, initial arrangements were made to hold an entertainment at a later date. PREBBLETON. Mr D. A. Withers, of Prebbleton, lias three sons enlisted. Sergeant G. Withers has been at the front since September; another is in camp at Wellington, and a third, Robert, after being rejected twice, has undergone a varicose vein operation, and has now been accepted for the Mounted Rifles with the 12ths. A letter has been received from Sergeant G. Withers, dated from Woodlawn Hospital, 8.R.C.5., Fielden Park, West Didsbury, Manchester, dated December 6th, stating that though suffering from a compound fracture of the left leg and two bullet wounds in the right leg, he is progressing satisfactorily.

GERALMNE. Harvesting is now becoming general throughout thiß district, and there are many capital crops, tho dry weather "notwithstanding.' Grass lands are fairly baked, and some farmers have been cutting oats to feed their cows. There have been rumours of an alleged case of sheep-stealing, and it is understood that a caso will bo heard shortly. IN SOUTH CANTERURY. A correspondent writes: The continued fine weather and hot northwest winds have been exceedingly unwelcome in South Canterbury, where a whole downpour of rain is required urgently, to relieve the pastoral situation. Not any of the recent showers | were sufficiently penetrating to have lasting effects, and the grasslands, as a rule, are now looking bare And brown. Here or there exceptions may be found, as in the districts near the hills, from Peel Forest in a line through Woodbury to the Four Peaks settlements, and elsewhere; but nearer the plains along the course of the Rangitata river, by Arundel, Cooper's Creek, Belfield, Orton, and Rangitata Island, the short feed problem is particularly serious. Here, the sight of a 'flock of sheep getting all the good they can from a stunted crop, is not infrequent, and unless it is improved by a steady rainfall, the outlook ahead is the reverse of encouraging.

In the districts north of the Rangitata, harvest prospects unfortunately are not good, and, generally speaking, it is the small holders who will go shortest. On the other hand a large

farmer who refused seven shillings and twopencc a bushel for several thousand bushels of Iris wheat, is hoping for a profitable sale in the near future. Apparently, a considerable store of grain is still being held over from last season. In the districts mentioned above), presumably competent opinions have it that the average corn yield will 1 be far below the average of the past dozen years, but the showers about Christmas and the New Year were of great use in filling out the heads of the standing crops, and possibly the threshing returns may snow an increase over expectations. Through the oountry from Clandeboye to Orari, the prospect for the wheat harvest remains fair or good. The, same note will abply towards Kakalra, and particularly near Woodbury and Orari bridge, where the majority of the crops are good or better. Some exceptionally fine fields, both of | wheat and oats, are to be seen on land belonging to Mr Dixon, by the Geraldino-Woodbury road: also there is a very notable, wheat crop on the | farm owned by Mr T. Wooding,, close J to the road leading to Pleasant Valley. Throughout this locality, good wheat prospects are pleasingly numerous, and taking the unfavourable season' into consideration, the crops may be classed altogether as very fdir. Hereabouts, a good many yields of ryegrass seed have been threshed out during the past week, and at the present price of seed, results averaging thirty or more bushelsppetr t acre must certainly be set down as excellent. . The root crops have received a good start from the recent showers, and on the whole promise well, but the hot north-wester of Wednesday has left its mark upon thenj, and here again a twenty-four hours' rainfall would be of the greatest use. Late turnip-sowing is yet in progress, many farmers having delayed this work until it seemed there was more chance of a wetting to start the seed. Shearing operations are not yet finished in the hill districts, bnt given favourable conditions, another week should bring the end in sicht. News from the hill runs in the Waihi country is generally satisfactory.