THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15537, 13 March 1916, Page 2

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES.

CROPS AND YIELDS,

The country away through. from ifayficid, Mt. Somers. Staveley. and Alford Forest', is jus*, now looking remarkably well, and there is a superabundance of feed for stock on all sides. In fact., some of the stock-owners say that- they have too much, and the growth of late lias been something phenomenal. Thero has been an abundance all through the season, and both sheep and cattle have done remarkably well. There are many exceptionally good crops of turnips and rape to be. seen, and some exceptionally heavy oat crops. The* creamery at Staveley, which is the pioneer creamery in the Ashburtou district, presents a very busy scene for several hours each morning, and the company is having ono of the best seasons in its history. The daily milk supply has shown a slight falling-off just recently, partly owing to the great Hush of feed nJid tho grass being a bit. too sappy to give the best milk results. During the ■months of December and January the average daily supply of milk taken to the creamery was_2ooo gallons, or about 300 gallons per day more than for the corresponding months of last season. The milk tests were also of a most satisfactory average, and the price per pound paid for butter-fat being good, the suppliers are reaping a rich reward. The whole district just now is in a very prosperous condition. Mr A. MoFarlane* of" Alford Forest, has a very heavy crop of oats in a paddock which a few years ago was nothing but a mass of gorse. He has also got a remarkably good crop of turnips in an qd joining paddock, which was ulso at ■bne time a mass of gorse, but which he gradually brought under a high state of cultivation.

Further down, and awav across to Highbank. some heavy yields of whqtat-, oats, and barley have been threshed cut. Mr W. Hart recently threshed out a bin- paddock of wheat which averaged 66 bushels per acre, and he paddock of oats which averaged 70 bushels per acre. Mr J. Johnston, who has a farm in tho Lyndhurst district; also had a paddock of oats which averaged 70, bushels. Mr F. Scott, of Winchmore, had an average of 4oibusheli of wheat per acre, and a neighbourinjr. fanner, who threshed out a total of 7000 bushels, had an average of 30 bushels per acre. One threshing mill owner, whose mill has now been at work in .the Winchmore, Lauriston, and Lyndhurst distriet.3 for about seven weeks, informed our correspondent that the average for wheat for the whole of these districts has been working out to about- 28 bushels per acre, bub he does not think the average for the whole of the Ashburton district will reach -0 bushels per acrc.

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS. Fat-hen usually grows to a height of from three to four feet. On a farm in tho Winchmore (.Ashburton) district, however, this weed has grown to a height of 7ft 4in, which is just about twice the height of the lcnccs which encircle the paddock.

Threshing operations have now been pretty nearly completed in North Otago, many of the mill-owners reporting that they have pulled in their mills for the season. The results generally have been a good deal below the averago (says the "Mail"), and tho figures to hand go to show that the estimate given in January of 15 bushels of wheat iper aero for the whole of North Otago will turn out not far from the mark.

Another draft of famishing sheep from North Otago, to the number oi 1100 head, the property of Mr William Gardiner, of "Island Cliff," Ngapara, reached Edendale on Tuesday evening by special train, on their way to « aik'awa Valley pastures (says the "Southland Times"). On being detrucked at Edendale, the sheep were gratuitously fed for three days by Mr Donald Macdon aid, of the estate. After this thoughtfully-provided rest, Mr Fhomas Preen (in charge), proceeded with them t,> their destination. So far this season Mr Preen has "placed" 8000 North

'Otago drought-stricken sheep on grass in the Lower Mat-aura country.

The remarks recently made by a manufacturer of manures regarding the quality of two shipments of Egyptian phosphates brought to the South Island some little while ago were evidently made under a misconception (says the Auckland "Herald").. Dr. Bernard Dyer, the great English analyst, who reported on one of the consignments of Egyptian phosphates sent to Zealand last year, gives its manurial contents as f>3.30 per cent, "of phosphate of lime, soluble in a. - per cent, solution of citric acid to the exttjnt of approximating 9(5.8 i>or cent, of the total phosphates. It is not easy for the farmer to arrive at a just conclusion regarding the real value of fertilisers, and tho law ot New Zealand therefore .inflicts severe penalties on persons A'ho sell manures under a false or erroneous declaration of their contents. The analysis of the Egyptian phosphate shows it to be an exceedingly high-grade fertiliser, particularly rich in the mam manurial element of such fertilisers, phosphoric acid. The analysis also shows another very important advantage, easy solubility, which means that the real manurial element becomes readily available as plant food when mixed with the soil; tho 2 per cent, solution of enne acid used by Dr., Dyer being about equal to "the acid content of ordinary soils. The fact that this Egyptian phosphate contains from 47 to oO per cent, of lime in addition to its phosphoric acid , makes it of particular value to most Northern soils, while the extreme solubility or availability or its phosphoric acid renders it suitable for both root crops and £rats. Another shipment is expected to arn shortly in Auckland.

AMBERLEY

Winter feed has been plentifully sown, and has quickly made growth A verv noticeable nest has presented i -elf this rear, in the. form of the potato <rrub. and the majority of potato crops Tmain) bear signs and traces of ls pest. The whole of the threshing m this district has been completed, and the average return shows 1$ bushels per acre. EAST EYRETON. Privato Henrv H. Martin, who was on leave recently, was presented with a -wristlet watch and other presents by the residents of the district. He is the second son of the late Mr George H. Martin, who was well known throughout North Canterbury. SEJXJEMERE. A harvest home social was held at Sedgemere on Friday evening. There was a large gathering, and dancing was kept up till the early hours of tho n'orning Songs were contributed by Misses W. Marsh, D. Mossop, G. Riordan, and others. Before supper a soeech was made by Mr Taiaroa on the future of the Maori race, in his usual eloquent- style, at the. conclusion of which he sold a flag (n relic of the early days), being finally •purchased by the speaker, and realising the amount of £9 ss. After supper, which was handed round and supplied by the ladies, Mr Howson made a speech on behalf of the Maori Queen, for which the receipts of the social <£13> were to be given in connexion with the Southbridcre Patriotic Gala. Before •breaking up. Mr T. J. Parkin thanked the people for their support, and also to

the musician. Mrs 11. Lambie. A very pleasant evening was brought to a close \ bv tho singing of a verse of '"TipperaJy" and "Auld Lang Syne." SOUTIIBRIDGE. Tho Southbridgo Town Board met- an Thursday evening, when the following members were present: —Messrs E. G. Hubbard (chairman), C. H. Piper, M. Curran, and G. Dyce. The Board carefully considered the circular letter from Dr. Chesson, District Health Officer, urging that -precautions be taken to prevent an outbreak of infantile paralysis in the township. It- was agreed that the chairman of tho Board and the chairman of the Works Committoo make a house-to-house inspection as soon as possible. The clerk was instructed to call for applications for working overseer, caretaker of the hall, and for the lighting of the street lamps for the ensuing year. It was reported that, notwithstanding tho warning issued some time ago, ducks were si ill allowed to pollute the water in the race running along the west side of High street-, from which a supply of water is taken for the swimming bath. In view of the necessity for taking precautions to prevent, if possible, an outbreak of infantile paralysis in the township, the Board decided to take steps t> have the nuisance abated at- once, and to prosecute the owner of tho ducks. TAI TAPI". A largo number of friends from Tai Tapu and tho surrounding districts, gathered at the Public Hall on Friday night to say good-bye to Mr and Mrs W. Anderson and family, who are leaving the district for Oxford, where Mr Anderson has purchased a farm. Mr R. j A. Forbes presided. A much-enjoved . musical programme was gone through, j the following contributing items: — Misses E. Suckling. E. Parrett, A. Welsh, I. Yarr.JD. Nottingham, I. Tanner. Mr H. Watson, and Master D. Suckling. Tho chairman, on behalf oF the residents, presented Mrs Anderson with a spirit kettle, suitably inscribed, and Mr Anderson with a travelling rug bearing his monogram. Miss Annie Anderson, who has been organist, and- a willing worker in connexion with the Presbyterian Church, was presented by the Rev. Mr Hill, on behalf of the congregation, with a handsome gold wristlet watch. The recipients suitably responded. Captain Macartncy also spoke and in the course of his remarks introduced Sertreant P. Fougere, who has been invalided home from the front. Dancing was kept up till a late hour, the music being supplied by Messrs Roosle'- and Pope. Mr J. Wallace acted as M.C. HORORATA. Margaret Watson Barlow is gazetted Registrar of Marriages, Births, and Deaths for tho Hororata district. DAHFIELD. The rain which fell last Tuesday has freshened up grass, turnip. and rape crops. Many farmers say they have never grown better-looking fodder, and since the heavy rainfall of midFebruary prospects for winter feed have improved beyond the most . sanguine expectations. So far blight has not ■ appeared to any great extent.' _ Great difficulty, is being experienced in procuring breeding ewes sufficient for requirements. During the week the majority of the threshing mills working i in the disiriet have pulled in after an exceptionally short season, lasting only about half the time of normal years. Very large quantities of grain are being forwarded bv rail, but so far there has been ample ■ rolling stock available for requirements, probably owing to the poor yields in other districts. Traction-engine haulage to the railway is becoming more and more popular every year, haulers being kept going to the limit of their capacity. Most of the large growers are not satisfied with present prices for wheat, and are consigning to store. Potato digging has not vet commenced, but there , | is every prospect of a good yield. The acreage under potatoes is, however, much smaller than usual. Ploughing- ' is again in full swing, conditions being | excellent for cultivation. A large area I will again be turned over this year. MI3THVEN One of the best displays of flowers, fruit, vegetables, etc., ever made in the Asjiburton district was seen in the Methven Town Hall on Thursday, when the annual show, under the auspices of St. John's Presbyterian Church, was held in aid of the building fund of the Sunday School. All the exhibits were well staged. There was a large total entry, and the all-round quality of the numerous exhibits was of a very , high order of merit. The pot plants and cut blooms were exceptionally good, while the quality of the fruit and vegetables was a pleasing surprise to all. The quality, in most instances, was excellent, and would have been hard to beat in any city show. The dairy produce, cookery, and home industries sections were also features which were highly praiseworthy. The judges were Mrs Clark, decorative sections; Mr Clark, fruit and flowers; Mr Brown, vegetables. The competition in most of the classes was very keen, and the several judges had great difficulty in making their awards. There was a good attendance during the afternoon, while in the evening the hall was packed, when a patriotic display, representative,, of Britain and her Allies, was given. Duncan Black is gazetted deputyregistrar of marriages, births, and deaths for the Methve n district. ASHBTJUTOX. At the Ashburton Police Station on Friday afternoon Constable Edwards, of Rakaia, on behalf of the Ashburton and sub-district police officers, asked Senior-Sergeant Emerson to accept for Mrs Emerson a silver hot-water kettle. In making the presentation, Constable Edwards warmly congratulated Sergeant Emerson on his promotion, and spoke of the cordial relations which had always existed between the sergeant and the officers he had had under him, and of the loyal manner in which they had always assisted each other in the discharge of their many duties. Sergeant Emerson briefly responded, and in doing so thanked Constable Edwards for his kindly remarks, and expressed his high appreciation of the manner in which those who had been under him had loyally supported him during the three and a half vears he had been in chareo of the Ashburton district. Sergeant Emerson and Mrs Emerson left for Wellington on Saturday evening.