JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16377, 23 November 1918, Page 3

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

In consequenco of the reorganisation measures affecting the Department of Agriculture, the .Fields Division of the department is about to be disestablished, the greater part of its personnel being absorbed into tho Livestock Division. Mr J. Brown, who has been Director of the Fields Division for the past three and a half years, with headquarters at the Central Development Farm, Weraroa, has decided assuming a new status and responsibilities in the department when his division is disbanded, and - he will - accordingly retire from the service shortly. 'The shortage of shearei-s in some of the Auckland country districts has given rise to concern, especially m view of the dry -weather, "which has a tendency to increase tho proportion or scedv wool. Information- accordingly has been sought regarding the release ot shearers now in camp. The Minister for Defence has replied that shearers and other men required for country work will be released from camp, subject to phvsical fitness,' on applications being made by nominal employers, who must specifv by name each man required. Owing to the epidemic onlv men with a clean bill of health will be released. Thursday's "Southland Times" says that naturally enough the spread of tho influenza epidemic is considerably retarding rural operations, and in view or the actual shortage of shearers and the

fact that ander normal conditions the completion of the work of lifting tho wool clip in its due season promised to be a "touch an<l go, : * tho position is somewhat serious. LINCOLN. Arrangements are well in hand for carrying out the Lincoln Annual Flower Show, which is to be held next month, especial staging is being provided, which should bo a decided improvement upon previous years. Two large tents airi also being procured. Keen interest is being_ taken in the district, and there promises to be good competition for most points, the prize being tho cup presented by the Hon. C. A. C. Hardy. Mrs G-. Mcßean (Springston South) was the winner last year. The enp must bo won twice in succession. Messrs A. Cookson and J. H. Hestall are joint secretaries. AKAROA. Another half-inch of rain fell on Thursday afternoon to gladden the hearts ;of the farmers. The cocksfoot has this week received such a timely soaking as [ should ensure a really good crop.

RAKAIA. The Main South road, from Dunsandel to Eakaia, is being patched in places. The road was full of holes, and the work required doing, but the track is now in a rough condition for motorists, especially in the vicinity of the Bankside station. The water-race crossings which have been recently constructed, havo been made a generous width, hut the shingle ou them is still very loose. . A. few slight showers of rain fell on Monday, but at night the fall became very heavy, and three-quarters ot an inch was recorded by 9 a.m. ou •L ucs " day. Another 89 points fell on Tuesday before nightfall, making a total of *1.64 inches. The heavy downpour will undoubtedly do good. It may help to check the influenza epidemic, but it is certain to bo appreciated by the fanning community, Ike influenza had already put a stop to almost all shearing, so the rain will not decried on that account. One farmer stated flat, bo far as feed a ? d ,«"?£- were concerned this ram had the season," Ho stated this vs of the few years when we got tho lam at the right time. November is, usually a dry month, and a month when the voinig crops feel the lack ot moisture Tho weather should suit those wholi.ne iust put in their mam crop of potatoes, though, some are 5 poi-is IS?I cfSiy and C. E. lTcafclierstono returned lioino from Ca Sr" and Mrs H. Barlow, of Rakara, have collected and *»patah«d for " the use of soldiers no less than aewt or books and papers. motter Rakaia seems unlucky m the matter of a buUcr. Once there were two butchers, but now tliere are none. &omo time ago an offer was made of a shop, fittings, and slaughter-house, rent free for three months, to anyone who would start, but the offer was not taken up. Later, arrangements were completed, cattle and sheep were m the yards ready to be killed, when along came tho influenza and laid up tie two butchers. The stock are still at tbeyardsandtho Rakaia people are hoping the tin will soon allow a start to be made. Even weddings are anathema to the health authorities nowadays, and thero was much concern in Rakaia for a li™o time this week when it wa s doubtful whother permission would bo given for the church to be used. The necessary authority arrived almost at the last minute.

ASHBURTON. j The rainfall registered at Ashburton' vesterdav morning was .l~in 3 makinga total of "1.95 in for the week. The rain has already made a marked difference in the appearance of all vegetation, and the prospects of a bountiful cereal harvest are just now of the brightest. The wheat and oat crops are looking remarkably healthy, and if neither blight nor rust sets in, and further timely rains occur, there should bo many particularly good yields in various parts of the district. The First Canterbury Military service Board, composed of Messrs J. =>• Evan* (chairman), F. T. Eldridge, and H E Bobbins, with Captain Pilkington as the military representative, held a sitting in camera at Ashburton yesterday, when two applications were dealt with for the return of soldiers on active service. A report will be lorwarded to the "Minister of Defence. I