THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16415, 8 January 1919, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES. COCKSFOOT CROP. A resident of Pigeon Bay reports that the oocksfoot crop in Pigeon Bay is better than it has been for a number of years, and that the prospects are very bright for a large crop. It is feared that the heavy rain that has been falling at intervals may do harm wliilo the seed is flowering. It will probably be eighteen to twenty days before reaping will commence in the earliest paddocks. The commencement of reaping of the cocksfoot harvest is being delayed by showery weather, and the seed is maturing slowly (says yesterday's Akaroa "Mail'"*). It- is likely that in a week or ten days tho earliest seed will be fit to reap. The lower and moro exposed paddocks havo suffered considerably with the southerly gales that havo provailed recently, but in most cases the higher paddocks havo escaped because thoy aro later, and they are now showiiinr up well. Altogether the crop looks a promising one, and there should be a good yield if good harvesting weather is experienced. The, prospects are that labour will be scarce in some districts of the Peninsula, though only experienced labour will be required for liarvesting.

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS. Before commencing the stock sales at Rangiora yesterday, the auctioneers had a consultation with the farmers and freezing buyers to consider a suggestion by tho freezing companies' representatives that the sheep eales during the freezing season should commence at 11 a.m. instead of noon. Mr H. McDonal(J. of Messrs Pyne and Co., explained the reasons for the suggested e'lange, and it was unanimously agreed to carry out the suggestion as from Tuesday next, and to begin with the fat lambs. Dr. Cockayne, Government Biologist, arrived in Ash burton yesterday morning, and, in company with Mr Branigan, Field Inspector, inspected several wheat crops in the Wakanui district which are affected by disease. . During the afternoon lie visited Longbcach, and the Blackbridgc districts. CTLVERDEN. Shearing operations in this district aro now noaring completion, and the hulk of the wool has gone into store. The unsettled weather experienced lately has gieally interfered with this work, and, cousquentiy, shearing and harvest this year are running very close, together. The reapers have already made a start in ono or two crops, and several others are showing signs of being ready shortly. The area in crop appears to be rather less than in previous years, owing to the wet winter and spring, but several very nite-look-ing .crops of oats ;ind wheat aro to be seen, including very fine crops on the properties of Messrs Flower.-, Travels, and Croft. Lambs aro still rather backward in most cases, but one or two nice linos were Drought forward nt the opening sale of tho season on Tuesday, notably tv»-o pens from J. Black, which realise J 3d to 29s Cd. and one pen frbin ■ Black Bros., which sold at SOs Sd. RA-VOIOIIA. Tho adjourned quarterly meeting <>l the Loyal 'Rangiora Lodge of Oddfellows was held on Monday evening. The following oflicors were electedX.G., Bro. J. Miles; Y.G., Bro. A. vShankland ; K.S., Uro. W. Butters: Lecture Master, Bro. M. Btirrell; supporters to NG. Bro. W. I. Voting and C. W.Bell to V.O:, Bros. E. N. Hiackefct and JB. Pavnc; Wardon, Bro. W. J. Doggott; Guardian, Bro. E. Trollope. A vote of thanks was pnssed to Bro. I. vS. Cook, retiring Grand Master, and it was resolved to present Jiini with a Pnst Officers' diploma, inscribe hirs name on tho Merit Board, nnd rccommond him for tho purple degree. KAIAPOI. Private Charles Ashley, who left, with the Main Body, arrived home yesterday. Slaughtering operations commenced at tho North Canterbury Farmers' Freezing .< orlcs yesterday. A3HBUIITON. At tho quarterly meeting of the Willowbv Methodist Circuit, tho Rev. S. Bailey presided. Tho report ■ nhowoil that the membership had increased, and that tho finances wero in a satisfactory state. Special collections wero votoi to the Willowby and Tinwald Sundayschools, a.nd Home Missions throughout }ho circuit. Society and benevolent stewards were elected for the various places in the circuit, and Mr G. H. B. Lill was reappointed agont for tho "Methodist. Times," ..and homo and foreign mission secretary, while Mr W. W Harding was re-elected local treasurer to the South Island _Orphanage, and Miss F. Chanman was re-elected agent for the "Missionary Review.'' It was decided to place on record a sense of thankfulness for tho glorious victory that, had been achievod by the Allied nations in. tho present war. Mrs W. T. Lill having declined re-election as congregational representative on the board, she was thanked for linr past services, and Mrs A. S. Hayninn was cloctecl m her stead. It being tho birthday of Mr Lill and Mr "VS. Ford, two members, those present were hospitably entertained by Mrs Lill. WAIMATE. Robert James Patterson and Murdoch McTvor were fined £5 and £2 10s respectively for cruelty to a bull. They fired at it with a shot gun beeauso it looked dangerous. The animal died. A start has been made with the erection of a now fever hospital in Waimate. , ... The Mavor (Mr George Dash) will be it candidate for the mayoralty against all comers. . A DISEASE OF WHEAT. TO THE EDITOR OF "tnz PBESS." Jn vour issue of yesterday 1 noticed a report in your country notes that a disease has .broken out in the wheat crops about tho Ashburtqn district I beg to state that T have a paddock Of solid straw Tuscan that is similarly affected. The straw has'been cut off about two inches from tho ground at the time when the wheat came into the shot blade. 1 had not visited the paddock for some time previouslv to discovering the damage, and was quite taken by surprise when I j noticed it. The land had been lea., and was ploughed twice before sowing. The wheat wa-s sown in May. and should, under ordinary circumstances, have been a first-class crop.. 1 am pleased that the matter is being investigated bv the Agricultural Department, in order that steps can be taken to check the pest, whatever it may l>e. Personally, I have fatted to Culverden, January <th.