THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17058, 1 February 1921, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

OXFORD. The rainfall of January has been the heaviest for that month for at least eleven years, tihough it was run close in 1919 with o.olrn. This 3ear it is 5.74 in. Rain fell on twelve days, eleven 1 of which" were after the 14th, and oiwf of these days was responsible for o.ooin. The ground is thoroughly soaked, and fine and settled weather is anxiously desired. The heavy rains have given) life to rape and turnip crops, which have made phenomenal growth, iina appear all that could be desired; but the continuous wet weather has h*ul a had effect on harvest prospects. A gr tvafc area of botih. wheat and oats is dead! ripe, and sprouting is in ovidence in many crops. It is lea red that the damage in this regard will be great. The outlook for many farmers is not bright. Though lambs are bringing gooci| prices, it is not all farmers who have lambs, and to purchase for fattening, considering the ihigli price of steres, does not allow a big margin. The crop is not good, the sample will be affected by the rain, &n<l the price is absurdly low. To sell at the present prices oifered would be ruinous. Wool is a gift, and the price of mutton is below the cost of production. At the last meeting of the Oxford W ; .0.T.U., a" resolution was carrted| expressing sympathy v/itOi Mrs ROsborne in her illness. Regret was expressed at the departure of Mr and Mrs It. B. I>alley from Oxfoid ? and a resolution was carried expressing appreciation of their help in the cause of temperance The 1921 syllabus was presented by Mrs Ryde, and accepted by the meeting. It was decided to. write to the Council to see what could bo done in the way of securing tflio services of a district nurse for Oxford 1 . _ A short address was given by Miss Gainsford, the 6ubject being "Personal Responsibility."

METHVEN. Rain fell in torrents at Methven on Saturday morning, commencing at about 7.30 o'clock, ana continued.-for about two hours, when It> eased oif considerably, but showers continued all day and the weather was bitterly cold. Ini fact, it was more like winter than midsummer. Heavy rain fell on Sunday night, commencing at 8 o'clock and l continued nearly all night, a total fall of 135 points being recorded. Harvesting, which has been delayed very much lately owing to rain, has received another set-back, arid a good drying wind 1 is very much needed to dry the stooks in tho paddocks. It is feared that (heads in the-butts-of-the sheaves near the ground will have started to grow. Grass pastures, turnips,, etc., are looking splendid, and abundant autumn feed for stock is practically' assured. BELFAST. At a meeting of the Queen Committeo in connexion with the Belfast Gala, Mr A. 6. Pratt wa!s elected chairman, Mr Werry secretary, and Mra Worry treasurer. The secretary reported that a . vote had been taken by the school childen, and the following queens elected: No. 1 (Belfast South), Miss Zoe Couper; No. 2 (Belfast East), Miss Floe Chaplin; No.. 3 (Belfast North), Miss Jean Bea-gley. The colours were chosen as follows: No. 1, blue and white; No. 2, green and. gold; No. 3, yellow and purple. A card party arid dance is to be held in Belfast Hall to-morrow night, the proceeds to bo equally shared amongst the Queens. Vigorous committees are already working on behalf of each Queen, and keen competition exists. Flags showing the colours will bo flown from Messrs Brown Bros.' flagstaff, to indicate the positions of the various candidates.

LADBEOOKS. The weather in the Ladbrookg district during the past week was broken, very little narresting being done. The local farmers are experiencing difficulties with their early crops. In a great many cases the oat and wheat crops in stook are sprouted and • discoloured. Bliglit has made its appearance in tho wheat crops, especially those sown on potato land. Messrs Sharp Bros.' threshing mill commenced operations during the week, the average yield for barley being -15 bushels to the acre. The average for oats does not reach 25 bushels. So far tho yield of the early crops is far below that of previous years. There is again an abundance of grass, which will no doubt counterbalance the low yield in other respects. The 'market for this season's crops is very quiet, there being as yet no demand. Ihiring the week 6mall sales of last year's chaff were effected at £4 per ton. \ During' the week there have been enquiries tyy several returned soldiers for suitable farms in the district, especially for T.B. men. Three or four farms, handy to the railway, are under offer, at satisfactory prices. It is understood that Mr 11. D. 31. Haszard, the Orown Lands Commissioner, is being approached regarding the inspection of the land for cutting up and settlement purposes.

A movement is on foot to have the electric light installed at Ladbrooks West. The support already given should bring about the desired effect, which would prove a great acquisition for dairying and other. purposes. In the event of the movement being successful, it is the intention of two or three farmers to have machinery put in and to milk on a large scale. Mrs E. W. Harris, of Hawora, after spending a lengthy holiday with her parents. Mr and Mrs Trask," Ladbrooks, returned home with her two children, on Saturday^

Mr and Mrs J. Campion have left Ladbrooks. and taken up their residence in Christ church, Mr Campion having acceDted a position with Messrs Booth Macdonald and Co.