Clyde Notes,

Cromwell Argus, 13 March 1905, Page 4

Clyde Notes,

(F om our O-vn Corrtiffpo idpnt). Quite a number vi young people journeyed from Clyde to Dutiedin to witness the cricket match, Otago v. Australians, and many of these had the satisfaction of playing a game against a Dunedin team. There is a rumour to the effect that as a result of witnessing first-class cricket, one or two local knights of the willow are to be seen diligently practicing some fancy strokes a la Victor Trumper, therefore other clubs will have to look to their laurels when next the Clyde team goes abroad. I may also state that a team of Dunedin cricketers are almost certain to visijb the goldfields about Easter.

There are a good few tall fish stories going the rounds of the angler's .circle just now, the latest being told at the expense of a local enthusiast of the rod and reel. It would appear that this lover of the " gentle art n had forgotten his creel in the hurry and bustle of leaving home one morning. On arriving at the stream he found that the fish were actually awaiting his cast of flies; and within an hour from the time of his first cast he had quite a collection of beauties. The sport was really too good to be abandoned, but he could not get along with forty pound weight of fish dangling from his belt. Happy thought! He would put them in a little pool that looked shallow and clear under an overhanging ledge of rock, where he should find them on his return. This done he proceeded with the game of reeling in a fresh stock, and so the game went merrily on, as he got further and further away from his " plant." Satisfied with good luck he resolved to return homewards, but on arrival at where his " plant" should be he was dismayed to find not even a single fish. Just now he recollects having seen a score or more shags passing to and from the shaggery, and he has sworn eternal emnity against the birds. It is also stated that another angler took twenty-five fish from the same stream on the same day as our enthusiast lost his twentyfive to the shags. To show how well stocked the Fraser stream is with trout I may state that one or two anglers have already taken two hundred pounds weight of fish from this stream. Several other anglers have taken one-hundred, and one-hundred and fifty pounds individually during this season. When it is borne in mind that only some four mile of the stream are fished over it will be perceived that fish are plentiful. The trout are is splendid condition and many that have been caught turned the scale at lOlbs. Three and four pound fish are very frequently taken. The Fraser stream is the only fishing water available to the score of anglers who reside at Clyde, and yet baskets of fifteen and a dozen fish are taken almost every day. Truly, the supply seems to be inexhaustable.

The Land Commission does not intend to take evidence at Clyde. Why we are thus passed over by such an important body it is hard to say, andno little disappointment is felt at our being omitted from the itinerary of the Commission. It is not thought, however, that much good will result from this method of investigating. Our difficulty is in getting land under any tenure.

| The fruit crop, though late, was fairly good, and prices were satisfactory to the growers. It is remarkable what a splendid market awaited fruit-growers here in the cities of Wellington and Christchurch. Alexandra and Clyde fruit secured top prices in both cities, and there was no end of enquiries for apricots and peaches from this district. Where Nelson and Taranaki peaches brought three pence per lb. Clyde and Alex; andra peaches realised four pence half penny, and apricots sold like hot pies at 4fd and 3|d per lbs. The cost of * sending a case of fruit from Clyde to Christchurch is 2s, to Wellington 2s 6d, to Dunedin 2s. Despite those prices, I am told apricots were to be purchased at Cromwell and Bannockburn at Id per lb. I was Bhown a sample of apricots that were grown at Bannockburn, and I must say the flavor of the fruit was excellent. It was, however, badly affected by what is known as shot hole fungus and would be unsaleable in the city mai-kets. Indeed, after this year such fruit would be destroyed by the Public Health Officers, as " The Orchards and Pests Act " comes into force in April next. Let me suggest to those who have apricot trees affected by this blight that the application of airslaked lime will completely cure their trees. When the disease is present the leaves will show small round holes, the punctures appearing as soon as the leaf is fully grown. The fungoid attacks the fruit when it is just setting. Where the disease is known to exist the grower should procure a quantity of air-slaked lime and just before the fruit begins to set he should dust the tree with the powdered lime.. Jt is best to do this while rain is falling, or failing such convenience the tree may be sprayed or moistened by throwing water over it. It will be found that the application of lime completely eradicates the disease for a season, and for every season in which the work is done. But neglect one season's application of lime and the disease appears immediately.