RURAL TOPICS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXI, Issue 15488, 14 December 1910, Page 6

RURAL TOPICS.

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL. Mr Spencer, of Mayfield, has 'just completed reaping 50 acres of Algerian oats at Ruapuna. The crop is a good average' one and the yield is estimated to he fully 45 bushels per acre. |

A big picnic of farmers was held at Lincoln College yesterday and a gathering of some 200 or 300. people, had a very ■enjoyable day. 1 A' band was in attendance and sports were held, while a pleasant time was spent in inspection "of the grounds .and farm.

A thunderstorm, accompanied by heavv rain, passed over the Kirwca district on Monday. The lightning was very vivid and was followed by heavy peals of thunder. ' During : the day T.o3in of rain fell,- making a total of 3.l'Jin for the last six days. Farmers who have oats in stobk would like to see the weather improve. --Shearing is -also being retarded.. .■• .--.

A meeting of the committee of tho Ilawarden Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held on Satuixlay in « tho H'awarden Hall/ the president (Mr T. A. Shields) presiding. ; Mr A. J. Beaven's resignation as treasurer was received with regret and Mr O. F. Clothier was appointed as his successor. It. was decided to hold next year's show on March 16.

The Flaxbourne correspondent of the "Lyttelton Times" writes that after the unusually heavy rains experienced during the last few days thecaterpillars seem to have completely disappeared. A saleyards company is in course of formation. The' necessary number of shares is almost subscribed, and as soon as the list is completed tho yards will bo erected on a site near tho coaching stables. It is hoped .they will ho ready for use this season..

A heavy thunderstorm passed along the coast and over portions of tho Cheviot district on Monday afternoon. The hail which fell did not reach much of the cropping country. The thunderstorm was followed by a strong sou'wester and heavy rain, which lasted, well into the night. The district has now had ample rain, over oin having fallen in some parts. •

Speaking to a reporter last evening, Mr M. Murphy said that the country at Lincoln, and especially on the farm of tho Agricultural College, was looking wonderfully well after the recent rain. The improvement had been marvellous and the soft rain on the hot ground had induced the crops to grow at a Teat rate. Wheat was looking well and had a good head, while the oats wore in fine condition. Potatoes: and other crops had benefited wonderlully and the troubles of the farmers. were over for the season. Eapo and turuip-sowing was now in full swing.

A smaller, area, than usual of ryegrass has been reserved- for seed purposes this year, says the "Southland News." principally owing to the spread of the. dairying industry into districts hitherto devoted to grass seed-growing. This is particularly noticeable in the South Hillend district, where a darry factory has been recently, established, and which hitherto produced large quantities of seed. The grass will bo shorter in tho stalk than was the case last year, a result attributable to tho drv spring and early summer which has prevailed. The beneficial Tains which have been experienced during the past week- will, however, have the effect of filling the seed, and;' good nhntty samples are likely to be plentiful.

The committee of the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association met yesterday afternoon, Mr TX'tVotc. presiding over an attendance of eighteen members. The North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association, wrote, thanking the, Ashburton Association for the loan of a triangular number-board for the Oamaru show. The Horse Committee" reported that it had considered the applications for the position'of veterinary surgeon to the Association and had selected the uair.es of two aoolicants for the general committee to" choose from. It was decided, on the motion of the chairman, to call a special meeting- of the general committee to make the appointment when the- guarantee form had been signed by members of the Association - -......-. ■•Splendid- rains hare been experienced in the Greendale district, during the past few days, and tho prospect for the fanners is brighter now than was tho case a few weeks ago. Although not so long in the straw as last year, wheat crops should now fill out well, and with favourable weather some very <rocd samples should be threshed in The district. Potatoes, of which thero is a large, area planted this season, are looking well and making a vigorous growth: The oat crop is far below the average, as in most cases ir. was too far advanced to benefit- from the rains which have fallen lately. A few helds of early oats have been reaped, but the general harvest is a long way off yet. A few small losses among uewlv-shora sheep have been reported, and if the rain continues tor any length of time more will be lost, as owing to feed being scarce they ate low in condition.