Makerua Plains

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 277, 23 November 1939, Page 2

Makerua Plains

From Our Own Correspondent. After the prolonged dry spell the show ery conditions prevailing this week arc appreciated by all associated with farm ing. Although the rain lias ont been heavy it has benefited the crops in an amazing fashion and, if it has done little else to assist the pastures, the sand has disappeared. During the recent storm many acres of onions planted near the banks of the Manawatu were either blown out or left hanging by the roots. Early potatoes are almost at the flowering stage and appear to be doing very well. In many places along the river the sand ridges are covered with lupins in full bloom, and while lovers of beauty delight in the symphony of green and gold the heavy scent especially after rain affects some people. While land owners deplore the presence of lupin it yet grows on the raw sand and prevents the dunes from shifting with every gale of wind. Gorse is in the seeding stage and that noxious of all weeds in this locality—goatsrue—will soon be flowering. Fescue growing along road sides is already at fence level and the action of a number of farmers in cutting this weed along the edges is appreciated by motorise.,. Personal and General Miss It. Ellery, until recently of Lower Hutt, is staying with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. Ellery. The friends of Mrs. p. r. Krivan will be glad to know that she has received a cable from her parents from Colombo. Mr. and Mrs. Ranson, of Palmerston North, left. England on October 23 on their return journey to New Zealand after a holiday on the Continent just prior to the commencement of the war. Miss Avis Whiteman, of Alfredton, is (he guest of her sister, Mrs. J Hansen, and Mr. Hansen, of Makerua Plains. Opiki W.I. members are again reminded of the November meeting on Thursday (to-day), 23rd inst. The speaker and demonstrator will be Miss H. Johnson, of Massey College, and all are welcome. The competitions are to be for a Christmas novelty, bowl of roses and presentation box. There is also to be a stall (bring and buy) for institute funds and the committee will appreciate any vegetables, fruit, flowers o r articles suitable for this stail to aid the funds.

The lockers built by members of the hall society for the use of the different organisations in the district are already in use and are greatly appreciated. Young Farmers’ Club Mr. J. H. Wilson presided over an excel lent attendance of members at tire monthly meeting of the Opiki young farmers on Monday evening. “Farm Accountancy" was the subject fully discussed by the speaker, Mr. J. Edwards of Palmerston North. On Saturday a number of farmers and young farmers of the district visited the property of Mr. J. A. Cooksley, where a demonstration xt 8,3 ,, e * ven on behalf of a Palmerston North agency of a weed-burner acting on goatsrue, fescue, gorse, broom, lupin, etc The device used was not a flame thrower put worked more by heat generated on tc the roots of the weeds. Afternoon tea was served before the men returned tc thir homes.