GLEANINGS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7021, 8 January 1910, Page 3

GLEANINGS

At the last meeting of the Tetnuka branch of the Farmers’ Union thirty new members were elected. Small birds are causing loss to grain growers in South Canterbury, in some cases to a greater extent than is usual. During the final four months. of. last ‘year there was shipped from’New Ply'mouth butter to the value of 3-217,343 and cbeese to the value of 3248,202.

The Eltham Box Company turned out 114,769 butter-boxes and 73,696 cheese crates during the final six months of last year, 1 against 105,420 boxes and 57,560 orates for the corresponding period of 1908.

The Department of Agriculture is icarrying out experiments in turnip growring in the Orari district of Canterbury binder the co-operative system. On Tuesday last a very refreshing rain fell over the South Canterbury district, doing ait immense amount of good |to crops of all descriptions. ■ The Temnka branch of the Farmers’ Union is of opinion that the farmer [should have the right to the cocksfoot [growing on the road line adjoining his [property. At meetings of directors and shareholders of the Farmers’ Freezing Company at Masterton an endeavour was (made to reopen the "site question in ■favour of a location in a more southerly part of the district than Waingawa, but -a resolution to that effect was defeated at the meeting of directors and the men 'who endeavoured to bring the matter up at - the shareholders’ meeting were ruled out of order.

A W aikaromoana settler, through whose property the Waikaretaheke flows for a short distance, is (says the “ Waikato Times ”) about to make an attempt to harness the water-power and make it work for him, instead of running to waste. .It is proposed to erect a turbine to geneirate electricity, which he proposes to use lin order to light his residence, run his shoop-shearing plant, cut firewood and 'chaff, and do the hundred and one things required ou a station. The Government surveyors in North [Canterbury (says the " Press") are ibeing kept constantly employed on the 'various areas which are being subdivided. The biggest undertaking of the ; kind, the survey of the Orari Gorge Es'tate, has just been completed, and the 'survey of the area at Clandeboye, -purchased from -Mr MoCully, , will be put 'ln’ hand almost immediately. The land ■purchased at Belfast from Mr Sloan is now being surveyed, and the Land Office is arranging’ for the survey l of - land at ,Hornby and Ladbrooks, preparatory to subdivision.

A well-known Romney breeder from a district near Peilding,’ whose _ wool brought the top price at the Wellington sale this week, informed a “Foilding Star" reporter that the best classing of the wool in the sale was dene by students of the Peilding Technical School. Speaking generally of the classing, he stated that the wool showed that _the farmers are only just commencing classing, and they had a great deal to learn yet. Instances were given whore lots were divided into coarse and fine, and each lot contained both coarse and fine.

Every day it is becoming more apparent that the big grain yields of which the district gave promise early in the season are not likely to eventuate (says the " Oarnaru Mail the dry scorching ■weather having played havoc with the crops in all directions. the district right through their state might be described as an admixture of good and bad; those that have been able to withstand the ordeal to which they have been subjected being very good and still full of promise, while the remainder have become so affected by trying climatic conditions that their appearance causes’.the; greatest disappointment." The condition of the grain crops in North Canterbury continues to bo satisfactory, the weather during the past week having been favourable (says the " Lyttelton Times ”). Both wheat and oats are now fast changing colour, and a considerable area will be ready for harvesting within the next ten days. Some reaping has been done already, and the crops in stock promise to yield well. Caterpillars are making their appearance, and in the Lobum district they have done a great deal of damage. Some of the farmers are’cutting their oats on the green side to save them from the ■pest, and all are anxiously watching their crops, fearing a repetition of last year’s losses from the same canse. The root crops are showing the beneficial effects of the heavy rain on. Christmas ■Day.