WAIKOUAITI AND FLAG SWAMP

Otago Witness, Issue 1374, 30 March 1878, Page 20

WAIKOUAITI AND FLAG SWAMP

DISTRICT.

(from a correspondent.) THE CROrS.

Tho rainy weather experienced at che end of last week largely interfered with harvest operations, and settlers are afraid the grain, after such an outpouring, will bo considerably discoloured, which will materially affect its mar

ket value. Except on a few farms, the crops are cut, and strenuous efforts are made by farmers to have them all secured with this seasonable weather. The wheat crop, although the average on most farms is not up to last year's, is of excellent quality, the heads being well filled, and the general opinion is that for a number of years better quality has not been produced. On the Messrs M'Gill's farm there are upwards of 50 acres of wheat, which are expected to yield from 35 to 40 bushels. On Mr Dempster's farm both wheat and oats are expected to yield as large an average as last year. The Messrs Thorburn have cut both wheat and oats, which are expected to yield the same average as last year's. The potato crops, with rare exceptions, are exceedingly good, both in quantity and quality. The area under that crop is more limited than last year. Although the season has been more than usually unpro pititious, the turnip crop is for the most part up to the average of former years, the Swedes up to the present being wholly free from blight. In this locality farmers complain, and with reason, of the depredations of the sparrow. In the vicinity of hedges whole rigs are denuded of the top grain. Large flocks of them frequently settle upon the stooks, reducing them to chaff in a short time. Bitter complaints about their depredations are expressed by all and sundry.

PABROQUET INVASION.

This year parroquets are more numerous than for the last 15 years. In the vicinity of bush, wheat fields are visited by thousands, and the result will considerably lessen the returns after threshing is over. The cause assigned for this invasion of the native bird is the failure of the fuschia berries, on which parroquets mostly feed. Naturalists havo observed attentively the phenomenon that when a failure takes place in the natural feed for these birds, there is a certainty of an invasion. This season there is scarcely a fuschia berry to be seen anywhere.

ACCLIMATISATION,

The lark largely liberated in 'this district afforded some time back the greatest delight to the settlers. On dewy mornings and balmy evenings its carol gave the utmost pleasure to old and young ; now its song is rarely heard, the bird having apparently changed its locality. Careful observation by many settlers has discovered that its contact with the native or ground lark has been prejudicial to the imported bird. Where the imported has crossed with the native bird a half-caste has been pro duced, which is nearly devoid of song, excepting a peculiar chirp. In the half caste bird, .now seen in large numbers in different localities, there appears the head and neck of the Home lark, and the body of the Native. It soars only a few yards from the ground, and disappears, after uttering its peculiar chirp, in the grassy meadows.

Perhaps there is not in the whole Province a district which has made more progress in the breeding of a superior quality of stock than this. The Messrs Thorburn show colts and fillies of excellent stamina. 'Mr A. Dempster exhibits several superior animals, which have received prizes at the local show. In dairy cattle Mr William Cowan possesses Ayrshire cattle which would be difficult to match in the Province. By careful selection, and giving the highest prices for youni? stock, he is now possessed of the purest breed. In dairy produce his stock will stand beside anything yet produced in the district, and from the careful attention he bestows upon the selection he will soon be possessed of Ayrshire cattle inferior to none in the Province.