BALCLUTHA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1795, 17 April 1886, Page 13

BALCLUTHA.

Apkil 8. — The weather for the last two or three days has been favourable for leading in. Threshing mills will be fully employed for some timo. In spite of the outcry made about the dry season, the crops on some of the farms on the north side ef the river are turning out well. In 0110 place, I believe, the crop averaged 70 bushels to the acre, and on other farms in the same locality the number of bushels to the acre does not fall very far shoit of tho aforementioned quantity. I have not yet heard how the grain is turning out on the south side of the river; but on the flats and the island, if not injured through exposure, quantity and quality should be both highly satisfactory. Dairy Factories. — The establishment of dairy factories at Stirling and on Inch-Clutha will be a great boon to the district, both to farmers and consumers. We may then expect what is exceedingly rare — a supply of good butter. Of course, we have some good bnttermakers, but in many cases that article is almost unfit for use. The soil on the flats is J >p and rich, and excels in the production of rooL crops aud luxuriant grasses ; so that for dairying purposes the Clutha is especially suitable. A Change. — I hear that the oldest-established business in Balclutha — that of John M'Donald and Co. — has changed hands, Mr Keddie, of Dunedin, being the purchaser.