WAIWERA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1875, 28 October 1887, Page 17

WAIWERA.

OcrOBER 24.— The weather has been very boisterous for some time, causing much delay in the sowing of the lafce crops and many losses among the flocks of young lambs. Fortunately feed is plentiful in most parts of the district, so that matters are not so bad us they might be. Farming Notes.— This neighbourhood is not usually regarded as a good wheatgrowing district, but the experience of Mr Fyfe, one of our settlers, Indicates that this cereil can be successfully grownon nearly all the land if it receives a fair amount of attention. The varieties grown are velvet earand white velvet— the former a fall aud the latter a spring wheat. Springsowinghas,however,been found better for each variety in this district. On the free and flat, landa this year the wheat is sown in the lea land, a course the adoption of which would be folly on the rMges. where the land is of quite a different nature. The white velvet sown after turnips in spring is looking as well as could be desired. On the ridges a portion was sown in the fall in potato land, and this also is doing well. Mr Fyfe dees not attempt growing it on the lea on "the ridges, preferriug to thoroughly work and fallow for a year. In Die

turnip land ihe roots ;'.re ted off with sheep on the land, which is ploughed as &oott as it is fairly dry. Experience has demonstrated that if land intended for a wheat crop cannot be got into Ihorougly good order, ie is better to allow it to lie over for another season, sowing in the meau time with rape or other green crop to be fed off with sheep. Wheat, however, does well enough on the lea, on river flats, or in free spots. Mr Fyfe has been very successful in growing clover oh his ridges. The land was allowed to become pretty firm before the seed was sown. It was then lightly harrowed. Although the clover did

well, the grass was not so successful under this treat j mentj indicating that althoiigh clover r quires a \ firm bottom, such is not the case with grass. Fob* sibly this ;drawba"k might be overcome by sowing the grass first and allowing it to come away before firming the surface with the roller for the clover j seed.