LATE AGRICULTURAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1880, 2 December 1887, Page 17

LATE AGRICULTURAL.

Oar Wakatipu correspondent writes :— " Ever since tbe beginning of spring the weather has been cold and changeable ; and though we are now in the end of November, we have had very

few really warm days, and certainly not more than one hot one. The consequence is that all growth is in a very backward state. Though wheat looks fairly well in most parts of the district, oats are still very poor ; and if heat and moisture do not soon come in the most favourable proportion and quantity, the later crops sown will be comparative failures. Eye crops, which are growing in favour, and deservedly so, promise very well. Rye is likely to very largely supplant turnips and oats for fodder lor cattle, both great and small, as ib is far more independent of climatic influences and thrives well in most light soils, though it may not be so prolific as either wheat or oats. Lambing is now well advanced, and judging from a cursory estitimate the increase is satisfactory. Grass is plentiful, and stock consequently in good condition. Fruit of all kind promises well, though in some of our large orchards plums and apricots are scarce, but apples generally are likely to be plentiful." On Saturday last we (North Otago Times) were shown by Mr Lintott a sample of Californian barley. We understand that a considerable quantity is being imported, the first instalment (1300 sacks) having arrived at Dunedin. During the greater part of the present grain season several of our merchants have been filling their orders for barley in the Timaru market. We know of no reason why the farmers of this district should not grow at least sufficient to meet the demand of the Dunedin brewers and malsters. If it is not too late, some of our farmers j should try a small lot of the Californian barley for seed, as it is fairly plump and of a splendid colour. We have, however, seen local buyers object to purchase samples not nearly so closely •• hummelled."

Thesharesunallottedatthelastannualmeeting of the Waiareka Dairy Factory, are now being taken up. Of the 70 held by the company about ,50 having been disposed of. Birds of a feather flock together. Misfortunes, they say, never come singly, and so, as like goes to like, good news often shows a disposition to travel in good company. The directors of the Gore Dairy Factory have found this to be the case. The news of the satisfactory results of the sales of the trial shipments in England is followed by a gratifying letter from the Invercargill manager of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., an extract from which we (Mataura Ensigu) have been permitted to make :— " I am pleased to advise you that our London office, in correspondence with our Auckland office has spoken very highly about your make of cheese as suitable for the London market, and I quote as follows from the letters referred to for your information : • The cheese produced by the Gore Dairy Factory is a typically suitable article — alike as to its quality, shape, size, &c. I should be glad if you could procure for me any information that is possible as to this manufacture, the sizes and shapes they make, the class of cheese, so far as they can describe it ; and, in fact, it you could buy or send us a sample cheese of fair quality, last season's make, it will no doubt do more than any amount of description to show what is wanted. We learn that there is an almost mw limited market in England from September to March at fair prices and that for shipments I made, it it be found desirable at other seasons of the year, cold storage cau be provided in England.' "