WAIMATE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1883, 23 December 1887, Page 34

WAIMATE.

December 20.— During tho pasb fortnight the weather has been all that could be desired by the agriculturists in this country, and haymaking has in consequence been the order of the d%Y. The hay crop this year is all round a more than usually good one. 'The warm weather is now having a good effect on the grain crops, which hare been much retarded in their growth by wet and cold -weather. Turnip sowing 7s being pushed on with all despatch, bo that the crop may be In before tho year closes. Potatoes, mangels, and drill turnips are looking well at present. In fruit there will be a lnr»c yield this year. Orchards in town and country are looking remarkably well The apple crop v generally estimated to produce more than the average yield. The smaller kinds of fruit are showing more plentiful than has been the ease for years past, but the backward spring and summer has prevented gooseberries, currants, and strawberries from ripening as early as usual. Shearing is still in full swing at the larger sheds in the county, but another fortnight will see almost the whole of the clip in the bale. The wool this ye»r it generally very Aue in quality, particularly among erosibreds, but there isa considerable falling off in weightowing to the absence of grease. Merino wool is not so good, being clnmmy and dry. On the Waimate estate Messrs Studbolmc have just finished the ihearing of about (55,00.) sheep, a decrease in the number In comparison with that of last year by a few thousands. The reduction is due to the fact that a large area of the freehold estate lias been disposed of during the past Tear. Mr Allan M' Lean, of Waikakahi, paid off alibis sheaiers last *eelf. after securing a very excellent clip. Mr John I)ou*l>is, of Wailiao Downs, has put through nil his hravy sheep, and the shearers arc now busy with Mpssrs Parker Uros.' Elephant Hill shed. Mr E. Elworthy, of Pareora, will finish in about a week's time with good weather, Mr T. Teschcniaker, of Otaio, bns just cut out, and his sheareri have gix.e to Mr It. H. Kliodoa' Blue Cliffs station. Sheim-rs an; now making Mck into the Mackeiv/ie country and up tho Kakaia Gorge to pick up lure sheds, returning in time to shear " straggler? " alter tho second mustering of the early stations.