WAIKAKA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1890, 10 February 1888, Page 17

WAIKAKA.

February 7.— The weather last week was most unseasonable, and although the latter part was dry, strong winds were frequent. A deal of rain fell on Sunday evening, but there has been but little since. One good effect of the weather has been tho duo development of the oats aud wheat; and while the straw is not very abundant, a good yield is anticipated. If. the weather improves the ripening would be speedy, and it is noticeable how fields are changing colour lately iv spite of the cold and rain. So far only two fanners have done any reaping, and there will most likely be very little more cut for ten days. Tho turnips have not fared so well, however, as the cereal crops, for the weather has been too cold for them ; they are very lute. Waikaka Farms.— This week a brief notice may bo taken of Mr Chittock's farm, which lies a short distance from tho railway siding. There is au excellent crop of oats ou this farm. I noticed also that Mr Chittock pays a good deal of attention to drilled turnips. He mixes these three varieties— piuyle top jellow, green lop yellow, and the purple top mammoth, as he finds that although both the former are excellent turnips a softer variety is required for old aud very young sheep. He invariably sows a proportion of this seed, or the seed of some other soft variety, for he has sc-wi en various occasions that old sheep died whan there were no soft turnips available.