KUROW.

Otago Witness, Issue 1920, 4 December 1890, Page 18

KUROW.

December l.~The weather duriDg the past fewweeks has been very favourable for shearing, and a few of tbe large sheds have started, while some of the farmers have finiehe.i, and those who have got so far are well pleased with the season's clip. I noticein last week's Witness that " Agricola " recommends, maohine shearing, and is of opinion that the shearing machines ought to be in general use, I purpose in your next week's issue, with the editor's kind permission, looking at this question from both points of view. Farming.— The farmers in this district aro in great need of rain ; the crops are light, and in some instances it is iotonded to turn the sheep into both wheat and oats. A. number of the paddocks are actually burned brown, and pasture land suffers equally. The only crops looking at all healthy are those sown on new ground, and if favoured with rain at an early date will turn out an avc-ragH yield. New Coal Mine.— Mr John Porter, ot Otiake, has. discovered an excellent seam of coal on his property. He has sunk a shaft aud gone through tho seam to a depth of 26ft without coming to tha bottom. The coal is of good quality, and will ba a great boon to the district,, a 6 a great numbur of settlers had to cart their coal a distance of 13 or 14 miles. The Book Fiknd.— We f/ete favoured with a visit from the inevitable book agent last week, »ud I must say that he had a really good book, and judging from the standing of the publishers, as an old established and respectable firm, he is sure of a large business. He secured a large number of orders in this district.