OTARIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1966, 29 October 1891, Page 22

OTARIA.

October 26.— The farmers finished sowing some little time ago, with the exception of a few who are sowing for green stuff for ohaff. She young grain is looking very healthy and strong. Everything has been in its favour— beautiful sprlne weather and plenty of rain to keep the ground moist, to give the young crop a good stßrt. There is not so large an area under crop this year as usual, past prices not being at all encouraging to induce farmers to go in extensively for grain growing. Pastoral. -'i'here is a great mortality amongst the sheep in this locality this spring. Nearly everyone is complaining about losing sheep, and yet they oannot give a reason why they are dying. Mr John Bennec, one of our farmers, lately told me that he has lost a considerable number of two-tooth cross-breds-sheep that would turn the scale at 701b, and mud fat—and he does not know what was the matter with them. I opened a fine fat crdssbred ewe that had jutt died. Her intide was full of water, and the fat covering ttie intestines was the colour of verdigris, quite green, and the liver quite rotten. Perhaps your veterinary surgeon might throw some light on tbe matter. [An article appeared in last week's farm pages on this subject. -Md.] The lambing has been a very good one. We had, however, one very cold wet week this month, which must have reduced the percentage considerably. Slopbdown School.— The building which has been doing duty for a school at Slopedown has new become too small for that purpose, and I understand the Southland Bduoatlon Board intend adding to it. It would have been muoh better if the board had bnilt a new school, which would have been more satisfactory and convenient to all parties. There are now 32 children on tbe roll at this half time sohool, and all are getting on remarkably well. Angling.— Theanglers on the Waipahi and Otaraia rivers had a good time of it lait week, the rivers being in capital fishing trim. Fishing on Thursday afternoon Mr D. Purves caught five fish weighing 321b, and Mr Q. Valentine on Friday afternoon secured 12 fish weighing 391b, the heaviest fish being 61b. 1 his I think is the best take I have heard of on the Waipahl. The fish took the fly very readily, but it iistrange they don't care about the minnow yet. I never saw fish so plentiful as they are this year. fToo late for Jock Scott's column.— Bd.]