WAIWERA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2010, 1 September 1892, Page 21

WAIWERA.

August 28.— After a long spell of very fine •weather a change took place on Sunday morning, with showers from the east. Had the weather continued dry for a while longer a great deal of grain would have' been got in in the course of a few weeks, as the ploughing is well forward. Many farmers anticipated sowing this week. Ot course these operations are governed a great deal by the weather, which is at present a littk unsettled. .. District Farming.— l happened to casually take a trip over some of the hill-foot farms lately, and I found that wonderful improvements had been made in some parts. This is particularly noticeble on the new portion of Mr Brown s farm. I hop 3to deal with others in due time. I believe I am safe in stating that Mr B. has improved this portion of his farm siuce I first knew it to such an extent that it is now up to double its former carrying capabilities, both for stock and crop. Acres that were a short time ago paved as it were with boulders and small stones are now a clear and level flat. Others portions have been systematically drained, &c, and to-day on the land that was a few years since thought to be rather inferior there is a beautiful paddock of wheat growing, and on another part an abundant crop of Swede turnips, thought to be about 20 tons per acre. At Mr Elaikie's place, which is situated in a very pleasant spot, I found Mr William Blaikie and his sisters busily engaged cleaning up, pruning, planting, Ac, in their lovely garden and shrubberies. I found everything very neat and orderly, the flower garden being laid out in various shapes and designs, plots of many sizes well stocked with flowers, (fee, and borders to suit the several tastes of the different members of the family. The shrubbery, too, is well stocked and kept, there bring many different varieties of plants and trees trimmed in all forms, giving the whole a peculiarly agreeable appearance. Indeed, the whole surroundings display great taste and skill. T . Natural History Ohject Lessons.— l understand that Mr Davidson, teacher at Wairuna, has applied to Mr Burt, of the fishponds, for a quantity of fish ova in its various stages, to be kept for the instruction of the children by means' of object lessonß. I should think this a good idea, and one calculated to leave a lasting impression on the minds of the pupils. Mr Burt has secured several suitable bottles in Avhich he purposes placing a few ova in different stages from eggs to fish, &c. This departure might be worthy of the attention of more teachers.