WAIKAKA VALLEY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2106, 5 July 1894, Page 22

WAIKAKA VALLEY.

July 3.— During the last few days the weather has been occasionally showery. Frost has not been severe during the past month, and on no occasion has the ground been too hard for ploughing. Cropping.— Although this is a sheep-farming district a great deal of oats is produced, but during the last two years not nearly so much oats were giown as in previous years. This year, however, farmers are returning to the old state of things, and a larger area than there has been for some time will be under oats. One farmer will sow 300 acres, a few 200 acres each, and others from 50 acres to 100 acres. After this who will say that oats are not payable ? Religious.— The Rev. G. Millar has not been idle since his induction. He has been holding a week night prayer meeting and a Bible class for some time, and has induced the young people to start a Christian Endeavour Society and a singing class. A very successful Band of Hope meeting was held recently.

Plough Improvements.— A short time ago I waß shown a pair of skimmers for a double-furrow plough, patented by Mr A. Cruickshank, farmer, Merino Downs. They are known as " Cruickshank's Patent Angular Plough Skimmer." The skimmers differ from those in use on digger ploughs, the blades being much larger and curved so as to bring the edge of the furrow pared off down under it. The inventor has taken considerable trouble with this plough improvement, and if it will work as satisfactorily on other ploughs as it is doing on his own, he will, no doubt, meet with success.