CLYDE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2244, 4 March 1897, Page 25

CLYDE.

March I.— The weather continues dry, but there are signs of an approaching rainfall in the dense clouds which are gathering in the firmament. It is to be htped the rain will come soon, as we have not had one single day's rain of any worth all through the past year. How would farmers upon the coast appreciate this state of things ? I am of opinion they wouldn't like it anyhow. In face of all this long spell of drought our lands are cap- . able of being profitably cultivated wherever it is 1 possible to procure a sufficiency of water to irrigate with. Were we blest with a moist climate our lands would yield sufficient produce to feed a nation and then leave a nice quantity for export purposes. I Our Gardens.— l availed myself of an ' wmortunity afforded me to pay a yisit to mmc rjf

our gardens, where every conceivable variety of vegetable?, fruits, and flowers aro cultivated and raised in abundance. Mr B Naylor, jun., has an extensive garden laid out under a variety of fruit trees, all of which are very free from the many pests known to orchardists. The ground between the rows of trees is cultivated, and weeds are kept under to such an extent that it is not possible to detect the presence of one in the entire garden. There are some hundreds of raspberry ranes in an advanced stage of growth, and 11 r Naylor informed me that the crop of this fruit was exceptionally heavy this season. There are also blackberry canes, from which a good crop has been taken, while the vegetable garden has yielded many tons of various kind 3of vegetables, much of which have been sold at highly remunerative prices. Although the fruit tiees look healthy, and bear evidence of the care and attention bestowed upon them, there are uumistakable signs of their being forced by a too liberal supply of manure, which has sent the trees forward in wtod and retarded the fruiting proclivities. The vine trees are in full bearing and promise an abundant crop, and the fig trees show their second ciop in an advanced stage. The garden is well sheltered by a hedge of macrocarpa, and the necessary water is obtained from the water race .which supplies the township. Mr Naylor intends planting out a number of fruit trees next season, and as the site is a most favourable one for an orchard, I am confident the undertaking will be a successful and profitable one. Mr M. Holden has also extensive grounds attached to his residence, and although but recently purchased by him, a very good start has been made to improve the surroundings. A nice plot of vegetables promise a winter's supply for family use. and Mr Holden has gone to some expense in piping the available water to different parts of the grounds. It is his intention to plant out a number of fruit trees next season, and for the purpose of sheltering the young trees he intends planting a macrocarpa hedge at the more exposed sides of the ground. Mr J. Wilson's section in Croquet street is neatly laid out under several fruit trees of various kinds. Fronting his residence a circular plot of ground displays a growth of many kinds of beautiful flowers that are now in full bloom, and are quite -a pleasing sight to behold. Mr Wilson takes special delight in the cultivation of dablias, and in his garden may be seen several kinds of this flower, all of which are in full bloom. i