PUERUA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2274, 30 September 1897, Page 25

PUERUA.

September 22.— The weather has been changeable here of late, but fair opportunity h»s been afforded for getting in the sefd. Several of tbo farmers hereabouts seem to have got the eecd in early tbi« y*ar. That is well, for, generally speaking, early sowing give* a better chance of a successful harvest. Encouraged, I suppose, by the better prices lately ruling, more laud than usual seems to havo bean laid in o»to this year. PAstnre grass is comiug on well, and in a few weeks thera will probably be a K°od supply of feed. The fruit trees are nosy nearly in bloom, und, as far as my ob?eivation goes, I think th«re is promise of a very good crop of fruit this season.

Rabbits.— Bunny is btill, of course, much in evidence, but hereabouts the rabbits are less miinorous than they have been for several y*an past. I think the high pricei given for >abbits tor freezing lately have aided counderably towards the destruction of the pest. Several of the settlera have gone in for trapping rabbits for freezing —a eon of Mr John Dent driving dowu neveral times a week to Romahapa with a lot of rabbitf. However, trapping alone will by no rneuns snfhce to check tbo pest, and the laying; of poUou must be vigorously proceeded with now and all through the summer. On account of the m»W ness of the season, probab'y tlw you- g rabbits aw now very forward. The Government rabbiter is here just at present poiaoning ou Government reserves or unsold waste land. He tells me the rabbits ate taking poisoned oats at present bettor thta other sorts, bub I nupposo as the season advances pollard »nd toxa will come into requisition. Km&ll Birds — I have not heurd lately so much about the small birds, but I suppose the farmers are still grumbling much :»bout the pest-. The birds do a dea! of damagts, but it might still be borne in mind that there is a sort of set-off in the number of noxious insects they destroy. I believe the en«.ir.e extermination of tha Jima.ll birds wou'd be followed by an intol«rable scourge of noxious insect*. However, I suppose the small birds are fur too numerous at present. Angling.— Trout seem to bo showing well in the river here, giving promu-e of «ood sport text month.