MIDDLEMARCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2325, 22 September 1898, Page 29

MIDDLEMARCH.

September 19. — After weeks of drought and wind, we have been blessed with a most welcome rain. It has been raining on and off for about three days. Farmers are going about with light hearts. The rain being steady, it has soaked well into the ground. It is just what the farmers have been wishing for, and it will do no end of good. All the harvest crops are in, and preparations are being made for the root crops. There is quite a large area in crop this season, and should we get anything like seasonable weather, farmers should do very well, more especially with +he present high prices. At present everything looks well. I have never seen better prospects of a good spring than we have just now. "And now 'tis spring, and all the land puts on its beauteous dress." Pastoral. — This is the most trying time for stockowners, when the feed is nearly finished. Turnips have lasted satisfactorily. I notice several good paddocks of turnips not nearly finished, and on the whole stock are looking well, which must be very satisfactory for the owners. l Lime. — I hear some talk of chea\:> lime, but I have not heard of any coming this way so far, and yet for years past I have heard the ! farmers crying for lime; if they could get lime cheap, oh_, what crops they could growl I firmly believe they could, as it is a splendid fertiliser. About four years ago Professor Black was lecturing here, and he then said we wanted any quantity of lime for our land. He spoke at length on the great need of lime for this district. It is to be hoped the farmers, one and all, will take advantage of the cheap lime, as most undoubtedly it would prove a boon to the district. Health. — The German measles have found in out, even in this healthy spot. Nearly all the children in the school have been laid up from time to time. The little ones did not seem to suffer very muoh. I think it has gone the rounds, and let us hope it will betake itself elsewhere. M. I. S. — This body held its last meeting on Thursday night. There was a very poor attend- ! ance, owing no doubt to the roughness of the I night. The programme consisted of a mock tewft 8&S jSy?*SHUtf>tt eneaMnc— on« of. ike

vice-presidents was to be tried for non-atten*j ance. The trial would have been very amusing, but the guilty party did not see it in this light, so this item foil through. iThe impromptu speaking was very good. Mr Harrison gave two readings, which were very amusing, and were well received. Mr Eric Hanson gavo a recitation, and songs by Messrs Matheson and M'Clintock brought a very pleasanß session to a close. A social in connection with it will be held on Friday night, in Webb's Hall, and ljudging from the preparations that are being made for the occasion, it should pro/c A success.