WAIWERA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2399, 22 February 1900, Page 29

WAIWERA.

February 17. — I lately had a very pleasant tup arevnd the Msssis Wallace Bros.' faims, ancl a few notes in connection with it may not be amiss. Although there aie many changes since the death of Mr Wallace, sen., on the whole things look remarkably well. For a time th? land owned by the brothers was carried on as one estate, but lately it has been divided and made into three farms, on which are now built, besides the former steading, two other capital houses on the most modern plan for conveniences, etc., with other requisites for carrying on the work to the best advantage. The crops on Mr John Wallace's farm are very heavy indeed. If cut and saved without a shake I should think they would average 60 bushels per acre. On Mr D. Wallace'^ farm I noticed a, third crop m succession on the same land, a good average crop, too. This is not usual, however, it beins; done on this occasion to allow of legular lotation in future. The turnips throughout look remarkably well, a good proportion being in raised cliills. This is done more with a view* to cleaning the land than for the better crop that may be expected to follow, as it is found that where the land is fairly clean the flat drill, which is much speedier, does very well. Besides Maldon Island guano, a good deal of Standard bone manure is used every year. The "varieties of oats sown are sparrowbill and Sutherland. Oi tho two sorts, I think the latter is most favouied. On Mr James Wallace's farm, which with Mr D. Wallace's, was a part of the late Mr Logan's estate, much the same rule is obseived throughout. The sheep, so far as I could gather, are lather more mixed than they used to be — good, healthy, sound flocks notwith-

standing. The breeding of horses has not been so successful lately. However, the working horses are a good lot, and some of them plainly show good breeding. All oats given to the hoises are first ciushed, they having a mill on the place driven by water power, which also drives the chaffcutter. This they consider to be a saving of nearly a third of the oats for the same results By way of experiment, Mr James Wallace has some rye to cut for seed with a view to sowing it in the autumn for early spring feed. I may add that I once tried that, and did not find it a success. The estate abounds with springs of water, and the water supply for the dwellings has been made a specialty. Everywhere where- necessaiy one has only to turn a tap to be abundantly supplied with cold or hot water. Mrs Wallace takes a keen interest in all the affairs, especially th? garden and poultry. The sons are undoubtedly benefiting by the many practical lessons taught by their late father.

Other Good Crops.— The Messis M'Phail, too, have some very good crops. They have been trying a new variety of oats, which has proved not neaily so good as the sparrowbill with the same treatment. They are trying lime this year, and the results I hope to report upon later on.

Weather, etc. — The weather at time of writing is good. The bot fly, however, is very troublesome on the horses. Fine weather is much required just now.