EDENDALE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2416, 28 June 1900, Page 33

EDENDALE.

June 23.— Although inhabitants of Southland, we can assure our northern friends of having come through the present month go far with scarcely any raia. Frosty nights and dry days are the rule — winter weather which is liked by the general -public and appreciated by the farming community as favouring the latter in the management of stock on winter feed, the only diawback (there is generally one) being the hindrance to ploughing on hard mornings. Talking of ploughing reminds me that the annual match of the Wyndhani-Eden-dale Association is fixed for July 4. This heing Edeudale's turn for the field, the choice has fallen on Thornlie Park, the farm of Mr Robert Craig.

Dairying. — Cheesemaking was suspended at tha local factory at the end of May. The milk now received is separated, and the cream forwarded to the Dairy Supply Company's butter factory at Invercargill. The supply of milk was well maintained during autumn, and althoiigh a few suppliers are now dropping off, a good quantity is likely to continue to flow in.

Roots for Cows. — The staple food for cows in this district is turnips. It is generally admitted that the feeding of this root assures a flow of milk, and the question as to whether the use of different varieties of food influences the quality test is one apparently not yet answered to the satisfaction of the average dairyman.

Changes. — Since the departure of Mr Farrell, wheelwright, and Mr T. Robertson, carpenter — Mr Robertson being now manager of Titiroa Creamery — our township has been unrepresented in wood mechanism. This vacancy, I understand, is shortly to be filled by the advent of Mr Johnson, of Bluff. The Edendale bakery, which is admitted to be a paying business, is at present in the market, and should prove a' good opening for a capable party. There are few changes to report in farm lands. Mr Hunter, late of Menzies' Ferry, bought out Mr Chisholm. The latter has since acquired a large farm in the Rangiora district, Canterbury. A new settler in the person of Mr Ross, of Maungatua, is expected, he having purchased a farm from the Land Company.

Meetings. — A weekly Bible class is held in the church by the Rev. Mr Aitken. It is well attended — as usual in such cases chiefly by maidens, young men being as a rule conspicuoris by theii absence. This rule, however, cannot be said to apply to the quadrille assembly, an institution which also meets weekly in the public hall.