GIMMERBURN.

Otago Witness, Volume 14, Issue 2648, 14 December 1904, Page 35

GIMMERBURN .

December G.— Up till last week we had a long spell of dry and windy weather, which gave the country quite a parched appearance. Then followed a few days' calm and heat^ which seemed to draw the clouds around us once more. These opened and gave refreshing rain, and not a day before it was needed. At first the rain was a warm one, but a co!d snap followed, the hills around being covered with snow. A cold, east wind is now blowing, and from this till after Christmas we may expect the variable and changeable weather which is usually our due at this time of the year. Crops.*— The oat and wheat crops are all behind this year, while the turnips aro hard.y far enough advanced to be designated a crop. There is considerable difference in comparison witli last year's growth, as things were well forward at this time. The wind so dried the ground that some could not °et P m? hed '. not having their turnips in even yet Inere is good grass about, however, and several are going in for more or less extensive hay-cutting, this being comparatively unusual up here The good grass has. fattened the sheep and lambs, while those who go in for fattening \cattle have also good reason to be satisfied m that respect. Shearing.— Shearing may be said to be in full swing now, although the recent rain* have put a stop to work for a day or two SWrers are scarce just now, and I hear of some being unable to get men to do- the woik U is said that everything comes to those who wait, though it is rather vexing to have to .rait on shearers, as the sheep are gettindown on account of their heavy fleeces