LOCAL A. AND P. NEWS

Otago Witness, Volume 14, Issue 2648, 14 December 1904, Page 9

LOCAL A. AND P. NEWS

The Mount Benger Hail denies the report that, owing to the prevalence of a number of pests, Iho fruit crop in the Roxbvrgh district is likely to be small this season. From personal investigations it finds that, though in a number of the gardens there is a portion of the peach trees affected with curl leaf, tho crop promises to bo quite equal to if not better than last year's. The Milton Branch of the Farmers' Union (says a contributor in the Bruce Herald) has decided to ask all farmers who may be consigning potatoes, carrots, etc., to Dunedin, after Ist February, 1805, to instruct thenagents to sell with the condition attached that the sacks must be paid for as extra.

The Puerua correspondent of the Free Press says that one of the settlers in that district has had the remarkable increase of 300 per cent, among the sheep in one of his paddocks. A sharp frost in Tokomairiro district on Wednesday morning did some damage to the potato shaws. The following items are taken from last week's Cromwell Argus: — The California thistle rs spreading fast in many parts of the district, and if steps are not taken to eradicate it, it will be hard to combat v'.ifch later on. — Spring threshing has been the order of the day in Ha-wea district lately, and the sample is very bright, showing care in harvesting, so that the flour is likely to be of a high quality. Baker Bros., of Glen Dhu, thrashed 433 bags of wheat from 20 acres. — In looking over the Hawea Flat we were surprised to see such fine agricultural land, and are confident if the faimers were to go in for dairying it would pay much better than grain. They could easily float a company amongst themselves. — The guessing competition for the weight of five sheep at our anaual show resulted in-> Mrs James Horn, of Bahnockburn, securing first prize with 4101b, P. Williams second with 4221b; the actual dressed weight was 4151b, which is very high, being an average of 831b per sheep. — Charles Mitchell, butcher, killed a sheep last week weighing 951b — grass fed.— The crops in the. upper part of tKe district are looking remarkably well considering the backward season that ha 3 been. Two of particular note are to be seen at Halliday'e, Mount Barker, and Watkins's, Taras, which would be hard to beat on the Canterbury Plain. — An excellent crop of clover is to be seen on Mrs Perriam's farm at Lowburn, while farther on is s fine field of peas grown by Mr Sehieb.

Dairying notes, from the Clutha Free Press : — Managers of the Taieri and Peninsula creameries in this district have received instructions not to take milk held over from the Sunday. It seems that milk taken from the cow on Sunday, and not separated until Monday, has a detrimental effect on the quality of the butter. Hence the T. and P. Company's order, which will be opposed to the conscience of strict Sabbatarians. — The Taieri and Peninsula Company's creamery at Balclutha North is now in receipt of lOOOgal of milk daily. This is ahead of last year's maximum, and it is expected the quantity will bo increased to 1600 gal before the season .-loses. The price being paid 'is id per lb of butter fat. Suppliers now number 20. 'In this connection it is interesting to know that the Taieri and Peninsula Company are' at present manufacturing 10 tone of butter daily in their Dunedin factory, and the output from the Oamaru establishment is also large.

Mr Blackmore, Government pomologist, jaid a visit to this district last -vveek (says the Dunstan Times'of the sth inst.), visiting all of tha orchards in the locality. To a representative of this paper who accompanied him to the greater number of the orchards, he expressed himself as very disappointed with the development of the industry, and also the manner with which fruit culture is undertaken by the majority ot the growers. The gren peach aphis, which has been very prevalent in the district this season, will, in Mr Blackmore's opinion, play great havoc with our peach orchards, unless systematic spraying is resorted to. In the Blackman's Gully locality Mr Blackmore pointed out' there are thousands *-of acres of land where the apricot could be successfully grown without irrigation, provided a proper system of tillage was gone in for. Of the capabilities of Mr Iversen's property on the Earnscleugh Flat (some 600 acres) Mr Biackmore holds a very high opinion, considering that it would make one of the finest orchards in the world were cultivation gone into on thoroughly systematic and practical lines. "I would like' to have charge of it as a Government experimental station," was his final remark.

The Mandeville corespondent of the Mataura Ensign writes: — The weather during November was very cold and bleak, high winds prevailing- during the greater part of the month, putting a serious ohecik on the growth of all cereals. Crops of all sorts are usually backward, and a late harvest is now certain. December was ushered in by one of the hottest days of the season, and a few -weeks of such weather at this critical time will make up in a wonderful manner for the late spring. Sowing and preparing the ground for turnips is now occupying the attention of farmers, and a large area will be so employed. Raised drills are now taking the place of the old broadcast system. A lot of new turnip ridgers are arriving in the district, and seem, to be giving satisfaction. Stock of all sorts are in good condition, and prices are all that could be desired, with the exception of store cattle, which are not in great demand owing io the late spring ; but a few weeks of favourable growth will cause a keener demand. Wool is still getting up in price, and farmers are anxious to get shearing over to participate in the high prices. Shearing has just commenced, and will be general in the course of a few

The Ratanui correspondent of the Clutha Free Press writes : — Most of the farmers are now busy with the turnip-sowing, and I am glad they have been favoured with ■fine weather during the last week. There is abundance of grass this season, and all the stock are looking very well, better than they have been for several years. Rabbits are very plentiful round us again, and it behoves the farmer to keep them down in the winter, when the ground is bare, as they are- not so easily poisoned when there is plenty of grass.

Writing on the 6th inst., the Ringway correspondent of the Western Star reports: — After a beautiful warm fortnight we are now getting splendid rain, which will do both crops and the young turnip braird good. The x>ld weather experienced during November retarded the growth of the crops, and unless w© get plenty of heat (which Southland cannot stand too much of) our harvest will be both short and late. Grass is now recovering the ~ ' "y cold anaps we have had, and stock

of all kinds are invariably looking well. Fat etock are selling well,, but I think the bottom is out of the store "stock market.. It is now., plainly" seen that cattle are far more plentiful than was some tiure- ago supposed. However, sheep *are still maintaining good prices, whicht is an fndioation that fat lambs will find * ready sale at remunerative prices. • ■■ .

Shearers were busy last week (says the Tapanui Coui-ier of tho 7th inst.), and wool buyers are on the look out to fill their requirements. ,The city wool brokers are acldsingv graziers to sell their clip* in the big centres. Wool buyers, ' on the contra, offer to purchase with delivery at the local stores or railway sheds, and pay spot cash. Between city broker and local buyers graziers should secure s fair price for theii wool. Good farmers' lots are quoted at from B^d to 9^d on the ground; extra, up to lOd.