WAIKAWA VALLEY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2665, 12 April 1905, Page 35

WAIKAWA VALLEY.

April 4, — Owing to the very unsuitable weather harvest operations are not nearly so far advanced as the farmers would like for the time of the year. There still remain some oats uncut, and the majority of the crop remains unstacked. For some time past it has either been windy or showery, and the last few day 3it has been very cold. Taking the oat crop for the district as a whole, it is not quite up to the usiial standard, although that on the flat is good. Turnips in a few cases are good, in others fair, and feed generally is plentiful. Very little bush-felling has been done this season, and little new land brought under the plough.

Flax. — The local flaxmill seems to be doing well, as there is a good supply of the raw material close at hand. The mill changed ownership early in the season, and was moved some four or five miles up the river to MiWard's property, behind Scrubby Hill. The proprietors are sending away the fibre by steamer from Waikawa, instead of carting such a long way to Waimahaka.

Stock. — Those who had lambs for sale had no trouble in disposing of them on the farm at very satisfactory prices. Store cattle are, of course, not so easy to find a profitable market for just now, and, m consequence, I do not think many will leave the district.

Wedding. — I understand there is to be another wedding in the district- in a few days. The bridegroom hails from Fortrose, and the bride is the daughter of one of the oldest settlers in the Valley. Noxious Weeds. — During the month of February some of the settlers were kept pretty busy hunting up and down destroying ragwort. A few had also to deal with the greater pest, Canadian thistle. This is indeed a noxious weed, as neither cattle nor sheep will kesp it down, and ordinary cultivation only seems to make it thrive the better.