UNKNOWN

Otago Witness, Issue 2689, 27 September 1905, Page 35

UNKNOWN

September 23.— Our weather has been «eligHtfully mild of late, although frosts are experienced occasionally of nights. Spring growth, however, is not so far advanced as to V iniaiteria;.ly checked by tb-so light, late frosts. Fruit trees of the earlier kinds have not yet their Vossoms, so that the forming fruit has still the protection of the petals to w guard it against injury by other than very 'keen frosts. . . Promise of Fruit.— The fruit trees, especially ■the apricot and peach, are showing a wealth of "blossom where the trees were not permitted to set a too heavy crop of fruit last season. Growers have now realised ihe importance of thinning out " the young fruit with a view to securing a crop superior in quality to that which the trees will bear if left unattended. The prevailing system is to thin out to the extent of leaving the width of a man's hand ■between separate fruits. When the trees at 3 at jill vigirous this method of thinning is always attended with good results ; and where trees are, not so robust as may be desired, the process of thinning is found to be beneficial, inasmuch as it permits the trees to recover their natural vigour by preventing them overbearing fruit when wood growth is desirable to restore die constitution of the trees. So for ibcsxs is promise of apricofs and peaches setting heavily; but of courpo the period 01 danger is not yet passed.

Rifle Club. — Members A the local club in-{•oi-d. JCTtarneying to Bannockbum on October 11 to fire a friendly match against the crack shots of the Bannockburn Club. The Clyde riflemen are quite confident of a defeat, but they hold to the opinion that they shall learn a good dtal from "the parent clubman, and that the match should be an education in the use of the rifle by which they may profit at some future time. At a. meeting called for the purpose of appointing a captain in lieu of the Rev. W. E. Fitohett (resigned), Mr S. Wekford, iuri.. was unanimously electo-l to the office. Members expressed regret at Captain Fitchott's resignation. Memhsrs coinp'am latterly as to the dwge- mads foi ammunition, by the Defence Department, the cost being so high as to prevent many members taking the practice necessary to make them reliable marksmen. It is to be hoped Government will reduce the price of ammunition to rifle clubs in ths near future, as such «, concession would be greatly appreciated by riflemen throughout the colony. Returning. — Mt William and Mrs Alla-n, who disposed of their business at Clyde some jea-rs ego, and took up other occupations in different parts of Otago, and at Timam, in Canterbury, have again returned to Clyde with a view lo settling down permanently amongst us. Their old atd many friends feel pleased at their return to Clyde, whore they have parchased a beautiful home, quitb near what is soon to be the terminus of the Otago Central railway.