CLARKSVILLE

Otago Witness, Issue 2692, 18 October 1905, Page 39

CLARKSVILLE

October 13. — The weather has been veiy favourable for sowing and harrowing, and dii some occasions dust could be seen rising flora behind the strong team drawing "She siy-leaf hairowt, and driven by Mr R. Ferguson, he himself being like a '" dusty miller." In cases where land is of a free nature and well worked, the improved drill deposits the seed at even, depth, and covers it in one operation, and it is finished, though that is a matter in which some farmers are a little sceptical, for having been in the habit of haiTowing after the old-fashioned broad hand and machine swing, they give the land the unnecessary stroke alter the drill. Habits, if not restricted, soon 'become fixed, and they gather by unseen Segrees, as brooks make rivers and rivers run to the sea. Stock buyers for all kind of stock are to be seen flying about the district, and now that the turnips are getting finished sheep are changing hands at a price that causes farmers' eyes to sparkle. Indeed farm produce of all kinds is commanding a price that is highly remunerative, and farmers ought to ba happy. Though lam no prophet, nor the son of a prophet, I venture to predict a continuance of good times for farmers. The outlook is very bright for the sale of all kinds of farm produce, and if jjrovidence is kind in giving us suitable weather for. the growth and garnering in of the grain of tlie coming season, it will command a price tisat will keep- that crafty, greedy animal " the Wolf " from the door. At the end of last month the weather took a sudden change, and cold rain fell for a few days, during which time the- Tokomairiro Rivei waa in flood. Through this spell of ;old wet weathei stock suffered somewhat, especially the young lambs, and flock owners had an anxious time among their sheep and lambs, and foi the time bsing farmers had to resit from other outdoor work in the tilling line, and I heard micie than one >say that we are having .oo much rain to be good for us. Mr ,J. S. Fleming, of Meadow Bank, had a mob of about 1000 fine sheep feeding on turnips in a paddock facing the railway line, on the main road leading to Lawrence. The ■'urnips being partly fed off, the ground looked as though it were covered with snow, the turnips- being so thick and clean looking. Mr Fleming very wisely removed the sheep to dry pasture during the wet weather. Mr R. Murray had ewes and lambs feeding off turnips on Mr Walter Matherson's farm. He also had an anxious time with them, as did many other farmers. I heard one farmer say the rain came ?he wrong week for him, for his ewes began to lamb just as the rain came on. Fortunately drying winds came, so that the countenances of the anxious farmers were wonderfully changed, and I thought of the many forms of the human faces we see day by day. Faces are far more readable than books, foi they are scanned in lruch leas time, and. are much less likely to deceive v?. During last month a sight was seen that seldom meets the -eye, a herd of 100 head of black steers being driven through Claiksville en route for Mr G. Nichol's farm,. West Taieri. He had purchased them from Mr M/Donald, who bought the homstead block on the Edendale Estate at the tirnp the Government took that estate over and cut it up for close settleniisnt. The estate was famed for breeding black cattle, and Mr M'Donald having been its manager, continued to hold the black poleys, and this lot J&lr Nichols bought was the remnant of the large number that were reared there. f Among the lot was one red' and -white beast, which was very conspicuous and odd-looking. In fact, it appeared like a fish oui of water struggling for life. It reminded me of the story of a fisherman who' said to his master: " I marvel ' how fishes live in the ssa." " Why," said the master, " as men do on land." " How's that?" asked the servant. " Why," said the master, " the great ones eat up the little "ones," land the great -miob of black bullocks looked like eating up the red and white one, and it seemed conscious of being out of its element.

PomoTogical. — The fresh, new foliage on the various kinds of trees, and the bloom on tha fruit trees, seem to impart new life to all around, and the surroundings of Clarksville , are very charming just now ; and to my mind -more dear and congenial this spring, with the charm of Nature, than all the gloss of art.

Political. — There is very little stir in the local political world, and so far everybody is at peace with one another about their opinions and sen-tirnents on the way the present Government is managing the affairs of the colony. Pterhaps, however, as the general election draws nearer agitation will be aroused.

Personal. — Mr T. Moir, our village blacksmith, is away on a holiday for the benefit of his health. He has gone to the neighbourhood of Gisborne, North Island, and we all wish to see him return safely and in robust health. During his absence his business is being carried on most .effeeiently by Mr J. Dick, a young man lately arrived from bonny Scotland; so the ring of the anvil is heard as usual.