GARSTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 39

GARSTON.

Tnlv 24.—The winter in this locality is «i££g wray with less than its usual Sverig. We have had no snow on the flats fb tpeak of, and there s much less on the Slltops thaln is usual at tbia time oi ft* year nor have we yet experienced frosts 2£ere enough to put a stop to plongla^ operatians. Apparerafely our wonter is not &ABB to be a repetition of the last passed El tne northern hsmisphew. as some predicted. The climate of this country, like ita people, seem to be blessed or cursed witn tdo much originality to copy from others or follow any lead but its own. The open •weataier we have had has enabled farmers to eet well ahead with their ploughing for•next season's crops. It is probable that the create* part of this will be- oats. The good nrices ruling this season is sure to induce Sowers to sow a larger area.. The whole v£ the grain grown last seaeon has been sent to market. Although thei quantity was smaller than it should have been, the better price it fetched partly compensated for the shortaee The bumper crops of turnips, too, that some nad, should m*ke. the past season • remunerative one. Moreover, recently, a magician in the form of a Government land valuer visited our midst, and -with a wave at his magic wand added pounds to the value «rf our little farm plots. The benefit of this, if any to those who- want to- sell out, may fee apparent, but to thoee who want to keep their land and make a living out of it is txot so obvious. Changes;— Messrs Trotter have sold out, theix Greenvele Estate and- 700& sheep, cattle, etc., to Mr M'Gaughan, of Garston. All wish the new possessor every prosperity in his new Venture. Farmers' Union.—A movement naa been made at Athol and here to form a branch of (He Fanners* Union. The initiative in this taken a-t Athol. The farmers of the latter place, I understand, were galvanised into activity by two members of the Mosa"burn branch, who visited them quite recently •ad pointed out the path that duty to ithemselveß- and others- called upon them to follow. The men of Athol appointed Mr QQeeohler secretary and) lanvaeaer. This gentleman called a- meeting at the schoolfrouse, Garston, for Saturday night, the 20th izvab., when some 20 rolled up and paid out ■tneir shilling. The attendance would have

been, large had there been time to notify them of it. No doubt they will all put in an appearance at the next meeting, which, is to take place in the beginning of August. — [Too late for last week's issue.]