THE COUNTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3224, 29 December 1915, Page 31

THE COUNTRY.

£3T Correspondents are reminded that all letters for the current week’s issue must reach Dunedin NOT LATER THAN MONDAY NIGHT. Letters coming to hand on Tuesday are too late, and are thus a week old when they appear.

MILTON. December 20.—Good growing weather ha 3 been experienced during tiic past few weeks, and in nearly every case crops are looking well. Even late-sown oats have made good progress, and, although no„ long, show a very healthy colour. a he bulk Of the turnips are now sown, and thinning is in progress on many farms. Altogether, with the good prices ruling mistook and wool, and with favourable P 1 ®®' poets for the grain crops, tho man on the land in this part of the Dominion, at any rate, is on a decidedly good wicket at present. Dairy Factory.—The Milton Dairy Factory installed a whey-separating plant at the beginn.ng of tho season, and is now turning out whey butter of excellent quality. The bulk of the output is secured by the suppliers, who arc thus enabled to send all the milk produced to the factory, instead of retaining part for the supply of butter required for their own use. iso trouble is found in disposing of the balance of tho butter made to the local storekeepers. The supply of • milk received at the factory is well up to that of previous years. The progress payment for butter-fat is Is per lb, with the prospect of an increase as the season advances. Recruiting. —The local Recruiting Committee is doing its best by means of meetings and other methods to stir eligible young men to a sense of their duty m the time of their country’s need. Some of the other methods adopted have not perhaps been characterised by wisdom; _ but it is easy to criticise, and the intentions of the committee have in every case been excellent. Tho results of all the efforts made have not been too satisfactory, not at any rate, so far as completing the ranks _pf the Eleventh Reinforcements is concerned. The near approach of the holidays is to a great extent responsible for_ this, as it is stated that the number required locally for the Twelfth Reinforcements is practically completed now. There is a growing feeling that compulsory universal service would bo certainly the fairest and by far the most effective way of obtaining the necessary men, although it is so opposed to all past British tradition that its adoption is likely to be delayed except as a very last resource. Motor Car Ablaze. —Mr D. M'Gilllvray had tho misfortune to lose his five-sr-ater motor car by fire last Tuesday evening. He was returning from Milburn late in tho evening with two travellers, and when a short distance on tho way to Milton discovered ■ that tho engine was on fire. In the shortest space of time tho whole car was blazing, and soon was left but the framework and the engine, .which were both badly damaged. Luckily for the owner, .there was insurance to the amount of £2OO on the car, which will help to some extent to cover the loss. —[Arrived too late for last issue.] FERNDALE. December 23. —This is about the busiest season of the year. The cows are giving their biggest supply of milk, and arc doing exceptionally well. The pastures are looking splendid. The rain wc have had lias been real summer rain, and not the cold, driving storms we had at this last year. - Most of the turnip crops are in, and are looking very promising. The oat crops, too, look well. The sheep-farmers are busy shearing, or getting ready for it. One or two have finished already, and will be resting on their oars, or their shears, now. The School. —The school concert was hold in November to supplement tho school funds. There was a good attendance, but the concert did not come up to previous ones, as some' of the performers did not put in an appearance. Our teacher, Mr Baxter, has been taking great pains with tho school gardens. The two pupils in the Sixth Standard gained certificates. Hie school broke up on Friday, December 17. There was a gathering of parents at the school in tho afternoon to sec tho prizes given out, and afternoon tea was dispensed Personal. —Mrs M‘Gillivray is back home from the hospital, though still far from well. Wo hope tho fine air of Ferndale will help to restore her to health. Mr M‘Menamin has returned from the war. Ho was one of tho first to take up a section on Waiarikiki, at the upper end of this valley. War broke out, and ho was one of the first to obey tho call of Empire. Ho has lost tho sight of one eye, we regret to say, and has now received his discharge. Pie comes back to his farm soon. No doubt his experiences at the front will have served as an apprenticeship _ to facing tho life of a settler on Waiarikiki, where the rent is high and the returns arc slow at coming in. MOMONA. December 23.—Heavy rain set in at noon on Tuesday, 21st inst., and continued without intermission for several hours. It is estimated that lin of rain fell. The rain was urgently required, and it will be of immense benefit to tho turnip and potato crops. It will also be of value in filling out the earlier wheat and oat crops. _ It has had the effect of laying the heavier grain crops in places; but probably much of this will rise again, and in any case any damage which may result from tho laying of the crops will be insignificant when compared with the immense value which will accrue in all other respects. Turnips and potatoes are making very rapid growth at present, and are looking remarkably well. Indeed, everything on the farm is looking well, and as far as this immediate neighbourhood is concerned, it may safely bo said that it has never shown to better advantage. Clearing Sale. —Messrs Park, Reynolds, and Co., of Dunedin, hold a clearing sale of household furniture and requisites at Mr Maxwell’s residence this afternoon. There was a large attendance of the public, and practically everything was disposed of at very satisfactory prices. Messrs Lawson Bros, will take over Mr Maxwell’s business at the end of the year. School Vacation. —The annual break-up ceremony and presentation of school prizes

took place yesterday afternoon in the presence of a large number of parents and other interested visitors. The prizes were presented by Mr Amos, chairman of the School Committee. Master Eric Swanson is dux of the school this year.