WAIWERA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3292, 18 April 1917, Page 23

WAIWERA.

April 10. —As the war and its consequences are of chief importance I shall commence my note by stating that there have -just left us after their final leave another lot of our fine young fellows for the front; and, knowing them from their childhood up, I am quite convinced, given the chance, they will acquit themselves equally as well as those who have done so well before, and which I think -I am safe in saying is equal to any soldiers in the world. At a farewell social each was given a suitable present and a warm and affectionate parting wish for their safe and speedy return, which, needless to say, will be hailed with delight. Ail honour and power to our noble soldier; boys, one and all, say I. The Weather. —For weeks past the weather has been simply delightful. I have had occasion to call on several of my farmer friends lately, and, on getting a look around, I was delighted to see the wondefrul growth everywhere. Turnips, .rape, and grass are in abundance. It would be invidious to single out one farm; the remarks apply pretty well to the whole and neighbouring districts. As for fruit, although brought up in a splendid fruit country in the Old .Land. I am Safe in stating I never in my life before saw such fine apples, pears, etc.,_ as can now be seen in the gardens just visited by me. Stock, too, of every description are in the pink of condition, excepting some poor sheep that arrived here from somewhere and •reflected little credit on the owner. I was informed, however, that on their arrival at the local saleyards they soon secured a Government card to 'be placed in a conspicuous place on their pen. It is to be hoped the standard of our sales is not going to be lowered. As is well known, our sheep .generally are of a splendid type, hard to beat. On getting a chat with some of our loading farmers sometimes at the sales, one can glean .some fine ideas. To wit, a little while ago a leading farmer, if I may be allowed the expression, suggested __ that the Government should appoint a qualified person to go around and analyse the hind wherever his services were required, and let the farmers know the kind of manures really best suited for their individual cases, seeing there are so many kinds now on the market all claiming to bo the thing you require, and which, unfortunately, in many cases proves to be the thing you really don’t want. If such a person were appointed, no doubt it would save the farmers large sums of money that are now spent almost as a speculation, and in many cases entirely wasted. The gentleman here referred to said he sent a sample of his soil to be analysed, and ordered the manures said to be most suitable to the soil thus analysed. The result was a thorough success. What • seems to bs required is a suitable manure particularly for starting the turnips quickly; at leeist, that is my friend’s experience. I am sure the suggestion is worthy of the serious consideration of our Farmers’ Unions, and even the Government. I leave it at that in the meantime.

The Railway.—The stopping of the morning and evening express trains is going to cause .a very .great inconvenience, not only to the public generally, but also to many young people attending Balclntha School, which, when the train is stopped, if nothing is to replace it, will prevent many from going at all. As the boarding out is too expensive, their chances are cut off.