CAVE (South Canterbury).

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

CAVE (South Canterbury).

April 11.—Rain fell on five clays in March, but the total was only l.Glin. Tho fall on four days in "January was .56in, on five days in February 1.36 in. The total rainfall for three months was thus only 3.53 m. Crops.—The harvest work was got through in good time, although there was a shortage of lahour for a. little while. Tho wheat crops at tho back of Cave- Hill, in the Upper Fareora Valley, were very good on tho whole, and some farmers had a- yield of from 39 to 43 bushels per acre. The oat crops wero considerably affected 'by rust (Fuccinia graminis), especially the spring-sown crops. While unaffected crops thrashed fairly well, the affected crops thrashed badly. Sales of Stock.—At the sales of stock at the Cave yards good prices have ruled. There was a sale of 15,000 sheep at Mr G-. Hamilton's Clayton Station, which proved a success iir every way. Two-tooth threequarterbred ewes sold at 40s; two-tooth halfbred from 27s to 30s; fat wethers, 355; store wethers, halfbred, 23s 9d; 1750 threequarterbred ewe lambs, 19s 6d: 1500 threequarterbred wether lambs, lis lid to 15s 6d. Settling the Soldiers.—l had <a look at the land for tho settlement of soldiers at Cricklewood, Washdyke, and Motukaika. The rental is too high at all these settlements for farmers to do any good on them. I speak with an experience of 42 years. Only two sections have been taken -up at Cricklewood and two at the "Washdyke or Seadown Settlements. The Motukaika Settlement, of nine sections, has not been offered yet. I hope these settlements may turn out a success.