WAITOHI FLAT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XL, Issue 2919, 31 January 1884, Page 6

WAITOHI FLAT.

The prospects of farmers on the Wnitohi Flat; of a good return for their labor m the shape of an abundant harvtist are not very cheiirfui. This district as a trliolo has suffered, as far as oaaual inepoction showed, much more than any otbor part of Sonlh Canterbury yet visited, from the unpropitious weathor experienced sinae last autumn. The soil it much of the same nature as that of the Kakahu Flat, having the same cold iroo-bouud . clay subtioil, and the same remarks ia regard to a season suitable to tho production of cereals may be upplied. The land never recovered from the, thorough saturation it received from tho rains of last Hay, consequently early wheat sowing was delayed, and tbe land continuing wot throughout, the winter and spring, may therefore account for the Urge proportion of oatii this year boing put m at |he last moment. At the lower end of the flat, where there is good natural drainage, a fim good paddocks of wheat and oats are to bo seen, but some of the oat cropß are very light and others very backward. In the middle of the flat, on the lower lying parls, the oropn are looking oven woi-80. At the nppar end the best crops are seco, both of wheat and oats, and some of tho whent along the bank of the Opihi hereabouts should go upwards of thirty-live hunhals to the acre. On tho rugged limestone downs, al; the head of the flat, several stmll attempts have) been mailo to grow grain, and apparently learned wil.h rery good results. Turnipn aro doing; well on these same 'downs, but, 'as miftht havn bcien expected,' are almost a total failure on the flat land.