Horsley Downs.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6482, 27 February 1889, Page 4

Horsley Downs.

"• r [PEOM OTTB OWK CORBESPONDENT.] : TREE PLANTING. Many people who ■ have not visited this distriot during the last few years would experience some difficulty in finding their way about, bo many are the changes. Here, a deferred payment section; there a village settlement, all, of course, fenced, and in the latter • case under cultivation ; but now ; especially, would they be surprised at the , quantity of tree planting- that has been done on some of the large runs. On the estate of Messrs Mallock . and Lance especially is this noticeable, in fact the whole face of the country is being changed year by year, and the brown plains of tussock are being relieved by the dark green of thousands of healthy young trees. At Glenmark, the beautiful property ofJMr Moore, the planting has been earned out very thoroughly, and I do not think "there is a more beautiful place in Canterbury, simply and solely on account of its. trees. St Leonards, Culverden, and Bal- ■ moral are all surrounded with trees, which can be seen miles away, and form a pleasanfc 1 contrast to the old days when the whole country was nothing but tussock. The village settlers and small farmers all over the district seem to recognise the great •want of trees, and are planting any spare corner they have, especially if that corner be the means of affording them or their ■stock shelter from the howling Nor'-wester-At the annual dinner of the Aberdeen Angus Club, held at the Tavistock Hotel, London, an interesting 1 discussion took place on " the occurrence of White Markings on Aberdeen-Angus Cattle." Mr ' Maopherson Grant* b conclusion was that in the main white markings are due to the impressivenees of the dam, and that all coloured stock or anything calculated to influence imagination should be withdrawn from view during time of service and breeding. Mr Stephenson, Newcaßfcle-on-Tyne, pithily argued that white markings 1 were in the main due to heredity. Mr Robertson, Aberlour Mains, practically concurred in the hereditary principle. Mr .Mackenzie, Dalmore, ' followed, and Mr i "Wallis, of Bradley Hall, Mr Robert Bruce, Northallerton, and others, took part in the discussion. In summing up, the President, , indicated the general opinion Of the Club ■ to be that the occurrence of white markings „ was mainly due to heredity or to atavism I which he, however, did. not regard as ; synonymous terms. While a white udder ' is not objectionable, it was desirable that : the breed should be otherwise** black and ; all black," and it was very -desirable that , .every means should be takento get-that