RURAL JOTTINGS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9096, 23 May 1908, Page 5

RURAL JOTTINGS.

(By Agricola)

It is said that every cloud has a silver lining, and there are not wanting signs that this is proving true in the Wairarapa, for the dark cloud that hung heavily over the district at the time of drought and fire has lifted and dispersed, gitfen place lo brighter prospects, *'or the weather that has followed during the autumn is all that could be desired by the farming community. The winter has commenced, but still the weather conditions are most favourable. We are now experiencing a most beautiful spell of fine weather, frosty nights followed by bright sunny days. The temperature at night (luring the past week ranging from a few degrees up to 7 and 10 of frost, but so high is the temperature during the day time, that there is very little cessation of vegetable growth except in very shady localities. This run of fine weather is stimulating farmers to push forward ploughing and other agricultural operations rapidly, and there is every indication that an increased area of land will be undir crop this year. From tho Ea»t Coast portion cf the district comes news that a considerable amount of ploughing L§ done on the stations at Eparima and "Tfie! growth of r; ag2 tfip past &■- 1 torn no pes? W ffw B ' weil go, - J oj: stoc.. _ " throughout the winter. Settlers generally express the opinion that there will be no great shortage. Stock aie putting on condition, though amongtt some of the weaker animals are sigt s of scour, due to th s soft nature of tie pasture; these remarks apply generally to the Wairarapa and Hush districts. As showing the mildness of the season trees and flowers 1 a e put forth quite a spring growth, shrubs, such as lilacs and camelias, being in b'.oom. As a reEult of the beneficiet t weather and the growth of gra3s the tone of the stock market has much improved, and at this week's ssl'.a there was an appreciable rise in the value of sheep. This statG of affairs very naturally has th? effect of making the farmers wear a more contented look on their faces. On the other hand the low price of wool is not cheering, as many individuals who drew from 8d to 9d p-*r lb on their clips will have to r:fu::J large amounts, perhaps one-third. The ! prices realised for wool and skins at the local auction sales were in sympathy with the low values ruling on the Home market. Compared with the same class of wool and skins sold in Masterton las 4 : year the price obtained in some instances are more than 50 per cer.t. lower.

The work of crutching is well forward throughout the district. This has given many farmers an opportunity to count their flocks, with the result that the death rate between sharing and now has not be:n exceptionally high. Those persons affected with "earth hunger" are anxiously awaiting the result of the inspection of the lea, Kohivvai, Rowlands and Westmere properties, which is now going on at the hands of Messrs j Baron and Rees, of the Land Purchase Board, accompanied by Mr John Fraser, Government Valuer. Very little information is so far procurable, but it is said that these gentlemen were favourably impressed by the quality of a great deal of the land at lea and Kohiwai. The cutting up and close settlement of these estates would be highly beneficial not only to the immediate neighbourhood in which they are situate, but to the town of Masterton also. There are many practical men in the Wairarapa who have an intimate knowledge of the properties mentioned, and who would be only too willing to secure sections. Anything that will tend to the better cultivation of the soil should be encouraged, and is of value. At one time ploughing matches were carried out in the Wairarapa with the object of a better class of work being performed. Now that there is a dearth of good ploughmen in the dominion it would seem eiesirable to again institute ploughing competitions, and in some districts this is being done.

The Press has persistently kept before the farmers the good which would result from having their woolclips'got up for market in the best possible manner, perhaps through this, and the price of the commodity being almost down to zero, the farmers are beginning to become alive to their interests, and the Directors of the Technical School have been approached with the object of instruction being given in classing and packing, and it is possible that the request will be acceded to, and an instructor appointed at an early date. It has been reported.through the Press in commenting: on the Ruakuru 'Experimental Farm that among the grasses cultivated is "sweet vernal." This is probably an error, for on consulting the report of the Agricultural Department's Journal, 1»J07, page 239, this grass is described as "a useless grass, and one that has done immense damage to permanent pastures in New Zealand, crowding out useful grasses, and should on no account be included in mixtures;" In the face of this the Department would scarcely go so far a3 to.cultivate it. \