RAGLAN NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 150, 25 June 1907, Page 3

RAGLAN NEWS.

(From Our Own correspondent.) We have now passed the shortest day. and the weather, on which so much depends for the farmer, is all that could be desired. With the exception of the 19th, which was a cold "south-easter." with rain, frosty nights and bright, sunny days have oeen the rule, with just enough rain between to keep things from getting too dry. The turnip crop here, like in most other districts, has been a comparative failure, yet there are a few fair average crops. Oα? of the best crops around here is on land which grew turnips last year, while some of the poorest crops are on new land, that had never been cropped before; but whatever is the cause, it means a very serious loss to the farmers, who have come to look on the turnip crop as tueir mainstay for the winter.

The local dairy factories closed down for the season at the end of May, Te Mata on the 20th and Kauroa on the 29th. Both factories have had an increased output, that in the case of Kauroa being fully 27 per cent over last year, while the average grade has been considerably higher. Both managers are now enjoying a well-earned holiday.

Mr. Esau Pretty has sold his farm of between three and four hundred acres at Te Uku to Mr. James Belcher, who owns the adjoining land.

Farmers are now busy getting really for next season's crops, putting iv winter oats, and breaking up land for root crops. 1 think there will be a larger area of mangolds put in than formerly. They seem t.-i do well here, although so far they have only been grown In small plots So long as swedes did so well, farm-ers did not trouble mcch about other root crops; but if they are to carry their stock through the winter they will have to provide other fouel.

That under prpsont i-uud!tmu< put.-ito growing does not ' |iay is becoming the opinion of many, v.'itlj the Increased loss of production sind the decreaeed yiEld there is litle margin of profit, if any a SO od deal of dissatisfaction prevails about tlie Government valuations which have been recently made. While the capital values may not bo much out. the general impression Js that the unimproved values nrc ton M"h and, consequently, too litle allowed for improvements.