THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16146, 26 February 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES. JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS. As a war-time egg-producer, the Leghorn hen—a year ago breed—has been outclassed. Ahe recent Harper-Adam's competition' (writes "Man of Kent" m a L ° fl don paper") undoubtedly proved that the White Wvandptte is now the more persistent layer. The average number of eggs laid per pen of six buds by Leghorns was 851, while the average laid in the same time by A\yandotte» mis 988. But- taking tho best pens of each breed, the disparitv is even more striking. The highest figures scored by Loghorns were 1003. whilo the top score of the Wyandotte* was 14J6; in the first case ITS egs;s per bird and in the other 250. Tho "failure of the Leghorn, I think, is partly explained l>y the extreme cold experienced during the first four months of the year. On my own farm cold affectod the light breed most adversely, but left the Wyandotte untouched. Tho heavy breed is tho better layer, and for tlioso who desire eggs all the vear round the A\ yaniiotie is now undoubtedly the more consistent bird. Fortunately it thrives in confinement and takes <|uite kindly to town life, but an extra toot of floor space per bird is highly desirable." Under tho heading, "A Spoiled Harvest," "Agricola," South Island correspondent of the "Farmers' tlaion Advocate," writes: —"It is to be feared that a great deal of the stuff that is now out in stook will be materially damaged by tho continued rain and misty weather. Speaking in a general sort of ""'ay, it may be said that the cutti'ng had just been finished and the stacking had just got fairly started. There are a few farmers who have cut out, as the saying is, but I find that) they are few and far between—more's tho pity. There is still somo cutting to | do, but it will not be worth a great deal after tho rain has done with it. On most farms there is something secured, amd in the aggregate these little plots will amount to a good deal; but tho major portion of the crops are still in stook, so that it will be seen how serious the present break in the weather is for the grain-growers. A big proportion of tlie late-sown crop, especially tho oats, has f;otae down, and is practically worthless, t will be remembered that tho same thing happened. to many acres of tho early-sown crop, both wheat and oats." HANMER SPRINGS. On Thursday a concert was held in the Queen Mary Hospital, and was much enjoyed. The first part of the proframme was given by the Pierrot 'roupe, as follows: —Chorus, tho troupe; songs, ex-Sorgeant Woods, cs- v Sergeant-Major Ridgeway, Corporals Ramage and Dobson, Lance-Corporal Newman, Privates Tunnicliffe, Halliburton, Bassctt; duet. Lanco-Corporal Newman and Private Tunnicliffe; recitation, Private Dale; impersonations, ex-Sergeant Piper. In the second part of the programme, the items were:— Overture, Queen Mary Rag-time Band; songs, Mesdames Gillies, Leslie. Gray, and J olios, Miss Stewart. Messrs Graves and Daniels; recitation, Mr Nelson Stedman; duet, Corporal Dobson and Captain Clifton. Tho accompaniments wei£ played l>y Miss Rennell and Miss Somcrs. During the interval Captain Clifton presented prizes to the following winners of a recent croquet tournament: Privates Fairbairn, Squire, Anderson, and O'Connell. KAIAPOI. The Superintendent of tho Volunteer Fire Brigade acknowledges tho receipt of £2 2s from Mr D. Brown, for services rendered at til© recent fire on his premises.' MARSHLAND. At the annual meeting of householders held in the Marshland School In April last, it was decided to write to the Waimairi County Council regarding the need for an extension of tho footpath along the Marshland road, from Briggs's road to the Styx bridge. Tho Council had an estimate 'of thts cost prepared by the County Engineer, and, decided to leave the matter in abeyance until after the war. Following on the recent inspection of roads, bridges, etc., by members <u the Council, the, headmaster of the Marshland School mote to the Council enumerating the reasons for the construction of the fffotpath on account of the danger to school children from the ever-increasing motor and other vehicular traffic on a somewhat narrow roadway, with unformed sides. He has received a reply stating that the Council is quite agreed on tlie question of danger to children going to and from school, and that at its last meeting it ha<l been dccidod to form < the path from Briggs's road to McSaveney's road in the meantime. As the Council has pow recognised tho : need of the work, it may bo safely assumed, that next year wiil see a further , extension or possible completion. ' Tho parents of Private D. S. Radcliffe have been informed by the Defence Department that their son is being invalided home. He left with the Ninth : Reinforcement. A memorial service in connexion with 3 the recent death of Private Abraham 1 Dobby was conducted by tho Rev. C. ! Strand in the Marshland Methodist Church on Sunday evening. .Tho pul- : pit was draped with a Union Jack. The preacher took for his text, "A good soldier of Jesus Christ," and appropriate , hyinns were sung, under tlie leadership of Air T. Wilson. At tho close of the ' service,. Mrs J. Southon played the j "Dead March," with flute accompaniment by 3ft- H. Laker. J ASHBURTON. \ At tho Magistrate's Court yesterday, < before Messrs It. Clark und iVL A. Mc- 1 Clure, J.P.'s, W. J. Lockhnrd, a bcc- i ond offender for drunkenness, was fined 1 10s and coats. A stranger to tho town • was charged with tho theft of a bicyclo. j On account of his peculiar behaviour ] he was first examined by two local doc- 1 tors, who declared tho wanderer to bo - of unsound mind, and rocommondod hifi j removal to a mental hospital. Tho charge against accused was thou with- < drawn, and on tho recommendation of T tho medical examiners ho wns commit- « ted to tho Sunnysido Mental Hospital. , RAKAIA. . A committee of the parishioners of St. James's Church, Chertscy, last year raised funds for painting and repairing the building. The work lias now been left in the bands of Mr J. Stewart, Chertsey, and Messrs Collins, of Ashburton The exterior is to be painted and the interior renovated, the trees are to be topped, fences put in ord»>r and a new pair of gates erectcd. It is j hoped that the work will be finished in ! time for the Easter services. j Miss A. Cross, who lias been first assistant at the Rakaia School for several years is leaving at the end of this month to take up another position under the Board. DON'T DIET. L»r. Sheldon's Digestive Tubules di- j nest what you eat. and allow you to ■ eat all the good, wholesome food you ! want. It you are sulienng from in- ! digestion, you will be surprised at tim ! 6peedv relief they will give you. it j your case is of long standing, it will 1 require a reasonaole time to effect a i remedy, for Nature cannot replace ! worn-out tissues with new ones by • nu'--:.c. But ov the use oi tii's ; preparation, tho stomach is given ab- • solute rest, and abundant nourishment and reconstructive materials furnished, recovery iq certain and permanent. Price. Is (3d and 2s (3d. Obtainable Everywhere.