RURAL HINTS.

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 4, 30 July 1874, Page 3

RURAL HINTS.

Shortly ago, in a ramble along some of the rural districts adjoining Balclutha our attention was arrested by the bare and inhospitable appearance of tbe paddocks. There seems to be little care or -attention bestowed upon the cultivation of hedges or the planting of timber belts, wkertby shelter could be afforded stock from the severe southerly bursts which are so prevalent about this season of ths year. If a little more trouble and expenditure were practised- by-our fGrmersTTircoiraection -with this matter, the good results derived therefrom would soon become apparent, and act as a stimulant for further improvements in this, section of farming. Conveniently placed, belts ol timber not only in winter months afford shelter and protection from the stormy blast, but are equally beneficial during summer heat, allowing stock a comfortable shade. By such provisions, the quality and quantity of both fleece and carcase is very much increased ; the scenery of the country would also be very much improved and enlivened.

We were also struck by the want cf subdivision of paddocks. Some farmers hold immature ideas, and look upon such a plan as objectionable and unproductive of good results. This ig quite a fallacy. For grazing purposes, subdivision is almost indispensable : a better quality of herbage is produced the quantiiy per acre is increased, stock thrive more rspidly by not having too much scope — roaming is n© requisite, being partial to change of feed ; heDce the great advantage derived from subdivision. We have seen sheep and cattle in paddocks separately for a few days : the pasture was still quite abundant, yet they did not seem to relish the food ; in the adjoining paddock similar grass was growiog, only it was a little fresher, and when passed into this paddock they seemed to enjoy the change, though the pastures of both bore great similarity, and if returned to the same paddock in a few day?, the same eagerness to crop the herbage will be shown. By paying a little attention to the proper time of shifting, not permitting one paddock to show signs of too close cropping . while another is at hand, it will be found that stock do much better, and that the paddocks send up a a better cole of grasi. Droppings are more proportionally distributed, Subdsvision is the most economical method of rearing, feeding, and maturing stock on low ground."