PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1635, 31 December 1912, Page 3

PROVINCIAL CENTRES.

(From Onr BDoclal Corroayondonta.l 9 —

' FEILDING. , A larger number of Feilding families than ever migrated before Christmas, and are spending the holidays at various seasido resorts, particularly, at Pliinmerton and at Paekakariki. . The, h'orses, cattle, . sheep,, and pigs in this district are entirely lree from disease, and tho farmers have no stock troubles to worry them, this season. All feed is abundant, the wool clip is. good, fat lambs are realty "fat," the milk cheques are increasing, and the weather is fair. Consignments of wool have been leaving tlie Feilding railway station about a month earlier this season than last, owing no doubt to the warm weather coming earlier. Pat lambs aro also coming in freely for dispatch, 1100-head being sent away this morning. ; The'railway authorities are easily coping with stock-owners' requirements. . ' The Peilding branch of the Farmers Union is apparently going to neglect the opportunity of having a demonstration in stack-ensilago making by Mr. W. Dibble,the Government Fields Instructor. A paddock suitable for the purpose, with orop, was available, but the scarcity of labour, prevented the farmers making use of it. The summer weather has come to stay apparently, and all crops are maturing rapidly. Many heavy crops of hay' are visible on the countryside. Haymaking is in full owing, in tlio Beaconsfield district. ■ . Says a report from Waiata:—Owing to the long spell of wet weather, running so far into the summer, the ground is bating so hard that, in many, instances, ploughing, discing,etc., is impossible. It is quite common to see the plough in mid-furrow in the half-turned field, and the fanner hoping -for. rain. There are some very firio crops of oats and rye grass, while a, large area, approaching 200 acres, is planted in potatoes. Peed is plentiful in this district, but lambs have not fattened well. One buyer who got 1700 "first pick" last season from Waiata district, got.only 176 this year. Some farmers feel that, owing ,to the high-price ruling.for fat lambs the ! 'buyers are . not going so "deep" as they have hitherto done.