THE COUNTRY.

Evening Star, Issue 3449, 12 March 1874, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

Waikouaiti. -Mr W. Stead, ofKilmog, had two stacks of oats, two of rye-grass hay, a shed in which one of them was housed, and a quantity of harness and farm implements destroyed by five on Friday afternoon last. The fire was first observed by a neighbor issuing from the centre c»f the out-house, from which the flames rapidly spread to the adjoining stacks, and ignited them. The cause of the fire is supposed to be spontaneous combustion, arising from the hay in the shed becoming overheated. The property destroyed is estimated at LIOO, and was uninsured. —Taken on the whole, although there have been one or two stoppages, harvest operation have never been prosecuted under more favorable weather than has existed during the present season, and what with liberal wages and constant work the men engaged must have realised as the result of their earnings a no inconsiderable sum. With regard to the crops generally our opinion, based on observation, is that they exceed the average for bulk, but as to the yield we cannot speak so authoritively, and are led to believe that the result will not be so good as appearances would lead any one to imagine—the grub, caterpillar, and rust having in many instances proved very destructive, and robbed the farmer of a portion of his well earned and well deserved profit. - -* Herald.’

Southland.— Stock of all kinds is looking remarkably well this season, pasturage being everywhere most plentiful. Most of the grain in the neighborhood of Benmove has been cut, and a considerable quantity of it is already stacked and housed. In the Mataura district the crops liavebeen of great promise, but the recent fierce winds and sleety showers have not only retarded the work of harvesting, but they have unfortunately shaken and crushed the crops themselves to a very considerable extent. However, there is still reason to believe that a plentiful and payable harvest remains to be gathered in.— ‘ Times.’