Farming Notes.

Feilding Star, Volume XIX, Issue 63, 11 September 1897, Page 2

Farming Notes.

I As showing the aivancenient of the I district in the immediate vicinity of \ Cheltenham it is worthy of notice that | almost all the lacdowuerf. there are , croppiug more this year than iu previous years. In some instances the areas ! ploughed up for the first time are much j larger than hitherto, in fiict right op , the Kimb"lton road as far as Fowlers | the stamps are rapidly disappearing and giving place to cultivation. Mr J. Bruce intends planting about 40 acre* of turnips and ten acres of oats, besides i a few acres of potatoes, almost that I whole of this land being under plough I for the first time. Mr J. It. Johnston is putting in about 85 acres of oats ; while Mr F. Dowdle will bare about ten or twelve acres of oats, about the same area of potatoes, besides a quantity of peas. But Mr F. Spencer shows the greatest enterprise in the matter of cropping, as he will have about 100 acres in crop this season. Mr Spencer is devoting most of his attention to oats, having planted 50 acros. He has twelve acres of wheat, which is the largest area yet planted in that locality and it being tried, to some extent, as an experiment whiub it is to bo hoped will result successfully. Mr Spencer will also have twenty-five acreii of turnips and twelve of potatoes. Mr W. Mills has about 40acres under the plough, principally a mixed crop, but most attention will be devoted to peas. Mr W. Jones is rapidly pushing on stumpicig operations aid will have a good arsa under crop, while the Messrs Barrow Bros.' several farms bsar the appearance of cultivation, in fact, all the settlers in this locality, with probably not more than one or two exceptions, have recognised the fact that the sooner the stumps are out ofthe ground the bettor will their farms pay. Mr Spencer's enterprise does not stop at cultiratJon for he has jurt completed the purchase of one of Avlingt and Porter's latest improved six-borse-power traction engines, with threshing and chaff cutting plant complete, in order to provide for the rapidly growing requirements of the district for improved machinery. The traction engine will also be used for wood cutting and other purposes. The plant will be lauded early in December and will arrive here just in time for use during the coming season. Mr Spencer is to be congratulated on his enterprise and he will, no doubt, receive the support he deserves. Up to within the last f*w days the weather has been very good, in fact, this is one of the driest winters on record. In consequence of this, the stock present a better appearance than they otherwise would. From all sides reports of the lambing are favourable and there is every prospect of this being one of the most favourable seasons for the grazier yet experienced on this i coast. ! The prospects of the dairy farmers > are bright, and now that most of the co-operative factories are being placed on a sounder financial fooling, suppliers who pinned their faith to the dairy industry some few years ago, when it ) was at a very low ebb, ar a beginning to ' reap a well earned bar rest. By the ' success of those already in it other small farmers have been induced to embark i in the industry with tbe hope of doing , better than hitherto. There is every , possibility of good prices !>eing given by ; Home firms for New Zealand butter and , cheese as several new (to New Zealand) firms are anxious to do business with our produce and bave enj'iged some of tbe best men in the colony to purchase for them or to secure consignments. What is new to many farmers in this district is dehorning, but it is a practice which might be adopted with advantage by all graziers. About three months ago Mr W. Vicary, of Apiti, da cided to dehorn his cattle, chiefly composed of dairy cows. He dehorned some forty or fifty head of all ages, in* , eluding several cows which were in , milk at the time. He cut the horns off, , with a small saw, close to tbe bead, , taking a little hair off with tbe horn. He then put a mixture of fear and grease t on to stop the bleeding. The cattle did , not appear to notice the pain or loss of ; their horns as they went away feeding immediately after the operation, and are now more docile than formerly. The late rise in wheat is inducing quite a number of farmers to plant areas (mostly small; with the hope •of mating a little money from thin source.