LOCAL AND GENERAL

Horowhenua Chronicle, 24 February 1915, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The new variety •of wheat, named Avoca, which was sown at the Weril'oa Experimental Farm last spring, grew splendidly, and during its growth was carol uily watched by the farm people—also by the small birds. About a fortnight before the grain was ripe the birds decided tnat the time was ripe and descended on it in many hundreds. The crop suffered severely and Mr Drysclale, the farm manager, to save what was left had. to cut it before, it was ripe. He expects to have enough for seed next year. It is a pity the birds discovered the merits t>f the wheat so soon, as it promised a .splendid yield. As claimed for it by its discoverer, the head is much longer and has a far larger number of grains than other varieties of wheat. In its home district in Australia it failed with all the other wheats because of the drought, but in other districts where the season was a little more favourable it yielded 30 'bushels to the acre. Incidentally the man who discovered it, an Australian of German parentage, was among the first to join the Australian Expeditionary I'orce, and at present is in Egypt.

At Koputaroa yesterday a man named AV. Dalziel, working on the ballast train, received a tump from the engine sustaining minor injuries. By the time the news got to Levin it was greatly magnified and it was imported that Dalziell had been killed.

The case of Richard and William Bevan v George Bevan and others which was set down for hearing at the present sittings of the Supremo Court, has been adjourned to Wellington by consent.

Though the detailed figures of I he fcraffio census taken at the Bank of New Zealand corner recently are not available (says the Christchurch News), it is now know that between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. over 10,000 vehicles passed the tallyman. Over 7000 of the vehicles were "pusii bikes."

The second stage of the Fresh Food and Ice Company's Cup competition was fired by the .Wliareroa Rifle Club on Saturday at I'araparaumu, says the Ofcaki Mail. The total score was 678.

Though the beach has been searched extensively for many miles no trace lias been found of the body of Mrs J. Dixon, of liunnythorpe. It will be remembered that the missing woman disappeared i'rom the Foxton Heads about a month ago.

A well-executed souvenir programme of the concert to be given this week in Levin, in aid of the War Fund is being prepared and published by Major Burlinson, organiser of the concert, it will be sold at the nominal price of one penny, and doubtless will meet with a keen demand.

Probably the finest collection of flowering begonias in this district is the one owned by Mr Walkiey, Weraroa roaor. J lie plants just now are a mass ornioom, and the rich and delicate colours make the conservatory a fine sight. The plants are reared from seed by Mr Walk Icy, and by continually crossing he lias obtained many valuable plants with rare colours. There are indications in Ashburton (says the Guardian) that farmers ex pect the price of wheat to reach a much higher figure that has yet been offered this season. One Ashburton farmer on Saturday refused 6s 6d per bushel for a line of prime milling wheat in expectation that the price will reach 7s before long. The gram merchants m Ashburton are offering an average price of from 6s 3d to 6s 4d.

The work of the Agricultural Department is having a marked effect upon the cereal production of the Masterton district (says an exchange), four years ago Mr G. H. Shaw, of Wangaehu, secured a sample of imported white oats from the Department. He put down an experiment plot of three-quarters of an acre, which yielded 90J bushels. In the following year he planted eight acres, which returned 60 bushels to acre. Last year 'ie secured 80 bushels to the acre and this year he has cut 49tons 18cwt of oaten sheaf from ten acres.