HINDON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2813, 12 February 1908, Page 39

HINDON.

February 10. — It i? worthy of Temark thit the small sheep-faTmers in this district have shorn a heavy clip of wool of good quality from their flocks during the current season, showing that the Hmdon district is well adapted for the growth of wool of a superior description for manufacturing purposes. I observe that several bales of wool forwarded to Dunedin for sale recently b> Mr Allan M'Donald, a. wool-grower here, realised prices up to 13d per lb. This is considered a record price by a number of residents here, and! clearly demonstrates what with proper attention to the flocks in the matter of careful culling, end by not overstocking, can be acconnpHshecP in the production of a first-class staple of wool. Little wonder that the small runho-lders are jubilant over their improved prospects this season. What with a splendid clip of wool and a record percentage of lambs, their piospecta. at present are exceedingly bright.

The Burr. — At this stage- I may remark that, owing- to the scarcity of shearers this season, a number of the small fleck-owners were thrown, very far on in the season before their flecks were shorn, with the result that a number of sheep weie mustered in from the beck country loacled wi-tli native burp in very fantastic shape-?. This destructive burr will have a damaging effect upon the quality of the wool, and will no doubt reduce its value when offered for public competition at the wool sa'es later on. The native burr matured fully a. month earlier this season than usual, owing to the excessive heat that prevailed throughout the whole of last month. Late shearing is much to be deprecated fican many points of view. The current season has clearly demonstrated the advisability of having the flocks shorn as early as possible. It was indeed an instructive lesson to the flock-ownera to see their late-shorn sheep loaded with burr.

The Crops. — It is gratifying to be able to report that t£# cw&al crop is looking well in

all parts of the district at present. I note that among other small farmers M'Donald Bros, have a large area of oats under crop in a very forward state of growth, and should the weather conditions prove favourable for the ingathering of the crop, quite a forest of oaten sheaf stacks should meet the eye this year, that «rer« conspicuous last year by their absence, owing to the long period of drought. The root crop is looking fairly well, and there is every prospect of an aburdant yield of turnips to enable the sheep-farmer to feed his stock during the ensuing winter months m the event of a shortage of teed over the tussock grazing country in the outlying parts of the district. Pastoral matters have assumed a much brighter aspect this season.

District Roads — Travellers when passingr through the district have remarked how well the district roade are kept by Mr I=bistei, the man in charge. TJjei county engineer (Mr B B. Couston) has left a trustworthyman to safeguard the traffic over the district roads. Mr Isbister has proved himself worthy of the trust reposed in him. He has to keep a horse all the year round to enable him to perform his duties in effecting repairs to the roads and .culverts within the Taieri County. The culverts across the roads are examined periodically, and in stormy, wet wea+her the surface drainage is attended to as well. Mr Isbister is deserving of a word of praise for the manner in which he has performed" his onerous duties to the satisfaction of the travelling public and the Taieri County Council as well.

Weather — Si"cc the opening of the current month the weather has been all that couM be desired at this period of the year. Fine cool winds have swept over the district to temper the fierce rays of the sun. The previous month, however, was productive of heat-waves acd raging gales- driven with hurricane force that threatened to demolish dwelling-houses, outbuildings, woolsheds, etc. Quite a nuniber of trees were blown dawn m several of the p'antations here. However, a change for the better has at length set in, and it is to be hoped that it will continue for some time to come.