MOMONA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 18 August 1909, Page 39

MOMONA.

August- 16. — Beautiful spring weather' pre vails. The past fortnight has been lovely and as the mud, which was- 6o much ir evidence when, my last contribution was penned, has now entirely disappeared, anc the roads are in excellent condition, out door work is made very pleasant. XTndeo the influence of tho genial weather w« have been experiencing, pasturage (especially new grass) has made Tap id progress, and should this. kindly weather continue- we will have an earlier spring than usual But it is almost too nmol to expect i lengthy period of fine weather at this sea son, and though, present indications poini to an early spring, still the probabilities are that w« will experaenoe a few storm: during this, month and next, and our far men here have learned from experience that it is generally a wise policy to reserve (where practicable) sufficient winter feec to last until at least the end of September Agricultural Operations. — Taking advan tage of the fine weather prevailing, toh« farmers have been at work early and latt in the fields preparing the land for tlw wheat crop, and a good deal of sowing hat been done, during the past fortnight. Thf solid straw variety seems to be the inosi popular wljeat for cowing upon lea grounc here, it being generally considered a heavyyielding cereal, though some of our far mers object to it on the ground that the straw is of' little value for cattle. Anothei popular -variety is purple Tuscan, which is said to possess fehe property of maturing when "laid," which often happens upon th* strong, rich soil of the Taieri Plain. Purple Tuscan is said to be unusually difficult # tc obtain -this year; indeed, one farmer informed me a few days since that it i« not to be had in Dunedin at present. The farmers here always make a practice oi changing their seed wheat each year, and never sow wheat grown in bheir swp district for two ooniseoutive years if they can possibly avoid it. Opinions differ as tc the quantity of seed wheat per acre it is best to sow here, but I think from 1% tc 2£ bushels per aore is the amount generally Bown. General. — Messr Higgins % and Gutshrw (bot3i Momona residents) have purchased the leaee of Mr Donald Miller's farm at Momona, and have entered inte possession. We wish them every success.' Our local oheesemaker (Mr W. Stewa"rt> has just returned from a nine days' holiday, spent, I believe, in the North Island. During his absence his place was filled by Mr James Dow, who wae first assistant here last summer. Sickness. — There has been an unusual amount of sickness (chiefly amongst children) in our district of late. Several families have been la-id up, and the school attendance has suffered as a consequence. Mr Dan Bruoe's eldest eon George has- just recovered from a serious illness. He was for several weeks in a private hospital in Dunedin, where he underwent a serious operation, but we- are aJI glad to see him at home once again. Mr Thomas Home, one of our Momona residents, has had a long, weary time in a Dunedin hospital, suffering from a long-standing complaint; but he also is home again, &r.<& we trust will soon be quite well and 1 strong.