WAIPIPI.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 237, 22 December 1916, Page 4

WAIPIPI.

Up till last Sunday, when rain set in, the weather for haymaking pur- % poses had been good. A rather larger area than usual was devoted to hay this year in this district, and with a moist season there are heavy crops. A Deering elevator and sweep has been purchased by Mr J. W. Michie. The elevator has some good points, working on the swivel system, the hay being dropped on to the stack where required. Another advantage is that being a self-breaker the load may be suspended at any htiight up to twenty-five feet: by simply releasing a clutch the elevator can be adjusted to any angle. There is also an elevator and sweep belonging to Mr T. Ay) ward which works well and is kept busy. Several large s f acks have been built with the elevators this season, the largest being on Mr Mitchie's farm. Haymaking will last some time yet owing to so much being shut up.

A rather small area of oats and other grain crops was laid down this season. Potatoes are inclined to be on the small patch system, owing to the risk of blight. Maize and soft turnips are doing fairly well; generally speaking ground is being got into order for winter turnip and sweed crops. Although there is an abundance of grass the cream cans are going down in weight. Most herds in this district have been increased this season and mostly put through by power milking machines, there being about 14 or 15 plants at work.

For the past few weeks quite a stir has taken place in this district in the matter of buying and selling farms, several farms having changed ownership at satisfactory figures.