ONEWHERO.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 279, 29 May 1917, Page 1

ONEWHERO.

(By our travelling Reporter.)

Despite the rough weather experienced of late the country between the Waikato Bridge and Onewhero township is looking as well as can be expected There is an abundance of feed and much of the land could carry more stock. liT the valleys grass is better than it has ever Ijpen at this season of the year and in most cases dairy cows are being fed on the best portions and this keeps the milk yield up. Though the absence of labour is felt in all directions farmers are doing their best to bravely cope with difficulties. Much more of the land, which is now lying idle, could be ploughed and utilised but the absence of so many " boys " at the front accounts for little being done in this direction. Happily there is not a superabundance of blackberry or other noxious weeds. On some of the sloping lands nearer the township new grass and turnips hava been sown for sheep feed and those who are dairy farmers—though dairying is not carried on on a large scale in this district, especially nearer the Waikato—have up to the present had an abundance of feed so that they have not been obliged to use their winter reserves. On the higher lands beyond the township lambs are doing remarkably well and this notwithstanding the wet and changeable season is perhaps accounted for by the fact that they have been put on fresh ground and have had better choice of feed. Onewhero still maintains its good reputation for both sheep and fattening cattle and while the dairy cows kept are not of any special breed there is a good sprinkling of the Shorthorn type which find favour in this district.

As an instance of the large amount of cattle which leaves the locality for market purposes it has been said that these would represent as much as £2so_ for auctioneer's commission alone. To meet the convenience of graziers and farmers there is likely to be some sale yards at Onewhero in the near future—probably next year—the Waikato Farmers' Co-operative Association having purchased some land close to the township with a view to building sheep and cattle Dens. This will bring Onewhero more into line with other districts and shows the progressive spirit of the times.

The local dairy factory will it is expected close down for the season next week. A good year has been experienend and the milk yield has been well above the average of previous years. Dairying is not carried on a large scale and in most eases hand-milking is still in practice. About 50 cows is the largest herd kept. Roads are in a fair condition but the continual heavy rains prevent the surfacemen from making much headway with their work. On the hills where broken metal exists the roads are particularly trying for horses, necessitating extra animals being used for carting purposes. The transit of wool from Onewhero is still on the increase, as much as 700 bales having been carted during the past season. Few changes have taken place by farmers during the season and in only one case was there an exchange of a farm, the value of the land sold being appioximately £25 an acre. It is generally hoped that with brighter weather farmers may be able to do more to improve their holdings and that work on the roads may also be proceeded with.