CLYDE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 251, 21 November 1872, Page 8

CLYDE.

(From, vur own Correspondent*)

Just now several 'stock owners in ' this district are grumbling sadly for the want of a market to dispose of £hejr. surplus stoci; of old and young haekd, and the. exceedingly low prices which they have been offered for them. I would strongly Recommend those gentlemen to lose no time in putting themselves in communication with a local artist not twenty-five miles from . Proinvyell, wJjo is _highly proficient in . £be art of painting - "horses. Some eighteen months ago, be experimented/ "upon onan old horse of- his awn, and • afterwards disposed of him at a retharkably good price. ' I believe he* ■' paints them exceedingly' pheap, the ," ■ price . ruling according to quantity. • -The customer, he. got for his own. bors.ti was a Johnny pL^apeau, who wanted a - good packer. I will tell you bow he' - arrariged" it. - The artist .showed -thk: ol.4.horse to Johnny, who asked, " how'

much money," " £6," vvas the reply.

'*' Saere ! me voud not give you vone pound Yor/lnvn, too macti .old." "Ml

right," replied the artist, "I have got i a fine young "c01t..-. I- will have", him

■ brought in; perhaps- be will answer ' your purpose I'or.. peeking." He .at once set to work, oiled the old eh irger all over, so that he might slaughter all the live stock .that was- upon him.

■ . TUe,so'" A ,t> .first, were intended' to ibe uiven' in, so tlra,t they tni<jhfr bind the -- Jiacgaiit. ■ oiling was $u.i:"cegsfuliy competed," : he, painted him all ' over from the Original -steel 'grey to a, ' jet blafck, put a p,erj>ei3idjt;uiJfr tvyitob" .jttpon bis ears, disposed of" all long greT hair 3 from bis nostrils?, adjusted J ]iis tail witb'a vobbler's single j eyerv- . jihing completed, he-a| oiie^-'Be'nt for Jqbnny Crapeau. "Now, isir, here's "thbpolt} I have had inW broug'st in tor jaii to look ah" Vel, vel, vat a iifce yon, bnv much vor him,'- v ijiO." '^jiiegive'yqii :I: I freed scarcely ituut;iri ' -jo^ tb« .bar^ain''vya9 'qnifkly ptr-qi-lc, a|;d; 4r.04 r.o mope'question«» 'nstcfd, v ■■esrept fhe w)ltss iiame.,. ..•/>' ffl^,". r e " p-lied the artist, "I 'Have not-culled- .• ' •Wm'any narae'3'et^bu^my old^fcivpHte . that I- wafite'd .y-'»u r to ■'*•'. \mf^^,^t^v d;>y, \j;as a : :6ne J ib J^^i^^H^'W^ T ' you^to c.aU^.tbjs.-tv)lt tGi)arlpjr ?:: also.r' < !*f»*^. (^^',aj^^"ari-,hii ? ' naole; and- '^rprtlly.' -.- : J^ r^ a^&£ o °k, his'preliiriinary oanter cvrjaajig ; isanderland-sireet 3 w^fc'i ;; some- ' >v -'3ljin^ like i\::vc. oF stores and tniniug Wob liporj, his back svfcnaing .his 'Way

over Cairn Muir, his destination b'ein Potters qhiljy>' •• w^ *-- * I am' pleased t,o eep some of'th amateur gardeners about Clyde hay this last season tried their, hand a grafting. Perhaps a hint from an ol hand that can almost compel them t ! strike whether they like it or no would be of some assistance. Th claying of lato grafts, which are es ] posed to the sun in consequence c being too high from the ground to b protected by earthing, .should be care fully examined, and if the clay b much cracked, protection of som kind should be afforded. The crack also should be stopped with fres clay. .014 sacking or portions 0 gunny bags may be- tied over th balls, or grass mowings, if loiij enough for the purpose, may be twiuoi around them, and a soaking of wate be given. In a' few weeks more pre cautions will no -longer be needed, th clay will have to be removed and tlv bandages loosened.. The mild rain of last week ha caused vegetation of all kinds. to. 100 l fresh and luxuriant. The great diffi cul'ty to contend with now,- will be t( destroy and keep down the" weeds for no soincr is it thought they an all out than they at once spring again and that the chock put "upon theii growth seems to be but momentary Since the rain fell, vegetation is making prodigious strides. Still, ] am afraid the season for our spring frosts has not yet gone by, so th<i guards against damage should still b( maintained, if only on the principa' that "it is better to be safe than sorry." Cucumbers, melons, anc other -tender plantssbould be regularly covered every night. For the last eight months, the accidents that Mr. James Holt, proprietor of the Clyde Coal Pit, has had to contend against, must have beer very expensive and disheartening tc him. However, he will soon have ali tho late accidents to his new machinery repaired, and be ready for a fresli start. I wish him every success in the future. Messrs. M/Lennan & Co. are pushing along exceedingly well in fitting up their dredge and pneumatic boat, The five mechanics engaged putting the machinery together appear to be men of steady habits, skilful and industrious. The portable engine has arrived, and all the rest of the material is upon the ground. Every day the public feeling appears to be growing more sanguine of their success. 3 have not heard upon what part of the river they intend commencing operations. However, you will hear from me again shortly upon this important subject.

Spriug.street, situated at the rear of west ward, is npw being constructed by a professional contractor, Mr. Erenchie. When completed, the work will bj3.acredit to the'new "Council., Last week Mr. Petrie was called as an expert, to examine the. retaining walls,- and his decision was to the effect that nothing would keep them from tumbling down except Councillor Auckland's putty, and at least three coats of green paint.