OHAUPO

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 237, 20 January 1898, Page 2

OHAUPO

Farming.— Harvesting is cow in full, swing and within the last week the grain has ripened very fast. Some few have already cut their wheat, and so far I have heard little complaint from rust ; any that was put io in fair time and proper order ought to thresh out 30 bushels to the acre, and wheat is likely to be a good price this season. I see by the Western mail, an Australian piper, that wheat is selling in Perth at 5s per bushel, and New Zealand oats at li% 6d per bushel, with flour and everything else in proportion, so far the prospects for good prices for farm produce seem hope ful. Even at 4s a bushel it will pay well to grow wheat in the Waikato. A New Pest.—l hear a good many complaints about a " gad fly," that attacks horses. It has only made its appearance this last year or two. As we advance in civilisation we must expect the pests to advance with us. It appears this fly oiily strikes the horse under the jaw, but a simple method of warding it off, is to fasten a bit of canvas about six inches wide and a foot long to the throat lash, and tie the ends loosely to the rings of'the bit, so that it can flap a little about. This I am told is an effectual remedy. The botfly does not seem to be so troublesome this year. Pigs—Mr Fraser, of Fraser and Adams, bacon curers, is now visiting this district with a view of purchasnig bacon pigs, and could do with a few hundred. In conversation with him he said generally speaking the "Waikato pork was of a very good quality; what the firm wanted was an increased supply and regular, as they can cure now both winter and summer, usiug their freez : ng works. I suggested his going up to see the natives, but he said he would not touch their pigs with a forty-foot pol*, butcher's pork and Maori pork they can tell at once. What is wanted is pork that is well finished off on hard food for a month or so before killing, for which they arc willing to pay a good pi ice, and take as many pigs as they can get I see that good bacon sides is selh'ng at lOd and lid per lb m Western Australia, and of course if the Klondyke goes ahead there will be a good demand for bicori, as that U the kind of meat that will be chiefly used there, School Comjiittke.—A meeting of the School Committee was held on Monday evening to carry out the details re the annual picuic to be held on the 26th. They have collected a fair amount of money to purchase prizes and everything will be done to make the gatheriug a success. The committee extend a welcome to everyone who can come. —(Own Correspondent).