WHATAWHATA.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 321, 30 July 1898, Page 2

WHATAWHATA.

CiiAtrccTTiNG, eto. —Everything comes to those that wait, so at length the thrashing and ohafFcutting in the district, is about finished. Messrs Taylor Bros, have hecn very busy during the past week or two, ami, considering the weather and roads, have got through their work very expeditiously. As an instance, their steam ohaffcutter was hiiuled alongside some oat stacks one afternoon at .'5 p.m., and by the same hour next day had finished and was out on the road again, having cut .'540 sacks (13 tons) in the interval. The roads have kept fairly good up to tlie present, but with the increased traffic through threshing and chaffoutting, including the carting of a good deal of the stuff to Hamilton, they are getting muddy and' heavy, and nc improvement can be looked for until the days get longer and the sun lias more power. Most of the heavy carting is being done by Harwood's waggons, and as they can take good loads at moderate rates, the work is done cheaper than settlers—who have not a suitable plant—could do it. In addition to this, most farm teams have enough to do just now on the land without going on the roads. Scarcely a working horse in the district is idle, all being busy ploughing, harrowing, etc., for grain, chiefly wheat. Messrs Litr.mcr and Perkins are putting in some 50 acres of wheat in conjunction with a settler at the southern end of the district, as well as having a good area under grain upon their own farms. On all sides there i 3 a grain boom, and it is to be hoped that prices will keep up, or at least remain fairly remunerative, as a good deal of expense is being incurred, aud there seems something cf the speculative clement about it all ; still, wheat should be safer thau mining shares as an investment. Serious Loss.—Two of our most industrious settlers, Messrs Laxon and Rothwell, met with a serious loss last week, in the death of a fine medium draught mare, as the result of a simple accident in getting a scick run into her face near the eye. The loss is "particularly annoying just now, when they are getting their crops in. Clark's Wheat Protector.—Before leaving the subject of grain-growing, I may mention that many settlers are using " Clark's Wheat Protector " as a dressing for their seed grain. This preparation, which is obtainable from the Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Hamilton, is reported to be very valuable, inasmuch as, in addition to killing the spores of smut in the seed, it likewise kills those little birds wlio-o name is legion, that pass most of their shining hours in rooting up and devouring the seed grain, generally getting from a third to half of it before the plants are beyoud the reach of their ravages, and any preparation that prevents this widespread annual loss is indeed entitled to the name of protector. Milk Business.— The milk business is in recess, and will be. until September Ist, on which date our local creamery opens again, No delegates from this district were able to attend the Ohaupo meeting, but, from what I can gather, our suppliers are quite iu accord with the views expressed by the principal speakers at that meeting. This is particularly so as regards the formation of a Milk .Suppliers' Union, and there can be little question that, until our suppliers unite, and act together for their common interest, the Waikato will remain notable as the district where the lowest price is given for milk. Raci.no. —Though the racing season is yet a considerable distance off, our local sports arc getting their horses into solid condition, leaving the fining down process, which seems to be an essential part of the business, until a later date. The latest equine celebriety imported into the district is the steeplechaser Itch, recently purchased in Auckland by Mr Thos!! Kenipthornc, a massive, muscular horse that should—if so disposed —be able to render a good aecount of himself over either hurdles or fences. Mr Kenipthornc is looking after his horse well, and will probably show him among the weight carriers at the forthcoming Agricultural and Pastoral Show.—(Own Correspondent).