TUHIKARAMEA.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 331, 23 August 1898, Page 2

TUHIKARAMEA.

With such beautiful weather as that experienced of late, it would be hard indeed if the proverbial farmer's grumble were not laid aside for the moment—alheit it is oue of the inalienable privileges of the British subject —and a more cheerful spirit manifested. During the past fortnight all growing crops and grass have made great strides, a good bite for stock now being obtainable in paddocks that were bare enough a short time ago. Such favourable weather has been taken advantage of by our growers to cot in as much grain as possible, the bulk of the wheat now being in the ground. Oats, however, except the T)nn variety, have not been largely drilled as yet, the laud being now prepared, and by the end of the month, or the first week in September, most of the grain will be in. Up to the present we have had an exceedingly mild winter, no great amount of rain having fallen at any time, and frosts, after the first severe spoil, have been conspicuous by their absence, though wo are scarcely out of the wood yet. As regards frost, a slight oue being experienced on Saturday night, and we may have a cold spell to wind up the season. The late rise in the price of fat sheep has been very welcome to our turnip growers, who had good stocks ready for market, regular consignments now being forwarded to Auckland, in addition to which Messrs McMikcn have lately sold a good line in tho paddock at satisfactory prices. Cattle, however, are dull enough, particularly dairy cows, which are evidently too plentiful, and unless of choice quality and in good condition are fetching less at calving than they cost as empty heifers. Some local transactions in horses have taken place, anything like a decent young draught being readily saleable up to £25, and settlers might do worse than have a couple of good brood mares among their farm stock, particularly as we are certain of having good draught stallions from Mr W. Taylor's stables travelling through the district. Our potato growers will shortly be overhauling their seed preparatory to planting, end it is satisfactory to report that another season has been experienced by our Waipa 'growers, fair crops having been obtained by Messrs Reid and others in this district, aud across the river by Mesai'3 Finlayson, Dickey, Hunt Bros', and other Karamu settlers, the prices—all through—being very remunerative. It would appear as if the fine potato growing lands of the Waipa are again to attain their former value, and not before it was needed, as, during several yearf large qualities of potatoes were grown at a loss, the prices being ruinous ; indeed, thousands of sacks have been consigned to Auckland that never netted anything beyond the cost of freight and bags. But £4 to i's per ton on the river bank, is a different tale, and during the past two seasons our Waipa growers have made a nice profit, better even than sugar-beet. As a warning to our youug people, and showing what serious consequences may result from a trifling accident, the case of Master Davey FiuUysou is very much in point. This lad, about a couple of mouths ago, happened to bump his knee when getting into a canoe, but, beyond a slight bruise and a little pain at the time, ic appeared of no great consequence, and no further ill effects were anticipated. Unfortunately, however, the injury soon assumed a serious phase, necessitating his removal to the Waikato Hospital, and now we learn, witli much regret, that there is a great probability that the hoy will lose his leg. It was only the other day that Davy, jun., was helping his father to ferry the Tuhikaramea picnickers across the Waipa river to Karamu, and a bright and promising lad lie seemed. We sincerely Lope tint Dr. Kenny's well-known skill will enable him to pull the case through without such serious consequences,