WHATAWHATA.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 356, 20 October 1898, Page 2

WHATAWHATA.

Thk late showery weather has had a most beneficial effect upon grass and crops, both of which are going - ahead in a most satisfactory manner. Feed for stock is more plentiful, though the nights still continue cold for the tune of year. The heavy westerly gale experienced last week did some damage to orchards by blowing off the blooms and young fruit, and in respect to peach trees the cold winds seem to have shrivelled up the leaves and given them, generally, an unhealthy appearance ; in fact, some of the trees remind one unpleasantly of the old peach blight which did so much damage a few years ago., and a recurrence of which, now that peach orchards are becoming valuable again, would be most regrettable. With the improvement in grass the milk supply is increasing, about 500 gallons being put through daily at the creamery, with tests running from 3 - 2 to 3 G butter-fat, which is not bad considering the cold weather and the low condition of most of the cows. In this connection the value of soft turnips for carrying dairy cows through the winter has been fully demonstrated during the past season. In a former report reference was made to the fine crop of soft turnips grown by Mr Jos. Charlston, junr., on the hill lands of the Western Waipa. Upon this crop Mr Charlston fed his own and also his father's dairy herd during the past winter, the cows coming out in splendid condition in the spriug, and the result is that these two suppliers are now sending about double the quantity of milk to the creamery that they were doing at this date last season, and from the same number of cows. Yet the cost of the crop did not amouiit to more than about the value of one of the animals, which, like his neighbour, he would have certainly lost but for the turnips. The showery weather, however, has not been favourable for the roads, which are still bad in places, and with the increased traffic have less chance to improve. I have been asked to draw the attention of the Waipa county authorities to the wretched state of the road leading from the township to Hamilton, passing Mr Fitzgerald's farm. This spot is low-lying, and has never been formed, and has several bad holes in it. Just at the culvert especially, it is really dangerous, and, no doubt, the County Chairman will lose no time in having something done to it. If this piece of road, which does not extend to many chains in length, were formed and Sanded, like that passing through the township, it would never get into such a bad condition again, as the drainage has been greatly improved by works carried gyp by the Newcastle Road Board.