A VISIT TO PENG ARROW, TAMA HERE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3105, 9 June 1892, Page 3

A VISIT TO PENG ARROW, TAMA HERE.

(r.Y ouu travelling correspondent.) One of the most pleasant drives in the neighbourhood of Hamilton, is that along the Cambridge road. Although very little farming appear? to be carried on, in close proximity to tha Borough, some good farms may bo seen a short distance nut. The first met with, and perhaps one of the besf is that of Mr S. T. Seddon. This farm comprises one long slope, and is admirably laid out and subdivided, the gra*s paddoeks and green crops looking remarkably well ; some of the former being stocked with the splendid Lincoln sheep, which have made this breeder's name so well known. Driving alnng a good hard r,.ad, we soon leave Hamilton far behind. On either side are grass paddocks which look all tlio better for the lata showery weather, feed being abun dant everywhere. In passing through Tamahere, which district, by the way, appears to bo unable to keep that useful institution the local grocery going, the visitor cannot fail to be pleased with the fino buildings occupied as church and school. But our destination to-day is Mr O. Day's farm, formerly owned by the Messrs Miirtyn, and known as " Pencarrow. ' Like most of the Tamahere land, this estate is Hat, and consequently vary easy to work. But unlike that in the Cambridge and Piikerimn district, the soil is, if anything, lMther atitt, though overlying a subsoil of loamy s ukl. It should be n, capital soil for cropping, and so it has proved. But lam anticipating.

After partaking at Mr Day's hospitable board of some " light refreshment " in theshape of a substantial meal, I "did "the farm. Passing the great straw stacks, I learnt that this seasons wheat crop of 80 acres had yielded about 30 busheis per iicre, Mr J. A Twill's strain thrasher " knocking out "some .">7O sacks in a trifle ovf-r three days. Those "rain paddocks liavn been ploughed and sown with turnips, etc., which promised well. Tho swedes—come sixty-five acres—were a good crop. Although the land was but ones ploughed, and drilled—2ewt of mixed superphosphate and bom-dust b«inar used—the roots were lai-.-'e with very few blanks. One portion is now being feed otf with 70 calves and grown cattle ; while another strip has .some »i!jo lambs feorlintf on it. In addition to the roots, chuff is being givon in small fiouses made for the purpose. These little establishments, which bear tho brand of " Knsab, Bros., Ohaupo," are worth inspection. Not only can the chair, bo fed without waste, but at each end is a covered b.,x for salt, the whole being well painted and mounted upon iron wheels so us to bo easily moved akont. In view of the controversy, as to the best variety of sheep, I may say that among these lambs were a few '.-ihropshires, and their .superiority, ui the way of size and conditions, over tho cross-breds which funned the bulk of the flock, was noticeable at a glance. Adjoining tho turnips was a paddock of yellow and long-red mangels. I think most people have admired the long reds, which grow well out of tho ground, and look very imposing. But before leaving this field I was forced t.o admit, that for regularity in sizo and general excellence, the vellow Borkshires had all the best of it. The seed of these, and indeed nearly all the small seeds used at Pencarrow, were tVom the firm of Sutton and Sons, Mr Day generally getting them direct from Home. After crossing some 25 acres of soft turnips, which, by the way, have been rather difficult to grow this .-isason, owing to the fly, several sowings being required, we reached the d drying portion of the farm. Mere, upon about seventy acres, - fifty cows have grazed all the saawn. These are milked by Mr Mullions and his family, the milk being delivered twice a day into the home dairy. Mr Day pays Id per gallon for this service, tho plan appears to give mutual satisfaction. The. milk during the bulk of the season, is made into cheese, tor which a good demand appears to exist ; of lata butter is being made. This is sent to Auckland twice weekly and is fetching at present thirteen pence per lb. This season s make of cheese amounted to very nearly six tons. For two consignments which were sent .'' nrie, through Messrs Reynolds and Co., -t.ul per lb was netted, anil u similar price has been obtained locally for the balance. I" may add that of all the calves reared on the farm none are foil with the whey, new milk being given to them right through. The dairy and cheese room is constructed of concrete, this important building costing about £100 to erect ; but it is very complete. All the whey and dairy stuff, together with a quantity of maize, is fed to the pigs. These arc the breed known as Vorksliiro White, and they appeared to be a capital class of pigs, rather low-set, with goud barrels, and of great length. I would not like to say how many pigs there were, but a hundred of theiii will go to swell the bacon trade this year Before leaving tho dairying branch, I should mention the Alderueys, Mr Day owning what is probably the largest registered herd of pedigree animals in this district, if nut in the colony. Between ourselves, I am not gone on this breed of cattlo'; but there is no questioning their really wonderful production m both quantity and quality of butter, and when you becomn introduced to a little handful of a cow, which has been proved to yield, week after week, from leii t:> twelve pounds of beautiful butter, somehow or other respeel is commanded. Mr Day has thirteen purely e.d and twenty grade Alderney cows and and heifers, among them being some well-known prize-takers. Hut, perhaps ,„,., ,f fi,„ attractive paddocks ~" I 1 ■'••■■ r--w wa, a .-mall oil", wUrem 'a choice flock of thiity pure Shropshire Rwes were griming. These are really beautiful sheen, and their lamb* are being kepi for breeding purposes. The young urns I nmbrstood being intended for public sale m-U year, and uy their present apim.ir.iuce, they should elicit good competition. It wiu- a pl.ia.-uru to inspect such well-bred, v.!l-coi:'Ji'io.eil ,-tock as are domiciled at 'lVi'i.aiTov.-. fiai-ed, everything about '.':-; ~!,.(■.■ !,:•! ':; -..- ..'.: ,i tin: Amn'ieau> v. ...Id ie....--.:.0 Air Day »..-• evil- an rn-Jiii-ia-* in hammg renvois : and aided by a j.;ov. i, up family, i-kiiled ,j: the Ijitsumr:', it wouhr be haul indeed if im c/j-UCi not—.m oiicii a iaiia—in.ske thiu 0 .->

"hum" a bit. I!ut. even a pleasant visit niii-t end. The short autumn day soon rlo-i>« down, and w are on the road again. On the way back darkness overtook us, and t | lo view—if it may bo so termed—from Seddon's hill, was a strange one. All round upon the hill-tops, the air was pure and fresh, with a clear starry sky overhead. Hut looking downward towards the city nf '.hi! plain--, nothing wis visible but a long, low, white bank at fog, and as we descended, it renamed no great stretch of iinniaginati"n, to fancv that wo were about to plunge into some inland soa. The cold clammy, vc-t suffocating atmosphere, reminding us, as wo dr..ve throutrh it, of the tales of the [,onilon fogs, where, at limes, for days together, everything is shrouded in impenetrable darkness. Near the river the slightly moving air cleared a little, and as wo pa-wd through the town, church bells, geutlv tolling, wore calling the worshippers together, whilo stationed at a well known street corner, was a small band of the 55a I -

vationist<, who—surrounded by an attentive group-were exhorting the people to do better tiling, the whole scene being calculated to make oven a frivolous onlooker ponder over the great problem of life, aud its future. To wonder whether the assertion of the large and increasing army of unbelievers—that Christianity is all a mistake— is, or is not, founded on fact; and also, even it the various bands of the faithful, who are now wending their way to the brightly lighted-up churches, are sound in their beliefs ; whether it wouli not, perhaps, be as acceptable in the eye of the Almighty, if, instead of so much outward show of allegiance to Him, they manifested in things relating to their daily lives, a little more love and consideration for each other.