THE PAST WINTER.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3167, 11 October 1892, Page 2

THE PAST WINTER.

The past winter is generally credited with having been a hard one for stock, a heavy mortality being recorded among cattle and sheep, even horses have not been exempt. In this connection a friend of ours asked a Tuhikaramea farmer the question, "What becomes of all the old ewes, as there appears to be no convenient means of disposing of them, such as boiling down, etc. ?" "Oh," he replied, "that is simple enough, they always die during the winter." And speaking with some knowledge, we are inclined to think the reply was correct. But perhaps the best criterion, as to the length and severity of the winter, has been shown in the rapid advance in the value of all feeding stuff, oats rising from 2s to 3s per bushel wholesale, and chaff having almost doubled in price. One thing appears very certain, and that is that successful farming or stock raising in Waikato means making ample provision, for carrying stock during the winter and early spring months. All classes of stock will, at present prices pay well for good treatment, and there can be no question, but that the possession of a goDd stock of hay or ensilage with a field or so of turnips would have saved some of our farming friends from having losses during the winter season which has now passed away. ______________