THE LAMBING SEASON.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2257, 31 July 1908, Page 1

THE LAMBING SEASON.

Inquiries made among farmers at the ijMatawhero saleyards yesterday as to tlio prospects of the lambing season, went to show that sheep in every part of the district are wintering well, and a large percentage of lambs can be confidently expected. I)i the more sheltered parts such as the Poverty Bay flats, and To Arai Valley ‘lambing has already commenced, the percentage so far is high and the' ewes are doing well. The sheep on the To Aral settlement were reported to be looking well, 'and most of the settlers >aro well satisfied with the season’s prospects. Mr McDonald’s sheep were the first to commence lambing out there, and all his lambs have been healthy and strong, and hive so far survived, though he has lost seven owes. In the Waimata district the season is rather backward, and very few lambs are yet to bo seen. In the hilly parts, Te Karaka and iMotu, the snows of a week or two ago had its effect upon the ewes, though no stock was lost. Lambing has started; but so far the percentage Ins not been higjli. Better reports are to bo heard from farmers from the coast districts where the winter has been unusually mild. Lambing has started on many stations and no loss of stock has been reported. The prospects of the dairying industry for the coming spring are also fairly bright. A number of cows are earning int 0 milk, and the calves are all looking strong. There is a little mamitis about, but most 'farmers are now able ifo recognise the disease in its early stages, and the cows soon recover. In tlie Makaraka, 'Ma ta-w-hero and Tc Arai districts a large number 'of this season’s calves are "to ho seen; while u number of cows are expected to come in early )iext month. Farmers are unanimous i.-i the opinion that the winter has .been a favorable one. There has men no damage of uny consequence bv flood, plenty of feed, very little frost or snow, while the sheep are well fleeced and the clip promises "to be large. ‘‘All I want now,” said one farmer, “is a buoyant wool market and a good butter market, and I will have very little to complain about.”