ADAPTATION OF THE SOIL OF NEW ZEALAND FOR THE GROWTH OF WHEAT.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 30, 29 February 1844, Page 2

ADAPTATION OF THE SOIL OF NEW ZEALAND FOR THE GROWTH OF WHEAT.

Hi* fertility of tbe soil of New Zealand and its capabilities ss an agriculinral country, are now sufficiently tested and established beyond a doubt, and we are bappy to bear testimony to tbe abundant crop* of weeat that have been gathered io, by some of tiie Tamaki Farmers, from small patches of ground they were induced to sow with that staple commodity in order to teat the virtue of the soil. Mr. Knox who baa been settled about a year on a section of the Tamaki land, had 60 rods, or 3 Bth ,of an acre sown with wheat, and npon weighing the crop after thrashiog out, allowing 62 lbs. to the bushel, tbe produoe was 19 bushels or after the rate of 60 bushels to the acre. Mr. Kerr, a near neighbour of Mr. Knox, had also about the same quantity acoordiog to the site of th e ground. These encouraging (acts have determined them, and many others, to turn their attention to tbe cultivation of wheat on a much tuurp extensive scale next year, and we trust there wilt then he a sufficie n> quantity grown, to supply all the popu atiou, without draining the resources of the country by importation of foreign flour. We Lave seen the wheat in bulk, and a be>ter quality could no t be desired, it is rather shorter in the grain than English, or Van Diemen's Land wheat, but very plump, indeed almost round, and a clear iliin akin. Windmills for grinding could be erected in any part of New Z alond with little expense, and who can say that in two or three years, flour will not b e a considerable article of export. Advuncc New Zealand.