The Longbeach Estate.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 166, 14 October 1880, Page 2

The Longbeach Estate.

In giving an account of the Longbeach estate the New Zealand Country jfournal says ; —Longbeach is 19,560 acres in extent. A large portion was originally flax swamp reclaimed at the cost of La to L 4 an acre. Such land is always , very productive. Last year 3,000 acres were under grain, and yielded over 100,000 bushels. 1,400 acres were under mangolds and turnips, besides potatoes and rape. 300 acres were in field peas, and nearly 300 acres mown for hay. This shows about one fourth under rotation. The horned stock on the farm numbered nearly 3,600 head, including a magnificent head of 50 shorthorn cows, many of which have cost from 50 to 300 guineas each. These are exclusive of dairy cows kept for the use of the establishment and for rearing calves. Five high-class impeded shorthorn bulls, named Esau, Knightley’s Honor, Faction, Don Carlos and Moa, are kept for stud purposes. Esau’s sire was sold in England for Liooo to go to America, and was bought back for Lx6oo. The balance of cattle are stores fattening for the market. There is- a grand flock of pure bred Lincoln ewes, numbering 1800. They averaged about 11 lbs. wool each, unwashed, last clip. 'There is also a flock of over 10,000 merinoes and half-breds, the clip from which averaged is. 4d. to is. yd. per lb. in the grease. From 100 to 120 working horses (mostly Clydesdale), are kept for working the farm. There are three high-class Clydesdale sires and a beautiful Arab kept for the Stud. The total number of horses is 400, and from 70 to 80 draft and hacks are sold each year. From 2000 to 3000 pigs are generally kept on the farm, and about 1000 will be converted into bacon this season. The machinery employed is of the most perfect character, including 15 self-acting

reapers and binders, 3 combined threshing machines, and a large number of double and three-furrow ploughs. This magnificent property has been created by Mr. Grigg, and its success is his best credentials as an authority in such matters.