THE CROPS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 843, 16 January 1883, Page 2

THE CROPS.

[by our special reporter.] Seafield-

Taking the Seafield district yesterday first in my route. I proceeded according to instructions to examine the crops, and obtain any information as to the probable yields the various farmers expect this season. The wheat and oat crops in this district look remarkably well, little or no rust being discernible, and considering the nature of the"*laud, which is, for the most part more suitable for sheep grazing than corn producing, promise very good yields. The reapers and binders are in following, Wood’s and McCormick’s being the principal ones used. A great number of acres of < ats are cut and stacked and the wheat harvest has already commenced. Mr o‘Dare is cutting a magnificent crop, which will ihreshi at least 30 bushels per acre. The heavy rale we experienced o i the 26th

and 27th of last month, seems to have

done very little damage to tho crops in this district, only one farmer whose land is

near the sea informed me that the gale had

levelled a few acres of his wheat. But the wind has not done so much harm as those great enemies, the fanner has to contend against, viz., the small birds, who are reaping their harvest as usual at the expense of the agriculturist. The farmers round Seafield have gone in extensively for plantation growing, and the clumps of gum and other trees which are already some height not only afford shelter round the various homesteads, but a most pleasing break to what was only i few years back a most dreary plain. Mr Parsons has a plantation of blue gums of three years growth, which are 15 ft high, uid were his own sowing. I must men;ion another very great artificial boon to ;his district, viz , the county water-races ; ! or in every mile during my forty mile •ide we came across these refreshing streams. I have been careful to examine for myself the crops, and although the farmers themselves have in some instances stated their probable yields to be less than what I put them down at, I think 1 have understated the probable return rather than otherwise. Coming first to Mr J. W. Maiden’s farm, I found he had land under crop to the extent of 255 acres, of which 170 are in wheat, 55 in oats, and 30 in rye grass. The threshing machine was at work with the grass seed, and the crop was turning out 15 bushels per acre. The wheat, which is rather thin, will average about 23, and the oats 25 bushels per Off this land last season the average was, wheat 10, oats 14, and grass seed 8 bushels per acre. Mes rs Moore and Olncas have 408 acres in crop, 210 of which are in wheat and 168 in oats. They expect an average of 20 bushels of wheat and 30 bushels of oats to the acre. Mr Parsons has some very good looking crops. His acreage under crop is 300 acres of wheat and 75 acres of oats. I can safely put his f acreage yield down at, wheat 25 bushels, and oats 35 bushels per acre. Messrs Roberts and Winter have 2,000 acres of crop altogether, which will average 30 bushels per acre all round. Mr O’Daro hai about the same quantity of land in crop, and will average the same. Mr D. Brick has 500 of mixed crop, looking very well. Mr T. Richardson has about 180 acres in wheat, which will aver- i ago 18 bushels, and 30 acres of oats, i which will yield fairly. I may mention I that Mr Richardson would have had'more t

crop, but part was unfortunately destroyed by the late gale, and the small birds have wrought considerable damage. Mr Strouts has 500 acres of crop, all of which is pretty good, and will run about 18 bushels all round. Messrs Collison Bros, have 300 acres of crop—2oo in wheat and 100 in oats ; the wheat was sown on clover lay, which was not skim-ploughed, and the crop will average about 25 bushels per acre. Mr Murdoch Bruce has 200 acres of crop. The wheat will run out 23 and the oats 35 bushels. This gentleman has, I believe, the beat sample of rye grass seed in the district. Mr W. B. Denshire has 100 acres of oats, which will realise about 30 bushels to the acre. He has also stripped 100 acres of grass, which produced 15 bushels of seed to the acre. Mr Michael Healey has 100 acres of wheat sown on grass land, which will bring him about 25 to 30 bnshels per acre. I noticed two of the best draught entires in the district Chance, and a magnificent animal which Mr Healey has lately purchased at Temuka. Mr E. G. Wright has a very extensive crop of wheat, which looks grand, and will average at least 30 bushels. Mr Robinson, whose land adjoins that of Mr Wright, has another remarkably fine-looking crop, which will no doubt yield from 25 to 30 bushels per acre.