DISTRICT REPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 3, 28 September 1907, Page 2

DISTRICT REPORTS.

(Fhoai Our Special ComtiisroNDENTS.) MANAWATU. ...Palmerston, Wednesday. Fanning operations are considerably backward owing to tho amount of rain which has fallen during the past month. In tlio Saudon district, which is tho seat of agricultural operations of Manawatu, the sowing of crops is considerably behind that of last season. Crops that were sown before the rainy season aro coming on slowly, and do not appear to bo so forward as was the ease in tho corresponding season last year. Pastures havo not yet made much headway owing to the quantity of water in tho soil, but a week's fine weather would work revelations. The advantage-of drain ploughing is hero brought" into' the light of day. In the Colyton district a practical farmer, Mr. W. G. Pearee, has had a largo portion of his farm treated in this manner, and a passer-by can note the difference of pasture at a glance. It is pleasing to noto that thero are others around tho district who realise tho benefits of tho . drain plough.; Potato-growers inform mo that there is a scarcity of good seed for planting purposes. Like everything else, owing to tho' wet, potato planting has been delayed', and growers are experiencing some difficulty in cultivating the saturated soil. Of course, this docs not apply in tho light, sandy country, for around Peilding I noticed somo weeks ago a lino healthy crop of early potatoes, and at the present time the owner is planting his main.crop. Ho assures mo that he has been 'extremely fortunate, as in tho almost entire absoiico of frosts liis potatoes aro looking splendid. Tho lambing season, which opened .well,...has cot a slight set-back. The mortalityl: liowever, is not .as serious as one might anticipate. It is only in. tho bleak, open fields whore tho death rato is high. In tho back districts, such" as Pohangina, Apiti, Rangiwaliia, and Kimbolton, I am assured .that tho percentage will bo good. .'■•■, 'FRUIT . CULTURE EXTENDING. In moving through the district I notico a growing- tendency of settlers'to launchout in fruit growing, and places that a few years ago were studded with stumps and bush trees are now. converted into neat orchards iwith healthy young trees. Mr. A. G. Simms, of the Agricultural Department, who resides at Palmerston, in- '" forms me that ho has had numerous inquiries regarding fruit growing and the/laying out of orchards, and no has' oven had to travel long distances tho back country to give instructions. Ho . has selected tlid Pohangma Valley as an ideal locality for fruit, and vontures to say that it coiild almost bo converted into a Gardon of Edon. Mr. Simms pictured the valley with a canning factory in its midst, and says :m enormous amount of revenue could thus bo brought into tho district. Mr. Simms has also a great regard, for Aorangi, and is never tired of taking as ,an example Mr. A. R.. Mnyp, tho noted fruit-grower and nurseryman.. Mr., Mayo.has steadily increased his fruit area year by .year in a,systematic manner, and ho now ranks among the leading growers .of the coast. ; •,. • ■'■'~ ...