AGRICULTURE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1699, 15 March 1913, Page 14

AGRICULTURE.

* POTENTIALITIES OF THE BOIIi, In the past very little cereal and root cropping has been done ,in Poverty Hay, 'but the area under cultivation'is increasing each year. This latter fact is accounted for largely by tho influx of young farmers from tho other agricultural districts of the colony—principally Canterbury. Tho newcomer is demonstrating to-older and less enterprising settlers that the district is capable of producing the fruits of the earth in a measuru which has not previously been thought possible. The rich flats lying at the back of Giiborno are capable of producing practic-

ally anything, even to"a sample of bailey which, it is claimed, cannot be excelled in sunny Marlborough.' -, In fact, the small quantity of barley, which- .is grown on the Poverty- Bay..flats is l said to be purchased annually by- Blenheim merchants. Tho soil on 'these' flats ois -generally speaking of suoh great depth as to make; it practically inexhaustible.':. In 1 parts, where wells have been- sunk to n depth of from twenty-five to thirty feet, the soil- at : the bottom has been as eooU as at tho top. At the same time. land of this quality is often to.be seen growing more noxious weeds than useful-crops.

Where .dairip&ff is. carried' on, maize. Is. grown in considerable,.area'for .'.green,, feed., and fair quantities' are. also,.grovn'each year for tnreshing. . Qne of' the best evidences of the fertility of the soil; is tho fact, that ■ many: of -the. heaviest crops' 'to be seen' at the present time' are growing on land whioh has' been cropped ■'continuously," withoiit rotation or fertilisers,' for a quarter of a century or mori. Pumpkins are also' grown extensively, ahd a photograph which is reproduced in this issue gives a fair idea of tho ,crops whioh are, yielded. Pumpkins, as has ' been proved, make excellent stook feed.

One enterprising farmer, Mr. C. Gray, whoso property is situated within four miles of Gisborno, last year cropped forty aoro3 with oats and potatoes, and from this comparatively small area he is said to have obtained a revenue of over JJHfIO. There is one crop in regard to which tho Poverty Bay flats claim a special position, and that is ryegrass seed. Instances can bo quoted of heavy crops (running up to fifty bushels to tho acre) having been harvested for from twenty-fire to thirty years in succession, and the pastures nre still- good. Poverty Bay ryegrass seed has a reputation not only throughout. New Zealand, but in Australia also, and the available supply docs not neoa-ly equal tho demand.