First Annual Report of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of Auckland. (Concluded.) Difficulties of Cultivation.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume I, Issue 33, 2 December 1843, Page 4

First Annual Report of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of Auckland. (Concluded.) Difficulties of Cultivation.

The difficulty of bringing a virgin soil into a state for successful cultivation, must be great in every new country, but it is probably less so in this district than in other parts of the colony at present located, chiefly from its more level surface, and the absence of large trees ; although some passages in a recent publication on New Zealand, would lead the public to suppose otherwise. I It is to be regretted that the author should have expressed such decided opinions, with such imperfect knowledge of the subject, for had he witnessed the easy manner in which the fern is uprooted by a strong plough and a good team of bullocks, he could never have described the primitive and laborious method employed by the natives, as the sole means of eradicating it. The difficulties a new settler has to encounter, independant of his ignorance of the climate and other essential matters, but which, it is hoped the information contained in these pages, will materially lessen, are chiefly the want of good public roads, and of materials for fencing. The first however, is much diminished by the extensive water communication, and that during the greater part of the year, practicable, although somewhat circuitious routes may be always found by following the summits of the ridges, indeed, a road is projected to the settled part of- t the4istrict, and partially commenced, and the abundant supply of material in the scoria, which lies quite adjacent, will render its construction easy. The second can also be obviated by the formation of ditches, and ultimately by white-thorn hedges, which grow vigorously in this climate. Each succeeding settler will also have the benefit of the experience of those who proceeded him, and thus avoid the errors into which they may have fallen. Of course, as he is compelled to locate himself at a gueater distance from Auckland, the only place at present, from whence he can procure his stores, get his agricultural implements repaired, and other minor wants

place of retirement to the civil and military officers of the Indian presidencies, who, %( ing a residence in the East incompatible yt\\\ health, are yet fearful of returning to Great Britain, the vigour of whose winter their con'i stitutions could scarce withstand. They con]] 1 purchase farms partially cleared, whose f ur .i ther improvement would be a source of pfejj sant occupation, and until their arrant f ments could be completed, they could ha r j comfortable houses, both in the town auj suburbs, at a moderate rent. The Committee also feel themselves justi fied in recommending gentlemen of snuj' fortune, and retired military and naval o|[ cers, possessing a small capital, independerK of the allowance they receive from GovenJ; ment, to emigrate to this Colony. After | few years of exertion and self-denial, thfi[ would find themselves placed in a comfort able and independent position, and coi^ dismiss from their minds all anxiety for ft* future provision of their families in the ci tensive field of employment a new colons •offers, • ' 'I Farm servants and labourers of sober an % industrious habits would never fail of having employment at fair wages, and in time migft become -proprietors themselves, by the pi| chase of small portions of land, which ajlj always in the market. b Steady and well conducted female seh vants would always find places, where ties treatment and wages would be much bet!?-; ' than in Great Britain. V A few steady mechanics, such as carpel ': ters, smiths, &c., might from time to tk' i find employment, but at present the supp'j \ exceeds the demand. i ' The same may be said of tradesmen in I ) grocery and other lines of business. ; ] But there is one class of persons to wk' , the Committee would address a warnii, "" ! voice, young men educated to no particii 1 L profession, and without capital, who migL 1 * be tempted to embark for this colony, in ft . hope of obtaining employment, these will h variably meet with disappointment, ere -i those brought up to mercantile pursuits, ai! ] equally useless here, the principals then selves conducting the affairs of the few mej cantile establishments the wants of the col- " ny require. The cultivation of the soil, aC 2 the manufacture of its natural product^,: for export, are the only legitimate occup4f tions of the inhabitants of new colonies, at|| none ought to be invited, nor are requiretfj unless they bring with them the means (^ doing one or both. hj In conclusion, the Committee would en'j^ nestly impress upon the mind of every si 4 tier, or intending emigrant, that whatever 1; 4 means or his opportunities, he can alo;jl command success by industry and prudenej and in most cases by much self-denial ; h ,| that by pursuing this course steadily, aii | by avoiding hazardous speculations, whijl have caused so much distress in the AustrjJj lian colonies, he may expect to enjoy mt a course of a few years not only all the co: t| forts, but many of the luxuries of life, M a healthy and delightful climate. a*

supplied, his difficulties would appear to increase, but already incipient villages are forming, containing artizans ; each succeeding year, will add its stock of knowledge to the information already obtained, and agricultural and horticultural operations will assume a statistic form by which the doubts, the hesitations, the losses of time and capital, will not only be diminished, but at length almost removed, and the newly arrived immigrant will be enabled at once to commence his labours, with the full assurance that he will be ultimately rewarded in proportion to his energy and perseverance. Importation of Seeds. As a sufficient quantity of seed has not as yet been grown here to supply the wants of the settlers, the .Committee would recommend the following to be imported : — Wheat of varieties, but chiefly white wheat; malting barley, Cape barley, oats of superior quality, red and white clover, French clover, sainforin, lucerne, vetches, rye and meadow grasses, field peas and beans, mangelwurzel, field turnips, varieties of potatoes, every kind of garden seeds and pot-herbs, the seeds of pip, stone, and small fruits, of forest trees, of hawthorn and furze ; vine cuttings of hardy varieties ; choice fruit trees, especially the fig, plum, pear, and apple. Importation of Stock. Cattle and horses of very superior breeds can be obtained in any number from the colonies, but it would be desirable that sheep of the Leicester and South Down breeds should be introduced, from being more suited to this country than the Merino and other fine wool sheep of New South Wales. Implements of Agriculture, <fee. Articles of this description most required are strong ploughs and harrows for breaking up and clearing wild land, also wheel and Scotch ploughs. One-horse carts, with extra wheel-boxes and axle-trees ; drill-ploughs ; small drill-machines ; strong spades ; forks and mattocks, and all the most simple and little bulky implements for economizing manual labour. Axes and common carpenter's tools ; all the more simple -gardening tools ; steel hand mills -, zink milk pans ; cheese presses and vats, and other articles which are of obvious use to a settler. Prices of Stock. Working bullocks, per pair, £30 to £40 ; good draft and saddle horses, each, £35 to £50 ; milk cows of choice breeds, £12 to £18 ; bullocks. £10 to £15.; sheep (Merino) each, £1 to £1 10s. ; sheep (Leicester and South Down) for beeding, each, £2. New Zealand Regulations. The new Land Regulations came into force in November last, by an Act of the Imperial Parliament. It has placed the disposal of land on a settled basis, and has provided for a regular supply of immigrant labour in proportion to the land purchased for cultivation by the appropriation of one half of the proceeds of the sales for that purpose. It is unnecessary to discuss the merits of the question, whether the price of £1 per acre be fixed too high or too low, or hazard any opinion farther than to state, that if the Emigration Fund be judiciously administered, it will have the effect of keeping the price of labour moderate, and obviate the evil of extravagant wages, which have heretofore tended so much to prevent the capitalist from embarking in agricultural speculations. The Committee would however particularly advert to the clause by which country sections that have been once exposed to public competition and not sold, are open to purchase by private contract at the upset price, as being particularly advantageous to the newly arrived settler ; this arrangement is jvery important, for instead of the tedious and vexatious delay to which he was formerly exposed in waiting for the periodical sales I of land, he can be placed in immediate possession, and at once commence operations. It may be mentioned in support of this, that some gentlemen lately arrived with Land Orders, selected and were located on their land in less than three weeks after their disembarkation. Glasses of persons best adapted for Immigrants. The Committee think it necessary to offer an opinion as to the classes of persons most likely to be benefitted by emigrating to this colony. Capitalists with from six to ten thousand pounds could invest a portion of their capital safely, at nearly treble the rate of interest they receive in great Britain, and employ the remainder in the purchase, cultivation, and embellishment of an estate. Practical farmers, with from one to three thousand pounds, would bo certain of success, by a judicious employment of their money, after a few years of exertion, they would become independent proprietors. Small farmers, or yeomen, arriving here with from two hundred to five hundsed pounds, would also succeed, if they could labour their land by means of their families. The mild, yet invigorating climate of this island would seem to render it a suitable