MARKET GARDENING.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 696, 3 January 1922, Page 4

MARKET GARDENING.

A PROFITABLE INDUSTRY.

BIG RETURNS AT OTA IQ.

A largo number of Chinamen—probably some eighty to one hundred in number—are engaged in market gardening at Otaki ,situated mid-way between Palmerston North and Wellington practically the whole of their products being forwarded to Wellington, 47 miles by rail. Otaki soil and climate are unsurpassed anywhere in New Zealand, and the market gardening returns secured probably. constitute a record. The yields in many instances are simply wonderful, and the Chinese gardeners are reaping' a rich harvest, despite high rents. ■ ! As an instance of the wonderful fertility of the soil, a samll plot of less than 2 acres can be quoted. This land was broken up in autumn, and a crop of cauliflowers put in right away. Before the following Christmas the two Chinese gardeners working tiiis—they had another garden adjoining—had taken approximately £IOOO from the one crop of cauliflowers.

Tho rental of the land varies from £U to £l4 per acre per annum, the average being" about £j.o. At these rentals land owners prefer to let their land for gardening rather than indulge in dairying, and the Chinese for the greater part, do eexceedingly well.

The oft-heard saying that the Chinese take eviything out of the ground and put nothing in is a fallacy. They know the value of manuring, and manure heavily, using principally bllod and bone mixtures. Of course they work long hours, their industry being proverbial, and an object lesson to many dthers who are content with grumbling at the “Heathen Chinee” taking away their livings. At this time of the year large quantities of vegetables are being" sent Inly from Otaki (to Wellington. Ac-, ||kg to the Otaki Mail, 80 tons of N ||jMes were despatched from Ml I; Hti railway station to WollingfSli B||kay last week. The vege..jwprised chleHy cauliflowers