AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1324, 15 May 1872, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

(New Zealand Herald.) From the agricultural returns of the vaiious provinces published in the gazettes we have compiled the following tables of averages. In view- of such comparisons it must be remembered that the past season has been particularly unfavorable for agricultural operations throughout the colony. We do not place these statistics before our readers as reliable data on which to found any argument, because we do not believe that any agricultural returns, with whatever care prepared, can be depended upon to prove any case. It mast always be remembered that in these returns no distinction is made as to quality of soils, all being clubbed together under one heading, and a few acres of barren laud whereon crops have failed will materially reduce a general average. As curious results, however, A ve have no doubt that our country readers, especially, will be glad to peru.se the following : Statistics compiled von the ending March, 1872. The total number of holdings in Auckland were 3,769, avoraging 54 acres; in Marlborough, number of holdings, 343, averaging 88 acres ; Canterbury, 3,510 holdings, averaging 92 acres; Hawke's Bay, 350 holdings, averaging 213 acres; in Wellington, 1485 holdings, averaging 137 acres; Nelson, 1,158 holdings, averaging 47 acres ; Olago, 3,(563 holdings, averaging 84 acres. The crops of wheat averaged in Auckland nearly 17 bushels to che acre; in Otago, 26 bushels ; in Nelson, nearly 13 bushels; in Wellington, 17 bushels; in Hawke's Bay, 17 bushels ; in Canterbury, 21| bushels ; and in Marlborough, over 19 bushels. The crops of oats averaged in Mark borough nearly 26 bushels; in Canterbury, 23 bushels; in Hawke's Bay, 22 bushels ; Wellington, 20| bushels ; in Nelson, 17 bushels; in Otago 30| and in Auckland, 15|- bushels. The average of barley was, in Auckland, 14| bushels; in Otago, 26| bushels; in Nelson, 13 bushels; in Wellington, 19 bushels; Ha-vke's Bay, 21 bushels; in Canterbury, nearly 20 bushels; and in Marlborough, 23| bushels. The average of hay to the acre was, in Marlborough, 1J tons; in Canterbury, 1J tons in Hawke's Bay, 1 l-6th tons; in Wellington, 1 ton ; Nelson, 1 l-sth tons; in Otago 1 ton ; aud iu Auckland 1 ton ; The average of potatoes to the acre vas : In Auckland, 2| tons ; in Otago, 3| tons ;in Nelson, tons; in Wellington, 5 J tons ; in Hawke's Bav, 31 tons ; in Canterbury, 3 tons ; and in Marlborough, 3J tons. The entire colony of New Zealand contains no less ihan 58,100,000 acres, of which little more than 1,106,622 acres are under actual cultivation, including lands in grass.