The Chronicle PUBLISHED DAILY. LEVIN. FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26 1915. STILL ABOUT WHEAT.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 26 February 1915, Page 2

The Chronicle PUBLISHED DAILY. LEVIN. FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26 1915. STILL ABOUT WHEAT.

j lie Chronicle's recent articles on wheatgrowing for Levin and Shannon districts have awakened interest away from those centres, whatever may be the case amongst the settlers. Amongst those moving in the matter is Mr AV. li. 1* ield, M.P., as representative of t-liis electorate. AVe have been favour <>d with copies ol letters that have passed between him and the Minister tor Agriculture concerning this and kindled subjects. In a covering note *ont to the Chronicle with the copies of the letter that are subjoined, Mr Field remarks;: —Aueut your leading ai , tides of Monday and Tuesday last, a letter sent to the Minister for Agriculture T>y me may be of interest. Mr Drysdalo has proved conclusively that our heavy land will grow wheat magnificently. It ought to be shown what the lighter land will do. Subjoined is tho letter referred to:— AA'clliugton, i'eb 19, 1915 The Right Hon. AV. F. Massey. Minister for Agriculture, Wellington. Dear Mr. Massey.—-As you are aware, the Crown has purchased Mr P. Bartholomew's property containing about 100 acres, including his large residence, on the Beach ltoad at AVeraroa, immediately opposite the .Experimental Farm. I am informed that it is the intention of the Land Department to <;iit this land into small sections and submit it to the public at an early date. 1 believe it would grow fruit well, but it is exposed to tho westerly winds, and belts of shelter would have to be grown before fruit trees could succeed. 1 write to suggest that the matter of the use to which this land should be put may receive careful consideration before a iiual decision is arrived at. I was nformed that the Agricultural Department desired to secure the residence as an extension of the students' quarters at tlie .Experimental l*'arin. This would be a desirable object to which to devote the building, if it is found to be not too far from the homestead buildings of the Farm. The distance I think vrould be about hall a mile. Another proposal I understand lias'been to remove Mr Bartholomew's house the half mile or so in question. On thing is certain, that unless the Government proposes without delay to establish agricultural schools, the (student system both at AVeraroa and Ruakura should be largely developed. 1 was at Ruakirra recently and found that, though there was much greater accommodation than at AVeraroa, there was pressing need for further students' buildings. At AVeraroa you have only one room for six, which' of course is a very poor supply for the increasing demand for students' places. .1 therefore hope that either Mr Bartholomew's house will be utilised for the purpose or uew buildings will be erected.

"With reference to Mr Bartholomew's land, 1 consider the Government have made an excellent purchase. The land is light, and in some places somewhat stony, but it is nevertheless well adapted for close settlement. Before cutting it up, however, it would tie wise to consider whether it would not form a very suitable, if not necessary, adjunct to the Experimental Farm. That Farm is largely composed of heavy rich land which is inclined to be wet in the winter, and dry light land such s Air Bartholomews' would give an excellent change for stock. Furthermore, the magnificent crop oi wheat which the manager of the Farm has grown tins year has proved plainly that tins district is a wheat-growing one, and 1 should judge that Mr Bartholomew's property would be found to grow wheat admirably. It would in any case be an interesting and instructive experiment to try wheat on this land, 'or there is a very considerable extent f land of this class along the Manawatu Line.

"Whether, however, it is decided to dispose of the land or not it would, I think, be wise without delay to improve it by fairly deep ploughing and cropping. At present it is largely covered by cape weed and has not therefore an attractive appearance. If fruit growing is to be established there I recommend that belie of shelter trees

should be planted and allowed to got up well before the place is submitted to the public. It would not, of course, be lying idle in the meantime, for every acre of it could be profitably used for cropping or grazing by the manager of the Experimental Farm. I should like to hear as soon as possible what decision has been come to on the subject. —Yours faithfully, W. H. FIELD. The Minister for Agriculture prompt ly acknowledged the letter as under :— "Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 22nd February, 1915. "Deal , Mr Field,—l Have to thank you for your letter of the 10th instant and for the suggestions contained therin in regard to the land at Weraroa receutly acquired from Mr Bartholomew. 1 note what you. say about using the land and building as part of the Experimental Farm, and shall 'be glad to go carefully into this proposal with irresponsible officers.—Yours truly, W. F. MASSFAY ,