The Chronicle PUBLISHED DAILY LEVIN FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 1915. WEST COAST WHEAT.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 16 April 1915, Page 2

The Chronicle PUBLISHED DAILY LEVIN FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 1915. WEST COAST WHEAT.

The suitableness o! the West Const of Wellington province for wheat-grow-ing has been touched upon by agricultural observers, in print and orally, on many occasions. During the last few seasons' the fact has become evident that landowners along the Manawatm and Kangitikei lines are becoming aware of the sure margin of profit to be found in wheat growing. Levin and Shannon districts have been the slowest to realise the possibility of growing wheat for profit on our stony lands .is well as on the clayey soils, lint this .season's good records achieved around Levin have convinced the doubters that from 40 to 50 busliels of wlieat per acre are reasonably to be regarded as sure for good farni'ers. There is evident, already, a disposition to plant areas of wheat around Levin, and every prospect of success is ahead, provided a vigorous bird-poisoning effort is made during the winter and early spring. Failing this, there will 1«e a regrettable loss of green wheat recorded about December next, for the sparrow liercaixHits is n determined attacker of the -juicy liead of wheat This fact was proved last December — in wir own experience as well aft that o< others— for we had an experimental patch of one rood of wheat stripped to the straw during n period of three weeks, notwithstanding the leaden hints that were given to the depredators day after day. The Rangitikei district evidently has coped with the email bird trouble sufficiently, for the record*; show that over one thousand acres of land under wheat crop in that district during 1914-15 yielded nearly 32 bushels to the acre. Tn Oroua County an average yield of 29} bushels was secured, and in the Manawatu County—which for statistical purposes doubtless includes Shannkm, Levin and Otaki districts—a yield of hiißhels, per acre has been threshed from an area <>f 235 acres in all. Tt Js notable tha't the foregoing records, with that of Wairanipa South (30.89) are the highest''per acre recorded Tn Now Zealand this year. Bvory district in the iSojith Island is returned at an average of ]e«s tlian 30 bushels ppr aore.