The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 1927. FARMING POSSIBILITIES.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 1927. FARMING POSSIBILITIES.

A correspondent in Tuesday’s issue discussed some aspects of the recent Winter Show at Kokatahi, and in particular referred to the farming possibilities of the district. The Show, taken as a whole was a wonderful revelation undoubtedly of the resources of the do trict. Judging it as such it was .well worth the tribute of being called a success. The correspondent asks the question, are such Shows of any material benefit to the farmer or the general public? and he answers in a restricted affirmative. There is tiie old saving, what man has done, man can do. We see that borne out in the wonderful emulation going on in the flying world. Some one attempts the apparently impossible, though others have failed, and wonderful be it said, succeeds. The problem is not so complex or dangerous as regards Tvokata.hi farming. The settlers have been operating for half a century, and many of them have done well. The old pioneers who spied out the land had a wonderful aptitude for selecting the choice hits. Much water has gone down the Hokitika river since the settlers’ operations were confined practically to market gardening, and week by week they had to hawk the produce of their farms to town for marketing. Dairying and stock raising have al-

iered that. It is a fact also, that tlio < liniato is not f;ivonrnhle on the whole to c-i*r?|> firowinjx. There are many fine stretches of .soil capable of producing wheat were the farmer assured of ripening facilities. But experience lias taught the farmer that cropping for profit cannot be followed as a single avocation. But it is possible as it is absolutely necessary lor successful dairying or fattening off stock, to grow winter feed, and it is produce of that character which made an excellent. display at the recent Winter Show. The exhibits in the classes referred to were of a very high quality, and what the successful farmers are doing in that direction, the less .successful might well imitate. Farm produce generally was a pleasing exhibit at the Show, and indicated the resources of the district in a very striking manner. The farmer who shows is invariably an enthusiast. Many not so enthusiastic are content to attend the Shows for personal pleasure alone. The whole strength of the district vt

not represented, but (lie sample that was afforded, was excellent ns in qualify, and it should be a matter only of more cultivation to secure the quantity. There is room and to spare for a general improvement in regard to the farm lands of the district. Paddocks require cleaning up on all sides, with more attention to reserve arcus for winter feeding. But these are matters on which the individual farmer will please himself, being content to conduct his own farm to his own liking. At the same time the object lessons to he gleaned by many farmers at such Shows as that held lately are not being lost, and realising what a neighbour can do, as disclosed by a striking exhibit, the man on the land receptive of impressions will profit by the knowledge. Those who are doing their part in “making" the Show a success each year with large entries, are to he commended specially. They are proving the worth of their holdings and their status as farmers. They must by Ibeir devotion to production be recouping an enhanced value in the extra returns possible from their farms. Tho endless variety of produce revealed in the district and farmers’ hays showed that there was no limit to production of a profitable nature, for all classes of exhibits were in demand. The market is here for the goods the settlers can produce, and that fact should encourage production more and more. So there is room for all. and in particular for 11101% exhibitors at the Show. As the correspondent aptly p'” it—the vanguard have brought the Show to a. prominent position, and those lagging behind should move up now and assist in the good and useful work.