SOME WHEAT YIELDS

Hokitika Guardian, 2 August 1928, Page 4

SOME WHEAT YIELDS

ALBERTA MAN’S CLAIM USE!'. AUCKLAND, July 31. Interesting facts and figures concerning wheat growing records are quoted by Air J. Grim wood, of Hamilton, in reference to what is claimed as a world’s record by Air 0. S. Ndble, of Nobleford, Alberta. In 1927 Air Noble’s field of 1300 acres yielded 74,009 bushels, practically 57 bushels to the acre. “As one born in Canterbury I can state that New Zealand can beat that record,” said Air Grimwood. “I can remember a paddock of wheat of ten acres, between ltangiofa and Woodend, North Canterbury, ill 1882-83, when 114 bushels of wheat to the acre were threshed. I can also remember a field of thirty acres of oats, a few miles south of Timaru, which yielded 130 bushels to the acre. In another field of oats grown on the Oxford plains I saw oats standing 7ft high, and I helped to thresh the crop, which yielded 7G bushels to tlie acre. Regarding the size of grain-growing fafins, Air Grimwood states that Air Duncan Cameron, of Afetliven, held the- record for New Zealand. “I think it was in 1890 that I was harvesting bn the Holmes estate, Alethven, which was not far from Air Cameron’s estate, and ho had 9009 acres in grain. Wheat, cits and barley were there, hut chiefly wheat was grown. In one field of wheat of 1000 acres he had twenty-three reapers and binders working. Over 200 draught hofses were engaged in reaping and carting to the stacks. No stock threshing was done in those days. When the harvest was gathered he had 1800 sacks of grain, f know they had to run special trains at night from Aletliven to take his grain away. There were live large threshing mills working at his grain. Air John Grigg, of Longbeach. Ashburton, had 8000 acres in grain the same year. AVheat was about 3s Gd a bushel that year. No manure was used to produce the great yields.”

Concerning potato crops, Air Grimwood stated that an Canterbury in 1891, which was known as the “potato year,” ho knew of many farms around Kaiapoi which yielded twenty-five tons to the acre. “ 1 saw Blue Derwent potatoes that weighed 4jlb each,” lie said. “We bought potatoes in Rangiora saleyards that year at lOd for a four and a half bushel bag. One man at Temuka had 150 acres in potatoes, while another farmer residing at Styx planted five acres of onions. 9here was a yield of forty tons to the acre. Till liking be would catch a pood market in Sydney he grow onions, hid when those were ready the Sydney market dropped and he could net ship them, with the result that we bought them in Rnngiora saleyards at a shilling for a four and a half bushel bag.”