SMALL FARM PLAN

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1933, Page 8

SMALL FARM PLAN

SUCCESSFUL DEMONSTRATION

COMFORTABLE LIVING MADE

ASHBURTON, February 14

The man States: “My home is built on two acres of land in Treverton, aoout half a mile from the Ashburton Kiver, and we have lived on it for the past 13 years. The land was onoe riverbed and is composed of shingle, clay and sand in different patches. All my spare time has been spent in .suiftmg tlie clay to the shingle and the sand to the clay and levelling the ocction generally. AVe have ail spent many happy- days, both the wife and the children.

“We had a- good cow for eight years and made our own butter, and we both milked. We iound that keeping t.*e cow ou-such a small area was- rather extravagance. We also fattened live to ten pigs a year, but after commission had been paid we did nob make enough out of them. We now have the whole area in garden, which wo dig twice a year (planting and winter digging), and have planted it partly with fruit trees raised front our own seed. These include peat's, apples, cherries, nectarines, apricots, peaches, various plums, gooseberries, red and black currants, raspberries and strawberries (started, with a few plants from neighbours), and we find ail this pays us the best.

“Although there is plenty of work we get good return from it all. We keep a few bantams and fowls and we have, eight rabbits, caught down the river bed when young, which we ratten and kill when necessary. The boys S'liar-e and trap rabbits for food and keep the house well stocked with firewood for cooking. The firewood all comes from the river bed. We always have plenty of vegetables, parsnips, carrots, greens, beet, silver bee‘j, marrowri, pumpkins, tomatoes and potatoes. Our ptoato crop would be about one ton and we put them away for the winter. AVe lived on the now potatoes since January 1, 1932, which is very satisfactory considering the dry season. “I have had no practical experience as regard gardening and this land is not the best for that purpose, but my experience goes to show what one can do if the heart is willing and one has something to work for., AVe chiefly live op fruit and vegetables, and my wife puts down fruit and makes as much as 6cwt of jam. At..the end of the year it is all gone. AVe grow lupins and- barley to dig in> and stack all the leaves and weeds for manure.

“Without my wife and family all this would be impossible., I find my time fully occupied. This sort of- life is the most happy and satisfying for, us all.” - ■! ■