Correspondence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XI, Issue 652, 5 February 1859, Page 5

Correspondence.

OLD CHUMS AND NEW NOTIONS. To the Editor of the Lt/ttelton Tirries. ■ " Sik,—"New-Chum's"remarks upon the mixture of good qualities, oddities and ignoramuses, otherwise denominated Old Chums, missed my observation or I would have given my opinion thereon before, though I much wish some one more fitted had taken up the defensive. But as no one seems inclined—here goes. . As an Old Chum, I certainly have to plead guilty to a few of the filings laid to our charge; but the one of thinkingfthe new chum comes with an undue idea of superior intelligence, "New-Chum " convinces me is well founded, by his jumping at conclusions completely in the dark, as he will find if ever he gains experience on his own freehold. "New-Chum's" first twilight leap is that the new chums can see the bad system of seeding down witl*; only two or three varieties of grasses, which the old chums cannot see. Now sir, this was a very long leap, indeed, for I beg to say the old chum (lam speaking of tlie real farmer), can see it with painful effect, and knows it well, and also the circumstances which compel it. I can assure "New-Chum " that, when to be got, a considerable variety of grasses are generally sown; and I can also assure "NewChum " that very frequently when a large variety of grasses are sown only a very small variety make their appearance.; Well, Old Chum-Hstupid felloe —stares and wonders how that comes about. As the greater portion of the seed comes from one really clever seedsman, perhaps " Newi-Chum " might gain/some information there. But Old-Chum thinks of another plan to know how it is; he does remember that a great many grasses indigenous to one part of the old country will not grow in the other; so lie. remembers to'bring it before the Farmers' Club—for they have just remembered that they had Farmers' Clubs in the old country—and they tliink.it possible that some of the grasses which fatten 18", sheep &c.', &'c. per acre may have taken a dislike to colonising, and so wont budge. So the said Farmers' Club intend to cultivate a plot of ground to try each sort they can find by itself, to see whether it may be a welcome colonist or not, and likewise to give the natives (for we have more than the tussocks when examined), a fair trial alongside their English rivals. And I* can assure

) " j New,amra,»;if he wilDgiVo the old onesthe; pleasure of Ins company at the ]?armers'< Club, they will be very glad to see him/for a; spirit of enquiry i?t& M; mt thQy *? nt ' ™d then> i»ay learn £' httle of the cause of a great many circumstances? which,seem blunders in a New Chum's 6ye ß : t "NewPlnK 0" SV^ °^ <•#? gra-sseß menti»ned by ' _Wew-Chum which are almost, worse than useless : m th lß wl Jd country, instead of 'being so s.iperKf S.ii '7^,7 enough- ' Onethingin favour of1 dry harsh spring weather, when any grass is .burnt up and good for nothing. Hoping "New-Chum» anyffiS^,hi^n^irießa^^

■ - . ,1 remain sir,: . ' AN OLD .CHUM AND,MEMBER OF THE FARMERS' CLUB,