RATANA WHEAT CROP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3723, 29 November 1927, Page 4

RATANA WHEAT CROP.

LOOKING EXCEPTIONALLY

WELL. A Te Ruiti chief who is a leader at Ratana Pa, when interviewed stated that extensive crops planted this season at the Ratana settlement were looking exceptionally well (says an exchange). The farm, which is directed and worked largely by King Country natives of the Maniapoto tribe, has an area of 600 acres, 140 acres of which is planted *in potatoes and a similar area in wheat. The planting of other crops such as barley and maize is now in progress. The appearance of the wheat crop does not bear out the opinion of some farmers that the North Island is unsuitable fol' growing this cereal. These ex-King Country natives knew from experience how wheat crops developed in those days when the Waipa, Te Kumi and Mokau Valleys waved with the golden corn. It was a common sight in those days to witness one hundred natives mounted on horseback riding over the hill from Piopio into the village of Te Kuiti, each man carrying before him a hundred weight of flour for the assembled “hui.” When this five-ton supply of food wa's- exhausted the meeting was declared over and the natives returned to their kaingas to prepare for further planting operations. This return to land cultivation by the- natives is refreshing after a long sojourn inland.