The Manawatu Times. SATURDAY, MAY 25, 1878.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 65, 25 May 1878, Page 2

The Manawatu Times. SATURDAY, MAY 25, 1878.

The returns furnished by the Enumerator m connection with the Census of 1878, exhibit some veryinteresting statistics of the land m cultivation, and the agricultur al produce thereof m the electoral districts of B-angitikei and Manawatu. The table is composed of a number of columns, the principal of which are ten m number, comprising the number of holdings,^the extent o£ land broken up, but not under crop, the 4iffefcent cereals- sown and potatoes planted, and other matters of an interesting nature. Taking, then the two districts of Eangitikei and Manawatu, we will .give the statistics of each, with a view of drawing comparisons, and we will commence with the number of holdings. In this item we find that Manawatu is greatly ahead of her . neighbor, for while this district-has 233 freeholds, 49 rented, and 28 part Tented and part freehold, Rangitikei possesses but 198 freeholds, 34 rented, and 12 part rented or freehold. In the extent of land broken up, but not under crop, however, she is sadly behind, for while Eangitikei can boast of 4,083 acres, the sum total of Manawatu is but one-fifth of that amount, or 841 acres. In the matter of wheat sown also, she does not compare favorably, for although Manawatu has 986 acres, sown for graiu only, with an estimated gross produce of 28,02s bushels, her northern neighbor has sown 2214 acres, which is estimated to produce 57,852 b ushels. In oats Manawatu takes a considerable lead m the number of acres for green food or hay, having 144 against 38 acres ; but Eangitikei has a more advantageous disparity m oats sown for grain, of which she possesses 2335 acres> with an estimated gross produce of, grain of 61,876 bushels, against 844 acres and 24,891 bushels produced of Manawatu. In barley, and sown grasses Manawatu is also behind; but m crops of potatoes she may expect to claim first place, for while Rangitikei has only 143 acres, with an estimated gross produce m tons to the amount of 817, Manawatu has no less 280 acres, with an expectant yield of 1945 tons, or considerably more than double the amount of her rival. In other crops, also, not particularised, Manawatu has slightly the advantage, the numbers' standing 73 to 70 acres. In the total number of acres under crop, including sown grasses, she has again to give way and take second place, for while her total reaches 60,579 acres, that of Rangitikei amounts to 88,620 acres. When the comparison is being drawn, however, consideration must be given to the relative nges and date of settlement of the two districts, for while all that particular portion of the Manawatu which will, have contributed most to; the agricultural- statistics is of but rvceMl date, the Jahd irr- Rangitikei being barren qf bush was necessarily sot down m crop.