Farmers’ Column.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 27, 29 July 1871, Page 9

Farmers’ Column.

LITE FENCES. We have on former occasions directed the attention of agriculturists to the necessity of providing live fences to take the place of the shelterless and unsightly post and rail or post and wire fences now in common use. The subject is one, however, that requires to be constantly kept in view; therefore this being the proper season for preparing the ground, and the season for planting being close at hand, no apology is needed for again bringing it prominently under the notice of our readers. Fosts and rails are most expensive and unsatisfactory description of fence, and with the present low price of agricultural produce, and these even lower likely to rule for some time to come, the cost of renewing post and rail fences when the post decay becomes a subject of serious consideration for the farmer. Concurently with a decrease in the value of farm produce there is every probability of an increase taking place in the cost of fencing materials, owing to the growing scarcity of timber suitable for the purpose. This being the case, it behoves the owners of land to devote their attention to the cultivation of living fences which will take the place of the dead ones in present use when they decay. We need hardly say that the sooner this is set about . the better. Plants according to their habits of growth requires a given time to acquire a certain size, strength, anddcvelopment, and there is no such thing possible as stealing a march onnaturein the formation of a living fence, if we except the careful and proper preparation of the soil, which will promote the rapid and vigorous growth of the plant ; strict attention to the prevention of the growth of weeds while the plants are young, and also judicious pruning. Attention to these important points in connection with its culture will materially shorten the period required for establishing a substantial living fence, but even with these a certain time must elapse, and in the meantime the post and rail fences are decaying away.' Therefore it is that the sooner the planting of hedges is set about the better. Much of the nonsuccess of hedge planting in this colony is attributable to the want of care in preparing the ground, allowing weeds to grow and choke they oung plants, and the neglect of proper pruning. If these things are only carried out here as they ought to be, and as they are in the old country, we feel satisfied from all that we have experienced that the old whitethorn or quick would be found here, as it is there, one of our very best hedge plants and capable of making a fence that would turn any animal. The practice in England of preparing the ground for hedge planting is as follows and by pursuing this course of practice we have seen whitethorn hedges of the most effective and perfect description raised on the dry chalk wolds of Linconihire : —When thehedgehas to be planted, the firstrequirement is a dead fence of some sort to protect the young hedge until it is strong enough to take care of itself. This should be of a height and placed at a distance sufficiently far from the young hedge to prevent cattle and horses from destroying the tops of the shoots. Trenching the ground a width of three feet and the same in depth is the next opperation, breaking up the bottom with a pick, and placing thereon a layer of manure, but still keeping the good soil on the surface. On ground thus prepared, and drained where that is necessary*-, the young quicks are planted in a single row three inches apart, and on no account ■hould the tops of the young plants be cut off at the time of planting. This operation of cutting off the tops should be done in spring, just as the sap is raising. Eor the first two years the hedge may be allowed to grow pretty much as it likes, taking care only to keep it perfectly free from weeds. The third year it should be cut, down as soon as the leaves have fallen, to within 3 inches of the first cut, or about 8 inches from the ground. The plants having now become well established, the formation of the hedge may be carried out by dressing with a light hedge bill the sides in summer and reducing the upright growth in winter. Nothing however is more detrimental to the formation of a strong, close, compact hedge then allowing it to increase too much in height during the first few years when in the course of formation. To spare the knife at that period is to spoil the hedge. The shape of the section of a well formed hedge should be that of a cone, widest at the bottom, and so close and well furnished down to the ground that no beast or bird could get throught it.

We mention the above particulars to show the trouble and expense that is gone to in England to secure a really good hedge or fence ; at the same time we would point out that a modification of the practice of preparing the ground for planting Blight be judiciously adopted in this colony. Owing to the cost of labor, instead of hand trenching the ground might he prepared by ploughing and subsoiling to as great a depth as possible, and when properly pulverised by exposure and har-

rowing, and gathered into a raised land, says four feet wide, the drill plough might be used for opening out a deep furrow down the centre of this ridge in which to plant the plants. The work of preparing the ground with a horse or bullock team should be done before the fence or fences for the protection of the hedge are erected, and when the planting is finished the plants ought to stand in a shallow depres-! sion which would serve to convey any rain that might fall direct to the roots of the young plants during the first season of their growth, which is almost the most trying one to newly planted plants in our dry climate. The ground prepared for the young hedge should be kept scrupulously free from weeds, and this may be accomplished at a cheap rate by the use of the horse hoe; and if this be attended to the site of the hedge would in some measure serve as a safety line to check the progress of fires, should such unfortunately occur in the neighborhood of it. Many of the attempts at raising a live fence that we have witnessed fail from the plants being planted too close to the existing post and rail fence. No hedge should be planted at a less distance than three feet from a dead fence, otherwise it is utterly impossible, no matter bow well the ground may have been prepared, to make a good fence. The proper trimming and clearing of a hedge is of as much importance as the careful and deep preparation of the soil, and to be able to dress it and to keep it, sufficient space should be allowed between the hedge and the fence for that purpose. The subject of hedge planting is one of much importance, and is calculated when carried out to exercise a beneficial influence on agriculture, by breaking the sweep of drying and cold winds over cleared districts under cultivation, by affording shelter to live stock, and to crops, and also lessening the amount of evaporation from the soil in summer time. It is deserving the attention of our legislators, and no amendment to the Fencing Act will be complete that does not make some provision for enabling those desirous of planting hedges to do so.—Melbourne “ Leader” AGEICULTUEAL. Lord Belrnore (Governor of New South Wales) with an admirable desiro for the advancement of the colony, has endeavored to assist agriculture through the agency of the University. He has placed, as we understand, the sum of £3OO at the disposal of the Senate for the purpose of drawing students to the chemistry and geology classes by means of annual gold medals-, on condition that an agricultural bearing is given to both these studies. This is a step in the right direction. Considering the teaching ability of the University, it is of comparatively small benefit to the colony, and therefore any additional attraction to the empty class rooms is to be regarded with favor. The feast has been prepared for those who may be regarded as the friends of learning, but the seats being yet unoccupied, the highways and hedges are to be beaten for guests to supply the places of those who, being bidden, have absented themseives on frivolous pretexts. Professor Badham's classical raid amongst the bullock drivers and the shepherds is not regarded as a success, although he describes himself overborne by correspondence. We hope for better tilings from Lord Belmore’s decoy whistle. It can scarcely be expected, however, that any startling result will bo obtained by the offer of one or two gold medals every year. It will not occasion a rush tofilie benches which now listen mutely to the scientific demonstrations of Professors Smith and Thomson. Two or three students probably may be added to the little band of physicist now assembled round the feet of their masters; scarcely more. But this gain is not to be scorned. The day of small things bears the seed of hope. Two men instructed in the application of chemistry to the management of the land and the cultivation of plants, this year, means four men drawn to the same studies the year after—“ for knowledge grows from more to more”—and when one man perceives that it is useful to his neighbor in the matter of money making, lie is anxious for it, and his anxiety is infectious. Still, we should like to have seen the Senate meet Lord Belmore in'his desire to give colonial agriculture the advantage of science, by something wider and better than this.

Is it too early to establish a chair of Practical Agriculture ? This colony more needs direct instruction in the theory and practice of agriculture than the mother country, where agricultural colleges, and agricultural professorships in the Scottish Universities are numerous. Farmers and graziers have there the benefit of traditional knowledge—handed down from father to son, the children generally following the occupation of the sire. Put here there is for the most part no such knowledge to hand down. The occupants of the land generally got their bread in other vocations, and to farming, or to pastoral occupations, under a general impression that any fool could manage a farm or a flock of sheep. They have, therefore, had to fight their way, and

build up their experience, and as yet this experience is too crude to be of much value to those who follow, man who has acquired a familiarity with the principles of good husbandry in Great Britain, needs to ascertain how to apply them successfully to novel circumstances in Australia ; and if this knowledge is desirable for him, how much technical experience does he need who adventures upon an occupation with which he has no previous acquaintance ? In America they have long seen the advantage to be gained by agricultural schools and colleges. Instead ot allowing those who have the care of the land entrusted to them to gain their knowledge slowly in the school of experience, they have provided that every one, before entering upon a farm, should bo informed of the principles summarised from the exprience of the best agriculturists of the world, and lef t to make such applications of the same as might appear suitable. Every step therefore has been a step onward ; for farmers who could not go to college were pursued by the Government with publications, telling them plainly what had been done—not only in Europe but in their own country, by the most skilled of their compariots ; so that the active producers of the country might be prevented from wasting their energies by treading over old and abandoned ground. This diligent out pouring of knowledge on the farming community has been attended with marvellous effect upon the exports and wealth of the country. No money has been better invested in the United States than what has been spent in founding and endowing schools for teaching agriculture, and we may be assured that a great and beneficial change would soon be observable in the management of the laud of New South Wales, it similar means were taken to instruct those who are sucking at it for subsistence.

If the objections urged against the creation of agriculture at the University be valid, the object might be obtained probably in another manner, and at less expense. For instance, let us suppose that six gen* tlemen reputed for practical experience of such topics, undertook to deliver a short course of lectures, the first on Cattle, the second on Sheep, the third on Horses, the the fourth on the Principles and Practice of the Cultivaton of the Soil, the fifth on the Tine, the sixth on the Sugar cane. Suppose, also, that each set of lectures occupied a month—or, which might be better, because the demand on the lecturers’ time would be less—and that the entire course was completed in six or three months as the case might be. We should here have a system well adapted to our circumstances, and well within means acquirable by the Senate of the University. There would be much difficulty in obtaining a single lecturer to treat with equal ability all these subjects ; but we should have no difficulty iu obtaining men perfectly able to communicate sound and useful instruction respecting each one to a class of attentive listeners, or in remunerating them suitably for their trouble. Five hundred pounds a year would defray the whole expenses ; and were the Senate to undertake the liability they might rely upon one or two hundred a year from the Agricultural Society, a grant from the Government, and probably a special endowment from some approving colonist. — “ Sydney Mail.” AMATEUE FAEMING. Let a writer in a newspaper point out the defects in the course of operations pursued by 7 practical” farmers, and he is instantly assailed as a mere theorists who cannot possibly know anything of agriculture because, be never turned a furrow, perhaps, in his life. A better appreciation of the exertions of amateur farmers seems at length, however, likely to obtain among our practical men. Without mentioning the thousands of amateurs who are embarked in agricultural pursuits in the United States, and who are, notoriously, amongst the most successful farmers iu that great agricultural nation, we need but refer to the example and writings of Mr Mechi, of Tiptree farm, in England, in illustration of our position that the class, of whom lie is a distinguished representative, have done more than any other to advance agriculture to its present condition of comparative perfection. Mr Mechi not long ago was in busines as a merchant in London, and having realised a fortune by successful business enterprise, lie retired to the country and started farming “ for love of the life.” As an amateur farmer his success is, we believe unparalleled. Out of a small farm of 170 acres he states that he realises £2,000 per annum, clear profit, in the worst seasons ; while in the seasons of 1868-69 he is said to have netted £6,000. He is one of those who have experimented most largely in improved systems of culture, and with the modern inventions of agricultural implements. In fact he may be said to have started an era of innovations upon the old time honored systems of agricultural operations —of innovations whose tendency is to increase tenfold the productive powers of the soil.

The question, how will farming pay? has often been asked, and the answer has

always been and is still “ that the success of the farmer depends upon his having the command of capital, and the way it is ap. plied.” The following remarks taken from the ‘ Canada Farmer,’ will be found applicable to this province :—“ The great evil with the majority of them is that they seem to consider that their land is their capital, and so endeavor at the very commencement of their career to invest every pound they posses, and often a little more besides, in the purchase of a farm leaving themselves with nothing but their labor with which to carry on the operations of the farm, often at the risk of having to run into debt to an extent that all the earnings of a half stocked and negligently cultivated farm can never pay for. Thus matters go on until the farmer finds his land yearly getting poorer, himself getting worn out with hard work, and his debts accumulating to such an extent that he has to sell off his stock, often his farm, and move to some other location. Probably more than half the farmers of this country find that after paying their laborer’s rates the cost of supporting themselves and their families, they have little or nothing, left to lay by, and are often obliged to sell the productions of their farms just as soon as they can be sent to market, bo the price what it may. Now if a farmer would be contented with just as much land as, after paying for, he would have left sufficient capital to stock properly, and with good stock, purchase the best labor saving implements, and still leave a reserve to fall back upon should crops fail or prices rule low in the fall, and at the same time to be content to work his farm so as to keep it in good heart, looking rather to the future than the immediate realisation of present profits, he will find himself getting in a better position year by year, and as his capital increased from being judiciously laid out, he would be able to make many improvements that should add greatly to the value of his farm.”

Meat-Preserving,— The “ Argus” of the 15th reports :—Some tins of meat preserved by the New Zealand Meat-preserving Company were opened for inspection on board the s s. Eangitoto, at the Australian Wharf, yesterday. They had been brought over from the company’s works at Timaru, Canterbury, by Captain Mackie, for the purpose of getting an introduction to the Melbourne public. Three tins were tried,viz., one containing boiled beef, another sheeps’ tongues, and a third kidney soup. The time that had elapsed since the curing was stated to be two years. The whole of the samples were perfectly sound. The quality of the kidney soup was excellent, and calculated, if made known, to cause soup of this sort to sell well in Australia as well as in the old countries, to which preserved -.meats are, for the most part, shipped. The tongues likewise were very palatable. The beef did not pass muster so satisfactorily, having suffered, as is generally the case with cooked beef, from over-cooking. It was wanting in juiciness, and somewhat coarse in appearance, but doubtless it would have looked considerably better if it had not Jbeen cooked a second time, like the tongues and soup, for the purpose of yesterday’s trial. It appears that the New Zealand Company devotes itself chiefly to preserving mutton, for cattle are scarce in New Zealand, while sheep are plenful. It has curing works at Woodlands in Southland, and at Kakanui in Otago, as well as at Timaru ; and, as we are informed, exports largely to Europe by nearly every ship that sails from the southern ports of New Zealand. The process employed by them is ihe Aberdeen, and, in the hands of the New Zealand Company, it appears to work effectively, with the exception, of course, which has been pointed out. The Jaeeah Timber.—As the jarrah timber is now being imported into New Zealand, a shipment having recently arrived from Fremantle at Christchurch, we give the following remarks on its qualities, contained in a letter addressed to the “ Argus,” in which the writer says :—“ Sir, —Allow me to inform you that I have had fourteen years bush life in Western Australia, and that I have a thorough knowledge of its different timbers; therefore I can corroborate ’Jarrah JarrahV statement that if jarrah and redgum are confounded one with the other, it will have a great tendency to spoil the trade which is just beginning to exist, for while jarrah is all that your correspondent states it to be, redgum will not stand the attack of insects. Posts of redgum put in the ground for fencing or other purposes will not last above four or five years unless the bottoms of the posts are charred; they then will stand a considerable time longer, but jarrah posts will, to my certain knowledge stand, twenty years, and then, to all appearances, be as sound as the day they were put down. J. B.”

Australian Mutton. —At a recent weekly meeting of the Botheram Board of Guardians, a letter was read from Dr Hardwicke, who had been asked to give his opinion as to the quality of a sample of Australian mutton, whichfoodtheßoard appeared inclined to adopt for the consumption by the paupers in the house. Dr Hardwicke reported of the meat that, having tasted it, he considered it to be very good, and of satisfactory quality. It would, however, be necessary to use the meat when first opened, as it would not keep long in a state of preservation after being exposed to the air. The Admiralty have, we are informed, lately purchased 200,000 pounds of preserved meats from the Melbourne Preserved Meat Company, and it is expected that a further supply of 70,000 pounds will be required for the naval service,