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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5010, 14 April 1877, Page 2

In the last number of the New Zealand Gazette issued a return is given of agricultural statistics of the provincial district of Wellington in February, 1877. The return shows the number of holdings to be 2210, made up as follows :—Freehold, 1459; rented, 553 ; part freehold and part rented, 198. The llangitikei-Mana-watu districts show up well in this list, whilst the number of freeholds in the Wairarapa is nearly double that of any other locality named. In connection with this, however, it may be remarked en passant that the figures given for Rangitikei, and consequently for the provincial district, must be considered as liable to a slight alteration, as it is still doubtful whether the collector for Marton has taken account of the full number of holdings. The extent of land throughout the district broken up, but not under crop, is 3709 acres. In wheat, acres sown for grain only, 2126; the estimated gross produce being 54,386 bushels. In oats, acres sown for green food or hay, 20311- ; for grain, 6754 Jr acres, _ the estimated gross produce of grain being 156,367. In barley, the number of acres sown for grain only amount to 263 h; estimated gross produce, 6311 bushels. In hay, 5690|, the estimated gross produce from which is 9030 tons. The number of acres in grasses, after having been broken up, including such as in hay, is estimated at 97,431:}, and 474,202} acres of grass sown lands not previously ploughed, in-

eluding such as in hay. The produce in potatoes is estimated at 8760 tons, from 1328| acres. Finally, in other crops the return shows that there, are 674 J acres ; the total number of acres under crop, including sown grasses, amounting to 584,8111 acres. The increase in the crop produce for the year 1877 is shown to be as follows :

In barley the return shows a decrease for the year 1877 of 10,464 bushels, but the increase in other directions is very marked, and is no doubt attributable to the fact, of which we are daily obtaining fresh and convincing proofs, that the Rangitikei and Manawatu districts are admirably adapted for agriculture. We may also note that the amount of barley grown in the Rangitikei District, as shown by the return before us, exceeds that produced from any other locality in the provincial district, the estimated gross produce being 2684 bushels, the Wairarapa coming next with 2310 bushels ; and, Wanganui, 1016. Thus it would seem that the return is one upon which we have a right to congratulate ourselves, as indicating no inconsiderable amount of progress in an allimportant industry in every country.

1876. 1877. Increase. Wheat, bushels .. 27,386 54,386 27.000 Barley, „ .. 4341 6311 1970 Potatoes, tons 0038 8700 2722