VICTORIAN AGRICULTURAL RETURNS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5142, 15 September 1877, Page 5 (Supplement)

VICTORIAN AGRICULTURAL RETURNS.

The Argus gives the following analysis _ of the agricultural returns for the year ending the 31st March last. It says “ A reference to the figures which appear in another column will show that settlement under the existing land law does not progress as desired by those who advocate the alienation of the public estate at a merely nominal price. The increase in tile number of holdings is put down at 191/, but, judging by the last land report, this cannot represent the increase in the number of fresh selectors, unless the demand for land has very much fallen off since the date of Its publication. The inference of course is that many people who have taken up land under the favorable conditions offered by the State have found agriculture an unprofitable occupation, and taken tho earliest opportunity of transferring their properties to persons alreody in possession of landed estates. The total area of land in occupation for agricultural and pastoral purposes at the end of the period named was 13,639,2-15 acres, of which 12,702,051 acres were enclosed, and 1,201,105 were under tillage. The figures for the previous twelvemonths were 13,081,233, 12,105,107, find 1,126 831 respectively. It will bo seen, then, that the area under tillage in the year 1876-7 was greater than in 1875 6 by 104,271 acres. The total extent of country under wheat shows an increase of 80,016 acres, but the increased return only amounts to 300,816 bushels. Other grain crops, with the exception of peas and beans, show a considerable falling off. On the whole, the grain-crop account stands thus—the land employed was greater than during the

previous twelve-mouths by 66,096 acres, but the return was less by 387,534 bushels. Whether this result-was owing to the dryness of the season or a bad system of husbandry it is impossible to say. Probably both causes iiad something to do with the diminished yield, for there is no doubt the past year has not been a favorable one for agriculture, while the system of Australian farming is for the most part one that must lead to a gradual exhaustion of the soil. The acreage under green and forage crops (with the exception of hay) has increased considerably, while the cultivation of “ other crops,” such as tobacco, fruit, Ac., has also been carried on on a larger scale. The area given up to vines was less by 306 acres, while the decrease in the yield of wine (273,412 gallons) shows a great falling off. We believe, however, that this season will show a fair vintage. There is a large increase in the Brea laid down with permanent artificial grasses and dedicated to the production of fodder plants, such as lucerne, vetches, &c., and from this we gather that the small holders are rapidly coming round to the opinion that the system of constant cropping is a mistake, and that to make farming pay they must combine grazing with agriculture. Probably better results will be obtained when the novices have gained a little experience.