SOLDIER FARMERS.

Otaki Mail, 8 January 1919, Page 4

SOLDIER FARMERS.

/NEW ZEALANDERS IN DEVON- | y SHIRE. ? " ,'■'■'.-.'..• London, October- 29. j Heathfield' „ Farm, . VChudlcigh, S. 1 Devon, in the vicinity of Torquay, ! was, a few months ago, given rent free I to the N.Z.E.F. for the benefit of our J men at Torquay in connexion with the cultivation of the land scheme, which ! provides healthy occupation for the . P.U. men while they are awaiting { , transport to New Zealand. If is part of the estate of Lord Clifford of Chudleigh, who from 1576 to 1890 lived in New Zealand, going thence to Tasmania, where he engaged in farming until succeeding to the peerage in 191(i. Oil this farm New Zealand soldiers have harvested and threshed 25 acres of oats, yielding over 40 bushels to the acre. In addition, splendid crops of potatoes have been raised, while the tons of excellent other vegetables grown have been despatched to the_ Torquay depot for marketing. Future prospects also i tire good, and increased supplies will be available for the market.

Altogether, in this part of, Devonshire, embracing Bovey Traeey, Lustleigh, and Heathfield, nearly 500 acres were acquired, most of which had had no record of tillage for over a. century. Much of it was heatherland, with bracken and blackberry brambles securely in possession. But our men tackled it with determination, and when the ground was cleared artd cultivated by motor .tractors, good results began to be apparent. Every satisfaction is expressed with the potatoes that were produced from 115 acres sown, and from the 55 acres of oats. The remainder of the'land has been ploughed 'up by tractors, and prepared for cultivation next year.*. At both places-all necessary arrangements have been made for "future operations. In addition, another SO acres of difficult ground have been put under cultivation by New Zealand soldiers, this time at the Petit Tor Golf links, Tor- . quay, and the extensive gardens attached to the villas acquired through the Government for depot camps have yielded hundreds of pounds worth of profits from fruit and vegetables. Every spacc was planted, and four feet of extra ground was made available bj r removing the overgrowth of hedges. In addition to vegetables and grain, the poultry branch is -making a good start. As each successive batch of men leave for their homes in New Zealand its place is filled by another, made up of men classed as T.Li., awaiting transport. It is remarked that great benefit, lias been obtained in improved health and spirits, while the best- of social relations have been established with the local Devonshire folk. Captain H. R. McGowan, Canterbury Regiment, was appointed Agricultural Officer, and by the beginning of last March the scheme was .in operation, while Major W. ICay. N.Z.R.8., officercommanding at the Discharge Depot, readily concurred when the .suggestion was first made, so that all concerned have every reason to be well pleased at the success which has resulted in the space of merely a few months.