ONEWHERO.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 189, 24 April 1914, Page 3

ONEWHERO.

NEWS *ROM CALIFORNIA. Mr N. Cole-Baker forwards some extracts from a letter from a friend in California, who was formerly and for many years farming in Manukgu county. Mr Cole-Baker suggests that readers will be interested in his comparisons between California and New Zealand "1 have been away in the bVremento Valley, where I have lately bought some riverside land which I intend to put into alfalfa (lucerne). The dairy farmers there are keeping three cows for every two acres, and are getting Is 4d a pound for their butter-fat. I am afraid the influx of New Zealand butter, which is coming here to stay, will affect the prices. The butler made here is not to be compared with the New Zealand article; they have tbe material here, but don't Seem to have the knack of working it up. Land in the Sacremento Valley is fetching from £3O to £6O per acre, and glows an average of ten tons of alfalfa hay ta the acre. Being near the river the land is sub-irrigated, and does not require manure. We are on a fruit farm, but the land has risen beyond its true value, orchard land in full bearing fetching up to £240 per acre. We ar«3 feeling the effect of the new tariff already. Wool, sugar and butter are all free. Australia is sending ship-loads of beef which is sold at 2Jd per pound cheaper than local, and New Zealand butter is pouring in. "There is every indication that California will carry prohibition next election. If it does the manufacturers of wine and beer will be in a disastrous plight. Sonoma county, where I live, has about une hundred million dollars invested in the wine industry. There are thousands of acres of vineyards planted in the hills on land that is practically useless for anything else. Most ot thess vineyards are owned by Italians, but the industry affects the whole State. "What prices land is bringing in New Zealand! I can't think how pcopl3 pay such prices and live, pay interest, and use bone-dust. Here we sret land at the 6ame price per acre as land about Fukekohe or Bombay, use no bone-dust and graze one to two cows to the acre. I den't want to crack this country up either; we have our drawbacks. For instance, this winter i 3 the wetteet we have had for five years. It commenced to rain the first week in November and hßs rained on and off ever since. We have constantly Had water two feet deep around the house; fortunately the Hood soon goes down, and 'Joes more good th;«i harm, leaving a sediment six inches deep all over the place. "Thanks for the 'Fukekohe and Waiuku Times' you sent me. 1 am always glad to get New Zealand papers, and would eend you some American ones only I am ashamed U; they are such bundles of trash."