ON THE FARMS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 244, 3 November 1914, Page 1

ON THE FARMS.

about pukekohe hill NOTEd BY "AGRIUOLA." NO. 2. That thu prosecution of market gardening and ths growing of small crops is attended with signal success, both from tha productive and financial points of view, is evidenced by the fact that season after season growers of repute prosecute this favourite rural industry, and, further, they make the same their mainspring of livelihood. MK ROBEKT BILKEY'S. Amongst the foremost of those on the Hill who annually plant practically the whole or the major portion of their holdings in small crops ia Mr Kobert Bilkey, who, as one of the largest and most successful growers of vegetable products in the Lower Waikato, is too well-known to need any introduction. Of 35 acres owned by him at Pukekohe, Mr Bilkey this season has about 27 undsr cultivation, the remaining 8 acres being in use aa a horse run. In all eome 22 acres have been devoted to the old-time favourite crop of potatoes. The various plots of these are in different stages of growth, and if the vigorous appearanca presented by the haulma is a criterion of the root growth, a splendid yield of tubers should be harvested. The first settings were made early in June, and but for the fact of having been cut down with the black frost experienced just as the plants were breaking through the ground, this planting would have been ready tor digging early this month. Despite the set-back experienced, this portion has latterly come along well, and it was proposed to commence digging the same this week, while digging of the next-planted plots will follow on. Work with scarifier has been rigorously carried out amongst the growing crop, while spraying has been systematically adopted since an early stage ot growth. For this work the ordinary Bordeaux mixture haß been applied, and at the time of my visit 1 cwt. of bluestonc and 3 tins of lime had been used in connection with the operatiuns. .Northern Star and Gamekeeper are the varieties planted. Of the area under potatoes a portion shown me by Mr Bilkey affords an example of the productiveness of Pukekohe land if systematically farmed. Sown with the seed of white Belgian carrots in Novemter, 1912, and given a dressing of 10 cwt. of bonedust to the acre, this plot yielded a 50 ton crop per acre during the following winter. Immediately after being deplotod of tlio carrots the ground was prepared for the reception of onion transplants which were put out in the month of July, only a nominal dressing of manure being applied to tho crop. Tho harvesting of the unions was commenced at Christmas time, tho first consignments realising £'2B per ton. The last of the ciop was taken off in February, and altogether no less than 28 tons was harvested, the area of land which produced the crop being 1£ acres. After being subjected to'a deep and thorough working, the same parcel of ground was planted with this season's early potatoes, which were fast maturing and gave promise of yielding heavily. Pure steamed bonedust constitutes the sole artificial fertiliser used by Mr Bilkey, who has found that excellent results accrue from tho use of this manure. For most crops a dressing of from 12 to 15 cwt to the acre is applied to the ground.

Eetwoen seed-bod and the area taken up by transplants Mr Bilkey has in all four acred of onions. In common svith all other crops about these sadly require rain, but despito the dry conditions experienced the early lots are making a phenomenal growth, and are second to none of the crops seen by me during my detour. Of the first lots 1] ac res are now well advanced, the stalks having attained a growth of from eighteen inches to two feet, and the plants have the appearance of bulbing well and yielding politically. It is anticipated that this lot will be ready for harvesting about tho end of December. Tiio name of the variety Eown is " Straw-colour." Tho appearanco presented by three-quarters of an acre of garlic I looked over left no room for doubt that the cultivation of this somewhat uncommon crop in these paits is thoroughly understood by Mr Bilkey. Planted in the month of April great headway has been made by the crop, the magnificent sight afforded by the mantle of green foliage which completely obscured the rows being one of which even far-famed John Chinaman might well be proud of. The garlic should be ready for gathering early in January. The outlay involved in so extensive a scale of operations is, of course, considerable. Including seed, fertiliser, and labour, Mr Bilkey computed that the planting of this season's crop represented a total of some £-300, an outlay calculated to cause a measure of concern to any grower with the dry atmospheric conditions which, with little intermission, have marked the past three months. Mr Bilkey was optimistic, however, regarding the crops under review, provided good rains soon eventuate.

MR ROBERT BROWNLEE'S. A good growing crop of potatoes, 7 acres in extent, was in evidence on the property of Mr Robert Brownlee. With the exception of half-an-acre of Gamekeepers, the total area comprised the Northern Star variety. Mr Brownlee, who generally grows an extended area of potatoes, favours tho latter variety in prefernce to the former, as from practical experience gained by growing the two varieties in ever since the introduction of both Pukekohe, he has found it possiblo to grow the "Stars" without having recourse to a chango of seed for an extended period of live seasons, while tho Gamekeeper, if grown longer than threo seasons without setting a fresh strain of sood, ho has found to deteriorate in sample. In this respect the two varioties of potates are not, in his opinion, by any means on tho same parallel. As heavy croppers, however, the Gamekeepers were referred to in laudatory terms by Mr Brownlee. His exporicnco is that this variety are most prolific yielders, and planted in the samo lields and under similar conditions he has found tho Gamekeepers to furnish much hoavier results per acre than that obtained from the " Stars." Two season's back half-an-acre of Gamekeopers put in by him yielded some HA tons, or 17 tons per acre. This, too, was a summer planted or autumn seed crop, and tho return was therefore an unqualified attribute to the productive qualities of this variety. This crop was grown by Mr Brownlee on a portion of land purchased by him from Mr Ivan Motion, and now owned by Mr Webb. Mr Brownleo made it clear that ho has also obtained good results from the planting of " Stars." Last year some 30 acres were planted by him with this variety on hi* Pukekohe East property. Altogether about 300 tons were dug, or an average of 10 tons to the acre. On one portion of the area cropped, and comprising 3 acres, a tally kept of the tuber dug disclosed tho fact that no less than -I<3 tons, or 15 tons per acre, was furnished by this plot. The method adopted by Mr Brownlee in carry ir;: > ut work amongst the growing crop during spells of dry weather, such as at present being experienced, is of interest. In the case of the present crop, the plants are well forward, and long past the moulding-up stage, but at tho time of my visit the work was still being loft iu abeyance. The owner stated that owing to the dry conditions he had elected to leave the crop unmoulded, and he did not propose carrying out the work until a soaking rain should eventuate. Leaving tho crop simply scarified or at the most

flat-moulded, allows of an opportunity of any slight moisture which may be oxpeiienccd to leach the potato leaders and roots, whereas if moulding-up has boon done, a slight fall of rain would almost certainly not penetrate the moulded earth, and thus the roots would still not have obtained any benefit. Again if tho soil is left scarified or flat-moulded should only a moderate fall of rain bo experienced, and the moulder is got to work before tho moisture dries out of tho soil, moulding is thon calculated to retain such benefit as may have been derived by tho plants. Under favourable weather auspices lie would not defer moulding up, but under existing conditions he is convinced that the woik is best left alone. MR F. JAGUSCH. Amongst others who of recent years have come from Aucklaud and other parts to Vukekohe whore they are residing in letirement, is Mr F. Jagusch, who took up a portion of the Winchuiore estate. Although a city man, it is quickly apparent that Mr Jagusch takes a live interest in matters peitaining to horticulture and agriculture, Ideally situated, and with delightful environs, a beautiful and attractive garden home is fast being got into i>rdor by the owner. In addition to maintaining a well-kept ilower and vegetable garden, Mr Jagusch also cultivates tho early field crop of tho Hill potatoes, and this season he has devoted some six acres of his parcel of land to the crop. Three acres of these planted the second week in June were ready for digging when I callod upon Mr Jagusch, and it was his intention to have the work carried out last week. The remaining three acres were planted at the latter end of September. Gamekeepers were used in both settings, and the early lot had matured splendidly.