PUKEKOHE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 257, 9 March 1917, Page 4

PUKEKOHE.

(By Our Travelling Reporter.)

Within the Borough boundary on the road to Tuakau are some small and conveniently arranged farms, and a visit to one belonging to and occupied by Mr E. Harris confirmed the fact that a good living can be made out of 25 acres and less. Pleasantly situated close by the road, the white painted house and fences gave a favourable impression to the passer-by, while a walk round the farm, on which some good grade Jerseys are kept, show what can bo done with care and forethought. Three paddocks, comprising 17 acres, are used for grazing, five acres being used for potatoes, and one acre each for maize and oats, the remainder forming a flower and kitchen garden. Off 3i acres of potatoes last year, Mr Harris stated, a return of £250 was secured, the favourites grown being " Northern Star '' and " Gamekeeper." The Jersey cattle are in the pink of condition and are a pride to the owner, who stated that they produced an average of 63£ lbs of butterfat, which is an indication tbat they have been well selected and are miintaining a good record for butter-fat production. Sotne cross bred Tamworth pigs are included in the stock, all of which look as if they are well tended by their owner who recognises that a small farm well cared for is better than one of a thousand acres only partially formed. The salvation of a country after all lies in "a little farm well tilled "

Another welld tilled property is that of Mr J. H. Webb, who has a small yet compact farm adjoining Mr E. Harris on the Pukekohe-Tuakau road He took off a first crop of an acre of potatoes no less than £77, in addition to retaining sufficient for his own household requirements and for seed. The farm and honestead which occupies only 15 acres is well kept and its flower bed of neatly arranged verbenas in gorgeous colouring in front of a well arranged dwelling house indicate that the owner takes an interest in all departments of the soil. Like so many other successful farmers, Mr Webb finds the Jersey—Shorthorn the best allround cow, and when it is mentioned that last year they produced an average of £22 each there is much encouragement yet in dairying on so small an area. For potatoes Mr Webb obtains an average of 10 tons to the acre and although he regards farming now as a semi-retired occupation he still finds it pays. There is often a helpful revenue produced from fruit, and Mr Webb, who has 60 fruit trees (chiefly peach) derives an acceptable source of income from this branch of his garden. In this particular district the soil appears to respond to all the demands made upon it As one takes a final look at " Vauxhall" with its gates and fences neat and trim, the impression conveyed leases a tense of comfort and security. Farming is neither drudgery nor a sporting chance for such like Mr Webb but a pleasure and profit, and his genial smile as he shows a visitor over his farm is some proof that it is at least a joyous health giving occupation.