WAIEIVI.

Southland Times, Issue 667, 8 May 1867, Page 3

WAIEIVI.

The returns for over twenty farms in thia district were obtained, showing the acrage, the discription of crop, and the expected result of thrashing, will supply an idea of the capabilities of the distriot. The farms that may have been omitted being of a similar discription of soil it may be assumed that the results will equal the general average. The country embraced in what I have termed &c Waikivi, extends from the Waihopai to the Makerewa Bridge. The estimated average of wheat is as near as possible 33 bushels to the acre. Out of the twenty returns there is only one as high as 40 bushels, and only three so low as five and twenty, eight are down at 30, two at 35, and the other six have not grown wheat this season. The oat crop will average 37, the highest return being 45 bushels to the acre, and lowest 25. The potatoe crop will average 13 tons to the acre, and the turnips are expected by the growers to yield from 30 to 35 tons to the acre. The acreage of the holdings varies from about 50 to 740, there are two as small as 50, eleven between 80 and 100 ; two over 150 ; and seven varying from 160 to 740.: STATEMENT. Land occupied ... ... ... 8525 acres. Under crop : — — — Wheat... 165 acres. Expected yield, 33 bshls Oats 509 „ „ „ 37 „ Barley 7 „ „ „ 80 „ Potatoes, 62 „ „ „ 13 tons Turnips...24 „ „ „ 80 „ Eng. grass, 655 „ „ „ — „ Gardens, &c, 40, i „ „ — „ Total acres ... 1362 Land in preparation orpastorel, 2163 Acres 3525 Thus it will be seen that from twenty farms in this small district a very large yield of grain &c, has been obtained. Taking the average given as correct, and I am assured by the most experienced growers that they are under rather than over the mark, it gives the following quantities : — . Wheat 5445 bushels Oats ... 18,832 „ Barley ... 210 „ Potatoes 806 tons Turnips (about) 840 „ N The grass land being intended for grazing purposes, its value can be only estimated by the number of sheep that can be kept on each acre. I have been informed .that a well-grown English grass paddock will keep four sheep to the acre. This I think an over estimate. It is possible that on unusually rich land, deeply ploughed and pampered that sucn might be the result, I but upon the whole I do not think that more can be calculated upon than from 2to 3. Taking this estimate, the improved pasturage, included in this statement would afford the farmers alluded to sustenance for 1387 on an area of land that Knar-its' natiTe-state-.w.ould not. carry, more. than 300 or 400. The grain in this district is very good, dry, and of more than average sizes. The running of the Oreti Railway will be a great advantage to the settlers in this district, as the distance to the station is short, and I understand that a Mr Young is about erecting an extensive flour-mill, in close proximity to the terminus. The settlers in this district are highly satisfied with the result of the harvest. I did not hear any complaints except with reference to the scarcity of labor, the low price at which farm produce was being sold, and the want of roads. The scarcity of labor, however, was the topic most frequently alluded to. One settler remarked "the market for produce is so limited that with bvlo\ a harvest as this year's, it becomes overstocked and grain falls to so low a figure that with the present high wages required for labor, it leaves but little margin for profit. If labo? was plentiful, there would not be a finer or more profitable farming country in the world than Southland." This sentiment though not in the same words, was very generally expressed .throughout the district. A good deal of fencings work is going on; and. from what I could learn, a very large increase next year may be expected in English grass land, and also in barley. This district is well watered, it is flat, slightly undulating, with fine soil, belts of bush, and possesses good faculties for drainage.