No. III. THE NEW RIVER DISTRICT.

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

No. 111. THE NEW RIVER DISTRICT.

In continuation of my report, and entering upon a new district, it may be as well to 6et forth the boundary. In the Jast letter I came ,to a close at the Makerawa. The country comprised in the New River- district extends from that rive? to the Wairaatuka Creek. From this epat, the country though much resembliog that .rawed tiu&ush, beegffi.6.3 mQr« \jßd^^egi t^9

ridges being more marked, and the depression in the flats more conspicuous. The belts of bush also increase in number and extent ; the land for the most part is better the further we go ; and paddocks of English grass, well stocked with superior bred sheep, become a feature. Here we found farming on a large scale being carried out with energy — farming of the best best description, the combination of agricultural with pastoral operations. Most of the farms ranked among the list of cultivation English grass and turnips, intended for winter feed for sheep, and although the stock at present depastured is not sufficiently extensive to call for special notice, it is worthy of note that a strong disposition is being evinced by the settlers in this district to breed first class Leicester etaep in connection with agriculture. The" holdings here" are larger than in the Waikivi, the land under cultivation greater in proportion to the number of holders, and the average slightly in excess of the adjoining district. To continue the course adopted in my last letter, I have taken twenty returns out of the number obtained in the order in whi^h they were collected, from which I have compiled the subjoined ! table. In considering these approximate returns, the reader must be careful not to take them as representing the whole of the land under cultivation, or the produce raised. These letters are intended to show the description of the country, the nature of the crops raised, and the estimated quantities of each article produced. The number of farms in this district is far in excess of the figures worked from, and I think that the actual produce of the district is double what the table gives. The land throughout the whole district is of a like character, being rich undulating flats and fine dry ridges. There is a considerable quantity of land that is not under cultivation ; there is, however, a large amount of preparatory work going on — fencing, &c, — and most of the present residents express a desire to enlarge their holdings upon the sale, of the season's crop. The wheat in thi3 part of the Province is fine largo grain, the oats superior to other seasons, and potatoes large and solid, but the yield has not been above the average, the turnip crop heavy. The returns show : — Land occupied , ... 4457 Tinder Crop :-^— Wheat ... ... 305 acres Oats... 705 „ Barley ... ... 19 „ Potatoes ... ... 75 „ Turnips ... ... 65 „ English grass, clover &c, 482 „ Garden — Fruit, vegetables, &o, ... 60 „ Total cultivated . ... ... 1911 „ not „ ... ... 2546 — 4457The average yield in these returns show nearly 37 bushels of wheat to the acre ; there is one 55, two at 50, one at 45, nine from 33 to 35, three at 30, and five at from 25 to 30. The average of oats to the acre is 43 bushels, two expect 60, three 45, ten 40, and five from 33 to 35. I believe that this is a fair estimate, the high figure of 60 may be a little above the mark, but they are from farms in a high state of scientific cultivation. The potatoe crop appears to have varied considerably in the district, the estimates oscillating between 16 and 8 tons to the acre, the general average is 10£ tons. The English grass is remarkably fine, and the turnip crop excellent, 40 tons to the acre. I could not obtain a decided opinion as to the number of bushels of barley likely to be thrashed out, but the opinion was more than once given that 40 bushels might be expected. The following will show the probable produce of the farms alluded to : — Wheat 12,285 bushels Oats 30,315 „ Barley ... 760 „ Potatoes 787 tons Turnips ... 2400 „ The planting of English Grass will enhance the productiveness* of this district. It is a low estimate to allow three sheep to the acre, with a very few exceptions. It may here be mentioned that one item though not exactly correct to be classed as agricultural produce, should be noticed. I allude to pigs. It may be estimated that taking the whole number of farms there will be an average of five pigs, besides other farm stock. The district of which the above is a notice terminates at the Waianiwai, the boundary of the New River Hundreds.