"THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S AND THE FULNESS THEREOF."

Southland Times, Issue 1658, 5 November 1872, Page 2

"THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S AND THE FULNESS THEREOF."

Sib,— The above-quoted erand motto, which Adorns one of the faqades of the Exchange of the world's emporium, his led ma to cogitate a little of late upon the most momentous questions which concern our agricultural and pastoral interests alike. lam thus led to offer a few crude suggestions for the consideration of those more immediately connected with rural pursuits ; and as the subject is a very wide one, I can only at present tax any space you may allow for my lucubrations by dealing with the auV;j>cb ia 'portions. The first portion I" would like to call your attention to, is the utter want in thi3 locality of any grain trade. * The second portion is the want of any suitable accommodation for the carrying on of the grain trade of this district, in a manner calculated to do Justice to the grain it produces. To these two portions of this very important subject I will meantime confine myself, and with reference to the first, 1 would urge on those engaged in grain-producing pursuits, the importance o f trying, at least, to establish a grain traile, and of abolishing the barter trade in grain whi-_-h has so Ion? existed in thi9 locality. This could sorely be easily done by a joint-acock company with a capital of (-»ay) £5000, and I have little doubt that a company so started woul 1 be liberally dealt with by our local banking institutions. With reference to the second requiremanfc, I would aajgußt the erection of a suitable gi'&naPy, with proper- appliances for the afiiu^nt and" economical storage^ ok grain; cither on producers' or purchasers' account ;' and that such a granary, properly constructed, would pay, is, I believe, proved by the results in every new country, on both sites of the equator, and in every dagi-ea of latitude and longitude known, where grain is grown, and properly cared for. As these two simple headings in this great question may lead some abler pen than mine to deal with the subject, £ leave these fii'3t essentials for the prosecution of a. grain trade to percolate through the bucolic mind ere I venture further on this most momentous question. To the thoughtlul merchant, the contemplation of the possible effects of short harvests in Britain and elsewhere in Europe, the gravity of the question in every aspect will recommend itself as a subject more worthy of the Bravest deliberation tuttn the finding of the best reef of quartz that was ever either seen or dreamt ot. The news by last mail should set us here athinking about what may be the WANTS erg long of those we left behind ua in '* old Britannia* isles." Trusting the importance of the subject may iuduce you to find space for these few remarks, —I am, &c, Cebbal. Invercargill, Ist November, 1872.