THE GARDEN OF NEW ZEALAND.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 305, 19 May 1911, Page 7

THE GARDEN OF NEW ZEALAND.

To the Editor. Sir —l'nder the above heading a letter appeared in your issue of the Kith inst. from ''Pan," a gentleman who, though evidently well acquainted with the classies, is sadly ignorant of the sulijeet lie essayed to write about, viz., Tnranaki farming, or lie would not 1)6 guilty of such gross errors as contained in such statements as "very few of these milking farms grow u flower or vegetable." "selfishness is evidently growing on the farms," ete.. ete. It is generally admitted by those who have any knowledge of such matters that the dairy farmer is the hardest "worker" in the Dominion. The products of his labor has to compete in the open markets ot the world agiinst all coiners, and it is no good their saying they won't work more than eight hours a dav and must have a half-holiday every week. No, they have to work on an average ten hours a day, and I have known them go fourteen or fifteen and even more in the busy time. "Pan" seems to he grieved that they do not devote some of their time to growing cheap vegetables for the citizens of New Plymouth, and is refreshed to hear that a new arrival from England is about to lay himself out to meet, this long felt want. I wish the new arrival every success in his venture, but. it is hardly necessary to point out that if, say ~> per cent, of the Taranaki dairymen, were to follow his example the vegetable market would be glutted, and he would have perforce to turn his attention to "old Spot," who can always be relied upon to make at any rate a living for her owner. "Pan," though doubtless a very useful citizen, belongs to that section of town devotees who imagine that the farmer's life, if not absolutely "all beer and skittles," is on the whole an easy one. However, it is a great pity that one with such evident literary ability should waste it on railing ngainst n class of men who by their persistent and unflagging industry, are in reality keeping the "pot boiling" for "Pan" and all the little pans. The information re drying vegetables is undoubtedly a "good tip," but the assertion following that "fiO per cent, of New Zealand farmers arc professional gamblers" is a little too solid. For want of a better T will reverse "Pan's" nom-dc-guerre.—T am., etc., NAP.