OUR FARMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1918, Page 6

OUR FARMS.

THE FOOD SUPPLIES. SUCCESS AT TORQUAY/ NEW ZEALANDEES IN DEVON'. (N.Z. War Records Section. Military Publicity Department.)

.London, September 11. Yellow autumn lias descended over the rolling downs and wooded uplands of Devon, and the land is yielding up its full share towards Britain's great harvest of plenty.

The New Zealand Discharge Depot farms round about Torquay are amongst the foremost in .prolific results, for tlliose agricultural areas which, with the concurrence of the Pood 'Supply Controllers, we undertook to cultivate, have, in spite of the late start, returned yields beyond expectations. The harvesting operations last week were in full swing, and, where New Zealanders a few months ago toiled behind Uho ploughs and tractors, they are now to be seen working reapers and ibinders, and stocking the bundles of com, or spreading across the fields digging crops of potatoes, and weeding patches of later vegetables. The experiment was a considerable one, but it has proved a success.

Our agricultural activities in Devon extend over 500 acres. This industry is spread over two large areas attached to two of the mansion-like billets our troops occupy in the hill outskirts of Torquay—Daison and Hampton Hall—where mostly vegetables are grown; over thirty acres of a golt links near Torquay; and over two farms a few miles in the country—Heathfield and Lustleigh. In addition, it should he added, about one hundred acres are under hay. Take first ihe work at the billots, Daison and Hampton Hall. Every foot of the several acres here has been made to grow something or ollher —chiefly potatoes, cabbages, lettuce, onions, and other vegetables for jse in the camps and for .sale. Even among the tents, as the cinematograph pictures that have been taken will show, there are cabbage and lettuce beds —it serves the dual purpose of keeping men from walking there, and utilising the spare ground. Tihen, at Hampton, the former occii; piers had built a large hothouse vinery. This had been tended and the soil treated, and already grapes to the value of £l5O have been sold from it, and as much again is expected to be taken from the vines before the season is over. The same excellent results have been obtained witi'.i peaches, apples, cucumbers, and asparagus. At Daison, in one small waste corner of tho vegetable garden, vegetable marrows, and pumpkins were sown, and one thousand pounds weight have been taken from the plants, and 15001b more are expected. With every small marrows selling at sixpence and one shilling each, this patch is a Godsend indeed to the depot. But it is by no means our only inarrow patch. Figs, too, fine luscious ones, thrive at Daison. Over t'Mrty acres of kitchen garden cultivation we have at these two billets, besides which three hundred fowls have been reared, forty rabbits, and a number of pigs. ' Ten ferrets are kept heTo also for tho rabbit catchers on one of the farms further out where bunnies are a pest, and w.'iicrc catching them is allowed by the owners. Large numbers are caught and shot, and they comprise a welcome addition to the rations of tho iflen. And. in addition- to those eaten, about fifty a week are sold to farmers i-ound about and to the people of Torquay. On tho land of the two billets, Daison and Hampton, we have taken vegetables to the value of £IOO HMs year, and it is expected that that amount will be doubled beforo the season is finished. The total profits at the two places will, it is estimated, exceed £250. It employs men healthily, and, most important of all, it provides many with a medium of practical instruction in the latest farming and kitchen garden methods. Soldiers awaiting tlhcir discharge, who were once bank clerks, commercial men. lawyers' clerks, shop assistants, and' others, are amongst the williing workers and learners. How they will apply their knowledge in after years, New Zealand will discover in due time. On the golf links near Torquay town, alreadv referred to, wo have thirty acres of cereals. The golf club supplies the land, seed, and horse feed, and New Zealand provides Hue labor and implements, and the profits will bo distributed after threshing. It is estimated that £2OO will be cleared thi3 yeflr.

HEATHFIELD AND LUSTLEIGH. It is, however, at Heathfield and Lustleigh that the principal farming operations are in progress. In these two places combined there are over 300 acres under cultivation. * Contact is maintained with the two places and the depot bv means of a small Ford delivery van, which delivers the rations and letters and brings; into the depot the smaller quantities of vegetables, and is indeed the general utility medium, a function which it supplements with other depot duties in Torquay. The heavier quantities of vegetables are carried on depot lorries. T>!ie "Director" of farming operations, Captain M'Govan, has also a side-car at his disposal, which is a handy means of making daily "tours of duty" up and down the narrow lanes which'link the farms. As time has gone on a remarkable development has taken place at the farms. During tho last two or three months the cultivated areas have grown considerably. At each of the farms from eighty to a hundred man are now encamped 'in marquees. This saves the neeessitv of going backwards and forwards each dav to tho depot. it is a healthv and enjoyable life for themworkiii" all day on the land, well fed, comfortably bedded, out from sunrise to dark in the open air, wiU fill ine cares of war behind them and New Zealand ahead as soon as there, are the boats—thev thrive and are happy. For, as already'explained, only men mint, iov further active service bv reason of wounds or sickness, are lent to this d Tn'unfit officer from the depot lives at each camp and exercises control, and under each there is a responsible n.co., who attends to, and directs, the farm work'. Discipline in not harassing, but the bchaViour is excellent. Onlv men with "ood records are sent to the detached farms. In summer the meals are served in a marquee under over-spread-inn* trees, and back' behind the tent stretch natural green avenues between ; the trunks, -where on the mossv ground the carts, T>lou<rhl and other farm implements afo stored. What better life UouM men desire? 'And they work, ■mfiiii if iilii iir tiir iimlrrifl-*

condition of the farm arid its surroundings testifies. <

A fair proportion of tlie land had not been cultivated for generations. It was broken, up with the aid of horse teams and motor tlactoivs. The horses and harness are borrowed from the Reuiount Depot. Twenty tine upstanding animals arc employed in this work. We have in agri-motors a Kordson motor plougn of two furrows, and a Cleveland caterpillar tractoi plough (20 horse-power) of three furrows. \Vith horse feed and horse lh'S'h at their present high level it is a most economical way of turning over the soil. In addition there are all other farm implements, harrows, sprayers, etc. lufortunately, the ploughs and harrows available are all of a' light type, and the. following havo fceen ordered from New Zealand:—» Three ploughs, two sets of disc harrows, two F.eis of tine harrows, and two P. and I). Onncan disc ploughs, The English ploughs all have the knife, coulter, and the Xew Zealanders requiro the swivel dm.

The methods employed oy Captain M'Gowan are sometimes a little unconventional in these parts, for instance, in one portion ,of rich soil that had been given over to luxurious growths of fern lie had furrows turned over and potatoes planted in the furrows. The Devonshire "cecities" smiled knowingly and remarked that these rough and ready methods might succaed in New Zealand Tut not in old Devon. "Thou-'lt see!" they prophesied. Now, however, as they watch the "diggers" taking up potatoes as big as two fists their emile has faded away and their eyes stare big and round over the broad expanse.

SOME OTHER ASPECTS. The total area in all the farms under potatoes this year is 200 acres. There are large areas in cereal crops, several acres of cabbages, onions, beets, cauliflowers, turnips, carrots, lettuce, and rhubarb. The yields have all been prolific, notwithstanding the of the start this year. When harvest operations are complete it will ho possible to give the average returns per acre. In one Interesting spot, the old, uncovered soil yielded a grand crop of potatoes, which would have been larger still but for the depredations of park deer.

The Torquay depot quar'/erroaster has "first cut" at the vegetables, and after his requirements are satisfied the quartermaster of the other New Zealand camp hospitals and depots have their call, at market prices. After that the produce is sold on the open market. It in estimated this year, that after all the initial outlay for material, seed, implements, etc., ha? been covered, the rewits will lie very handsome indeed. The ultimate financial results will be given fater.

Tt has been hard and worrying worlc for those in charge, but the outcome, thry state, has moro than repaid them, in nddition, there is the satisfactory feature that it. lias assisted in giving health again to many men, and provided (hem with a, medium for practical fanning experience and education.