AGRICULTURE.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 125, 1 March 1879, Page 2

AGRICULTURE.

Another week of moderately favorable harvest weather has passed by, during which considerable progress has been made in cutting, stookmg, and stacking ; some amount of thrashing has also been got through with the same result as for-

merly remarked, a smaller outturn than was expected. We hoar of forty and fifty bushels to the acre, but can rind none who have reached f he lower figure in wheat this season, moreover the pickles arc not in general so plump as in former years, but this may readily be accounted for by the very long dry spring and summer, nevertheless it is more than likely the quality of the flour will this year be good. A veiy moderate demand is as yet only to be met with, and for a large lot 3s per bushel at tho country railway stations is the top price, a good many preferring to ship home rather than sell at that price, while buyers on the other hand do not sec a certainty of a fair margin for profit even at that. It is quite clear that farmers must study to be able by the most economical and expeditious processes, both in preparing the soil, and in harvestim: and thrashing, to make their calculations so as to be able to sell with a fair remuneration at 3s : occahigher price may be obtainable, „l>ut tliis should not be reckoned upon. Willi tho prospect of cheap labor, improveme t in husbandry, improved ploughs, &c, and by improvements in reapers, and also, which is possible, improvement and cheaper rates in thrashing, agriculturists ought and must calculate their expenditure in such a way as to enable them to raise wheat at a price to compete with other growers, for it has to be remembered that a much greater breadth is being sown every year, far beyond any increase in the population to consume it in this colony, consequently growers must be prepared to ship at as low a figure as other countries if tlioy expect to lind a market for it. Along with improved husbandly change of seed is an imperitive necessity. It seems a law in nature like produces like ; if thin bad seed is put in bad grain may be expected. As in other departments in the na'uvnl world nature may he improved upon by art, such as in the fruit and vegetable world so it is possible to improve in the grain production, on the Darwinian principle ; strong healthy full grown grain therefore we would, along with a good Yilth, urge upon all who are studying grain growing to study particularly good seed, and when clanged to be taken from a poorer to a richer soil, and from a cold climate to a warmer. We make these remarks now because we are aware that some farmers are a ready contemplating preparing for sowinc winter wheat. The demand for good well-grown fair colored barley continues, anil 4s Gd to 5s can be got for this cereal ior malting purposes, but we repeat the soaeon and the demand may soon take off, anl shipments at lower prices may set in from California and other American ports. Oats are enquired for at 2s 3d, at the lailway station. We repeat that tho priccfor onts is likely to improve as the seasm advances, for it is a fact that a very gr*a! proportion of tho agricultural hind that has boon bought during- the last two years will have to be put under the plough :'n order to bring it into cultivation and crop growing, for even grazing, without a crop, at the low price of wool, will not pay, a-nd some returns from the land if necessary to meet the interest on the .noncy already expended upon it, so it i plain that ploughs must be kept going, aid horses must have feed, consequently tie consumption of oafs \vill be considenble, therefore it is that we feel assured >ats will by-and-hye advance, but it has fa be remembered on the other band thatmoney is not like to be plentiful, and soue who have it may happen to be unwillng to part with it, for it is another faelthat the more valuable any article is he more particular anyone is in handlim it. The old saying the dearer the Hour tie less the weight of the loif holds good in other things, so money being scarce Hid labour dear, caution will be used, tierefnre a very high price for any article should not be expected for the next considerable time to come. Grass seeds re in fair demand at 5s for well grown o second year. The present is suitable weather for sowing rye-grass and clovr before the heavy frosts set in. Stop, cattle arc on the decline, and Avill In lower. Store sheep also will be flat, exept those well conditioned and fit to b fed off with turnips. This class for a the will be in fair demand, as the 'ate lirnips will likely be a fair crop.

Fat cattle ami sheep are at" present, plentiful, and will be for some -time indeed, but, as in former }-eais, as the season advances so will the demand and the price ; but fanners would lincl it more profitable in this as in the other to keep only the very best. A good breed of any sort k) always more profitable than a bad breed, which generally consumes much more food without giving an equal amount for the outlay. As we mean to devote a portion of our space to this subject alone from time to time, we will endeavor to give such information as will convince all who make farming their business that the best !>reed of cattle, as well as of sheep, are the most profitable. Horses are lower in price than they have been for some time, and are likely to be lower, as so much is done by paper transactions in horses," the tightness of the money market will operate against all dealers in horse flesh ; indeed, the horse market, may be said to be a barometer to try the value of money, as it is a fair index of the stare of the*discount market by -which anyone may be able to observe the signs of the times. Taking it altogether, the prospects for either grain growers or wool growers are anything but encouraging. Nothing but an influx of population and a cheapening of labor can give any chance to any class holding their own for the next year or so ; but labor must and will come down. Many thousands will bo glad before long to accept much lower wages, and this will be better even for themselves.