AGRICULTURAL PROSPECTS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2279, 14 November 1891, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL PROSPECTS.

All whose business takes them about the country must have noticed the very promising condition of the crops, which, taken as a whole, look better than for many previous years. The area under wheat is very largo, and the returns from this district, provided that farmers are favored with line harvest weather, cannot but exceed the average. Various causes have conduced to the sowing of large areas. Last season the grub played havoc with a great deal of g rass land, and much destined for grazing purposes has had to be re-ploughed. Again, the light crops on some of the land last season took so little out of it that farmers were justified in cropping again ; and, lastly, the shortage all over the world ottered the promise of better prices than we are usually . favored with. Oats have not been sown to any great extent, and this cereal should, in the early part of the year, before the Southland returns come in, command a fair figure. Of barley there is very little. Although much of this district is admirably adapted for this crop it is a difficult one to haryest properly, mid it meets with an uncertain demand. Of potatoes there will again be a considerable area, many farmers availing themselves of the cheapness of seed, and trusting, perhaps, to the doctrine of chances, by which it is improbable that there should be two unprofitable seasons. The Waitohi Flat district presents this year a very varied aspect. The winter wheats, if not absolute failures, have been much punished with the grub, whereas the spring wheat has done remarkably well, and promises heavy yields. Messrs Orr <fc, Co., M. Moore, Smith & Stickings, Simpson, and others, have healihylooking crop, and wheat upon tho

Rangitira Downs chilled with lime is looking remarkably well. Milford, as usual, is well to the front, the crops, with scarcely an exception, being first-class. This district could probably hold its own now without more rain. Upon the road to Winchester one cannot fail to remark a wonderful crop on Mr Cliff’s farm. In the paddock adjoining is a crop of self-sown barley, already in ear. Messrs S. Clyne, Twigg, R. Thomas, and E. Lee have all good crops, the latter noticeably so. Mr J. Wareing’s crop on the Springfield estate looks better than last year, when it yielded heavily. Mr McCully, close by, has also a heavy crop, but it is not quite so clean as his neighbor’s. Mr H. Oldfield also has no reason to complain. All that brock between the Winchester and Beach Road and the Orari is carrying much good-looking wheat, and a lot of grain has been sown by Mr Aitken at Smithfield. The returns from land in this immediate neighborhood would be an interesting study, and it would be a capital thing if the agricultural statictics could be furnished in such a way that comparison with other' districts could be made. At present Canterbury returns are lumped together, and local farmers have not the opportunity of exchanging mutual congratulations upon the high results that this district must show. Shearing is now in full swing, and hitherto the weather has been very favorable. The prices do not promise well, but they may mend a little prior to the first sales. If not we may expect to see a good deal scoured and shipped.