FARMING IN THE FAR EAST.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9043, 19 March 1908, Page 3

FARMING IN THE FAR EAST.

Consul Wilbur T. Gracey, of Tsingtau, supplies the following information concerning agriculture in the . Far East: —"It is reported from I-chou-fu, * purely native city in the • interior of the Chinese province of Shantung, that foreign residents at that place have been trying for many years to introduce the cultivation of white potatoes among the natives, and that the efforts now seem likely —to-be- -successful. It is" said that many of the iiative farmers are raising the vegetable, and that the restaurants on the streets have discovered that the potato will admirably take the place of the more expensive "shanyue," or yam (Dioscorea batatas). It is also said that the dairy started under foreign patronage seventeen years ago now sells more milk to Chinese patrons than to foreigners. It is interesting in this relation to note that hitherto fie Chinese have never used fresh milk to any extent, their cows being kept for field purposes only. Condensed milk has, however, become popular, and is now being used to.a considerable extent throughout the Empire, and it now seems probable that a demand for fresh milk will soon be created. It is state-1 that prominent Japanese propose the establishment of an Oriental colonisation company, primarily to operate in Corea, by sending well qualified and organised immigrants to cultivate the barren land there with the assistance of the proposed Colonial Bank. At the same time the company would co-operate in assisting native Corean farmers. Prince Ito and other influential personages are said to support the enterprise. It is proposed to carry it out for one year."