A TE ORE ORE FARM.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 3031, 17 October 1888, Page 2

A TE ORE ORE FARM.

It was ouv good fortune yesterday to be invited to visit a typical farm in this neighborhood, which, though it may not claim to bfi tlifl vory model of a modern pattern farm, is infertility and resources an.admirable example of those properties which have the honor of supporting the population of this Britain of the South, and of paying the lion's share of all )|atcs and taxes, In Wairarapa North, there are, we know, and we are grateful to acknowledge the fact, many substantial farms which are highly productive—few, more so, : perhaps, than the orio we visited' yesterday, belonging to Mr A. W. Cave. This farm contains some six hundred acres of level land within'a ring fence, and if anyone deems a six hundred acre estate a small affair, he has not, like us, walked round it, and.learned to treat such a block with the consideration whiolj it deserves. This particular area, of level plain stretches'from the low To Ore Ore hills on its western boundary for a couple of miles or so towards the higher elevation at Otaliuao, and appears to be about a mile ill width. In the centre of this plain, one gets a sense of space and room, of fresh air and extended horizon, which cannot be realized in the adjacent town. The deep' but sluggish Wangaehu River running in a southerly direction divides ,the farm into two sections. Between this stream and the To Ore I Oro hills is the rich agricultural . land; beyond the river to the east I is the fine grazing land, which is,one , of the marked features of the estate. In tho latter part moro especially i there aro bush clearings , and bush

paddocks which contrast with the almost bowling green surfaco of the land west .of the Wangaehu. Tho homestead .itself is very centrally situated: a,sort of oasis amongst tho big grain and grass paddocks, A commodious two-storey residence is framed with a pleasant garden, and

bordered with a circle of sliado and skelter trees. Just outside, there are the outbuildings, yards, aud other appurtenances essential to the working of a large farm. The garden deserves special notice because it is a little ahead of most gardens in tlio district, and illustrates what an amateur who puts heart into his work cau accomplish. This garden is tonded by Mr Cave's father, with whom horticulture iB evidently a

labor of love. We were a little surprised to find in what might bo regarded as an out-of-the-way spot, an unknown garden, tall rows of peas in pod, big cabbages with solid hearts, new potatoes, the size of hen's eggs, (we brought a sample away for tho inspection of the incredulous), and ripe strawberries. Wo might also dilate on well-trained fruit trees, a good greenhouse, and - skilfully trimmed shrubs, did our space permit ; but it was quite evident that if Mr Cave, senior, well advanced in years as he is, were to take it into his head to propare exhibits for tho Masterton' Horticultural Show ho would make many of our younger gardeners take a second place. Turning back once .more to the farm, wo aro reminded .by the fields -of young wheat that we are on the celebrated Te Ore Ore soil which year

after year produces big harvests of grain without sign of exhaustion or deterioration, The land is essentially wheat land, of a quality to gladdon the heart of a farmer, and this season Mr Cave is devoting a hundred and sixty acres of it to tho crop for whioh it is so . specially adapted. Other crops, however, are not overlooked, at leaßt a hundred acres being reserved for turnips. If wo inspect tho grazing parts of tho estate, we find that Mr Cave runs a hundred head of cattle, between ono and two thousand sheep, and horses enough to stock half a dozen racecourses. There is, liowover, belonging to the same proprietor other grazing ground some threo miles further north on tho Wangaeliu hills, which is also valuable for its excellent pasturage; but on the farm proper there is now a wealth of grass, which defies tho efforts of the stock to keep it down. Tho stock, too, we must not forget to mention, is as good. as the land, the cattlo boing well graded shapely beasts, the slicop carrying big fleoces, and the horses of tho sorb over which racing men rave. Tho farm is now a stud farm, with the superb Fiscatorious as monarch, and at his court are many of tho titled equine demoiselles in our Turf Guido. In his loose box, at homo on Te Oro Ore, Piscatorious, with his shapely form, strong quarters, beautiful head, and satin skin, appears to bo almost a marvel. Wandering through tho paddocks where the mares graze and' tho foalg romp, we havo a oonfused recollection of being introduced to Traducers, Tim Whifllers, Riddlesworths, and other highly related quadrupeds, but as' wo could hot toll ono from tho othor, wo will not protend to individualise the assemblage of blood, bono, and beauty which is now gathered at tho court of King Piscatorious. Wo spont several pleasant hours about the farm and congratulated ourselves upon tlio possession in this district of fertile and productive properties of such a character. After viewing carefully the valuable estate, tho product of fourteen years enterprise and industry on the part of Mr A. W. Cave, we left with a stronger belief than eyer in the resources of this district. Parma liko this are tho mainstay of tho colony and farmers liko Mr Cavo aro its backbone.