FARM INSPECTION.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 623, 18 May 1876, Page 2

FARM INSPECTION .

The following is tin ro~< \niU.v propose'! by 111- If kits ad tljo Is I.'1 .' in .'.iU o ' oi the Faiuioj.', Club, C'inb.Ki.3'. Mr .Titusi dk^t «\ s d ('•, r \ uv ; r /. v ; — In accord inco wir.li tho j.i'ticii [uitii .-ifc out List meeting, 1 hesj to ir, o;>>< -j ;!ic ioliuwing lC&uhitum:— "'Him, 10 i-> tk\sir«ib)o i'< ha\c our f.iniu :uwi:.illy u. M'jjiul .it the beginning- of \vi.,uv Uv t.vo or ti.io. 1 prictic.il mm -wlt'A Vw (A,j v et ot o>»tab!ifl!iu<j principles for «mr jjniddree in ,Hs;i}:ii).^ provision for our sfr'tk in winter, nnl ;iLo iv all branches ol' f-muipg ; an<l ,ii^o tiiar mo'ltls to t'lo v.ilua of l'.J,s <v Jtil should bo g-i\en to Uiu n:obt >succjbf-.ful producers uf tl.c v. i ub.nv. tmlioned : — Tiio be:.t m nnaged f<\im as n, wliole ; the beet pio visi.ni made for fatock. during- tho winter inoutii3; tho best crops with and without. uiH'mru.; ditto turnips, rape, and carrots; iiiifl to most succeasful grower of root* us. a whvltf. Tao best jrivisso»l fairo; tho most extensive, lictlthiost, mul Iwst leapt pldiititijjus of foicot trees, of one, two, an.] thrwj 3'ears growth* re ? pectively, . and a'so for pl.intations of moro tluwi three \oai\s grow ill. For 1 lie laigvsfc and 'best kept orchards of one, two, and three years 1 plantiiijf, and also for those -above that a^-e. The b'jt>t Uid -ont ar«! be.sfc kept' hi)mcstead. The best class of implements. The best quality and yield of wheat, bailoy, and oats ic-spectively, The best class cf horses, cattle, and sheep respectively." I will as brieiiy as possible explain my views iv support of the resolution. I conceive wo have reached a point in the systeua we have been pursuing in managing our farms, which we cannot go beyond without material injury to our stock and to ourselves. We have hitherto been occupied iv h.creasing our summer fowl without giving heed to tho necessities of winter ; but I fc-liiii-k the time has come for to consider by what means we can equalise feed throughout tho year. We •know from experience that, no matter how well our. forms are grassed, they will uot,t oven with -hay, keep our stock as they should be kept. It scorns to mo that one course is clear enough. Wo must make up our minds to do what tho people of every other country similarly situated have to do : we must-supplement our grass and hay by extensively growing rools. In doing so nature has given us every nd vantage. We have a comparatively level country, where labour saving niachiney can bo used to the fullest extent, and a soil well ■suited to growing roots of all kind, one which is easily worked, and can be stocked at all seasons. Tho fact of the roots bcin" eaten where grown without poaching- -the land not only saves a vast amount of of labour in carting them away, but whatever other crop we grow r/e want a reorganised system in preparing for it as being the best known to meot the requirements. Now I would ask, .can wo get feuch knowledge in ti more rational way than by appointing two or three practical men to examine our farms and compare the results of the different modes of culture adopted 1 Take a crop of mangolds, for instauco ; ifc may be doubted if any two farmers in tho district agreo as to what- 1 com si'i of trfatnß-Jifc land of tin same (juilily bhoald go', to iubure the Let

results ; but if it could be shown thafc :m,O'ig all others a ceitain system gave the best crop, should v/e not gain a step in the light direction? I should say the 'Swws, i^eilih to the value of 10s or £L for almost everything- that goes to con-t-titif-o ;x firm will h.ivoan exct'llent eifeefc, ?.'! fill will have a. eh mca to come off successfully in something, %?iiitth will lead to keep up a spirit of emnlation, and"v more Gnthu{>ia&tic feeling in our wo:k.