WILL THE CULTIVATION OF SUGAR BEET AND MANUFACr TUR EOF SUGAR BENEFIT FARMING AJSD IRADE?

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1431, 3 September 1881, Page 2

WILL THE CULTIVATION OF SUGAR BEET AND MAN UF ACr TUR EOF SUGAR BENEFIT FARMING AJSD IRADE?

This following remarks upon the the above question, are from the pen of an esteemed subscriber in the Te Awamutu di&trict, 1 and on -that account are, worthy of careful perusal :—: — At a time like the present wtien nearlyall our staple, prodnots are selling at almost unprecedentedly, low prices consequent upon the heavy shipments from the South, and an immensely increased production from the large estates i n Waikato, Piako,' Matatnata, ' and elsewhere, thr> question suggests itself, will the cultivation of Sugar Beet, and the manufacture of Sug<ir benefit fanning 1 and trade ? That the old system of farming, that of growing oloyer and fattening cattle and sheep almost exclusively, is no longer practicable every one must admit. It must be equally patent that even with artific il asuatance our old' lands cmpot successfully compete in the production ot meat with tho va*t tracts of virgin land now. being brought' under cultivation m this and other provincial distiict's, and 1 that' the tiin*e has'arrived when to a great extent, the old farms must be devoted to the production of other 'articles Which 'we are now "depending" ""upon others to provide for us. Waikato lands are neitherpoor nor ungrateful, but like moat others require to be broken up every few years. In doirig so it is desirable to adopt the most effectual means, not only to maintain but to improve the present standard of feitility. The selection of crops having this object in view as well as the securing of a good immediate return is of course highly important. In this and other parts of Waikato a considerable area of wheat has been howii this year and should the crops continue to yield a satisfactory return wheat will soon become a staple product. But care will have to be exercised in glowing ceieala on light lands or deterioration will soon be the result. Perhaps 'there is no surer way to prevent this than to grow a precedina: or subsequent root crop with a liberal manuring. As a root growing district Waikato undoubtedly excels, and it is equally certain that turnips or other roots must be grown to cairy stock through the winter and provide beef and mutton for winter and early spring consumption. But would not the cultivation of the beet-root to a considerable extent answer the double purpose of feeding stock and providing material for the manufacturing of sugar? In' France and other countries where sugar is made from beet the farms have more than doubled their stock-carrying capacity since the establishment of sugar manufactoiies. Analytical tests hove shown that W.iikato is particularly adapted to the srowth of beet containing a very hitfh percentage of sugar, much higher than in those countries where it is so extensively cultivated. The especial thanks of the community are due to Mr Chaham for his exertions in endeavouring to establish the growth and nianufarttue of sugar in Waikato. Judging from the rebiilt ot that gentlsman's enquiries there seems but little doubt that Mich an enterprise would prove successful both rijrrioulturally and commercially, and it U to be sincerely hoped that united aud prompt action will be taken by capitalists and farmers to plnnt in this district the nucleus of an industry which at no distant date {•, likely to hold an important position among the manufactures of New Zealand. I believe it requires about h.Uf- , a-million sterling annually to purchase sugar for the pieseut consumption of the colony. That, together with the rapid increase of its population, is a sufficient guarantee of a ready market for all that is likely to bo produced for years to come. Money for investment is said to be plentiful ; *o much so, that capitalists find a difficulty in placing it where tho usual amount of interest can be obtained. Under these circumstances suiely there should be no trouble nor delay in becuring the necessary capital to start ,a venture which promises to yield a roturn fai; in excess of anything hitherto established here. Speculation in native lands is undoubtedly the enterpriso iv which capitalists are most anxious to embark, and money i& always forthcoming for co - operative land - purchasing,'' but the acquisition of vast tracts of native territory, and even the cultivation of large estates by companies or individuals is not sufficient to ensure national prosperity. If New Zealand is to advance as her great resources entitle her to do her trade, commerce, and manufactures must be fostered and developed, oiid, her natural advantages utilised. Excessive production of certain commodities^ without means of export, and non-production, and consequent importation of indispensable articles of consumption, especially when we possess every facility for providing ourselves, is by no means calculated to enhance our' position. Certainly indications of an improvement are not wanting. The freezing and exporting of meat and dairy produce if successful will assist in easing our almost glutted markets of these commodities by enabling the Southerners to find a sale in England for their surplus produce, instead of flooding ours and forcing prices so low as to neither pay them nor us. Then the establishment of sugar ( manufactories in our midsti "thereby providing labor for a considerably increased population, and the 'consequpnt circulation of money .'that is now sentoutofthecolony, together with the provision of a market and at a given price for a crop which , almost everyone can produce, and which is neither exhaustive nor expensxYG, must of a necessity very materially benefit not only the district in' which they r arej2stablishes l|ut the eolonya't large** fl - ' "^

, u-MrTyfiflall; surgeon -ddritist, will visit Cambridge on Monday, the sth instant, and may i be>consulted.at Dr. Waddington's residence. Messrs , H. , E. Cotton and Co. 1 will sell by auction on Saturday next, tbc 10th instant, at noon, the privileges 1 in connedtion with the Cambri'Jgc Jockey Club's Spring meeting.