LESSON FROM.THE PAST

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1545, 30 May 1882, Page 4

LESSON FROM .THE PAST

In the columns of this journal we have repeatedly directed 'attention to the folly of fanners— especially the possessors of small holdings— relying too much on any one particular description of crop. The disastrous effects of the continuous norwesters which prevailed in January last demonstrated with terrible force the soundness of our arguments in favour of a mixed system of farming. It is impossible to estimate the actual loss to the country caused by the winds to which we referred in a former article, amounting in many instances to more than half of the whole crop. Nor does the loss end here, for we have to take into consideration the plant food which has been drawn from the soil, &c, for which the country will be received no equivalent. Grain must for some time form the staple product of the farm ; at least until the shipment of meat becomes as regular a trade as that of wool and grain. In the meantime the holders of small farms would do well to consider the matter of auxiliary crops. i Much lias recently been written on the subject of European flax, and we feel sure that the growth of this crop offers facilities for realising handsome returns. The climate and soil are admirably adapted to its growth, and the large demand for twine required for the twine binding machines creates a local market for a very large quantity of fibre — quite as much as we are likely to produce for some time to come. With the opening up of this industry would follow that of the manufacture of linen fabrics, as has proved the case witli wool. No country can be regarded as really independent, of other countries, unless it pioduces not only all the food, but also all the clothing material ot consumers. It docs not redound much to our credit that as yet so little has been done towauls developing the manufacture of sugar from beets ; oils, such as linseed, nipe, colza, &c, and flax and similar fibies. One reason why these have not yet become important products of our agriculture is,, because the farmer cannot convert the raw material into a saleable product, because that by so doing it involves the expenditure of considerable capital in nitichinciy and skilled labour, and the processes by hand are slow anil of course costly. It is folly to expect the farmer to produce raw material of any kind, unless he can be assuied of finding a market for the same when produced. Capital is now abundant in the colony and seeking investment in every direction. It appeais to us that the present condition of things is favorable for the establishment of some one or two of the above-named industries, and the one for which we .seem i ipest is that of the manufacture of twine and fabucs fiom the European Ihix, also linseed oil and cake. Hitheito the groat obstacle to the profitable culture of flax has been the expense of piepaiing the iibie foL market, which at our piicc of hand labor A\ould have made the i.iw matciiiil too costly. Every invention that tends to diminish this labor 13 of the gieate&t importance to the agricultuie ot the country. It is ■with no little satisfaction we have rend of the successful working of a flax-dressing machine invented by the American Fibre Company, of Philadelphia, which breaks .nid scutches the flax at one opciation, in the mo^t rapid and complete manner. The opciation is as thorough as it is lapid. The inventors of the machine .no very enthusiastic lespecting their machine ami its effect upon the agriculhue of the country, and when they assert that the machine " bids fair to gi\ c a new history to the whole business," lcfcrring to flax growing, •we cannot think them extravagant. Our Yankee cousins are quite right ; they have no idcaof allowing other countries to derive the benefit arising from an industry within their own reach. Is this to be our position, or are we to continue to send our hard cash out of the country for an article we could so easily produce ourselves — viz,, twine ? It is by no means necessary that every flax grower ihoulcl hare one of these machines. A single machine in each flax-growing district wouldsufiicc. To those whonowgroAvflax for seed the machine would be found of great value, as by proper care in handling they may get a crop of fibre as well as one of seed. A crop which has i cached a uniform length of 2ft. Gin. will pay for pulling. The American plan of devesting the stem of the seed boles, is by cutting oft" the few inches of the seed-bearing portion of the tops w ith a hay or straw-cutter having a single lever knife; the stalks are then ready for rotting, or dew setting in the usual manner. Or the straw may be stacked, and if carefully thatched, will remain perfectly sound for yeais. It is also claimed for the machine referred to that it will prepare hemp fibre as well. "We so thoroughly believe in a diveisified agriculture, that we gladly welcome any improvement that will allow our farmeis to add to their crops another which may be grown with profit, thereby diminishing the risk entailed by the too large growth of any one particular ci op. If the heavy losses which have been experienced by the farming classes this year in the loss of so great a percentage of their cereal crops, has the effect of inducing them to direct their attention to other means of income in the shape of a mote extended growth of gieen crops, grass, and economic plants, the grain will ultimately bo great to the colony.— ll'ti hlij Z'/m,

Hotiut, (liikelky said that a man who paid more for &toie rent than for advertising was a fool. Lord HusKiXEhadarcgularform of reply to those who wiote to him soliciting a subscription, and the fom' was this : 'Sir I feel much honoured by your application to me, and I beg to subscribe (here the leaf had to be turned over) tnydelf your very obedient servant. Kr&kine.' TIIK HAITY AOTHOROF A FAMOUS HYMN. —Andrew Young, author of 'There is a Happy Land ' and other hymns and poems, now residing in his native city of Edinburgh, writes to a New York friend under date of January 2oth : ' Shakespeare's birthday, 23rd April, is mine, and the year 1807. lam thankful, to be able to state that my health is still good, and that I have all the spring and vigour of twenty years ago. We have had Moody and' Sankey'here for two months, and their labours have been greatly blessed. Mr Moody told me my hymn was sung in almost every church in America.' The new pure cash system now being initiated by G. and C. _ will certainly prove a benefit to the' public. , It has been' a great success in Sydney and Melbourne, and when strictly parried out the customer who buys at an establishment, where the goods arc marked low to ensure a rapid sale must be a croat gainer. G. and C. selj their drapery, millinery, and clothing at such prices for c.ish as gives the buj cr the advantages of a shareholder in a co-operative society, without the risk of bqing called upon to bear aportion of the loss should the j ear's business prove unsatisfactory. Garlick and Cramvcll will aim to retain the confidence which the public have hitherto shown tliom, and are determined to, give the pure, fcash r syst»m a fair trial; whether theygainorlbse''the'first year Country buyers on remitting 1 cash withordcf will be supplied with goods at co-onejatvc prices ; just the same as though thev'mado apersonalselection. Furnishing goods, such, as carpets, floor cloths, ( bedste.ids, beqding and general house furniture, the largest portion of wnifch is turned out at our owji factory, willbe marked at t thc^owest renunciative prices, and a,discount of five per cent.* will be allowed to'those'vvho pay nt the time ofpUrchase. G.'Sahd C. having; reihsed the entire value of their stock during their, late cas,h fcale, the present stock is NB WAND cmfAPLY bough is— iYn inspection -invited.— Garlick and CRANwrrx, City Hall Furnishing Arcado Quoori j street, Auckland, |