WHAT SHALL FARMERS GROW? TO THE EDITOR.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1594, 21 September 1882, Page 2

WHAT SHALL FARMERS GROW? TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — It is gratifying to see the vitality of the agriculturists of Waikato in trying with energy to secure more profitable markets for their produce. It is useless to grow what we can only sell at a loss. Impressed with the advantageous prospects which the export of frozen and butter opened to agriculture, early last year I made it my business in Australia to get the most reliable information. On my return, by request of Mr* W. C. Buchanan and myself, o^er 40 gentlemen from all parts of New Zealand met in Wellington, under the presidency of the Hon. G. M. Waterhouse to consider the subject. Messrs Beetham, Buchannan and myself, were appointed to investigate and report, and my letter as chairman of sub-committee appeared in several of the Southern papers, and subsequent events have fully confirmed the correctness of our report. In addition to the numerous paragraphs appearing in the papers, I have many private letters, all tending to confirm the opinion that a new and vast source of wealth has been opened to the colony. One friend writes trom Canterbury :—": — " I have got double the price for 1000 wethers from Home I could have got here. I daily expect returns for another 1000, and I have 16,000 fat on turnips ready to go. No more grain growing for me, for sheep pay far better, and improve the land instead of impoverishing it like grain growing." This being so in Canterbury, so peculiarly suited to cereals, and not to compare with much of our part of the colony for grass and roots, it seems a mistake to work against nature, and to force grain growing here. I had 1400 sheep and 50 head of cattle kept most of this winter on 64 acres of turnips, new and rough land, and were I to put the same again in turnips there would be double the crop. The sheep and cattle are all fat, and besides improving this turnip field the sheep have killed all the fern and ti« tree of an adjoining grass paddock, showing that sheep are better for improving the country. Arrangements might bo made to get vessels with freezing apparatus to visit Auckland periodically to freeze and take our surplus meat, butter, &c, until a freezing factory is established. A steady and" profitable demand willl soon create the supply. W. A. Murray. Annandale, Piako, September 18th 1882. P.S. — When time permits I will address you on various matters of interest and advantage to our settlers. W. A. M.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— l beg leavo to strengthen the appropriate remarks made by Major Jackson re the meat trade, &c. If we, as farmers, are to succeed we must not depend wholly on beef or dairy produce, nor as he said" on Auckland as a market ; but we must grow wheat and other produce. Grow beef and freeze it ; grow wheat anil grind it ; raise cheese, butter, eggs; send all but a sufficiency to outside markets. What Auckland requires let them pay for at fair prices. Now to do this we must organise and establish farmers' clubs in each district to promote joint action, discuss the interests of farmers, and to elect a central board of trade as other industries do. Thi3 central board of agriculture or trade should collect statistics so as the fanner may know the state of the markets as to supply and demand for each article, and to look up a market outside for the surplus. As the Major remarks, better lose on the surplus than place all in a limited market, -and therefore be at the mercy of the middle man. If we do not do something we shall be little better than hewers of wood and drawers of water. —I am, &c, Waitoa, Sept. 17th. F. Strange.

"When I have a cold in my head," said a gentleman apologetically, "lam always stupid." "I have never seen him when he didn't have just such a cold," whispered a third party in an undertone, aside. The Duke of Wellington admired "men of science " — also " lawyers," who seemed to him possessed of a suble craft beyond his own powers. His political adversary, Brougham, he almost loved "for the learning that was in him.", On one occasion he ventured to " spar " with the Chancellor and was worsted. "My lord," he said, "you will be remembered in history, not for your exertions in abolishing slavery, to forming the law, or changing our Constitution— but simply from giving your name to a new style of carriage. " r" And your Grace^will not be remembered for Salamarlcaj or Victoria, or Waterloo, but for a new, style of boot." " D— n the boots, I bad forgotten them," naively replied , „-., The thoroughbred horse, "Feve," and the, Exraoor pony,, stallion, " Nutmeg,"^ stand c this season at'Gorfon*/ Feve?*as- Dreeders are aware, is one of the most fashionably bred horses in the colonies. He is by Lord Clifden S^ rfi^FPh ? nd ;tJyas. bought W eapt. Machell, 'supposed ' to 1 be the best' judge of thoroughbred ?toclt'ih England, as, a yearling for j£looo. v He gets remarkably good hacks', and 'we know,of two instances .,\vhor&! hi* > f colfcii have been sold for £40 each. The celebrated horse, "TheJße»U''Mtt Australia, is by him. "Nutmeg" Jvas'TO?^,!^^",. province, by M 5 N. I. ' Hunt, and has been 1 admired by all who havq secuhim, " '