HARVEST PROSPECTS IN WA1KATO.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1620, 21 November 1882, Page 2

HARVEST PROSPECTS IN WAIKATO.

Rangiaohia District. The experiences of the past, : and we 'may also include the present, have amply demonstrated to the sejbtlers in Waikato, that to live comfortably and make their farms pay, something more than grass must be grown, for the fattening df^eattle of late years lias not proved the remunerative branch of farming which it was some years ago. At least we are led to believe so from the amount of grumbling which has been given vent' to of late,' as well as the low prices which meat has been bringing in the r Auckland market, and the various attempts which have been made from time to time by the settlers to improve tiieir condition, in a financial sense, by co-operation in the opening of new industries, but, which, unfortunately, have for so far been " unsuccessful. Though the land in Wiikato is not pre-eminently adapted for grain growing, still, 'by careful it has been discovered that the* generality of the land when carefully tilled will produce comparatively excellent crops of grain and oats. The success which attended ,the grain crops in Waikato .last year has warranted the farmers in gjofng in more extensively this year for cereals, particularly wheat. Indeed, a stranger riding through some parts of the Waikato at the present time, would almost conclude that the settlers were about to abandou cattle raising altogether, and were going in exclusively for grain growing. In the Rangiaohia Highway District alone, there are close upon 1200 acres of wheat growing "this year, and about 600 acres of oats fuUy— double the acreage of last year. ' In /idditioji to this there are the usual crops of turnips and potatoes, there 'being fully 1000 acres of the latter. Up to the present the growth of all crops, particularly ' wheat, has been very backward, owing to the dryness of the days and the" unusual coldness of the nights. The generality of the crops, however, are looking 1 very promising, though the wheat is in some places patchy, and not likely to come up to the average, if the weather does not become somewhat more favourable. The rain on Saturday and Sunday last was very welcome to the farmers, and the country has since begun to present a more thriving appearance than before. Though the settlers in the Te Awamutu part of the district may be said to be ouly experimenting with grain as yet, they are very sanguine as to the and expect an average of from 26 to 30 bushels to the acre. Should success attend their new departure, next year will see a still greater area under graiii.