HARVEST PROSPECTS IN WAIKATO.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1623, 28 November 1882, Page 3

HARVEST PROSPECTS IN WAIKATO.

Cambridge, Pukekura, and Pukerimu Districts. Some few days ago we drew the attention of our leadeis to the unusual quantity of wheat anil oats which has been sown in the Rangiaohia distiict this year, and also advcited to the extensive crop, which, judging fiom theguieral appealance of the country at the present time, promises to give satisfaction to all who have gone in for grain growing this sea&OH. But if the crops in the Rangiaohia and To Awamutu district present a prospeious appeal ance, and promise to give a big yield, the district about Cambridge, Pukekura, and Pnkeriniu is none the less promising; indeed it may be said that in the latter district the yield is expected to be much larger, and of better growth, as regaids the stiaw, than in the former district. Certainly the generality ot the land has been much longer under crop in the countiy ai on nd Cambridge and Pukerimu, ■wheic fanners have long since taken to grain grow ing ; whereas, about Te Awamutu, extensive grain ciops are only of recent date ; consequently it is but reasonable to expect that the crops in the former disti ict will be much heavier. In the districts of Cambiidge, Taotaoroa, Pukekiua, and Pukeiimu theie aie about 2,500 acics in A\hcat, and about 1500 acres in oats this year, while the aiea in potatoes exceeds 400 acres. The acreage in oats and wheat is fully double that of last year. Potatoes are more extensively grown in the Te Awamntu district than, probably any other disfciict in the Waikato. The railway is the gie.it consideration with the i.umeis here ; foi every ton of potatoes they send to Auckland they pay only Us for carnage, whereas, the f.u meio of the Cambridge district pay ISs tid. The .aeicage in turnips this year also exceeds tnat ot last. As to the gcneial appeal .nice and growth of the grain crops, they aie looking exceedingly well, though the fanners are still giumbliug about the scarcity of rain. However, they anticipate a wheat crop of fully 30 bushel& to the acie, but in some places it is questionable if the average will reach 20 bu&helb. Oats are expected to come well up to the average. The potatoes are in some places veiy poor, being conspicuous moie for theii patcliiness than for anything else.