HORTICULTURE AT PATETERE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1946, 25 December 1884, Page 2

HORTICULTURE AT PATETERE.

A FEW days ago we had the pleasure of noticing a very handsome and varied growth of flowers grown at Lichfield in the garden of Mr Halcombe. Bnt it would seem that not only in respect to flowers has Lichtield something to boa^t of, but we are pleased to notice that in every other department of horticulture does this new district excel. Twelve months ago and Patetere h.id very little to show, either in respect to horticulture, agriculture, or any other culture ; but the proofs which the past year has afforded of the capabilities of what at first sight appears the most sterile of soils are almost incredible, and, like the showman's wondeis, must be seen to be believed. In the vicinity of Lichfield— where the land, if anything, is inferior to the general run of the Patfitere country— there are a number of gardens which compare favourably with some of the foremost gardens in Waikato, and certainly excel the average. Mr Heany's garden, though only turned up for the first time last year, contains a very surprising growth of vegetables of every class. Turnips and carrots look exceptionally healthy, and indeed the same may be said of almost every other vegetable. No artificial manure was used. Mr Jackson's and Mr Halcombe's gardens present a variety of growth which settlers m more favoured districts might envy. Here every vegetable enjoys a most luxurious existence. Cucumbers, tomatoes, rhubard, celery, peas, beans, lettuce, &c, &c, present a growth at once surprising and encouraging. The quantity of manure used was so infinitely small that reference need hardly be made to it. As to the capability of Patetere land in respect to the I growing of turnips, a sample of first-class ! swedes is now on view at Mr Houghton's I store, Cambridge. These were grown on the farm of Mr Duncan E. Clark, and are a fair average sample of the crop. So much has been industriously circulated in disparagement of the land of the Patetere country by people who have never seen the place, or who have never "had any opportunity of jndging of its capabilities that, we thmk, it is due to it that these facts should be made known. We hope to see Lichfield well represented at the forthcoming horticultural show in Waikato.

One Andrew Carnegie, a New York millionaire, has been driving all through England in a four-jn-band, He baa now written a book. In it he has been kind enough to give Queen Victoria a character. He says : " Queen Victoria is probably the most respectable woman that ever occupied a- throne — such & character, indeed, as one would not hesitate to introduce 1 into one's family circle." This is magnificent.