The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. THURSDAY, MAY 17, 1888.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2473, 17 May 1888, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

THURSDAY, MAY 17, 1888.

It is .satisfactory to find that notwithstanding tho low price of wheat, tlie largest growers this year in Waikato are preparing to sow as large an area again next season, and, •what is more, that some of tliein arc beginning 1° recognise the value of winter over spring grown wheat. That they were misled by tho statement of millers last year we have 110 hesitation in saying. The inducement offered to them to go heavily in for wheat growing referred dis-

Jiqual and exact justice to ail men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

tinetly to spring grown Tuscan, for it was stated as a reason why, though refused heretofore, -spring, wheat would be purchased now, that the machinery of the mills had been so altered that it would be largely used. It was not till the wheat was grown and ready for the market thai, millers limited their demand to winter grown wheat.

However this mistake may have arisen, fclio fact remains that "WViikato growers will tind it much to their interest to grow winter wlicat wherever tJicy possibly can, and to so arrange the working of their land as to enable them to do so. Of this we shall have more to say hereafter. At present we must confine ourselves to the aspect of the question as between the grower and the miller. Even at present low rates and taking the Government statistics just published as giving a reliable average, we find that this year in the four counties the value of the wheat grown at only two shillings and tenpence per bushel amounts to a sum close upon .£24,000, no small sum in cash to be distributed amongst local growers, or to be circulated in the district. Will grazing, or any other use they may turn their land to, produce a better result or will the product, be as ready of sale? We think not, and, therefore, while wisely treating wheat as the chief of their main-stays in Waikato, farmers will do well to consider how they can best increase the yield, and render their wheat nioro ready of sale.

For it conies to this, that in growing spring wheat they decrease their already limited local market, and leave it open to the whent growers of the Middle Island. There is no blinking this fact, and they may as well look it straight in the face. If they do so, they may another year secure the money for winter-grown wheat, which is now going south every week. If they will not crop to suit their customers, the millers, the latter will go elsewhere for their wheat, for they in turn have got to please their customers, the public, who will have a loaf made from strong white Hour. Now, if spring grown Tuscan wheat will not produce white flour, wheat-growers must take a new departure. The Tuscan wheat is undoubtedly a strong wheat, but the millers say that it makes a dark flour, and to make a white, loaf, which the baker's customers will have, the Waikato Tuscan spring wheat can only be used in the proportion of one-sixth or one-seventh, the balance having to be procured by the millers from the South. Hence the sm.illness of the quantity of Waikato wheat that can be iiHocl by the Auckland millers. Though Waikato spring Tuscan makes a good strong flour, the taste of the people, even of the poorest, is for while bread and white flour, and they will purchase nothing else. Why, otherwise, do our own bakers import so large a proportion of Auckland-made flour into Waikato, but to produce a similar appearance in the bread which their customers will insist upon having 1 The farmers of the Middle Island have recognised this fact, and like wise men they cater for their customers, the millers, just as they in turn are bound to cater for the taste of the consumers. In the South, nearly all the wheat grown is winter wheat, Pearl, Hunter's white, and Velvet, and even white Tuscan, for they know exactly (they have had a longer experience than Waikato wheat-growers, and ought to know) what will sell always, namely, winter wheat. Our farmers may well take a leaf out of their book and profit by their experience. The spring grown Tuscan is, we believe, the real Honin the path of the Waikato wheat grower, and not, as some of them suppose, milkrs rings made up to purchase and so keep prices down. From reliable sources we leara Auckland millers have over-stocked themselves with Tuscan spring wheat, which, if it need to be mixed with other wheats in the proportion of only a sixth or a seventh, can be readily understood. Tlieso are facts and features of the wheat market which it is well our farmers should know and think over. There in no reason why, as in the South, they should not farm their loud so as to grow winter instead of spring wheats, and, indeed, it comes to this, that if they want to lincl a ready sale for their wheat when grown they will neetl to study out the ways and means of growing to suit their customers,

rather than to suit the present system of farming. Wheat-growing and dairying are the two chief staples of farming in Waikato. In the case of the latter there has been a complete revolution in the manner of dealing with the milk from the time it leaves the cow till it readies the consumer in the shape of butter and cheese. There were not wanting many who condemned the change as unworkable or unnecessary, but the bulk of our dairymen have had to sail with the stream or be left stranded on the bank, and so it seems likely to be with our wheat growers. They, too, will have need to adapt themselves to the inexorable laws of trade, that of producing an article which comes up to the standard of popular taste, and which will compete on equal terms with the production of rival manufacturers, and ho command the favour of the general consumer.