WINTER WHEAT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2481, 5 June 1888, Page 2

WINTER WHEAT.

A SHOlt'r time ago a lender appeared in The Waikato Times, giving some statements of some millers regarding this class of grain. It was said that only a sixth or seventh of spring wheat could he used in turning out good Hour. This is pure and unadulterated nonsense. In this mill, the best Hour that could bo desired by the most fastidious baker or cook has been made of spring wheat, and nothing but spring wheat. Mr Hutchinson, who is getting his wheat ground and Inked at the local bakery, has grown all spring wheat, and the bread made of it is giving the utmost satisfaction to the large number of customers who are supplied with it, both for whiteness and flavour. One of the largest and oldest established of mill-owners was here on a visit to one of our settlers when the article appeared, and he said the miller who made that statement knew nothing of his business, or else intentionally misstated facts. Ho said that in a couple of years, millers would not buy winter wheat if they can get spring wheat. His opinion carries more weight than that of any other in the province, if not in the north island. Mr Burke, who crops every year, and whose opinion is worth recording, told me he had some spring wheat ground at the other mill, and the bread made of it is better than that made from some Canterbury Hour, (first quality), which he bought recently, lie further said that lie grow the two sorts —winter and whits Tuscan—in one paddock last season, the latter yielding ol and the former H bushels to the acre. The ground and treatment were the same, but in point of yield the balance was decidedly in favour of the spring wheat, We do not know whether it will turn out better Hour than winter wheat, but after the test it has been put to here, it may be safely asserted that it will be quite as good, and with quite as large, if not a larger, return per bushel. Other instances could be quoted that have occurred in another Waikato mill which are strongly in favour of spring wheat. The Auckland millers will always find some excuse to befool the Waikato farmers, and if the latter turn their attention mostly to winter wheat, the millers will be ready with another excuse next year for not purchasing, Tlio fanners here, however, are pretty well acquainted with the reason for the preference of Southern wheat. The records of some big monetary institutions could perhaps throw some light upon it. Co-operation is the only weapon with which to fight vested interests.—(Te Awamutu correspondent..)