HARAPEPE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2751, 1 March 1890, Page 2

HARAPEPE.

Aguicdltukal Statistics.—Last week we had the collector of the agricultural statistics around on his annual visit. I have often pointed out what a piece of useless expense this is, as the returns are taken too early, as two months hence would be the proper time, or even later Than that, as no man can tell what his crops will yield till they are harvested, and even then it is only a rough estimate of grain till it is thrashed, at preseni the potato crop is not yet out of the ground. Statistics are of no use unless they are reliable, in fact they do more harm than good, as under the present system New Zealand agricultural ones are complete guess work. . Educational. —The attendance at our district school during the past month has been very bad, on account of the harvest work I presume. Since grain growing has come into favour with the farmers, schools have suffered, formerly it was only at potato planting and the digging, cheese factories also do a lot of harm to the schools, one master told me that as soon as one started in the district his school was spoilt, the school is now shut up, there seems to be no good without evil. Thk Harvest.—The grain crops that have been got in are with one or two exceptions, fairly good, but the prjwf of the pudding is in the eating and the thrashing will be the proof of the wheat and oat crops, then the collector should call. The weather in this district has been for many weeks very dry and hot, rain being badly wanted, feed is very scarce and the turnips and potatoes are all wanting rain.