TO THE EDITOR.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume X, Issue 2307, 16 February 1891, Page 2

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—l have read with intc^fe the correspondence ix\, your ttolurnns on ii-ri-g^tion, wqu^d like to add my testimony %) ; that oif; other practical farmers who have already written. Cornwall, my

native county, has one of tho moistest' climates m the world. On thofarm where I was born I have attended t6 the watering of two meadows, and have grown grass on them that I can scarcely describe — eight to ten tons per acre. In your issue of the 5Hi February, Mr Allan says that, if Mr Olivor can put him m the way of growing two poumis of wool where one grew before, or get a penny per pound more for it, Mr Oliver, will be a great, benefactor. That the m;m who could make two i .-lades of grass grow ■where only one grow before was a public- benefactor was said by a greater than either Mr Allan or myself; but lam positive that the man who has access to a pleutiful supply s,of .Water could make a million blades of grass grow where nothing grows now. I think the two pounds of wool will be safe, but the penny per lb will depend on the quality and the market — not on the quantity. The County Council s experimental farm was never cxpecied to prove a financial success. It showed that by irrigation splendid turnips, mangolds, carrots and clover could be grown on a bank of shingle, and with that result the county is satisfied. Mr Allan may as well tell us that after such a long drought a duck, it it got into tho water, would drown, as to say that stock will not eat the grass that has been flooded. Being luxuriant m growth, it can't be otherwise when there is only a bunch to a foot of ground ; but with plenty of water farmers would sow double the quantity of seed, and the pastures would be much finer m growth. From Mr Allan's letter I should say he has had with water. Had he had experience he would not have written as he has done. He has evidently been irrigating the land and grazing at the same time, which is bad both m practice and m theory.- I can quote plenty of authorities as to the benefits of irrigation — Sir Humphrey Davy and Henry Stephens, F.Ii.'S.E., for instance —bub Mr A Han, asked for the opinion of farmers, and as a practical farmer I will give my own. - ■ • • ' In the first place, we have a white grub that does much damage to both grass and cereals. Water will clear the land of this pest, and this riddance itself would be worth a lot of money Jo the county. Secondly, irrigation will regulate our market, as farmers would not have to sell their sheep at a sacrifice for want ,ot feed. I must admit there will be a little difficulty m getting the water evenly over the land. But had Mr Wright's scheme been carried out the plains farmers would have had high pressure ; nothing to do but screw on the hose, and a splendid artificial shower over high places, as well as low ; would have been at their command. "Sou hear of the farmer being set down as a fool for not going m for irrigation, but he m not so big a fool as at first sight he looks. "Burnt child (treads the fire.','' When the water races were made first they took m all the large, estates,- and the races that run through • them were :conr' sti'ueked out of the general fund. ■ When smaller men wanted water they, had to pay half cost of construction. Later on, they had to pay full cost—i suppose because the last were so much smaller men. This is the secret that the whole thing hangs fire on. The farmers .have not confidence m the County Council.. As ; one farmer put ifc, the large estates will be benefited first, regardless of .cost. The holders will sell out, and myself and other bonafide tettlers will be left to pay the piper. I should be very glad to get a supply of Water for my farm. I would willingly give £1 per annum for every acre I could get water on, as I have lost more than that m losing my grass tor the last three years.—l am, etc , Isaac Sakgent.