HARVEST PROSPECTS, 1875.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 198, 27 January 1875, Page 3

HARVEST PROSPECTS, 1875.

(From the Press.") NORTHERN DISTRICT. Referring to the grain crops between the Waimakariri and Hurunui, the harvest prospects of this season, it may be confidently chronicled, have never been excelled by any previous season, The extent of land under corn might be a trifle less than last several of the farmers having laid their fields down in grass, as the breeding of sheep, as well as dairy farming, now receives more attention than as a few years ago. Considerable improvements have been made in farming matters, and the objectionable successive cropping is giving way for rotation systems. The clean state of the crops, viz, freedom from weeds and mixed grain, goes far to show that more care is taken to procure clean seed. Tillage of the land has generally been better looked after, more care exercised in sowing, and altogether it is most satisfactory, after a personal visit to the different portions of the district, to report a decided progress has been made in agricultural affairs. One noticeable feature in addition wasthe apparent pains taken to maintain good live fences, as well as the planting of forest trees. The comparatively barren plain of fifteen years ago is not only covered with farms, but so studded with trees as to impart the conviction that it will in a few years be well wooded. As a further instance of the general prosperity, all the principal roads has been opened up, formed, and metalled. Other signs, if any were wanting, could be brought forward in regard to libraries, schools, churches, and chapels, evidencing the prosperous state oi the district, maiuly arising from its agricultural advantages and profits therefrom. The spring was hardly so favorable as could have been wished ; then followed a period of somewhat dry weather, but in November and December the rains came at the nick of time, as th« grain was flowering, when farmers were fearing the weather would give them stunted and illfed crops. Immediately the effect on all kinds of cereals was magical, the straw grew taller, the flower came out well, and the ears grew plumper, the kernel being* well filled As an effect of the dry season previous to those menths, the straw is shorter than last year, which seems to be an admirable quality with most of the farmers, while the heads of corn are much weightier than last season, and crops assuredly will return a greater average yield. On the other hand, the rain coming at hay time, spoiled much of the hay, and instead of its being aromatic, crisp, and well colored, several lots of hay is musty, limp, and discolored. With regard to grass crops there need not be any hesitation in saying that the meadows would produce three times as much hay as they do now with good management, and of a better quality if harvested properly, than the poor stuff which is annually scraped together. In very few fields did there appear to be thinness in the wheat plants or signs of imperfect filling, while smut, blight, and caterpillar were entirely absent. The rule was invariably good crops. Oats in all directions were superior. Barley, of which there is not a great breadth sown, fell short of last season, except in highly favored spots, where the samples will prove good. Oats are nearly all in stook. Wheat cutting has commenced. Barley is late. The harvest is quite a full month later than last year. Oats have been threshed. In every instance reaping is done by the machine, and it was not uncommon to see a reaper employed on a small farm where the owners work on the reciprocity system, moving from farm to farm as required. In this way also several of the agriculturalists have husbanded their crops with the assistance of each other. Labor has been plentiful, and the wages for tying and stookinghave not been complained of as higher than usual. During the last few days the weather has been somewhat critical. Nor-westers' have set in, and it is feared damage will be done to over ripe crops of oats on the open land. It seems a mistake to leave an oat crop till it is dead ripe and then cut it, for in that state the aotion of the reaper will cause the corn to fall on the ground. v

In regard to root crops, thej are progressing satisfactorily. Potatoes are a full yield Turnips have done well. Mangolds are fairly good, and the only regret is that the extent of root crops is limited to small fields. The only data that can be given of the land under crop and estimated yield is by reference to last year's statistics. In a week or two it is expected the returns of the Road Board clerks will be handed in, and the official statement of the crops and yield will then be published. KAIAPOI ELECTORAL DISTRICT. Statistics, 1875—462 holdings, B'l6 acres broken up and not under crop, 6456 J acres in wheat estimated to produce 167,827 bushels, 5479£ acre oats estimated to produce 101,695 bushels, 13954 barley estimated to produce 46,494 bushels, 1344 J acres hay estimated to produce 1838 tons, 18,580| in permanent grass, 116£ acres oaten hay, 183 J acres potatoes estimated to produce 847 tons, and 477 J acres under other crops; total number of acres under crop, 32,689| This district includes the country between the Waimakariri and Ashley, and may be divided in sub-districts as under : KAIAPOI AND THE ISLAND. Near the town there are a few small holdings in which the crops of wheat and oats are very good, wheat averaging 40 bushels, oats from 50 to 60, and in two instances the thresher has shown a return of 90 bushels of oata to the acre. Upon the upper island, a veritable Garden of Eden, where the farmers, although the land is some of the best iu the north, go in for good systems of tillage, the cereal crops look magnificent. The length of land in cultivation is nearly the same as last season. Straw is short, the ears large and well filled; wheat and oats seem to be in equal proportion; the extent under barley is less than hitherto. Here the yields will be, wheat 50 to 55 bushels an acre; oats, 50 to 60 bushels. On the island north, although this portion has been remarkable for its heavy yields, the crops are iu no wise behind former seasons, stand up well, and expected to yield, wheat, 40; oats. 60; and barley, 45 bushels per aero. There may be a slight increase in the crops here this season, but. most of the farmers have been adopting the three course system, and the land formerly cropped is partly laid down in grass. PLAXTON AND OHOKA. Crops here extend as far as last season, and are generally up to the average. EYRETON. Here the proportion of wheat and oats bears comparison with- the last two seasons, and oats were early ripe compared with other part of the district. The averages will be—wheat 35, and oats 30 bushels per acre. SWANNANOA AND MANDEVILLE PLAINS. In this district the crop is less in extent than hitherto, much of the land being laid down in grass. The wheat appeared thin, and oats rather light. The averages will be —wheat 28 to 30, and oats 25 bushels per acre. WEST EYRETON. Nothing like the same width of land is put under crop as last year. Probably the fearful hail storm this time twelvemonth made the farmers a bit chary, The chief crop is oats. A fair proportion of wheat is now ripening, and small patches of barley are to be met with ; the latter late crops. Harvesting of oats is in full swing, and a beginning will be made next week with wheat. The. averages may be safely put down at wheat 25 to 28, and oats 40 bushels per acre. FERNSIDE AND RANGIORA. Here again the crops showed a falling off on the former season the principal crop is oats, several patches of wheat looking well and one or two small fields of barley, one in particular near to the Ashley. WOODEND AND WAIKUKU. With this district is included the land under cultivation on the Kangiora road where there are several heavy crops up to the returns of last year; and the Maori run, where the yield of oats wil be exceedingly good, several of the fields returning 70 bushels per acre. In Woodend the fields are small. At Waikuku the quality of the land ranks with Kaispoi island, and the harvest returns will be good, although it must be said one or two paddocks of wheat shewed a falling off. The averages will be wheat 45, oats 55 bushels per acre. The yield at the Church bush district will bear comparison with the foregoing, although the back water from the river overflowed a portion of it at a critical time in spring. ASHLEY ELECTORAL DISTRICT. Statistics, 1874, 530 holdings, 6204 J acres broken up not under crop, 1 i,39fij acres wheat, estimated to produce 202,470 bushels; 53811 acres oats, estimated to produce 112,682 bushels; 1075 acres barley, estimated to produce 17,800 bushels; 2179 acres hay, estimated to produce 2267| tons; 739 acres oaten hay, 25,865$ acres permanent grass, 216 acres potatoes, estimated to produce 502 J tons; 1226 acres other crops—total number of acres under crop, including some sown grasses, 45,900. OXFORD. Carleton and Oxford are included in the foregoing district. Here there is not the breadth of ground covered with grain as last season, and the land is now laid down in permanent pasture. The crops of wheat and oats look well. The average yield will be about the same as given for West Byreton, viz, wheat, 25 to 30 ; and oats, 40 bushels per acre. MOERAKI DOWNS. On the North Downs the farmers appear to be going in for laying down the farms in grass, and there is less crop on the front of the downs than last season. All the grain here is in prime condition down to Fernside, and yields will be higher than before. It is estimated to be—wheat, 28 ; oats, 30 ; and barley, 30 bushels per acre. ASHLEY. In this district also there is a deficiency in the extent of the crops, but while less in quantity there is a decided improvement in quality. The largest proportion seems to be oats, which are in stook and stack. Barley does not appear to be grown to any quantity. The average yield may be put down »^t—wheat, 28 to 30 ; oats, 30 to 35 bushels per acre. SEFTON. This extensive district has less land in grain ; oats preponderate. The wheat looks remarkably well. Averages may be estimated at wheat 30, oats 35 bushels per acre. Near Saltwater Creek are one or two superior crops of oats. . AMBERLEY. Beyond the Ashley district and the Kowai, the crops at Amberley are more prolific than they have been for two or three seasons, and are all earlier than the Sefton district. The land under crop is more extended than lasji season. Yields are estimated to artrigft—wheat, 40 bushels ; data, 45.