OUR ALBERTLAND FARMERS. No. 2.

Albertland Gazette, Issue 6, 4 November 1863, Page 3

OUR ALBERTLAND FARMERS. No. 2.

Although we do not claim a place in your record of Albertlaud Agricultural labor, yet we think that a simple and unvarnished statement of one year's experience in farming1 on the Oruawharo may be of some interest and perhaps not wholly without use to the many who have recently come out, and who may be intending to commence the cultivation of their own land. As I may sometimes use the singular pronoun "I," and sometimes the plural "we," I .may state at once that I am partly occupied in cultivating my own estate and partly connected with three others, who have had some experience in .English, farm labor—wo four endeavouring to create, in the midst of the wilderness a joint-stock company on co-operative principles. On some other occasion we may give our reasons -"for. maintaining that this latter is the true economical method for beginners in New Zealand; My compauions spend about half their time in aiding on my own land at the usual rate of .wages.

First then, on our joint estate we commenced by clearing some 5 or 6 acres in Jan. and Feb. last. The natural growth on the land was what is ordinarily known as ti-tree, varying in height from 10 to 15 ft, with scarce any undergrowth. Towards the end of March we burnt it ofl, and in May and June, we thoroughly grubbed u.p the land and sowed about 5 acres, all with wheat, except a small patcli of oats, adding no manure. "We'put in about

2; bushels;ta the acre. R-Both wheat and oats came up readily and have advanced as well as could be wished ever since, the plant thickly covering the ground and being- now from 2 to 4 ft. high, and just coming into ear. The soil is of a dark color, approaching to black, varying from Gin. to a foot in depth and apparently lying on a substratum of rock. We shall follow the wheat with, grass, and this done, at.once commence sheep-farming. We purpose laying down as much land as possible in grass, in a similar manner, previously taking off a., crop of either wheat, oats, indian corn or potatoes; believing that thereby we obtain a better immediate return for the labour and ultimately secure a better growth of grass by well working the soil. Our crop has suffered a little from neighbouring cattle being left out all night in its vicinity and somewhat trampling it about after heavy rams. It is now however secure, as wo succeeded in well fencing about 7 acres, including the 5, during the months of July and August. We would suggest that great; wrong is done to setllers who are striving after a little cultivation, by cattle being left to roam during the night, when it is impossible to guard-against the damage they may inflict; and if any who adopt this practice would take the hint, they will do themselves no harm and confer a good on several. From the distance, the rich green of the corn presents a grateful and beautiful contrast to the dull greenish brown of the fern and ti-tree.

On my own land I commenced in Oct. 1802 by clearing 4 acres of ti-tree, of similar size to the above, with about 2 acres of fern land Tile land is somewhat uneven, but not too much so for cultivation, and varies much in quality. Some of it is of a light brown color and rather stiff, the vest either of a dark brown or approaching to black. I burnt off in Dec. and put in, some garden crops, and indian corn. The former failed, from the ground not being sufficiently prepared, the season too far advanced, and the summer unusually dry. The indian corn succeeded moderately, but became food for cattle instead ofhurnan beiugs. In July I carefully and thoroughly grubbed an acre and a-half aud put; in prass, which is now pleasingly green, and thriving better than any I have seen on-our settlement, with the exception of a small patch belonging to Mr. Armitage. The grass seed was from England. It is our conviction that the frequent method ofscalteringthe seed on the ashes afterburning,.without any tillage will not answer on this land. It may succeed on heavy bush land, where the burning leaves a large residue of ashes ; but' after ti-tree, which consumes almost entirely away, our dependence must be on the thorough cultivation of (he soil. During the last six weeks I have planted about 3 roods of this laud with potatoes, and one and a-half acre with maize both to be followed with grass in the early autumn. Both potatoes and maize are up, and doing well. I have fenced in about 7 roods of the fern and flax land for garden and orchard; it has has hail nearly 9 months' exposure to the sun and air, and since June three-fourths of it has been either dug or grubbed ; 90 fruit trees are planted, promising to do well; half an acre is planted with potatoes, now far advanced, peas, beans, cabbage, radishes-, melons, pumpkins, &c, are growing luxuriantly and at present give hope of a fair crop: about a quarter acre yet remains to be cultivated and planted with kumeras. About 5 acres of good grass land, chiefly surround; the house, to be enlivened occasion-

ally with the cafetle and-a few shcop; this with a garden sufficient to supply us with more vegetables tllan we can use; ought to be able to re-awaken all the feelings" of homeliness once cherished hi the old country. I add my initials, which for my friends will be enough, to others the name is a matter of no importance. . S. E.