AGRICULTURAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2591, 26 April 1869, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL.

The special correspondent of the Australasian gives the following account of the Launceston annual grain show, held on April 7 : As it was a matter of great interest, I made inquiry of all who could likely inform me, what was the result of the last harvest. All concurred in stating that it was above an average. I met with no one who gave the yield of wheat at under 20 bushels per acre, the general opinion being that it was about 21 bushels, and the owner of the largest threshing-machine on the plains said that at least it would come up to the last-named quantity. One special return was named, the Messrs Brumby’s, which, on a production of 7000 bushels, gave an average of 38 bushels. Such

yields were not; obtained some time back, and are now in part attributed to the more general use of phosphate guano and guano and bone-dust, the former being used at the rate of about 2cwt. to the acre. By the judicious use of these fertilisers, lands that were worn out, and bore only weeds, have been again made productive, and returns approaching to those from virgin soil obtained. Summer mllowing is also becoming common. It is found to pay, and hence its being in favour.

As to the exhibits. The wheat was but indifferently got up. There was scarcely a parcel but showed dirty land or bad cleaning. Twenty-five samples were shown, and in weight were about equal to the best at Sandhurst or Geelong. At the last show in Sandhurst the heaviest wheat gave 6716 6oz to the bushel; at Longford, one parcel weighed 67|lb per bushel, while others gave 65|lb, and several 641 b. The first prize for winter wheat was awarded to Mr Gleadow, for wheat weighing 64|lb, and yielding 50 bushels per acre; and that for spring was given to Mr Bartley, for wheat weighing Oats, of which there were ten exhibits, were better got up than wheat; Some of the samples were especially admired by Melbourne visitors, who endeavoured to effect purchases of them. The heaviest weighed 471 bto the bushel. Mr Dodrey carried the first prize for white Tartarian, the yield being given at 50 bushels to the acre, and the weight at 45|lb to the bushel. The other exhibits were portions of that which yielded 47 and 47J bushels to the acre. Although there were only four exhibits of English barley, these were satisfactory. They weighed respectively 531 b, 55£lb, 571 b, and 571 b per bushel. The first prize was given to Mr W. Beveridge, the yield being at the rate of 50 bushels per acre. There were several parcels of field peas, the yield of which was given at from 45 to 48 bushels per acre. The first prize, being for a white description, was given to Mr Gleadow.

General seeds were so ill represented as to call for no comment. There were but three exhibits of butter; while hams and bacon were only shewn by two of the first, and the like number of flitches of the second. Cheese, there were several exhibits of, and of a quality which should prevent the importation of English. Of malt or ale there was none.

Special prizes were given by the proprietors of the Malden Island and the Anglo-Australian Guano Companies to those who were the most successful in the use of their respective wares.