RESOURCES OF THE COLONY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 41, 18 February 1907, Page 4

RESOURCES OF THE COLONY.

One of the latest publications by the Department of Agriculture in New Zealand is a booklet which, though of great interest to the polonial reader, is evidently primarily intended for circulation amongst those who are quite ignorant of New Zealand, its climate, and resources. In the desire to allure from other climes those who wish to follow agricultural pursuits, such eagerness is shown that one might almost imagine the land-hunger, which was so keen but a short time since, has been appeased, and that thousands, yea millions of acres of good agricultural land in New Zealand are going begging for occupation. The booklet is welcome because of the information it contains, but there is nothing to indicate that land fit for agricultural purposes, and which will give such a magnificent average yield as is here certified to, is only to be obtained by the man who is prepared to pay, and pay handsomely, for it. Seeing that we have careful mention of every advantage to be enjoyed in the different forms of State aid to the agriculturist—would it not also be well to. indicate what difficulties there may be, if any, in acquiring

land? It is well-known that to take

up land, however remote from a centre, capital is required, and how much more then is capital required before a man becomes the holder of first-class agricultural land!

Important statistics are given, and quite a fund of information is imparted in abbreviated form. Of our exports of 1905 the agricultural products equalled 77 per cent., and were valued at £12,046,268, which s.hows that New Zealand is essentially an agricultural country and derives over three-quarters of its wealth from the cultivation of the soil. The area of land in occupation in October, 1905, was 37,167,460 acres, which leaves a balance of 18,----032,540 acres. What percentage of this is available for settlement is not stated, but it would seem that the area of Crown lands is a rapidly diminishing quantity, and if we deduct the purely pastoral area the figures would be greatly reduced. While our soil is capable of producing cereal crops almost equal to any in the world—the average yield of bushels per acre of wheat is only surpassed by Great Britain—there is a growing tendency on the part of the farmer to go in for stock-raising for meat and dairying purposes, and he finds the returns from the latter more reliable and profitable. Taking the average yields of cereals per acre for the years 1905 and 1906, we find that wheat, oats and barley have declined, while maize and rye show an increase. Each provincial district is dealt with separately in the booklet; its soil, climate, and products referred to, and the fine barley-fields of Msfrlborough are specially mentioned and admitted; to be the best in the Colony. The pamphlet contains a number of illustrations, and for anyone who wishes to acquire information on agriculture in the Colony it may be earnestly commended.