NORTHERN POSSIBILITIES.

Northern Advocate, 11 August 1919, Page 2

NORTHERN POSSIBILITIES.

Tii ere is still a few folk who think unci speak of .Northland as "poor gumland." it is therefore well to point out a typical instance of local actualities. A lew striking facts are worth many a disquisition, that is ta.pt to leave one unconvinced and unentlhused. A settler within a few minutes' run of the Whangarei post oflice has a small holding of but six acres which has been taken in Hand by a line imagination and willing welldirected labour. When the section was taken up just over two years ago there Avas nothing specially attractive in its situation or appearance. -Nature had seemingly freely scattered treasures of bush, water, and soil possibilities as an invitation and challenge to man to add his quota. Iα the settler under review nature ihas an appreciative and enthusiastic seconder to her efforts. One might deal with many details that would all point the same anoral of .splendid achievement when brains and muscle join hands harmoniously. It would appear.thait a year ago, as an experiment, having no previous experience in growing strawberries, three thousand plants were put in, and but two cwt. of manure utilised. To the [ growers' great and pleasant surprise tlhe yield was extraordinary, there being 892 one-pound boxes taken from tlhe patch, the berries being specially large. The largest berry weighed one and a-half ounces, and there was an average of fourteen berries to the pound. And it should be remembered t(hiat the soil was not such as is usually considered promising. One is not surprised to learn that 25,000 plants have been put in this year. Apart from actually gardening), the settler has shown a resource in conserving Ms water supply that is truly commendable. An hydraulic pump (has been installed and a splendid concrete tank built holding 6300 gallons. The mechanical ingenuity displayed is quite stimulating, and it illustrates how nature's gifts can be turned to such splendid and useful ends. One could dwell upon the four acres of lovely bush on the property which ifcbe owner appreciates with a true ar.tist's fervour, and there would be much to congratulate in the wise utilisation and conservation displayed. Pointing to a particularly fine specimen of puriri, the practical farmer said he almost felt like hitting tlhe unimaginative person who saw in it only so many fence posts. Concrete and rustic bridges, shell partths, sheltered bowers, cool greenery, fern house, fairy-like glades, refreshing lawns (without a weed), gurgling creek, charming vistas, bush tracks, accommodating steps, etc., suggest wHiat is possible to initiative and hard, but joyous work. It would be a pity to miss reference to the fowl-house. Too frequently such buildings are tumbledown creations, small, and uninviting even to enter for the eggs. In tfliis case the building is roomy, ligfht, tarred inisde and painted without, and the floor is concrete. The droppings are easily available for manure purposes, and the house is in the highest degree sanitary and comfort/able during wet weather. The appearance of the holding, its prospects, and its suggestiveness generally, demonstrate dn a remarkable manner what can i be accomplished by a man who possesses character, capacity, and a 1 I compelling will.