AGRICULTURE in NEW ZEALAND.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 95, 30 December 1843, Page 379

AGRICULTURE in NEW ZEALAND.

Extract! from the First Annual Report of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of Auckland. Danger to Cattle fromTufaki. — It is necessary to warn the settler against the danger cattle run from eating too freely of the young succulent shoots of the tupaki, a shrub found in abundance on the best land. Cattle just disembarked generally suffer from it, as they eat all green food most greedily. The animal is much distended or " blown," as after a surfeit of green clover in England, and the brain seems to be affected; but whether from the poisonous nature of the plant, or from gases eliminated during the fermentation of the indigested mass, it is difficult to say; probably both combine to produce the symptom*. It is customary in these cases to keep the animal in constant motion, and sometimes to bleed ; but the same remedies as for "blown cattle" should be employed. To guard against losses in this way, it is suggested that cattle should be kept in enclosed paddocks for a few days after their arrival. It seems, however, to fatten them after they have been some time in the bush ; and it is a fact worthy of notice that, out of sixty head landed last May, all of which were turned into a district abounding with tupaki, and on the leaves of which they freely browsed, not one has yet been lost ; arising, most probably, from the young shoots not having sprouted at the. period of their being turned into the bush. A strong coarse grasH, which also abounds, is said by some to be equally dangerous. The Seasons. — The seasons in the centnil

district of New Zealand may be arranged as follow : — The spring comprises the months of September, October, and November, with a mean atmospheric temperature of 56 deg. 48min. It is rather windy, with showery weather, but the sun is often very powerful and vegetation rapid. The summer includes December, January, February, and a part of March, the mean temperature being 67 deg. The thermometer ranging from 84 deg. to 56 deg., it is dry, particularly during January and February; but the surface is refreshed by copious dews, and the heat is tempered by sea breezes from the north-east. The autumn extends from the middle of March to the end of May. The weather is mild and pleasant, with occasional showers and strong breezes from the south-west. The mean temperature is 59deg. 3min., and the sun is sometimes powerful. The winter comprehends June, July, and August, with a mean temperature of 50deg. 46min. The thermometer standing sometimes at midday as high as 64deg., and for a few nights descending as low as 32deg., when a thin pellicle of ice is formed on standing water, and the ground is covered with a slight hoar frost ; but this is immediately melted by the morning sun, and hardy vegetables are never affected by it. Rain often falls heavily at this season, to the extent of one inch and a half in twenty-four hours at the periodical gales, which blow from east to north-east and north-west, at or about the full and change of the moon ; these never last for more than two or three days, and the wind veering round to west and south-west, the weather clears up, and the air is dry and bracing. Agricultural operations are scarcely suspended during this season. The coolness of the nights is a feature peculiar to the climate of New Zealand. This is most agreeable to the feelings during the summer, although it may tend to retard the maturation of the more delicate fruits. It arises probably from the unclouded state of the heavens at night, permitting a great radiation of heat upwards, and consequent cooling of the aerial strata in contact with the earth, and of the earth's surface itself, and causes those refreshing dews which prevail in the summer months. Fogs are rare, and never last for more than two or three hours in the morning. Hail storms are very rare, and as they only occur in the winter, do not injure vegetation. Snow never falls in this district, nor has it ever been seen on the distant mountain ranges within sight of Auckland. Thunder storms seldom occur, and only in the winter, and no recorded damage has been done by lightning.

Length of Day. — On the longest day the sun rises at fifteen minutes before five o'clock, and sets at fifteen minutes past seven o'clock, giving fourteen hours and a half of perfect light. On the shortest day, at fifteen minutes past seven o'clock, and fifteen minutes before five o'clock, giving nine hours and a half of light. The twilight at both periods being about forty minutes.

Sowing and Planting. — The very short time that has elapsed since agricultural operations have commenced in this part of New Zealand, has scarcely permitted accurate observations to be made as to the proper seasons for sowing and planting the various grains, grasses, &c, but we shall proceed to give a summary of the experience of those individuals engaged in agricultural pursuits.

Wheat may be sown in the autumn and winter, but June and July are thought to be the best months. It should always be sown deep, in drills, and then rolled ; by this means it is prevented from being washed out by heavy rains, and the soil retains moisture better during dry weather. It is fit for reaping in December or January.

Barley. — Malting barley should be sown in August, or the early part of September, and reaped in the end of January, or beginning of February. Cape barley from March to September; at the former period for cutting green, at the latter for making hay.

Oats may be sown in July, August, and September, for the like purposes.

Maize should be planted in the latter part of September, or during the whole of October, in rows three or four feet apart, and one foot in the row, or in clumps of five, at four feet distant. It is ripe in March! should be then pulled, the husk removed, and hung up in bunches, or kept in a raised wattle 6hed, exposed to a current of air. Pumpkins may be sown in the intervals of the rows or clumps, after they are earthed up.

Grass and Clover may be sown every month in the year, except January, February, and March, which are too dry.

Potatoes should be planted in August for an early crop, in September and October for the main crop ; these are fit for taking up in December, January, and February. They may also be planted in February, if moist, for a late crop, to be taken up in May and June ; but it is doubtful whether this crop will repay. A crop is sometimes put down in April, to be used in August or September, but, 4s they are apt to be nipped by frost, it can scarcely be recommended.

Turnips may be sown in June, July, August, and September, for late winter and spring crops ; in October for summer ; also in April and May for early winter cropß, and those may be sown in ground from which potatoes have been raised.

Mangel Wurzel may be sown in July, August, and September. It attains an immense size in this country. Hops. — There can be little doubt but hops will succeed here, if cultivated on a large scale, by competent persons, as some roots planted two years since in the Government garden here produced a plentiful crop of nWeri last season, and teem to thrive wonderfully.