GROW MORE WHEAT

Northland Age, Volume 14, Issue 33, 26 April 1917, Page 7

GROW MORE WHEAT

HOW FARMERS MAY HELP The “Grow More Wheat Campaign” now in progress, has, as far as Auckland province is concerned, to face the difficulty that larger profits can be made in the North from the dairying industry, cattle and sheep, than is possible from cropping. Moreover, throughout New Zealand there is also the shortage of labour to be considered. The element of selfishness enters largely into all commercialism, but the fact remains that with the scarcity of shipping, New Zealand requires to grow at least enough wheat to be self-support-ing during the currency of the war. A practical suggestion has been made by Mr A. Schmidt, late provincial secretary of the Farmers’ Union, who should know what he is talking about. He stated that there are 24,000 farmers in the Auckland province, and if only 10,000 of them would as a matter of patriotism, put down five acres in wheat this season it would be one way of helping the country in time of stress. Although Auckland is not considered a wheat growirfg district and grain generally has practically been abandoned here for many years past, Mr Schmidt states that an average yield of 20 bushels per acre would be a conservative estimate of the yield to be expected. In the early days the country round Ngaruawahia and Raglan proved well suited for the production of this cereal, some splendid yields being obtained. Many farmers put in oats in the Auckland district, and the demand for that grain must necessarily decrease as motor traction does away with horses. Wheat, on the other hand, if grown this winter will guarantee the whole Dominion against a shortage of a staple of food. If 10,000 farmers in the Auckland district each put in five acres of wheat 50,000 acres would be put under that grain: at 20 bushels per acre this would yield 500,000 bushels of wheat extra in the Dominion output. The cost of putting down five acres in wheat is given by Mr Schmidt as follows:—Ploughing, 15/-per acre; harrowing, discing, drilling and rolling, £3/15/-; cutting, £7/10/- ; cartage of grain, £1 ; stocking and stacking, £2; threshing, £2 ios; manure, £7; sacks, £l/5/-; seed, £5 ; interest on land £2. This makes the cost to each farmer who puts down five acres of wheat a little over £3O, which, considering the high price ruling for all produce is not much to risk for the good of the country.