"MAY'S GUIDE TO FARMING."

New Zealand Herald, Volume VI, Issue 1753, 5 July 1869, Page 9

"MAY'S GUIDE TO FARMING."

Another of those useful works that from timo to time are published by Mr. George Chapman, of Queen-street, has made its appearance; it is a guide to farming, oompiled by Mr. Joseph May, of Epsom, author of the" Handy Book for the New Zealand Sheep Farmer." Coming from such an authority as that gentleman is allowed to be, it is worthy of more than mere a passing notice, and may bo said to be of not only great importance to the newly arrived settlor ho intends to pursue.farming as a means of obtaining a livelihood, in assisting him to a knowledge of our times and seasons, soils, &0., all of which he has to learn as an absolute necessity to his achieving success, but it is alto a valuable book of referenco to the older colonist, who has for years followed a similar avocation. Wo are none of us too old to learn, although many of u» are apt to forget, and to the forgetful this litt book will in many cases serve in lie of a defective memory. Facing the title page is one headed " The Maori Seasons in New Zealand ;" to those whose destinies may lead them to the occupation of lands in the -vicinity of those interesting spe:imens of the genus homo, the explanations of the native's terms for the different signs and seasons, and his opinion of the best times for planting and harvesting—all the results of long experience and carelul observation —may be found of great assistance. Of course in a notice of this description it would be impossible to do otherwise than summarize the contents of the work; particulars must be left for it? readers to ascertain, and we have co hesitation in strongly recommending its perusal to botli old and young colonists The introduction, headed by " When Adam delved aud Kve span," treats of " the fi p st step" in a truthful but most laudatory manner. Further on bush life and the bush are described, with directions for cutting down and burning the forest. The character of the different soils, as indicated by their vegetation, the management of clay lands, and the cultivation of bush land, are considered. Instructions are given for building a house in the bush, for clearing, draininc, and fencing a garden. A personal narrative follows : the intention is to prove that the best investment a farmer can make is the purchasing and acquiring of standard works on agriculture, teaching him not only to do what is right, but giving him also the why and the wherefore for so doing. Golden rules for farmers-i-the climate of New Zealand, tables of comparison of mean temperature of places in New Zealand and the Northern Hemisphere, and a general weather table for the twelve months, bring the first part to a close.

The second portion opens with a description of the earth in its natural state, it then expatiates on the beautifying influence of trees on a landscape, and afterprovidinguseful hints to farmers ; the means of barometer and thermometer, the average number of rainy days, total rainfall and prevailing winds at the different settlements.nnd calendars of operations for the different months of the year, together with a largo amount o useful miscellaneous information and instruction, conclude a work of which we aro bound to speak in terms of warm commendation. The subject matter is good and ably dealt with, the best authorities appear to have been consulted in the compilation of the work, the quotations are from some of the best authors, and the deductions drawn arc, generally speaking, trite and apposite. Tho little volume is exceedingly well got up, the paper being good and the type clear, it is bound in cloth, and the price must place it within the means of almost every-