AGRICULTERAL PROSPECTS AT OPOTIKI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9021, 6 April 1888, Page 6

AGRICULTERAL PROSPECTS AT OPOTIKI.

The agricultural and commercial prospects of our little settlement have for some time past been at a low and gloomy ebb—a long unbroken drought has caused the Tarawera sand to appear on the surface again, and I fear it will take many years to entirely obliterate the effects of the volcanic deposit, which turns up under the plough and spade in almost intact layers, and obstinately refuses to amalgamate with the soil. During this week heavy and heartily welcomed showers have fallen. The large area of maize crops which was stunted and perishing has sprung into vigorous life. The change in the colour of vast maize fields, from a withered yellow and brown to dark healthy green, during one single week's rain is something marvellous to one unacquainted with the recuperative powers of the maize plant under favourable circumstances. We have now a fair proepecb of a good crop of both maize and potatoes. The grass has also started its autumn growth, the result of which can be seen in the improved appearance of the cattle, and shipping to the Auckland market will soon commence. The re-

strictions upon driving or exporting sheep having now been removed from this district, business is much brisker in that department, and our little regular trader, the s.B. Douglas, has taken away several deck loads.

The fruit season (with the exception of apples, which are infested with the codlin moth) has been a most favourable one; yet with all our rich soil and semi-tropical climate, none of the farmers seem to care to try the experiment of producing for export. Messrs. Jno. Clay and .J. Clarendon Arthur are almost the only two who go in for systematic and scientific culture; the latter gentleman especially has made a speciality of it, and his vinery, hothouse, orchard, and flower garden, if within the reach of any of our large towns OX , cities, would attract considerable attention and interest. Mr. Arthur has succeeded in producing the large Madresfield Court, the Gros Colman, the Black Hamburg, and Pearson's Golden Queen to great perfection, and the two former, of extraordinary size ; but as this gentleman has his own business to attend to, his present successes are the results only ot his leisure hours, and creditably illustrate what may be accomplished by a little scientific knowledge and an intelligent application of it.—[Own Correspondent.]