FARMLET FARMING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19976, 19 June 1928, Page 12

FARMLET FARMING.

INDUSTRY IN SUBURBS. AUCKLAND OPPORTUNITIES. GOOD RESULTS OBTAINED. Around Auckland there arc many "farmlets" which arc producing good livings for their owners. If all the faims in the province were producing on the same scale the exports would be trebled at least. The country needs more settlers, but Auckland needs more of those enterprising people who will develop small holdings in the vicinity of the city and in this respect there are splendid opportunities for young people engaged in city occupations who have the courage and foresight to build for the future and are not f afraid to venture beyond asphalt pavements. The city possesses a wonderful heritage in the warm faces and gullies on the north and east slopes of the Titirangi and Waitakere ranges, and in the country adjacent thereto served by the North Auckland line. These lands, sheltered as they are from the west and south winds, produce abundantly when properly handled, whether it be mixed fruits, citrus fruit, early vegetables, dairy produce, flowers or tobacco. The sub-tro-pical climate and freedom from frost of a large belt along the ranges enables a wide variety of "out of season" crops to be grown, and this district, if developed, could supply both Auckland and Wellington markets with all the early produce they could absorb. Hero is a concrete example of what may be done with a small holding, situated along the north line, outer suburban area. In this case the farmlet owner turned his chief attention to dairying, but equally good or better results may be obtained from other sources open to the small holder. He purchased an area of 12J- acres, five years ago. The land was in its native state and there was not feed enough on it for one cow. In fact he had to graze his one cow and horse on a neighbour's property the first season. He writes: —"For the season 1924-25 we produced £415, 1925-26, a dry period, £345, 1926-27 season £375 and for 1927-28, with seven months of dry speell, £250. On the 12j acres we carry 6 cows, 1 horse, 17 pigs and 70 fowls, and have kept a stack of hay each year of four to six tons, according to the season. Last season the cows averaged 387.41b butter-fat in 277 days. There has always been some green feed to give the cows throughout the year, turnips, green oats, tares, peas, millet or maize. "Besides the stock there is three acres in orchard, but that, of course, is not yet in full profit, and lj acres in flowers and vegetables. Wo have been successful at the local show, gaining first and second prizes for the three best dairy cows on the showground, first and second for best grade Jersey, second for best calf, first for best Berkshire sow and first for two best porkers. Also, for vegetables, flowers and home industries, our prizes in February of this year totalled 22 firsts, 8 seconds and 3 thirds. Last year there were 15 firsts, 7 seconds and 1 third, and the previous year 10 prizes. When you take into consideration the fact that there was not one foot of this place cleared when wo took it five years ago, you will see wo have learned something of the value of land and how to get the best out of it." All the help the owner has had on the property had been from his sixteen-year-old son and these results have been obtained from the so-called "poor" land of the North. There are many hundreds of acres along the ranges and between the inner suburban area and Waimaulcu, which are at present producing nothing and which with proper handling should be returning as good, or even better, reward to city workers endowed with the pioneer spirit, whether the particular form of "farmlet farming" be dairying, pigs and poultry, mixed fruits, citrus fruits, passion fruit, fine tobaccos, flowers and herbs, or "out of season" tomatoes and vegetables, or all combined.