LEVIN VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1424, 15 June 1899, Page 34

LEVIN VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS.

VISIT BY THE LAND BOARD. The Board made an early start on Thursday morning for the Levin t illage Settlement, which lies on the western side of the railway line, and on which there are thirteen selectors residing. Nearly all of these were away from homo when tire Board called, as they had. work elsewhere, but in several eases the members walked over the sections with the object of making themselves personally acquainted with the condition of the settlement. Generally speaking, not much had been done in the way of close culture, the tenants having apparently preferred to utilise most of the land for grazing purposes, but it was pleasing to note that in nearly every instance a comfortable cottage had been erected, and the conditions in that respect made as agreeable as possible. Comparisons are said to be odious, butthere was one section of twenty acres which appeared to impress the Board very favourably. It was occupied by MiBrown. and realised more nearly than any of the others one’s ideal of close culture. Besides providing pasturage for six cows, Mr Brown keeps a large stock of bees, pigs and poultry; he grows vegetables for the table anti green food for the stock, and lias put up three, greenhouses, which, until the vines aie m a more forward condition, have been advantageously utilised for growing tomatoes/ The Board spent a considerable time inspecting the holding, and although one would not be, perhaps, prepared to give adherence to all Mr Brown's idc-as and methods, the system of intense culture which lie is adopting cannot fail to meet with approval. The Board also made a brief inspection of the larger holdings fronting the road, running westward towards the ranges, and then put in a very pleasant hour in paying a visit to the Horowhenua Lake. Glorious weather prevailed, and the lovely scenery fully repaid the members for the time occupied. LEVIN STATE FARM.

After lunch at the Weraroa Hotel, it was decided to devote the afternoon to a, visit to the Levin State. Farm, of which so much has been written of late. Mr Walker, the manager, kindly offered himself as a guide, and ihe Board forthwith proceeded to make a careful inspection of the farm, on which twenty men, mostly able-bodied. are now employed. The land near the frontage of the farm is. stony and somewhat poor, but is richer further back, and evidently capable of producing very good crops. The orchard has been receiving a considerable amount of attention of kite, and the ten acres now under fruit trees will shortly bo augmented by the addition of another five acres, which was being prepared for that purpose at the time of the Board s visit.. The trees generally looked healthy, and when it has been found what varieties of ft nits grow best ill that locality* the orchard may be expected to prove highly remunerative. Perhaps tho most important feature of tlie farm is the dairy. At the present time sixtv-two cows are milked, the work being carried out by three women residing on the farm, and each of these three employs a junior from her own family to assist. The dairy buildings are convenient and up to date, and their cleanliness is beyond reproach. There is a separator with a capacity of 66 gallons an hour, aerators, and other appliances, and everything in connection with the dairy appeared to be working with the utmost smoothness.

Next in importance to the dairy is the piggery. There are 210 pigs on the farm, all of them looking very healthy and in good condition, and we understand a ready sale is found for them in Wellington. The piggery buildings are on a good pattern, and clean and wholesome, with the exception of those first erected, which are being removed as quickly as possible and replaced by others of a more modern description. From the dairy and piggery alone a considerable profit is expected to bo derived during next season.

Some splendid root crops have "been grown on the farm this season, and besides fine specimens of sugar beet, the Board was shown some mammoth carrot:'. which afforded unimpeachable evidence cf the quality of the soil. Several men were at work logging and -stumping. The farm implements are amply sufficient for the work of the farm, and the general appearance of tilings must lie regarded as satisfactory. The members of the Land "Board returned to town by Thursday night's Manawatu train.