SEEDS FOR FARM AND GARDEN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4163, 24 July 1874, Page 2 (Supplement)

SEEDS FOR FARM AND GARDEN.

The Grey River Arym publishes the following letter from Mr. P. Comiskoy, an old resident of Westland, who has now left that part of New Zealand, and lias just returned from a lengthened visit to America. It is addressed to the Secretary of tho District Horticultural Society ; “ Northern Club, “Auckland, June 2G, 1874. “ Dear Sir, I send you, through N. Edwards and Co., of Nelson, a parcel of seeds, collected hy me during my travels in America. As I have taken the trouble to select these seeds from the best of their kind, I trust you will have them carefully introduced. Two parcels contain apple and pear seeds, very much valued by the American farmers. Two parcels of mammoth squash and sweet corn, both very good vegetables, and will suit your climate well. One parcel osage orange, for hedges. This is a fine hedge plant, and will grow to perfection in three years ; it should be cut first and second year. Nine packages of ornamental tree seeds, selected for their beauty, and suitableness to this climate. One bag alfalfa grass seed. This grass has lately been introduced in California with the most wonderful success, and from all I know of it, I think it will prove equally beneficial to the farmers of New Zealand, more especially to those of Westland. An American farmer told me he had grazed thirty-five sheep per acre for the last two years on alfalfa, and there are many instances known in California where as many as forty sheep have been grazed all the year round ; of course,* I now speak of systematic farming. Alfalfa should he sown in wellcleaned ground, where it may find water at a depth of six feet or eight feet from the surface. The whole of the land lying along the beach, and at the back of Greymouth, will suit it well. I only hope the alfalfa null take kindly to your soil, as it will, at least, reduce the price of your dairy produce 30 per cent. I expect a lot of new seeds and plants from America this season, when I will send you part of them when I receive them. It is only within the last few days I heard of the existence of your Society, and I am very pleased to offer you this, my first small donation. — I am, &c,, “Patrick Oomiskey."