Agricultural and Pastoral.

Otago Witness, Issue 904, 27 March 1869, Page 16

Agricu ltural and Pastoral.

FRANKTON.

It appears by the reports to hand from this place that the yield per acre is expected to be rather higher than at Lake Hayes. The land under crop is set down at the following : — Wheat, 420 acres ; and oats and green crop, 210. Reaping commenced about the same time, as at Lake Hayes, and taking the aggregate yield throughout, 35 bushels to the acre of wheat, and 50 to that of oats is expected. Judging from the appearance of the crop in this as well as the other districts west from the Kawarau Gorge, more rain must have fallen during the earlier part of the season, than was the case at either the Dunstan, Shag Valley, or along tbe northern seaboard. At all events, both the wheat and oat crop are much fuller, and harvesting prospects altogether more reassuring. Still complaints are not awanting that the season, has been much too dry, and that, compared with last year, the yield will be light. A large proportion of the land here has been cropped for the last four, five, and even sis successive years, and yet the average stated as above would appear to be pretty fairly repre sented. This shows the soil to be far from suffering from any exhaustion, and in support of that view we may further state that one patch last year sown with lh bushels of wheat produced 75, and another patch with two bushels of Lammas wheat which yielded as much as 110. These figures, taken in conjunction with the fact that it is the expressed intention of the settlers to have at least a third of their lands laid down in grass next year, prove the opinion that the district is on the eve of becoming overstocked to be well founded, and not to proceed from the desire of allowing the land to recruit itself.

The Frankton flour mill has been at a standstill since Christmas. Up to that time 18,000 bushels, the produce of last year's crop, were ground. Operations will not be resumed until harvest is over, which, it is expected, will be about the beginning- of April. The following approximate estimate of the cost of reaping with one of Robinson's back delivery machines compared with hand reaping has been forwarded to us by a Frankton settler. Labour of eight men— two working the machine, and sis binding, at L 2 per week, the current rate of wages, LIG. Expense of two ' horses, L 2, making the total cost LlB. This maihine, with a 4ift. tip-board, can get through 10 acres" per day, which makes the cost for cutting and binding precisely 6s per acre. The contract price for hand-reaping, including binding, is 20s, so that the machine leaves a very fair margin, after allowance has been made for interest upon the purchase price, wear, &c. DUNSTAN. The crop, both of wheat and oats, is exceedingly light, the estimate being not more than one-half of whox it was last year. Green crop is also very short, not more than f 1 .ut tons per acre being quoted. The soil is a mixture of shingle from the surface downwards ; and although it is found to ripen the various Australian fruits very well, wheat and grain invariably fall short upon it. The district i 3 far from being self-supporting, and the inducements to prosecute agricultural operations are so few that the shortcoming is not likely to be overcome in a hurry. As stated above the Lake district renders good service towards supplying the deficiency. During last year wheat and horse feed came down in considerable quantities, and it ia expected that as soon as the 'bridge over the Shotover River has been completed the trade in this respect will increase. The exorbitant punt charges are a great drawback to the prosecution of this trade, but a determined stand against the present charges is expected before long. We have only heard of one reaping machine — one of Robinson and Co's patent, which got through at the rate of nine acres psp day, and with a change of horses, 14 and upwards.

We are happy to be able to report that the fruit crop is much more satisfactory. Our reporter states that he had lately an opportunity of inspecting the grounds of Monte Christo, the property of J. D. Feraud, Esq., ex- mayor of Clyde, and as these afford a very good criterion of the fruit-bearing capabilities of the place we give the subjoined particulars :—: — Monte Christo comprises 40 acres of freehold and 150 of leasehold property . It occupies an undulating site midway between. Clyde and Alexandra, It contains, amongst others, no fewer than 800 fruit trees, 4000 gooseberry and currant bushes, and upwards of 2000 forest trees. In a number of instances, five-year old trees were actually loaded with fruit — as much as 481bs and 501bs of apples having been produced by some of them. Peaches sind applets uere aleo abundant • in»

deed, the branches are described as having been borne dowa with their weight. At a reasona' le calculation, 80 and lOOlbs will be taken off some of them. Another distinguishing feature of the place is 200 vines planted not more than three years a^o, and this season they will yield two vfft. of grapea. In a couple of years hence something like two tons is the estimated yield. When ex-Governor G-rey visited the Dunstan he became the guest of Mr Feraud, who was then acting Mayor of Clyde, and the surprise and delight he experienced on being presented with a service of grapes grown in the place is still referred to by the owner with feelings of pride. As other products of the place, we may state, walnuts, filberts, elder berries, &c , all of which are reported to be doing very well. For strawberries and raspberries the season was much too dry, consequently the yield was light. The asparagus and onion beds were looking very healthy. Last year 100,000 sticks of the former, averaging half an inch thick, were produced, and Spanish onions went as high as 12 tons to the acre.

Ac the upper end of the grounds a cottage residence hasbeen erected, the avenue leading to which traverses the entire length of the garden, and is well sheltered on both sides by poplar trees.