THE CROPS, THEIR CONDITION AND EXTENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 1160, 21 February 1874, Page 5

THE CROPS, THEIR CONDITION AND EXTENT.

For the sixth year in succession we present our readers with reports specially obtained by us respecting the prospects of the harvest in the principal agricultural districts of the Province. We regret that a few districts are not reported upon, owing to our correspondents not having complied with olar request to furnish us ■with the information desired. Nevertheless the will be found to contain touch $iat is of interest and value to all are in any way connected with tfclie agricultural industry in the Province. The reports will speak for themselves, but we may state by way of preface a few of the impressions formed from a perusal of them. It would appear, on the whole, that wheat will be a very fair crop, though not an extraordinary one. The grain seems to be J almost entirely free from rust or blight, and the quality will therefore be good. Barley appears to be slightly gaining in favour again with our farmers. The crop this year will apparently be a medium one. The area under oats shows an increase, though it is not so large as we had expected to find it in view of the high rates that have ruled for this cereal for some time past. Potatoes seem to be up to the average, but no more ; but turnips as a whole are an exceptionally good crop. The season has been a good one for pasture, save towards the latter end of the summer. The area under grass shows a large increase, owing in a great measure, no doubt, to the farmers continuing to favour the feeding of sheep. Hay has been uniformly an excellent crop, and has been well saved. Of the other points calling for notice, the most important is the steady increase in the damage done by insects — caterpillars and grasshoppers. We again urge upon farmers the necessity of closely observing the spread of this evil, and taking thought as to the best means to check it. -If this be not done, the evil, widespread aa it already is, will assume the most alarming proportions. The quantity of land newly broken up this season appears to be moderate, and we are sorry to have to repeat the remark we made last year, that the improvements effected during the twelve months are much fewer than they ought to be. Tree- planting, in particular, is far too much neglected. We are glad to observe, however, that improved agricultural machinery is coming into general use, and that in some districts efforts are being made to improve the breeds of Btock. Without further comment we append the reports referred to, merely adding that for convenience of reference they have been arranged in alphabetical order : — Anderson's bay and tomahawk. Whtat is a fine crop, with grain of superior quality. The same must be said of what there is of barley. Oats are excellent, and a well-grown and wellripened crop, their productiveness ranging from perhaps 70 bushels per acre on well-cultivated bush land to 35 or 40 bushels on open clayey spurs. Certainly by far the best oat crop 1 have seen this sea3on is on well- wrought bush land, a little beyond the North-Eastern limit of the district, and on the sunny slope of almost the very crown of the Peninsula ridge. Clearing, stumping, and grubbing or ploughing bush land once heavily timbered, is an arduous and expensive operation ; but once cleared, and the surface thoroughly well disturbed, the land is magnificent. Cockatooing may afford a livelihood, but farming would, and in many cases, does pay. Potatoes have a fine appearance above ground. Of the tubers there is nothing to complain, either as regards quality or quantity. Turnips are looking well, the tops quite covering the drills and j fining friendship between the rows. In several cases last year even a third sowing had to be done. This year in every case the primary sowing has sufficed. Carrots alßo are looking ■well, and by dairy farmers generally are ■much appreciated as food for the byre — like turnips they do not "flavour" either milk or butter. Grass is plentiful, and still fresh : recent rains, alike advantageous to grais, grain, and root crops, having prevented the dessication of last year. Hay is a heavy crop in most and above the average in exceptional cases. This crop is well in and secured. There is some blight, but no appearance of rust. Any damage done by the former is inconsider-

able, but both field crops and gardens bear testimony (in aome cases) to the voracity and destructiveness of the grub and the slug (limax agrestis). "Our feathered friends " anticipated social enjoyment in the case of cherries, Small fruits, however, have been plentiful, but insect life has been detrimental to the peach. On the whole, 70 or 80 acres will represent the increase upon last year's area in cereals. There had no doubt been a larger breadth of the "swamp " in oats this year but for the early spring rains, which retarded tilling operations. Potatoes are a very full crop, and turnips are ample for all local requirements. Grass conti nues to make headway, taking the place of bush, which is fast disappearing, and anon will be a thing of the past. The brick industry in the district keeps both axes and teams in steady work. There is a goodly bulk of hay off a larger area. As at Portobello and elsewhere upon the Peninsula, so now no less throughout the eastern portion of this district, it is only too apparent that thistles are more than a nuisance. To many on the Peninsula they have already become, and with the approaching flight of seed, which in some places with a stiff breeze resembles snow adrift, to many more will become a very I great grievance. It is high time there was a legal enactment requiring all owners of land to keep the thistles down. It is from land that is not occupied that all the j mischief comes. The settlers, in their own interest, are ever earnest to prevent those on their own land from seeding, but when the season's cutting is done, and well done, a fresh deposit of seed, " with every wind that blows," from unoccupied land — held it may be, for speculative purposes, adjoining or in the neighburhood — takes place, and next year the work has to be all done over again. This is an evil with which the hard working settler should not have to contend. The evil, it may be said, only started' into life when the "Thistle Ordinance" was repealed, and only with its re-enactment will thistles be kept in check, and ultimately got rid of. Notwithstanding drawbacks and difficulties the probable yield per acre will be — wheat, 45 to 50 bushels ; barley, fully 45 do. ; oats, 47 do. ; potatoes, 8h tons. Moreover, many bush clearings have been effected during the year, and much work has been done in the matter of stumping, and grubbing, and ploughing. Recent township sales will not be found to materially affect the ensuing census. Harvest became general at the close of the first week of February, ten days later than last year. As in other parts of the Province, labour is scarce. BI.UESKIN. Wheat and oats are, generally speaking, in excellent condition, but are green yet. They have thus far escaped the attacks of rust, blight, and caterpillar. Of barley only a small patch was planted, and that was destroyed by an insect. Early potatoes are very small, and not half the crop there was last season, nor are the later sorts likely to be much better. Turnips look well, and some indeed are in i splendid condition. Grass is in good condition, and hay has been well saved. One settler reported to me that he had found an immense number of caterpillars amongst his meadow hay. Grasshoppers are complained of, for it seems thep cut the blades of grass near the roots, suck them, and then attack other blades, thus destroying a quantity of grass. The extent under crop is approximately as follows : — Wheat, 25^ acres ; oats, 321 do ; potatoes, 62 do ; turnips, 1 34 do ; grass, 1888 do ; hay, 88 do ; total, 2418 A acres. Harvest will become general in "about a fortnight, should the weather become warmer than it has been during the past few days. The yield per acre will probably be aa follows : — Wheat, ! 50 bushels ; barley, nil ; oats, 30 do ; ! potatoes, from 4to 6 tons. The quantity of land newly broken up this season is trifling, amounting to, say, 40 acres. No j improvements worth naming have been effected during the year. DUNSTAN. This report deals with that portion of the Dunstan district which comprises Alexandra, Yankee Flat, Spear Grass Flat, and the Wai Keri Keri Valley. The season has been a most favourable one, and the crops have not suffered in any way from rust, blight, or insect pests. No wheat or barley is grown in the district. Oats are a good crop, though the late continued dry weather has prejudicially affected them a little. Potatoes are a fair crop, but are in need of rain. No turnips are grown in the district. Grass is a good crop. Oaten hay is likewise a good crop, though mostly self sown, and clover in one instance is very heavy, yielding three toi*s to the acre. The extent of tlie various crops is approximately as follows : — Oats, 1000 acres ; potatoes, 40 do ; grass, 25 do ; hay (paten), l°o io ; olover, 45 do ; total, 1210 acres. As compared with last season, these figures show an increase of 60 acres under oats and 10 acres under grass, while there is a de-

crease of 10 acres under wheat, and 71 acres tinder barley. Potatoes are of about the same extent as last year. Harvest is now general, and the average yield per acre will probably be as follows : — Oats, 22 bushels ; potatoes, 2 tons ; oaten hay, 15 cwt. ; clover, 2 tons. About 60 acres i of land have been newly broken up this season. About five acres of fruit trees have been planted during the year, and the stock of the district has been added to by the introduction of two entire horses — " Young Thane of Clyde," and another. | EAST TAIERI. At the end of last season and the commencement of the present one, the weather j was all that could be desired for the putting in of the crops, as it kept open until the winter was well advanced. As a general rule, however, the work was allowed to fall behind in some degree, ] owing no doubt, to the fair prices that ; were ruling for produce of all kinds, and the anxiety of the farmers to take advantage of the market thus offered. Then, when the wet weather set in, the ground became so saturated with water as to be altogether unworkable for a time ; and when it again became even partially workable, so great was the haste to get in the seed in anything like time that the ground was worked when it should have been left untouched. But for this the yield would have attained a higher average. Throughout the district, however, the early-sown crops have done well, and are in fair condition so far as head and straw are concerned, though how they will yield when threshed out it is too early at present to say, as the majority of the farmers have yet to commence harvesting, which has not become general so soon as was expected. The showers that have fallen within the last few days have materially helped to fill the crops in the ear, preventing them from becoming prematurely bleached and ripened. Still, j despite this favourable circumstance, the spring sown crop will not be an extra one, as it is light in the ear and short in the j straw, while a good breadth of it has just shot fully out in the ear. Some of the farmers, despairing of it, turned their | cattle into this portion of the crop, or cut !it for hay. The following is a statement of the acreage under the various crops in the district this year as compared with [last, together with the increase or dei crease that has taken place • — 1874. 1873. Increase or Decrease. Acres Acres. Acres. Wheat .. •• 1*47 1432 Increase 15 I Barley .. .. 105& 09 „ 3CJOats .. .. 1103 1211 Decrease 18 Potatoes .. 130 142 „ 6 Carrots .... 3 6} Increase 1? Turnips.. .. 103^ 76J „ 26 {• Mangels .. 30f 23 „ 74 Grass Hay .. 107? 12(U Decrease 18| Oaten do. .. 160J 84+ Increase 76 Black Crop l> 2fc „ 3JPasturaye .. 4458 i 4355 „ 103 j

Totals .. .. 7750 7525J- Increase 227^ This increase is mainly caused by land being brought under the plough for the first time. The following is an approximate statement as to the probable yield per acre : — Wheat, 45 bushels ; barley, 27 g- do ; oats, 37 do. With respect to the probable yield of potatoes, as there is a fair amount of shaws, and but little at the roots as yet, it is variously estimated at from 1 ton to 7 tons per acre, but it all depends on the season to come. Carrots look middling only, but they have plenty of time to improve. Turnips are in rather better repute than formerly, owing to last season's crop being a good one. Where singled they look everything that could be wished for, and the most likely crop there has been for years, provided the blight does not injure them to any extent. Mangels are not doing so well as formerly, simply because they were much later in being sown, when the ground was not in the best of order. They promise, however, to be a fair crop. They answer better than turnips for the dairy farmer for the winter-feeding of the milkers, as they do not destroy the butter or milk so much. The hay season was a splendid one, and much of the crop never got a shower from the time it was cut until it was in the stack. Both in quantity and quality, the crop was an excellent one ; but the breadth under it was not so large as usual, nor was the same quantity of grass hay seeded, though what there is is a very good sample. The pasturage all over the district has been very good ; in fact, it has been an extraordinary season for grass, which kept up very well until lately, when it began to fall off a good deal, owing to the drought, while the former wetness of the ground caused the surface to become very baked, and the grass was, as it were, burned up. All the fields arc fully stocked with cattle and sheep. A good many of the settlers have given up fattening cattle and dairying, and have become sheep farmers instead. It is perhaps a little doubtful how sheop will pay on such small holdings, especially as there will be a good deal of extra expense incurred in turning the cattle fences into proper sheep fences, in order to keep the sheep from trespassing. From present

appearances, however, it would seem that those who have sheep intend to continue with them, and this augurs well for their paying. Even if they do not pay directly they will do so indirectly, from the benefit they will be to the heavily cropped fields in the district. The fences on the Plain are not of the most pleasing description to the eye, as they are bare and afford no shelter of any Bort to the cattle grazing in the fields, but until the settlers go in largely for live fences, either hawthorne or gorse, the fencing will be a constant Bource of annoyance and expense to the various owners. The few patches of timber trees that have been planted are doing remarkably well. Blue-gums are apparently in most favour, and they are thriving, but the various kinds of pine trees planted are progressing nearly as fast as the gums. Implements to economise labour are continually being brought into the district, which now is probably the first in the Province in this respect. There is also some talk about a few new steam threshers coming to work, in addition to the number employed last season, together with no end of new reapers, &c. Should the weather prove favourable for a month or so, the bulk of the crops will then have been cut, and a considerable portion of it will be safely housed or else in the market. FLAG SWAMP. The grain crops in this district are better than in former years. There is an increase in the acreage under crop, especially wheat, the quality of which, also, is excellent. The crops have sustained less damage than usual, the only injury worth mentioning being from rust, which has affected some of the very late sown. The wet spring prevented farmers from getting all their cereal crops sown in season. Harvest was general about the middle of the month. Hands are scarce, notwithstanding that wages range at about £2 10s per week and found. The grass was luxuriant in the early part of the season. The system of summer fallowing, to clean the land before laying it down in grass, is becoming general. The potato crop promises a good yield. The extent under the various crops is as foll ows ; _ Wheat, 1308 acres ; barley, 277 do ; oats, 898 do ; potatoes, 30 do ; turnips, 43 do ; grass, 2814 do ; hay, 88 do ; total, 5458 acres. The yield of wheat and barley will probably average 33 bushels per acre, and that of oats 32 bushels per acre. GREEN ISLAND. In comparison with last year's crops, as a whole, this year's are manifestly lighter in bulk. This is owing to the late spring, and the ground being so saturated with rain that settlers could not venture to commit the precious seed into the ground, except on elevated land. Hence it is that the crops on hilly ground bear a better proportion to the whole bulk than for a number of years. The area under oats is larger this year than usual, there being 1190 acres under that cereal, and 110 under wheat. The acreage under potatoes and turnips may be computed at from 90 to 100 acres. Respecting the oats, this year's crop bears a favourable comparison with last year's on the higher grounds. On the lower, however, last year's was superior. As to the yield of potatoes, it would be difficult to give an estimate ; but from appearances everywhere, the crop promises well. In plantations there are scarcely any uerceptible additions to those of last year's. The area of land in the district is so limited that settlers require it all for the production of cereals and root crops and pasturage. As stated in last year's account, the native bush is fast disappearing, without any substitution being made. This is to be regretted for obvious reasons. One notable exception to the destroyers of the native bush, is Mr Jones, who will not allow a twig of the native trees to be destroyed. A considerable portion of bush near his residence, and the whole of the Peninsula, are securely fenced in, and occupied by native and imported birds in common. This season upwards of 150 acres of new land have been broken up, ready for the reception of seed next season. In agricultural implements there are not many additions this season, each settler being already possessed of all the requirements for carrying on agricultural operations. INCH CLUTHA. All the crops in this district, without exception, are in good condition, and they have not suffered in any way from rust, blight, or insects. A few small patches have been slightly damaged by the wind, but the crops have sustained no injury beyond this. The extent under crop is approximately as follows : — Wheat, 579 acres ; barley, 68 do ; oats, 322 do ; potatoes, 50 do ; turnips, 54 do ; grass, 767 ditto ; hay, 62 ditto ; total, 1902 acres. This is a slight increase on last season. Harvest is expected to be general before the end of the present month. The yield per acre will probably be as follows : — Wheat, 46 bushels j barley, 40 ditto j oats, GO

ditto ; potatoes, 10 tons. A good deal of land has been newly broken up this season. A few reapers and double-furrow ploughs have been added during the year to the agricultural machinery in use in the district. KAIHIKU. Winter sown wheat is ripe, but spring sown is still quite green ; both are looking extremely well. Of barley, there are only a few acres sown in the district, and what there is under this crop is poor. Oats are for the most part nearly ripe, and the crop is a very light one. A little mildew has made its appearance on the straw. Potatoes received a check from frost on the evening of the 4th instant. Previous to that date they looked well. Turnips, with few exceptions, are a complete failure. Grass io thoroughly burned up, and there has not been a single greenbladeto be seen since December. Hay is a fair crop, and is now all either threshed or stacked. Speaking generally, the crops are being destroyed by the drought, ?ind by the ravages of caterpillars and grasshoppers. The high winds experienced j during December and January were also detrimental to the crops. Exclusive of barley, of which, as stated above, there J are only ajfew acres, the area under crop , may be approximately stated as follows : j Wheat, 122 acres ; oats, 950 do. ; potatoes, 25 do. ; turnips, 80 do. ; grass, 2750 do ; hay, 135 do ; total, 4062 acres. As compared with last year, these figures show an increase in the area under wheat, grass, and hay, and a decrease in the area under oats and potatoes, while the extent of the turnip crop manifests no change. Harvest is expected to be general in the course of this month, and the average yield per acre will probably be as follows ; Wheat 35 bushels ; barley, 15 do ; oats, 30 do ; potatoes, 3 tons. The extent cf land newly broken up this season is _ about 150 acres. A new threshing machine (8 horse-power mill and engine) has just been imported by Messrs R. B. Martin and Co'-j f ovWLv Hay, a settler in the district. In planting the only thing to be noticed is that Mr John Johnston has planted live thorn fences round a few of his paddocks' KAITANGATA. Most of the wheat in this district is in good condition, only patches of it being laid. The other crops— cereals, roots, and grass — are also good. No rust or blight has made its appearance, and though the caterpillars have done so, they have done no damage as yet. The extent of the various crops is as follows :—: — Wheat, 634 acres ; barley, 20 do ; oats, 373 do ; potatoes, 13 do ; turnips, 48 do ; grass, 459 do ; hay (for seed), 00 do ; tares, 1| do ; peas, li do ; total, 1610 acres. The average yield per acre will probably be as follows -.—Wheat, 41| bushels ; barley, 35 do ; oats, 44 do ; grass seed, 30 do ; potatoes, 7i- tons. The quantity of land newly broken up this season is 216 acres, and is principally in Wangaloa. Among the improvements effected or in progress, may be mentioned the reclaiming and ditching of the North Molyneux swamp. This work is being rapidly proceeded with. During the year, moreover, many new buildings have been erected along the bank of the river. LAKE WAIPORI. The caterpillar has made a slight attack on the oats in some parts of the district, and in one part the wheat has suffered from the same cause. Smut has also been seen on the oats, which are, nevertheless, a good crop. Wheat is a very good crop, and barley a promising one, though not ready for cutting yet. Potatoes and turnips are both good crops,_ but grass is somewhat burnt. There is no hay crop in the district. The approximate extent of the various crops is as follows :— Wheat, 80 acres ; barley, 20 do ; oats, 300 do ; potatoes, 20 do ; turnips, 50 do ; grass, 1310 do; total, 1580 acres. As compared with last season these figures show an increase in grass of 60 acres, a decrease in wheat of 20 acres ; and a decrease in oats of 25 acres ; while the area of the barley, potato, and turnip crops is the same as last year. Harvest has been general for some days past. The yield per acre will probably average — for wheat and oats, 35 bushels ; for barley, 25 bushels ; and for potatoes, 8 tons. The extent of land newly broken up this season is small, being only 25 acres. No planting can be recorded as having taken place during the year. The farmers, however, are erecting new and better houses-— an important sign of improvement. The additions to the stock in the district made during the year comprise 1500 sheep, 100 cattle, and 20 horses. LONG BUSH. The summer of 1873 will be long remembered as one of the most inclement seasons with which we have been visited during the course of many years. Boisterous winds, cold nights and mornings, with now and then a hot scorching day followed by cold and ungenial showers, have been its chief characteristics. Notwithstanding this, pasture lands have been looking

remarkably well, and crops, with the exception of potatoes, show better than might have been expected. Very few changes have taken place in the agricultural statistics of the district. Nearly 16 acres are occupied by "wheat, being an increase of 2^ acres. In one patch of 5 acres only were the ravages of the caterpillar discernible. The average yield may be set down at from 25 to 30 bushels. No barley has been sown this ysar. The breadth of oats sown is much less than last year. There are 460 acres, being a decrease of 170 acres. This crop is generally looking well, especially in sheltered localities ; but on the whole there is a marked deficiency of straw, the average return is estimated at 25 bushels. About 30 acres of potatoes have been planted, being an increase of 8 acres. They are a much inferior crop to that of last year. The plants in most places are looking the reverse of healthy, and in very few fields are they covering the drill. The yield of an acre planted on bush land and well sheltered has been set down at 6 tons ; while in the open it is variously stated at 2, 3, 4, and 5 tons. An average of 4 tons will perhaps he realised. Of turnips, the earlier sown are looking healthy and vigorous ; while the later sown crop is not in such a state of forwardness as to warrant a decided opinion. As some of the farmers here have begun sheep-feeding, a greater breadth of this crop is sown than formerly, and eaten on the ground in spring, there being 54 acres, making an increase of 11 acres. Grass lands, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, have been showing well, and pasture has been much more abundant than last year. 886 acres are laid down, being an increase of 32 acres Hay — 31 acres, being a decrease of 13 acres — has been rather light, and may be returned as an average crop. Should genial weather prevail, harvest will become general in a few days. The Invercargill and Mataura Railway, which traverses the whole length of the south side of the Long Bush, at an average distance of half a mile, is now completed as far as Woodlands, about 12 miles from town. It is still, however, in the hands of the contractors, and not yet opened for general traffic. It is acknowledged that even when opened it will not benefit much the settlers on either side of the line, as they will be obliged to take their produce to Woodlands or to a station within five miles of town. On the east road, therefore, which runs parallel with the railway, and which was nothing but a mud canal all last winter — but which is now undergoing complete repair — the great proportion of the agricultural produce will be conveyed to market. It ought to be mentioned that though the settlers here unanimously petitioned the Engineer-in- Chief for a siding convenient to the residents on both sides of the line, their application as yet remains unnoticed, and the convenience of the public, both as regards produce and passenger traffic, has been altogether ignored. It is not to be wondered at that the qnaestio vexata of roads versus railways should have been in this district decided in favour of the former, though it is granted that the railway when completed will benefit those at a great distance from market, and who could not possibly navigate their teams along the mud canals without running the risk of men and horses being engulfed and "never seen or heard of more." MAUNGATUA. Wheat is a fair average crop, and barley a medium one, but of the latter very little is grown in the district. Oats are a poor crop, and short in the straw. Potatoes and turnips both promise well, but the latter are in some cases a failure, never havingstarted, owing to the drought. Grass was a very superior crop until January, but has suffered lately from drought and the attacks of grasshoppers. Hay is an excellent crop. A few acres of lint have been grown in the district, and are a splendid crop. The seed forms excellent feed for cattle when boiled and mixed with other food. A small quantity only of it should be given at first— say -gib. per day. The crops in the district have not been affected by rust or blight, but the oats have suffered a good deal from caterpillar. This insect ascends the stalk and cuts off* grain after grain, very soon leaving the stalk denuded. In the case of wheat the insect does not seem able to cut the head off, but it feeds on the grain notwithstanding. A farmer remarked to me that one-half of his field, which had been cropped for several years, was bad with caterpillar, while the other half, which was newly broken up, was not touched. May not over-cropping tend to the increase of this insect ? The extent of the various crops may be approximately stated as follows : — Wheat, 240 acres ; barley, 15 do ; oats, 550 do ; potatoes, 50 do ; turnips, 100 do ; grass, 1300 do ; hay, 30 do ; total, 2285 acres. The amount of land newly broken up this season is very small, consisting of a few 1 acres only. Harvest became general in

the first week of the month. It is expected the yield per acre of wheat and | barley will average frond 25 to 80 bushels, of oats from 20 to 25 bushels^ and of potatoes from 4to 5 tons. There are tto improvements of much importance calling for notice. A little planting for shelter and fencing has been carried out. Several grubbers and reaping machines have been introduced, and the former are now in general use throughout the district. The stock of the district has received some noteworthy accessions during the season, in the shape of three valuable shorthorn bulls and one heifer. MERTON. Owing to the wetness of the spring the crops in this district have suffered from both rust and flight, while the grasshopper and caterpillar have also been at 'work. The wheat crop looks well, and oats also wear a pretty healthy appearance. There is very little barley in crop, and what there is is in medium condition only. Potatoes where early look pretty good. Turnips have in some places been injured by grasshoppers. Grass is bare, and the yield of seed has been light. Hay has likewise been a j rather light crop. The extent under the various crops mentioned is approximately as follows : — Wheat, 86 acres ; barley, 16 do ; oats, 430 do ; potatoes, 40 do ; t urnips, 26 do ; grass, 1315 do ; hay, 40 do ; total, 1959 acres. As compared with last year, there is an increase in the areas of barley and oats, a decrease in that of potatoes, and no change in respect to the other crops. The harvesting of cereals will become general in a day or two ; and that of potatoes in April, or a little later. The following will probably be the average yield per acre : — Wheat, 30 i bushels ; barley, 25 do ; oats, 40 do ; potatoes, 8 tons. Not a great deal of land has been newly broken up this season. A little hedge-planting has taken place during the year, and a steam-thresher has been imported into the district. MOERAKI. i Patches of blight are to be seen onj wheat and oats on old ground in this district. The caterpillar is also very bad in places, but its ravages are not at all general. On new land wheat is an excellent crop, the stubbles being light, but of good quality. The barley crop is of small extent, and its condition but middling. Oats are a very fine crop on new land, but light and indifferent on old land. The potato crop covers a small area only, but in condition, although very backward, it is healthy. Turnips are a very poor crop, the spring having been too wet for them. The pastures are excellent, and a large yield of very fair grass seed has been obtained. Hay has been well harvested, but the quantity is small, and will be all required for home use. The area of the several crops is approximately as follows :—: — | Wheat, 2200 acres ; barley, 60 do ; oats, 800 do ; potatoes, 28 do ; turnips, 10 do ; grass, 2500 do ; hay, 180 do ; total, 6778 acres. As compared with last year, these figures show an increase in the area under wheat of no less than 1600 acres, but a decrease in the area Tinder oats of 800 acres. There is also a decrease in the extent of the crops of barley, potatoes, turnips, and hay. The increased area of the wheat crop is in a great measure owing to the large quantity of land which has been taken up on theNewZealand and Australian Land Co.'s estate, under the two-crop arrangement As thelandis of superior quality, has been used for a number of years as a sheep-walk, and has been carefully prepared, the general condition of the crop is very encouraging. Harvest is now general. The average yield per acre will probably be as follows : — Wheat, 28 bushels ; barley, 18 do ; oats, 27 do ; potatoes, 4 tons. About 350 acres of land have been newly broken up this season. The improvements effected in the district during the year, are of a general nature. The advance in prices has allowed the farmers in many instances to improve their properties by the erection of new buildings, &c. Some new reapers have been imported. In a good many instances, sheep are replacing cattle in enclosures, and there is no doubt that there will continue to be a tendency in that direction. MOUNT IDA. The crops in this district are in a healthy condition, and have suffered from nothing, except of late from drought. This is especially the case with oats, but they are nevertheless a good crop. Only 4 acres of wheat have been grown this year, and they are healthy. No barley has been sown, and the potato crop covers ! 2 acres only. It is a good one, so far as it goes. Turnips have been too lately sown for an opinion to be given regarding them, but they are planted for household purposes only. Grass and hay (except oaten) occupy 450 acres. The wheat will probably yield 40 bushels per acre, oats 25 buahcls, and potatoes 3 tons. No land has been newly broken up this season,

nor have &UV improvementa worth noting been effected. OAMARTJ. Nearly the whole of the cereal crops wifl be cut down and in stook before the middle of the present month ; and while I write, the 1 greater proportion is in a position of safety from the wind, and there is a good prospec* o£ dry weather to ensure a prosperous conclttsum to the harvest by the "leading in" of the> various crops of grain in good condition for stacking. But even should this deairable result be realised, it cannot with truth be aaid that the crops will be secure from serious injury and loss, aa few farmers will incur the expense of putting their stacks safely under " thack and rape," intending as they nearly all do,- to thresh out as speedily as possible. The limited number of threshing machines, and the almost universal demand for their services at one time, introduce an element of risk from rain to* a large quantity of grain, which, from experience of past seasons, may with certainty be said to involve the deterioration of quality ef a great number of samples. The operation of stacking is necessarily performed in the Colonies in _ a hurried manner, ard very freqtiently in an unskilful and slovenly style — so that, when unthatched, it is no cause for surprise to find after heavy rains that stacks become seriously damaged by wet ; and toseeinthe market sprouted pickles in samples of grain which otherwise are good. In the absence of any proof of productiveness or quality of the grain crops — no appreciable extent haying yet been tested by the thrasher — it may be stated generally of the Oamaru district, from the Waitaki to the Kakanui rivers, exclusive of Papakaio and Awamoko, that they will be much superior to last year. This statement is specially applicable to oats and barley, for although wheat is in some instances very good, there are other large areas under this crop which stook very badly, and will only give a return that must materially reduce the average yield of the staple product of this portion of North Otago. From the Waitaki to Pukeuri Point, from the town of Oamaru to Kakanui North, via the Beach Road, and on a large portion of the Totara Eatate — let out to contractors — the wheat is very inferior ; and the cause may generally be attributed to its being the second crop grown on stubble land without the necessary ciiltivation to prepare it for healthy and vigorous growth. The partial failure does not appear to be from exhaustion of the necessary chemical constituents of the soil, but from the mechanical condition of the soil being unsuited to the wheat plant, rendering the crop liable to the attacks of blight, rust, and wire-worm. If it is considered necessary or expedient to take a double crop of wheat successively, farmers would find it advantageous to feed off an intermediate crop of rape by sheep, or to consolidate the soil by the free use of the grubber at the time of sowing by a presser or other suitable implement. In the districts of Waiareka and Cave Valley, there are magnificent crops of wheat — chiefly so where grown on newly broken up land. On Mr Menlove's property alone, there is expected a yield of 80000 bushels, representing an acreage return of over 40 bushels. Oats and barley are also superior in these localities, and indeed, throughout the district these will prove productive and of fine quality — always excepting where they have suffered from the blight, rust, or the ravages of the caterpillar. Potatoes promise to be a fine crop, both as regards quantity and quality. Turnips are so sparingly cultivated that one can only state that the weather during the season has been extremely favourable for this and other root crops, and none of the aphis tribe have been numerous enough to injure their growth. The frequent showers during the past summer produced most luxuriant pastures, and although the late heat and winds have desiccated the upper growth of the grasses, there is still a fine undermath of green feed, which is likely to be maintained by the recent favourable thunder showers. Most of the hay crop was secured towards the end of January in splendid condition, and rye-grass Beed is now coming to market well coloured and fully matured, but from the want of facilities for proper dressing, much of it is lessened in value by the presence of seeds of noxious weeds. Rust, blight, and wire-worm have attacked more or less all the crops of weakly-growing wheat ; oats, on the contrary, being principally injured by these diseases where of luxuriant growth. I have neither seen nor heard of any injury from the weather, with the exception of a very slight discoloration of oats in some localities. The caterpillar has, in several instances, proved very destructive, but its movements have been so eccentric, and its greedy proclivities so partial, that it is impossible to estimate the extent of loss from this pest. I have been era-

dibly informed that this insect shows a decided preference for those parts of the crops grown on sheep camping ground or where of rank growth, and my informant assures me that in one field of fine oats in the upper portion of the Waiareka, a patch of five acres — an old camping ground — was completely eaten up. Although as a rule barley is the favourite spoil of the caterpillar, it does not appear to have done much injury to this crop. I have somewhere seen it stated that a variety called the Norway oat is entirely exempt from its attacks, and it is quite possible that such may be the case, as the insect is evidently fastidious in palate. To give anything like a correct estimate of the approximate extent under crop is a difficult task, as the Oamaru district covers an area of nearly 60,000 acres, and without a great amount of labour and time in obtaining statistical information, it will be apparent that a rough guess must suffice. The area under wheat cannot be far short of 10,000 acres, as little increase was made last year in. the extent of land under this crop. A greater extent of barley has been cultivated during the past year, and it is a noticeable fact that the Chevalier variety is becoming a favourite, the brewers esteeming it for its superior malting properties The acreage may be safely estimated at from 800 to 1000 acres, and although this is an increase over former years, I think by proper and careful cultivation it might with advantage be grown more extensively, but the dread of the caterpillars prevents the farmers from giving much attention to it as a general crop. The oat crop does not cover any larger area than previously, and is not at any time grown so largely as in the southern portion of the Province, where the climate is more humid and cold, and therefore better adapted for producing a superior quality and a larger number of bushels per acre where the land has not been exhausted by repeated cropping. About one-half the acreage of wheatsay from 4000 to 5000 acres — will not be far from the mark. Potatoes are not largely cultivated, as there is no payable market for any surplus over the local consumption, and from 200 to 300 acres will be an outside limit. Turnips are rarely attempted to be grown, and 50 to 60 acres, at most, may be under this green crop. The land under grass embraces a very large area indeed, as in some of the large estates in the district a great portion is now laid down in permanent artificial grasses. Including these, I should think there cannot be much less than 22,000 acres. The increase under grass may bo set down at from 3000 to 4000 acres. The hay crop will not-be larger than last year ; but taking into account the land under crop for the production of grass seed, I should estimate the extent at about 500 or 600 acres. In the early part of spring, and evert until Christmas, there was every indication of harvest being late, but the severe dry winds at that time hastened the maturity of the grain crops. Harvest commenced towards the end of January, and by the sth inst. it was general. Contrary to anticipation, labour was abundant enough ; albeit the rate of wages has ruled high — £2 lCs per week and found being about the average. As regards the probable yield of the various crops, an average of 20 to 25 bushels of wheat, 25 to 30 of barley, 35 to 40 of oats, and 6 tons per acre of potatoes, may safely be considered a fair estimate. The extent of newly broken up land is very much less than las+ year, and I am assured by one gentleman in a position to give correct information, that the decrease will be about 4000 acres. A very large portion of virgin soil is still of course available for cultivation, but until labour becomes more abundant and cheaper, and until facilities for railway carriage are generally presented in the district, it is not probable that any great extent will be added to the land at present under cultivation. This opinion, if correctly formed, suggests the consideration that to keep up the present standard of production, the landowners and fanners will have to adopt some system of rotation in order to sustain the productive powers of the soil. It is satisfactory to note that settlers are generally more inclined to keep sheep than formerly ; and so long as wages of farm labourers continue high, the depasturing by sheep, in connection with the more regular cultivation of rape and growth of red clover, seems the most judicious and least expensive mode of recreating lands worn out by the repetition of grain crops, which sooner or later must absorb those mineral ingredients essential to their successful production. Several instances have been given me of the good effects of folding sheep on rape, as Bhown in the succeeding crops of wheat and oats, and as several acres of this plant are now annually grown for seed ; it coats little beyond a simple preparation of the

ground to grow an abundant crop of succulent food, which, fed off, cannot fail to beneficially influence the future fertility ©f the soil. No extensive improvements of any importance have been carried out, unless indeed I should notice the very large, and in most cases judicious, expenditure of 2">ublic money in forming and metalling the district roads. These works, instituted and being carried out under the direction of the amalgamated Road Boards, must prove a great help to the farming community in lessening the work and cost of cartage. The planting of forest trees, unless iv the case of some of the lar^o proprietors, has not progressed to the extent that is desirable ; neither has there been much attention given to the growth and cultivation •of orchard trees, for which the climate and soil are well adapted, apples and other large fruits being wherever grown of fine quality and abundant in quantity. The addition to agricultural machinery consists almost solely in an increase of double, and not a few of three and even more, furrow ploughs. An experienced farmer cannot fail to perceive great room for improvement in this respect. A very different statement may, however, be made with respect to stock of all kinds. Both, in horses and cattle the improvement is every year becoming more perceptible — an improvement manifested by the annual display of these animals on the Show-ground of the j Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association, which is attaining to a position second to no other kindred Society in the Colony. I cannot particularise every instance of valuable additions to these classes of stock ; but as shorthorn cattle arc certain to occupy a prominent place in this suitable district at no distant date, I should fail in my duty were I to omit all reference to the noted herd of the Hon. Mathew Holmes — a herd celebrated | for its purity of blood, and to which has been added this season an imported bull of great value, and in which the purest strains of blood are combined. This animal belongs to the Mantalini breed, his sire being of the Warlaby, and his dam of the ICillerby blood. He is therefore as pure a specimen of Booth's worldrenowned short-horns as could be obtained. But if the efforts at improve- 1 ment in the breeding of large cattle are worthy of notice, those in connection with sheep are still more marked ; I and this is so particularly in the longwools, which are every year coming more generally into favour in this and adjoining districts. And as far as I can learn, neither expense nor trouble will be spared to bring the several varieties of this class of sheep to perfection of form and staple and texture of wool. Here again I must notice the enterprise of Mr Holmes, who recently imported two rams and four ewes of the Lincoln breed from England. They were selected from a flock that has not been crossed for a period of 50 years. Mr Holmes is also the possessor of a stud flock of Border Leiccsters, than which there are few of purer blood in the Colonies. But, as an illustration of the desire for continued improvement, it may be interesting for the public to know that Messrs Gillies aDd Street, of Awamoko, having imported some valuable rams of the Polwarth breed, their services have been eagerly sought after, and Mr Holmes had introduced to them four of his best Leicester ewes, at a cost of £5 53 each. Mr Hawdon, who recently purchased the Cave Valley estate from Mr Hassell, intends importing some first-class sheep ; : and doubtless the New Zealand and Aus- < tralian Land Co., and other breeders, not ; to be behind in the race of improvement in long-woolled sheep, will also seek to : add to their reputation by the importation of pri me bred animals. In concluding my report, 1 mny with some confi- : dence express the opinion that the pros- : pects of agriculturists and stock-owners : in the Oainaru district are, upon the whole, encouraging, and with thuir pros- ! perityit may safely be predicated that those of all other industries will be correspond- i ingly cheering. ] OTEI'OPO. ' There has been a considerable amount j of rust among the crops in this district, ] but they have not suffered from any other < cause. Wheat is an average crop, though 1 in some parts affected by rust. Of barley, ' although there is an increase as compared t with last year, the acreage is merely no- £ minal, and the quality is a low average, i Oats, though slightly affected by rust, j are a good crop. Potatoes bid fair to give 1 a good average yield. Very few turnips r have been sown, but these look well. Grass i i is a very good crop, and hay has been c an excellent one throughout. The extent a of the crops may be stated approximately c as folluws : — Wheat, 2500 acres ; oats, i 8000 do ; potatoes, 150 do ; turnips, 12 I do ; grass, 5000 do ; hay, 1000 do ; total, j 16,052 acres. As compared with last c year, there is a decrease in wheat, and t oats are of about the same extent. There r is a considerable increase in potatoes, and ■ a an increase of from 300 to 400 aoree in c

- [land under grass. The hay crop this year 0 I is double the extent of that of last season. y Harvest became general a week or ten s days ago. The average yield per acre , will probably be as follows : — Wheat, 22 V bushels ; barley, 25 do ; oats, 50 do ; - potatoes, 5 tons. 450 acres of land have 1 been newly broken up this season. There , are no improvements calling for mention. 3 pofotunoa. J. Autumn-sown wheat is now ripe, but ? spring-sown will not be ready for cutting for some weeks yet. Barley is also not ' quite lipc as yot, but oats -are being \ reaped. Potatoes arc a middling crop \ only. Early-sown turnips are doing well where they came up, but late-sown are a poor crop so far. Grass came well away [ in the early part of the season, but is : [ turned pretty bare now, though it is not ' so bad as in some other districts. Hay L in some cases has been a very heavy crop, and has been got in in fair condition. I P Speaking generally, the crops have been very slightly affected by either rust or [ blight, especially the former. Their worst enemies have been caterpillars and j 1 grasshoppers, both of which have caused considerable loss. From caterpillars some j sorts of grass, especially Timothy, have suffered much ; a few acres of good * Timothy for seed have been rendered useless. Both wheat and oats have suffered j from these insect pests — from caterpillars and grasshoppers alike. The extent of "' land under crop is approximately as follows : — Wheat, 80 acres ; barley, 6 do ; | oats, 600 do ; potatoes, 23 do ; turnips, ! 20 do ; grass, 800 do ; hay, 36 do ; total, ' 1562 acres. As compared with last year [ there is an increase in the extent of cereals, grass, and hay ; potatoes are of L about the same extent ; and turnips show , a decrease. Harvest is now in progress, I and the yield per acre will probably be as 1 follows : — Wheat, 25 to 30 bushels ; bar- ; ley, 17 do ; oats, 35 do ; potatoes, 3 to 4 \ tons. There has not been any very great ; extent of land newly broken up this ' season. Considerable improvement has been effected in the state of the roads during the year. A few more reaping \ i machines have been added to the agricultural machinery in use in the district. I'OItTOBELLO AND MIOAD BAY. i It is a pretty general practice, in clearing land in this district, to lay it down in grass immediately the timber is burnt I off, although not unfrcquently a cereal crop is taken off the first year, and then laid down in permanent pasture. It is also from the land thus newly brought under cultivation that the settler raises his potato crop. This year a somewhat larger area than last has been cleared — say, to the extent of about 150 acres. The gradual clearing of the bush for pasturage, and its decay, where it has been partially cleared to obtain fencing and sawing timber, prevent its affording the food and shelter to the stock that it once did, making their more careful feeding on dry food in the winter a matter of increasing importance. The hay crop is both abundant and of good cjuality, the weather being on the whole favourable to gathering it in in prime condition. The potato croj) promises to be a good one — its extent being not more than about 100 acres, being grown principally for consumption in the immediate neighbourhood. The bush fires kindled by the settlers for burning off the felled bush have not been allowed to spread to the damage of fences and destruction of the standing bush, which has happened not unfrequcntly in former years. Greater care was probably exercised, not only on account of the danger to houses and farm buildings, but alao on account of the increased value of most kinds of bush timber for firing. The absence, too, of any extended period of drought favoured the confining of the Jiros to the area intended to bo cleared by thorn. The rise in the price of firewood has led to a somewhat different mode of clearing than that formerly adopted. It used to bo the practice to cut down the bush indiscriminately, aud burn it off when dry. Now the greater part of it is cut inro cord-wood for sale, leaving only a comparatively small remainder to be swept off by the firo. The manuka firewood so highly prized, has been neai-ly all cut down and removed from the district, so loading to an increased demand for the " mixed wuod," to supply which the settler is induced to give his attention, to a supplement the meagre returns his dairy r work too often affords him. The low t price of dairy produce, which has led 1 the dairy farmer to seek other sources t of income, has, combined with the rise s |in the price of land, led to many a of the smaller holdings changing hands, t while others have been stocked, wholly c or in part, with sheep, so that there s is a smaller supply of, and it is to a be anticipated n better return for, dairy g produce. Thistles, cape-weed, and dan- c delions are giving a large amount of a ! trouble to those who resist their encroach- j ' ments, and whero they are left unchecked g are covering the soil to the injury and a cost of the entire neighbourhood, In the I

gardens on the older clearings slugs have made their appearance, and are increasing to such an extent that it is almost impossible to raise sufficient vegetables for home use, and it is only by going further into the bush on new land, that sufficient can be grown. The introduction of such birds as the blackbird and thrush is therefore a matter of some importance, and it is pleasing to record that the starlings liberated on the Peninsula have increased so that they may be seen in flocks, while the thrush is occasionally heard pouring forth his mellow notes on summer mornings.

I'umtiM.

The farmers in this district are busy cutting down autumn sown wheat and oats, and spring sown wheat and oats are fast coming to maturity under the present hot and dry weather. There is scarcely any barley sown this season, and what little there is has a very sickly appearance. Potatoes will be an average crop, but turnips are suffering severely from the long continued dry weather and the myriads of grasshoppers that are proving so destructive to every kind of fresh vegetation. There has lieen a good crop of hay ; and grass, during the early months of summer, was exceptionally abundant. Now, however, pasture has everywhere a thoroughly parched appearance, and stock of every description must suffer seriously from a deficiency of both food and water, should we not have an early and abundant fall of rain. There is a decrease in the area under wheat, while that under oats is largely increased. The cultivation of the potato crop is limited almost entirely to meet local demands ; while there is an evident tendency every year to extend the area under turnips, notwithstanding the difficulty usually experienced from the effects of dry weather and the attacks of grasshoppers, in getting a good braird. A considerable extent of neAv land has been laid down under permanent pasture during the past season, while the rise in the price of oats seems to have tempted a good many of the farmers to take a crop of that cereal from some of their worn out pasture tk'lds. Owins; to the severe drought experienced this season the returns per acre -will be very unequal. In soils having a rocky subsoil, the returns will be very deticient, while in stiff loamy soils the returns will be considerably above the average. An approximate average will be about 20 bushels of wheat, 25 to 30 bushels of oats, and of potatoes, about 4 tons per acre. Reaping machines are doing almost all the cutting now in the district. SHAIi VALLEY, I'ALM.KK.STOK, AND UOODWOO I).

All the crops in the above districts are in excellent condition, and though rust has made its appearance on the wheat and oats it is to a very small extent only. The following is the approximate extent of the various crops :— Wheat, 33D5 acres ; barley, 510 do ; oats, 5G45 do ; potatoes, 322 do ; turnips, 650 do ; grass, 4G93 do ; hay, 12 do ; total, 15,237 acres. These figures show a considerable increase on all the crops as compared with last year. Harvest became general about a week ago. The yield per acre will probably average as follows : — Wheat, 30 bushels ; barley, 35 do ; oats, 45 do ; potatoes, 6 tons. The quantity of land newly broken up this season is very considerable, amounting to about 1500 acres. Three threshing machines have been imported during the year, making the number of these machines now in the district, seven. SOUTH 3IOLYJV.EUX. Autumn-sown wheat appears to be in fair condition, but spring-sown is rather light. JJarloy and oats both look healthy, but the latter are very light on dry laud. Potatoes to all appoaivinco will bu a light crop. Turnips arc very backward gtAiorally, and wi'l be a partial failure, (irass lias almost disappeared in paddocks where it was scanty. Hay is a fair crop, and is now mostly in stack. It is in excellent condition where not over- dried. Neither rust nor blight has made its appearance, but the crops have suffered greatly from excessive drought, the strong winds having continually throughout the season carried off the moisture before it had made any material impression on growing crops of all sorts, particularly where the soil is dry. The grasshoppers this season are again a numerous host, and have done much damage to almost everything of tender growth, young turnips especially, but probably to pasture as much as anything. The area under the various crops is approximately as follows : — Wheat, 48 acres ; barley, 5 do ; oats, 517 do ; potatoes, 15 do ; turnips, 30 do ; grass, 850 do ; hay, 50 do j total, 1515 acres. Oata show an increase upon last year's crop of about SO acres, turnips of 5 acres, and grass of about 100 acres ; potatoes show a decrease of about 10 acres, and wheat and barley are of the same oxtent as last year. Harvest is expected to become goneral about the Ist March. The average yield per acre will probably be 35 bushels for wheat and barley, 25 bushe^

for oats, and 4 tons for potatoes. About 50 acres of land have been newly broken up this season. Among the improvements effected during the year, the most noteworthy is the draining of a larae area of swamp land by Mr William Telford, Otanomomo, the labour employed being \ chiefly Chinese. Though scarcely within my district, I may mention that Mr Telford has also in progress some great drainage works in the Waitepeka district, five or six miles from Balclutha. Mr Telford deserves high praise for his enterprise, and it is to be hoped his example will be widely followed. No tree-planting has taken place during the year. One selfdelivery reaper (Nicholson's) has been imported by Mr Henry Latimer, Ahuriri. TAIERI FERRY. The general appearance of the crops throughout the district may be pro- ' nounced very fair. The wheat promises fully better than the oats, as the continued period of warm weather has been more favourable to the former than the latter grain. Of barley there has been little or nothing sown this season. Both turnips and potatoes look very healthy at present, while the hay has been much superior to that of former years. The long-continued drought, however, has told seriously on the grass,_ which is sadly burnt up at present, with the exception of the swampy land. The caterpillar has made serious havoc amongst the oats and wheat, and farmers gene- j rally say that this pest is even worse than the blight, though there has been no case of rust or blight this season. The following is the approximate extent under crop, there being perhaps a slight increase on the former season :— Wheat, 50 acres ; barley, nil ; oats, 80 acres ;' potatoes, 10 acres ; turnips, 12 acres ; hay, 20 acres, grass, 3000 acres ; rape, 2000 acres. The extent of the two latter items applies chiefly to the swamp land, now being rapidly brought under cultivation. Harvest is expected to become general this week. Wheat this year will probably average 35 bushels to the acre ; oats, 30 do ; while the potatoes will run to 5 tons to the acre. Not much new land has been broken up this season. The principal improvements have been in the way of fencing and planting. Some extensive draining has also been completed. There is little or no addition to report in regard to the machinery or stock in the district. TOKOHAIRIK.O. The crops in this district are uniformly in good condition, and they have not suffered from rust, blight, the inroads of insects, or the vicissitudes of the weather. The area under crop is much the same as last year, and may be approximately stated as follows : — Wheat, 1402 acres ; barley, 88 i do ; ' oats, 1908 do ; potatoes, 40 do ; turnips, 70 do ; grass, 4600 do ; hay, 125 do ; total, 8233 i acres. Harvest has been general for" some time past. The yield per acre will probably average 25 bushels for wheat, 26 for barley, 30 for oats, and 5 tons for potatoes. There has not been any extent of land newly broken up this season, nor is there anything of importance to record in the way of improvements. TUAPEKA. There has been no blight this year, but the want of rain and the havoc caused by insects have injured the crops very much. The wheat and oaten crops are looking well, more especially those that were sown in autumn. These are likely to yield a third more. Barley is also looking well. Potatoes are suffering very much from the want of water, while the turnip crop is almost a complete failure, owing to the ravages of caterpillars and grasshoppers. Since the dry weather set in grass has also been sadly ravaged by insects. The hay crop has been very good. The area under the various crops may be approximately stated as follows : — Wheat, 80 acres ; barley, 50 do ; oats, 800 do ; potatoes, (30 do ; turnips, 40 do; grass, 3500 do ; hay, 40 do ; total, 4570 acres. As compared with last year there is an inciease in the extent of the wheat and oat crops. Harvest is now general, and the average yield per acre will probably be as follows :— Wheat, 35 bushels; barley, 45 do ; oats, 35 do ; potatoes, 4 tons. The quantity of land newly broken up this season is about 300 acres. There are no improvements calling for notice. • waihola^ The wheat crop in this district is a veryfair one this season. Of barley there is none grown. Autumn sown oats are in very good, and spring sown in fair, condition. Potatoes are a good crop. Turnips, in consequence of the drought, are in most places scarcely above the ground. Grass was in very good condition in the early part of the summer, but has since been withered up. Speaking generally, the crops have escaped the attacks of rust, blight, and insect peßts. In one or two cases only have they suffered from caterpillar, and that to a very small extent The following p the approximate

extent under crop in the district : — Wheat, 220 acres ; barley, 20 do. ; oats, 553 do. ; potatoes, 22 do. ; turnips, 40 do ; grass, 1298 do. ; hay, 57 do ; total, 2210 acres. As compared with last season, there is an in- 1 crease in barley, oats, potatoes, and hay ; and a decrease in wheat, turnips, and grass. Harvest is now general. The average yield per acre will probably be as follows :— Wheat, 35 bushels ; barley, 30 do ; oats, 35 do ; potatoes, 5 tons. About 50 acres of land have been newly broken up this season, and a considerable number of trees have been planted out. Attention, also, is still being paid to securing improved breeds of sheep. WAIKOUAITI. Late sown wheat is a good crop, but very early sown— usually the best crop — is this year very inferior, and much blighted. The cause of this blight is unknown, and has given rise to much speculation. The oat and barley crops are fair, but are similarly affected with blight, though not to the same extent as the early sown wheat. Under the influence of this blight the straw assumes a red colour, while the ears are white and usually empty. No doubt the excessive heat and high parching winds that have prevailed recently have affected the crops considerably. The caterpillar has been less destructive than in former years. Root crops are very bad this year, potatoes being very inferior, and turnips very late and almost a failure. Grass _ was very t abundant -until recently, but is now be- 1 coming parched. Hay, both rye and oaten, is a good crop. The area under crop in the district is approximately as follows : Wheat,l4oo acres; barley, 105 do; oats,9Bo do; potatoes, 60 do ; turnips, 25 do; grass, 3500 do ; hay (ryegrass), 50 do ; hay (oaten), 250 do ; total, 6370 acres. _ Harvest became general at the beginning of last week, and the probable yield per acre may be estimated at 30 bushels for wheat and barley, 35 bushels for oats, and 4i tons for potatoes. 350 acres of land have been newly broken up this season. Much attention is now being given in the district to the rearing of stock. Mr Duncan, Cherry Farm, recently purchased a bull for £200, a3 well as two famous prize mares for about the same amount. Some splendid specimens of stock — alike of horses, cattle, and sheep— are now to be seen on Cherry Farm, and also on the Island Farm, occupied by Mr A. Bannatyne. The latter gentleman was the winner of a very handsome cup, presented by Mr James Mills, M.P.C., to the most successful competitor at the show of the Waikouaiti and Shag Va,lley Agricultural and Pastoral Association, held in December last. WAIWKUA. Cereal crops in this district are but average ones this year, and potatoes are below the average, while turnips are an utter failure, except in two or three instances, where early sown. Grass and hay are not more than average crops. The green crops have suffered severely j from the attacks of insects, but neither rust nor blight has made its appearance. The approximate extent of land under crop is as follows : — Wheat, 207 acres ; barley, 27 do ; oats, 750 do ; potatoes, 25 .V do ; turnips, 136 h do ; grass, 851 do ; hay, 63 do ; total, 2060 acres. These figures show a slight increase in all the crops as compared with last year. Harvest has been general for about ten days. The average yield per acre will probably be as follows : — Wheat, 25 bushels ; barley, 25 do ; oats, 28 do ; potatoes, 4 tons. About 380 acres of land have been newly broken up this season. No important improvements have been carried out, nor have any additi»ns worth noting been made to the stock or agricultural machinery in the district. WAKATIF. There is no appearance of disease on the crops, and they never presented a healthier appearance. Wheat in particular is in excellent condition, but oats, barley, and potatoes are also good crops. The season has been most favourable for grass, and it is consequently a first rate crop. Hay was a good crop, and has been well preserved. The following is the approximate extent under crop :—: — Wheat, 4300 acres ; barley, 2100 do ; oats, 3700 do ; potatoes. 1800 do ; turnips, 200 do ; grass, 8600 do ; hay, 1200 do ; total, 21,900 acres. These figures show a considerable increase in the area under wheat and barley, especially the latter. This is owing to the fact that barley was sold last year at prioes as high as 7a per | bushel. In grass there is also a considerable increase, especially in white clover. There is no inorease in the area under oatß and potatoes, and the same may be said of hay, the market for which is fixed and limited. Harvest is now 1 general. It is probable the yield per acre will be as follows -.—Wheat, 40 bushels ; barley, 38 do ; oats, 34 do ; potatoes, 4 tons. A large quantity of land has been newly broken up, to be laid down in grass and barley, I fear our farmers will overstock the local roav-

ket for barley, and cartage is too high to admit of the crop being exported. WEST TAIERI. All the crops in this district are in good condition, and have suffered very little from the weather, rust, blight, or insects. The approximate extent under crop is as follows :— Wheat, 1660 acres ; barley, 200 do : oats, 870 do ; potatoes, 80 do ; turnips, 100 do ; grass, 6000 do ; hay, 50 do ; total, 8960 acres. As compared with last year there is no change in the area under crop, except in the case of grass, the extent of which has been increased by 1000 acres. Harvest became general about ten days ago. The yield per acre will probably average 40 bushels for wheat, 42 for barley, 50 for oats, and 7 tons for potatoes. The only improvement calling for notice is the planting of about 12 acres of land with European trees and blue gums.* WTNDHAM (INCLUDING TOE-TOES). Wheat and barley are splendid crops this year, and will be ready for cutting in about three weeks. Oats, although they have been slightly touched by the caterpillar, are a good crop. They are now almost fit for cutting. Potatoes and turnips are ! rather light crops, the roots being deficient in size. Grass is a rich crop, and hay is above the average. The following is an approximation to the area under crop. Wheat, 200 acres ; barley, 15 do ; oats, 500 do ; potatoes, 60 do ; turnips, 300 do ; grass, 850 do ; hay, 50 do ; total, 1 1075 acres, being an increase of about a third on last season. The average yield per acre of wheat and barley will probably be 30 bushels ; of oats, 40 bushels ; and of potatoes, from three to five tons. The quantity of land newly broken up in the district this season is very considerable, amounting to upwards of 600 acres. Among the improvements carried out may be mentioned about 15 miles of fencing, half of which are sod dykes. Planting has been tried on a small scale, but the young plants were injured by frost. An acre or two of lint has been planted, and is doing well. j Three reapers and six double-furrow ploughs have been introduced into the district during the year.