THE CROPS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1162, 7 March 1874, Page 8

THE CROPS.

The following agricultural reports, in addition to those published in our issue of the 21st tilt., have since been received by us :—: — SADDLE HILL. Wheat and barley, though fair crops, cannot be described as very good ones this harvest. The whole of the oat crop has suffered from drought, and also more or less from blight, while in some places it has been attacked by the caterpillar. Potatoes are rather deficient, and but few turnips are grown in the district, though what there arc are in good condition. Crass and hay have both been good crops. The approximate extent under crop is as follows : — Wheat, 250 acres ; barley, 25 do ; oats, 500 do ; potatoes, 40 do ; turnips, 50 do ; grass, 1700 do ; hay, SO do ; total, 2645 acres. As compared with, last year these figures show a decrease in potatoes and hay, no change in turnips, a slight increase in grass, an increase in wheat and oats, and a great proportionate increase in barley. Harvest became general about the middle of February. The average yield per acre will probably be as follows : — Wheat, 30 bushels ; barley, 25 do ; oats, 2S do ; potatoes, 6 tons. About 100 acres have been newly broken up this season. There are no general improvements calling for notice. WTXTON AND FOREST HILL. Sonic there are who would persuade us that the fate of Winton is sealed, when the time arrives which will witness the railway engine whizzing past ib on its way to Kingston. But situated as our township is, in the centre of an excellent and extensive agricultural district — a district having within its borders men of practical skill and energy, perseverance, and capital — it cannot fail to become a place of considerable importance, notwithstanding the ominous wailings of those desponding spirits. The harvest of 1874 will bear favourable comparison with that of IS73 — and with the latter i'eAV farmers in this district had cause to grumble. The area under wheat (2000 acres) is considerable, this being eminently a wheat-pro-ducing district ; but the high price of oats induced producers to cultivate this cereal more extensively than in former years, and consequently there will be a large quantity for exportation. About 3300 acres of oats have been grown this season. The cultivation of banoy seems to be gaining favour, and to judge from appearance ib iiuds here a genial soil. The area of this crop is about 300 acres. These cereals will probably yield on an average — Wheat, from 35 to 40 ; oats, I 40 ; and barley, from 35 to 40 bushels to the acre. Potatoes (140 acres) and turnips (400 acres) arc looking well, being greatly benefited by the late rains. The former will yield from 7to 8 tous to the acre. Hay (300 acres) has been secured in good condition. As sheep-farming is much attended to by the settlers, in addition to their more regular occupation, a good deal of their land is laid down (about six thousand acres) in English grass, and parcelled oil into paddocks, which are a]so used for fattening purpuwes. As there has beou a good deal more moisture this season than, last, there are no complaints of scarcity of grass in these paddock*, and thus sheep and cattle seem to have abundance of feed. About one thousand awed of land have been ncAvly broken up this season. Harvest is now general throughout the dis trict. The excellent prices which, for a longtime post, have been obtained for iarm produce of every description, the abundance of last year's crop, and the general prosperity of the country, have tended to raise the practical agriculturists here as elsewhere to a state of independence to which they were entire strangers in years past. The result is plainly visible in their constant endeavour to add to their already extensive freeholds, in their continued inti oduction of labour-saving machinery, and their evident determination to make for themselves and families comfortable and happy homes, becoming thus bona fide settlers of the best type. Yive pounds an acre for laud seems to become quite common here now-a-days, when the settler is determined to buy afresh or add to his freehold. 'No wonder that capitalists were to be found who were so eager to speculate on the waste lands of this district at £2 per uoro. Conspicuous among the improvements that have Ijecn going on of Lite in this district, may be noticed the operations on Beninore Flat, the property ot Mr O, Webster, AI.K K. Hero, farming is commenced and intended to be pro.seenfced ona veryexteiisi vese do tuidei* t)io;ible management of M r 1-1 arriugton. Already large mu\ commodious buildings have been erected, from SWO to 400 acres turned up, and before fcvvo yearw are over it is expected that 1000 acres will be under cultivation. Two doublefurrow ploughs lmvu been at work for a considerable time past, and in a few days two more will be on tbte ground in full work-ing order. A few tnilea Irani Winton, and close by the bush, may be seen the newly ihiushed residence of Mr K. Swale, and viewed from the road it appears to be a large and commodious house. Nc&rcv still, and on the hanks of the Oriti, stands Messrs Thomson : and Otb's Flour MiJls, erected to supply a want that h/is been n.ucli felt in the district. It is to bo hoped that their venture i will prove a biic«e«g, and it is also ( to be hoped the Government will ] acwede to the petition of tha settlers, ■ [praying them to bridge the river there 1 wini'e llio now rotul from "Win ton to Wrey's Bush crossfctf it. Two anw-nrillß luivo buen •erected during tho last yoav. Ontil very re- ' contly live uaw-mille were iv active oper. s sition in the neighbourhood, but one of thorn, ' the property of Messrs Jaok and Samson, yw wued to th? gfou»d and, pvevythipg

destroyed. Nothing daunted, however, by this very great loss, they have commenced the work of re-building, and it is to be hoped a better fate will await their labours. Of more consequence to the settlers generally may be mentioned the improvements of the Road Board, who are striving hard to make passable roads, that produce may be easily brought to market.