THE CROPS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1324, 14 April 1877, Page 8

THE CROPS.

OUR YEARLY REPORTS.

The following are o.ur yearly reports from the several districts :—: — andebson's bay and tomahawk. In reporting this year upon the condition of the crops in these districts it is very gratifying at the ontset to be able to state that the crops on the whole will bear favourable comparison with those of previous years, and that the diluvial havoc that has been wrought in some places has been but little felt here. Barley and wheat, as usual, coyer but a small proportion of the area occupied by cereals. The main hindrance to rapidly advancing cultivation in this direction is the large expenditure required to fit the ground for the facile passage of the plough. Eighteen pounds sterling per acre is very stiff, and as much as that was paid last season to get ground ready for the reception of the seed. It speaks well for dairy farming which admits of such outlay, and says a great deal for the farmer who is willing to treat his soil thus generously. Oats, the extent of ground allocated to which is year by year getting larger, just as the farmers' means will allow of stumping and ploughing, are a good crop, in some cases very "heavy; on the whole above average both in weight of grain and in bulk of straw. Early potatoes -were an excellent crop, and turned out well. The later sorts and main crops in situations having good drainage, and where the soil is of a porous character, are giving good returns ; but in low-lying localities, which the heavy rainfall early in February submerged, are a failure, more or less complete. In one case the potatoes in some parts of the field were without a blemish ; in other parts of the same field, even in parallel and adjoining rows, scarcely a tuber escaped. For turnips the season may be said to have been an exceptionally propitious one ; showers and sunshine alternating, and vigorous growth being all but continuous ever since the sowing ; and very good prospects in regard to this crop are the result. Carrots and mangold — the former being a very popular food for milchers — are also looking well In one or two cases where there has been deficiency in the working or weeding, they are not so good. As for grass, the present rough condition of the paddocks, and the fine condition of all kinda of atcck, and the rates ruling for dairy produce, all tend to show that there has been throughout the season great " rowth' of that. Hay in exposed situations was rather light, and speaking generally, this crop is not quite up to the mark with respect to quality. The drought in the early part of the summer produced lightness in some quarters, and occasional showers, just sufficient to keep the hay outspread after the balk of the crop was cat, bleaching and partial discolouration, but on the whole, the crop is fully an average one. That -which was allowed to ripen, seed, will not give the same returns as in former years, especially the cocksfoot. The declension in the wholesale price of this seed during the three years just ended, is no less than about 200 per cent, 4d only being now obtained for that which formerly readily brought Is. Some of the grains show a little rust, and turnips in some places a little blight, but neither to an appreciable extent. Harvesting operations were in full swing in February, and at this date very little remains unhoused or unsecured. Wheat, barley, and oats are expected to yield : the first-mentioned 43 to 50, the second 40 to 45, and the third, about the same as barley per acre. Potatoes, sound and good, about *l\ tons to the acre. Rapid progress has been made in clearing away old bush and putting the ground in grass, but up till the present little has been and is being done to replace the native timber with other useful sorts, and the consequence is that fencing timber is getting very scarce. The indifference manifested on all sides with regard to what is useful and profitable is shown also with regard, to what is not only useless and profitless, but a positive and painful nuisance — the reference here is to the Scotch thistle. This very obcoxious weed is fast gaining ground year after year in the whole Peninsula County. In some places it has obtained all but complete possession, and the marvel is thai no collective effort is being made with the view to its eradication. Thers seems to be an impression abroad that the thistle if let alone will sicken and die out of itself. This, as may conclusively be proved, is altogether a mistake. In many places the experiment has been tried for 10 years— with what result ? Why, just this, the thistle has complete possession, and promises fair to retain it — every year witnessing further encroachment. Every farmer who would be true to his own interest, and a friend to his neighbouring landowner in possession, ought to see to it, that every means i 3 adopted to keep the thistle down. Curiosity led me the other day while riding along a road in the Tomahawk district to examine one of these plants. It consisted of 87 " heads," and in the head which I plucked and inspected there were 367 individual seeds — all winged for flight. These factors give over 30,000 seeds on that one plant, and if that product be multiplied by thousands and tens of thousands on even a single farm, some idea may be formed of the wide spread, and more widely spreading evil of which I speak. One farmer spends much of his time in keeping down thistles, and is prospering ; his remark to me was, "It pays me to 4i V Another let Mr Thistle alone, and

that unfeeling gentleman sends him to the Labour Exchange for employment. The thistle has made a home for itself on the Peninsula, and there it will remain until ruthless hands dislodge it, and the sooner it is dislodged the better it will be for the agricultural interest in all its departments. BLUKSKIN. Of wheat or barley there has been very little grown the past season, only one acre of the former having been sown. Oats, when reaped, owing to moistness of summer, and up to harvest time, turned out remarkably well, their condition being fully equal to that of last year. Potatoes, on the whole, very good, the returns for the early crop in exceptional cases being surprising. Turnips have a good appearance, and judging from a similar condition apparent in prior seasons, may be expected to turn out well. Of grass, there has been an abundance, although, of course, its growth has now nearly ceased until spring. Hay crop good, but ) through wet weather, it was not saved in j such a condition as it otherwise would have been. No appearance of rust or blight has been reported, nor have the crops suffered from, insects in any way. Settlers living near bush land, however, have complained sadly of the harm done by the native paroquet to the growing crop of oats, and they have had considerable difficulty in keeping that species of bird off, for in flocks of hundreds they have flown about, settling, when not noticed, on stalks of the cereal, and quickly running the grain out, oat by oab, the half ripened being the most succulent and . tempting. The approximate extent under crop, and the increase or decrease this season compared with last is— wheat, 1 acre (slight decrease) ; oats, 350 acres (small increase) ; potatoes, 67 acres (small increase) ; turnips, 48 acres (increase of 8 acres) ; grass, 2710 acres (increase of 250 acres) ; hay, 25 acres (slight decrease) The harvest is now over, the probable yield being, for oats, 40 bushels, and potatoes, 7 tons to the acre. It may be mentioned here that a portion of the oaten crop has been cut down for hay, and that the settlers prefer stacking to thrashing-ouc, at this early part of the year, the remainder intended for hard feed. The quantity of land broken up since last season is trifling, for the green bush, as it is called, and so distinguished from manuka bush, makes the best pasture for cattle when sown down with grass seed, us it is invariably when cleared of the timber, and the I refuse burnt. To all intents and purposes, this is a dairy produce district, and to that, combined with other modes of employment, the settler looks for a living. As grass falls short in the winter, turnips mainly supply its place for keeping up dairy cattle. Improvements in homestead a continue to take place, but there is no report of any planting, nor has there been any important addition to agricultural machinery. Stock is being bred season after season of a much superior description to what it was some years back, and not only do some of the most active pushing men among us hold their own at the yearly Agricultural Society's show, but they also succeed at other places where formerly they would not have stood the ghost of a chance. The railway works throughout the year have afforded employment to many men, and the district to some extent has benefited thereby. Some of the land contiguous to proposed stations has been sold as private township sections, realising handsomely for the settlers, and the buyers having built neat residences, the "Waitati," the moat appropriate and euphonious name the township could be called by in the future, has assumed a very lively appearance. The great flood of February last did no harm to the crops. CLT7THA. Wheat, fair ; barley, very little sown ; oats, fair ; potatoes, fair ; turnip 3, good ; grass, good ; hay, fair, but little of it ; very little rust or blight, if any. The crops upon Inch Clutha suffered from inundation by the late flood, but not to any great extent, there being some 50 tons of potatoes and 200 bushels of barley. The wheat and oats also suffered greatly.Approximate extent under crop : — Wheat —Inch Clutha, 811 acres ; South Clutha, 117^ acres; Richardson Riding, 655^ acres ; total acres, 1827 ; total quantity of bushels, 67,087. Barley— lnch Clutha, 9£ acres ; South Clutha, 28£ acres, Richardson Riding, 22 acres ; total acres, 50J ; total quantity of bushels, 1640. Oats— lnch Olutha, 329 acres; South Clutha, 1312 acres ; Richardson Riding, 1447£ acres ; total acres, 2759f ; total quantity of bushels, 119,164. PotatoesInch Clutha, 70 acres; South Clutha, 140| acres ; Richardson Riding ; 60£ acres : total acres, 201|: ; total quantity of tons, 1305. Turnips — Inch Clutha, 78£ acres ; South Clutha, 343£ acres ; Richardson Riding, 534 acre's ; total acres, 877£. Grass— lnch Clutha, 1138 acres ; South Clutha, 4676| acres ; Richardson Riding, 6198 acre 3 ; total acres, 10,844£. Hay— lnch Clutha, 27 acres ; South Clutha, 202£ acres ; Richardson Riding, 237^ acres ; total acres, 440. Probable yield per acre :—: — Wheat, 32 buahels ; barley, 33 bushels ; oats, 43 bushels ; potatoes, 6£ tons. Extent of newly broken up land this season : South Clutha, 2G9£ acres ; Richardson, 243 acres ; total, 512£ acres. South Clutha Riding includes Inch Clutha. No improvements in machinery or stock of any importance. DUUSTAN. Wheat, barley, oats, and potatoes are only medium, from the causes assigned

below. Gras3 and hay, very good. The cereals in the beginning of the season were kept back by continuous rains, and kept from ripening by same cause. Afterwards, when in ear, and ripening, seriously damaged by high winds. Potatoes affected by too much rain, and latterly by frosty nights and mornings. Grass and hay proportionately benefited by causes that produced partial failure in other crops. Approximate extent under crop, and increase or decrease this season compared with last : — Wheat, 100 acres, a decrease; barley, 200 acres ; oats, 3500 acres, an increase ; potatoes, 250 acres ; grass, 1000 acres ; hay, 500 acres, an increase. Harvest is over. The yield is — Wheat, 25 bushels ; barley, 35 bushels ; oats, 30 bushels ; potatoes, 3 tons. There have been about 1500 acres taken up since lasi report, but the land is only about one half taken up. Our correspondent concludes : — A marked improvement is perceptible in most of the settled districts by the numerous clumps of trees, which are growing finely. The trees are confined principally to poplars and willows ; the benefit will therefore not be so great or permanent if oaks, beeches, elms, or other harder sorts had been selected. Thi3 question, I look upon it, requires more attention than it has yet received, either by the Government, whose duty it undoubtedly is, in the disposal of Crown lands, to stipulate for planting, or by the various local bodies, who, in return for the very handsome subsidies given them, should be compelled to plant their reserves. It is held by wiser men than I, that the planting of trees, the " gum" especially, is a preventive of fever, and the advantages to a country to be gained from tree-plant-ing have been pointed out of late in this Colony especially by Captain Campbell Walker. EAST TAIERI. The crops as a whole in the district for this season may be regarded as good, if it had not been for the disastrous effects of the rain of the 6th of February. Until then the crops were in a fair average condition, and not just quite as heavy a crop as last year, but looked as if they would be much easier handled. They were, however, very much laid by the rain and wind then, which means increased labour in harvesting ; and in many places they have been so much destroyed as to be abandoned as not worth the trouble to out them, and the cattle were allowed full scope of them and the stubble fields, whilst the ground was rendered so soft that the machine and horses could not cut the crops, and they had to be cut with the scythe — a very slow and expensive method ; besides, the flag and grass in the bottom was so much sttted by the flood and general rubbish washed amongst the crops, such as tussocks, fencing rails, posts and wire, pieces of roots, sawn timber, with a great deal of , Band or clay deposit. The fore part of the harvest was rather broken; but as the cutting advanced the weather improved, and the bulk of the crop ha 3 been secured in fair condition. As a good many, however, took advantage of the good weather and thrashed the grain out of the stook, thereby saving a handling of the grain ; but the yield has not come up to the average of former years, and the sample is very poor in places, whilst it is up nearly to the mark in others. All are complaining more or less, owing to the yield after the proceeds is seen from the steam thrashers. The estimated average yield x after the thrashing is over will be found' somewhat like aa follows : — Wheat, 30 to 35 bushels ; barley, 25 to 30 bushels ; oats, 40 to 45 bushels per acre. The harvest has been a long one, aa the crops came on very patchy afc first, and fewer hands were employed on the whole than previously and the rate of wages much easier. The crop i 3 nearly all stacked, but a few patches here and there are still out in the fields. The hay season was very broken, and the crop was much injured by the wet and sorely discoloured, and in many cases had to be again turned out, as it was heating, and from one cause or other a good quantity was lost, principally that was intended for seed, as it got sprung, and was done for seed, and did not get proper attention in time owing to the wetness of the season. The quality will be inferior of that secured. The potato crop was in good repute this season, and a large breadth was planted, but it will not be an extra heavy crop even where it was not touched by the floods, a3 the wet about this time even on the high ground has caused the crops to be blanky, as lots of the potatoes rotted clean away, and in places a disease very much like that in the Home country has appeared, whilst when lifted they will not keep ; but what there is left of them are of good quality. The turnip crop shows well for a good bulk per acre, and will be about a fair average crop. In many places they have done no good whatever, and the loss will be very much felt. The grass has kept in very forward condition all season, and is now fast falling ; but where the floods were on the grass it has totally disappeared, and the fields left a withered waste. The stock has had to be removed altogether, which will tell heavily before the winter is over. The various small plantations round the several steadings have much improved the appearance of the plain and added to the comfort of the owners, and they are growing well wherever planted, whilst some of the pine kind are growing as well as the gum. Implements for labour saving are year after year added to the stock, and also a few new mills to replace the old ones, and a new Robey and Co. traction engine and mill, making two self traveller mills, and no end of others in the district. The

various townships are progressing slowly for want of manufacturing interest, but Mosgiel is making rapid progress, thanks to the factory, and will in time become a great centre if properly developed. There is also a talk of a flour mill on a jointstock principle, for gristing, on the plain, which would do well if properly managed and a good waterfall secured, that is on the plain in a central locality, and plenty of water to boot for same, but now-a-days nothing but steam will do. The pheasants, partridges, blackbirds, and starlings are doing very well, but they are sorely molested, especially the first three, by would-be rabbit-shooters, as there are many who stick at nothing, but let fly at anything they see. The rabbits are on the increase, on the hills especially, and have found their way to the plain, and unless some other means are taken, they will shortly have full possession of the land, as a good many have cried down shooting on their land, which gives bunny a good chance. FLAG SWAMP. Approximate extent under crop, and increase or decrease this season, compared with last:— Wheat, 887 acres, an increase ; barley, 125 acres ; oats, 689 acres, a decrease ; potatoes, 48 acres ; turnips, 52 acres ; grass, 2202 acres ; hay, 165 acres. The yield : — Wheat, 25 bushels; barley, 30 bushels; oats, 18 bushels ; potatoes, 6 tons. Extent of newly broken up land this season :— 35 acres. Although this district has not suffered to the same extent as many from the devastating effects of the late floods, still the drought during the spring, the hail storm, and the violent gales during the harvest or previous thereto, have done a great deal of damage. In fact, in some instances the yield of oats, and, in exposed positions, the yield of wheat, would barely pay the expenses of reaping and thrashing. Crops of wheat and oats that would have yielded 50 and 60 bushels, owing to the hailstorm and wind have yielded only 15 or 20. The wheat and oats that were submerged are both rusty and dusty, and consequently the sample much deteriorated. The crops of hay have suffered even worse, for the stacks have been blown to pieces and scattered in all directions, tendering the trouble and expense incurred positively of no avail. KAIHIKT7. Potatoes are nearly ripe — a splendid crop on the ridges. Turnips are looking very well. Grass here is and has been a great abundance since Ist December. Hay was light in general, owing to the dry weather in October and November. Oat crops suffered from rust, slightly from blight, and all late sown oats very severely from smut. The approximate' extent under crop, and the increase or decrease this 3eason, compared with last, is : — Wheat, 120 acres under crop ; oats, 870 under crop, deficiency in bushels per acre about ona-fourth ; potatoes, 30 acres under crop ; turnips, 90 under crop, estimated increase about 2-3rds ; grass, 1300 aereadown; hay, 150 acres. The probable yield per acre is :— Wheat, 25 bushels : oats, 35 bushels ; potatoes, 8 tons. Harvest was general in February. The weather in March being favourable, enabled the farmers to secure the crops in good condition. Thrashing out is about half through this district. The extent of newly broken up land this season is about 70 acres. Addition to agricultural machinery, 3 reaping machines— makers, Reid and Gray, .Dunedin. Potter and Doull, of Balclutha, have started a saw mill in Kaihiku Bush, which is a great boon to the settlers for building and fencing purposes. , iongbush. During the last spring and summer the weather, though showing sudden changes and great extremes of heat and cold, rain and drought, was on the whole not unpropitious to the growth either of white or green crops. The operations of the harvest were interrupted by a violent south-wester, accompanied by thunder and lightning, hail, and torrents of rain, which lasted nearly a whole week, but which fortunately did little or no damage. The corn and hay crops are now (March 19th) safe in the barnyard under "thaek and rape." As a large proportion of the cereal crop here is used in the form of hay, or cut into chaff for horse feed, wheat is seldom grown, its straw being unsuitable either for feeding or bedding purposes. The general composition of the soil, too, is unfavourable to the production of this crop. It contains almost no silica, very slight traces of phosphates or nitrates, and, with the exception of bush land, it shows a very small per centage of organic or vegetable matter. These must, therefore, be supplied to the soil in the shape of mineral and vegetable manures before a crop of wheat can be successfully raised. The whole area occupied by wheat this season is eight acres, but even that is an increase of six acres over that of last year. The average return is estimated at 40 bushels. As usual, no one has ventured on a crop of barley. Oats, the cereal most in favour here, has been, notwithstanding the unsettled weather prevalent in harvest, all cut down and housed in excellent condition. So far as I have learned, it has not suffered from the ravages of insects, except on the side of one field, which was close to an old sod fence where it is supposed their ova had been deposited. Upwards of 600 acres of oats have been reaped thi3 year, being an increase of fully 100 acres on that of last year. The return is variously estimated, ranging from 25 to 60 bushels an acre. The actual average

of the crop in the district may be set down at 32 bushels. About 30 acres, nearly the same as last year, have been planted with potatoes. They have escaped the visitation of an early frost, by which in some seasons they are so much damaged. This crop is abundant, and in quality cannot be surpassed. The return may be given at 6 tons, or 2 tons an acre more than last year. The number of acres occupied by turnips — 180 — is the' same as last year. They are looking well everywhere, especially the early sown, and even the late ones, under the. influence of , the genial weather of the last few, weeks, are making rapid progress. The application of bone dust is telling most favourably on the production of this crop, and the practice now prevalent of consuming it on the ground by sheep in winter, has a marked effect on the succeeding crop of grain. Nearly 1400 acres of grass, being an increase of 200 acres, are laid down this year. It has shown a fine healthy appearance throughout the whole season, and its supply has been most abundant. There has also been an excellent crop of hay, which is all right and tight in the barnyard long ago. Two years ago, there was ■ no hay made in the district ; this year, ' there are fully 60 acres, being an increase* of 20 acres over last year. Upwards of 40 acres of land have been broken up this' season. No new stock or machinery-has been imported, or any planting been made, since my last report ; on the whole, how-> ever, there is steady progress. New land is broken up every year, and in the course of time the tussock and the bush will dis-' appear, and their place be occupied by fields of golden grain. ' ' ' MAUNGATTJA. The crops are all harvested, and the 1 greater part thrashed. Wheat, a good' crop ; barley, a good crop ; oats, a fair crop, gopd deal of light grain, not having filled well ; potatoes, very good crop ; turnips, every appearance of a good crop ; grass, very good ; hay, very little in the district. The crops on the low-lying parts of the district suffered severely from [ the heavy rain and flood. All the crop f uncut ac the time got rusted, and didnot fill, and a good deal of blight appeared in some fields. The potatoes are ■ also very much damaged in fields where the water remained any time, and the' gra3S is silted up in several fields. Approximate extent under crop, and increase or decrease this season compared with' last :— : Wheat, 230 acres, 10 decrease ; barley, 40, acres, 20 increase ; oats, 640 acres, ,10, decrease ; potatoes, 60 acres, 10 increase ; turnips, 120 acres, 10 decrease ; grass, 1300 acres, 40 increase ; hay, 10 acres, 40; decrease. Yield per acre :— Wheat, 30 to 35 bushels ; barley, 25 to 30 bushels ; .oats, 30 to 40 bushels : potatoes, 7 to 9 tons. Very little land broken up this season, and no important improvements, ' no planting, and no important additions to -agricultural machinery or stock to report. > , • > MBRXON. Wheat, very good what there is of it, which is very little. Oats, very good, appearance, our correspondent never sawheavier in this district. Potatoes; fair yield. Turnips, no particular remark 'to make, a fair crop, only a little late. J Graaa, this has been a good year- for grass ; a wet season always is. Hay, so little of this, that it is not' worth speaking about. One or two who have thrashed seem to think that the oats are not so good in the yield this year, although a heavy straw. A great quantity, of slugs in the turnips. There has been a sort of wet-rot in potatoes, caused by the heavy rains before they were ripe. The 1 approximate extent under crop,' and- the - increase or decrease this season, compared with last is :— Wheat^ 16 acres, extent much about the same as last year. Oats, 560 acres, , an increase from last year. Potatoes, 40 acres, an increase. Turnips, 25 acres, an increase. Grass, 1470 acres, a good increase. Hay, there is a difficulty to say under this heading. • Seme cut their oats green to turn it into hay or oats, according to the prices. The yield per acre is : — Wheat, 40 bushels ; oats, 50 bushels ; potatoes, 7 to 8 tons. A moderate quantity of land has been broken up this season. It being 1 chiefly a' dairy district, there is a general desire to, improve the dairy stock. NA3EBY, Wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, turnips, grass, hay, in splendid condition— the best known for years. The crops have' not suffered from blight, insects,, or any cause. Approximate extent under crop : — Wheat, 13 acres ; barley, 3 acres ; oats, 552 acres ; potatoes, 89^ acres ; turnips, V 22V 22 acres ; grass, 100 acres ; hay, 113 acres (80 of, which is for seed) ; hay (oaten), 62 acres : a considerable increase. There are about 80 acres under , other crops. Wheat, 40 bushels ; barley, 40 bushels ; oats,' 45 bushels ; potatoes,' 5' tona. The harvest is now general and will soon be in. Newly broken-up land this season : — Approximately some hundred of acres in the area comprised in agricultural leases and deferred payment blocks. In the way of agricultural improvements, several double - furrow ploughs are now in use. At M'Credie's farm, Kyeburn diggings, a reaping machine, a thrashing machine, chaff cutter, and horse-power have been introduced. There has not been so much newly brokenup ground aa there would have been if the agricultural leases and deferred payment blocks at Swineburn and Sowburn had been available at an earlier period. Great preparations are now being made, to bring the greater portion of this ground under crop next season, when a, different story as to produce will be told;

The item " peas " I do not find in your list of crops, but I think it noteworthy to say that some 6 acres of that crop have produced an average yield per acre of 50 bushels. The farmers are jubilant, and Bay that a better season »r finer crops have not been experienced or produced in the district. Their great drawback is want of market. Fully one-half of last < year's crop — oats— on M'Credie's farm at Kyeburn Diggings is still unsold. I observed, after crossing the Swineburn, on Preston's station (and in close proximity to the Swineburn block) a perfect forest of thistles for a long distance, the seeds from which — the wind blowing pretty fresh — produced an illusory snow-storm, which in some places was almost blinding.

MOERABX

Wheat is bulky, in fair condition, but somewhat discoloured. Barley middling quality, but somewhat discoloured. Oats inferior quality to late seasons; discolouration. Potatoes in elevated situation good, but large quantity inferior in low ground. Turnips good. Grass very good. Hay fair. The crops have suffered considerably from wet on low, and wind on up lands ; the quality has been affected also' by unseasonable harvest weather. The approximate extent under crop this season is— Wheat, 403 acres ; barley, 154

acres ; oats, 903 acres ; potatoes, 56 acres ; turnips, 80 acres ; grass, 10,783 acres ; hay, 30 acres. . The decrease in cereals, potatoes, turnips, &c., is general, except in the area of land under grass for pasturage. The yield per acre is— Wheat, 35 ' bushels ; barley, 28 bushels ; oats, 30 bushels; potatoes, 3 ions. The extent of newly broken up land this season is very little, not exceeding 20 acres at pre- . sent. After commencement of winter . rains a further quantity of about 80 acres will be taken in. The improvements in planting 1 , machinery, and stock are inconsiderable, chiefly consisting of increased farm buildings and about £350 worth of improved agricultural implements. 1 - 1 OAMARTT. As this report is written towards the latter end of March, it may be stated that the harvest ia now almost completed, for, in this generally early district, the crops, ..as~a~rule,.are all cut "and stacked about • the end of February; There are excep- ; tions, however, to this, 03 to every rule, -and some magnificent crops of barley grown in the Waimate i Valley on land fed off- with sheep late in the season are only now being "harvested, and har--Tested under such' favourable circumstances as wfll make the sample altogether exceptionable as regards colour and quality. ' The -whole of the farmers' ' year of 1876 and 1877, has been characterised by long continued . droughts during the periods of spring and summer, and by strong winds and heavy falls of rain in autumn. It seems among farmers themselves a moot point whether the wind or rain has done most damage to the. crops,. but as the first occurred before the bulk of the crops was ■ fully matured, it may safely be assumed that the Berious deterioration in the quality of , wheat, from sprouting, and of oats from discolouration of colour, caused by the rains, with a high tempera•*tufe, will'be felt as a greater loss than the loss of, a few bushels per acre over a smaller area. In the .early spring there was a favourable seed time for both oats and barley/ but as week after week * passed away without a single refreshing shower, an expectation of a very full crop of either was given up, for although there was a somewhat copious fall of rain about ;the middle of November, it was then too late to be of much service in increasing the bulk of stem or yield of grain. In some parts of the district, however, where the soil is internally moist or absorbent, and retentive of moisture, some grand crops of oats have been grown. The dry season of summer was, on the other hand,, not unfavourable to the wheat crop, and just immediately preceding the harvest, there was every prospect of its being one of the finest ever reaped in -this district, unless in some parts where it was being grown on poor and badly-farmed land. . Since the completion of harvest, the threshing machines have . .been busily at work, and large .quantities of grain are now coming forward to market, the larger proportion of it being of very indifferent "quality. Those farmers who had the good fortune to escape damage to their wheat, or who took the trouble to be particular in harvesting, and can now place a sound sample before the merchants or millers, are looking for a good price, and will obtain it, as every bushel of sound grain will be needed to mix with the great bulk of inferior and unsound. Notwithstanding the large quantities of grain offering, there are at present few extensive operations, and prices greatly fluctuate. It is conceded, however, that farmers will realise fair prices this season — prices that will to some extent make pp for their losses. What the agriculturist has lost by rain the grazier and sheepfariner has gained in an abundant growth of grass every where, setting aside the , fears of a scarcity of feed during winter that were at one time entertained, and not without reason. A larger breadth of potatoes was planted this season than usual— and although the dry weather prevented a very luxuriant growth, the greater part bid fair to be a good crop, and of good quality ; but the three successive days' rain in the beginning of February .induced a second , growth, 'and .even' in /some ..lowly ing localities' absolutely rotted the tubers. Hence there may be! a, large yield/ but

the quality will be inferior. Turnips are scarcely at all grown here, as the aphis is utterly destructive of them in dry weather. Mangolds, however, are now much more generally grown, and they succeed well under proper management. Hay was everywhere a light crop, and ryegrass seed may yet be scarce, although poor prices are now offered. There is no report of any particular damage to any of the crops from rust, blight, or insects, with the exception of the ravenously destructive raid of a new kind of caterpillar which demolished the pea crop wherever grown. Barley, as far as can be ascertained, has not been visited by its noxious enemy the caterpillar par excellence. The writer of this has been over the greater part of the district during the summer, and can therefore give a fair estimate of the acreage of the various crops. On the Maerewhenua table lands (great portion of which is virgin land), in the Waiareka Valley, and the Awamoko district, the bulk of the wheat crop is grown, as in other portions of the district this crop is limited to small fields. The acreage on the whole would be about 12,000 acres — a slight increase on last year. Barley has not increased in favour as a crop for the farmers. The experience of last year's losses in th*s cereal have deterred many from its cultivation, and there would scarcely be more than 1000 acres under this crop. Oats have not been grown so largely as last year, a large extent of land formerly kept under cultivation being now laid down in grass, and probably about 6000 acres is a correct estimate. About 500 to 600 acres of potatoes have been grown. Rape and root crops may cover from 2000 to 3000 acres. Land under English grasses for pasturage is steadily ©n the increase, while a marked decrease of grass grown for seed is noticeable. Pasture land may be estimated at 40,000 acres, and 1000 acres will embrace the area of the crop for seed. Harvest commenced a little later than usual, and was- only general when it was seriously interrupted by the floods, which were almost aa destructive as those that .occurred about 10 years ago at nearly the same period of the year. As was to be expected, the hands for the work were numerous and easily obtained, although the wages given were not much lower than in past years, and to many of the! labourers the wage given was more thari equivalent to the kind of labour obtained. This haf vest has 'been very expensive to farmers, who* during all the bad weather had to maintain their labourers in readiness for a fresh start. Regarding the probable yield per acre of the different crops, it may safely be stated that the return will be below an average. It has been ascertained that the crops of wheat on the new lands at Maerewhenua are yielding well, and it is now equally well known that crops of wheat, oats, and barley in the Papakaio district are turning out very badly indeed. As a very large proportion of the wheat crop did not snffer from the winds, it may thrash out about 25 bushels per acre on the average — representing at this figure a high percentage on the new lands, and a very poor return from the older cultivated hinds. Oats may yield from 40 to 50 bushels of indifferent, quality. Barley on the whole is a wretched crop, and brewers and maltsters, if dependant at all on this district for supplies, will not be quite so indifferent to offers as they could afford to be last year. The estimate formed of its yield is below 30 bushels. Potatoes are turning up' weli in tonnage, and from seven to nine tons may be an approximate estimate. There is still a considerable area of kind being broken up for the first time in the Maerewhenua district under the two crop system, as also at Awamoko. The N.Z. and A.L. Company, on their estate of Ardgowan, have had a large extent broken up and sown with rape preparatory to a crop of wheat. It is rumoured that the lands held by the Company both at Ardgowan and Totara are shortly to be cut up into farms of various aizes, and leased with purchasing clauses. If this most desirable mode of disposing of these magnificent properties is carried out, it is not too much to affirm that the whole of the Oamaru district will be largely benefited by the change. In such an event there would be a large extent of hind brought under the plough, and albeit we have lately had extensive additions to the storage capacities tor grain erected* in Oamaru, these would probably be found no more than sufficient for the increased production. With the exception of an evident improvement in the system of farming generally, there is nothing special to be noticed as novel or important. It is to be regretted that forest tree planting on any scale likely to produce good effects on the dry climate of this district is not entered upon. On some estates and isolated places there are attempts to beautify the scenery, and to increase the shelter for stock, but there is no symptom of any combined or general effort to make this district a wooded country. It cannot now be doubted that a few forests of Borne extent in separate parts of our aurrounding table-lands would in a few years largely influence the rainfall. This, again, would increase the productiveness of our soils ; for, if we now produce with months of drought such crops as are being annually gathered in the Waitaki, it might confidently be anticipated that, with periodical showers during summer, the yield would be Bensibly increased. No additions to agricultural machinery and implements have been made, except in reaping and threshing machines, The

latter at present are taxed to the uttermost in supplying the demand. A few months ago, a trial was made of a gorsecutting machine in Canterbury, said to have done the work of hedge-trimming very fairly, and the farmers here, through the Agricultural Association, were asked to join in offering a bonus of considerable amount to anyone who would produce a machine that would do the work of cutting and trimming satisfactorily under varying circumstances, but it appears the matter has fallen through. Such a machine would unquestionably be a large saving to a great number of landowners, whose annual outlay for the old-fashioned method ot cutting, is a ce~ious item of expense ; but without guarantee of being repaid for the. construction of a really serviceable implement, it is feared none of our machinists will undertake the work. A decided improvement in the breeding of all kinds of live stock is .observable, and in this respect the the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association may fairly be credited with this result, as the effect of its liberal prizes offered for excellence at its annual shows, that are every year becoming more important as means of diffusing a desire to produce good animals in the various classes of farm stock. No large or special additions, however, have been made to the stock already in the district, with the exception of some recent importations of draught stock and Lincoln and Komney Marsh sheep by the Hon. M. Holmes and Dr Webster. In concluding this report, the writer has every reason to believe, taking into consideration the prices likely to be obtained for ( grain and every staple produce of the farm, and the facilities for bringing these to market, that the year 1877 will not prove discouraging to either the agriculturist or grazier.

OTEPOPO.

Wheat, barley, and oats, all in the stack, and a good deal of it thrashed ; potatoes, a very good crop, fully up to the average ; turnips, only a few patches, but looking well ; gra&s, there was very little growth till lately ; hay, a fair crop, but damaged by the weather. There has been no rust or blight, but the caterpillar did a good deal of damage. In the early part of the season the crops suffered from the droughty arid at the first of har-, ve3t from wind and rain. The approximate extent under crop, and the increase or decrease this season, compared with last, are :— Wheat, 500 acres, a slight increase; barley, 50 acres, a decrease; oats, 2000 acres, a great decrease ; potatoes, 150 acres, about the : same as last year ; turnips, 10 acres, same as last year ; grass, 2500 acres, an increase on last year; hay, 70 acres, a slight increase. Yield per acre :— Wheat* 26 bushels ; barley, 25 bushels ; oats, 40 bushels ; potatoes, 6 tons. Harvest was' finished 'four weeks ago. Nothing worth mentioning in the way of improvement. Most of the land in this district has been broken up.

PORTOBELLO.

An unusually dry spring had the effect of keeping back most of the crops. The gra*3 on the pastures suffered considerably for a time, and not much progress was made till October— rbeing nearly a month later than usual. The grass hay was consequently les3 in quantity, although the late abundant rains brought on the crop with immense rapidity. The hay, which was eventually lifted, was thus not only short in quantity, but the unsettled weather that prevailed during the hay harvest seriously damaged it. In many cases it was was lying about for weeks before it could be stacked. Wheat and barley are but little cultivated, and what there are has suffered from the weather. Oats may be set down as occupying about 200 acres, about the hah* of which crop is generally cut for hay. This year, owing to the shortness of the grass and the stormy season, a larger proportion than usual is reserved for that purpose. The potatoes are also less in quantity, not so much from deficient growth, as from turning out rotten from excessive moisture. The clearing of the bush has been carried on pretty generally, and from 150 to 200 acres have been cleared. The area of the pasturage will be now about 3400 acres. As the stumps decay from the paddocks, the plough is being more used by our larger proprietors, giving the tilled lands that finished aspect they sadly need when encumbered by these unsightly relics of :he bush. Cape-weed and thistles are allowed to obtain and hold possession of steadily increasing areas ; in some instances, undisturbed. Those settlers who struggle against these encroaching evils are subjected to a large amount of labour and trouble in consequence. The loss by the landslips is not so heavy as at first reported. The greater part of the damage fell on the roads and bridle tracks. The roads on the hillsides are not yet cleared of the vast masses of debm with which they are encumbered.

PUERtTA DISTRICT.

The grain crops throughout Puerua district are all now, with some trifling exceptions, secured in excellent condition in the stack yards. Both wheat and oats bulk largely in excess of the average. Barley can hardly be said to be cultivated in the district. Potatoes and turnips promise a very abundant crop, while the "oldest inhabitant" here has not seen a season of such luxuriant grass. The hay crop was also an abundant one, but much damaged by the January and "February rains. There has been no injury to speak of caused by blight or insects, but the crops that were first ripe have Buffered 5 slightly from* the wet and boisterous weather, that' prevailed during

a few weeks at the commencement of the harvest. The cultivation of wheat is not extending in the district. The farmers seem to have more faith in oats, and consequently there is a considerable increase in the extent under that crop. The extent under turnips is also in excess of last year, while that under potatoes seems to be stationary. Pasture land is also being largely increased from yeario year. The cultivation of hay is now increasing. Looking at" the bulk of the grain crops in the stack-yard, there ought to be a large increase on the return per acre should the prevalence of a few weeks of very incle nent weather, when the most of the grain crops were in bloom, not lessen the return. A considerable extent of land has been broken up during the season. Owing to the abundance of native bush in the district, there is not much to repovt in the way of tree planting. The recent flood was very harmless in this district. SADDLE HILL. ' ' Wheat fair throughout. What was cut before February sth bad, since good Oats very middling ; greatly damaged by high winds towards the close of January. Potatoes generally poor, in some cases fair ; much affected by the same winds which damaged the oats. Turnips very good throughout. Grass good ; thejre is abundance of feed of all sorts,' much better than former years. Hay considerably spoiled by the severe rains in the beginning of February. In some cases, where the crop has been late, rust has shown itself in a more or less degree, but what compensated for this, there has been an entire absence of all kinds of insects. The approximate extent under crop is — Wheat, upwards of 150 acre 3, being a decrease compared with last year. Oats, about 700 acres ; fully half of this will be cut into chaff, an increase. - Potatoes, from 35 to 40 acres, chiefly for home consumption, a deciease. Turnips, 30 acres, a decrease. Grass, upwards ofj 1200 acres, about, the same as last year.t Hay, very little', chiefly oaten hay,, and returned under the heading of oatsj Yield per acre— Wheat, 35 bushels ; oats,! 35 bushels ; potatoes, 4 tons. Wheatis usually cultivated , in mbre sheltered spots than oats, • hence the percentage] being so high. The extent.- of /newly] broken up land this season is 'not of- anyj consequence. All 1 of the best larid has' beea broken up in former "years, and ."although much is lert, and the soil really of an excellent quality, great difficulty attends the first crop, principally owing to 1 the uneven nature of the ground,, the quantity of stone 3on it, and bush! , No important improvements., Planting has been followed up in several instances, .and three new reaping machines made -their appearance just before harvest: Nothing important in stock has been introduced Contrary to the anticipations, or, rather, fears, of the inhabitants of this old and thriving district, the present harvest has 1 been ever so much better than appearances indicated towards the end of January and commencement of the fol-i lowing month. The severe flood which -visited this as weir as many more parts of New Zealand just when the cutting of the crops had become general' was not nearly so , destructive in its effects'^s in ; other les3 favoured localities;! Its presence was felt, of course, and it served to' retard the ingathering of the crops considerably, but beyond this' little or no damage was, done. Prior to this some' very high winds swept over the district/ and wrought an immense amount of mischief. So destructive were these, winds in a few cases that those who were most severely visited have decided " not!. to thrash a large portion of their crop. < , As it is there i 3 not nearly the amount of oats thrashed as the size of the district would indicate, and for this reason— a very large portion of the crop being cut into oaten chaff. „':/, WAIKOtTAITI. ■ ; Wheat, barley,and oats were excellent,' but damaged ; now all are secured^ and about one-half thrashed. Potatoes, average crop ; turnips good ; grass very good for the season of the year ; hay (oaten) fair, rye good. The crops presented an excellent appearance throughout the summer and up to the time of harvest. When almost ready for reaping they were much damaged by a succession of very high gales of wind, and shortly after by°a continuance of very wet weather. It is estimated that about one-tenth has been lost and the rest much discoloured and damaged. The approximate extent under crop was— wheat, 1380 acres ; barley, 230 acres ; oats, 1320 acres (extent cereals under crop much the same as last year) ; ■ potatoes, 90 acres ; turnips, 85 acres • grass, 3800; hay (oaten) 80 acres, rye 140 acres. The probable yield per acre : | wheat, 30 bushels ; barley, 30 bushels • oats, 36 bushels ; potatoes, 4& tons. The extent of newly broken up land this season is about 250 acres, No improvements of any importance have been carried but during the year. Our correspondent, writes:— ln making my annual report of the crops in this district, I experience more difficulty in giving you an approximate idea of the quantity and quality than in former years, , because of the unseasonable weather just before harvest. Up to. the end of January the crops gave promise of a more abyndant harvest than 'was ever reaped in the district ; but towards the end of January, and when the crops were almost fit for reaping, a very violent wind prevailed for two or three days successively, the result was that the best of the grainy .particularly in exposed places, was much shaken. ' It'is sunposed that about one-tenth of the orop Vas thus

lost. About the 6th m common,with other districts, and' when about one-fifth of the grain was in stook, we were visited with heavy rains' and floods. The district being of an undulating t nature," the , floods . did ' us comparatively little harm, perhaps not more than^Oiacreß of growing crop,we?e actually under water. But hadi the aftin continued a few hours .longer,- the^whole of the Waikouaiti River Valley 1 would been submerged. 5 'Although we thus fortunately escaped great -damage being done by flbods ' or' land-slips,' it' damaged the crops, both cut and jUnc'ut, 'very, considerably. Tfi'e portion unbut wjas'laid in all directions, ..and /could 1 .only be' reaped .-with difficulty,' and ih.'a>ery .unsatisfactory manner. Agopddealbf jfcKaj'wh'iph was cut and in the stook, previous to the rain commenced to spring, fronrthe 'long continuance, of wet weather, , More than half the icrop is already thrashed, 1 > and although the 1 - 5 quantity ' has turned bat better than was expected, the grain" is much discoloured, and of inferior quality. Potatoes and turnips have also,:suffereii from the heavy fains, particularly in 16^--lying places. It is expected, however, that the crop, both in quantity and quality, will bja on an average of former years. . ' ■ , TVAIRITNA. ' , '' -] Wheat, all reaped and stacked) with one exception ; oats nearly < all : stacked. Thrashing has, well commenced/ and ! : the yield is good. Potatoes, i well ripened and of excellent quality—more than average crop. Turnips, growing well, and likely to be an average Ccrdp.- Grass is in fair quantity for this season and has been plentiful throughout. Hay : Little of this crop in the district ; hay for seed has been a fair crop. Our corresppuden,t writes :— I do hot think since I have reported, for you that there has, been anything like the rust and smut there has been thisseason, both in> wheat and oats, seriously spoiling the grain. r -Though the wheat is fully an average :crop rust will ; 'grea'tlyjreduce ; its > value.. : 'The. 1 approxi'inate 1 ' extent under crop" is— Whe&tz-ltfe acres' 'being : 'a ''considerable "increaSe compared ,with last -season' f 'Vat'si'iMO B T^si ßr , a - decrease V 'pot'atbesi 1 ' 20 acres^much^ about the sameyturmps, M) acres— an increase ; grass, I 1000 "acrea— increase amongjfche small farmers Vhay, only acres, principally, fpE.Beed j and the yield per acre— wheat, 33bushels;; ,oat9i :.40odo ;, potatoes, . 5, tons. .^ Thefie •hasbeenagoodideal of land brbkeir up this- season. 'Nothintg -special 4n ithe shape bf ■ any iniportadt improvement!, planting,- or 1 any important ' addition* ft> agricultural machinery oV'stockl * > r Odr correspondent' adds :— ?« r I l Have ' bale enquiry with regard', to th'e,quant^y!;Bii^ Condition of thexrops in the^ Lower -Waipahee district, and' •find" i tHa i ij ( , there , are about 20 acres of, wheat, and v upwards of 2Qo,.acres of oats,,. aU. « said , to! beiof' very fair quality. •. Aconsiderable ;portioh.of the oat crop will be used as hay, -or cut up into chaff, as where the settlers aro bat making a' beginnings the expense ! df thrashing is. saved,' and answers 1 equally.well for feed. ' The : only 'other crops ' are potatoes .b^which^ there; isbut a'limite^ quantify^rUttle more ,than '.supply' I 't'he wants of the district. JJOp^ b^.two'jo^the settlers have a good, few.acres.bi turnips.