WORK THE YEAR ROUND.

Otago Witness, Issue 1476, 28 February 1880, Page 6

WORK THE YEAR ROUND.

It is an interesting fact: that the progress in agricultural machinery is attended by an increased length in the working season instead of a reduction of it, an might be expected, It is true that without the machinery the work which is now easily accomplished could not be done at all, but with this gain in dispatching work there comes also a call for other kinds of work, which keeps the farmer's time well employed nearly ths year round. This change is mainly occ Jsionecl by the growth of agriculture as an industry and as a system of efforts. The first point is too palpable to need comment — viz., the increased power bestowed by machinery leads to the cultivation of many times the number of acres whioh would or could be mastered by the old hand-methods. Had it not been for improved farming machinery, the great fields of the prairie and Pacific Coast States would still be grazing grounds. The development of agriculture as a system is a very interesting subject of inquiry. We (Mining and Scientific Press, California) have not space to inquire into ita phases in encyclopedic style, but will throw in two marks of the movement. First, in this State note the change in the old style of waiting for copious rains before starting the ploughs. This gave a long idle interval generally betwt en harvest and sowing, and while the grain was growing there was another long idle iuteival until it ripened. Now in most parts of the State this system of shoit labours and long rests has given way ti> a succession of work irrespective of times and seasons. While the thresher is at work at one end of the field, the long mule-teams are quite likely to be breaking up the stubb'e ground dry, on the other end. The harrow follows the plough at once, and the seedsower follows as a sandwich between harrowings. Thus the work proceeds day after day through the autuina in the San Joaquin and other valleys, until the rain puts an end to dry working. Still the ploughs and sowers push along whenever the open days in winter give a soil in proper oondition, until the time comes when it is too late to sow with chance of success. Then the Beedsower gets a rest under the shed, but the ploughs go on, daily increasing the area under summer fallow almost until the force of men and animals are again required for harvesting. This system of continuous work is in marked contrast to the old style, and its rewards are commensurate with the greater effort required. The value of the summer fallow in this State is now beyond question, and the advantage of dry ploughing and putting the grain where it will get the full benefit of all the rain that falls, is also widely recognised, except in certain locations where suoh practice is not admissible because of lonal conditions, like excessive rainfall and quick growth of foul weeds, &c. It v a fact that in this way our working season, even in the one line of graingrowing, has lengthened because of changed system in culture. It is interesting to note that a similar change in system ia creeping into English agriculture. We read in the London Farmer these comments :—": — " There was a time in the history of agriculture— at a period not very remote, and well within the recollection of the 'oldest inhabitant' — when farmers had long seasons of comparative idleness alternating with periods of busy work. Between the sowing of spring oorn and hay time there was not much to do, for turnips and mangolds were but little cultivated, aud the sole work of the plough from barleysowing to harvest was the occasional turning over of the fallow ground. After the ingathering of the corn there was rest until the sowing of winter wheat coumienced lata in the year. . . . Times have changed. There is more activity in the factory and on the farm. Competition is rife in all industries, and it is only by great effort a satisfactory position can bo maintained. The farmer's life is one of incessant toil and anxiety from year's end to year 'a end. There is no rest, no long or short vacation. The harvest over, and a new series of busy operations are immediately begun. The scanty crops of a past age are insufficient to enable him to hold his own. Mora attention must be paid to the cultivation of the soil than of old. It must be tortured to yield its wealth by formidable implements and machines. The weeds that camber tho ground must be extirpated, and crops must be harvested quickly to minimise the heavy cost of labour and to secure the grain in the best possible condition. The preparation of the soil for succeeding crops takes place as soon as the ground is cleared, and in many instances it goes on contemporaneously with harvest work. Instead of commencing ploughing in November, it is common now to practice early autumn cultivation, and on clay or loamy soils the system is to be highly commended "

This ohange in English agriculture is not of course put forth as a counterpart of ours, for conditions are wholly different, and the new practices are taken up for different reason b, but both indicate that agriculture ia progressive, and, like other progressive industries, Is throbbing with new life. It also reflects the spirit of pi ogress whioh is characteristic oi the age, au4 adapts ifaelf to

all changes in practice which ar,e demanded by tbe teachings of experience and investigaticn.