CHATS WITH THE FARMERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1503, 4 September 1880, Page 6

CHATS WITH THE FARMERS.

A Visit to Cave Him,, the Fahsc or Mb James M'Harry, Gkeenvaeb. This farm is situated about four miles from the rising township of Kelso, and about nine miles, from Tapanui The land is principally hilly, but not so much so as to render it unworkable. The soil ia chiefly a rich black loam varying in depth from 18 inches to two feet, resting on a good subsoil of clay. It grows excellent cereal and root crops, and when sown down in English grasses produces excellent pasturage- Artificial drainage is unnecessary, on account of the undulating character of the ground, which is well watered by running streams, whiohfind then* source in the hills to the northward. Mr M'Harry, who was brought up to farming on his father's farm in county Down, landed at the Bluff in 1861 He first proceeded to Dunedin, and shortly afterward found employment at the Taieri, on the farm of the late Mr Milne. In this situation he remained for seven years, at the end of which time he started con-, traoting and roadmaking. About this time, also, he visited Maorae's Flat, where he took a contract of fencing. He again returned ' to the Taieri, and shortly afterwards speculated in some land, which he disposed of about 'IST months ago for the sum of £300. ' 1 ' ~~ He then took up the section upon which heat present resides. Seventy acres have .been broken up, besides 20 acres, which have been sown down with artinoial grasses. The mixtures and proportions sown per .acre are as follow :— Perennial .rye-grass, from 1 to \\ bushel ; Ted and white clovers, 31b ; alayke, lib ; cocksfoot and timstby, , lib. The fencing ori Cave Hill Farm (which is divided into four paddocks) consists chiefly of stakes and wire, though sod fences have also been .built. Last year there were some 50 acres of crop, while 20 acres of rye grass was saved for seed. Oats average about 35 bushels to the acre, and wheat about 30. Danish oats are always grown, and are found to do pretty well. As yet, only red' straw wheat has been tried, but Mr M'Harry thinks he will try Tuscan for the future. Vel vet wheat is also a very good sort ; but a good crop cannot always < be relied on, and Mr; M'Harry thinks it will not suit bis land so wellas the Tuscan. This season a considerable area' will be sawn in turnips, as winter feed' for the cattle. The turnips found to suit the soil best are Aberdeen yellow. The grass is sometimes sown with a crop of oata, and sometimes by itself. In the latter case about three ounces of turnips are sown to the acre in conjunction with' the grass seed, which is sown up to the New' Year. , ; The cattle on Cave Hill number some '22 head. They are all Colonial cattle and are found to, do very well for both dairying and butchering purposes. Several bullocks are fattened every year, and disposed of in Tapanui. The horsea are five in number, and "are a good stamp of animals for general 'farm work. Pigs are also reared, and, if properly managed, are found to be very profitable. 'The' Berkshire breed is found to answer best, as they are easily' kept, and often grow to a good, size.' • At the time of our visit there were nine or ten pigs, including one fine sow which, if killed, would probably weigh upwards of 3001b. They are fed principally on milk and potatoes, and sometimes on small wheat. An acre anda-half ia annually planted ia, potatoes, the yield being between nine and ten tons to the acre. The buildings comprise, besides & dwelling house, a barn and four-stalled stable; also, a byre, fowlhouse, and dairy. There is also a substantial chsffhouse, 15 feet by 30 feet. ' The chaff-cutter is driven by a water-wheel six feet in diameter. It ia found to be quite capable" for the purpose for which itiwas ereoted, and is < also an immense saying in labour. The- water is obtained quite handy from a creek running through the farm; and by this means' nearly' a ton of chaff can be out in a hour. In auswer to a question as to the -propriety of cutting chaff for sale instead of consuming it on the farm and turning it into manure, Mr M'Harry is of opinion that when a man has plenty of capital at his disposal it may be well enough, but in a newly settled district where settlers have a good deal to pay out for the first few years, he thinks they are quite jnati&ed in- disposing of their produce in the manner [whereby they .will be more directly benefited. Besides, the land in a new settlement has not so much need of arti ' ficial manure as those farms that have been intermittently cropped for a number of years. The implements are plough, harrows, ' drays, &o. ; also one of Kemp, Murray, and Nicholson's reapers. Mr M'Harry thinks it is not advisable to purchase a reaper and binder, as he is dubious whether they wil] do upon anything but level land. About half an acre has {been reserved for a garden, and planted with various kinds of fruit trees. Blue gum has also been reared, but the growth is often so quick that they are invariably nipped- with the froat when young. They will be much benefited by sowing in beds vary thickly, and then, transplanted when about 12 montha old. They are also much benefited by a hedge, so as to keep the sun from them on frosty mornings. The want of a railway has been badly felt, and the settlers have on this account been heavily handicapped. Things will not, however, be bo bad now when the line is opened to Kelso, and should the extension to Swift Creek be undertaken the result would be a greater benefit, not only to Swift Creek, but also to the Heriot Hundred settlers. A great drawback to this district is the want of coal, but it will also be overcome with the] advent of .railway communication. As yet sheep have not been tried, as dairying is followed to a considerable extent Mrs M'Harry disposes of her batter and eggs to Tapanui storekeepers ; oheeae is also manufactured, but only for home consumption. She has over 100 fowls, besides ducks and turkeys, aud finds the Spanish to be by far the best layers.