A VISIT TO AWAMOA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1890, 10 February 1888, Page 8

A VISIT TO AWAMOA.

AN EXTENSIVE FARM.

(By Our Special Reporter.) Having received instructions to visit the Awamoa estate, I embarked in the Northern express and found myself shortly after noon, on a beautiful summer's day, at the Oataaru railway station. A conveyance was awaiting my arrival, and we lost no time in proceeding to THE HOMESTEAD. The house is beautifully situated on the highest portion of the estate about a mile from Oamaru, enbowered in quite a forest of trees. As you enter through the main gate and take a few steps along the nicely-gravelled drive, you find yourself in quite a different atmosphere, and as you walk leisurely along enjoying the cool shade, the rustle of leaves, and the scent of flowers, it is hard to realise that you have juat left the dry, dusty road, and that 20 summers ago this land was a treeless waste, clothed only with the silvery tussock andjthe scraggy fcumatukauri. The visitor is soon struck with the great richness and variety of foliage, and on glancing round he sees that neither trouble nor expense have been spared in making the plantation beautiful. Large succulent leaved aloes from far off lands nestle in the shade of New Zealand broadleafs and cabbage trees ; the native lancewood shoots up its straight stems beside Canadian and Lombardy poplars ; the elm and the yew, from ovar the waters, meet and shake hands with slender-leaved acacias and sombre leaved gums from the great Australian land ; while tali pines frown down on the slower*

growing ash and oak, and jostle with' chestnuts' sycamores, and birches for supremacy in the light. There is quite & bewildering variety of pines. The handsome longifolia, the straightstemmed Douglassii or Oregon pine, which has i been known to attain a height of 400 ft, the pinus pinaster, with its clustering cones and and long rigid leaves, pinus pinea, pinus pon- i derosa, the Calif ornian pine (pinusradiata), pinus strobus (the white pine of America), and between 50 and 60 other varieties of the same genus are all to be found clustering around the homestead and plantation?, taking kindly to therich Awamoa soil. There seems also an endless variety of gums, most of them planted from seed, the gift of Baron yon Muller. Though few of the trees have been planted more than 15 years, they have already attained a great height, and form quite a feature in the landscape of Awamoa. Some of the varieties are very pretty, notably the pendulous gum with its graceful drooping leaves, and another variety with beautiful red flowers, ; which, clustering among the sombre, green foliage, have, a very fine effect. There is another notable species (amygdilana) which attains a very great height, one tree 420 ft high having been discovered at Wood's Point, in Victoria. This particular specimen was even taller than the Wellingtonia Gigantia of California, which has been known to reach a height of 350 ft. There are many other English and Continental trees to be found in the different plantations on the estate, such as the spruce, the mountain ash, the evergreen oak, the purple beech, the weeping ash, and elm. Even the celebrated mallee scrub of Australia finds a corner in which to flourish. Striking off from the carriage drive along a narrow pathway leading through the trees, we come into an open space bordered with flowers and planted here and there with trees. Here the vinery is situated, and very pretty it looks, with the lawn and the trees and flowers around it, and the well trained vines within. A few fine looking trees are growing near it, and on inspection these turn out to be cedars. One of them cedrus deodara~& species that grows on the Himalayas at a great elevation — is a fine specimen. There are also some trees of the cedrus libani—the famous cedar of Lebanon, grown from seed taken from the ancient trees in the world-renowned grove at Lebanon. ; Several other varieties have also made considerable progress, and are thriving well. Leaving the cedars and the vinery behind, we proceed j to the house, a comfortable Gothic building of j Oamaru stone. In the dining room there is a \ good library, well stocked with works of all the poets, from Ossian to Tennyson, histories, and other works which it is profitable to read. In another a smaller library contains all sorts of Works on farm management, stud and herd books, forestry, and gardening. Prom the verandah a fine view is obtained in two directions. Looking westward, the eye wanders over rolling downs, where sheep and cattle are grazing in the rich English pastures, on to the blue haze of the Kakauui mountains in the distance, while more to the southward coastline glimpses of great beauty meet the vision ; and again looking out in the direction of the town, bright pleasing glimpses of sea and sky pass through the trees. The situation is an ideal one, and when walking under the trees on a fine sunny day one cannot help thinking that it is just the sorb of place where a poeb or a' painter might resort for inspiration, or dream away his existence in delightful idleness. The master of Awamoa, however, is not the sort of person to remain long idle, and we have no sooner finished luncheon than we proceed to the stables, where a buggy is waiting in readiness to drive us over the estate, principally for the purpose of seeing the fine stud of CLYDESDALE HORSES for which the place is noted. It was quite a pleasure to drive through the paddocks and look at the stock in company with Mr Holmes, for he takes such a thorough interest in the welfare of the animals, each one of which has a history of its own and seems of not much less importance than a human being. I was curious to know how it was that he first started breeding, and he told me that he had always a special liking for horses of the Clydesdale breed. He commenced breeding them on the Glenoairn estate, in Victoria, about 1845— his first sire being Matohem, imported from Scotland by T. H. Learmonth. This importation was followed up by the Clyde Company's horse Sir William Wallace, and also Emperor — both imported from Home. All these were of the old type, and at least equal to any of the present day. Mr Holmes was succeeding very well, but on the 6bh February 1851 the great fire of Black Thursday came, and his promising enterprise was nipped in the bud. Everything on the Glencairn estate, including the house and outbuildings, was destroyed, and most of the horses were burnt to death. Breeding was not resumed, as the property was cut up into farms and leased for vinegrowing and agricultural purposes. Then, after a number of years, Mr Holmes decided to come out to New Zealand, and some of his first purchases were Clydesdales. At the Glasgow show of 1859 he bought Eglinton, a bay three-year-old, and Countess, a first prize mare of the largest size. He bred from this pair Duke of Buccleuch and other fine horses, and acquired by purchase Loity (imported) and Royal Oak ; but his last purchase was the most fortunate, as. there never was a sire in the colony so successful in stamping his own good looks and qualities on bis progeny as Young Banker. His stock have stood first at all the best shows in this colony, and they have been first at Sydney and in Melbourne, competing against horses imported from the i Mother Country, The sires now at Awamoa attest his excellence. The stud horse is called after the estate — " Awamoa " — and is by Young Banker from Lena, by Lueksall (510) from Jessie Brown (imported), by Old Times (579) from Kate, by Loch Fergus Champion (449) from London Maggie. It will thus be seen that his pedigree is unexceptional, and as the groom gave him a turn round the yard before we left, he appeared to great advantage, and looked every inch a Clydesdale. In a small paddock near the stables we saw Regent, a beautiful bay, by Awamoa, from Lass O'Gowrie (4, N.Z.5.8.) He is a very promising colt, and although heavily limbed and verj powerful, he is active and handsome, and has never failed in taking first prize at all the shows he has been at. In the Oamaru show ring last year he was champion, competing against full grown horses from Great Britain. He iB just over two years old. His stable companion and greatest opponent is a chestnut horse named Allan-a-Dale. He seems likely to tarn out a larger horse and as good a type of the Clydesdale, although he has had to be content with second prize againsthis companion. His sirs was Young Banker, and his dam Nellie Ivnnhoe by Old Ivanhoe (398), from Scotch Nannie. Another good two-year-old which we saw is by Young Banker from Laura M'Fherson, the champion mare at the last Oamaru show. He is likely to turn out a very useful sire. The brood mares were ont in the paddocks, and as we drove through the different fields Mr Holmes directed attention to the bestbred animals. There were prizetakera in bewildering number, but with 70 heavy draught mares to select from, we can only refer particularly to a few of the more prominent prizewinners. For personal merit Laura M'Pheuoa

stands first. She has taken several prizes every season since she was a yearling in 1877 at Dunedin, Oamaru, and Christchurch, and her three-year-old filly Beryl took the cham1 pion cup at the Dunedin show in 1888. She has taken no fewer than 15 first prizes. The most successful mare as a dam, however, is Lass O'Gowrie, as in addition to six superior ' fillies, she has produced the stallions Sir Arthur ! Gordon (now the property of Mr John Roberts;, Sir William Jervois (now in the stud of Mr ! Andrew Town, of Hobartville, Sydney), and last, I but not least, the colt Regent, referred to above. 1 Another good mare was Mary Queen of Scots (being the dam of Mary Stuart, Mary Beaton, Mary Seaton, and the entires Darnley and Bothwell). Then there is Young Gipsy, by Sir William Wallace. She is a very stylish animal, has won 1 a good many prizes, and is an excellent worker. I Nannie, by Sir William Wallace, has also been successful in the show ring, last year being first in her class. She is the dam of Garnet, General Scratchley, and other well-known horses. Nont pariel, by Young Banker, is an excellent mare, I and has taken prizes at both Christchurch and Oamaru. Rowena is a fine bay, 3yrs old, by Young Banker, dam Nellie Ivanhoe. She has the sire's bone, and the shape of an extra good animal, and her breeding cannot be excelled. She has already ranked first on three occasions in the show-ring and promises well for the future. Sapphire by Young Banker, dam Pearl, is of fine quality and breeding, being full sister to Cashier, Auditor, and Accountant, the latter being, in the opinion of competent judges, one of the most perfect Clydesdale horses ever bred in the colony. Duchess of Timaru, Rose of Timaru, Bessie Lee, and Cairngorm by Yoang Banker, out of first-class marges, are all animals that would be fit for any stud. They are of large size, and.look very powerful. Lady Salisbury, by Mr Gawn's celebrated horse, is a goodlooking mare but rather small in size. Her dam is Nellie Ivanhoe. Besides these there are a good many other really fine mares— several of them prizetakers— but we must hold in our description and say a word or two about the yearlings. They are certainly as fine a lot as we could wish to see, and one colt by Young Banker from Fanny Macgregor seems likely to make an excellent sire. He is a good bay, nicely marked, and like most of the animals in the stud, of large size. He is the only one kept out of last year's lot. ! There is a great number of foals this year, and [ most of them look well ; but there is one of such | extraordinary size and excellence that he is deserving of a special word of mention. His sire is Young Banker and his dam Big Bell— a very j powerful mare. He has splendid points, and should he turn out as well as he promises now I he should excel even his celebrated sire. We also saw a number of excellent foals by Athel- I stano. He is a powerful bay horse, four years off now. and is by Lord Salisbury (imported) from Nellie Ivanhoe by Ivanhoe from Scotch Nannie, imported from Scotland by H. Hill, Esq. His stock certainly promise well, both for strength and symmetry. But it would take a great deal more space than there is at our disposal to refer to all the good horses. This will readily be believed when ifc is stated that, what with brood mares, foals, entires, and a few light horses, there are no fewer than 200 horses on the Awamoa estate. CULTIVATION OF THE ESTATE. In driving through the paddocks one could not but notice the excellent sward of grass that was everywhere to be met with. In few of the surrounding fields did I see the grass growing so strongly as in the Awamoa paddocks. Quite a number of grasses have been tried, for I noticed in different paddocks perennial and Italian ryegrass, timothy, cocksfoot, hard fescue, tall fescue, meadow fescue, catstail, cowgrass, alsike clover, white clover, red clover, lucerne, and prairie grass. After driving about two miles, we came to the wheat paddocks. There were two fine I paddocks — one of 230 acres and another of about 170 acres, and a heavy and more even crop it would be difficult to imagine. From what I saw of the fields I should think the average yield, if the crop is all got in safely, could not be short of 60 bushels to the acre. It would be a fine sight to see the harvester at work in the fields, for in another week or so half a dozen reapers and binders and a few back delivery machines would be engaged reaping the corn. Near the wheat paddocks some men were engaged cutting with hooks the cocksfoot which grew luxuriantly in odd corners about the creeks and in the plantations. Some 12 men were engaged in this work. Nearly all the fences on the estate are of gorse, and have to be trimmed every year. There must be fully 30 miles of fencing altogether, but, nevertheless, I did not see one single fence that was not properly kept. The cutting costs about 7d per chain. We drove along a low ridge showing an outcrop of freestone, and along through a splendid field of wheat to the sheep yards. There the working manager's house is situated and also a 12-stalled stable with loose boxes and harness and feed room. These buildings are situated about four miles from the main steading and are very convenient in working the farm. We then drove into a paddock where some 27 pare SHOETHOEK CATTLE are located. Some of the cows seem very I well bred, and the stud bull 4th Duke of Elderslie, one of Mr John Reid's celebrated j herd, seems to possess in a hign degree all the j marked characteristics of the shorthorn breed. Into yet another paddock we went, by the sea, and there a number of cattle were fattening on the rich grass to get ready for market. Tnis paddock being situated so close to the sea, has been found the best for fattening purposes. I THE HOOT CROPS. In different parts of the estate there are large fields of potatoes, which are looking remarkably well this season. The yield is often as high as 10 ton 3to the acre. The cropping system prevails, Mr Holmes having introduced it into the district. Most of the potatoes are chipped to Australia, and the croppers generally succeed in making very handsome profits. There are this year about 330 acres down in potatoes, and 120 acres of turnips and mangels. We also passed a field of beans on our way, and the crop, though self-sown, was looking promising. We returned home after a most enjoyable five hours' drive, having seen most of the stock and a good deal of the estate on our round. THE SHEEP. Next morning Mr Holmes provided me with a saddle-horse, and, accompanied by Mr Archibald, the head shepherd, I made the round of the sheep paddocks. We first looked over the Lincoln flock, which consists of several first-class rams and 600 breeding ewes.. Mr Archibald had got several of the best sheep together in the yards at the homestead, so that we were able to see them to advantage. We caw the champion ram of the last Dunedin show— a really fine animal, with a massive frame and an exceedingly heavy and massive fleece. His companion was the second prizetaker at Dunedin, though in point of qusjity, as far as wool goes, this sheep is perhaps of a superior order, his wool having the more fashionable curl which is so much thought of by breeders now. This sheep was first in Timaru last year, and has taken several other first prizes in different classes. Another Lincoln ram was &Ibq noticeable for his fine,

close wool, and though a little wanting in tho ribs, he seems to be very well suited for keeping I the Awamoa flock abreast of the times in the matter of wool. These are the three principal 1 stud rams, bat there is one old sheep that must not be passed over' without mention. He ha 3 been quite a celebrated sheep in his day, having carried off the champion prizes at both the Dunedin and Oamaru shows, but now he is past his best days, and is not likely to trouble the judges of our show rings any more. Still, he is yet a good serviceable ram, and his stock not only command good prices, but win prizes in competition against some of the best sheep in the colony. He is the sire of the ram that carried off first honours both at Christchurch i and Oamaru this season, and was sold at a high figure to go to the North Island. We also had a good look at the principal ewes. One of the ewe hoggets was first at the Christchurch, Oamaru, and Dunedin shows this year. She has great length of wool, and seems to have filled out well since show time. She certainly has all the points for making a splendid ewe. Another prizetaker seems to have turned out very well also, and although a little stronger in the wool than the one last mentioned, she excels in some other 'points, and has very heavy quarters— a good point in this class of sheep. The general flock of breeding ewes are looking very healthy this year, and they appear to be in better condition than they have been for several years. Coming to the Leicesters, we find a flock of some 200 breeding ewes, though the principal portion of the breed flock as regards numbers is kept at the Castle Rock station. It is only the progeny of the last imported stock and a few selected sheep that are kept at Awamoa. About five years ago Mr Holmes imported two firstclass pedigree laras and six ewes, and these, with their progeny, are still at Awamoa. In one paddock we saw two of the old rams. One fellow is quite a veteran of the show ring, for he has been shown seven times, with the result that he carried off no fewer than three- first and four second prizes. He is not a very large-framed sheep, but is very handsome, and carries a nice even fleece. His mate is a year older, and has also taken his full complement of prizes. Both these sheep were got by an imported Millendean ram, and they show a considerable degree of excellence in all points of a Border Leicester. The young sheep beside them are looking well, and speakinggenerally of their characteristics itmay be said that they show the large quarters, well sprung ribs, and necks, to use a shepherd's phrase, that are "well set on." The white hair about their heads, although some colonial flockowners are a little doubtful about this point, shows that the proper strain of blood runs through their veins. This is a distinct feature in the Border Leicesters as compared with the English Leicesters. The ewes are on the whole a fine lot. Mr Archibald pointed out one that was unbeaten wherever shown during the last two years. The ribs, quarters, and wool are all that could be wished, and if she has a fault at all it is that she is just a little close in the hind legs. The two-tooth . ewes that were exhibited at the last Oamaru and Dunedin shows look well, and promise to develop into good useful sheep. There are now some 26 sheep directly descended from pure blood Home sheep from the principal flocks in Scotland — viz., from Lord Polworth's Merfcon estate, Miss Stark's Millendean estate, and from Oldhamstock mains, the property of Messrs Clark, the well-known breeders. There are no first-class sheep in Scotland that are not intimately connected with these three flocks. We gob back to the homestead after a four hours' ride round the estate. The ride proved a most enjoyable one. There was a good deal to be seen, and I could not have had a better pilofe than the head shepherd of Awamoa. In the, afternoon Mr Holmes showed me THE ORCHARD, It is situated in the low ground in front at the house, though at some little distance from it. It is encompassed by a fine belt of trees for shelter, and inside the plantation a fine haw« thorn hedge runs right round the orchard. In all seven acres have been planted as an orchard, and most of the trees are of choice kinds. Fig trees flourish remarkably well and the fruit; ripens beautifully, while all sorts of pears, quinces, plums, and apples have been planted and thrive well. A novelty in the shape of thd weeping peach has been introduced. The fruifi is something like the Royal George, except that! it is rather better in quality. Generally speak-* tog, however, the peaches have not been a success. In one corner of the planta* bion which surrounds the garden some very fine trees are noticeable. A family of the picea species have grown beautifully, and it is quite interesting to study the difference in the beautiful foliage of the 12 different varieties that have been planted, English grasses thrive luxuriantly in the shade of the trees, and this is cut and placed in heaps round the roots of the trees to act as a mulch, Almost in the centre of the orchard a beautiful effect has been obtained by the formation of an island in an artificial pond. The pond was originally a lagoon, but ifc was deepened and the excavated material was thrown up in the centre to form the island. This little island is occupied by three or four fine weeping willows with their branches drooping in graceful festoons into the water. Round the outside of the pond a circle of cabbage trees gives somewhat of a tropical character to the scene, and outside these again there are gaycoloured dahlias, tall slender lilies, and a profusion of other flowers growing beside and among the fruit trees. A collection of chrysanthemums, for which the Awamoa garden is famous, look promising for the coming season, A great deal of trouble has evidently been taken with the garden, and it is certainly one of the main features of the estate. The different plantations too are well arranged. On one elevated piece of ground, some 60 acres have been planted with a great variety of trees, and already the plantation has somewhat the look of a forest about it. There are in all about 100 acres planted with trees, and the effect in the different plantations adds greatly to the beauty of the estate.