CHATS WITH FARMERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1950, 4 April 1889, Page 7

CHATS WITH FARMERS.

MR K. PRITCHARD'S FARM, Abbow Junction, Wakatipu. Mr Pritchard farms about 480 acres of land near the junction of the Arrow with Kawarau river, in a sunny and open situation, which makes it the earliest in this district, a consideration of no small importance when the rather changeable aud uncertain weather in the fall of the year is taken into account. As a rule harvest at the Arrow Junction is over when in other parts of this district cutting has not yet begun, and this season all the crops were secured even earlier than usual, in spite of Mr Pritchard having had a total of 240 acres under crop, perhaps a greater area than cultivated by any other farmer in these parts this year. THB CROPS raised were as follows:— 110 acres of wheat, yielding 41 bushels per acre ; 30 acres of barley, 30 'bushels to the acre ; 40 acres of oats, 50 bushels per acre. In addition there are 60 acres in rye, 10 of which have been cut for seed, the remaining 40 acres being intended for pasture; and 20 acres in turnips. With a total of 4510 bushels of wheat Mr Pritchard tops the list of local producers this season, as sowings have generally been sparse, 60 or 80 acres per steading being about the average. The wheat is of prime condition, and although all bagged by this time, Mr Pritchard is in no hurry to part with any or all of it. This disposition seems to be shared by most local farmers, all being apparently prepared to hold on to their crops for an expected rise in price before long— probably a safe game with all . wheat of prime quality. The variety of wheat sown by Mr Pritchard was the red straw. The oats also— long Tartarian— are a very satisfactory crop, both as regards the grain and the straw, the former being well and regularly grown, while the latter is ample without being coarse. The barley, though not a large crop, makes up amply in quality for the deficiency in quantity, The variety raised was the Chevalier, so much in favour at present, and having been cut, sfcooked, stacked, and threshed in fine weather, the colour aud general appearance of the grain is all that could be desired. The comparatively small return per acre is accounted for by the very wet and cold spring which lasted up to Christmas. The rye also is a very good crop indeed, and an attempt will be made to reduce some of it to flour for the purpose of introducing the rye bread of the Continent of Europe in these parts. A difficulty, however, will be met with at the outset, as rye meal requires differently dressed stones to those used for grinding wheat. Thea, again, there is the obstacle of mixing and baking the bread, which is worked with leaven Instead of yeast, and last — though not least — there is the prejudice against the colour, which probably will be sufficient to prevent rye bread ever becoming a favourite with colonials. BYE AS GREEN FEED | for stock, however, is growing in favour with our local farmers, and as Buch has many advantages. It will do best on light soils, even if somewhat sandy and inclined to be dry ; it is more independent of the season than either grass, clover , or turnips ; it will last, when fed down for two years, or when cut before shooting for three years ; it is a splendid milk producer in great cattle and a capital fatfcener of sheep. Mr Pritchard runs about 400 sheep, fattening them for the local market, selling out the lot, and making a start with young stock the following season, so that no trouble is taken over breeding. Mr Pritchard holds to the idea that depasturing sheep on land returns to the soil in part at least the substance taken out of it by cropping, and considering that he has followed farming upon these lines for nearly 20 years, and still continues to raise highly satisfactory crops oft the same land, his opinions seem to be borne out by practical experience. THE REARING OF HORSES also receives close and constant attention, Mr Pritchard introduced some of the Jbest entires that ever came into the district, and upon his farm none but a superior lob of brood mares are kept. Strict economy is observed in all the departments of the' farm. Mr Pritchard having been brought up amongst a farming population he has learned the value of this, the first virtue and the real key to success in farming. As showing how far good management has contributed, to the very satisfactory result of last year it may be mentioned that the -whole of the area cropped has been worked with one team of horses, which, however, has been kept going constantly. Mr Pritchard besides being interested in farming, is also one of the leading merchants of Acrowtown, aud is therefore fully qualified to pass an opinion upon THE PROSPECTS OF FARMING IN NEW ZEALAND, of which he speaks in no halting manner. Being perfectly convinced from his own experience that farming can be made to pay, he has no hesitation in saying that when . industrially and economically conduoted, and the required degree of technical and practical knowledge is brought to bear, in no country under the sun is there a better opening for the farmer than there is in New Zealand, or, more properly speaking, in Otago. As regards this district, suitable as it is for the raising of wheat and barley, the farmers are greatly handicapped in sending their produce to a seaport. The cost of transport^ even with the redaction recently made in railway freights for grain, taking the nearest port (Invercargill),

will approximate Is per bushel, a charge that is almost prohibitory, and it is only by the superior quality and accordingly enhanced price that Wakatipu wheat and flour can compete with that of other districts.