FARM ECONOMIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2059, 10 August 1893, Page 6

FARM ECONOMIES.

It is notoriously the case that the sympathies of populations in all countries are seldom or ever aroused in the interests of the agriculturist. Other industries are studiously bolBtered tip and protected from outfcide competition, while in the history of the Legislature of this colony no helping hand has been given to the farming and pastoral pursuits. On the contrary, these have borne an undue burden of taxation, and partial legislation has had the beneficial effect of teaching producers the invaluable lesson of self-dependence. The fruits of thisself-belphavebeen sufficiently manifested by the notable progress made during the pastlOyears in agricultural and pastoral pursuits as shown by the almost universal practice of mixed farming with its results—our boasted successful competition in outside markets with productions of meat, wool, and even grain, against all comers. Of course it may be argued that the exceptionally favourable conditions of j Eoil and climate have helped New Zealand producers to maintain their position in the struggle of competition, but as against these have to be set the adverse deductions for railway rates, freights, and other charges. The tillers of the soil, who have maintained their position by availing themselves of valuable acquired knowledge regarding the more important problems of husbandry. They have readily availed themselves of the most approved implements and machinery, and are gradually raising the standard of quality of farm live stock generally, and all this progress has been made without any prospect of an enhanced value of productions. Indeed New Zealand farmers are apparently preparing themselves for an experience of a still lower range of values, by efforts to lessen the cost of production. This is the wise and prudent course to pursue, provided the fertility of the soil is maintained, and the practical question is, how is the cost of production to be cheapened to any appreciable extent ? The answer is, by a strict observance of economies that have heretofore been, comparatively speaking, unconsidered. Small matters receive but little attention, and even some of the most important as contributories to the profitable management of a farm are too generally disregarded. Any skilled tiller of the soil cannot fail to appreciate the wasteful expenditure incurred all over the country in the purchase of cheap trashy seeds and unsuitable manures. The cultivation for the seed bed may be as perfect as possible, but the toil and money are thrown away when inferior seeds are sown or unsuitable or imperfect fertilisers are used. Farmers ought to bear in mind that choice seeds and manures are at least as potent factors towards success as the most careful tillage, and it cannot be too strongly insisted on that this branch of farm management needs amendment. Heavy and fine seeds tend to yield the finest plants, as all experienced farmers know; and regarding cereals especially there should be frequent changes of seed, as the rearing of any description of plant fora long succession of generations under the same conditions ought to be avoided, the chaDgo of " environment" has been found to be attended with the like beneficial results in plants and animals, provided there has been a judicious avoidance of extreme conditions. But even when teed wheat, oats, or barley has been procured from another locality, the further precaution should be observed to put it through the screen, so that no fresh stock of weed seeds be added to that already in the soil. There is no seeding however which involves such an outlay of money as that of laying down pasture, and this accounts for the extraordinary contrast in the appearance of the new lays on neighbouring farms. On the one the cheapest grass and clover seeds procurable were used, and as a consequenco the "bite" was scanty even in the first year, and in the second, the sown grasses are dying out and the pasture so unprofitable as to necessitate its breaking up. On the other farm the seeds were superior and well chosen, and from the start the the feed was abundant and has continued to improve. The cost of the seeds per acre was probably treble that paid for those used on the adjoining farm, but the extra expenditure was more than recouped in the first season. Undoubtedly widespread mischief is beicg perpetrated from year to year by the saving of ryegraes seeds from first crops, and which results in the prevalence of a short-lived variety. Again, it is with grass seeds as those of other plants. As the Lawson Company in their work on " The Cultivated Grasses" say: "A greater weight in the same kind always denotes a superior quality." When seed is light,' and consequently the greatest number of seeds is obtained by adhering to a given weight, there is of course a chance of an equal number of plants springing up as when the seeds are plump and heavy; but it must be kept in view that, even under the most careful management, a greater proportion of

the plants produced by the smaller seeds peris at or immediately after the period of brairding than of the more robust produce of the larger seeds, while a considerable number of the former are entirely loßt in consequence of an overdepth of covering. In efforts to cheapen production farmers may be tempted to crop^ on without an expenditure for manures to maintain the fertility of the soil, and it is asserted as a fact by competent judges that the great proportion of the cultivated land in this part of the colony is poorer than it was 20 years' ago. For manurial purposes farmers have had to depend on artificial fertilisers, and with very variable results. Until recently, guarantees of constituents in manures were unheard of, and in consequence much money was wasted on varieties — worthless materials. The position is different now, as a farmer who so desires may ascertain the fertilising constituents of a manure and has a remedy against misrepresentation. This, however, is not all-sufficient, for the action of manures varies with varying conditions. On farms adjoining, the application of a manure may give satisfactory results on the one, and prove of little value on the other. Farmers should therefore try experiments with these manures on patches side by side, and at the same time with mixtures of them. _ The advantages that would result from attention to such hitherto unheeded matters would be a saving of money that would possibly be lavished hereafter on manures that would have little benefioial effect on the farm.