Vine,growing and Idie Crown Lands.

Otago Witness, Issue 2293, 10 February 1898, Page 15

Vine,growing and Idie Crown Lands.

TO TIIE EDITOR. Sm, -There are 6i,000 acres of idle Crown lands here, both soil aud camate of which are emin-jutly adapted for vine-growing. Vines planted six years ago on similar land adjoining— in the new lan-', -without any preparation or manure of any kind— have borne immense crops for four years. Th"jr are no* completely laden again with fine large grapes, showing that the deep marly subsoil here (no clay) is voiy rich and suitable for vines, for they are so very luxuriant. It irf suitable also for oranges, lemons, and other fruit. Pastures turfaoa sown eight years ago are tow a dense sward, the grasses aud clovers holding and improving every year. Splendid maize and other faim crops have been grown successively for six years on the same land, and this land can now be seen with the thiid crop of maize growing, which is a grand crop. No manure of any kind bos been put to any of tbe crops ; and none of the idle Grown land adjoining can be poorer than this land appeared to be when it was ploughed up first six years ago. Tt is a shame for the Government to keep a vait area of such land idle, stopping the settlement and progress of a large district. It only requires a snort load of about four miles to be made across one of the lots of idle Crown land to bring it all within easy distance cf a good harbour at Maketu. If the Government have not funds to open this land for settlement they should sell it by public auction, so that someone could buy it that would Open it up, a-id not hold back land that is suitable for vine-growing and agricultural and pastoral purposes, proofs of eaeli of which are here to be seen.— l am etc., SRTTLEU. Pongakawa, Bay of Plenty, January 29.

There are 22 allusions in the Bible to the east wind, 19 of them being of a disparaging character. Nihko and Blair, Dunedin, will send Seedling Single Dahlias and Veueenas post fre© for orders of ss ; singly, 2s ncr dozen?