THE WEST COAST.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 3

THE WEST COAST.

POSSIBILITIES IN AGRICULTURE. (Fhom Our Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, March 3. Mr M. Murphy, who waa for many yearO secretary cf . the Canteibury A. and P. Association, has just returned from a visit to the West Coast, with a conviction that a great deal more might be done "there with the agricultural and pastoral industries than is the case at present. " There is no reason," he told a Press reporter, " why there should not be a very good dairying industry over there. The people, however, are miners, and know. nothing 1 of agriculture. It would be a' good thing if the Government were to establish an experimental farm on the Coast, where the rising generation could be instructed in the kind of farming suitable for that coast, which, owing to climatic conditions, must ever differ from Canterbury. From what I saw I have no doubt but that root crops, grasses, native flax, and even Indian corn (for ensilage) could be grown successfully. The rainfall is such that the growth of cereals would not be found profitable." The opinion was held on the Coast that the timber supplies would be cut out in 25 years. In" the meantime the Government could do valuable work by training the rising generation in agricultural pursuits suitable to West Coast conditions. One industry that very profitably be taken up was flax-growing. '" Grermouth is pushing ahead." he added. "There is a record value being put on land owing bo the prospective completing of the railway, and as much as £800 is being asked for a quarter-acre section. The land is far and away above the value of cottage land it Christchurch.