WAIKOURO.

Otago Witness, Issue 2818, 18 March 1908, Page 39

WAIKOURO.

March 18.—On noticing the large area of land immediately to the north and withj in a few miles of the town of Otautau that I is still covered with native tussock, one is apt to form an unfavourable impression of its fitness for profitable agriculture. Most of this country is low-lyings and subject to occasional floods, and the cost of drainage has no doubt retarded its productive development. The land, however, is of excellent quality, for wherever proper drainage has been effected and skilful husbandry adopted the results have been most gratifying to the settler. As an instance of this, I may mention that I had occasion to visit the Waikouro farm, owned by Mr Alfred Coster, who acquired some 600 acres in tussock and swamp about seven years ago. This area he has during that period by judicious drainage and good management converted into one of the most profitable farms in Southland. I was perfectly surprised at the magnificent crops raised on this farm. A 50-acre padd<yck of rape, grown on the first furrow, was a picture of uniform growth to a height of 39in. A similar-sized paddock of turnips would be difficult to equal in any part of Southland, whilst a 70-acre padddock of oats yielded an average of 75 bushels per acre. The part of the estate in grass is a perfect prairie, and as a consequence the sheep and cattle are in prime condition. Besides bringing his farm into such a high state of productiveness, Mr Coster has built a large up-to-date residence, replete with every modern comfort and convenience. It is indeed gratifying to record the progress that can be accomplished by a practical and energetic farmer in such a short period, and it also demonstrates the wealth still lying dormant in the thousands of acres yet uncultivated in the immediate vicinity of that nourishing little town of Otantau.