LAND CULTIVATION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7004, 16 June 1894, Page 3

LAND CULTIVATION.

[To the Editor op the Herald.]

Sm, — As you truly observe, m times of depression we are constrained to seek a Jpath bur of the Slough of Despond. The only '. source^ of wealth we have, or ever shall " have, m this district is land and the products thereof. Sheepfarming occupies the first place, and probably will retain that position. I am pleased to read your advocacy of dairying and pig raising. But, before either can be successful, we must revert back to the necessary " primary" conditions, i.e., the cultivation of tbe soil. I unhesitatingly assert that " ignorance " and want of enterprise m cultivation is responsible for the slack times we all suffer from. We have naturally all the elements required m this district to make this a very paradise. Good land, and a first rate climate, and yet what is the result? Grass-seed a rank failure ; the land choked with rubbish, because we do not cultivate; the lungworm a severe pest, because we do not investigate the cause ; our factories languishing, because the cows are expected to produce rich milk on Yorkshire fog and other weeds. By what process of reasoning our farmers expect to : grow " perennial " ryegrass, year after I year, without renewing, passes my com- 1 prehension. N&ture is certainly kind, and has hitherto favored us, but there is bound to be a revolt against such a practice. The inevitable tendency of nature is to revert back to its original growth. It seems to be an accepted theory m the Bay'that it does not pay to cultivate ; that we cannot produce grain, etc. It is high time the theory was exploded. If our Agricultural Society would step off the beaten track, and offer prizes for cereals, roots,' and produce generally, they could eliminate prizes for agricultural implements — the makers and vendors would find those. As an incentive to dig and plough,, give substantial prizes for a ploughing match, and let the Society interest sOme seed merchant to offer a good prize for the best kept farm. Prized should be offered for the greatest number of products any farmer could stage as an exhibit. Thus m this way an incentive would be established, and emulation among our settlers would result m knowledge being diffused. We must get rid by some means of this fatal idea of not breaking the soil. Again I would urge our prosperity depends BoTely on cultivation. Our wealth lies m the plough-share. — I am, ko., Plough Boy .