FARMING THE LAND

Southland Times, Issue 20014, 30 October 1926, Page 14

FARMING THE LAND

ESSENTIALS TO SUCCESS. Mr. William R. Keay writes:— Although circumstances - will alter -cases, I have thought the following observations during 63 years’ practical experience of agricultural end pastoral farming in nearly all its branches in various parts of New Zealand may serve to show the pessimists that farming the land can be made to pay. I would place the chief factors for success in the order stated: (1) “Good health and good management.” (2) Favourable climatic conditions, and markets for products equal to. or exceeding, the supply. (3) Freedom from diseases in animals and plants. (4) Natural aptitude for acumen in business transactions. (5) Taxation, rates, etc., not too heavy. (6) Freedom from debt. All those essentials being experienced, the price of land would be immaterial, and the limit of profits would largely depend on the quality of the soil. Farming tour or poor land can be made profitable by draining, liming, the use of basic slag, and judicious manuring. Therein lies one of the chief obstacles to success, if those indispensable adjuncts are not applied to inferior soil. But if so applied, then the poor land may be the cheapest to buy, especially if for pip or stone-fruit farming. In my opinion, wonderfully successful results could be attained if the State employed' qualified men to find the best fertilisers for promoting the acme of fertility on those lands, on which, after fertilisation, cereals should not be grown continuously. Pasturage, and occasional root crops., if fed on the land in small enclosures In daylight, will keep fertility from deteriorating But generally sheep or store cattle, the former perferably, are most suitable for farming inferior soil. If cereals are grown on rich alluvials, rank growth will result, and harvesting may be made impossible, or too expensive, through the crop being flattened by heavy dew, or rain, or strong wind. Those lands should be used exclusively for dairy farming, for fattening cattle, or for root crops, and the latter should be fed off the land so that its excessive fertility will be reduced to grow cereals, if required.

It is deplorable to see the unprofitable, haphazard management on many dairy farms. Assuredly success cannot be attained unless winter feed is provided, the purchase of cull cows avoided, bulls from the best butter-fat producing strains procured, and also by regularly testing the milk of each cow.

For dairying purposes 250 acres of medium quality, and about 100 acres of the best land—all having a plenteous supply of good water —are the most suitable areas for intelligently utilising the utmost resources of the land; and also for creating the closest settlement on rural lands.

If possible, continuous overstocking—the cause of many failures—should be compulsorily prevented, not only in the best interests of the farmer, but also for preventing cruelty to unfortunate animals that may be subjected to the mercy of men who, in many instances under adverse circumstances, are mistakenly trying to make three half-starved cows earn the income that can be obtained from two that are well fed. Pastures arc also injured by overstocking continuously.

Another serious disadvantage for those who are trying to “make good” on the land is unreasonable charge for the services and for the goods supplied by the middlemen, and also the unreasonable cost of farm labour. The want of internal markets is also a serious handicap. An enormously increased population is urgently needed, and all animal products manufactured locally. But, unfortunately for the farmer, it will be impossible to compete in the world markets with goods manufactured by cheap labour. ‘The publicans, the merchants, many non-producers, and the thrifty workers,” are those who derive the greatest benefit from dear labour.