AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 971, 30 March 1870, Page 5 (Supplement)

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

In to-day's issue we publish the results of the annual agricultural census of the Province, which have been placed at our disposal by the Superintendent Collector. It will be seen that some progress has been made, notwithstanding the great retardment caused by the native war in the Patea District, and the apprehension of insecurity created among the out- settlers around us by the murderous raid made by the Ngatimaniapoto upon the White Cliffs settlement. It is natural to suppose that the course of events would haveinduced cultivatorsto lay their laud down in grass rather than risk the uncertainties of a grain crop; and such is the fact, as shown by these returns. During the year we have added toourpasturage some 5,000 acres, showing that the tendency of the majority of the agricultural community is to devote their attention chiefly to the rearing and fattening of stock, as being more profitable and m every way more suited to the capacity of this Province than the futile attempt to raise grain for export. When the average yield of this Province is compared with Canterbury, Otago, or Southland, it will at once be seen that our farmers can never compete with their more fortunate southern brethren in raising cereals. Last year our average yield of wheat was from sixteen to eighteen bushels per acre, that ofOtago was thirty-six; this year our yield is estimated at about nineteen bushels, but will probably realise eighteen, which at the current price will not give a great return to the farmer after the heavy expenses of preparing for market are deducted. The total yield is estimated at 19,185 bushels, add to this the native wheat, which is not enumerated, and we shall have a total of say 22,000 bushels. This will be insufficient for our wants, and it is probable that some 200 tons of flour will have to be imported. We should not regret this, if the attention of agriculturists was more devoted to the production of articles better suited to the soil and climate. We have made a beginning in the export of cattle and sheep, we should like to see that supplemented by an increase in the dairy produce. It will be observed that there is a great falling off in the production of haj r , the estimated yield being only one-fourth that of last year. This is a great mistake — it is indicative of a decrease in dairy produce. Dairy farming is an employment, above all others, which will pay small proprietors, but being one that requires close attention, much labour, and considerable skill, it is growing distasteful, mid is shirked whenever any other less profitable occupation offers. We should like to see more hay and root crops raised for conversion into cheese and bacon, and where the farms are large enough, that they should be well grassed and used to fatten the stoclc imported overland from the Wellington Province for shipment at the Waitara for the Auckland market. There is another article of rising importance which should not be neglected by the small land holder, and that is the New Zealand flax. More especially the bush settlers should plant a few acres each year of the best varieties, and in the ourse of lime they would find the result very satisfactory. The wild growth which now covers sucli extensive acres in this Province will soon disappear before the insatiable machines, and the result will be that a flourishing export trade will die a premature death if plantingis not reported to at once. The careless manner in which the flax is now being cut, will tend to hasten this period, for to saye a little additional expense we are actually committing a species of commarcial suicide by destroying the source of a great national revenue. We regret that it does not find a place in the Registrar-General's table?, for if statistics are of any use they arc surely required in

the early development of an industry that depends for its permanence on a steady supply of the raw material. We wish to know what the supply is, and if it is only sufficient for one, two, or three years consumption, what steps are being taken to make up the deficiency. It must be placed in the most palpable manner before the public, to rouse them to the necessity of providing a remedy. While we are gratified at the progress made during the year in the face of great difficulties, we feel assured that in consequence of the improved aspect of native affairs in this Province, and the activity apparent in the establishment of flax fibre manufactories consequent thereon, that our material progress as indicated by the publication of the. agricultural statistics of 1871, will be such as will satisfy the most sanguine, and restore that wide spread abundance among all classes, which characterised Taranaki before the unhappy visitation of the war of 18G0. — Taranaki Herald, March 5.