IRRIGATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume L, Issue 4827, 25 April 1890, Page 3

IRRIGATION.

The Melbourne carrespondent of the Otago Daily Times reports as follows : — Mildura, the Chaffoy Bros.' irrigation eclony on the MuTdy river, has — though it has only had an cxistenco of a couple of years— held its first agricultural show. Truth to Bay it was net bo much a show of cereals as of fruit Grapes, almonds, figs, peaches, apples, pears, quinces, melons, tomatoes, street potatoes, pumpkin;, tinned, bottled, and proiorved fruits ; maizo, sugar cane, ordinary vegetables, &c, wero exhibited m profusion. Mußcatel raieins and Zanto currants put m boxes ready for retailing, wero also shown, and theso were the produce of vines planted not quito eighteeen months ago. Tbe grapes were of tbe Worthy Hall and Bed Prince typos, Bplendidly dcvelopod m the bunch, and all a "socond crop" this season, the first having been gathered two months ago. These results arc the outcomo of irrigation. Tbo settlement ie doing capitally, and lbs settlers themselves are all confident of success. The lesson might wall be followed m some of the upcountry districts of Otago. It would pay your Government to send a Commissioner over here to report on what is being dona. Tho Mildura land, bo it ' remembered, was valued at the freehold ! price of 2s 6d an aero by tbo Chief Surveyor. In Sandhurst there is a strong movement for utilising old diggings areas. A start has been made Tbe areas are let out jin about five-aero blocks j tbo soil is to bo lovcllcd down, water will be brought to bear, and tho land used for fruit growing. It is one of tho finest climates m tbo world foi all kinds of fruit. I. visited a Sandhurst vineyard tho other day, and taw grapes being carted m by the ton. Tbe at pretout useless wastes that cxißt near Teviot, tho Dunstan, and tbo Upper . Clutlm valleys could all bo turned to advantage by irrigation ; the Government ought to tako tho matter up.