Cheviot,

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5256, 11 May 1895, Page 7

Cheviot,

Sinoa we referred recently to the position and prospects of the Bettlers at Cheviot, wo have- received from Mr E. Meredith, the. member for Ashley, two samples of wheat grown on the .estate by Messrs Stevenson Brothers. Tho first is a yery excellent sample of White Tuscan, and the second a good, but rather thinner, sample of Pearl. They are both fairly representative of a considerable crop, about one hundred aores, grown after only one ploughing from the tussock, and Bhould finally remove all doubts about the capabilities of the soil at Cheviot. Experts who have seen the samples pronounce them to be quite equal to the great bulk of tho grain threshed in Canterbury dorm*? the present season, and when it is remembered that the ground from which they were taken wss not fully propared for tho reception of the seed, this must be regarded as an eminently satisfactory result. The wheat, which averaged 39 bushels to the acre, is now stored in the Government shed at Fort Eobinson, and will probably bo shipped to Wellington, or some other northern market. The cost of harvesting and threshing has probably been a little more than would have,b6en incurred for similar operations ia Older' districts "; but the cost of transit from Port Bobinson to Wellington would be less than the cost from Ashburton or Amberley to Lvttelton. This is a very important point to bear in mind when estimating the value of Cheviot as a wheatgrowing country. The er-tate is not so far out of the world as some people seem, to think. Produce can be carried from Port Eobinson to Wellington or Lyttelton in a few hours, and at a coßt that does not represent mora than the railway charges paid by many of the farmers of Canterbury. Messrs Stevenson Brothers, whose enterprise deserves the richest reward, have ahown us that Cheviot can grow grain as well as sheep, ond their success should encourage the Ministry in its efforts to obtain moro land for settlement Ui this part of the colony.