THE FARM

Waikato Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2588, 24 August 1922, Page 3

THE FARM

MIXED FARMING A DESSON FROM CANADA In connection with the reported revival of interest in an extension of mixed farming throughout the district, it is perhaps not out of place to note that the subject is receiving considerable attention in Western Canada —a country far less favourably situated in this connection than New Zealand (says the A.Z. farmers' Advocate). Ia a letter to “ Ploughshare," a Canadian

correspondent points out that never was the need of mixed farming so gen-

erally accepted and recognised by farmers of the West as it is to-day. “Many farmers have," he continues, “been forced into the position of actually having to obtain dope ml able sources of revenue in the way of dairy pro*

duets, poultry, eggs, butter, cream, I cheese and other things. It is fast becoming apparent that farmers will have to acquire dairying cattle, despite the fact that 'Western Canada, is the world's granary. This does not mean that farmers in outlying districts are in a position to go in for straight dairying —for this unfortunately is not another New Zealand—and obtain dairy herds, but they will have to obtain a class of cattle from which to get more milk." The' same correspondent has a sly hit at New Zealand land values. He writes: ‘l' or the life of me I cannot understand how folk in your little Dominion situated many, many thousands of miles away from the world's markets can afford to pay such huge prices for your larm.ng lauds. I know that you have got us licked hollow from a purely pastoral point of view, but we coun-ter-balance that with our wheat, and in the East with our orchards; but just cast your eye over the following clipping culled from a Canadian paper, and relating to a farm, not out in the ‘ wild and woolly' west, but in long-settled and more congenial Eastern Caiiada: — 1500 dollars (£300) gets 335 acre farm, 10 cattle, growing crops, and 3* horses, sheep, poultry, hogs and full equipment if taken now; on improved road, convenient market town; 100 acres tillable and very productive; 50 cow, .creek- : watered pasture; about 3000 cords wood, 100,000 ft. pine timber; 8-room house, 25 cow barn, stable, poultry house, etc. To close affairs, all 5500 dollars (£1100); only 1500 dollars (£300) cash." :

And if this does not make you realise the hold-up prices you are asking for your New® Zealand land, good though it be, read the following, which is another typical advertisement from the same paper:—Farm on improved road 4000 dollars (£BOO) —13 cattle, horses, poultry, pigs, implements, etc., included; 90 acres in heart rich agricultural district, convenient li.lv. town;.

55 acres tillage, 30 acres pasture; about IdOO cords wood, orchard, 5-room house, 100 ft barn, etc. To settle affairs, only 4000 dollars (£800), part cash.”