Wanganui Chronicle, AND TURAKINA AND RANGITIKEI MESSENGER. WANGANUI, DECEMBER 27, 1865.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 9, Issue 570, 27 December 1865, Page 2

Wanganui Chronicle, AND TURAKINA AND RANGITIKEI MESSENGER. WANGANUI, DECEMBER 27, 1865.

Perhaps nothing would strike a stranger, passing throiigh the district at this season of the ’year, more than the almost entire absence of fields of waving corn ripening to the harvest. Here and there may be seen tolerably large fields of hay, and, less frequently, a patch of oats ; but barley or wheat is so seldom met with, that he would be inclined to ask the question whether there is anything in the climate or the soil that forbids an attempt to cultivate the staple crop of temperate climates. His curiosity on this subject would be awakened still further if he were told that for some years wheat has not been sold at les3 than 8s to 8s Cd. a bushel, that during the past year 11s. has been paid for wheat imported from Canterbury and elsewhere, and that at present wheat imported from any market within a reasonable distance would stand about 15s. abuslicl. He would bestill further surprised were he told that, for want of grain, fiour-mills had been standing for a part of the year, and that large quantities ~ of flour had to be .imported into this district, ' generally ' ahd" traly'’-eon-"-sidered as the agricultural district of the Province of Wellington. 'Were ne to make further inquiries he would learn that about five years ago most of the growing crops lia«l been completely destroyed by a heavy gale from the sea, which shrivelled the ears like a fiery blast from a burning desert ; that a repetition of such a disaster was feared by the settlers ; and that they found dairy farming and wool-growing safer and more profitable modes of employing their capital and labour. He would, however, learn that the high price of labour was the principal obstacle to the cultivation of cereal crops, which, though paying well, in some years, yet realised in cheaper times little more than the expenses of production, and that to cultivate successfully, the farmer must have the labour without paying for it —in which case as several instances in the neighbourhood could be pointed to as proof—agriculture was a most profitable occupation. In these cases the wilderness has been literally turned into a garden and the desert made to blossom as the rose. But where the family of the settler cannot do the work themselves, capital is required, the outlay of which does not seem to be repaid by the returns received. Such inquiries would bring out the facts, that the

production, of grain in the district would be a great gain to it ; that the soil and climate are both well adapted to this production ; but that the difficulty of obtaining labour, and the high price to be paid for it, prevented the settlers from engaging in agriculture —so much so that some of the largest landholders in laying tlieir lands down in grass, have not thought it worth while to take a crop off the ground in doing

It is unquestionable that farmers know best into what .channel to turn their energies and their capital; and that what is best for each individual is best also for the community. If wool can be grown to better profit in this district than corn, as, seems to be the case, it is best that it should take the place of corn. But it is not the less true that it is very desirable that sufficent grain should be grown in the district for its own wants. If by any means the one kind of production could be made as profitable as the other, in that case there could be no doubt as to the propriety of engaging in it. The only possible mode of attaining this seems to be the employment of labour-saving machinery. We have more than once adverted to this subject, and have recommended that a company should be formed for introducing and employing such machinery. There needs not now be any difficulty in ascertaining exactly what could be effected in this way. Steam-ploughs are to be found in Southland and in Marlborough, and tlieir capabilities and suitableness for such a country as this could be easily ascertained. If one or more individuals were to make the necessary inquiries as to this and other machines which shorten the process, and lessen the expense, of cutting and threshing, and found that the answers to these inquiries were favourable, we do not think there would be much difficulty in forming a company for obtaining such machines and hiring them out in the neighbourhood ; and we are persuaded that capital so employed would not only yield the investors a good return but would also do great good to the district.