GROWING OF WHEAT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15196, 17 April 1917, Page 6

GROWING OF WHEAT.

WHAT HAPPENED TO A EEQUEST. PATEA COUNTY NOT SUITABLE. (From our Travelling Reporter.) The Waipawal County Council has concerned itself witn the growing of wheat, and quite recently it has circulated kindred bodies in this direction. One of those circulars was received at yoster* day’s meeting of the Patea County Council. The letter suggested that halfholidays could be profitably and healthily used in the cultivation of small areas. Discussing the question, the chairman (Mr G. . Pearce) said no doubt the proposal was a good one, and the Governmen recognised the importance of the growing of wheat. “This district,” he continued, “was not a grain-growing district, but it could grow potatoes very well. The question of wheat-growing at this time in the nation’s history was eviden .y not looked on with importance here, but it was in the Old Country. The Agricultural Department had taken the matter up, however, and were moving in the direction. As far as this Council was concerned, we could not do much in the matter.” Cr. Dickie said the chairman was wrong. The speaker had seen several threshing plants working in the Patea district. He admitted there would be no success in the scheme if the wheat was grown on “green” land. If the people who had had rape and turnip crops sown would cultivate their ground for wheat, then something might be done. Cr. Belton maintained that the cost: of harvesting in the Patea district was about twice as much as other places, and it would be so excessive that there would be practically nothing in it. The circular was received only.