RURAL PROSPECTS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2115, 28 January 1886, Page 4

RURAL PROSPECTS.

The New Zealand Country Journal for January thus writes in its introductory article :—" The year 1885 differed little from its predecessor so far as the prospects of the farming community are concerned. The price of wheat as not improved, on the contrary, it has continued rather to decline, until it has reached what may fairly be considered its minimum. Indeed, there are already signs of improvement. The law which governs denund and supply must, sooner or latter, equalise both, and although prices may not rise to any great extent, still they may be expected to continue at a uniform rate. Exceptional causes may occur from time to time, which will disturb the markets, but such disturbances can only be of a temporary character. The condition of things— looking at it from an agricultural point of view — has experienced a very material change in New Zealand as compaiod with some few years ago. In those days, the business of farming was of the rudest description, consisting simply of ploughing, harrowing, sowing, and leaping, threshing, and running the produce on board ship. Those were the days of exclusive wheat growing. It is well tor the ultimate condition of the soil that they have come to an end before the goose that laid the golden eggs had laid her last one. History points to the direful results which have followed" exclusive corn' growing in America, by the titter exhaustion of the soil. The introduction of the Frozen Meat Trade has inaugurated a better state of things— a system of farming calculated not only to maintain the fertility ©f the soilbut, when intelligently piosecutcd, to increase its food constituents as well. It is matter for regret that the Frozen Meat Trade has not been aa remunerative during the past year as we would like to have seen it. Those who have studied the question most, are convinced that the trade itself is sound enough, but that reforms are necessary in carrying out the details before the industry can be made as remunerative as it should be. Although the individual returns have not always beep of the most satisfactory character, still the general benefit to the country has been enormously great. The trade is too good a one to be allowed to languish. Competition in shipping is so great all over the world, that it is only a question of arrangement to secure the minimum of freight. This with other charges properly adjusted, will bring about a better state of things. Large strides have been made in the dairy interests, although very much has yet to be accomplished in this department before our dairy farmers can expect to compete successfully in the markets of the world. The agricultural literature of the day teems with matter connected with improved dairy farming. Especially is this the case in Britain, the object being to enable Horns formers to compete, and if possible to drive out foreign competition. New Zealand butter has grown to be like New Zealand wheat, of bad repute in the Home market. This discreditable state of things is owing partly to carelessness, and partly to a want of technical knowledge. The sooner this knowledge can be brought within the reach of those engaged in the business of butter making, the better will it be for themselves and for the Colony at large.

The man was dust refined, but the Tvomnn was dust doublo refined — one remove farther from the earth The woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adum — not made out of his head to top him, nor out of his feet to be trampled on by him, but out of his side to be equal to him, under his arm to be protected, and near hia heart to be beloved. — Matthew Henry. It whs one of the good little boys from a Suuday School near Boston who gave this interpretation to a- verse taught by a teacher : '• Behold a greater than Solomon is here !" " Hold a grater to Solomon's ear !" When at a loss to t»ive the answer " Cain " to a question relative to that individual, the teacher, to jog his memory, asked : " What does a man walk with ?'' Quick as a flash came the reply, •• a woman." Yfs ! It is certainly true. Ask any of your friends who have purchased there. Garlick and Cranwell have numerous unasked for and very favourable commendations from country customers on their eici-llent packing of Furniture, Crockery, and Glass, &c. Ladies any gentlemen about to furnish should remember that Garlick and Cranwell's is thb Cheap Furnishing Warehouse o Auckland. Furniture to suit all classes ; also Carpets, Floor Cloths and all House Necessaries. If your new house is nearly finished, or, you are going to get married, visit Garlick and Cranwell, QueMi-street and Lorr«*-strett, AuckI -~tid Intending purchaser* can have a f»taloguf> WP free,