138 Journal of Agriculture. [9 March, 1908. 



Grasses. — Of the different grasses tried, cocksfoot has done well, 

 closely followed by prairie and Italian and English rye. All native grasses 

 growing about the drains and headlands show remarkable luxuriance and 

 it will be found that this new land will be eminently suited for grazing pur- 

 poses. Of clovers, the cow grass, bird's foot and white all do well 

 during the second season. 



At the beginning of Octolier some grass seeds received from the 

 Transvaal were sown. Of five varieties tried only two germinated viz. 

 Sweet Grass and Rhodes Grass, the former only fairly but the latter well. 

 They have not, however, made a sufficient growth to say whether they 

 will be quite a success. 



General. — The land is fast coming into a better tilth. Last season 

 it was impossible to cultivate any of the drilled crops, but now this can be 

 Gone though not as cleanly as could be wished. A disc cultivator for two 

 horses and another for single horse work have been added to the im- 

 plements on the farm and they are transforming the ground rapidly. 



Small fruits, vegetables aaid -flowers are all flourishing and the fruit 

 trees, especially apple, pear and plum, planted have made good and 

 healthv wood. 



Whitfield Farm. 



Temple .4. /. Smith, Manager. 



Rainfall. — The rainfall for the quarter was as follows: — October, 

 1.46; November, 3.31; and December, 2.91. Consequent on the satis- 

 factory rainfall, the growth of crops and grass has been good. 



Crops. — Owing to the fact that drainage operations were not concluded 

 until JNlay, and clearing, fencing, and cultivation had to be accomplished 

 after that date a lesser area was cropped than could have been desired. 

 Being a stiff close clay, and very wet during the winter months, the land 

 required an unusual amount of working. 



Oats. — Eighteen acres of oats were sown for hay and the crop which 

 has just been harvested has given a yield of about 30 cwt. per acre of 

 nice quality stuff. 



Maize. — Five acres of maize were planted earlv in November on the 

 rising land, and are looking well ; the height is from 4 to 5 ft. high and 

 the colour is good. The varieties are Ninety Dav and White Horse Tooth. 

 Three acres have been planted on the flat, and this crop is also looking 

 well. 



Millets.- — Four acres of Japanese millet and two acres of German 

 millet were sown. Both plots were making good growth being from one 

 to 2 ft. 6 in. high but were completely destroyed by grasshoppers, and 

 the area has been reploughed and sown again with maize. The latter is 

 just above ground and will make late summer feed. 



Nejv Zealand Flax. — A plot of Phormium Tenax has been put in and 

 the plants (no) have set well. 



Tobacco. — Three acres of tobacco have been transplanted and the 

 crop is riiaking fair progress. Great difficulty was experienced in getting 

 the soil in proper condition for this crop owing to the limited time avail- 

 able for clearing, fencing, and working the land, which was ploughed 

 once, harrowed six times, rolled and disced four times, A small plot of 

 tobacco has also been put in on the high land and looks well. Hants 

 have been grown and distributed. 



