A GRIC UL TURE. j j j 



ping of caue without change. The Departmental Pathologist diagnoses 

 the disease as a clogging of the vessels by a gmnniy subslanci', the 

 result of 'a Bacillus ]>resent in the plant. Steps are "being taken, by 

 burning diseased ])lants, improved methods of cultivation, c^iri'ful rota- 

 tion, importation of new clean varieties, and raising of seedlings, to 

 stamp out the disease. Average return ])L'r acre, £12. 



PumpJaiLs and Melouft are largely grown as field ci-ops. Averan-e 

 yield of tons, though 20 tons may occasionally bo obtained from an 

 acre. 'J'hey command a ready sale ; the former largely used as stock 

 food and as a vegetable, the latter for jam-making and eating fresh. 



Tobacco. — Tobacco-growing was attempted in the early days of 

 settlement, and a few years ago attained some importance ; of late 

 however, it has gone out of favour. In 1895, 710 acres yielded 11 -t 

 cwt. per acre (against 4,83o acres in 1889). Mostly grown in small 

 areas. It requires constant attention to keep it in good condition and 

 free from insect pests. To revive the industry energetic steps are 

 being taken, and as good quality of leaf can be grown, there is no 

 reason why the bulk of our home requirements could not be o-rown 

 and possibly a surplus exported ; instead of, as at present, importino- 

 nearly all we require. 



Ho^js can be grown on the tableland, and, if near towns, the 

 necessary labour for picking could readily be obtained at reasonable 

 rates. We imported in 1894, 811,938 lb. 



Flax. — Owing to the fall in prices in many kinds of farming produce, 

 other newer crops should be tried, such, for instance, as linseed flax. 

 In 1894 we imported various products of this plant to the extent of 

 £85,832. Very good samples of seed and fibre have been grown at 

 the College, Richmond. 



Castor Oil does extremely well. Bunfloicer gives great variety of 

 useful products, is very easily grown, thrives everywhere, and con- 

 sequently is available for the dry interior : it is a good bee-plant, as 

 also is BiickwJieat. There are numerous other useful plants that ought 

 to be more widely grown, looking to future needs as Avell as imme- 

 diate returns ; in fibre plants, oil producers, perfume plants, tanning 

 materials, dyes, starch plants, insecticides (pyrethrum and hellebore 

 are both largely used here), willows (an inquiry was, lately made for 

 wood fi-om a particular species to the extent of £200), which can be 

 planted along watercourses, and are useful in a variety of ways. All 

 shelter trees mio-ht be of return-Q^ivinsi: kinds. 



Other Fodder Plants. 

 Of our other fodder plants, rape is most useful. ^Ve hear of sheeps- 

 burnet thriving where other plants failed. Lately, a species of Poly- 

 gonum (sachalinense) has been introduced as a marvel for weight of 

 crop (80 tons greenstuff per acre) ; so far, however, this, with prickly 

 comfrey and other belauded inferior plants, has not proved a success. 

 Of introduced grasses little need be said ; certain species are largely 

 sown for improving pastures in the cooler districts. In warm districts 

 greater use is being made of tl^e native grasses and fodder plants for 



