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rose is the most prolific variety, especially when it is given a dressing 

 of stable manure." (47.) " Is there any available Government land 

 suitable for potato crops?" "None that could be recommended 

 without qualification." (48.) " Are there any private lands available 

 for this purpose? If so, state price and terms." "There are 

 several superior blocks in private hands, but no public intimation 

 has been given by the owners of their willingness to part with 

 them." (49.) " Are frosts prevalent and destructive in your district?" 

 "Yes; frosts do more damage in certain years, notably in 1891, 

 which was a very destructive year. The potatoes planted 

 early in February have done best whenever rain has fallen 

 in that month." (50.) " Give approximate dates of earliest and 

 latest frosts?" "May and August respectively." (51.) "Is your 

 district adapted for close settlement, i.e., 10 to 2o-acre men?" 

 " Only if they are going in exclusively for orchards or vineyards, 

 and either possess enough money to keep things going for three 

 years, or are willing to do occasional work for the roads boards or 

 for farmers. Any able-bodied, experienced farm hand can get 73. 

 per day by going out in the ploughing or harvesting season to other 

 holdings. There is always a job of fencing or clam or tank-making 

 to be had. The established producers would be glad to have a 

 local labor supply among those who are making a start without 

 bringing in much capital, but who rely upon their industry in a 

 colony where labor is well paid to enable them to pay their way." 

 (52.) " Are fowls and bees being turned to account ? " " Poultry 

 are an adjunct to nearly every farm ; they pay well, as they arc at 

 liberty and forage for a great deal of their pickings, and there is 

 always sale for them at 53. or 6s. per couple. Many are sent to 

 Albany by a dealer who goes round collecting the birds. The 

 favorite breeds are Spanish and Andulasians crossed with the barn- 

 door. Those who have a strain of good layers can sell all the birds 

 they can spare in the district for breeding* purposes. The hardy 

 life" of the poultry, and the lack of overcrowding in their roosting- 

 placcs, makes them very healthy. There is no trouble in keeping 

 them tree of parasites or disease, which is so apt to make its 

 appearance when poultry are kept in coniinement and cleanliness 

 is neglected in their yards. In the summer the birds wholly teed 

 themselves ; in the winter they are fed morning and night, but not 

 heavily. There are very few hives to be seen ; the value of bees, 

 if known, is not utilised. Wild swarms could be captured, but 

 moM people are content to cut down a tree and take their honey." 

 153.) "From your ob>ervation, what are the chief requisites fora 

 new settler?' 1 "(i.) To show judgment in selecting a piece of 

 land that is suitable for the object m view. (2.) To cut a clam 

 or open a soak as soon as a tent is pitched and stores secured. 

 (3.) To put in a small patch of crop the iirst year iu preference to 

 losing twelve mouths without a return while clearing a larger 

 paddock. (4.) To ringbark the remainder of the ground 



