Sept. 1894.] 



GENERAL AGRICULTURAL NOTES, 



67 



Wheat Growing at Santa F^. 



In a recent number of the South American Journal it is 

 stated that the Santa Fe wheat farmers had not been deterred 

 by the low prices of grain for the current year from ploughing 

 up more land and sowing more wheat than ever. The colonists 

 appear to have come to the conclusion that they can compete 

 against the world. Wheat growing in the distant districts of 

 the Province of Buenos Ayres, however, is stated to have been 

 abandoned by many farmers, who prefer going in for alfalfa 

 wheat not paying them at such a distance at present prices. 



Land Tenure in New Zealand, 



In the latest issue of the Victorian Year Booh it is stated 

 that in New Zealand the price of land varies from 5s. to about 

 40s. per acre. The distinguishing features of the land laws at 

 present are, that blocks of land are declared open for selection, 

 either before or after survey on the " optional system," which 

 means that the selector can take up a section not exceeding 640 

 acres of first-class land, or 2,000 acres of second-class land, on 

 cash payment, on occupation lease with right of purchase within 

 25 years, at a rent of 5 per cent., or on lease in perpetuity at a 

 rental of 4 per cent, on the upset cash price. The freehold of 

 lease, with right of purchase, may be obtained at any time after 

 10 years (if not within a gold field) so soon as the conditions of 

 cultivation have been complied with. Nearly all Crown lands 

 are dealt with under this system now. Residence is compulsory, 

 except under the cash system. Pastoral runs are let by auction 

 for periods, depending on locality, from 3 years to 21 years. 

 Carrying capacity is usually limited to 20,000 sheep, and the 

 rent varies from \d. to 2s. ^d. per acre, or about lOd. per sheep 

 per annum. Small grazing runs are open for application in areas 

 up to 20,000 acres at about 2J per cent, rent on cash prices, 

 usually about 10s. to 20s. per acre for terms of 21 years, with 

 right of renewal for other 21 years at valuation. 



Village homestead special settlements in New Zealand embrace 

 land which may be disposed of on the " optional system," or may 

 be sold for cash, the sizes of sections not to exceed 50 acres. 

 Special settlements by associations of persons, not exceeding 

 11,000 acres in areas of 200 acres, are let on lease in perpetuity 

 at 4 per cent, on the capital value. This system has been in 

 operation over a period of six years ; and on the 81st March, 

 1893, there were 85 settlements, accommodating 900 settlers 

 with their families on 22,677 acres, and having improvements on 

 the land valued at 61,700^. If the sum lent by Government 

 were deducted from this valuation there remains the sum of 

 37,074^, which represents the value of improvements made by 

 the settlers, over and above those done with the amounts 

 advanced by the Government. 



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