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FARMING PROSPECTS IN THE NORTH.
To the editor
Sir— Having just returned from a business tour
through most of the farming districts north of
Adelaide perhaps a few observations on the crops
and other matters connected with farming mav not
be out of place, starting from Adelaide, the crops
on the plains are very short and thin, and in
general do not anything like cover the wound.
An improvement is apparent in the Peachey Belt,
although many sections there show the blighting
effects of the hot winds of last week. In the neigh
bourhood of the Two Wells, and on through
Grace and Alma Plains the crops are very thin and
short, and will not be likely to come up to the
average. Some farmers on the Alma Plains com
plain of the grub being in their crops and having
already done much mischief. From the top of
Alma on through Salter's Springs, and by the
Wakefield to Rhynie, there is a great improvement
visible. These crops, although backward, are of a
good colour and cover the ground well. The same
generally may be said of all the hilly country about
Auburn and Clare. At Saddleworth and Riverton,
thence by Foresters, and around Kapunda, there
is a falling off again, the crops having a very
spindly appearance and very short In the neigh
bourhood of Greenock there is a marked improve
ment, which continues to about Freeling and Rose
worthy. After the splendid rain which fell there
on Wednesday, the 11th instant I should say they
will be sure of an average crop. Feed appears to be
plentiful in most places, but the hay crop will be
very light. About Pinkerton, Reeves, and Grace
Plains, and on the Wakefield the farmers are
bravely attacking the scrub, and where it is has
been cleared it is evidently the best land for wheat,
beating the open plains. I notice that the land
fallowed has everywhere the best crops.
The amount of land at present under crop and
being broken up for another year is perfectly
astonishing, and I do not think there is an inch of
land, except the steep banks of the rivers, from
Adelaide to the Wakefield and beyond, but will
be found fit for wheat-growing. I find that farmers
are generally getting rid of bullocks and using
horses instead. The disease among cattle induces
many to take that course; but there are a few of a
contrary opinion, who maintain that with a three
furrow plough and eight or ten bullocks they
can do more work with less feed and less outlay
than with horses. 1 do not think we need wonder at
the rise in the price of meat when we consider that
all the country under wheat used to produce meat
for Adelaide and its neighbourhood, whereas now
it is peopled with consumers of the same article.
Indeed, if meat keeps up to anything like present
prices it will pay those who have got their land
dirty to give more attention to breeding and
fattening cattle, as the wild oats and drake make
the best of feed, and will carry far more stuck than
it ever did before it was cultivated. I do not see
why the French system of working cows as well as
bullocks should not answer. At any rate many
begin to see that it will pay them to breed every
head of cattle they can keep on their farms. The
evidences of prosperity in the improvements and
extensions farmers are making, and the substantial
buildings and townships springing up in what was
a few years ago a wilderness, are very encouraging,
and will be good for all trades.
Afevr words in conclusion on my own line. I find
that farmers are nearly all disposed to use wine
instead of the ' hard stuff' they have been ac
customed to; but 1 warn those who I find seek to
palm off a compound of one-third bad spirit and
the rest indifferent wine that they will do them
Belves and all their class a great injury, as the
effect it will have on those who use such trash will
induce them to condemn both good and bad alike.
I am, Sir, &c,
THOMAS HARDY.
Bankside Vineyards, October 14.
$