1869 - May, J. Guide to Farming in New Zealand. - [Second part] p 51-54

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SECOND PART.

THE EARTH in its natural state is said to be covered by those plants whose habits are best adapted to the climate and to the chemical and physical nature of the soil. The earth is but the bed--says Sharon Turner in his Sacred History of the World--in which the vegetable nutriment is best prepared and presented to the absorbing root, this is an oxide of carbon or humic acid made by chemical union with water, and which forms that humus or soil which most promotes vegetation--without this vegetable humus, and the humic acid contained in it, plants will not grow. In contemplating the germination and growth of the wheat plant, its composition and origin, Alfred Sibson says-- "We know that the grain of wheat contains flour which, when properly prepared, will become bread capable of nourishing and strengthening our bodies, but whence comes this flour--we know that since the plants appeared above ground they have gradually increased in substance, and have fully developed their seeds or grains--but from whence have they derived the necessary material--from the

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earth, the air, the moisture, or from each of these sources. What marvellous changes must take place before these materials can become the vegetable produce called wheat. The farmer knows that it has been produced chiefly at the expense of the soil--he knows that some essential constituents have been directly obtained from the soil, for it will require manure and rest before it can produce such another crop. The farmer, although acquainted with the practical details of the matter, if he be unacquainted with chemistry is equally at a loss to account for the changes in the materials--he cannot tell what the wheat removes from the soil, and why it should not grow with equal vigour in the same field a second year--or why a crop of another kind will--in short, without a knowledge of chemistry he cannot explain the action of the manure he uses, what it is in the manure that imparts fertility to the soil, and why one kind of manure more particularly benefits one kind of crop, or why clover, pease and all leguminous plants flourish most luxuriantly on lime soils and languish or refuse to grow in soils deficient in lime--why clay soils are most favourable to the growth of wheat. The metals, when abundant in the soil either as oxides or salts--as lead, mercury, and tin-- are certain poisons, while the vegetable acids and their salts favour the development of plants. The alkalies, sulphur, camphor, and the essential oils accelerate vegetation, especially camphor, but we need not enter into the scientific department of farming, the chemistry, the physiology, and the meteorology of agriculture--these matters will be found thoroughly explained in the works of Johnston, Loudon, Stephen, Morton, &c, and our farmers should make themselves well acquainted with this subject. The same may be said of the historical part of it, but we shall quote from Colton the following remarks-- "It is not known where he that invented the plough was born, nor where he died,

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yet he has effected more for the happiness of the world than the whole race of heroes and of conquerors who have drenched it with tears and manured it with blood, and whose birth, parentage and education have been handed down to us with a precision precisely proportionate to the mischief they have done."

In the former part of this work we have carefully led the settler step by step into the practical knowledge of bush work, as Colonial farming is generally called--we have described the best methods of grappling with the new life in all its trials--for we have experienced them--and can therefore speak from a thorough knowledge of the subject.

In this the second part we shall describe the daily work required to be done in its proper season--and the operations more particularly applicable to each month.

In the neighbourhood of Auckland the want of trees to relieve the bare monotony of the brown hills--is noticed by strangers, and often commented on as showing want of taste. Of course this is not the case--but we trust to see this rectified soon, as it will not only beautify the natural scenery, but help to break the force of the bleak south-west wind. Suburban as well as country settlers should see to the planting of trees--either forest or fruit answer equally well--for even fruit trees may be planted round the fields, to be used as posts to hang the fence on. How much a sprinkling of forest trees in the hedge or corners of enclosures gives a dignito to a place. There cannot be a more cheerless object in a landscape than a house--however substantially built and furnished--standing naked and alone, without a sheltering bush or tree to indicate either the taste or the competence of the occupiers within. The lowliest hut, environed by a few patriarchs of the forest, is an interesting object, and far more delightful to the eye

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than the proudest mansion bare and unaccompanied by trees--and in grass lands, what can be better. At One-tree Hill near Auckland Mr. Farmer has some fine young plantations, and we have observed at several other places patches of young trees gradually making themselves visible in the landscape.

USEFUL HINTS TO FARMERS.