The Elbert County tribune., 1912-09-27

A0s AhRlAOA WhA w iOdA4 NA0 WV
which asmostly to be dealt with.
The black alluvial soil will be found
low down In the valleys and is always
fertile. and the granite formation Will
be found higher up. 1t is good for
grazing. but aso responds quickly to
the application of manure.
PIoushIno BegIna
When the stumping has been finish
ed the way will be clear for plough
ing. and this may be accomplished by
the aid of either oxen. mules or dom
keys. By the use Of the last. taking
team of sixteen to two-disc
plough, 1t is possible to plough an acre
in one and half days. The team and
plough will require three natives to
look after them. While the ploughing
is important. and mealies and other
crops must be sown, there are other
things to seen to. To begin with. see
ing that there is no house to live in,
1t will be sufficient for the time being
to spread large bucksail over a hori-
zontal pole and 80 form tent. The
next thing to do will be to build
hut. and long time after a dwelling
boooC. tDIlChS dT6 eSeeuIldl IOT lu6
farm buildings, and pit must be
sunk and bricks made without delay.
An average I.ative will form about 500
day. SO that 1t is not long before
a kilnful isrready. These are burnt.
and building commenced at once.
First the stables, then the cowhouse
and other places. including the shed
for the fodder. It Is wonderful how
huge a task 1t all seems when 1t is
first planned out. But time and steady
application overcome all difficulties,
and by and by the farm stealing is
complete. Next comes a dwelling
house. and when 1t is finished 1t is
pleasant to contemplate from its
stoep. or verandah, the work which
hes been accomplished. The farm is
stocked with cattle and pigs: the
dairy is complete; the mealies are be-
ing planted and will be reaped in
March. Auxiliary crops are being
tried to see how they prosper. and all
goes well
II a supply of water is available
from river and artificial irrigation,
then a wonderful Transformation can
take place. as intensive culture will
be possible. and all kinds of fruit and
vegetables will be produced in un-
limited quantity. During the winter
months. or from April to October. the
rainfall throughout Rhodesia Is prac-
tically none. The rainy season COM
mences in October and ends In March,
and during the remainder Of the year
the country is dry and parched and
the heat becomes greater as the rainy
season approaches. On farms where
there is no river 1t is necessary to
find water somehow, and this Is done
by sinking well. or wells, which can
be done at very little cost Thus. a
well so feet deep may be sunk for
five pounds. and the cost of windmill
pump to raise the water, together with
a 1,500gallon store tank will be about
G150. Even with such a limited sup
ply of water as that to be obtained
from a well, 1t is possible to carry on
some artificial fruit irrigation. and the
return will be normous-oranges
peaches. vines. lines. figs. apricots,
paa-paa and other fruits responding at
once to the supply of water
The kind Of farm we have imagined
is that of the ordinary farmer who
contemplates carrying on general pro-
duce; but there is another style of
farming which is much practiced. and
which involves rather more capital
than the ordinary farmer has at his
disposal. This is ranching and the
growing of rattle on the weld grasses
as they exist in hope Of building up
meat export industry.