Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-16

formation" win be found the one
which h asmostly to be dealt with.
The black alluvial soil will be found
low down In the valleys and 10 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.
PIouahlne Begins.
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-diso
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 ploughins
is important, and mealies and other
crops must be sown. there are other
things to seen to. To begin with. Gee
ing that there 10 no house to live in,
1t will be sufficient for the time being
to spread large bucksail over hori-
zontal pole and so form a tent. The
next thing to do will be to build a
hut. and long time after dwelling
house. Bricks are essential for tho
farm buildings, and a pit must be
sunk and bricks made without delay.
An average native will form about 500
day. SO that 1t is not long before
kilnful is ready. These are burnt,
and building commenced at once.
First the. stables. then the cowhouse
and other places. including the shed
for the fodder. 1t is wonderful how
huge a task 1t all seems when 1t In
first planned out. But time and steady
application overcome all difficulties,
and by and by the farm steading Ia
complete. Next comes a dwelling
house, and when It is finished 1t IL
pleasant to contemplate from it's
stoep, or verandah, the work which
has been accomplished. The farm IL
stocked with cattle and pigs; the
dairy is complete 5 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 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 prao-
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 a windmill
pump to raise the water, together with
a 1,500-gallon store tank will be about
a150. Even with such a limited sup
ply of water as that to be obtained
from well. 1t is possible to carry on
some artificial fruit irrigation, and the
return will be enormous--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 q
meat export industry.