IRRIGATION BENEFITS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 46, 3 December 1938, Page 9

IRRIGATION BENEFITS

THE CENTRAL OTAGO SYSTEMS

$ BARREN LAND IS BROUGHT TO HIGH PRODUCTION

FEATURES VIEWED BY ASHBURTON FARMERS

* ’ , 1 That the application of irrigation on the farm lands of Central Otago has proved to be an immense success and has been the means of bringing into rich production many thousands of acres that formerly were barren in the extreme was amply demonstrated to the group of Ashburton farmers who spent last week in an extensive tour of the areas between Ranfuriy and Queenstown. The visitors saw how bare hillsides have been made to flourish under the influence of water judiciously applied, and they were shown how the carrying capacity of the land has been raised in a remarkable manner from the stage where it took several acres to support one sheep to the present position where one acre can chrry several sheep. There was not one of the group of visitors who was not thoroughly convinced of the benefits that irrigation has bestowed on the properties inspected, but there were some who were not so convinced that similar results will accrue when the water is made available in the Ashburton County schemes in 1941. There are certain conditions of the soil; peculiar to Central Otago, that have made for the amazing results achieved, and if cannot be expected that the same degree of success can be looked for in the County. Nevertheless, all the party were convinced that the County will have cause to be very thankful that the water is available, and that many enhanced returns will result. j■. , As an indication of what irrigation has done for Central Otago, it was stated by an official during the tour that before the system was adopted, the branch railway line losses averaged £IBO,OOO a year, while after irrigation the amount of loss averages £70,000 a year. For a great deal of the success of the tour, the party was indebted to Mr G. G. Calder, who is the Agriculture Department’s officer in charge of the Central Otago area, and who accompanied the visitors throughout the week. He was always ready to discuss with the Ashburton men aspects of the work that is being carried out and the regret that was expressed when the party parted from him testified to his popularity. He arranged an itinerary that gave the tourists an excellent insight into the irrigation schemes and nothing seemed to be a trouble to him so long as the visitors were gaining the knowledge which they had travelled so far to acquire.