The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1891 THE IRRIGATION QUESTION.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume XX, Issue 1520, 6 February 1891, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1891 THE IRRIGATION QUESTION.

During the past dry season it has been shown that only by irrigation can the farmers on the Plains be certain of their crops. It has been pointed out to them that the expense of bringing tha water from the rivers alone, so that it might be of benefit to every farmer, is small when compared to what would be saved during intense drought, owing to the improved capability of the soil for cultivation Certain parts of California, that were formerly barren tracts of wilderness, have been rendered fertile gardens by good irrigation. It will be remembered how astonished Pizaaro and his comrades were, when marching through the territory of the Incas, at the fertility of the land—from the sea-shore to the very snow-line on the mountain-sides the land rose in terraces, built by the Incas themselves. The products of the temperate climate on the highest terrace yielded as abundantly as those of the tierra Caliente on the lowest level. By a net-work of aqueducts was this accomplished, and so admirably were they planned, that every portion of the laud received the supply of water necessary for it to produce to its utmost whatever was planted therein. Civilised man conquered the Empire, and what was the result ? In a very few years after the conquest, land that had been gardens blooming eternally, became sandy wastes. The Spaniard did not heed the lesson taught by the so-called savage, but in his thirst for lucre, destroyed those means by which it was the more surely gained. Peru has never been such a country since the Incas were enslaved, and it is generally acknowledged that it was their splendid system of irrigation that made it then one of the richest countries in the world.

We on the Peninsula import much that could be grown here, with profit to the grower. We have abundance of water, and by far the greater portion of , the land is so situated, that with a little trouble it would le possible to spread thut water so that it would benefit a much greater extent of soil than at pre-

sent. In fact we have immense quanti r ties of that great necessity alike to animal and plant life, runniug to waste, where it is urgently required, and where a little judicious management would turn it to good account. Nearly every summer the hill-sides are burnt up now, for the fast disappearance of the bush is changing our formerly damp climate to an exceedingly dry one during the hot season, and we frequently have dry winters also (the last was a notable example), when the land never receives a proper soaking. Ths remedy is irrigation. Of course there is much of the land about here that it would be impossible to irrigate, and portions also where it would be almost impracticable, but by far the greater part would benefit immensely. Very little of the land on the hills of of the Peninsula is ploughed. There are many flat pieces of fine rich soil that could be easily turned up, and produce much more than it does in its present rough state. Good crops of oats could be grown, and so save the farmer sending away for them and paying a high price. Turnips would thrive, and a little irrigation would make them almost a certain crop. With the hill-side plough (and no doubt many saw and appreciated the worth of that shown at the late Exhibition by Mr Miller) nearly any suitable piece of soil about the hills here could be ploughed. The land as a rule slopes so gently that with these instruments it could easily be worked. With a part of his property capable of growing those things so necessary for a farm, and which it takes a much larger tract of soil than would be required for this purpose to pay for, as it is at present, the farmer would find himself a great deal better of!.

Grass land also could, by a little careful management, be irrigated to advantage. Many dairy farms are so situated that with a few chains of small ditches, into which the water could be turned from the main creeks when wanted, the feed would keep up in many parts of it, even in a very dry season. Of course cattle would avoid the rank grass growing at the sides of tho ditches for the short dry feed growing on the higher places, but the latter would feel the benefit of the water, and keep up much longer than it would without it. If it did fail the cattle would make a virtue of necessity, and soon nibble down whatever they could get.

Irrigation at all events is worth the study of the farmer. It has been attempte 1 in a very small way here as yet, and then for vegetable gardens. The result shows that the owners of the gardens knew what they were about. It is wouaerful to those who have never tried it. An orchard is benefitted immensely by a small stream of water running through it, and its effects are felt at a much greater distance than would be thought possible to those who have not attempted it..