POOR LANDS IN THE NORTH.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 55, 6 March 1911, Page 5

POOR LANDS IN THE NORTH.

THEIR SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT. DEPARTMENTAL EXPERIMENTS The Hon. T. Mackenzie, Minister foi Agriculture, interviewed by a "'Star' representative this moningj said; regulations were ready for issue in connection vrith the disposal of improved farms, each as those now being surveyed at Waerenga. These farms will be disposed of under class three of the Land Act, on the optional system. They average about 25 acree, and the trees are in full bearing. The Minister points out that so far as the value of the land is concerned, it counts for but little. Prior to being utilised, the land was regarded as almost useless. The value of the Waerenga land in the proportion to the improvements, k about one in fifty. '"Of course, it ia an experiment," added the Minister, "and at present it appears that the experiment demonstrates the possibility of successfully using land for fruit growing that is almost valueless for general purposes. If it is a success, I feel sure that the Government -wHI favourably consider the extension of the principle." Speaking of the tests made on the poor gum lands of the North, the Hon. Mr. Mackenzie said surveyors were now at -work, and after certain proclamations had been made, ihe ground would at once be cultivated, and an effort made to ascertain what grasses and fertilisers most suited the soil. Paspalum and danthonia, the Minister thinks, will (be ; found to suit this clas3 of land If the tests prove successful, a large area of unused land will at once be brought into occupation. Three 'blocks of 25 acres each, near Towai, north of Whangarei, are to be at once experimented upon in this direction. i Likewise, in regard to pumice land, useful work is being , done to create pastures. The sum of £250 -was last veai voted for thie purpose, and the Department is now carrying on experiment* near Tanpo, -with a view to ascertaining the best methods of treating such land,