TO RESTORE PASTURES.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 169, 18 July 1924, Page 6

TO RESTORE PASTURES.

AN EXPERT'S ADVICE. The problem of how to restore backblock holdings which have gone back to second growth of fern and manuka was discussed at the annual conference of the Council of Agriculture in Wellington. Hγ. G. McGregor (Waverlcy) moved: "That where tack-country grasses have weakened and gone out, and ground covered with fern and second growth, some practical method of instruction bo given to occupiers that will assist to re-establish the pasture by the introduction of suitable grasses." Mr. A. H. Cockayne, Director of the Fields Division, said the trouble was | that much back country in New Zealand should never have been grassed, but have been left in standing--bush. Another factor was that many holdings were too small. More cattle should be carried on this class of country. Experiments were now being carried out in fern, manuka, and bidi-bidi-country. It would make for improvement if phosphating were carried out even on hill country. This country could be brought back at small expense; it could be done by the employment of grasses which looked upon as weeds. Sir Walter Buchanan asked if the Department had gone into the economic aspect of the problem. Mr. Cockayne replied that ho was convinced that much of this back country could be brought back to a payable state <by hand sowing. (Mr. A. Hunter (Uawcra) said he was convinced that Italian and English rye were bad weeds on hill country. The remit was carried.