THE GOLDEN PADDOCK.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 222, 19 September 1929, Page 6

THE GOLDEN PADDOCK.

Extraordinarily interesting is the analysis of national production made by the DirectorGeneral of Agriculture in the departmental report presented to Parliament yesterday. Inhere is fresh proof here that«national production is rising, but the most interesting feature of the report is the explanation given. Production is not rising so much because more land is being occupied as because methods of farming are being improved. Indeed, Dr. Reakes actually states that in eight or nine years ,there has been "no increase worth mentioning in the area devoted to dairying." This statement, which can be checked by the returns of holdings, is not a. high compliment to the land policy of the late Government, but ifc throws into relief the value of improved methods. For the grassland farmer is producing over 40 per cent more per acre than he did a few years ago. The increase in the number of cows is only 40 per cent, but the output of butterfat has doubled. The farmer is growing more and better grass and taking more trouble to build up a good herd. The greater use of fertilisers has worked wonders. Topdressing has made the paddock golden. But Dr. Reakes warns us that we are still a very long way from the maximum output of occupied lands. Only 13 per cent of sown grasslands are annually topdressed, and there are not less than six million'acres that could be made to give increased' yields.