PUMICE LAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 102, 2 May 1930, Page 10

PUMICE LAND.

BREAKING-IN PROCESS. BLOCK AT WHIRINAKI. SCRUB AREA CLEARED. PREPARATION FOR SETTLEMENT. (By Telegraph.—Special to " Star.") WHIRINAKI, this day. Following up its policy of developing the waste lands of the Dominion, the Government has started an important work on a large area of pumice land in the Rotorua district. The place selected is an education reserve of some 2000 acres, situated about 14 miles from Rotorua. in the vicinity of the Old Taupo Road. It is known as part of the Whirinaki Block, of the Guthrie Settlement. The land consists, more or less, of low hills and plains set picturesquely within ramparts of towering mountains, and a very large proportion can be brought under the plough. A very fair "pumice** road exists, giving access to the railway at Rotorua, and this is being re-graded and improved by the Public Works Department. The whole of the area is thickly covered with short manuka, and by tussock in the gullies and on portions of the plains. Men are clearing the scrub, and, and when operations ceased at Easter, about 450 acres had been felled. This task gave employment to about CO men, who were engaged on day wages, but a contract was let for a block of about 200 acres to men, who used a tractor and mower with considerable success. The level land and easy hillsides are being cleared, but the steeper portions are being left for the incoming settlers to deal with. Farms up to 200 Acres. Immediately the scrub has been burned the land is put under the plough, and atractor with a three-furrow plough attached is turning over an average of 25 acres a week. With the object of giving every section a frontage, a road is also being put through the block, functioning with the present Whirinaki Road. The plans show that the farms will vary in size from 150 to 200 acres, acording to conditions of the country. The Government has recognised that it must undertake the experiment of "breaking in" this pumice land, and the policy laid down by the Agricultural Department is that each farm shall be cleared, ploughed, fenced, and grassed, and not be opened for selection until properly established. The selected farms will then remain under supervision until the holders themselves, and the Department, have., ascertained the proper methods of successfully working the land. W 7 ith, this object in view, the Department will take over a block of 200 acres and develop it for the purpose of .ascertaining definitely if the land can be pro-, fitably used for dairying. The knowledge thus obtained will be passed on to the farmers in the block, and they will be expected to conform with the advice given. Establishing Ryegrass. It has been proved that this class of country will produce abundant crops of clover, but the Department aims at

ascertaining the possibility of establish- \ ing rye as* a more rapidly-growing and \ permanent pasture than has hitherto ! \ been accomplished. In bringing such lands into cultivation, a very heavy sowing of clover is usually made. Departmental experts are inclined to think that by such means the clover is permitted to dominate the rye, with the result that the establishment of permanent grass pasture is retarded. It is suggested that it might prove more advantageous to sow the clover lightly, or to plough in the first clover crop and follow up with the sowing of a more permanent grass mixture. Another alternative is to put down clover for three years, then break up the land and put in a sowing of swedes, followed by a permanent pasture mixture. This second sowing should not be too highly charged with clover. These are the principal lines along which the Department will make experiments and endeavour to obtain definite results for general guidance. Possibilities and Opinions. That the work of the Government is being watched with keen interest is demonstrated by visits from farmers hailing from various parts of the North Island. As must be expected, opinions vary as to the ultimate value of the experimental development of these lands, but the consensus is favourable. It nas certainly 'been proved that the country readily responds to manurial treatment, but there is yet room for much investigation to ascertain the most suitable treatment. Super and slag in equal quantities have, so far, shown good results, but the same can be said of other treatments. With the Government experiments it ie hoped to find out not only which is the best way £o obtain satisfactory results, but also whether those results can be obtained at a, profit to the farmer. The pastures at present down are too new to provide an infallible guide to further action. In the first place, they have been insufficiently grazed to promote healthy growth (the greater part of the summer feed has gone into stack); and, secondly, the land has not had time to consolidate. This latter condition is held to be most important in pumice country, and the trampling of stock is the best natural method. Subject to Severe Frosts. The country is said to stand the dry weather exceptionally well; and, while there are not many open Tunning streams, there is abundant seepage water in all the gullies. The climate, however, is cold (50 frosts "were recorded last winter), and there is practically no growth in the winter months. But hopes are entertained that with the provision of shelter and the rotation of crops, this handicap can be overcome. Can this land be brought into profitable occupation? That is a problem which farmers in all parts of the Dominion will be glad to see solved Men now on the block declare that with capital and proper methods it is possible. The Government has the capital, and is prepared to find out the right methods. Therefore should success attend the experiments, a great work will have been accomplished in the best interests of the Dominion, for in the Whirinaki Basin alone there are thousands upon thousands of acres of land awaiting development. Further on, again, the Government has another 10,000 acres which may receive earlv attention; while nearer to Rotorua. the Maoris have many more thousands of acres to be brought under cultivation. Work has already been commenced there, and suitable natives will ]?ave the chance of obtaining farms upon verv easy terms* At present these vast areas are desolate wastes. AUm year hence they may be a great national asset.