A THREE-FOLD INCREASE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22432, 20 June 1938, Page 10

A THREE-FOLD INCREASE

Carrying Capacity Of Farm

IRRIGATION EXPERIMENT AT PAPAKAIO By irrigation of 200 acres of his property at Papakaio, 10 miles from Oamaru, on the road to Kurow, Mr A. C. Hurst has increased three-fold the carrying capacity of his farm. The success of his experiment has encouraged farmers whose properties front the main road to beyond Georgetown to adopt irrigation, and the scheme of irrigation for Canterbury had its genesis in the observations made on Mr Hurst’s farm several years ago by representatives of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce and a scientist, Dr. I" W. Weston, from the Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln.

Mr Hurst took over the Papakaio property 10 years ago, and two years later he began his experiment, since proved so profitable, with irrigation. Arrangements were made by him to take water from the Oamaru Borough race which runs through the hills on his property. Five four-inch pipes draw off' the water, which is distributed over 200 acres alongside the main road by the contour ditch system. Hillsides and flat lands are irrigated, and Mr Hurst informed a representative of “The Press,” who visited his farm last week, that if more water were available he would irrigate a greater area, so successful had been the results of his experiment. The present season has not been a suitable one for irrigation because 27 inches of rain—more than the fall in a 'normal year—have been registered at Papakaio since December. Seven inches of rain fell over the last weekend, and there was an earlier soaking in March. However, in one paddock which has been irrigated there was a prolific growth of winter grass. Not a bare patch was to be seen, although the pastures were churned up in April by cattle. A mob of sheep was grazing on this paddock, and early in the afternoon the sheep were driven off to the higher country. They were allowed to feed on these pastures for onlv two or three hours daily. Better Boot Crops

When the pasture lands have been ploughed and the grass turned in, remarkable results had been secured, said Mr Hurst. The grass/provided a rich humus, and 95 tons to the acre with mangels had been obtained. Greatly improved production of swedes and sometimes rape had been secured by irrigation. No other cropping is none by Mr Hurst. ‘‘The increase in the carrying capacity has been enormous since irrigation was introduced,” said Mr Hurst. “Before, we carried 25 to 30 head of cattle, and we now carry up to 160 head. Allowing six sheep to one head of cattle, the carrying capacity for sheep has been correspondingly increased. My only regret is that I cannot get more water to use over a bigger acreage.” Irrigation on Mr Hurst’s farm usually begins in November. By the contour system, the water is run into a ditch on the upper part of the paddocks, and small earth dams cause it to follow down the gentle incline and into the lower ditches. At this season, the ditches are barely perceptible, as they are covered by thick grass. From six weeks to two months are occupied for the irrigation of the 200 acres, and an attempt is made by Mr Hurst to irrigate the paddocks twice a year. Wide interest has been taken in the scientific farming methods of Mr Hurst, whose home is opposite the store at Papakaio. Other farmers in the district have adopted his methods, which have been tried out on heavy pasture lands. He would extend the irrigation if the supply of water were not so limited, he said, although irrigation on the hillier country would be more difficult.

Mr Hurst’s farm is situated in a district in which a light rainfall is recorded in normal years, and he has proved that by bringing water on to good land, returns from farming can be substantially increased. '