SUPERPHOSPHATE SHORTAGE

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27832, 3 December 1955, Page 12

SUPERPHOSPHATE SHORTAGE

EFFECT ON TUSSOCK COUNTRY

CONCERN EXPRESSED BY CATCHMENT BOARD

It seemed that superphosphate would be one of the essential requirements of the high country tussock grassland, said the annual report of the chairman of the North Canterbury Catchment Board (Mr R. M. D. Johnson) presented to the board yesterday. "Supplies of superphosphate are definitely limited at present.” he said, "and the board is concerned that this shortage could result in serious delays m the important work of improving this large area of high country.” The board was continuing its investigation work in the tussock grasslands begun in 1947, the report said. In the Waimakariri river catchment on the sunny mountain slopes above about 2500 feet, that were exposed to the north-west winds, the native vegetation appeared to be decreasing. To combat-the loss of the native grassland vegetation, oversowing and manurial experiments were being carried out in the Waimakariri and Rakaia tussock grasslands. Brown top sweet vernal, Yorkshire fog and catsear. all introduced plants, had spread extensively through the tussock grasslands and had covered bare ground. In the last two years, run holders in the Rakaia catchment had started to oversow and topdress the native grasslands by the use of aircraft.