SOIL CONSERVATION OVERSEAS

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 28008, 30 June 1956, Page 11

SOIL CONSERVATION OVERSEAS

address by professor L. w. MCCASKILL “I believe that our Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act is a good j>ne. I doubt whether there is any tetter. But I have a few worries about the amount of money being s Pent—less than £1.000.000 a year.'* Associate Professor L. W. McCaskill. in an address to the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand organic Compost Society. Professor McCaskill was speaking on soil conservation methods employed overseas. “We have heard a lot about the Jennessee Valley Authority in New Zealand, but this scheme is not working as well as it might. It is an excellent example of flood control, but it is above the dams that soil Erosion occurs." said Professor McCaskill. “When the red dust of Oklahoma got on the senators' white coats, some Action was taken in the dust-bowl areas of the United States. It was found that the soil had lost its organic structure, so farm improvement with tbcreascs in pasture were undertaken aod steen hill land was taken out of Production. Even then, it did not pve complete control of flooding, but Jt improved it." said Professor McCaskill. “Instead of several large clams, thousands of smaller dams are nov. being built throughout the United States.*' he said. These hold the water back and release it gradually. The Gays of large dams have gone.’’ Slides of contour farming and soil Conservation practices in Europe. Australia, and Hawaii were shown by Professor McCaskill.