Use Of Soil Survey To Plan Development

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29841, 6 June 1962, Page 7

Use Of Soil Survey To Plan Development

"Th« Prats*' Special Service

WELLINGTON, June 5. A wide extension in New Zealand of the use of the soil survey for the most efficient development is forecast by the senior pedologist of the Soil Bureau (Mr H. S. Gibbs), who has returned from an overseas tour of more than three months. Mr Gibbs found that soil surveys were carried out in considerable detail in closely-eettled countries such as Holland, and that in the United States and Canada they were used extensively to indicate areas most suitable for the planting of forests, as well as those in which the soil structure would provide the best reading. "The emphasis overseas is on the saving of good land from being submerged in city and suburban development," Mr Gibbs said. "In Holland they even have maps showing the best country to produce certain kinds of vegetables. "The planning there and in America is to eave land in and around cities and new developments for parka, and to force the golf courses and racecourses well out into the country.” He explained that the “parks” he meant were parks for pedestrians, essentially where people could picnic and rest in pleasant surroundings close to areas of papulation. The emphasis overseas

was tending now to be on the provision of water in the soil without too rapid drainage. Mr Gibbs said. The previous emphasis on drainage might have brought its own problems of erosion.