SOIL EROSION Menace To Civilisation

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 242, 9 July 1938, Page 16

SOIL EROSION

Menace To Civilisation

The alarming manner in which soil erosion has been denuding the profitable, soil of mankind throughout the world was described at the annual conference of the Royal Agricultural Society ot Xew Zealand yesterday by Mr. (>. H. Holford, B.Ag., of the Department of Agriculture. • Mr. Holford explained that it took nature about 000 years to make one inch of soil, and a very limited amount of cultivable soil existed in the world to produce the food-stuffs for mankind. Of this soil erosion was taking toll in an alarming mariner throughout the world and even in New Zealand. Bv means of lantern slides and a film the lecturer showed the devastation which was being caused in “The Dust Bowl” in the United States, in China, Africa, Italy, Australia and other countries. Several views of the damage which had been done in the Esk Valley in Hawke’s Bay by the recent Hoods were also shown. Mr. Holford showed views of the modern methods which were being employed to counteract soil erosion in various countries. _ .

He also exhibited a film giving views of the Grand Canyon in the Unital States of America, and interesting scenes at the Royal Shows of England and Ireland , as well as agricultural views in England. In proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. Holford, Mr. J. H. Absolom I Hawke’s Bay) said he had studied soil erosion and afforestation for 55 years and never before had he heard such an informative address. _ ~ The president, Mr. L. J. Wild, said the subject was so important that the Government should allow Mr. Holford to make a leisurely tour through the Dominion impressing upon young and old the importance of the subject.