AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

Evening Star, Issue 22681, 22 June 1937, Page 6

AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND leotuf.es at royal society meeting The topic of agricultural development in Otago and Southland was discussed by three speakers who lectured at the Museum last night under the auspices of the agricultural section of the Otago branch of the Eoyal Society of New Zealand. The speakers were Mr G. A. Holmes, B.Sc., B.Agr., Mr J. M. Smith, and Mr J. W Woodcock, of the Department of Agriculture. “ Early settlers,” Mr Holmes said, “ came mostly from rural districts in England, where they had become’ accustomed to a standardised system of farming as practised by their fathers and grandfathers before them. But they came imbued with the idea of developing the land, and that idea still persisted to-day. “ They had many difficulties to face, but the first steps in the development of the land were communications by land and sea, the clearing of bush, and the draining of swamps. The' development during the last 25 years is hardly comparable to those first years of development, but nowadays it must be realised that the destruction of native bush for the sake of grass and cultivation would be bordering on a crime. Development has been intensive rather than extensive. il Oats used to bo cropped extensively in Otago and Southland, but the advent of motor power has reduced the need for horse feed, and the abandonment of oat cropping has brought about a great improvement in pastures. Mr Holmes produced a map of the two provinces indicating the _ various types of pasture land and making suggestions that might improve the economic position of the holdings. He dealt in particular with the 6,600,000 acres of tussock country in Otago which could be improved by surfacesowing and by the introduction of proper grasses. The absence of clover in this country was also to be noted and the introduction of the subterranean variety, which was not affected by winter conditions, would, in his opinion, be specially beneficial. Manuka areas could best be utilised In afforestation schemes, though the better class of land could be converted to pasture of moderate grazing capacity. A proper use of lime and ryegrass would be sufficient to control brown-top country. “ I would appeal for greater attention to be given both by the State and by the public to agricultural research and education, which are the essential conditions of progress,” concluded Mr Holmes. ... Mr Smith qualified several points in Mr Holmes’s address, dealing with the development of grass lands, in particular of the vast area of tussock country in Otago. He did not anticipate the squatters making any attempts at improvement, but his department was making experiments with'grasses that should do well in that country. “ Farms are better managed to-day, Mr Smith said, “ than they were 40 or 50 years ago. Top-dressing is the /most progressive step that has been made within the last decade or two.” Mr Woodcock gave some interesting details of experiments being carried out by his department. He disparaged the value of subterranean clover in the Central tussock country, as top-dress-ing was required to maintain it. The chairman (Mr M. Stewart) thanked the speakers for their addresses, which he felt had been much appreciated by the members present.