LAND OF PROMISE.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 11009, 23 January 1926, Page 3

LAND OF PROMISE.

.NORTHLAND- POTENTIALITIES A STARTLING PROPHESY. TEN SHEEP TO THE ACRE.

When a land agent advertises that there is two-sheep country tor sale it is an indication that it is a good pastoral proposition, and thus it will come as to surprise to some people to learn that there is land in New Zealand that has carried ten sheep to the acre. Naturally, this could be easily equalle' or excelled in a butcher’s accommodation paddock, but the record has been achieved under actual farming conditions at the Moumahaki State Farm, near Wanganui before the property was disposed of by the Government. For ten years Moumahaki was under the direction of Mr. W. T. JLonsdale, who had previously for five years been associated with the State farm at Ruakura. A few years ago he decided to take up farming on his own account at Maungaturoto, and during the period he has formed;'some interesting opinions of the' Northland territory. “Will North Auckland ever- carry ten sheep to the acre?’’ was a question put to Mr. Lonsdale by an Auckland “Star” representative. „Yl.t “is. quite possible, but not just-'yet',”-he replied. Mr. Lonsdale added that the, wonderful ten sheep to the acre ohcord at Moumahaki • was only possible by the growth of lucerne as a fodder, and feeding the sheep* in rotation. In other words the sheep were shifted from paddock to paddock clay by day, and thus each paddock was given practically a week to recover. Down -in the Taranaki, Wanganui and Itangitikei districts the words ‘lucerne and Lonsdale” are synonymous, for it is largely as the result of Mi. Lonsdale’s enthusiasm and demonstration work that this wonderful fodder p>lant—a member of the alfalfa family—now makes green patches on the landscape in the hottest summer months, and pmovides succulent feed for stock. Mr. Lonsdale said that he had been experimenting with lucerne at Maungaturoto, and was satisfied that it was just as drought-resisting there as at the other end of the island. He considered, however, that the future permanent pastures of North Auckland should be a mixture of paspalum dilatatum and subterranean clover, the latter being of exceptional value for the reason that it could not be grazed out.

Mr. Lonsdale said there was once a widespread, but entirely erroneous impression that much of the Northland was a hopeless country from an agricultural and pastoral viewpoint, and he claimed that the big volcanic belt in the vicinity of Kaikolie could not Joe surpassed fop fertility in tlie Do“miniori. He was likewise just as cmJphatic that the gumlands could be made productive if the right treatment were applied, this, to his mind, being the ploughing in of green Tcrops plus a liberal application of agricultural lime.

During bis lofcg term as the Government expert at Moumahaki, Mr. Lonsdale made extensive experiments with chou moellier, Japanese millet and the soya, bean, and he thought that the first-named—occasionally known as the French marrow cabbage, although a native of Jersey—would eventually replace rape, as it was suit-able-for sowing in the late summer for winter feed. It might be mentioned that Mr. Lonsdale was largely responsible for the Agricultural Department taking upr the breeding of Ryeland sheep, a breed that was looked at askance by southern farmers a few years ago, but now recognised as a strain of exceptional merit. Through Mr. Lonsdale's advocacy the Ryeland is now becoming popular in the Northland, and a flocK has been started by the Prime Minister, the Hon. J. G Coates.

“They told me that North Auckland was not sheep country,” said Mr. Lonsdale, “but that was a mistaken impression. The Ryelands do particularly well,-as they will forage for them food, and Ryeland wool brought top prices at the Auckland wool sales. The ■breed had proved suitable for crossing with the Romney strain, the result being a heavier carcase and a wool of greater density. As a matter of fact, at the first Royal Show, which was held at Palmerston North, Ryeland.-, cross lambs carried off most of the prizes. “I am satisfied that Northland lias a wonderful future,” said Mr. Lonsdale, in conclusion. “It has a splendid climate and with the possibilities that there. are for fruit-growing it should be a veritable garden and play a similar part for the rest of New Zealand as California does for the United States. But the great requisite is close settlement, and that means a sound scheme of immigration and assistance for people who are prepared to go on the land.”