SOIL SURVEYING

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11950, 22 May 1933, Page 3

SOIL SURVEYING

CLASSIFICATION AYORK

FARM COUNTRY MAPS

STOCK NUTRITION TROUBLE

For the uast three years the Departmenfc of Scientific and Industrial Research has been classifying soils in tbe North Island. The first survey carried out. which was genera! rather than detailed, was iu. the eastern Rotorua-Taupo and To Kuiti districts. to identity properly the pumice soil in those areas. As a result of ibis work it was found that bushsickuess developed in stock grazing only u ii soils made from two of the eigb* of volcanic ash deposits that cover that territory. Toward the end of 1932 a reconnaissance. isor general survey, was made of tlio dairying lands of West Taranaki. There, tbe Department ofAgriculture had already .conducted pasture top-dressing experiments a ”d found that the pastures on different farms gave a decided response to different manures. Bv mapping the soil types it was possible to indicate from what area a response from pariiculiw fertilisers could reasonably be expected. A detailed survey of the A\ aipa County (the first detailed surrey of farm country in the North Island), was commenced early iu January this year. Tbe organisation at the start consisted of three officers of tbe 'Research Department, Messrs Grange. Taylor and Jones. Later the work wn s speeded up by employing field assistants to map iu topographic details. Two field assistants were trained to examine and map soil tvpes. Maps on a scale of twentychains to the inch, compiled from tho Lands and Survey block-sheets, and showing roads and farm bouiidar icy are used. The topographic assistants make surveys in tbe field and are able to sketch on the map the subdivision fences, creeks and topographic details of each farm. ' llc 4=5 -fakes ki<? sJcotcn soil-survivor Tai and is able to accurately indicate m it tlio different types of soil. Without tho co-operation of the Unemployment Board the "Oik coui not have been done. The board is providing part wages for s-x of hefield assistants. Th c chemical work on the soils is done at Cuwthyon Institute (Nelson!, at Cbennea laboratory of the Department of Affnciilturo," and at "•'-'-’’'ten Laboratory, .Wellipcton. It is considered that a detaile> soil map will be invaluable to the agricultural adviser, iu that he w.U lmvo always before him a map sbonincr the type of soil on each farm m his particular llie aunty will form a sound basis f°r mvoS l " .-ration into stock nutrition troubles. Finally, it will provide a basis lot land valuation.