SILTED SOIL

Grey River Argus, 13 May 1938, Page 7

SILTED SOIL

Hawke’s Bay Problem WILL GRASS TAKE HOLD ? (Per Press Association.] HASTINGS, May 12. The authority of the Treasury Department will be sought by the Hawke’s Bay Flood Relief Committee for the immediate purchase of fencing materials. These materials will be used to construct fences round the newly-sown areas which were buried deep in silt in the Anzac Day floods. This- decision was reached at a meeting of the Flood Relief Committee to-day, over which the Instructor to the Fields Division of the Department of Agriculture, Mr J. W. Palmer, presided.

The object of the fences is to stop stock from straying over the newlysown areas.

Interviewed this evening, the Fields Superintendent to the Department of Agriculture, Mr J. A. Hamblyn, said that there were 1700 to 1800 acres of land silted in the Esk Valley. There was also other land silted on the east coast, which would bring the total area to about 3,000 acres. Discussing the possibility of the grass gaining a hold before the winter arrived in earnest, Mr Hamblyn said that something had to be done, or all of the silt would be blowing about next summer, and there would be no vegetation in the ruined areas. It was very late in the year to expect that the grass would come away. but. at least an attempt would have to be made. It was certain that some sort, of a growth would take place, and this would, at least, help to consolidate the ground against further winter floods. Discussing the quality and fertility of the silt that had been left in the Esk Valley, Mr Hamblyn said that it was on the coarse side, but once the pasture obtained a hold its content would rapidly improve. The quality of the soil in those areas which had been silted in the Esk Valley would not be as good as formerly.