SOIL RESEARCH WORK

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 17 June 1935, Page 2

SOIL RESEARCH WORK

SURVEYS TO BE EXTENDED INVESTIGATIONS AT CAWTHRON - , DEPARTMENT’S A SSISTANCE. (By Tolegrapli—Press Association.) NELSON, .Inno 16. With tho object of facilitating a general • soil survey of New Zealand the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research lias seconded to the Cawthron Institute Dr J. K. Dixon, who has been engaged during the past year on soil and chemical studies relating to the incidence of stock ailments in Southland. During the past four years tho cooperative’ soil survey work of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Cawthron Institute has made great progress, and; soil surveys which have been conducted in the central territory of the North Island, Taranaki territory of the North Island, Taranaki, Waipa County, Waikato, Ashburton. County and Canterbury have proved of great value in the elucidation of mineral deficiency, ailments in stock and in manurial treatment of land.

Soil maps which have been prepared by field workers of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research provide a permanent basis for the conduct of field experimental work, investigation of stock and soil problems and the improvement of farm practice.

In the future economic utilisation of New Zealand’s soil resources will become of ever-growing importance, and any programme of agricultural development must necessarily be based on ascertained knowledge of soil types and properties. Dr Dixon will greatly strengthen tho chemical side of the work, which is liandlod by the Cawthron Institute in connection with these New Zealand soil surveys.

At the present time soil surveys arc proceeding in Waipa County, Waikato, Ashburton County and Canterbury and at Temuka in the Levels County, South Canterbury. Canterbury soil surveys are being conducted in connection with the irrigation developments which liavebeen approved by the Minister of Public Works.