SOIL SURVEYS

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVII, Issue 4396, 23 May 1933, Page 5

SOIL SURVEYS

FARM COUNTRY MAPS.

STOCK NUTKITIONirROUBLE.

For the past three years the Department of Scientific and, Industrial Research has been classifying soils in the North Island. The first survey carried out, which was general rather than detailed, was in the eastern Rotorua-Taupo and Te Kuiti districts, to identify properly the pumice soil in those areas. As a result of this work it was found that bush-sickness developed in stock grazing onfy on soils made from two of the eight showers of volcanic ash deposits that cover that territory. Towards the end of 1932 a reconnaissance, or general survey, was made of the dairying lands of West Taranaki. There, the Department of Agriculture had already conducted pasture top-dressing experiments and found that the pastures on different farms gave a decided response to different manures. By mapping the soil types it was possible to indicate from what area a response from particular fertilisers could reasonably be expected. A detailed survey of the Waipa County (the first detailed survey of farm country in the North Island) was commenced early in January of this year. The organisation at the start consie* ed of three officers of the Geological Survey Branch of the Research Department, Messrs. Grange, Taylor and Jones. Later the work was speeded up by employing field assistants to map in topographic details. Two field assistants were trained to examine and map soil types. Maps on a scale of twenty chains to the inch, compiled from the Lands and Survey blocksheets, and showing roads and farm boundaries, are used. The topographic assistants make surveys in the field and are able to sketch on the map the subdivision fences, creeks and topographic details of each farm. The soil surveyor then takes _ his sketch and is able to acurately indicate on it the different types of soil. Without the co-operation of the Unemployment Board the work could not have been done. The board is providing part wages for six of the field assistants. The chemical work on the soil is done at Cawthron Institute (Nelson), at the chemical laboratory of the Department of Agriculture, and at the Dominion Laboratory, Wellington. It is considered that a detailed soil map will be invaluable to the agricultural adviser, in that he will have always before him a map showing the type of soil on each farm in his particular district. The survey will form a sound basis for investigation into stock nutrition troubles. Finally, it will provide a basis for land valuation.