RETROGRESSION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17883, 31 August 1918, Page 9

RETROGRESSION.

NEW ZEALAND GOING * BACKWARDS. 4_ ’ / A WARNING TO FARMERS. Speaking on his favourite subject of iucerne growing last night, Mr A. Macpherson, Director of Field Experiments, sounded a warning against agricultural and pastoral retrogression. New Zealand, he said, had undertaken heavy financial responsibilities, and produci ticn and exports must be increased, but as present she was resting on her oars, in a false sense of security, and without any thought for the time when values would drop. From 1886 to 1917, Mr Macpherson continued, the/ Dominion’s flocks increased by. only ten millions, the figures being as follow i

Or a decrease in the area of cereal crops in four years’ time of 190,228 acres. In 1886 the area in wheat was 263,026 acres, and in 1917 it was 217,743 acres, a decrease of 35,282 acres. . , “Will the farmer be able to hear the strain if he continues to farm on the linos at present in vogue?” Mr Macpherson asked. “ Assuredly not, for to-day- our principal exports are dependent mainly on pastures, which in most instances are not permanent, and if they are to bo kept in anything like profitable condition will require to bo renewed in most districts every three rears, and when dry seasons come they burn up. Turnips and rape, which •used to bo fairly reliatyo crops, are not so now. Farmers must grow sufficient fodder to meet setbacks that have occurred in the past through shortage of feed. How are all these conditions to be remedied ?• There can be only one answer: grow lucerne. I submit that there is no surer, more effective or expeditious way of meoting all these urgent requirements than by a widespread national effort by fanners occupying suitable lands to grow lucerne.'

1886 ". . 15,174,263 1917 . . . 25,270,386 Increase In 31 years . 10,096,123 The figures for North and South Island were as follow: — North Island. 1886 . . 5,285,907 1917 . . 14,567,128 Increase . 9,281,221 South Island. 1886 . . 9,888,356 1917 . . 10,703,258 Increase . ■ 814,902 f This increase was not creditable to the South Island, Mr Macpherson observed. As fob increases in live stock generally, in thirty-one years, the figures were■ Horses,. • . 186,218 Cattle . 1,721.972 Sheep . . . 10,096,123 '■ Pigs • • 6,869 In cereal crops, !the acreages in the last few years were as follow: — 1912-13. 1916-17. Acres. Who* . 189,869, 217,743 Oats ' . 886,786 177*624 Barley » 87,486 29,646 6ll,141 424,913