Hill Country Topdressing

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 74, 28 March 1936, Page 12

Hill Country Topdressing

Hill-country sheepmen have now for a second year had very good returns and they well needed and deserved them after the three gruelling years they had previously come through. With the development of the fat lamb industry to its present state, it appears probable that the hill-country farmer will enjoy continued prosperity. His country is now oli value once more and it is worth maintaining. Some ten years ago “Observer” saw an area of hillcountry pasture top-dressed. It was quite steep but sunny and previously carrying about one and a-half sheep to the acre. Itwas given 2| cwts. of basic slag an acre. The result was truly wonderful and the effects were discernible for seven years and the carrying capacity raised by 60 per cent. Top-dressing hill country is not to be sonsidcred solely in the light of a profit-taking item, nor is it solely an investment; it is a protection of capital and an item of maintenance. The fertility of the ground is the largest part of one’s capital. That capital is being depleted, year by year and something must be put back, otherwise impoverishment is certain. How, on present prices, can one top-dress to maintain capital, the soil’s fertility, and at the same time make a profit ? To illustrate this, consider the analogy of a landlord who paints one of his buildings to preserve it and then receives a greater rental as the building looks so much better. The hill-country farmer will get a like reward.