WAIMEA PLAINS SOILS AND THEIR TREATMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 15 July 1924, Page 5

WAIMEA PLAINS SOILS AND THEIR TREATMENT

CAWTHRON INSTITUTE INVESTIGATING LECTURE BY MR. R[GG A very informative lecture on the soils of the Waimea Plains and their treatment. was given by Mr T. Rigg, Soil Chemist to the Cawthron Institute, at Richmond on Saturday evening under the auspices of the Nelson Agricultural and Pastoral Association. There was a large .attendance and Mr E. C. Page President, was in the chair.

Mr Rigg stated that the great variations in crop yield met with on the Wnimea Plains clearly indicated the occurrence of different types of soil. Through the soil survey conducted by the Cawthron Institute a large number of different soils had been characterised, and their extent, had been mapped. A careful study of their properties had been made both in the chemical laboratory and in the field, The results of the chemical and mechanical examinations clearly indicated the reasons underlying the varying value placed bn the soils by farmers for different crops. The three factors frequently responsible for low crop production were-: —(1) Bad texture, (2) soil acidity, (3) deficiency of plant food. Nelson was fortunate m possessing a large number of soils with excellent textural qualities. The gravel soil of the Hope Plains, however, was an example of a soil which was too Tight in texture for the best results with a wide range of farm crops. This soil was droughty in summer, and only small yields of fodder crops could be obtained during this period unless the season was very wef. Considerable improvement could be effected in the case of this soil by increasing the supply of humus in the soil. This could be brought about bv ploughing in green manure crops. Blue lupins' would be particularly suitable for this purpose. Only one very heavy soil was found in the Waimea Plains. This soil occurred as a narrow strip bordering the coast from Appleby to Stoke. Great improvement could be effected in it by thorough draining and the use of lime. This soil was suited more for pasture than for the growing of farm crops. Most of the soils on the Waimea Plains were marked by a high degree of soil aeiditv. The Maori gravel soil of Waimea West was the one exception in which soil acidity was low and little improvement was effected by liming. All the remaining soils exhibited varying degrees of soil acidity, and great benefit resulted from the use of lime. The quantity of lime required varied with the soil type as well as with the crops which were grown. On the heavier soils two tons of ground limestone per acre should be applied, but one ton would give satisfactory results' on tho Hope gravel plains in the case of a large number of farm crops. Of the plant foods, phosphate was deficient in many soils. With tho exception of tho Maori gravel soil and possibly the early pea soil on the Richmond and Heslington hills, there was not a soil in the district which did not benefit by phosphatic manuring. The Moutere Hills, the soil of the low hills at the back of Stoke, and the heavy land lying on the plains between Stoke and Hope were exceedingly low in phosphate. The use of from 2cwt to 3cwt of phosphate per acre frequently doubled or trebled crop yields on these soils. The soils of the Waimea Plains as a rule were well supplied M Vfjth potash, and in only a few instances was potassic manuring likely to be profitable. Tho gravel soil of the Hope Plains responded to sulphate of potash, and the use of this fertiliser at tho rate of J> cwt. per acre could he recommended for barley, clover and peas. Wherever land was used for market-garden crops, potassic manuring was also desirable, as largo quantities of. potash were removed from the soil by all vegetables. A largo number of lantern slides were thrown on the screen by Mr W. C. Davies, curator, of the Cawthron Institute. Theso were greatly appreciated and showed at a glance the wonderful result's obtained as a result of the various experiments. Mr Rigg was loudly applauded on the conclusion of his address and a hearty vote of thanks to Messrs Rigg and Davifes, moved by Mr James Hunt (Mayor of Richmond) was enthusiastically carried.