NEW ERA OF HOPE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 10 April 1930, Page 8

NEW ERA OF HOPE

FUTURE OF FARMING SCIENTISTS’ SERVICES UTILISED AERIAL AND SOIL SURVEY A new era of hopefulness for tho farmers of New Zealand has been opened up by tho handing over to scientists of tho task of finding a solution of tho many difficulties facing tho man upon tlio land (says the Auckland “Star”). Through the medium of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, under the control of tho Hon. 11. ALinoro, development is being tackled from an entirely new angle. With tho adoption of a system of combined aerial and soil survey of a large area of land in tho King Country, tremendous possibilities are opened up for future settlement.

For the past year much work has been in progress under the auspices of tho Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The Department of Agriculture and Mr T. Rigg, Assistant Director of the Cawthron Institute have co-operated. One result of their efforts has been to establish that the soil conditions existing in the Mamaku sick region arise from similar causes to those in parts of tho area survey in the King Country—namely, showers of volcanic ash.

There are definciencies in pastures apparently of a/similar nature, though not quite tho same. For instance, both sheep and cattle sicken in the Mamaku district, whereas in pprts of the affected area in the King Country, cattle remain healthy, while sheep pine away.

MINERAL DEFICIENCIES It is generally believed the sickness is duo to mineral deficiencies or excesses in the soil. Top-dressing experiments have proved that a mixture of ground limestone and sUpor in the ratio of five to two is a corrective in certain defined areas in the Mairoa localiiy, but it has yet to be proved whether this is the most economical corrective.

Test areas are being experimented upon, and the Department of Agriculture is , able to advise farmers that specified mixtures will obviate certain stock ailments. ,

A few days ago a party consisting of tho Minister of Education (the Hon. H. Atmore), who is also Minister in charge of the Department of Scientific Research, Messrs J. 11. Broadfoot, M.P., W. Lee Martin, M.P., F. Lye, M.P., A. Burns (chairman of the Auckland Education Board), Dr. E. Marsden (secretary of tho Department of Scientific Research), T. Rigg, Assistant Director of the Cawthron Institute, H. T. Ferrar and N. H. Taylor, of the New Zealand Geological Survey 1 which is a branch of the Department of Scientific Research), visited the districts of Mairoa and Kopaki, where they spent the whole day traversing the experimental regions.

SCIENTISTS DEMONSTRATE The scientists with the party explained the nature of the experiments and indicated the processes through which, the soil has passed. The party was shown detailed maps of certain farms, indicating sick and healthy portions and these parts which, with limited capital, it was most profitable to top dress, from the point of view of having, throughout the year, sufficient healthy pasture for the carrying over of stock in a healthy condition.

The explanations of soil chemistry with regard to fertilisers by Mr Rigg were much appreciated by all present.