THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18325, 15 February 1923, Page 10

THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

WEALTH FROM FERN LANDS. .; ' —V- ■■ BUTTER-FAT PRODUCTION. Unlike most communities in New Zealand, Rotorua was not called into being by the settlement and cultivation of adjoining lands or by the establishment of a»y particular industry, hut the phenomenal growth of.-, the timber industry and the realisation that land so long regarded as practically useless from a productive point of view was responsive to cultivation end capable of intensive working, ha*e changed the whole outlook and; Rotorua is destined to gain a greater measure of utility as a commercial centre. ' •Dairying, is making remarkable .progress and sheepfarming carried on by many men who had reared sheep on some of the richest land in the North Island is giving such a return, especially in view of the revival of the market, that those who have embarked on this form 0f.,, production are confident of the future. Dairying can be said to be only in its infancy m the Rotorua district but it is ; already a lusty infant. Not much over ten" years ago the idea or suggestion - that Rotorua lands , were suited ; for dairying, or vother intensive farming purposes was scouted as a ! vain or idle fancy but to-day these lands are universally regarded as essentially holdings lending themselves to intensive culture and repaying handsomely any effort made to increase their productivity. Contrary to all expectations the Rotorua district is. a land for close settlement and the old idea that a country showing no ostensible aspects of rich returns must be held in large areas, has passed way. As a result of practical experience the farmers of the district have almost ■ generally adopted the procedure of burning off the fern tor clearing the tea-tree and then working the soil before sowing temporary Brasses, principally clover and ryegrass. This produces a fairly good pasture for two or three years. It is then ploughed in and in most cases a good crop of turnips is taken off. Then the farmer realises his object in securing from the soil ita utmost productivity. Providing the breaking process has been conducted on these lines, the formation of a permanent pasture is now assured by a sowing of mixed grasses, of which cocksfoot, clover and ryegrass are the basis, followed by a regular series of top-dressing. The numerous farms in the vicinity of the town now conducted on successful lines and showing every indication of permanency are a complete denial of the accusations of barrenness made against Rotorua lands and the figures of the butter-fat produced are showing substantial increases each year.