USES OF IRRIGATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19889, 7 March 1928, Page 17

USES OF IRRIGATION.

EXAMPLE AT RANGIRIRI. ELECTRICITY FOR PUMPING. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ], PUKEKOHE, Tuesday. Successful irrigation," in which hydroelectricity is used fov pumping the required water up from a nearby lake, is in operation on Mr. J. H. Potter's property, Bangiriri. Mr. Potter has an area of wine acres, on which he is raising strawberiy plants for supply to strawberry growers of the Auckland district. The area elopes toward the edge of Karaka Lake, and to counteract the effects of the recent dry weather on the plants, Mr. Potter installed a pumping plant, •which, operated by a 1 h.p. motor •connected to the Central Power Board's mains, delivers 3000 gallons of water an lour to a head-race. From there the water is reticulated in tills over the area. This has maintained « good supply of moisture to plants, and the difference in growth between parts irrigated and parts not irrigated is marked.

The plants are ready for distribution to «trawl>erry-growers about May or June, when they are used for planting out to form the new strawberry beds for next season. It is then that the real test of the experiment will be apparent, as if the plants which were irrigated are then •till ahead of those which were not irrigated. the value of the irrigation work can be assessed.

Meanwhile, persons interested in agriculture have viewed the area and notea the results at present apparent.