SECRET OF SUCCESS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26197, 6 July 1946, Page 9

SECRET OF SUCCESS

TESTING OF THE SOIL A CASE FOR CORRECTIVES The opinion that the secret of successful farming lay in the careful testing of the soil and the application of the necessary correctives is held by a Dunedin business man who has made a keen and thorough study of the subject, and who has collected information on the question from all over the world. Methods of testing soil to-day are cheap, quick, and very sensitive. They are available to farmers in Otago and he feels that they would be well advised to make use of the facilities offering. The answer to most farmers’ problems is, he considers, the application of lime. Farmers were frightened of lime in the past because they did not have the means of knowing whether their land needed it. The old saying that lime made the father rich and the son poor influenced many. Now, however,! by careful testing they could ascertain whether their land needed lime and, if so, how much it needed. There was no danger of over-liming if testing were carried out regularly. Over-liming was more serious than a deficiency of lime for it was both costly and difficult to correct. Several dairy farmers who were supplying the city with milk had adopted soil testing, he said, and had limed their properties as a result of the findings of the tests. The results produced were most satisfactory. The pastures and consequently the stock had improved considerably in health, and the standard of their products had also improved The starting point for all successful farming was the soil and he felt that testing would have to become general and that the farmer who was most expert in his testing would ho the most successful farmer. Compulsory Testing

In Central European countries during the war. he continued, it was compulsory for farmers to test their soil before sowing a crop. This showed that soil testing was recognised as being essential in the production of the greatest yields and the best quality crops. Otago was fortunate in having almost inexhaustible supplies of lime, and the land generally was in great need of it. It should not, however, be used without testing the soil, and after it had been spread, careful tests should be carried out to maintain the right degree of lime in the soil. Every crop and every animal raised on the land drew some calcium from the soil, and this had to be replaced. Consequently, regular testing and maintenance were necessary.