OBSERVATIONS ON THE TREND OF AGRICULTURE IN N.Z.

Otago Witness, Issue 3148, 15 July 1914, Page 19

OBSERVATIONS ON THE TREND OF AGRICULTURE IN N.Z.

(Written by W. S. Hill and G. H. Holford in the Canterbury Agricultural College Magazine).

Sevci’al circumstances are outstanding in the present etatc of development in agricultural and pastoral land. While pioneering still remains to bo done in many parts, the trend of dot olopment in occupied areas is towards economic production. For this purpose the application of scientific principle and the utilisation of the discoveries and attainments of science may bo expressed as “Practice with Science”; the wider use of improved means and methods of cultivation together with care and system in marketing, may be expressed as “Economy with Organisation.” These two appear to bo the fundamental requirements of agricxxltural progress. mere are several factors which appear to influence the present state and tenure of occupied lands. Firstly, the virgin fertility is becoming a smaller asset i,n many parts, and the returns from those lands are smaller than in the past, or in -other words, the interest received from the capital has largely been a portion of that capital. Secondly, the rapidly increasixxg value of all classes of land has in many cases developed a class of land speculators instead of husbandmen. Thirdly, the highly remunerative prices that are at present ruling i.n other countries for primary products, have stimulated the desire for increased production. Fourthly, the high price and scarcity of suitable agricultural labour is having a limiting effect on agricultural undertakings, especially these requiring abundance of assistance for only a comparatively short period each year, thereby forcing agriculturists to take up those branches where less labour is required# Considering the statistics of the land held in New Zealand for agricultural purposes, we find that thei'o are 40,238,000 acres under occupation. Of this 16.266,000 acres are nominally under cultivation, and of this again 14,000,000 acres are in grass. Less than one million acres are utilised for supplementax-y fodder ci-ops, and a very much smaller portion still under anything approaching intensive cultivation. True it is that there arc millions of acres in this Dominion that can never be used for agricultux-al purposes, but a large portion of them are suitable for light pasturing, while much more promises to be of utility for forestry and fruit-growing. Though in the North Island, much virgin country remains to be brought in for pastoral purposes, there is a marked tendency for the major portion of pasture lands to detorioi’ate in carrying capacity, except where means have been taken to prevent soil exhaustion or overstocking. The store of plant food in most soils can supply remunerative pastures and crops for only a few seasons. The maintenance of fertility and productivity of permanent pasture lands is therefore of primary importance. The depletion of certain parts, owing to overstocking, rabbits, and injudicious burning, has caused great loss. The rational preventive measures or remedy would seem to bo light summer stocking, in order to permit grasses and other plants to seed, and so reproduce themselves. Where holdings are of smaller size, and top dressing with artificial fertilisers is practicable, this offers means of renovating worn-out pastures and ma ; n tabling the productivity of good pastures. Concerning agricultural land it is apparent that in order to keep in it good heart every opportunity must bo availed of for cultivation and the growing of catch crops for green manure. In a country so devoid of farmyard manure, the practice of green manuring must bo adopted as a substitute. Leguminous ci-ops, especially those of deep-rooting habits, 'are now being more extensively / cultivated. The area devoted to the production of cereals is decreasing owing largely to scarcity of labour and to unstable markets. More attention is being paid to the constitution of gross seed mixtures, and for certain lands the rcplac'-m'-nt of shallow rooted grasses by these of more permanent and deeper-rooting nature is of paramount importance. Since early settlers bad onportunity for securing the more kindlv land, much that now remains to bo settled is of more stubborn nature and requires that the occupier should, in the words of Cowpor, set himself

To study culture, and with artful toil, Ameliorate and tame the stubborn soil To give dissimilar yet fruitful lands The grain, the herb, the plant that each ''demands. Tho great variety of combinations of soils and conditions which exist require that special consideration be given to the crops and plants most suited to the locality. The speculative tendency at present runs very high among land occupiers, and has greatly assisted the rapid augmentation in values. The high rates of interest and rent now paid are conducive to the application of scientific principles in more intensive farming, and the breeding of a better class of stock. More attention is being paid to all the details that go to make' a maximum return. Among these may bo mentioned: the selection of the most suitable grass mixtures which must contain pure seeds of known vitality; the use of fertilisers most suited to the crop and soil; the grading up of flocks and the retention of the best ewe lambs for breeding; the classing and “get up’’ of wool; attention to such diseases, as inhabit rapid fattening and regular growth of wool; cow-testing and proper disposal of cuils; attention to cleanliness and control of disease; careful breeding and careful attention to -the constitution of young stock; provision for continual supply of succulent fodder; packing and cleanliness of- fruit; and tho proper marketing of ajl products of the land. Such are a few of the many points that with in tho future receive far more attention Than was formerly devoted to them. Although trade prospects were, perhaps, never so bright, it is necessary in order to compete successfully that only first-class products shall reach oversea markets. For instance, in the dairying industry, whore at one time butter making was done on the farm, now it is the work of a trained butter maker, on whose skill depends to a groat extent the quality and uniformity of the line. All lines are graded before leaving New Zealand shores. Pex-haps the greatest modifying influence in New Zealand agriculture is the scarcity of suitable labour. This afibeta mostly such industries as graingrowihg and dairying. It is largely due to this scarcity that the former is on the decrease. The rapid expansion of dairying during the last 10 to 15 years may be regarded as duo to the high prices ruling on Home markets for high-class products, to tho formation of Co-operative Associations, and to the fact that while offering permanent employment ready cash is monthly available for dairymen. It is wished to point out that milk products, while in great demand, arc not indispensable, and can be replaced by cheaper animal and vegetable products. The dominant industry of tho Dominion is sheep-raising, tho products of which —wool, frozen mutton and lamb, skins and tallow—made up close on 70 per cent, of our export trade in 1913. By careful attention to pastures and more cultivation in order to provide fodder crops, farmers are now able to increase greatly the carrying capacity of their sheep country. In many parts intensive sheep-farming is a formidable rival to dairying or, as in many cases one supplements tho other. New Zealand bids fair to become a great homo for stud stock of all classes, and already a lucrative export trade in pedigree stock has sprung up. The ’ formation of Seed-growers’ Associations, for the production of pedigree seeds, is also receiving consideration. A highly remunerative industry, not previously mentioned, is that fruit-growing which promises to expand with enormous rapidity, and, as the best fruit is usually grown on those lands and in those climates unsuited to agriculture (which exists in abundance), there is apparently ample scope for expansion. , The extraordinary increase in unearned increment has been beyond the wildest imagination of pioneers. In this, as in other countries, more attention is being given to “Science with Practice” and “Economy with Organisation.-” These are two points which account largely for the difference between butter of 20 years ago, at 4d per lb, and factory-made butter of to-day, at Is 2d per lb; between fat sheep, for which there was but a bare market, and which in many cases were of most value for fcallowj, and frozen lamb and mutton of to-day. which, thanks to refrigeration, can be landed on British markets and there command ‘ tho highest figures; between crops which would profitably yield but 30 bushels of wheat and 40 bushels of oats, and which now, provided with artificial fertilisers and grown from pedigree seeds, will produce double that quantity, and which can be harvested and thrashed in an economical and complete manner; between tho farmer’s son who was often lucky to have the opportunity of going further than the country school and whose spare hours were required for toil, and tho more modern individual who has an expensive course open to him from State school to high school, to college, and to university, and whose spare hours are devoted to recreation and sport. These are but few of tho changes that have rapidly come about during one generation. What may bo predicted of future generations! It appears then, that agi’icultural development is dependent upon several factors,

some of which are conflicting in their in flu once. These facts remain;— Pastures and lands in many districts are exhibiting signs of soil exhaustion and overstocking. Land speculation is rife and values are high. Oversea markets arc good, especially for animal products. Labour is in short supply and more expensive. Bettor methods are being adopted and are becoming more widespread. Attention to maintenance of good pastures and production of fodder crops for intensive sheep-farming, intensive dairying, and production of beef; raising pedigree stock and pedigree farm seeds, and fruit-growing appear to bo of prime importance, and upon these the export trade promises to depend mni*li more largely than at present. In connection with conservation of fertility it

appears that the land tenure that makes it worth while for the holders to improve and conserve the fertility of their land must greatly assist national prosperity. We trust that those students at' present at Lincoln will avail themselves of the golden opportunities that there lie open to them —each one to his own individual calling. There is little doubt that a prosperous time awaits those who devote sufficient energy and care to the principles and practice of agriculture.