BRIGHT PROSPECTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19027, 29 May 1936, Page 10

BRIGHT PROSPECTS

EAST COAST FUTURE SCOPE FOR. DEVELOPMENT EFFECT OF THE RAILWAY That there are exceedingly bright prospects for the future development of many thousands of acres which will be served) by the Gisborne Napier railway now under construction is a view which is supported by Mr. d. W. Palmer, agricultural instructor for Hawke's Bay. The many advantages to be gained from the introduction of good pasture grasses to the country between Napier and Wairoa were stressed by Mr. Palmer, who stated that not only would hoggets do better on this land, but. the conditions for the- rearing of lambs would be vastly improved, and the quality of wool produced would be far higher, in regard to the size of the clip, the lustre and condition of the wool, and its weight.

The farmers of the district, could reap great benefits from looking ahead and planning a definite, scheme of development, said Mr. Palmer. Full advantage should he taken of the facilities provided by the completion of Ihe railway. In the past in the area such work as ploughing had been definitely restricted by tlie cost jinvolved, but as a result of the facilities which would be provided the farmers of the district would be able to provide adequate supplies of supplementary crops lo carry their slock through the winter. “In the past,” he continued, “it has been a- practise in many cases to carry through the winter only the amount of stock which could lie safely fed upon the inferior pastures. With the provision of supplementary crops, however, (lie feeling of dread with which farmers of this type of country viewed the approach of winter would he obviated, and better conditions generally would he obtained. With the use of superphosphate and lime, the condition of the pastures would be greatly improved, and the carrying capacity of the lands increased to almost unbelievable extent.” D INFINITE ENA MPLES

Mr. Palmer referred 1 to definite cases in the Tutira district, where the results obtained from the application of fertilisers had been remarkable, citing the properties owned by Messrs. Stewart, Chrystall and Ross Lange as typical. These farmers had persisted with tiie use of the plough and manure bag even during the years of the depression, said Mr. Palmer, and as a result the carrying capacity of their land had been raised to the extraordinary figure of between live and six ewes per acre, in addition to the fattening of considerable, drafts of lambs eacli year off the same country. Similarly excellent results had been obtained in cases where dairying was carried out, said Mr. Palmer, the butterfat returns on such properties showing sharp rises from the date of commencement of the top-dressing activities. Mr. Palmer added that there was a great deal of land which could be similarly improved providing those handling the properties were able to obtain the fertile sere at a reasonable figure.—Napier Telegraph.