SMALL FARMS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21280, 25 February 1939, Page 15

SMALL FARMS

Growth in king country SUCCESS ON SHEEPSICK LAND The Small Farms Board has recently completed a 10 days’ tour of blocks under development in the King Country and Rotorua districts, this being the first time that the board as a whole has made such an inspection. The visiting members of the board included Mr W. Robertson, Under-Secretary of Lands, chairman, and Mr R. G. MacMorran, Assistant Under-Secretary.

“To give some idea of how the scheme has grown in the King Country, it may be mentioned that, whereas in 1934-35 only 48 bales of wool were sold, it is estimated that we will be selling approximately 900 bales this year,” said Mr Robertson, in an interview. “Probably the best indication of the extent of the ramifications of the scheme will be found in the fact that on the lands under the control of the development branch at Te Kuiti there are at the present time 61,321 head of sheep, 1225 head of dairy cattle, 6046 head of run cattle, 299 horses, and a number of pigs. “The blocks that impressed us most in his disrict were those at Mairoa and Waitangura,” continued Mr Robertson. “The board was particularly interested in this work on country generally deemed to be more or less sheepsick, but on which the sheep bred there particularly imprssed us by their quality and condition. Because of land development work in this district it has been shown that really good quality stock can be bred in the area. The success has been secured through the methods adopted by the oragnisation in the King Country, closer subdivision, manuring, pasture control and the use of licks.” The Arohena block also came under the favourable notice of members of the board. This area was also subject to bush sickness, but the system of farm management appeared to have overcome the trouble. Mr Robertson said that, after inspecting areas of all types of country under development, his board had been much impressed with the success of the work undertaken.