GERALDINE SOIL EROSION

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23346, 1 November 1945, Page 3

GERALDINE SOIL EROSION

Conservation Methods Discussed Erosion problems, and the means of overcoming them, were discussed by Mr A. D. Campbell, technical officer of the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Wellington, at a public meeting in the Geraldine Town Hall on Tuesday evening. There was a fair attendance. Mr Campbell described the balance established in catchment areas between climate, slope, soil, vegetation, and stream flow. Erosion, he said, was not a new process, being as old as the world itself, but its progress was slowed up by vegetation until the rate of soil formation more than compensated for losses by erosion, and thus a condition of stability was evolved. When the balance was upset, he said, there were repercussions by reduced protection in the stripping of vegetation off the steep slopes, the immediate reaction being that an increasing amount of water ran off instead of into the soil. This upset the balance in the drainage systems, with the consequent overloading of streams and rivers. The result was disastrous flooding and spreading of shingle. The cumulative effects of misuse of the land became apparent, said Mr Campbell, first of all in the lower courses of the rivers where the most valuable farm land was threatened. This led to concerted action by the community in river control measures. Realising that these must be followed up by wise land use over the entire Catchment area, the Government enacted legislation to create the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, which in turn set up Catchment Boards for local administration of the Act. River control projects were well in hand in many parts of the country, but a more comprehensive approach was necessary on privately-owned farm land. There were three vital phases in the adoption of soil conservation practices: (1) Educational publicity, (2) demonstration of appropriate measures, and (3) experimental and research work that proven methods may be adopted. “After- all.” said Mr Campbell, “100 years of trial and error methods have written many lessons on the land which we can interpret. It must be realised that burning, clearing, overgrazing, and unwise cultivation have individually and collectively led to the present eroded condition of much valuable farm land.” Bv vigorous control of fire, he continued, by control of over-grazing, especially that of rabbits, and by rotational spelling, and possibly seeding on native pastures, and adequate sub-division fencing improvement could be achieved. Pasture improvement was probably the biggest single step in soil conservation because half the country carried pastures. This was being achieved by better strains, top-dressing and grazing management over large areas in this district already. On the steep, badly eroded country complete tree cover was probably necessary to hold the soil and reduce the run off and soil loss. Films depicting the causes and damage resulting from serious floodi ing, and also soil conservation methods : in the U.S.A., were shown. , On the motion of Mr J. R. Haw- ■ cridge, a vote of thanks was accorded Ml- Campbell for his instructive talk.