Experiment In Aerial Top-Dressing On Hill-Country Farm

Wanganui Chronicle, 13 October 1948, Page 6

Experiment In Aerial Top-Dressing On Hill-Country Farm

HAMILTON, Last Night (PA).—A plane today Hew over a hili-country iaim in the Temata district and made farming history lor the Dominion, as, from a special hopper constructed in tne bomb bay under the fuselage, streamed a trail • of fertiliser, life blood to the hungry hill country. The top-dressing trial was conducted on the property of the late Mr. J. B. Vowles, of Temata, three tons of hillside superphosphate being distributed over an area of 13 acres of typical hill country. Conditions were ideal at the time of the first run, with not a breath of wind. Distribution, generally, was excellent along a swathe of two and ahalf chains, but when the aircraft came hack for its second run just be* fore 1 o'clock there was a lively breeze blowing and lighter particles were wafted a little further afield. The trial was conducted by the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council in conjunction with Department of Agriculture and the Air Force. Observers from all parts of the Dominion were present at the trial. Altogether, three tons of superphosphate, which was of a special type, consisting of fairly large grains, were carried in three trips, one ton being released in each series of runs over the area. It took 15 seconds to release one ton, hut several runs were made over the area on each trip. The actual dressing was calculated to be 2cwt to the acre and observational officers were busy this afternoon checking up on this estimate. The aircraft flew at a height of appro xim a t ely 400 to 500 feet.