PEAT SWAMPS.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18638, 17 May 1932, Page 9

PEAT SWAMPS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —It is with all duo deference to those who know a great deal more about peat swamp than myself that I approach the present subject. It Is, however, a constant surprise to visitors to the Waikato that the development of these swamps is so l()ng neglected. Here arc tens of thousands of acres in direct touch with such a centre as Hamilton, and with some of the largest dairy factories of the world practically within sight, yet they lie a desolato waste. Not only this, but these swamps are surrounded by highly developed closely-settled farm lands served by Ihc (best of roads, aiso electricity and telephones and so much that tends io the comfort and success of farm life. It is these facts so apparent to anyone coming from an isolated badly served district that so surprise Ihc visitor. The saving in freights alone as compared with a backblock district would compensate for many defects of the closer swamp areas. Those of us who have been familiar with I lie progress of the Auckland province during the last thirty-live years have seen many of the diitlcullies of land setlcmont overcome. The once so-called worthless gum lands of North Auckland, also the I scrub covered hills of Hangiriri, now) blossom witli orchard and vineyard, 1 i and even the pumice lands of Taupe ; are settling down to the production

■of butterfat. Yet these changes were not made without many failures and much croaking from the pessimists. Sufficient work has already been done on isolated areas or on the fringes of the big swamps themselves, to prove that their conversion to farm lands is possible. At their natural outlets an ample fall is apparent to even the inexperienced eye. Their nature Is open and porous as they readily yield their water to drainage. A main drain with side drains every 20 chains is all that in many cases is necessary. Time is evidently an essential to their change. The process of the decomposition and consolidation of the- peat is a matter of years, not of months, and it is not until the level of the water Is lowered that the sweetening of the' soil is possible. Whether progress could be hastened by heavy dressings of lime, men of personal experience of these swamps might be able to say, but one would think that such dressings would be of great value. On this and other points, opinions might very greatly differ as to the best methods to adopt, but as a result of much tramping over areas that are in course of treatment I would say that it .is necessary to success that the sweetening soil be kept to the surface, neither being burnt off nor ploughed in. To burn the surface soil and replace it by a sodden mass of white ash is only to hinder and not hasten progress; to plough it seems but to turn up a light and puffy furrow absolutely inhospitable to vegetation of. any kind. Better a severe harrowing with the accompanying consolidating effect by the tramping of the team or the rolling of the tractor wheels. The first pasturing stage will be reached when consolidation has so far advanced as to permit of the carrying of cattle. They can then feed on the growth of soft green rushes. This will again hasten by their tramping the work of consolidation and a first sowing of tho more primitive grasses and trefoils can be made. Then there is the question as to the best use of fertilisers. Anyone wishing to study the whole question for himself has but to take a ten minutes’ walk from the Frankton railway station. He can then he in touch with the northern extremity of the 10,000 acres of the great Rukuhia swamp. Standing at the end of Higgins Road, Mr Smith’s farm on his left is typical peat swamp land. The same Is true of Mr Mclndoe’s on his right, while directly In front is the 1000 of acres of Rukuhla on which it has been proposed to establish a ten-acre farm settlement. The portion of this 1000 acres with which the visitor finds himself in touch is covered by a growth of high tea-tree with the surface peat badly burnt into deep sumps In places. To the left behind Mr Smith’s farm the swamp level rises considerably and having benefited by the neighbouring drains, is already consolidated and if cleared of tea-tree and harrowed would carry grass at any time. Pushing on through the tea-tree, picking his way round ash pits across burnt patchos, 30 to 40 chains of-walking brings the visitor out into the full expanse of open swamp covered now by dwarf teatree, umbrella fern rushes or in some places by moss only. Under foot the swamp is yielding to the weight, but walking is comparatively easy and no water is seen. Another three-quart-ers of a mile and solid ground rising to a low Island hill In mid swamp is reached. From here the whole great area with Its bordering farms can be seen to advantage and the position realised. Doubtless there are many variations In the nature of these -swamps, both In the type of the peat itself and in its condition and depth. The timber swamp is, of course, quite distinct from the peat swamp and necessitates different treatment. To say that their breaking in is impractical is but to hamper progress. The Waikato will before long realise that it cannot afford to have them lying idle. Their development is a work that in spite of all adverse criticism will slowly but surely be carried on to a success.—l am, etc., J.E.W.