PUMICE LAND.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20230, 26 June 1937, Page 26 (Supplement)

PUMICE LAND.

FARM SCHOOL LECTURE. FIRM SEED BED ESSENTIAL. A particularly interesting address on the utilisation of the pumice land of the central plateau, the gum lands of North Auckland and the peat swamps was given by Mr P. W. Smallfield at the Ruakura Farm School this week. , The portion of the Central Plateau which was mainly dealt with by Mr Smallfield was that part round the Hora Hora Native Block and the Ngakuru Development area. This land is typical light pumice country which varies in elevation from 1000 to 1400 feet. The vegetation covering the countryside before development was commenced was tussock on the lower colder flats and tussock, fern, manuka and manawa on the warmer slopes. The methods employed in securing a pasture on such land is to cut and burn the scrub and plough the land. On this type of country a firm seed bed is absolutely essential and so after ploughing the land is rolled on the furrow with a heavy Cambridge roller and a fine seed bed worked up. This ' rolling on the furrow must be carried | out withing two months of ploughing. The establishment of a good permanent ryegrass-white clover pasture can be obtained either by sowing straight down with a permanent pasture mixture or by first sowing with a mixture of Italian ryegrass and red clover; or again by sowing swedes with clovers. It is extremely important on this country, as on all classes of land, to secure a good growth of clovers without which ryegrass will not grow. Of j the three methods mentioned above,

sowing directly into permanent pasture is probably as good as any and saves the labour and expense of two sowings. Once in the pasture this land will hold a good sward with reasonable management and is capable of producing from 120 to 150 lb. of butterfat per acre. Use of Limonite. The use of limonite licks is advisable on this land, especially when breeding ewes are carried. One of the essential factors in successful farming on any type of country, said Mr Smallfield, is adequate water supply over the whole farm. The pumice land could be well watered at a reasonable cost and altogether offers the greatest possibilities for development of any scrub land. Another point which must not be overlooked is the application of phosphate in which the soil is very deficient. About 6cwt. per acre may be necessary to secure proper clover establishment. Gum Lands. The areas known as the gum lands occur in North Auckland on land which est. As the land was covered with tussock and scrub when it was first farmed it was left until all the firstclass land had been developed; when it was found that the land contained valuable kauri gum it was soon dug over and the gum removed. The persons who dug for kauri gum were seldom interested in the possibilities of the land for farming purposes and often a piece of land was dug over sometimes two or three times. Large holes were made and never filled in and consequently when the supply of gum was exhausted the land was left in a very rough state. The uroWl“>"

of securing a good pasture on thi3 type of country was much more difficult than on pumice land, said Mr Smallfield. The soil is a mature podsol, consisting of a badly leached topsoil of grey salt overlying an iron pan, on clay. Owing to the exceptionally poor fertility of the land and to the fact that much of the lower clay has been brought to the surface through digging, the building up of a layer of soil of good fertility is essential. Therefore a good establishment of clovers must be obtained. To obtain this adequate drainage is the first essential after the scrub has been cleared and burnt. Deep Drains Necessary. Deep drains are dug and the bottoms filled with manuka scrub and covered in. These drains are efficient for 10 to 15 years. The cultivation differs markedly from that required on pumice land. The soil being heavy compacts readily and the object of cultivation is to turn the land up to the weather for as long as possible before sowing down. The first ploughing takes place in late autumn or winter followed by

light harorwings during spring, then ploughed again in late spring and summer farrowed and sown down with a permanent pasture mixture in autumn.

As on pumice land the need of a plentiful water supply and adequate shelter is of prime importance. The problem of supplying water is a difficult one. On many farms darns are built in the gullies, but this does not give a very good supply, and is always liable to harbour parasites which readily infect young stock. Well water is preferable, but is difficult to obtain in much of the gumland. Peat Bogs. Peat bogs occur over large areas of the Auckland district, especially in South Auckland, near Hamilton. Their development and subsequent management offers considerable difficulties and they are probably the most difficult of the three types of scrub to convert into good farming land. The preliminary work consists of cutting and burning the scrub, after which consolidation of rhe light, porous peat must be effected before a good pasture can be obtained. In the rough state peat bogs are very wet and good drainage is a factor of utmost importance. In this respect, however, care must be taken not to overdrawn the land as once it dries out peat does not readily reabsorb water and thus a good pasture cannot be established. Once drained the biggest difficulty experienced is to get clovers established. A good establishment of clovers is essential to good ryegrass growth and it is Extremely difficult f o get white clover established on unconsolidated peat. However, lotus major has been found to grow well under these conditions and it is one of the main constituents of pasture on peat until consolidation has been sufficient for white clover to grow. Yorkshire fog is also a useful constituent of these pastures.