THE REGRASSING EXPERIMENTS IN CENTRAL OTAGO.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXVI, Issue 2, 20 February 1923, Page 97

THE REGRASSING EXPERIMENTS IN CENTRAL OTAGO.

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candid opinion concerning the results’ of the experiments. This they kindly consented to do, and their views, as embodied in the report, may be noted. I wish to take this opportunity of thanking the members of the committee for their advice and encouragement at all . times, and especially the local members; Messrs. Smith and Middleton, to whom I can never be sufficiently grateful for their welcome assistance and many kindnesses. [Previously I had given in three articles in the N.Z. Journal of -Agriculture (June, July, and September, 1922) a full account of the regrassing experiments, dealing with the problem to be solved, the methods used for its solution, and the results of the experiments up to May, 1922. Those interested will find in these articles many details which could not be supplied by the committee.] The accompanying photo, apart from its more special purpose, gives a good idea of the type of country on which the experiments are being carried out. . THE COMMITTEE’S -REPORT. As a result of a report by Dr. L. Cockayne, F.R.S., on the mountain grasslands of New Zealand, the Department. of Agriculture recognized the importance of investigating the possibility of arresting, the depletion which is taking , place over a large area in Central Otago, and accordingly he was authorized to carry out the experiments under review in this report. The importance of the investigation can be realized when it is pointed out that in Central Otago almost total depletion has taken place over extensive areas of country ranging up to 2,500 ft. altitude, while from that level up to 3,500 ft. depletion is rapidly proceeding under present conditions. The total area affected can be broadly estimated at three-quarters of a million acres.

The complete history of the experiments has been recorded by Dr. Cockayne in a series of articles which appeared in the June, July, and September, 1922, issues of the New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, so that the report of this committee need deal only with' the general., results found to, exist when its members made an inspection on 2nd November, 1922—two years and eight months after the plots were fenced, and two years and five months after the first sowing was made. The fact of the inspection taking place so soon after the enclosing and sowings requires noting, as also the fact that the years 1920-21 were both unfavourable seasons, being dry and windy and having long periods of frost in winter. As for the climate of the six months previous to our visit, there were continuous frosts throughout the winter, while the one rain falling on the frozen surface merely led to erosion, and no water reached the subsoil. The three months of, last spring, too, were absolutely rainless. The plots, then, were visited under extremely unfavourable conditions. . ■

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rye-grass, and couch-grass; (2) that survival or regeneration of native grasses and other plants has taken place slowly on exposed ground originally swept bare of roots, &c., but rapidly on more sheltered ground ; this regeneration is taking place at all altitudes, but it is most marked in the highest plots ; (3) that outside the netted plots the most complete depletion exists, so as almost to suggest absolute sterility of the ground. In comparing this state of affairs with the recovery of plant-life inside each plot the folio wing, conclusions only are possible ; moreover, they are backed by years of experience, so that, we .are convinced (a) that under present conditions depletion is proceeding rapidly in all the dry area of Central Otago ; (&) that no improvement is possible without subdivision, exclusion of rabbits, and a regular system of spelling the country ;’ (c) that immense improvement can be effected in a comparatively short time by surface-sowing if rabbits and sheep are excluded and< the country spelled systematically; (d) that by spelling without surface-sowing great improvement will take place, but progress will be slower. As a . result of these experiments we consider that it has been demonstrated beyond:- doubt that the pastoral land of Otago and New Zealand generally can be economically developed to the advantage of the State and the’ individual by improved methods of husbandry. The necessary reform would mean capital, expenditure by the landholder for fencing to exclude rabbits, together .with further fencing to subdivide his holding in order to facilitate summer spelling, &c. It means also understocking for a number of years in order to eventually greatly increase the carrying-capacity of his land and the quality of his stock. As an inducement to do this the holder must have an incentive in the shape of absolute ownership of all the improvements he effects, both visible and invisible, together with absolute security of tenure. Although" the experiments have already taught a good deal, there is still much to be learned, and we emphatically urge that the work be continued and vigorously prosecuted. Only the possibilities of comparatively few plants have been tested so far. . We understand that Dr. Cockayne proposes to bring into this country seeds of many other pasture-plants from various parts of the world likely to be of value for the work, especially those growing in lands where the conditions are similar to those of Central Otago (g.g., parts of Patagonia), and we are strongly in accord that every encouragement and assistance should be given to his efforts in this regard. In conclusion, we wish to put on record our appreciation of the extremely valuable work that has been carried-out by Dr. Cockayne and his assistant, Mr. W. D. Reid, of the Department of Agriculture. Their energy and enthusiasm in this matter have been beyond praise. D. S. MIDDLETON. R. K. SMITH. J. L. BRUCE.

Fiji Lemon-weevil.— Steps are being taken to have this insect (which was described in last month’s Journal') declared under the Orchard and Garden Diseases Act, and to add it to the Fifteenth Schedule of the Act.