PAKIHI LAND

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21413, 4 March 1935, Page 12

PAKIHI LAND

EXPERIMENTAL AREA INSPECTED PROGRESS OF WORK (special to thb fbfes.* WESTPORT, March 2. A demonstration was given at the Sergeant's Hill pakihi experimental areas last week by Mr T. Rigg, Director of the Cawthron Institute. There was a good attendance and much interest was displayed in the 25-acre block which has been sown with grasses and clovers in accordance with the recommendation of Cawthron Institute for pasture establishment on the pakihis. The block inspected is typical of much pakihi land in the Fairdown section, and comprised gently sloping pakihi covered with the typical rush and urnbrella fern.

The first block of 12 acres was sown nearly three years ago, the remaining 13 acres being sown a year later. The pakihi vegetation was burnt after 25cwt of limestone an acre had been distributed. The surface was then treated with scwt of superphosphate an acre, lightly harrowed, and then sown with 351b of a grass and clover mixture an acre. The cost of the establishment of the pasture was £6 an acre, excluding fencing. An excellent type of grasses and clovers was obtained in all sowings on the 25-acre block. Grazing was commenced during the first summer after establishment, care being taken not to stock too heavily in the early stages. During the second season, great improvement in the density of the sward and in the consolidation of the ground was obtained —enabling stock to be grazed throughout the iollowing winter. Two heifers wintered on these pastures obtained first and second prizes for two-year-old registered Jersey heifers at the recent Agricultural and Pastoral show in Westport. A grazing record has been kept for 12 months ending December 31, 1934. This record shows that the 24 acres of established pasture grazed continuously an average of 14 heifers. A total of 212 heifer grazing days an acre was obtained. In addition to the above grazing the 24-acre block provided 3.8 acres of ensilage and 2.6 acres of hay. It is estimated that not less than 13 tons of prepared ensilage anc three tons of hay will be available for winter feed. The plots show that in the early period after establishment, one ton of ground limestone an acre is as effective as two tons or larger quantities. After the third season, plots which have been established with the larger dressing begin to show distinct superiority in comparison with the lots treated originally with one ton of ground limestone an acre. J

An official stated that the experimental plots continue to demonstrate the great importance of phosphatic manures in the initial esta'.lishment of the pastures. The use of scwt of superphosphate or basic slag has been shown in numerous experiments to be highly desirable for successful establishment. The top-dressing of the established pastures with superphosphate, is most important, particularly during the first three years after establishment, it was stated. The use of 2cwt superphosphate per acre has given wonderful results, and its omission on established pastures is at once reflected in lowered pasture production. Further plantings of both trees and shrubs, suitable for shelter purposes on pakihi land have been made during the last two years. Several species of eucalyptus, coniferous and hedge plants, are being tested. It is too .early to make any statement, said the official, concerning the relative value of the trees. and shrubs for shelter purposes, but two species of eucalyptus are making excellent growth. Pussy willow, pampas grass and phormium tcnax are also doing well and should prove useful for low shelter purposes. The plots of phormium tenax illustrate in a striking manner the great importance of phosphatic manures for the successful growth of this plant on the pakihis. Where phosphate has been omitted in the treatment of ihc

plots, tli'j plants have remained dwarfed and stunted. After the demonstration, Mr E. McPadcicn, representing the Farmers' Union, Mr E. R. Fox, representing the Westport Borough Council, and Mr R. H. Bctfs. representing the Bullcr Progress League, expressed their appreciation of the work which* was being done at Sergeant's Hill and commented enthusiastically on the excellent pastures which they had seen.