RECLAIMING THE WILDERNESS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1994, 27 February 1914, Page 10

RECLAIMING THE WILDERNESS

PROFITABLE USE 0.1? SAND AEEAS.

There are in various parts of tho Dominion large areas of pure: sand whicfrat present are lying idle, for the most ;p'art covered with manuka, gorse, lupins,-etc., and sorve only as a harbour for rabbits. Tho Department of Agriculture is giving its attention. to tlio possibilities of turning these at present, useless areas to' profitable use, j.. and the success that has already been iichiovetl: points to tho conclusion that ■ in a jfew years' time they will all be brought into profitable cultivation. Jir. . A. Macpherson, who is in charge of the field experiments in tho South Island, is now able to demonstrate (tho "Press" states) ;that puro sand can be'mado to produceexcellent crops of potatoes, ami there-is no reason to suppose, that-this ■is tho only crop that can bo grown, and probably lucerne will be found to thrive equally well. At tho To Qrangsi Home,Bnnvood, an experiment in growing potatoes iu pure sand has been carried'out, and a yield of seven to eight;tons per .acre of. beautiful-table potatoes has been produced.'. The white lupins-woro first grown, and ploughed in, and., tho potatoes planted \xere Beauty of Hebron, Early and Up-to-date. Tho potatoes are clean :'and bright ih tho skin, and of nice-table size, and one advantage in growing; them- in sand is that; they., ripen. earlier. Samples of theso potatpos aro 'boiiigvsent to. the Auckland Exhibition. : . Au' experiment . .in growing lucomcis,being;-carried oiit . at the.; Bottle Lake-Hospital; the,;send . being after clearing off'tho scrub,.; Tho growing -of lupins as-'a.soiling crop' on sand or very light-landvhas also been tried at Catling-River and on the Wai-

makariri. Tho Prime Minister,, as .Minister ofv Agriculture, is giving every -en(couragement and assistanco to-'tbo officers of sthe Department -of /Agriculture to oarry out theso dti(l;,'sin)jlar;;;ox|icrir merits, which will bo'-o^ 1 ; groat 'benefit, to all .'parts of'the Dominion'.'''

Potato crops in the" North Taiori hare proved.- very disappointing. The potatoes a re, of small size, and very many are afflicted with blight.-

Messrs. A. J. and. 0.. Percy mid E. Harper,; of Mastorton,""left.yesterday morning by the Mnin Trunk .express to Inspect • a large block of land in the north 'oh behalf of Messrs. 0. C. Boss and C 6:: (states tbo "Wa'irarapa Age"); Should''their, report prove, favourable, Mastorton investors wilMiavo the opportunity'of joining the.'--syridicate'. which will bd .'formed. .•!•"'.

"The'.thoughts of men on all possible subjects differ as widely as' their features" (Professor .Shennan). . A notable oxwptioc to this rulo-is furnished by the agreement among'..Cheesfi. Factory Mabagors who use "Victor Vats.". They agree that "Victor"Vats";are the greatest help towards;'better'cheßse:production and bigger pro'fi'tsw-The'.strong! construction of "Victor" Vats" ;•; makes''.them'. the least expensive arid most reliable. "Victor .Vats" can ba'.ifitted/lin three, days. Send your .order NOW.--A; J. Farlon, Plumber, .Carterton'.—Advt,