CENTRAL OTAGO

Evening Star, Issue 19784, 7 February 1928, Page 10

CENTRAL OTAGO

NON. GEORGE WITTY FAVORABLY IMPRESSED POOR QUALITY OF RAMS The splendid quality of the crops and the excellent condition of the stock in Central Otago and on the Taien greatly impressed the Hon. George Witty, M.L.C., of Riccarton, Christchurch, who returned to Dunedin yesterday after a motor lour in the inland portion of the province Between noop on Saturday and noon yesterday Air Witty and his party covered 370 miles of road, and enjoyed every minute of the trip. On coming to Ida Valley, which he had not seen for twenty-four years, Air Witty was greatly impressed with the magnificent growth of clover and lucerne, which was the result of irrigation. The settlers there were well prepared for the bad winter which must eventually come. Where irrigation was carried out in its entirety and proper methods used, the growth was phenomenal, but, where the land was not drained and the water was allowed to get under the sub-soil, the result was disastrous. The land then became soured, and rushes and weeds grew in wild profusion, as was seen in some parts. If nothing word done to prevent the overflow to .the lower lands, they would become worse than they were before the days of irrigation. The crops at Ida Valley, in the Manuhcrika Valley, and in Alaniototo were being reaped, and some of them wore in the stock. As a Canterbury man Mr Witty had never thought such splendid crops could be grown there. In respect to the stock, il was also in splendid condition, but Mr Waty was very much surprised at the very poor quality of the rams. Many o' them, he considered, were « credit to no one, and would he far better in the .slaughter house. The Hocks ol Central would deteriorate very rapidly if better rams were not brought in. The reduction in the number ol rabbits bad made a striking difference since Air Witty’s last visit to the district. Even on the hills lood could now be grown through the elimination of this pest. The lambs were in good condition, but there was a danger that they might be overfed. In places where there were no sheep or lambs there were geese and turkeys in scores. The abundance and condition ol the fruit in the Central also greatly im pressed Air Witty. At one farm litvisited at Roxburgh apples were being taken from the trees to thin them out owing to the enormous quantity which the trees held. He was greatly struck with the splendid plant on this larm for regulating the various qualities of fruit, both in regard to weight and size. The success in this district appeared to he duo lo (he continual cultivation of the orchards. He visited the large orchard of Air Bennetts near Roxburgh, and came to the conclusion (hat if Mr Beimctts’s lead were followed by all growers there would be far less inferior fruit on tho market. At Eruitlands Mr Witty saw other farms, and learned that the frost there was very severe in winter time. One tiling which impressed Mr Witty unfavorably was the presence in some places, sometimes among the lucerne, of fat-hen and thistles. All round, however, he was surprised at the progress which had been made m the Central, where Dunedin bad a big asset “at its bark door.” Judicious control. however, was needed of the irrigation waters, and proper reticulation should ho made into ihe lower places, or many settlers would be mined.