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Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1930, Page 4

The visit of Professor Easterfield to , tne district should revive an interest in the matter of a soil survey for Westland. This subject was more prominently befcye the people when Mr DalgJei.h was here rti charge of his important branch of agriculture. Since then, the matter lias dropped back in the public <j?,tecrn, but it is probably nn>re important than ever seeing that the settlers, have now derived a practical knowledge of the results of topdressing. What is being done in that respect, however, is largely of a haphazard character. That is, the settler learns from his neighbour or through a newspaper article what is being done, and local experiments are attempted. But they, are tried without any scientific knowledge of the soil of the land operated on. It appears to be taken for granted that wlmt suits one locality will: serve another, even though they are well separated. Tt is in this respect that the question of a soil survey; comes in for practical consideration. On that account the Agricultural Department might bo approached to cive some attention to. the matter. The Department is ready to assist in various other branches of farm production, and it appears to ns that the qualities of the soil strike at the root of successful farming and the Department should help with information regarding the needs of the soil for improved and better production. Science plays a very large part nowadays in the matter of production, and as much of the world’s wealth comes from the land, it is most necessary that the best should he derived from tlie'land. Naturally with a climate such as ours, lime is an urgent need for the land and is most helpful in production, hut it is not the only need in many eases, and the scientist could give the essential advice. Professor Easterfield has pointed out that lime as it penetrates the srround, assists greatly in the material drainage by opening up the composition of the soil, and this is no doubt a feature of the value of lime in improved production. More general knowledge therefore respecting local soils and their treatment would he of great value to the communities, and the various farmers’ organisations in the district could with general advantage turn their attention to. this subject with , the object of securing the necessary information from specialising officials ol the Agricultural Department.