DROUGHTS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 October 1932, Page 2

DROUGHTS

A NEW ZEALAND CAUSE. VALUE OF DEEP-ROOTED CROPSIh his lecture oh Monday, .before the Oawthron Institute, on “A Conspectus of Recent Agricultural Research,” with somo reflections thereon, his Excellency Lord BledisW' makes some useful observations on th 6 'subject of droughts and suggestions to 'counteract theii effects :

• Research work in other parts of the world in relation to the prevention of droughts or the avoidance of their consf/juences whether meteorological, physical tor botanical—is worthy,: of close attention by 'farmers ’as well as public administrators in this Dominion. (There Is little doubt that itt some regions in cluyß gone 'by the removal of large areas of native bush or of growing timber has, by reducing precipitation and water storage or facilitating evaporation and, too rapid “run-off, nroved to be on balance' an uneconomic policy. In some districts the effects of drought have been partially countered by the making of ensilage and the growing of lucerne (the., world’s most Valuable fodder plant), maize, and other deep-rooted crops, but there is scope for considerable extension of such crops in drought-affected areas. It was estimated that in the season 1930-31 aggregate stock -losses to the extent ol over £2,000,000 could have been avoided- in the Provinces of Hawkes Bay, Marlborough and Canterbury by the cultivation of these crops. It is noteworthy that according to official figures th e only arable crop in England and Wales which has shown an increase of area during the past season liras been lucerne, this being largely due to the new process of seed inoculation initiated at ißothamsted, and greater knowledge among farmers regarding its cultivation and lim e requirement.

The epoch-making but little known •work of Mormon scientists in the State of Utah, D.S.A., in conserving soil moisture by the systematic cultivation of alternating crops of wheat and lucerne in arid areas with an. annual rainfall not exceeding six inches and de-alkaliniising salt-poisoned land, rendering it available for market garden crops and fruit, has received all too small public recognition, but it has nevertheless, taken in conjunction with wheat research in Canada, contributed materially to the growing consciousness that the ..world can continue to increase its population at th e present rate for at least another century without any risk of food shortage. The only limiting factor is a possible world deficiency of phosphates.