TOPDRESSING IN WAIKATO.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 308, 3 October 1929, Page 6

TOPDRESSING IN WAIKATO.

FIRST APPLICATION. Discovery by Accident. How the virtues of topdressing were first discovered in Waikato were related to a Morrinsville Star reporter by Mr. H. C. Lock, of Starkey’s road, Kiwitahi.

Mr. Lock said the first topdressing was applied 38 years ago and was really the result of an accident. The discovery was made on the Woodlands estate at Tauwhare. Mr. Scott, who was under-manager, had a genius for keeping the men under him in constant employment, and there was always a job of some sort to be done. During a spell of rainy weather he was at somewhat of a loss, as the teams and ploughmen were unable to work. He hit on an inspiration, however, and told the

men to shovel up a quantity of guano and bonedust that had accumulated in a barn through bags breaking or the contents being spilled. The men were told to spread it over one of the paddocks. “ It will not do any good, but it cannot do any harm,” said Mr. Scott. The fertilisers were applied at the rate of about a ton to the acre, and the growth of grass that came away was marvellous. This particular paddock, on Mr. F. Field’s i farm, has never been ploughed since, \nd is still in excellent heart. . Since that date topdressing has

rapidly gained in popularity in Wai» kato. Last year the quantity carried by rail to Waikato stations reached the enormous total of over 100,00® tons. i <