WORKING FESCUE LAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 608, 9 March 1929, Page 27

WORKING FESCUE LAND

(From Our Own Correspondent) ■ NGATEA, Friday

Over 400 acres of the dense tall fescue-affected land at Orongo, Hauraki Plains, hits been taken up by Mr. R. H. Findlayson, a North Auckland farmer, and an interesting method of working it is being tried. The land, which borders the Hauraki Gulf and is at the end of the Opanae Road, where the metal is overgrown with fescue and presumably part of that which the South Auckland Land Board has had available for settlement for some time at £4 an acre. Mr. Findlayson burned the fescue last month when strong winds prevailed. The dense mat of dead grass was thus removed and the clumps of fescue left. An ordinary road grader drawn by a tractor was used to turn i over a furrow about 2ft wide and just deep enough to ensure getting the clumps without turning up the clay. By employing an assistant for a second shift, Mr. Findlayson was able to treat about 20 acres a day, speed being essential owing to the lateness in the season and the fact that clumps of fescue apparently burned, put out a strong growth which grows at the rate of an inch a day. When the fescue thus plowed becomes sufficiently dry it is burned. It is acknowledge that it is a pity to have to burn it as the few inches of humus above the sea clay is not improved by the process, hut burning is the cheapest and quickest way of disposing of the grass. It is this burning which is causing much of the smoke which now enshrowds the Hauraki Plains. The burning is proving thorough and in a few days when it is completed the land will be harrowed smooth. After the first shower of rain innumerable fescue seeds will germinate and it is proposed to repeat the process again and then let the land fallow during the winter. Its condition will determine the programme for next summer, but it is hoped to be able to get a catch crop before repeating the grading and burning process to deal with what fescue there may he. If Mr. Findlayson is successful he ! will he doing a great service to Hauraki Plains and the lands along tile Gulf, for pest is spreading at an alarming rate from the thousands of acres at Orongo where it is in sole charge and is rapidly assuming control of farm land all along the sea front and river banks.