TOE TOE SEED IS USEFUL

Taupo Times, Volume 20, Issue 3, 14 January 1971, Page 1

TOE TOE SEED IS USEFUL

r Toe toe, which is now .blossoming in some eastern sections of Taupo County, is being cut for seed by members of the Lands and Survey Department's nursery staff.

A team of three, under the 4eadership of field overseer, Mr Norman Garman (pictured), has been topping the ""#■ plants at various points along the Taupo-Napier road during v pie past few days. Some of the seed will be taken back to the department's nursery in JSpa Road, while some will be mixed with other seeds and used on the Tongariro power develop- ^ ment project. The toe toe, or cortaderia ** fulvida, seed is mixed with grass, silver tussock, flax seeds and fertiliser. It is then sprayed under high pressure — a recently de- _ veloped technique known as hydroseeding — on to the ^ -banks of channels on the / power project. " « The seed at present being

collected and prepared will be used on the Poutu channel. Mr Garman said it had been necessary to go about 30 miles from Taupo into higher, cooler country to gather the seed, as toe toe in and around Taupo had ripened earlier than had been expected. The nursery staff have also been working on initial stages of beautification of the Waipunga Falls area on the section of highway which is now nearing completion on the Taupo-Napier road. The new road will pass closer to the falls and picnic stops have been allowed for by the contractors. Shrubs and plants will be planted in the area by nursery staff in about two months.