SOIL PROBLEMS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 January 1939, Page 8

SOIL PROBLEMS

SERIOUS STATE OF AFFAIRS IN AUSTRALIA EFFECTS OF OVERSTOCKING AND EROSION. NEED OF THOROUGH SURVEY. The trend towards greater production in Australia's primary industries due to' the use of more intensive methods is being counteracted by reduced soil productivity, says the Bank of New South Wales in its latest circular. entitled "The Depreciation of Soil Productivity.” The circular states that there is need for a changed attitude towards land, not only by men on the land, but also by the Governments concerned.' "A changed mental outlook must be developed which, although following the methods of business farming, will not neglect so seriously the elementary principles of land husbandry.” The two greatest dangers, to which the circular draws attention are wind and water erosion, and the progressive deterioration of pastures, both of which could be prevented by the exercise of foresight in methods of cultivation.

So far no considerable survey of the extent of soil deterioration has been made. The problems are not the same as those in the United States of America, where such surveys have been attempted so that no direct inferences about Australian conditions can be drawn from American experience. Australia’s problems must be considered against their own individual climatic and sociological background. New Zealand’s problems would be different again, though the Dominion could learn much from the methods of research which different countries are applying. BEST LAND AFFECTED. Water erosion is less widespread in Australia than wind erosion, but it is more important because it is occurring on some of the most intensively developed and highly productive land in the Commonwealth. There has been much unwise clearing of timber from positions where it is essential to prevent erosion. Simple experiments could easily determine whether trees should be left standing. Two general remedies for soil erosion which the circular mentions are the ploughing of contour banks to hamper run-off, and more attention to crop rotation to avoid periods of bare fallow. Recurrent droughts, which must be expected in Australia about once in ten years, are a major cause of pasture deterioration. Although transport facilities are better nowadays than in earlier periods, the man of moderate means in drought-stricken areas can often do little, without Government assistance, to prevent his stock from eating out his pastures. Consequently his stock eats out pastures so closely that they never completely recover. The owners of larger properties often scattered through the State are able to deal with this problem more successfully by moving sheep, but smaller property owners could also adopt a similar practice by a greater degree of co-operation. Overstocking has been the subject of repeated complaints by representative bodies, and is the greatest single cause of pasture failure.

The circular concludes with a plea, well applicable to New Zealand also, for a thorough survey of soil conditions, and for properly equipped stations, manned by competent research officers, to make the necessary investigation. Present efforts, says the Bank, are on far too small a scale.