MAORI MEMORIES
OLD TIME MAORI GARDENS. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) An object of particular interest to the very early visitors was invariably the cultrvation of potatoes, kumara, turnips, and maize from seed provided by Captain Cook. These were grown in perfectly straight lines and squares from small patches up to several acres. All in clean cultivated soil, used only for two or three seasons, with their only garden tool the Ko (wooden spade). Due to the virgin soil, good climate, and carefully selected seed for each season’s planting, the product was of better quality than that originally imported. Among the good supply of seeds left by Cook at various places were wheat, peas, cabbage, carrots, and onions, all of which failed to survive. As there were no animals until Captain Cook's pigs had multiplied when protected by the law of Tapu, their only fences were Toi reeds neatly laced together to serve as a shelter from the Hauarahi (west wind). Six feet high, and held erect by dressed flax ropes between posts, gleaming like rods of gold against the green background of the forest the Mara (garden) had the appearance of a beautiful park. Tuatara and Hongi brought the knowledge of growing wheat and maize which they had previously pulled up expecting to harvest them as root crops. . Planting and harvest were to the j Maori religious ceremonies, the one with all (he ardour of hope, the other of joyful realisation and gratitude to their Atua Kotinga (god of the harvest).
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 December 1939, Page 11
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252MAORI MEMORIES Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 December 1939, Page 11
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