FARMS BLOWING AWAY.

Forest and Bird, Issue 36, 1 May 1935, Page 8

FARMS BLOWING AWAY.

Cable messages have told New Zealanders about the ruinous “dust storms” on some large tracts of country in the United States of America and in the wheat belt of Canada —the penalty of man’s folly in fighting against Nature. Similar loss of very valuable top soil has occurred in New Zealand. For example, a few years ago, in a district between Methven and the Rakaia River, Canterbury, a farmer carefully put several acres into fine tilth for a sowing of turnip seed. Drying weather ensued—and then up came a fierce nor’-wester which swept away the whole of that well-prepared surface, and left a saddening array of stones. In another field in that area a powerful wind lifted well-grown turnips from the ground. Years ago that locality was protected by strong stands of native forest, which were milled out of existence.

Parts of Hawke’s Bay and a number of other districts are also suffering erosion from the onslaughts of savage winds, formerly tamed by forests. Thus, unchecked wind and water combine to produce deserts. The article on “Land Management” (pages 4-7 in this issue) is an impressive reminder to New Zealanders that they must act effectively on the principle of self-preservation in persuading their representatives in Parliament to give heed to the Forest and Bird Protection Society’s advice.