No abstract

The observations, over some years, relate to two steep hill country stations where cultivation could not be undertaken and no topdressing had been done. By reducing sheep and increasing cattle, beneficial changes in pasture composition were achieved. In one case cattle were rotationally grazed; in the other they were set stocked. One property is on the East Coast toward Cape Runaway and is bounded by the sea on one side; the hills rise to about 1,000 ft. The other station is inland toward Raetihi and lies between 1,500 and 2,500 ft; the hills are very steep and valleys very narrow. Climatic conditions at the two places are quite different. Mild and fairly equable conditions prevail on the coastal station and there is only a short period of winter dormancy. Cold winters and a longer period of winter dormancy are characteristic of the inland station. Both places have a fairly well distributed rainfall of over 60 in.; short summer droughts occur.

Uitrogen is an essential plant food and it is particularly important that further knowledge of the correct method and time of making it available to pasture. Plants should be obtained in these days when a steady high production per acre at low cost is desired

No abstract

In connection with the general Land Utilisation survey a pasture survey or stocktaking of our grasslands is an important aspect of the whole scheme