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PAKIHI SOILS RESEARCH. (EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAKIHI INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED BY THE CAWTHRON INSTITUTE, PERIOD 1935-36.) (By T. Rigg, Officer in Charge.) Introduction. The past year has been marked by a great forward move in the reclamation of pakihi land at Westport. Impressed by the successful pasture establishment of a 25-acre block sown down by the Institute at Sergeant's Hill, the Unemployment Board and the Lands Department agreed to facilitate the reclamation of a block of 210 acres of pakihi land known as the Buller Domain. At the conclusion of pasture establishment on the Buller Domain, reclamation was further extended to an adjoining block (Archer's) of 240 acres, and a commencement was made with ditching and drainage operations with a view to the sowing down of this second area next season. The conduct of reclamation work on such a large scale has involved the appointment of Mr. C. Lemon as full-time overseer in charge of the unemployed men who have been engaged for the work. At the request of the Unemployment Board and the Lands Department, Mr. T. Rigg, of the Cawthron Institute, has acted as advisory officer in general charge of the developmental work, and Mr. A. F. Waters, Commissioner of Crown Lands, has been made responsible for the purchase of supplies and materials. In addition to the conduct of developmental work, the usual attention has been paid to the maintenance of the small-plot tests in connection with pasture establishment, culture of phormium tenax, hedge plants, and shelter-trees. Reclamation of Buller Domain. Proposals for the reclamation of the Buller Domain block were submitted by the Cawthron Institute to the Under-Secretary for Lands and the Commissioner for Unemployment in August, 1935. These proposals were approved, and a commencement was made with the work early in September. The operations were greatly facilitated as a result of a detailed survey of the block made by the Institute prior to the commencement of the reclamation scheme. This survey showed that the Buller Domain is fairly typical of the 25-acre farm already grassed by the Institute, and that equal success could be obtained in connection with the handling of the whole block. In view of the number of unemployed requiring work at Westport, it was decided to utilize unemployed labour to the fullest possible extent. Owing to wet weather, so prevalent in a district of high rainfall, and inexperience of the men, costs have been higher than those submitted by the Institute in connection with its pasture establishment. During the course of the work some 300 chains of open ditches have been dug, and stream courses have been straightened to secure a rapid run-off of surfacewater. In order to facilitate the distribution of fertilizers, a dirt road of 17 chains was made in the centre of the block by removing soil and subsoil to the pan-level. The whole block has been fenced with a five-wire fence, involving in all 130 chains of fencing. The liming of the block was a big undertaking, as it involved the distribution of over 240 tons of ground limestone. This work was done almost entirely by hand operation owing to our desire to give as much employment to the men as possible, and owing to the difficulty in securing suitable limedistributors for work on the somewhat irregular and wet surface of the pakihis. Despite the large quantity of ground limestone required, liming was completed by the end of December, 1935, and a start was made with the top-dressing of superphosphate. Superphosphate was applied at the rate of 5 cwt. per acre, and such good progress was made that this work was completed early in February. After burning of the pakihi rush, and cutting tea-tree where it was not required for shelter purposes, the sowing of a grass and clover mixture was commenced towards the end of February. The sowings were continued during the first three weeks in March, whenever favourable weather was experienced. Owing to dry weather at certain periods in March, germination of the seed was delayed. Early in April good rains fell, and very fair germination was obtained over the greater part of the area. Certain portions of the block are extremely good, but others where the surface was dry have not so far shown to advantage. Considering the large scale of the developmental work, it is thought that the pasture establishment will be very satisfactory. During the coming winter, arrangements will be made for the subdivision of the Domain area and for the planting of shelter trees and shrubs. Grazing will not be commenced until early summer, enabling thereby a satisfactory cover to be obtained before the introduction of stock. Small-faem Trial. The 25-acre block sown down by the Institute in 1932-33 has continued to give very satisfactory results. As indicated in previous reports, annual top-dessing with superphosphate at the rate of 2 cwt. per acre is most important in the maintenance of the pastures. This treatment was therefore carried out in the early spring. In addition, 11 acres sown down in 1932 were limed at the rate of J ton of ground limestone per acre. For hay, a mixture containing 2 cwt. of superphosphate 1 cwt. of muriate of potash, and 1 cwt. of ammonium sulphate per acre was employed, and has given excellent results. The block of 24: acres has been grazed with young stock, many of which have been on the block since weaning. In the 1934 season data show that the 24-acre block carried an average of fourteen head of young stock over the whole year. In. the 1935 season the pastures were not grazed, so hard and more provision was made for hay, which will be required for winter use. An average of ten and a half head of young stock was carried"for the whole year. In addition 11 tons of hay were harvested. The stock have continued in splendid condition, and some of the heifers took prizes at the Agricultural and Pastoral show at Westport, The hay crop was an excellent one, averaging over 2| tons of hay per acre.

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