H—29

Statistics of fertilizer and lime usage are not available for the early years of the period under review, but the figures shown in Table Y illustrate the development in usage since 1926.

Table V—Fertilizer and Agricultural Lime Production, 1926-27 to 1948-49

The figures of fertilizer usage cover all types, but the great bulk is in the form of superphosphate and less-soluble phosphates. Shortages of raw materials are reflected in low usage in the war years, a factor which has probably had more effect on dairy production than is often appreciated. The endeavours of farmers to compensate for this lack of fertilizer by increased lime usage is clearly reflected in the figures of limeproduction. In 1929 the Department inaugurated a seed certification scheme for the purpose of ensuring adequate supplies of high-grade " pedigree " grass and clover seeds to farmers. The value of this service has been generally appreciated, and the use of certified seeds is now general in the resowing of pastures and in the establishment of new grass. Certification is also the basis of successful overseas trade in these commodities. The rapid development of this service is illustrated by the following table of production of perennial rye-grass seed and the amounts certified :

Table VI—Total Production of Perennial Rye-grass Seed and Quantities Under Certification

Labour on Farms Technical advances associated with the development of intensive pasture-manage-ment have enabled carrying-capacity, particularly of dairying and fat-lamb farms, to be substantially increased. How has this extra live-stock affected the farm labour force necessary to handle it ? Statistics of the number of people engaged in farming are far from being complete for the period under review. Such figures as are available indicate a declining number of farm workers since 1935-36. Part of this is due to the number on farms in the depression period being unduly inflated by lack of opportunity elsewhere, and' part is due to increased mechanization, but these two factors do not entirely explain the large fall in numbers. It is extremely doubtful whether substantial increases in production

4

Year. Fertilizer Usage (Tons). Lime Production (Tons).* Year. Fertilizer Usage (Tons). Lime Production (Tons).* 1926-27 291,991 1938-39 614,388 391,069 1927-28 391,746 182j 949 1939-40 672,611 593,995 1928-29 465,184 221,756 1940-41 698,647 728,474 1929-30 525,905 204,811 1941-42 502,431 613,168 1930-31 402,640 171,159 1942-43 362,331 752,603 1931-32 359,812 201,735 1943-44 285,415 903,808 1932-33 403,332 191,888 1944-45 429,681 812,635 1933-34 376,175 261,940 1945-46 514,084 929,794 1934-35 373,428 288,559 1946-47 633,471 1,020,810 1935-36 426,400 317,055 1947-48 689,267f 1,092,139 1936-37 502,880 410,770 1948-49 686,43lf 1937-38 611,316 481,712 * Calendar years : Mines Department data. f Estimated.

Total Production Certified Seed (Tons). (Tons). 1935 7,641 1,621 1940 5,982 2,255 1945 6,156 3,657 1947 13,693 9,373