A study of principles and methods of pasture improvement on New Zealand hill land, with particular reference to the effects of climate, biotic and anthropogenic influences upon the sward : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science at the University of New Zealand, Massey Agricultural College
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Date
1951
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Massey University
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Abstract
This dissertation deals with principles rather than with practices. When trying to enfold a vast subject within limited bounds no detailed analysis of practices can be made, for these vary from farm to farm, almost from paddock to paddook, as the aspect, climate, soil type and terrain change. However, practices are based on principles which have much wider application and a cognizance of which is fundamental to the institution of' any practice. The essential principles are those of raising fertility where necessary, of introducing species of grass and legume which can either utilise or enhance the increased fertility and themselves provide nutritious and palatable stock feed, and, finally, so to manage stock on these improved pastures that the improvement is consolidated and not dissipated. Practice, however, is not ignored, but is used rather to demonstrate some of the means by which the ideals underlying the principles may be achieved. Just as no attempt has been made to catalogue all possible practices so certain principles not strictly within the realm of plant husbandry have been omitted. The most important of these is the necessity for any farming operation to be carried out within a suitable economic context. Where the economic context is unfavourable, practices detrimental to the proper, conservative utilisation of land inevitably come into being, and the deterioration of hill swards thus brought about frequently culminates in erosion. When the economic state of the hill farming industry is favourable, however. deterioration and erosion are frequently the outcome of a failure to appreciate or put into practice the principles which are set out hereinafter. [From Introduction]
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Pastures, New Zealand - Hill farming