June 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 401 



The Utilisation of Reclaimed Swamp Land* 



H. WENHOLZ, B.Sc. fAgr.), Inspector of Agriculture. 



Many areas of swamp land on the North Coast have now been drained and 

 reclaimed for dairying and agriculture, and as such lands require somewhat 

 different treatment from other soils in the vicinity for the best results, a 

 discussion of methods will be of interest to many who have this class of land 

 to deal with. 



In general character the soil on this swamp land is of a peaty nature, 

 varying in depth from 6 inches to a foot or more, underlain usually by afiour 

 clay subsoil. The peaty soil is of a light spongy type, dark in colour, and con- 

 taining abundant nitrogen (sometimes 1 or more per cent.), but comparatively 

 poor in lime, phosphoric acid, and potash. The soil gives a very strongly 

 acid reaction, has a very high water-holding capacity, and an excellent 

 capillary power. 



The subsoil, though usually stiff bluish clay, weathers down fairly well 

 when p)loughed up a little at a time, and in this way also renders the peaty 

 surface soil of better mechanical composition, especially after the addition of 

 lime. 



On the fringe of the swamp proper is usually a belt of tea-trees, and above 

 this is rising ground, with soil of sandstone formation of moderate depth, 

 which can in many cases be well utilised for some cultivation provided care 

 is exercised in the system of cropping. 



"^ Vegetation on Swamp Land. 



Before drainage, the swamp land is covered with a growth of rushes and 

 sedges, with coarse grasses, clearly indicating the intense sourness of the 

 land. After the main drain has been constructed through the area, a good 

 deal of this growth disappears, and couch and paspalura readily extend 

 over the land if encouraged, and luake good growth. For many years 

 after draining, however, there is practically no sign of clover under natural 

 conditions, and it is very doubtful whether it would make any stand if 

 attempted at that early stage. This is chiefly due to the still too sour state 

 of the land, which some individual attempt must be made on the farm 

 to remove or alleviate. i 



Without improvement, the pastures on this swamp land, though abundant, 

 are by no means satisfactory for milk production. It is known that for dry 

 cows or for beef cattle this pasture is better, at least serving to keep such 

 stock in fair condition. Dairy cows in milk, however, will be unproductive 

 on such land unless fed some concentrates, such as bran, linseed meal, or oil 

 cake, and probably also bone meal to supply lime and phosphates, which are 

 particularly lacking in the soil, as evidenced by the bone-chewing habits of 

 the cattle. 



