34 



WHEAT PRODUCTION IN NEW ZEALAND 



of productive soil. In North Otago there is rich black 

 soil the fertility of which almost surpasses that of the 

 great wheat belts in Bussia and the United States of 

 America. Coming further north a large area in South 

 Canterbury can be distinguished stretching from the 

 Waitaki River to the Rangitata River. The soil in this 

 area is of a heavy clay type for the most part, being 

 very suitable for intensive methods of cultivation. From 

 this area another one can be distinguished stretching 

 from the Rangitata River to the Waimakariri River, the 

 soil of which is somewhat lighter, being of a loamy 

 character. Wheat production here resembles that in 

 Australia to a considerable degree, though on account 

 of the differing climatic conditions, harvesting operations 

 are quite dissimilar. Finally, there is the area north 

 of the Waimakariri River and stretching as far north 

 as the Nelson Province. This area is somewhat similar 

 to that of North Otago, though probably not so rich in 

 nitrogenous matter, which is a very important factor 

 in wheat production. But on account of the looseness 

 of its structure, cultural methods are much easier here, 

 and consequently more attention is devoted to wheat 

 growing. Considering the results of the Government 

 Chemist's analysis, we find the following instructive 

 conclusion.* 



TABLE VIII. 

 AVAILABLE PLANT FOOD IN NEW ZEALAND SOILS 







*New Zealand Official Year Book (1914), p. 576. 



