34 WHEAT PRODUCTION IN NEW 4EALAND 
of productive soil. In North Otago there is rich black 
soil the fertility of which almost surpasses that of the 
great wheat belts in Russia 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 
Number | Potash eeheaprors Nitrogen 
DISTRICT of Samples) Rating 
analysed | Number No. of No. of 
of Samples} Samples | Samples 
Otago ... - 95 1 3 8 | Deficient 
x 18 21 14 |Normal 
” ‘ 76 71 78 Good 
ercentage 
Deficient } 41 1 3 3 
Canterbury ... 3 3 | Deficient 
4 8 5 Normal 
37 30 33 Good 
Percentage 
Deficient Nil 7 7 
“New Zealand Official Year Book (1914), p. 576. 
