52 WHEAT PRODUCTION IN NEW ZEALAND 
(f) Summary and Conclusion—On the whole, the 
New Zealand climate is very beneficial to the growth 
of a vigorous and healthy population. No greater 
tribute can be paid to the climate of the Dominion than 
the fact that the Maori race, which the Europeans found 
here on their arrival, was characterised by a vigour 
and determination rare among uncivilised races. Un- 
doubtedly, natural environment contributed considerably 
to its fine physique, intelligence, and character. 
Further, the fertility of the soil gives remarkable 
testimony to the genial climate of New Zealand: for in 
agricultural yields the Dominion can compare with any 
other country in the world. 
Lastly, the vital statistics show the lowest death rate 
in the world, and this is undoubtedly due largely to the 
salubrity of its climate. 
5. Cultural Methods. 
The necessity of paying close attention to the culti- 
vation of the soil is a matter the importance of which 
has been emphasised already in the previous chapter. 
Two main objects should be kept in view when any 
method of cultivation is adopted :— 
(1) Conservation of moisture in the soil; and 
(2) Conservation of fertility. 
Methods which ignore the importance of either of 
these are not likely to afford the best results, but 
will ultimately prove disastrous, both to the farmer 
and to the community. 
For the first of these objects attention must be directed 
to the necessity of fallowing the land, while for soil 
fertility a consideration of crop rotation and artificial 
fertilisation of the soil is necessary. The latter has 
already received due attention under another heading. 
It remains to consider the importance of fallowing. 
The greatest advantage of bare fallowing is that it 
permits the farmer to obtain the maximum benefit from 
the rainfall, for fallowed land will preserve the 
