Farming foothill country

Abstract

The farming of foothill country is carried out over the entire length of the South Island. The area consists of those lower hills and undulating clay downs most of which are ploughable. It is situated between the plains or lowlands of the eastern coastline- and the high, steep, unploughable tussock, scrub, and mountainous country which extends westward to the Main Divide. It is commonly known as the browntop belt on account of this dominant species, which forms the main soil coverage. The area of the browntop belt in Canterbury alone comprises some ¾ million acres. The altitude varies from a few hundred feet to some 1,600 to 2600 ft. The rainfall is variable. In the higher altitudes it is as high as 30 ins. to 50 ins. Winters in these higher altitudes are severe and long with late spring growth. Also occasional falls of snow are experienced most winters. Under the conditions of high rainfall cultivation is difficult and because of its clay nature the soil remains saturated for long periods. In some parts wind blowing of the more silty soils restricts cultivation activities. These soils are low in humus and deficient in phosphate and lime. As such they grow poor pastures of acid-tolerating species of browntop, sweet vernal, and Yorkshire fog, but browntop predominates. Such pastures are suited only to store sheep production and give a relatively low carrying capacity.