The foothill areas of Canterbury consist of a large portion of the province, extending from the Conway River in the north to the
Waitaki River in the south, a distance of some 230 miles. This
same area varies in width from a few miles behind Methven, and
Mayfield to some 80 miles in a part of North Canterbury, with
much variation between these limits. Except in parts of North
Canterbury, the climate generally is more severe and the rainfall
higher than on the Plains. There is, of course, much variation.
The soil, in general, is second class, but much variation exists, so
that good rich pockets and small flats are not uncommon. Large
areas of tussock and also of third-class land-poor, clay, scrub
country-are prominent in certain districts. A rough estimate of the
area of ‘the foothill, farms in Canterbury is 2,000,000 acres.
A typical farm or small sheep-run in this area consists of some
medium flat land, a fair proportion of rolling downs with steep
gullies, and possibly, an unploughable tussock or scrub area. The
total ploughable area varies considerably between properties,
but on an average might be one-half to three-quarters of the area of
the farm, the total area of which might be 1,200 acres. The
average carrying capacity would be one to one and a half sheep
per acre, and a few cattle would be carried. The sheep, in the
main; are half-breds, but in many of the wetter and colder districts
and on the sour, clay soils Romney sheep are preferred. Corriedales
constitute a fair proportion of the sheep of North Canterbury.
Ewe hoggets are kept each year for flock maintenance. Surplus
four and five year old breeding ewes, fat and store lambs, some fat
ewes, store wethers, cull ewe lambs, and cull two-tooth ewes, together
with wool and some cattle, constitute the main source of farm
income. In recent times a few specially favoured properties with
some suitable land have grown small areas of wheat and rye-grass
seed. The production of these crops, however, is a precarious
undertaking on account of the risks of winter flooding and strong
winds and wet weather at harvest.[Show full abstract]
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