Rarotonga

More Trees !

Far-sighted Plan in Rarotonga

From Our Own Correspondent

Rarotonga, July 6.

AN Agricultural Field Day recently held in Rarotonga was an out standing success. The Field Day was designed by Mr. M. B. Baker, Direc tor of Agriculture, to promote interest in his Citrus Re-planting Scheme. Mem bers of the Island Council, Packing Shed Committees and leading growers were invited to inspect newly-established cit rus plots, and other developments of current interest.

Mr. Baker particularly stressed, during the day, the urgent necessity for plant ing shade and shelter trees, which have been destroyed at an alarming rate dur ing the past few years. The present infertility of the strip of flat land sur rounding the island is due, not only to the lack of efficient cultivation, but in a great measure to the disappearance of the “mape” (Tahitian chestnut), bread fruit and other deciduous trees that once upon a time abounded.

The citrus plots inspected, all of 60 to 120 trees per grower, were in hearten ing shape, and the Field Day, the first of its kind yet held here, amply repaid in citrus-planting propaganda the small amount expended in transport and food.

An ample luncheon was provided but the party, to the astonishment of the organisers, left its well-earned siesta to spend a hot afternoon tramping round further plantations.

Mr. Baker also proposes to hold an Agricultural Show and other demonstra tions to help stimulate interest in agri cultural matters. These would appear superfluous in an entirely peasant com munity such as Rarotonga, but unfor tunately they are all too necessary.

Increasing population and decreasing soil fertility do not agree, and some means must be found to offset the well-mean ing ignorance of the average grower.