Kōrero: Farming in the economy

These farm workers are spreading grass seed on steep hill country. The bush cover has been burnt, but large trees have been left standing and the ground is covered in a tangle of charred roots and trees. This hard hill country was difficult to develop and, once initial fertility declined, weeds and bush regrowth became a problem. This sort of country was better suited for running cattle and adult sheep than for fattening lambs for the frozen meat trade.