Page 20 Advertisements Column 1

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21236, 7 August 1934, Page 20

AUCTIONS. H. MATSON AND CO. MATSON and CO. DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO »THIS INTERESTING ARTICLE ON: CERTIFIED RYEGRASS ' CERTIFIED RYEGRASS SUPPLIED BY MR G. H. HOLFORD, ADVISORY OFFICER OF THE IMPERIAL CHEMICALS, LTD., ENGLAND, ON THE SUBJECT OF: FARMERS' EXPERIENCES WITH TRUE PERENNIAL (CERTIFIED) RYEGRASS. INTERIM REPORT. As a result of questionnaires returned to the writer, asking for experience in connexion with true perennial (certified) ryegrass in the South i Island, it is felt that certain fairly defi- J nite conclusions have been arrived at: 1. PERMANENCY—There was unanimity of opinion that certified ryegrass ■was definitely more permanent than the ordinary commercial ryegrass. 2. PERSISTENCY—It did better under dry weather conditions, responded better after cutting for seed, and generally made a much better winter growth than ordinary ryegrass. 3. PALATIBILITY—Opinions varied las to the palatability of this grass compared with ordinary ryegrass or Italian. Summarising 70 farmers' experiences, the position seems to be as follows: Where certified ryegrass has been sown on land in good heart, especially after fed-ofC crops, turnips, and rape, and where the ryegrass is grazed reasonably close, little difficulty in palatability has been experienced by most farmers. This point of fertility before sowing the ryegrass seems to be a most important factor in regard to the palatability of certified ryegrass—particularly in its first year of growth. On land in comparatively poor heart. Italian and false perennial ryegrass will be relatively palatable, and certified will be what farmers may term "tougher." However, on land of good fertility, the toughness of certified ryegrass is less noticeable, with the result that stock do not differentiate between it and other ryegrass to the same extent. Most areas of certified rye have been rown for seed; the saving of seed tends to exhaust the soil fertility. This, combined with the dry seasons of the last two years and the fact that much of it has been sown after exhausting white crops, has been, the writer believes, the reason why some fanners have had difficulty in getting stock to relish their stands of certified ryegrass. Some farmers found that after a year or so, particularly when white clover becomes estabished with the ryegrass, the stock take readily to this grass; on all sides it is asserted that it as necessary to keep certified ryegrass closely grazed. The general opinion seems to be that it is less palatable in the first spring and summer than it is in the autumn, and thai, given average weather conditions, the palatability improves each year. From evidence so far secured, it ■would seem advisable that where it is intended to sow reasonably permanent pastures with certified ryegrass, it is desirable to build up fertility where this is low, or else to sow the ryegrass on land that is in fairly good heart so that there will be no question as to its fertility, even in its earliest stages. The important question seems to be to increase the palatability in areas already sown. In this connexion, some farmers have found that liming ha? helped materially, phosphate also, but nitrogen has been the most important clement in increasing palatability. Most farmers who have top-dressed with ammoniak'd super at the right time, and in sufficient quantities, find that this is an excellent way of increasing the palatability of their certified ryegrass swards, especially when these are kept well grazed. On swards that are deficient in white clover, it seems important to try and encourage this plant or even to try and get it incorporated into the sward. The association of white clover with this type of ryegrass seems to be cuite important in maintaining a sound and palatable sward. Depite the experience of some farmers in regard to the comparative non's)alatability of certified ryegrass, by far the majority of farmers are satisfied that this plant has distinct merits in pasture production in Canterbury. The above statement is based on the experience of some 70 farmers. FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE | IN SOUTHERN AFRICA Two fresh outbreaks of foot- { and-mouth disease were reported I in the south of Africa during May, after that country had been apparently free of the disease for many months. One was at Rakops, in the Bc'chiianuland Protectorate, and the t other at. Ka/.ungula, Northern I Rhodesia. Prompt steps were ! I taken to quarantine the areas of | I infection, and on (he last, advice J ] the outbreaks were under control, j I ! J (Extract from the Engli.'h Meal i i Breeders' Journal, .Tunc .14.) ! During the period, May lf> and ; 31, there were in Great Britain 17 i outbreaks of anthrax, 7 of sheep ! scab, and 107 of swine fever. | MATSON'S HAVE SUPPLIES OF: M.D. CERTIFIED HAWKE'S BAY RYEGRASS. M.D. CERTIFIED CANTERBURY GROWN HAWKE'S BAY RYEGRASS M.D. PERENNIAL RYEGRASS, 20 years and over. M.D. PERENNIAL RYEGRASS, 10 years and over. WORKERS' COMPENSATION WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE. INSURANCE. We would draw the attention of farmers to their liabilities under tho Workers' Compensation Acts in force in connexion with accidents to their employees. No farmer should be without a policy covering his liability, and special attention is directed to the fact that workers engaged under the Unemployment Scheme or doing work such as tree-topping, threshing, and thi» like are not covered by an ordinary farmers' policy, and should be specially included. There is a principal point which should have the attention of the fanner, and that is the employment of hi? sons or daughters or their relatives. These should be specially included in the Workers' Compensation Policy, and you should see that these are properly covered. We are experienced in this class of insurance, and would strongly advise you to consult us in connexion with the insurance of all your employees. Too often the employer forgets that he himself is not covered should an accident occur to him, and we would remind you of the fact that should you meet with an accident there may be a heavy bill for medical expenses and the like, and also employment of labour during the time you are laid up. A Personal Accident and Specified Sickness Policy may be obtained at a very moderate cost without any medical examination, provided the proposer is free from accidents and illness an the past, and compensation received thereunder used to reduce the cost of your being laid up. We are agents for the Royal Insurance Company and would be glad to eee you regarding rates and conditions. H. MATSON and CO,