REJUVENATION OF PASTURE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 133, 18 March 1939, Page 4

REJUVENATION OF PASTURE.

To plough and resow on pasture lands where almost complete deterioration has occurred seems the proper course to takej writes a correspondent to the “Times.” But when tackling pastures which, although in fair condition, offer poor quality keep it is doubtful whether the expense entailed would he worth while, especially if a cheaper method were practicable. It has been with this in mind, together with the conviction that it was the soil rather than the grasses which had become devitalised, that Sir Bernard Greemvell has carried out experiments in “pasture rejuvenation.” It was decided that a subsoiler should be used, fitted with an exceptionally large share sot to a depth of about 14in. The implement was drawn by a 40-horse-powor tractor, and a, day’s work covered from nine to 10 acres at a cost of 2s 6d aii acre, excluding overheads. The action of this process is that of lifting and thereby breaking the .soil without damaging the turf above, other than to leave long narrow cuts 4ft apart. Air and water are then able to penetrate, and the old roots, superfluous but whole in body, begin to decay because of the supply of oxygen. Thus humus is formed and bacterial action and nitrification follow. The grasses regain strength because there are a new and natural food reserve, ample moisture and life in the subsoil. It is also feasible that the roots will strike deeper and that earthworms will be more active because of the presence of a substance which they too can consume.