FIELD TRIALS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 219, 28 June 1947, Page 7

FIELD TRIALS

PROPOSAL FOR LOW GERMINATING RYEGRASS “That the Department of Agriculture, Ashburton, be asked to carry out field trials with low germinating grass seeds in order to demonstrate to MidCanterbury farmers the relation between seed testing station results and actual field results,” was the text of a. remit from the Methven branch dealt with by the Agricultural Section of Federated Farmers yesterday afternoon. “Wo are all aware of the dissatisfaction at the difference in laboratory and fields tests,” remarked Mr A. D. McLauchlan. He thought that if tests were taken in average conditions there would be something concrete to work on. Mr McLauchlan said the department intended to make the trials. ■ They were«also collecting evidence of i 1 lie previous crops for several years j back grown on fields producing low ! germination seeds. i It was also pointed out by the chairj man (Mr A. Amos) that data were also | being collected on fields producing seed of high germination tests. lie had been told by an officer of tlie Department of Agriculture that j under normal conditions low germinatI ing seeds produced worse results than J under laboratory tests, Mr Amos said. I The best crop of ryegrass he had lever nad he had not actually sowed, j Mr McLauchlan told the meeting.

I It was decided to communicate with jibe Department concerning the pro- ( posed trials.