Page 22 Advertisements Column 1

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21387, 1 February 1935, Page 22

AUCTIONS. H. MATSON AND CO. SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SUBTERRANEAN CLOVER AS A PASTURE SPECIES. .f. McCullough, Fields Superintendent, Palmerston North. (Exu-acted from the N.Z. Journal of > :;r:culture, January 21st, 1935.) no -.eluding portion of this article will appear in this column on Monday, t«c 4th February. Y\ T ITK!N recent years much atten--1 io• i has been focused on the move important pasture species, the majority of which are particularly adapted for high production on the better-class soils with a reasonably heavy uniform rainfall. Unfortunately there are large areas, usually lighter and drier, in this Dominion, not fitted to carry these high-class pasture species profitably, and some observations relative to the value of subterranean clover on these lighter and drier soils may prove of interest. One has in mind, particularly, areas &[ lisht country in the eastern districts of both islands where pasture Growth practically ceases in the late Fumrner months owing to lack of moisture, and where the soil fertility cannot be raised economically to the »;andard demanded by high-class pasture species. Subterranean clover has for many years, been recognised in New Zealand sometimes as Mangere clover, especially in Auckland) as a somewhat useful species on the light, poor country which normally dries out badly in the summer months and on which conditions would be too severe tor white clover or the better grasses. Subterranean clover is a free seeder capable of re-establishment annually, ;md under such conditions its introduction cn these soil types has been looked uoon as a useful development in that the feed it provides is a much preferable alternative to practically no feed at all. such as often obtains at present. While in the main such a viewpoint cannot be condemned, it falls far fhort of present-day knowledge of the importance of subterranean clover on the poorer dry soils under food management. It may be stated definitely from results obtained that subterranean clover can be very profitably exploited on these particular areas, as is indicated by the experience of Mr J. Caldwell. Spring Hill, Ruatanawha Plains, Hawke's Bay.

j ! | NOW IS THE TIME TO WORK | i I i YOUR GROUND FOR j j i SUBTERRANEAN CLOVER. ! I I j MATSON-S CAN SUPPLY THE j | VERY BEST QUALITY MOUNT i I I i BARKER SEED AT 2/- PER LB. |

An area of GCO acres of very light country was taken over by Mr Caldwell in 1914. The normal annual rainfall is very low and the light-textured soil is incapable of retaining moisture satisfactorily, and in consequence ordinary grasses and clovers cannot ■withstand the hard conditions. In its natural state it supported manuka fcrub, and in the words of Mr Caldwell "grew Strathmore weed to perfection." To give some indication of the class r>l soil, Mr Caldwell recalls that the first paddock broken up in 1914 was badly blown, after which only the two top wires of the seven-wired fence on one side of the field was visible. This paddock was eventually sown down in 1918 with a mixture of ryegrass, cocksfoot, chewings fescue, and white clover, but rapidly reverted to manuka and Strathmore weed. In 1928 it was cleared of scrub, cultivated, and subsequently sown out in a stand of pure subterranean clover at 101b per acre, with the result indicated. From 1914 until eight years ago, the total stocking of the 600 acres never exceeded 400 breeding ewes, and no fat lambs off fcheir mothers were produced. A team of horses was kept busy in an attempt to grow rape for lambfattening, which more often failed owing to dry conditions, in which case the lambs had to be sold as stores. The production of winter feed for ewes also caused much anxiety for the same J eason. The lambing was usually about 50 per cent., and one instance is mentioned by Mr Caldwell when a total of only 40 lambs were raised for the season. No doubt only sheer tenacity, together with high market values for sheep products, made it possible for the owner to carry on during those difficult years. For the last seven to eight years, solely with the aid of subterranean clover properly managed, the stocking has steadily increased until the 600 acres now carries 1200 breeding ewes, which produced 110 per cent, lambs last year and 100 per cent, during the present season, and all go off the ewes fat. During the last few years, since the advantages of subterranean clover have been fully realised, no crop is nuw grown either for fattening lambs or ewes or for wintering stock. This season, out of a total of 1200 lambs, 475 fat lambs were drafted on the 2nd November and killed at an average of 36.851b per lamb. As a rule the ewes are fat at weaning and rjuickly follow each draft of lambs to the works. It is hoped to dispose of all lambs and ewes as fats towards the end of December. M 6171 H. MATSON and CO.