THE COCKSFOOT CROP

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21988, 12 January 1937, Page 5

THE COCKSFOOT CROP

YIELD ON BANKS '• ! PENINSULA HARVEST EXPECTED - TO BE • r TEN THOUSAND SACKS lUf ■- ■ v . ‘ ' The harvesting of cocksfoot has begun. in the low-lying areas on Banks Peninsula, and the indications are that the : seed-will be heavy and this yield not- good. Uneven ripening and lack of colour are "causing farmers grave concern.- 1 ■ - - ; } Dry weather throughout October severely checked-the cocksfoot, and it seemed then that there would be light crops «with.-an; early -harvest. Bains have since stimulated growth; and brought about unevenness in the crop, so that paddocks are in varying stages of ripeness, with some 1 of the seed very loose, but lacking in colour. There is a great undergrowth in the way,.of clover and , other, grasses which will ’be detrimental' to- the further maturing of the seed.after reaping, and will ‘cause rapid discoloration if damp inclement weather prevails. Under conditions experienced this season it is not expected that the seed will be heavy or that the yield wall be good. The growth of ryegrass has been assisted by the excessive amount of rainfall and the lowering,of this seed to, a 5 per cent, content "in, cocksfoot will call for great care. in reaping. : .It is difficult to assess-the crop, but the opinion generally supported is that about 10,000 sacks of farmers’ dressed seed, should be harvested. It does not seem that there will be; a shortage of labour, providing'drying winds do not prevail throughout the reaping period. Wages For Reapers Generally, the wages agreed upon by the harvesters' and the fanners are about 2s 6d an hour and found, or 3s an hour, and the men find themselves. These wages apply to experienced. reapers only,. The possibility of" thrips spreading and affecting the cocksfoot on Banks Peninsula at first - created rather a scare, but with the advice received that the activities of thrips are not confined solely to cocksfoot and' that prevalence and waste caused" depend considerably on seasonal conditions, has now led farmers to the" conclusion that this, pest is not a new arrival, but has been in existence for years, causing damage that previously could not be accounted for.