THE WEEK

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23349, 7 June 1941, Page 6

THE WEEK

BACON EXPORT RELIEF The definite assurance that bacon is included in the- British Government’s agreement to purchase an increased tonnage of Dominion meat will afford much relief to producers. The brief statement that the increased meat .purchase had been arranged did not mention bacon at the time, and as the previous declaration had been that no more bacon was wanted, presumably because last season’s stocks in the Dominion were becoming an embarrassment, prompted the fear that bacon might be excluded. However, the statement of the British Ministry of Food is that all bacon stocks held at April 12 will be accepted. This represents approximately 8000 tons, and with these stocks out of the way this disposes of the difficulty which would have arisen in respect of next season’s baconer production had it been necessary to consume existing stocks on the local market. This gesture by the Ministry of Food will be a welcome relief to producers, whose production outlook for next season has thereby been greatly relieved. To have left the position where it was would have been fatal to many pi B producers, who, in response early in the war to produce more bacon, in rhany cases constructed up-to-date piggeries and ousted other forms of production. The hopeless position of the apple market in cases caused growers to root out their trees and establish piggeries. The figures of supply and consumption of bacon in England indicate that the market is much under-supplied, a result of the shipping position. MANGEL GROWING An article on this page recently described a crop of mangels being harvested on the farm of Mr J. R. D. Johns, Belfast. The small paddock of about 2i acres has since been estimated from the number of dray loads carted away, to have produced 120 tons an acre. Just how far this is above the average yield in the Dominion would be difficult to say, as most, crops possibly average little more than a fourth of the weight. However, it is ‘‘the way of doing it” that counts. Judging from Mr Johns’s success, which has extended over a number of year;,, the success or otherwise of a mangel crop is solely dependent on the working the ground receives. In the crop gathered several weeks ago the paddock was ploughed out of the grass 18 months before (in November 12 months ago) and fallowed and periodically ploughed no fewer than six times. Then it was worked down for sowing, being rolled to bring up any weeds, then, harrowed and rolled again, left for another week, then again harrowed and rolled and then the seed was sown, 61b to the acre, in September.' The last week of September or the first one in October is the sowing period aimed at by Mr Johns. Sown with the seed is 2cwt an acre’ of mangel manure, the seed bein 0 sown in 28in rows. Manuring of the soil had been taking place during the working period—i.e., 3cwt of bonedust an acre in July and 3cwt of salt in August, and scwt of lime an acre was applied after the last ploughing. This seems a lot of work, but 120 tons an acre are a lot of mangels. Half the working and half the manure would probably yield,,\much less th\in half the drop, and'■ it .is the "top half” of a crop that pays. Mangels om the farm are worth apyihjrm from 10s to 12s 6d a ton, sombtftibS tjntfre. tout at .the figures instanced the return represents £6O to £75 an acre. It would only be an optimist who would start out expecting a yield such as this one, as Mr Johns’s farm is kept in the best of heart by maximum tillage and manuring and skilful rotations. Mr Johns uses a grubber to lift the mangels, the 28in between the rows facilitating this method ’of lifting them. Mangels with long tap roots cannot be gathered this way, as they would be knocked about. The variety used by Mr Johns has a shallow root and suits this handling. He has found this variety more palatable, though the rooted variety would keep longer. And the average area of mangels grown in the Dominion each year is less than 10,000 acres! CROP ALTERNATIVES With practically the whole of Europe and some of the eastern countries out of the market for wheat, Empire producing countries are confronted with the problem of disposing of their huge export surpluses..’ The only solution is considered to be to reduce the acreage, and already such schemes are being put into operation. The 'next- problem is' to find substitute crops. ,In Canada, the wheat acreage is being drastically curtailed, and Government .assistance is being provided for crops to take their place. Included in these is a larger area of coarser grains, such as oats, maize, barley, etc., and grasses. Linen flax is another suggested alternative, though the Government expert warns farmers that they should not lose sight of the marketing problem and not to grow flax unless others in the district are producing it. While flax is not hard on the land, as is commonly believed, it is a poor weed fighter, and good seed sown on clean summer fallow is the only combination that may be expected to give profitable return’s. Lucerne is another suggestion. The Experts point out that the feeding value of lucerne is about three times as high as that of other hay, and its sale value almost twice as high. At the same time, this crop will help to restore soil fertility. An expanding market for corn offers an opportunity for farmers in corn-growing districts. While replacing imported corn, this would also give land a rest'from soildepleting crops. Brome and crested wheat grass are the two crops suggested for seed Other suggestions are to increase the use of barley and fall rye. These crops are the simplest, but provide the smallest income, ssfys the expert. New Zealand is in very much the same position with its meat production as Canada is with its wheat. Each occupies a similar, position in the economy of its country. The alternative crops in Canada and this Dominion are very much reversed, however. Here we want to’grow more wheat and less meat. The other alternative crops' also differ. With the mili-' tary demand here more white oats might be grown, as it is unwise to rely on a recurrence of last season’s good yields of oats, which there is an inclination to do in some quarters. More barley could be grown locally for domestic requirements, and also for stock feed, and so put an end to the importing of this easily-grown commodity. The Dominion could grow twice the barley it requires without displacing any other important crop. In Canada, as in New Zealand, the value of lucerne is well realised, and it is interesting to get confirmation of the claim made here years ago that lucerne has double the feeding value of other hays. The Canadian expert says three-times. The seed production recommended in Canada cannot be undertaken here, as-brome and crested wheat grass are commercially unknown. but the recommendation suggests a lead to South Island farmers. Our export of small seeds could be extended tremendously, as the United Kingdom has practically all other supply sources of cocksfoot, ryegrass, clovers, and small seeds generally cut off by the war.