SERPENTINE SUPER

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24192, 26 February 1944, Page 3

SERPENTINE SUPER

USE ON CANTERBURY SOILS FARMERS TO OBTAIN REPORT The Department of Agriculture is to be asked by the-North Canterbury Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union, for an up-to-date report and details of the results of all trials it has made with serpentine super in the South Island. The executive passed this resolution at its meeting on Wednesday after it had received from the Hawarden-Waikari branch a resolution stating that the branch was not satisfied that serpentine super was beneficial or suitable to North Canterbury soils generally when the annual rainfall and the mineral content of the soil were considered. The Hawarden-Waikari branch suggested that Canterbury Agricultural College and the Department of Agriculture should conduct and supervise extensive trials in various districts before advising the general use of serpentine super in North Canterbury. Mr Earl suggested that the executive should ask for a report on the results of the trials to ascertain the relative value of serpentine super to reverted super with carbonate of lime, and also to ascertain *the national cost of serpentine super compared with reverted super. The former process was subsidised.

“Serpentine super is a slow acting fertiliser and is definitely not suited for low rainfall areas such as Canterbury.” said Mr Earl. “It must not be regarded as a substitute for lime, for it is less pure than good lime and contains much useless materials. There is no phosphate in. serpentine. The advantages of the use of serpentine super are very limited and, according to reliable information, they only occur when areas are deficient in’magnesium.” Mr Earl said that because of the phosphate shortage heavy dressings of lime would definitely help production and at the same time would lay a real foundation for future production when more plentiful supplies of phosphate became available.

BETTER WOOL AUSTRALIAN EXPERT’S PLAN IMPORTANCE OF CULLING SYDNEY. Feb. 11. Better- feeding and breeding to improve the quality of wool was urged by Mr A. C. Blaxland, of Sydney, to strengthen Australia's hand in the battle with synthetic fibres. Mr Blaxland was formerly a progressive grazier who concentrated on Improving the quality and quantity of sheep. His wool represented Australia at the Wembley- Exhibition. Mr Blaxland contended that with proper feeding and culling, Australia’s sheep could shear an average of 121b of wool, compared with 71b' odd at present. He outlined a plan which he hopes farmers’ organisations, manufacturers, businessmen and bankers will sponsor. Points were: establish co-operative central breeding areas in good wool-growing 1 districts. Stock them with high-class sheep, where sufficient numbers can be bred to cull heavily. Keep central areas stocked and breed to stock - surrounding small areas handy to control areas, small holdings to carry 1500 to 2000 sheep, chiefly wethers and maiden ewes. All sheep distinctively branded. Sheep from central area and smaller holdings to be shorn in central sheds. All wool to be classed as from one lot of sheep. Each property to be credited with the weight of each class of wool, to ensure big lines of standard -wool being placed before buyers to the great advantage .of buyers and. sellers. All members of each .area to .undertake to have plentiful supplies of fodder and water, practice rotational grazing, have improved pastures where possible, to ensure wool being sound with evenly-grown fibre. Sheep on parent property to be heavily culled into three classes:’ No. 1 to be used in the scheme. No. 2 to be kept tpr breeding to long wools for fat lamb raising; No. 3 to be fattened or treated in dehrydration and .fertiliser-making plants.