EXPERIMENTAL FARMS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 41, 12 November 1907, Page 2

EXPERIMENTAL FARMS.

TOP DRESSING. [BY TEI.EGIIAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Auckland, November 11. Members of the Auckland A. and P. Association who recently visited the Government experimental farms at Waerenga and Kuakura were much' impressed with the results of the top dressing experiments conducted at their instigation. Speaking to a "Star" representative/ after* their visit the president (Mr. Jolin Massey) said the experiments at both farms were in their third year, thus completing the experiment. . Jivery farmer who can spare the time at present, and is desirous of learning what may be achieved in tho matter of top-dress-''Jo) should certainly visit Waerenga," said Mr. Massey. "Lots of farmers think there is no use in making an inspection of that station, believing that it is impossible to grow anything thero on the gum land. Likewise there is a tendency amongst many agriculturists to decry the experimental work, because it is carried on by the Government, and they are more or Jess prejudiced. This is an immense mistake," continued Mr. Massey, " for what has been achieved at "Waerenga is an object lesson to the oldest and most experienced farmers. The top; dressing experiments are of more than ordinary interest, sincq they have been carried out for three years at the instigation of our Association. While the land at Waerenga is of the very poorest quality, it is possible to achieve wondors with tho application of the proper fertilisers, and in tho caso of the ■ Waerenga experiments basic slaghas proved to be the best. Ten hundredweight- of basic slag has been distributed over tho area in three years at a cost of £2 ss. per acre, and the result has been remarkable. In rude contrast to the luxuriant growth on this plot is a small area under grass and oats sown without manure. Tho oats are not worth cutting, while the grass is a rank failure. Buakura is, of course, a different class of soil," added Mr. Massey, " being much richer, and while tho topdressing .experiments there were also instructive, they- did .not prove the full value of fertilisers as emphatically as Waerenga did. At the same time it is well worth the while of any farmers to visit both experimental stations, and our party was highly pleasedwith the result of its tour."