COCKSFOOT FROM SIDE PATCHES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 84, 2 January 1918, Page 8

COCKSFOOT FROM SIDE PATCHES

Cocksfoot gleaning from the roads, In the orchards, and other places whero this valuable grass is to be found is certain to prove an extremely payable proposition this year, quite apart from the largo profits which should be-mado by those who grow especially for the harvesting .of seed (states the writer of "Agricultural Notes" in. the Christohurch "Sun"). Tho position this .year is that, owing to war conditions, the usual heavy importations of," the. seed from England will not "eventuate. In addition, pastoralists are recognising tho fact that it.pays to sow a heavy proportion of cocksfoot in their grass mixtures, so that tho local demand will, it is anticipated, be greater than ever. Under these- circumstances a wholesale price of from 10d. to lid. per lb. is practically assured. A 'sack of seed usually contains from 601b. to 701b. A 601b. sack at 10d. per lb. (those being the lower figures) would return £2 10s. to the'gleaner. This season has been particularly favourable" for tho grass;', , 'and it is now growing thickly along many of the roadsides. Tho collection of the seed would, therefore, be an extremely profitable occupation to school cbildron during the present holidays. To those who intend thus to take advantage of the chances offering, it should be remembered that tho grass should he handled carefully, so that the seed is not dropped prior to thrashing with a flail. In cutting, a few stalks should be held together by the hand, and severed by a sickle without jerk or blow. The suggestion has been made that cocksfoot might be gathered in Dunedin with profitable results. One who knows the business informs us that there are large quan'tities of_ seed on the Town Belt and on the hillsides around Dunedin, which could be disposed of at a h'rst-rate price, for this seed is of the very best quality.