BEST SEASON FOR TOPDRESSING

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 54, 27 November 1929, Page 6

BEST SEASON FOR TOPDRESSING

PHOSPHATE APPLICATION Palmerston North, November 26. “During the past few years there has been a distinct swing towards autumn top-dressing largely as a result of encouragement from the Department.” said Mr. A. 11. Cockayne, at a field day for farmers at Marton yesterday, at which the Minister of Lands and Agriculture was present. “Oue is not going to suggest an immediate revolutionary change,” he said, “but within a very few years a large proportion of phosphate dressing will be. done in December instead of May. as at present.” The tendency of farmers was to top-dress phosphate manures in May or June, be explained. Many were adopting the practice of doing that work in March to promote a winter growth, but the best all-round results were, without a doubt, secured from a December application. The object was to get production when production was normally low. The summer application tended to increase production during autumn and winter, while the winter application increased the grass growth at a time when there was normally a good growth.