BROWN-TCP SEED

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 69, 23 March 1931, Page 7

BROWN-TCP SEED

Having to east about for »Jfle lines of revenue to boost lowered incomes, South Otago ana Southland farmers are turning their attention to the harvesting this season of the brown-top seed, states the Duuedin "Star." Browntop is 'a grass that was originally brought from abroad, but it has taken charge of considerable tracts in South Otago ana Southland, and assumed a definite character of its own. It is of low value for stock foeding, but is in great demand in America for bowling Greens, croquet lawns, golf links, and bo forth. The Hew Zealand browntop has practically captured the American market. Of late the Continental farmers started competition, giving a guarantee that their brown-top" seed was free from another grass that 13 somewhat like it but undesirable— namely, rea-top. To meet that move the New Zealand Agricultural Department inaugurated a certification scheme, wnicn is still going on, under which all areas on which brown-top is grown are inspected ana the seed is branded as free from red-top. This scheme seems to be answering, for, in spite of the American duty of Is 8d per 1b our seed is still in keen, demand. Being what may be termed a luxury seed, wanted by persons who have money to spare for the best in any line, the duty is not serving its intended purpose of encouraging Americans to grow their own.