FARM EFFICIENCY

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 97, 21 October 1936, Page 12

FARM EFFICIENCY

STUDY OF PASTURES

TASMANIAN DISCOVERIES

GREATER OUTPUT

"The scientific study of pastures, and particularly the discoveries regarding the use of subterranean clover, have enabled the number-of sheep in Tasmania to be increased by 30 per cent, since 1928, and that, in spite of the severe years of depression between," said. Professor E. R. Hudson, late superintendent of the Department of Agriculture in Tasmania, who arrived in Wellington with his wife and family, by the Wanganella today, to take charge of Lincoln Agricutural College. Professor Hudson is a New Zealander by birth, and received his early training at Lincoln, after having had extensive practical experience in different parts of New Zealand. Nine years ago, he said, agriculture, in Tasmania was regarded as being rather backward, and it was decided to reorganise and expand the activities of the Agricultural' Department, in an endeavour to raise the standard of agricultural practice. A number of New Zealanders had taken positions in the Department at the time,, cln spite of the cramping effect of the d<£ pression material progress had been made, particularly in the improvement of low-grade pasture lands, and it was anticipated that the considerable increase in the "sheep population" would be still further continued. "Since taking up the position as superintendent in the. Tasmanian Department nine years ago, I have made two visits to New Zealand," said Professor Hudson. "On both occasions I have been impressed by the possibilities of using subterranean clover on suitable country here. In Tasmania, it has been our experience that country far too low in fertility to carry an ordinary mixed pasture has proved capable of carrying this crop, and there have been many cases in which an eight- to tenfold increase in carrying capacity has been obtained by its,use." When such low-grade country had been in subterranean clover for a few years, he added,-the terrain had been foUnd capable .of carrying other. pasture species, such as English rye grass, which demanded a.reasonably high standard of fertility; No other plant that had been used in Tasmania had been found capable of improving the soil so quickly. It was very easily sown, not infrequently with a cover crop of Algerian oats, and had enabled large areas of native grass lands to be converted into sown pastures. While | Professor Hudson did not think that farmers should rtish into the use of subterranean clover without proper trial, he was of opinion that there were extensive areas in New Zealand in which the crop would be of great use. It was a fine winter grower, and was suitable for both sheep1 and cattle. DOUBLING POTATO WELD. , Another major activity of the Agricultural Department in Tasmania, he said, was-the development of potatoes, a million sacks of which were sent to Sydney and- Brisbane every year. The results of the Department's seed potato scheme were now becoming evident in the yield per acre, which promised in the near future to be twice the yield of the immediate past. : The' Department's w.ork ■ was concentrated upon two main • lines, the "Bismark" and the "Brownell." The "mother" seed was grown on the Department's special potato farm, which concentrated upon the improvement of potato seed. The farm was situated at, a high altitude- in' order to avoid virus diseases. Seed potatoes 'released from this area were made available to approved growers, onlyj and the resultant crops were strictly inspected before being certified as seed potatoes. The Government set a very high standard, which had to be complied with, and the next crop was also subjected to the same inspection, control being retained for two generations. Not only had the scheme improved the yield but it had tended to eliminate defective breeds. Within two, or, at. the outside, three years, it was probable that all potato seed other than that produced from Government farms would have ■ disappeared. In Tasmania the Department of Agriculture exercised a much greater supervision, almost, direct control, over agriculture than.was the case in New Zealand, said Professor Hudson. A large number of the farmers and settlers were, clients of the Government Agricultural Bank, and the Department and -the bank were closely linked together, so enabling the Departmental officers to bring direct influence to bear on the farming practice to be followed. The result had been- all to the good of the farmers and of the general community.