MOA SEED FARM

Evening Star, Issue 17594, 24 February 1921, Page 9

MOA SEED FARM

ONE ACRE TO RE SOWN IN SWEET PEAS.

A conference was recently held at Dunedin between Mr E. F. Duthio and Mr J H. Nirnmo as representing the Committee of Management, Dr Cockayne. Mr H. B. Tennent. Dr J. L. Bruce as representing the Department of Agriculture, Mr J. W. HaclGelfl (manager of the fnnn), and Mr H. F. Titchuner (acting district repatriation officer). To Mr Hadfickl's monthly report was attached a scries of recommend’ I tons as to next season’s operations. The farm operations which ho suggests are more extensive than last years, and as to the area to be devoted to vegetables. ho recommends that it be increased fr, m oi -lit, to twenty acres. Mr Hrdfiold think- tlunshould devote attention for the present to the production of farm and vegetable seeds, at the same time keeping in touch with flower seed production hv dewing annually a small area to that pnr o'c. Tins year they had made a go; d start with sweet peas, and as) the soil and climate conditions appear to favor this crop he suggested that next rear the a on be extended to about an acre, and that the production of seed on commercial lines be attempted. The idea of unking the farm produce a comprehensive lot of seeds is not p.act caMe. In the end they must specialise along ceitain lines.

The conference resolved that an area be allotted to flowers; also that an area be allotted for experimental pa poses, the department to be asked for grant of £IOO towards the cost of lab r ; also that inquiries be made as to securing the serve es of a gardener capable of undertaking tho cultivation of vegetables on an extensive scale; and the conference adopted the schedule which provides for an acre being sown in sweet peas.

Wo understand that too, committee has in contemplation the growing of such sweet peas as are in the Nati <nal Sweet Peas Society’s award list, and all novelties as they come to hand.