FARM SEEDS

Grey River Argus, 17 January 1940, Page 10

FARM SEEDS

PLAN.FOR ADEQUATE SUPPLIES WELLINGTON, January 15. To ensure an adequate supply of rape, turnip and swede seeds in New Zealand during the war, it has been decided to arrange for internal production of these seeds under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture, the Minister for Agriculture (the Hon. W. Lee Martin) announced to-day. The growing of brassica' crops for seed was being supervised by the Fields Division of the Department of Agriculture. “Considerable quantities of seed v ill be produced under official supervision, and under a system of contract to merchants from selected stocks,” said the Minister, “but it is I expected, in addition, that other farmers will on their own account save ; crops for seed. Though the saving of 1 seed by farmers is not discouraged, it is felt that wherever possible contracts with merchants should first be arranged for any seed which might be" produced. It is obvious also, that unless there is some control there is a grave danger of the seed produced being of inferior quality. Farmers who have grown brassica crops for seed production will realise fully the danger of cross-pollination among adjacent crops. Every effort is being made to produce in New Zealand I seed of. the highest quality. Thus it J is necessary in the interests of the farming community to exercise a measure of control over brassica seed producjjprt. • “Farmers in areas where crops are | being grown for seed should take every precaution to see that no plants among crops not intended for seed purposes reach ■ the flowering stage. Local instructors in agriculture are being authorised to take the necessary steps, to ensure protection, first, of those crops sown with selected stocks which are under contract to mercantile firms, and, second, of any other crops likely to produce highquality seed. Farmers are therefore urged in their own interest to get into communication with the local instructor in agriculture before sowing any area intended specifically for brassica seed production, or reserving for seed any brassica crops which were sown primarily as grazing propositions."