BY THE WAYSIDE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 96, 6 April 1934, Page 10

BY THE WAYSIDE

Of Interest to Farmers TAKING RYE-GRASS CROPS The practice of taking successive seed crops from certified ryegrass areas has not been a verysuccessful one in Hawke’s Bay this year. Several rye-grass growers with whom the writer has discussed this matter have been quite definite as to the ill-effects that result from repeated and continual harvesting. Last year Mr K. P. Connell, of the Plant Research Station, Palmerston North, made a statement in reference to this matter, and in it he emphasised the importance of careful management of rye-grass pastures. From investigations that have been carried out there appear to be three main causes of poor yields. The cutting of successive seed crops, shutting up the pastures at too late a period and ineffective harvesting are the commonest sources of trouble. A ft • Two types of Delicious sports from the Gisborne district are being placed on trial at the Plant Research Station at Palmerston North, along with samples from other parts of New Zealand. This is being done to make comparisons with various new types and to compare them with the ordinary Delicious apple, which is already a most popular variety. A sport of the Cox’s Orange Pippin variety has also been discovered in the Gisborne district, but so far no steps have been taken to make a trial with this. Like the Delicious sports, that of the Cox’s Orange is of a higher colouring than the ordinary apple of this variety.

Allegations of an apparent preference being given to held-over clips during this season's series of wool sales were made by several farmers at a meeting of the Wairarapa provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union at Masterton. After an extended discussion it was decided to make a request to the Woolbrokers’ Association for information with regard to the allegations.

A striking feature of British woollens this year is the colourful designs which have been introduced for men s suitings. Loud check patterns in blue and other colours are being made. Bond Street is already tailoring evening dress suits of a new midnight blue colour, which is black under artificial lighting. Fancy shirtings made from wool and cotton mixtures are also being made for British consumption, and will probably be introduced to Australia later, according to an Australian wool manufacturer who has recently returned from England.

An unshrinkable woollen fabric, made of worsted warp and woollen woft treated with rubber latex, which has been welcomed as a possible nilBritish upholstery material for motorcars, has been produced by Dr. 8. G. Barker, director of research to the British Wool Industries Research Association. It is claimed that the new material will give increased employment to Yorkshire operatives and lead to an increased demand for Australian and New Zealand wool.

When filling pit silos with' freshlycut fodder, carbonic acid gas is given off as the material becomes heated. The gas accumulates on the surface of the fodder while the air is still, so that it would bo dangerous to descend into the pit in the morning before filling operations begin. The danger is removed a few minutes after the chaffcutter is started, as the air is disturbed and the gas dispersed by the fodder falling into the pit (states an exchange).

The careful and progressive farmer will give close attention to providing boiling water in the separator room. For convenience and utility a copper or steam boiler should be provided. Without a copper and a good clean water supply it is useless to expect clean utensils. The practice employed on many farms of boiling a tin of water on the kitchen stove is not considered satisfactory. It should not be necessary to point out that the water obtained from the tank of an engine is unsuited for cleansing dairy utensils. Water from the wash-up trough must not be used to swill out the floors of the dairy, as it will set up a foul smell in the building.