NEW PASTURES

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3080, 9 February 1942, Page 6

NEW PASTURES

FOUR MAIN FACTORS

CULTIVATE FULLY

GOOD SEED MOST IMPORTANT

(By C. Walker, Instructor in Agriculture, Thames).

In normal times the present would be the chosen time either for the laying-down of new pasture or the renovation of old. War conditions, bringing with them the uncertainty of labour and of future markets, will tend to reduce the usual acreage very considerably; but still there will be some sowings taking place.

In general, there are four main factors governing success in the establishment of grass, whether it be on rich dairying flats, on second-class country, or even on a lawn attached to the homestead. These are: —

(1) Preparation of the seed-bed; (2) Suitability of the seed mixture; (3) Quality of the seed; (4) Adequacy of the applied fertilisers. . Preparatory Cultivation

In many instances of failure the lack of adequate preparation can be traced as the cause. Too frequently the land is hastily cultivated, with most unsatisfactory results. Wherever possible it should be ploughed well in advance and the area worked down with discs and -harrows to a fine tilth. Rolling is also essential to get a firm seed-bed for satisfactory germination of fine seed. Where a roller is not available, stock can be used to tramp the area firm. Seed, and particularly clover, will not germinate freely in a loose seedbed. If they do germinate it is not uncommon to find them dying off shortly after if a dry spell sets in. Suitability Of Seed Mixture Seed mixtures should be chosen to suit the conditions and the type of farming. Good English grasses and clovers should be predominant for good-quality flats, ■while on hills of poorer quality they should give way to such grasses fis browntop and danthonia. A suggested mixture for local undulating and flat country -would be as follows: —Perennial Ryegrass, 201 b; White Glover, 21b; Montgomery Red Clover, 31b; Cocksfoot, 81b; Paspalum, 61b; Strawberry Clover, 11b; Timothy, 21b. On poorer hill country this could be altered to the following: Perennial Ryegrass, 121 b; White Clover, 21b; Danthonia, 31b; Browntop, 31b; Subterranean Clover, 21b; Cocksfoot, 101 b. Needless to say, these could be modified in many respects to meet varying requirements, but they will serve as general guides on these types .of country. Quality Of Seed In selecting the above mixtures, it is imperative that one should choose only the best quality. Quality should be judged on 'both germination capacity and strain. Every dealer should be able to quote the Government germination tests of all lines offered for sale, and these should be sought before seed is purchased. With regard to strain, insist on certified seed only. No other seed is just as good. Much is a. great deal inferior. Some “just as good” lines have revealed up to 72 per cent rubbish and harmful weeds, so if you buy, cheap lines you will purchase a whole lot of trouble. Fertilisers For New Pasture With all the restrictions imposed on fertilisers it will appear out of place to make suggestions. However, where any are available about 24 to 3 cwt. of phosphates, with 5 cwt. of lime per acre will materially assist in getting good establishment. I realise this fertiliser will be difficult to get, and that other fields require a share. Nevertheless, young pasture must have a good start, so give it a liberal dressing rather than try to bring back an old deteriorating field.