AGRICULTURAL JOTTINGS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume C, Issue 11702, 5 October 1898, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL JOTTINGS.

TESTING GRASS SEEDS. The question of the purity and germinating power of grass seeds has been a good deal discussed lately, in consequence of a statement, made by the Minister of Agriculture in a speech on the Noxious Weeds Bill, that in both respects a large number of samples supplied to , his Department were extremely defective. It is, a great pity that th© full particulars—the names of the suppliers and of the seeds and the results of the tests cannot be published. It would be found that the best seeds of our best firms were ab pure and as; fertile as any in the world. At the 'same- time, price,' rather than purity, is too often made a consideration in the purchase of seeds—the farmer will not exceed a certain cost per acre, and buys cheap seed with the idea that it will produce something. Others sow seeds saved by themselves, or by their neighbours, which are seldom, if ever, properly cleaned. To these causes is no doubt due the foul state of much of the land in New Zealand. The Noxious Weeds Bill is intended to prevent the sowing of weedinfestea seed, and, if, passed, it will be of great benefit to farmers and to honest seedsmen. Still, farmers should test the geminating quality of seeds before sowing—a duty that is done for them in older countries by the Government or by the Agricultural Societies. With cereals and large seeds this is easily done by planting in a pot a certain number, and noticing the proportion which grows. With smaller seeds, especially grasses, more care is necessary. In the first place, the microscope will be required in counting the seeds, of which, in some varieties of grasses, there are upwards of 100,000 in an ounce. The pot or earth test is not to be recommended here. The simplest plan, and one advised by an eminent English authority, is to take a piece of soft, smooth flannel, sow the seed on one half and fold the other half over it, keep the flannel moist by letting one of its edges rest in a saucer of water, and place it in the kitchen, or any place where the temperature is about 75deg., and does not fall below 50deg. The whole can be covered with a bowl or any suitable vessel, to prevent evaporation, light not being necessary for the process of germination. In a week results should be obtained which will clearly show the value of the seeds. The full germinating percentage will not be got in the seven days; but unless the seeds are old, they will germinate at least 75 per cent in that time of what they will do if kept for five or six weeks. That is to say, that, if of 100 seeds 60 grow in a week, the sample may be estimated to glow about 66 per cent. The ; slightest sign .of growth—merely the pushing out of the tiny rootlet—should be taken as enough, for under the conditions of growth in the flannel, the seedling will not grow vigorously, not having the nutrition which it gets in the soil. The simplest plan is to examine the flannel every day, and pifck off with a small pair of pincers—such as are to be found in large pocket knives—the seeds showing signs of growth, and make a note of the number taken off. The trouble taken will repay the farmer by guiding him in the quantity and proportion of seeds to sow, and may, in some cases, prevent his losing a season by sowing old, infertile seed.

THE CANADIAN EXAMPLE. Apart from Kloudyke, Canada has no important resource but agriculture ; ■ New Zealand lias more numerous goldfields, but still its ro.n’n resource is agriculture. The two countries have therefor© a chief interest in common, and it is well bo note what our Canadian cousins are doing to develop the producing industries of the Dominion, arid to consider to what extent their efforts and methods should be followed here. Professor Robertson, the Canadian Commissioner, states that the Agricultural Department of his colony endeavours to give the farmer a fair chance to malm the most of his labour and capital under existing conditions. The Government recognises that if Canada is to hold its own. it must be by the excellence of her products. The Department of Agriculture places within the reach of the farmer the best, available information which will enable him to compete on equal or superior terms with his rivals. To tins end information is collected, os to the best methods of growing, packing, shipping and selling products, and is distributed in an attractive form among-the cultivators of the soil., There is a central experimental farm with four branch establishments. The central farm is equipped with a chenucal laboratory, and. carries on researches, on the--growing, of the crops, in the feeding and rearing of live stock, and in the culture of fruits, eta These farms are to be supplemented by what axe called “ illustrative stations,” which are to aid in convincing farmers of the value of new ideas and new methods. With regard , to the creation of new markets, the course followed is to resort to judicious advertising. All that can be done is done to make Canadian products known abroad. Trial shipments of butter, cheese, fruit,- poultry, etc., are sent to the English markets, cold storage on rail and steamer being provided'so that the goods may reach the market in good condition. Commissioners have been sent to the Mother Country to learn the preferences of merchants and the tastes of customers, and this alone has brought a rich reward. The increase in exports last year was £4,000,000, and a very large rate of increase will be maintained. Above all things the value of advertising is recognised—the £250 per annum of New Zealand is ridiculous, as have been, in a greater or less degree, the efforts of the Government to promote the manufacture, export and sale of the : dgricidtural produce of, this colony: Good instruction to producers is now" being provided, hut snpervision of the meat, export,-control of shipping arrangements and- accurate and independent

market information and advice by acontnfissioner acquainted witn. the conditions of gro-i Auction are all wanting, and should be supplied without delay. " ■ " ' j