PLANT RESEARCH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 141, 16 May 1936, Page 11

PLANT RESEARCH

PLOTS INSPECTED.

BY YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUBS,

Instruction in the work being carried out on grasses and clovers by tne Plant Researen Station officers at their experimental areas was given some fitly members ot Young rarmers Clubs during their viist to Palmerston North, yesterday, when they acquired some very useiul information. Mr G. Hamblyii, fields superintendent for the Department of Agriculture, welcomed the party, and commended them for the interest they were taking. He stated that the attitude of some farmers towards the work of the department was unsatisfactory j and their co-operation was wanted, instead of unthinking criticism. The Plant Research Station workers were making great strides, and one ol the aims of the visits of inspection by young farmers was to secure their sympathy and interest.

Mr H. J. Lancaster (president of the Rongotea Young Farmers’ Club) expressed gratification that kindred organisations had joined the party, and added that they were being given the opportunity of acquiring some useful knowledge. He said that young farmers’ dubs should be formed throughout New Zealand, and he suggested that the visit to the experimental areas should be an annual one.

Mr G. Burgess (chairman of the Rongotea Club) also expressed his thanks.

Mr 0. Galpin (instructor for the Department of Agriculture), said the field day had been hurriedly organised, but Mr Lancaster expressed his appreciation of the efficiency with which it had been arranged. Dealing with grass and clover trials, Mr E. Bruce Levy (agrofitologist) pointed out a paddock which had been sown with 21b. of certified mother clover seed, 251 b. of perennial ryegrass, 51b. of Italian ryegrass, S lb. of cocksfoot and 31b. of Montgomery Red clover. He stated that the beautiful colour of the paddock was due to the wonderful growth promoted since Christmas by the nitrogen which the clover had put into the soil, and also to the large amount of stock which had been carried. The more stock per ucre which could be carried the better the pastures would become. It was important, stated Mr Levy, to balance the grass with the clover content of the pasture, as too much clover might produce objectionable leed flavours. There should be just sufficieit to promote a vigorous sward. It was these little points which, in the aggregate, counted for efficient and economic farming

Comparisons between sowings of certified mother seed and certified selected seed were made by Mr, Levy, who also pointed out the difference between a purely ryegrass paddock ana one of ryegrass and clovers. He stated that they had been unable to locate in New Zealand a suitable Italian i vegrass for certification, and had to import this seed from England, Ireland, and Denmark.

Crosses and pairs of the best ryegrass plants were shown in a special nursery where the single plants were being cultivated, the aim in growth being to secure a dense, leafy crown. He stated that the secert of success with oerennial ryegrass was to keep it growing. . ~ Subsequently, Mr J. W. ITadfield (agronomist) dealt with crop improvement so far as it concerned rape and lucerne.