GREATER PRODUCTION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 72, 22 February 1940, Page 12

GREATER PRODUCTION

ANSWERING THE CALL. IMPROVEMENT OF PASTURES. Mr H. do O. Chamberlain, local organiser of tile National Council of Primary Production, in a statement made to the “Evening Standard” today, said that Manawatu farmers have answered well the appeal broadcast earlier to “speed the plough.” They have come forward with their usual energy and willingness to help, and all over the province the green of less efficient pastures has given place to the brown and newly upturned soil. In some cases a catch crop of rape has been taken on these areas: in most, however, the land has been worked in a fallow because such late ploughing gives an ideal opportunity tor that control of weed-seedlings which means so very much in the production of the 100 per cent, grassclover paddocks for which the province is so justly famous. The year moves on into March and even now farmers arc making up their orders for grass seed, the organiser added. These new pastures are to be down for some years, and if the very greatest production is to be gained some careful consideration must be given to the types of grass and the mixtures to be sown. There is only one quality of grass seed worth sowing—the best. “Cheap” seed is always in the long run the most expensive! The actual mixture must bo suited to the type of land under consideration and the purpose lor which the area is to be used. For example, if it is intended to harvest ryegrass seed for certification or for supplying the farmer’s own needs, then the mixture should be made a simple one —certified | pedigree ryegrass and certified white clover in the proportion of 381 b of ryegrass to 21b of clover. For the man who requires a good permanent pasture chiefly for grazing and hay purposes it is worth while including other grasses which will grow on longer into the summer or winter to provide just that extra amount of feed which makes all the difference between a good year and a bad one. It is not possible here to give seed mixtures tor all classes of land in the Manawatu, but here are a few examples for three common soil types: First-class river silt, etc.—Certified mother seed ryegrass, 151 b; certified cocksfoot, 10lb; crested dogstail, olb; Timothy, 31b; certified Montgomeryshire red clover, 31b; certified white clover. 21b; Italian ryegrass, lib; total, 4011>. , Consolidated sandhills. Certified commercial perennial ryegrass, 121 b; crested dogstail, 31b; certified cocksfoot. 121 b; poa pratensis, 21b; browntop, lib; subterranean clover, 41b; reel clover, 21b; certified white clover, 21!>; total, 381 b. Sand flats. —Italian ryegress, olb; certified perennial ryegrass, 121 b; certified cocksfoot, 121 b; crested dogstail, 31b; red clover, 211>; subterranean clover, 41b; certified white clover, 21b; total, 401 b. BUYING. OF SEED.

“In considering the grassing of paddocks, remember always that the local instructor' in agriculture is at all times available and ready to visit the lai'iii and discuss with the farmer on the spot the type of mixture most suitable to tlie paddock,” Mr Chamberlain added. “Having decided upon the mixture to be sown, the next thing of importance is the buying of the seed, and in this ease the slogan should be ‘avoid the telephone.’ Permanent> pasture is a lasting asset to the fsuin. Its production involves a large amount | of work, time, and some fair expense. Having accepted all this, it is a poor policy to ‘spoil the ship tor ft lift |>- ortli of tar’ and accept the grass seed which may be sent you in fulfilment of a vague telephoned order. 'Take the extra trouble to visit your merchant. State clearly the type of certified seed required and ask ior the purity and germination certificate ot any line you may consider buying. Have a look at a sample and then compare prices in conjunction with type, purity and germination. Every minute spent in tiiis way will bring its return in hard cash when measured in terms of acreage production. “You will notice that the examplemixtures already given mil contain certified white clover. To obtain a good, well-balanced pasture the establishment of clovers is essential. Don t he led away by tlie I act that white clover often appears ‘on its own on your farm. It may—or it may not—hut even if it does it will not be equal in quality or production to tlie proved strains of certified origin. So great is tlie need for good clover establishment that care should be taken to make a sowing sufficiently early to allow the plants to develop well before the first frosts appear. Normally the sowing of oats or barley, or lor that matter any other crops with the grass, is hannlul lo the grass. But if (onditons of climate have prevented early sowing then some protection for tlie young will 1)0 necessary and a light sowing of 1 to i{ bushel of oats per acre will be-of use. . , .. “The need for maximum production is great, and willingly arc our farmers meeting it To those who are contemplating ploughing for the spring sowi„rr I would sav it is a job well worth doing and it will repay time and again the effort of doing it well. The success of your pasture depends as much upon thorough cultivation as upon the seeds and manure you sow. Stick tlie plough in deep. Use a skim coulter if necessary to turn the turf well under. Then get to it with discs, cultivators and harrows, making the cultivations shallower towards sowing time. The seed Ived must be firm and fine and a roller should be used in dry weather or where the soil is light. On the sands it is I necessary to catch-crop with oats or barley to prevent blowing. These should be closely grazed before sowing, bnrI rowed lightly, sown and harrowed

again. “Let us make the most of our pastures and, in producing more food for export, produce more cash for ourselves.”