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SUB CLOVER

Development of Stong Riverbed Land GOOD RESULTS Interesting comments dealing with ihe success of subterranean clover _m ihe South Island, whero it has been, introduced comparatively _ recently, i* jontained in an article in the Churchthurch "Press”. In view of the outitanding results obtained with subterranean clover in Hawke’s Bay, the folowing quotations from the article will >e of interest:— "A farmer during the week who grazes light stony river-bed land, mensioned to the writer that he Had carried on a paddock of subterranean right through the winter six ewes to the icre. In a few years his flock had more than doubled in size, and he had teed to spare. ‘Subterranean is tho aatural covering for scores of thousands of acres of light land on the plains,’ he remarked, ‘and in another 10 years, if farmers wake up to its value, the carrying capacity of such country will be much more than doubled.’ ■ “A few stands were inspected m the Rolleston-Dunsandel district, and in the Rakaia river-bed districts. ‘Stands’ may be a mis-description, as on one property the area comprised 1500 acres, undoubtedly the largest belt of the clover in one holding in the Dominion. Incidentally, with the aid of 55 acres of lucerne. 40 acres of turnip 3, and a smalt area of Montgomeryshire red clover, these 1500 acres, with 700 acres of barren river-bed thrown in, aro carrying practically 3000 sheep, a fair proportion of them studs, and tbe great bulk flock breeding ewes. "This notable achievement has oeen secured on the ‘Qakleigh’ estate of the Canterbury Seed Company, on tho road between Leeston and the Bakaia bridge. The better part of the property was at one time obviously subject to frequent, if not permanent attention, from the Rakaia river, but the bulk of the 2200 acres is plainly old river-bed, the natural covering of which was manuka, matagouri, moss and stones of varying sizes., -Gorse came along after the white man - and has lent a little colour. This is tbe condition of this river-bed country today. Its grazing value is apparently nil, but it might be worth 25/- or 30/an acre for shelter and on odd picking. “It is amazing to see this sort of waste separated only by a fence from subterranean clover carrying three and four ewes and lambs to the acre for quite long periods. The local manager of tho company, Mr H. Neave, has every occasion to feel gratified with the results of his policy of reclamation. It is only a little more than five years since h» started out -with subterranean to clothe this waste, and most of his 1500 acres were !sown during the first two and a half years. He sowed l}lb. of seed to the acre in the • earlier -fields, with, ryegrass or cocksfoot. In tho first .year the development was slow as far as the subterranean was concerned, but towards th.e third year it had started to live up to its reputation, spreading thickJ.v over the surface of the ground and gradually taking possession. "The plan! sorted out the better soil covering, aud there is holds indisputed sway.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MT19361208.2.6.4

Bibliographic details

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 290, 8 December 1936, Page 2

Word Count
522

SUB CLOVER Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 290, 8 December 1936, Page 2

SUB CLOVER Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 290, 8 December 1936, Page 2