The NORTHLAND FARMER

Northern Advocate, 18 February 1939, Page 3 (Supplement)

The NORTHLAND FARMER

Edited by C. L. CUMING

A page prepared for the purpose of helping the NorthlaVict farmer to make the utmost use of the remarkable advantages which Nath re has bestowed on Northland, and thereby to develop the most fertile territory in New Zealand.

Sheep on grass land during winter reqvfire not only food, but shelter. It is important that a portion of the pasture, in accordance with the size of the flock, should be reserved and not eaten down close in autumn otherwise •the fool supply during severe weather will be insufficient to maintain them in condition, even with the assistance of dry foods. Moreover, it is important that there should be a change always on hand, so that having occupied one field for some time can be changed into another which is fresh, and the stale field abandoned until it has recovered its condition and can be used again. Although sheep are well protected by wool, and usually have the constitution to withstand cold weather, it is necessary to protect them against extremes. Sheep should never be turned into a low-lying pasture in winter, and especially if it is damp or where streams run near, as they sometimes overflow after heavy rain, and in this case there is always a danger of a deposit of organisms

which are detrimental to health, and which are consumed with the grass on which the flock remains after the water has subsided. Quite apart from this, each field should have, if it is possible, an especially dry position, and the higher it is the better, that the sheep may lie high and dry at night. Research in England. The Rothamstead Experimental Station in England, one of the most famous research centres in the world, was founded in 1843 by John Bennet Lawes and Joseph Henry Gilbert and is thus approaching its centenary. It is the oldest agricultural experiment station in the world and has a long record of useful work. One of its earliest achievements was the introduction into farm practice of artificial fertilisers, thus founding the artificial fertiliser industry which has now grown to vast dimensions; some 40 million tons are now used annually. The experiments have covered almost > the whole range of agricultural science and practice, and Rothamstead has been

Attending The Flock

the model on which agricultural experiment stations were started in many countries and the school in which many distinguished agricultural experts have been trained. The presentday services of Rothamstead to the agricultural community are widely recognised and more and more demands are made on the staff for help in the solution of the difficult problems concerning modern farming. The work is, however, hampered by the insufficiency of the laboratories and equipment at Rothamstead* and the station authorities desire to celebrate the centenary by improving these and also the farm buildings so that they may be adequate to the demands now made on the station. It is proposed to raise a fund of £125,000. Water in Grass and Roots. All farmers are aware that water comprises the bulk of green grass, but it is doubtful whether sufficient allowance is made'for the increased quantity of water existing in the grass during a continuance of wet weather,

as compared with the amount of water usually existing in grass during, fine, dry weather. It is still more doubtful whether in changing stock .from a ration consisting mainly of grass to a ration including a large proportion of roots, such as turnips and swedes, sufficient allowance of dry food is provided to compensate for the much, larger quantity of water contained in the roots compared with the much smaller proportion of water contained in permanent pasture. Sheep under normal conditions seldom desire to drink water, except during long continued periods of drought, and grass is much the more natural food under the circumstances. ?