EARLIEST GRASS ON THE PASTURES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 13 August 1932, Page 6

EARLIEST GRASS ON THE PASTURES

VALUE OF SULPHATE OF AMMONIA RESULTS ON NELSON FARMS During last autumn as previously reported in “The Mail,” Dr. D. L. Freeman of the Nelson branch of the New Zealand Department of Agrictulture laid down demonstrational plots on local farms in association with the fertilisation of pasturelands. One series of plots was arranged on an area of stony land in the Hope locality and another on pasture in the Moutere valley. On both farms a number of small pasture areas wore fertilised with carbonate of lime, superphosphate, sulphate of ammonia and sulphate of potash, both singly and also in suit-

able combinations. Early last month sulphate of ammonia was applied to certain plots on each of the areas, and during the last few days Dr. Freeman inspected the plots when it was oil served, he stated to a “Mail” reporter, that those to which sulphate of ammonia hail been applied were showing appreciable activity as regards pasture growth. This was very marked when a comparison was made with each of the remaining areas. Dr. Freeman advocates the use of sulphate of ammonia for earliest grass which is so highly valued by the stock-breeder and is of especial value in conjunction with earliest dairying and also for the early la mbs. The fertiliser may be applied about July or early in August for the stimulation of early pasturage. Tt Is only recommended, however, for reasons of economy for the better class pastures which are in a satisfactory slate as regards drainage and which preferably are satisfactorily sheltered.