PASTURE SEED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21579, 25 August 1933, Page 17

PASTURE SEED

BRITISH CERTIFICATION [by our agricultural correspondent] LONDON, July 21 Seed of leafy "indigenous" types of pasture grasses, of whose superior value so much has been heard in late years, is now being offered on the market by a few British seedsmen. But the prices charged are high compared with those of seed of the ordinary commercial kinds. The indigenous grasses last longer and ultimately give bigger yields of more nutritious herbage, but in the early stages they are usually characterised by slow growth and light cuts of hay. Farmers putting land down to grass who havo sought counsel of tho Oxford School of Agriculture as to the wisdom of buying seed of the newer kinds have been advised that the extra price charged mav be well worth while in the case of perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot and wild white clover, but in tho case of other pasture plant species. One must not overlook the possibility, too, that- many of the newly-introduced leafy grass strains may prove disappointing if sown where they are not truly indigenous or native. For most farm seeds the value of a change of soil and climate is well known. But grass seed seems to ho an exception to the general rule, and indigenous kinds do best in their own locality or in a similar soil and climate. In other words, each regiou must select and propagato its own indigenous grasses if satisfactory results are to be secured. Fortunately, wild -white clover is not so limited to special conditions, for seed of the best strains will give excellent results within a fairly wide range of climates and soils. Seed from old pastures in Kent has, till recontly, had nlmost a monopoly on tho English market. But arising out of a seod certification sohemo, arranged two years ago by tho Ministry of Agriculture, farmers in other parts of tho country may now have pastures (not less than 10 years old) inspected, and samples of wild white clover seed from the grown for trial at Cambridge. Already, tests of over 600 pastures have been completed, and 360 (above 5000 acres) have been approved as sources of genuine wild white clover seed which may bo sown undor official guarantee. Tho scheme promises to be a great boon, as, with the progress of tho work much more plentiful and cheaper supplies of seed of this most valuable pasture plant will bo available.