MOA SEED FARM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18759, 12 January 1923, Page 10

MOA SEED FARM

THE YEAR’S OPERATIONS. In the early history of tho Moa Seed Farm when it was being- run under tho supervision of tho Repatriation Board, there were consirerablc differences of opinion ns to the advisability of continuing operations. No doubt those responsible for advising the Government held the same opinion, and when tho Prime Minister had to face tho question of reducing expendi-

ture, it was decided to close this farm, and instructions were given to that effect. A few gentlemen closely associated with tho Repatriation Board considered the farm had not a fair chance of proving its value, and strongly urged the Government to reconsider its decision. It was only after they had failed in their efforts that they submitted a proposal to assume all financial responsibility and to carry on operations. A Daily Times representative waited on Mr E. F. Dnthie, a member of the association, through whoso hands all matters in connection with the farm pass, and asked if he was willing to give any information as to last year’s results and the operations

of tho present year. Mr Duthio placed at his disposal full particulars of this season’s crops, and noinled out that whilst the dry weather had affected some of the crops, and the returns would not be np to expectations, the report of Mr J. W. Hadfield, tho manager, was that the general prospects as a whole might be considered satisfactory. Tho members of the association had not expected that for the first year the sale of products would bo sufficient to cover all expenses. and in fact the general opinion was that it would bo three years before it could be reasonably ©xperted that the products of this farm would bo sufficient to cover working expenses and all overhead charges. It would bo impossible to give the full details of the various operations that are now being conducted, but the following are the main crops: —Peas —9 acres of Blue Prussians and 10 acres of Grey Field; oats —20 acres Hero and 6 acres of Gartons; wheat-J-19 acres of velvet and 6 acres of Dreadnought; vetches —8 acres of Black; barley—B acres of Black Skinless and 9 acres of New Binder; clover—l 6 acres ; lucerne—l4 acres ; cocksfoot—lo acres. In addition, 27 acres were sown in ryo corn and vetches, which are being ploughed in for green manure, and M acres were summer fallowed for autumn sowing and transplanting of root crops during tho winter.

Mr Duthie said that it was when one analysed and attempted to deal with the small areas that the question of experience, science, and labour played a most prominent part. One could only make a general comment on these varieties as they were too numerous to give details. Ten acres were devoted to numerous varieties of peas, including Carter’s Daisy, Dwarf Defiance, Stratagem, and William Hurst; six acres to long red and yellow globe mangels; one and a-half acres to parsnips; five and a-half acres to carrots (five varieties); one acre to beetroot; two acres to radishes; three acres ro beans; three acres to onions (five varieties); one acre to turnips (16 varieties); one acre to potatoes, comprising 200 single plant selections ; eight and a-half acres to potatoes (18 varieties): . throe acres to sweet peas (comprising 18 varieties); one and a-half aers trials of corcals (imported), and single plant selections of a largo number of varieties of roots. The last-named was considered by the management to be most important work. It would bo noted, said Mr Duthie, that the manager was carrying on very extensive and complete experiments in connection with seed growing, far beyond what had ever been contemplated!by those responsible for providing the necessary capital to carry on this farm. If it had simply been a question of obtaining revenue ana considering their own immediate interests, much of the scientific work might have been delayed, and all energy devoted to producing seed which would give immediate return. Members of the association fully recognised that to obtain the best results the manager must have all necessary facilities to ensure the seed being placed on the market in a satisfactory condition, and they were sparing no expense in that direction. To nesure the seed being properly handled and threshed, a complete threshing plant had been secured for the solo use of the farm, and, in addition, a large building, having a floor space of close on 20GO feet, had been erected, and would bo utilised for sun drying the seed and .packing, and special provision hod been made for artificial heating. It was mainly due to Mr Hadfield’s scientific knowledge and his ent.husiosm in that direction that much of the work was being carried on, and whilst the agreement provided for certain experimental work being carried out, oflfcers of the Agricultural Department admitted that the experiment now being carried on was beyond what had been expected. There might be a difference of opinion as to the department’s decision in practically granting private individuals a lease of this property, but it must be remembered that this area was lying idle and overrun with weeds, and from the particulars above it would be admitted that the members of the Moa Seed Farm were certainly devoting their time and money to ensure that the manager would have every facility in the direction of carrying out his operations, and no expense was being spared to ensure pure seeds being placed on the market.