AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20322, 2 February 1928, Page 10

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

TOP-DRESSING IN NORTH OTAGO. FIELD DAY AT BORTONS. TRIUMPH OF SUPERPHOSPHATE MR R. B. TENNENT’S WORK. Tt is unfortunate for the general diffusion of the great truths of science that learned men and research workers in the past have always amused themselves by throwing dust in the eyes of the unlearned; clothing the history of their investigations in pedantic; and technical language. It is easy to comprehend why the medical man should wish to conceal the nature of his remedies from his nervous patients by the use of hieroglyphics to which only the profession posses sthe key, but it is indefensible that interesting and elevating subjects should be rendered unintelligible and repulsive Ip the average ■ m an who has not the time to master the slang of each branch of science by the adoption of an arbitrary vocabulary, itself requiring special study. Although in Nature everything is sublimely simple, the initiated render everything complicated by overlaid explanation. This has been the case in very large measure with agricultural research in the past. Farmeis have been led to wonder whether experts were not concealing their ignorance beneath their ceaseless flow of formidable words. Despite the utter simplicity of Nature, the history of rural research has been complicated and difficult for the farmer to understand or follow. The connecting link between research station and farm has been so slender as to be almost unreliable. But all this has changed, and the research worker now works along such lines as lend themselves to simple and convincing explanation to the least scientific mind. A striking example of this new state of affairs is to be found in the work at present being carried out by the local Field Division of the Department of Agriculture, under the direction and supervision of Mr R. B. Tennent, who has instituted one of the most comprehensive and valuable experimental schemes that has been undertaken in New Zealand for the benefit of pastoral farming. It concerns top-dressing—the fertilisers best suited to local conditions and the residual value of each. The scheme has involved the top-dressing and harvesting for meadow hay of 42 plots between the Waitaki and Waipahi Rivers, the manual work being followed up by the recording of interesting data relating to cost, yield per acre in avoirdupois and £ s. d. and the respective values of various mixtures. These records are tabulated, and definite results are derived by means of the most intricate mathematical processes. The experiment, it is intended, shall be continued over a period of four years at least to allow of a study of the residual effects of the different manures, which include superphosphate and basic slag, applied separately or with lime. North Otago conditions, as represented by this season’s results, were studied yesterday afternoon on the property of Mr Jesse Williamson, “Strathmore,” Bortons, where the department laid down a plot, which has been harvested lately. Here Mr Tennent, with his assistant, Mr A. A. Hume, was able to explain to a good attendance of local settlers the processes and methods which have resulted in the completion of' an experiment of great interest to North Otago, as it represents results which can be expected more or less on an area of 3500 acres of similar land in the district. The plot was clearly marked off with explanatory pegs and marking tapes, and needed very little explanation, the e:ect of the various manures being clearly visible even from a distance. Sir Tennent addressed the gathering for some time, and at the-close was kept busy answering a host of questions, relevant and otherwise. Mr Tennent explained that the plots were selected early last year, and topdressed in August with superphosphate, basic slag, and carbonate lime. The plot was divided into strips a drill (4ft 6in) wide. One strip was not top-dressed at all, the next receiving an application of super (3ewt per acre), and the next slag at the same rate, . and so on across the paddock. A further subdivision into halfchain stretches, crosswise, allowed of an application on alternate divisions of one ton of carbonate of lime per acre, resulting in the mixture in some cases of super and lime or basic slag and lime, with, in a few other cases, an application of lime alone. The alternating lime divisions left one-half of the plot divided into no manure, super, and slag plots. The results so far gleaned in respect of the various strip s under observation arc a s follows: Weights per acre harvested: Tons. cwt. qrs. Super 2 4 Basic slag and Jme ... Basic slag ... Super and lime 2 3 2 Lime Control (no manure) ... The value of the hay per acre from the different manures (estimating good meadow hay at £5 per ton) wa s as follows: •Basic slag and lime £0 5 6 Basic slag ... Super ... 11 0 0 Super and lime Lime 2 8 9 Control' (no manure) ... ••• ... 1 17 6 After allowing for the cost of manure the profit or loss per acre as compared with an unmanured plot was as follows: •Basic slag and lime £0 5 6 •Basic slag 0 13 fSuper ... 8 16 ■fSupcr and lime 7 6 0 •Lime ...19 0 * Indicates loss. t Indicate s profit. Explaining the results of the experiment Mr Tennent pointed our that there was no necessity to draw attention to the effect, of superphosphates, as the strips so treated carried an amazingly heavier and more succulent growth in which rod clover pro dominated. The slag had not shown up . so well, and it was difficult to any difference between the limed and unlimed strips. The plot was closed up on October 1, and harvested on December 12. a point which be would like his hearers t° consider when assessing the value of the results. It meant that the experiment depended for its success or failure on this 10 week.-,’ growth. It. was not a fair tost, but still the results were unmistakeable. Superphosphate had proved itself, and few fanners, seeing the difference between the no-manure and other strips could honestly doubt the efficacy of top-dressing Nevertheless, he continued, the idea in extending the’experiment over a number of years was to ascertain, not so much the immediate result, as the. ultimate reward to be gained from the use of each manure. Basic slag might be very much slower acting than super, and he could say that next year they might expect a much bettor showing on the plots thus treated Stiff, the next harvest would produce definite data in this respect regarding both lime and slag. Moreover, super had yet to ' prove its lasting qualities. Although super alone showed up prominently now, they should not condemn the others offhand. Mr Tennent stressed the point that treatment which was successful atßortons might not prove so elsewhere. One paddock might differ from the one across the fence. This prompted a consideration

that farmers should all note. They must be their own experimentalists. Hard and fast rules could not he laid down, but farmers could undertake this sort of work on their own holdings, and secure for themselves data of special value rather than general. “ But when you close up a paddock and topdress it, it is no good immediately turning your stock on to it. They will immediately clean up tho top-dressed pastures, because (hey are the best. Results are thus hard to discern, and you jump to the conclusion that top-dressing is simply a waste of time and money. Give tho fertilisers a chance to show you what they can do. Then draw your deductions,” concluded Mr Tenne.iit. Mr Tcnnent referred to the co operation of farmers with tho departmental officers, which was greatly appreciated by himself and Mr Hume. The North Otago Farmers’ Union Committee had also given every support. The fanners present spent a groat deal 1 time discussing the experiment among themselves and more than one admitted a keen desire on arrival to pick holes in what had been accomplished, but the most practical of tho old-timers present could find no fault or loophole for criticism. Tho results were there before tlicm. There could be no “cooked results” or mampu lation. They had to admit that the results were startling and unquestionable. It is certain from the reception given Mr Tennent and his staff .and the confidence expressed in their work, that the North Otago experiment, not only at Bortous, but at tho several other places also will be followed with keen interest by a far greater number of farmers than attended the demonstration yesterday.