THE RURAL WORLD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23703, 10 January 1939, Page 3

THE RURAL WORLD

»FARM AND STATION NEWS

By RUSTICUS.

Itemi of interest to those engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits, with a view to their publication in these columns, will be welcomed. They should be addressed to Rusticus, Otago Daily Times, Dunedin.

1938-39 WOOL SEASON ROSTER OF SALE DATES The following roster of sale dates lor the 1938-39 season has been drawn up by the New Zealand Wool Committee:— January 14 (9 a.m.).—Napier January 19 (9 a.m.).—Wanganui January 24 (9 a.m.).—Auckland January 30 (9 a.m.).—Christchurch February 3 (2 p.m.).—lnvercargill February 8 (9 ajn.).—Dunedin. February 15 (9 a.m.).—Wellington February 20 (9 a.ra.).—Napier February 24 (2.30 p.m.).—Wanganui March 3 (9 a.m.).—Christchurch March 7 (8 a.m.).—Timaru. March 11 (2 p.m.).—lnvercargill March 16 (9 a.m.).—Dunedin. March 23 (9 a.m.).—Wellington. March 27 (9 a.m.).—Auckland March 30 (2.30 p.m.).—Wanganui April 3 (9 a.n.).—Napier April 14 (9 a.m.).—Christchurch. April 19 (9 a.m.).—Dunedin. April 24 (9 a.m.).—Wellington. 1938-39 SHOW SEASON ROSTER OF DATES Summer shows have been arranged tir the 1938-39 season as follows; December 27.—Tuapeka, at Lawrence 1939. January 14.—Waitati. January 21.—Waikouaiti. January 27.—Palmerston-Waihemo. at Palmerston. March 4.—Central Otago, at Omakau March 11.—Mount Benger. at Miller’s Flat. March 18.—Upper Clutha. at Pembroke. March 18—Temuka and Geraldine, at Winchester. March 22.—Lake County, at Lake Hayes. April 10.—Strath-Taieri. at Middlemarch. April 10.—Mackenzie Highland, at Fairlie.

NEWS FROM CLUBS

In a circular letter to clubs, the organising secretary,; Mr S. Freeman, extends his best wishes for a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year His letter continues:—" The Y.F.C movement in New Zealand has made extensive progress during the past year, not only in the way of new clubs and increased membership, but also in wider and more valuable activities generally. There is every indication that, with the full co-operation of all members and those associated with the organisation, further progress can be made during the coming year. “While congratulating members on the good work that has been accomplished in the past, I would urge them to greater efforts and impress upon them the fact that they and their clubs are part of a national organisation, and that the more they themselves put Into the movement, the more they will obtain from it. The value of the movement to individual members, to the farming community generally, and to the nation as a whole, is becoming more and more apparent, and the good name that has been earned by the organisation throughout the Dominion augurs well for its extension and progress in the future.

It would assist materially if club officials would come forward with any ideas they may have for the improvement of the organisation and the fostering of interest in club work generally. Constructive suggestions in regard to club or district activities will be welcomed, and I shall be very happy to receive letters or articles containg them for publication in the Y.F.C. section of the Journal of Agriculture.”

The following is a further article in the series on weeds by Mr S. H. Saxby, of the Fields Division of the Department of Agriculture. Last week the means by which weed plants compete with sown plants was discussed. This week it is intended to discuss some features in connection with weed seeds in general, The most common 'meami by -which weeds are spread is bj- seed.. The extent to which a weed is a serious pest is often determined by two factors, namely, its power to seed freely and the power of the seed to remain dormant in the soil for long periods. Weeds such as fat hen and spurrey are both very free seeders, and their seed will last in the ground for many years. On the other hand, the seed of cornbind does not last for very many years in the soil. A knowledge of these factors in connection with various weeds may assist materially in their control. For example, it is of little value to put a paddock down in grass In the hope that this will result in the death of fathen or spurrey seed, even though it may be down for many years. Conversely, a fair measure of control of cornbind may be secured by laying down to pasture for several years. Continued cropping will, of Course, encourage this plant. Annual plants are on the whole the most prolific seeders, as it is on this fact that their existence and perpetuation depends. The. control of annuals therefore is concerned mainly with the prevention of their seeding. This, of course, applies to perennials and biennials as well. Some annuals, such as fat hen, ripen their seed while the parent plant is still green. In this way, fat hen is often unknowingly allowed to seed. Nowadays very little weed seed is Introduced as impurities in the seed that is usually sown. Modern machine dressing of farmers’ seeds has reached a high standard. If good seed of a high purity is bought, there should be no concern about the introduction of weed seed into clean land. FARMING IN NORTH OTAGO A WET YEAR DIFFICULTY OF HAY MAKING (Contributed) The year 1938 will go down in the history of North Otago as the wettest, we have experienced. The rainfall in Oamaru was over 35in, but 12 miles inland it was over 37in. The annual rainfall for the district is about 22m. The coastal areas usually get a larger fall than the hinterland, but this year has seen an exception. Westerly rains are .not usual with us, and it is only an occasional westerly that brings moisture. It is generally a very drying wind, but on many occasions during the

past year a westerly wind came down the Waitaki Valley and extended along the foothills bringing bountiful rain. Grass in Abundance Everywhere in the district there is a superabundance of grass and clover. White clover is flourishing exceedingly some paddocks being'absolutely white with it This is a noticeable sight at Elderslie, but everywhere one turns grass can be seen waving in the wind. There is a good undergrowth of clover almost everywhere.

In numerous cases fgpners have been cutting some of this surplus grass for hay, but the results have been far from satisfactory. The general experience has been that the grass has been mown and raked into windrows when down came a deluge of rain. These conditions often lasted a day or two, when the sun came out warm and bright and the mown grass was turned It was no sooner turned than another thunderstorm came. When such conditions have lasted about a fortnight with the clover and lucerne almost ready to cut again the farmer is apt to become exasperated and abandon the crop. But something has to be done with the stuff It cannot be left to cumber the ground. In some cases it has been thrown over a bank to get it out of the way, and in some instances it has been burnt. Provided it is. not altogether rotten something can be done with the ruin Cart it into a stack and add any thistles or old rank grass that may be growing around disfiguring the landscape. Canadian and Star thistles make good ensilage. and it is surprising how the stock take to it. We are told that there is no feeding value ir thistles, but they at least act as a “filler,” and a filler is a jojly good thnig on a cold winter’s day. One wet season many years ago a well-known farmer in the Totara district dumped all of one cut which had been ruined by the weather over a cliff, and straightway forgot all about it. A few months later his cows could not be found, and on a search being made they were discovered regaling themselves on this abandoned dump. Burning is a criminal waste, and should not be countenanced on any farm. There are thousands of acres of grass which could be cut for hay, but I am afraid that, owing to the scarcity of labour and the unseasonable weather, only a fraction of it will be saved. The Wheat and Oat Crops Some of the oat crops are now to be seen in stook, and they look very well. The wheat crops are in ear, and, generally speaking, they, too, are looking well. Some of the paddocks bear a well-scarred appearance, due to the very heavy rains of winter and spring. Birds are taking heavy. Toll of the early-sowri oat crops. Some people say that the birds are entitled to their share for what they do in devouring insects, but we don’t like to lose our crops after having grown them. Turnips and Rape

The sowing of turnip and rape crops has been a precarious business. Some farmers have, prepared their ground for these crops no fewer than three times. They' l no sooner had the ground ready than a heavy fall of rain occurred, and the surface soil all ran together. This necessitated reworkihg the field. As a consequence of this, very few turnip and rape crops have yet been sown. Provided the surface is not too hard, the best plan is to run the drill through it with all the coulters down and sow lewt of ammoniated super at the Same time. Failing this, one or two'strokes with the tine harrows should be given at intervals. As a matter of fact, it does not hurt to run the cultlivator with narrow points on, but on no account leave the ground hard. The White Butterfly

The white butterfly, I am glad to say, is almost conspicuous by its absence this season. Whatever some farmers may think, we have to take off our hats to the authorities at the Cawthron Institute for the way in wliich they have handled this pest, and .rid us of public' - enemy No. 1. Last autumn the white butterfly was to be seen in millions all oyer the district, but now only an occasional one is to be seen. If the authorities could now tell us how to get rid of the diamond back moth and aphis, the _ worst enemies of the brassica family would disappear, and we could grow turnips and rape without fear. In the meantime, we are very glad to be rid of the white butterfly. Lambs Thriving

Notwithstanding the prolific growth of grass, lambs have been thriving, especially in the lighter and drier parts of the district. The local freezing works opened a fortnight before Christmas, when some excellent drafts of fats off the mothers went forward. Lambs are weighing out much better this season than they did last year. Weights ranging from 36 to 41 are quite common, about 51b better than last year.

Shearing

At the end of the year shearing was still dragging on its weary way. and in most districts there are still more woollies to be seen than shorn sheep Wool is very bright and clean and bulky this year. The Seed Harvest

Given average weather conditions from now on, we should have a good seed harvest, both for ryegrass and white and red” clover. Some of the red clover will be late owing to farmers not being able to get -their hay cut soon enough. All small seeds are sure to be cheaper this season, but we could scarcely expect to see the high prices of last season again this year. Nevertheless, the seed will go on to a-bare market, and many farmers have delayed sowing owing to high prices. This is sure to increase the demand. Sales of Stock Prices for all fat stock have declined during the month. With the opening of the freezing works, prices of fat ewes and fat wethers will soon come to this parity. The fat lamb schedule declined a farthing over the holidays, and is now at for primes. Considering the low price of offals, this must be considered satisfactory, A few more forward sales of lambs have been made, but dealers are very cautious, not so much because of the markets, but because of the fear of fatalities. One line of paddock and tussock lambs made 15s, and good paddock lambs, with a large draft of fats, made 20s to 245. The last-named price was for an exceptionally good line, with a paddock of rape given in. Green Feed It is not too late to plough for green feed; in fact, the best green feed is grown on land which has been prepared for turnips and sown at the latter end of this month; 201 b to 251 b of certified Italian, with 51b of red clover, makes an excellent mixture. It not only provides a good bite iri the autumn and early winter, but comes away again early in the spring, and can then be shut up for a crop of seed, either grass or clover, whichever is dominant.

Let me wish my fellow farmers the compliments of the season ahd the very best year that can possibly fall to their lot.

FERTILITY OF FARM LAND

SERIOUS DETERIORATION IN BRITAIN

RESEARCH SPECIALIST PRAISES SOUTHLAND

“ We have been told in England that New Zealand is not only maintaining the fertility of its grasslands, but is improving them, and I have come here to study the methods followed, because in England we have been faced with a serious deterioration of our farm lands,” said Dr Harold H. Mann, of the Rothamsted Experimental Station, of England, in an interview. Dr Mann arrived in Invercargill on Friday of last week, and spent Saturday in inspecting the Southdown estate of the Southland Frozen Meat Company, where tussock land is being transformed into rich pasture country. On Sunday he visited some of the most notable farms in the Winton district. Before his departure he said he was much impressed by the spectacular success of farming in New Zealand, and he believed he had learned much of great value in dealing in the maintenance of grassland fertility on which he was working at Rothamsted. _ “ The good reports we have received of New Zealand farming certainly do not appear to have been exaggerated, Dr Mann said. “The farms I have seen in Southland are in excellent condition. and they are carrying more stock than I expected, and apparently without deterioration of the land.’

Serious Concern

In Great Britain farm lands had been in use for centuries, and there had been a marked and serious deterioration during the last 50 years. This was causing very general concern, particularly because there was a strong feeling that Britain should expand its home production to reduce its dependence on foreign countries for foodstuffs. The probability of a national emergency shutting off some of the present normal supplies was very serious, and the general opinion was that there was urgent need for raising production within the country. "The first need in this programme is to improve the fertility of the farm lands, which has fallen to a marked extent.” he said. “There has been comparatively little top-dressing of grasslands done in England, but great quantities of fertilisers have been used on arable land. Much encouragement has been given in recent years for the use of lime, which is supplied to the farmers at half cost, so that greater quantities will be used. Until about 100 years ago huge quantities of lime were used on the soil in Britain, but its use fell away very substantially, and very little has been used during the last century.” From appearances of the vegetation it seemed to him that the soil in mosl parts of Britain was less acidic than in Southland, and it was probable that the good effects of the heavy liming in past years in England had been retained for many years. This possibly accounted for the spectacularly successful results achieved with the use of lime in Southland, but it appeared that in Britain this alone would not be sufficient to build up again the fertility to the extent that was desired. “ We have various schools of thought on the question of what should be done to improve fertility,” Dr Mann said. “ Some authorities contend that it is impossible to maintain the fertility of grasslands without ploughing it up every few years and resowing. Others say fertility can be maintained by the frequent use ,pf fertilisers in top-dressing and in the use of a big amount of lime. Still others claim that the question of fertility depends on how the land is stocked and grazed. It is probable that there is a good deal to be said for all these theories, but the greatest need is to ascertain the best features of each method and establish a practice which will be completely successful incorporating the re-, suits of experience in other lands.” Southland Success Dr Mann said he had been very interested in the spectacular results achieved in Southland in curing “ bush sickness,” or the failure of stock to thrive in certain districts, with the use of cobalt. This had been a striking success, and its reputation had reached England. The use of boron to supply deficiencies of that element in the soil in New Zealand had also been reported abroad. The importance of trace elements was being recognised by research workers throughout the world and he had had personal experience of valuable results being secured from the use of small quantities of copper, manganese and sulphur. New Zealand and Australia had been the first countries to recognise the importance of cobalt. Important work in the use of trace elements was being done in Florida, Central Africa. England. Australia and New Zealand. Dr Mann has had very wide experience in the study of agriculture in different parts of the world. He was for many years Director of Agriculture at Bombay and after his return to England his services were retained as agriculture adviser for the State of Hyderabad. Some years ago he was sent by the British Government to report on the possibilities of growing tea m Kenya, Nyassaland and Tanganyika, and as a result of his activities there an extensive industry has been established. SOIL DESTRUCTION WIND AND WATER The losses which pasture deterioration and soil erosion are causing to primary producers have not yet been sufficiently recognised. Many areas in Australia already suffer from such deterioration, and unless appropriate precautions are taken it may be found that New Zealand has similar problems to solve. An analysis of Australia s problem can be very instructive to New Zealand in this respect; there is an urgent need for measures of soil conservation in Australia if levels ot production of both wool and wheat are to be maintained. A circular recently issued by the Bank of New South Wales deals with the depreciation of soil productivity and explains the various forms of pasture deterioration, at th same time making suggestions for a long-term policy to combat them. . Soil erosion is due either to tne action of running water or of wind. Indiscriminate clearing of trees, especially on slopes, often prevents rainfall from being retained in the soil, and allows valuable soil to be washed away. Wind erosion occurs in Australia mainly in wheat areas of low rainfall and in certain of the semi-arid pastoral lands Disregard of scientific farming metnods, as well as overstocking, are the main factors which facilitate soil deterioration by wind erosion. A map in the circular shows the distribution of the various forms and degrees of soil deterioration in Australia. Already about one-half of Australia’s occupied area is subject to some degree of erosion, and a continuation of the present short-sighted methods of Soil utilisation would also affect other parts. An investigation into conditions in Net- Zealand would probably justify similar conclusions. REMEDIES SUGGESTED The circular makes recommendations for checkin* soil deterioration. Experience in the United States and South Africa prove that erosion can be prevented. Water erosion can be stopped by throwing up contour banks across the land, by changing methods of cultivation, and by avoiding long periods of bare fallow in crop rotations. Similarly, adjustment of farming methods will also help to prevent wind erosion, and scientific fertilising is necessary for the improvement of the soil. Generally, scientific investigation and more research work are urgently needed, and the bank’s circular sums up the position in Australia as follows: “The deterioration of land resources is a problem which has evolved gradually to a stage where it must be faced methodically and thoroughly, and it must be made clear that no time should be wasted in grappling with this problem so fundamental to the common welfare.”