DOMINION GRASS SEED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27580, 23 December 1950, Page 8

DOMINION GRASS SEED

Successful Experiment In, America FARMERS INTERESTED Special to the Daily Times INVERCARGILL Dec. 22. The trial of New Zealand grass seed on the 10-acre farm of Mr W. S. Overton, of Clinton, Tennessee, United States, has resulted in the inquiry by a number of American farmers who have Visited the area about the price of different seeds used by Mr Overton. This information is given by Mr R. B. Tennent, the assistant directorgeneral of the Department of Agriculture, Wellington, in a letter to Mr A. P. O’Shea, the general secretary of Federated Farmers of New Zealand. Mr A. G. Duncan, the chief organiser of Federated Farmers of New Zealand, has passed the information to Mr F. M. Henderson, the chairman of the Small Seeds Committee of Federated Farmers. The laying down and management of the pastures in Tennessee was carried out under the personal supervision of Mr Tennent. In his letter to Mr O’Shea, Mr Tennent states that during his recent visit to America to arrange the trials of New Zealand grass seed, one of the 10 acres, among others, was laid on the farm of Mr Overton, where a considerable amount of grassland was being brought under grass to combat soil eroson by the Tennessee Valley Authority. Recently he received a letter from Mr Ivens the county agent for the College of Agriculture, reporting on the initial results of the trial. Mr Ivens stated: “Mr Overton seeded this 10 acres on August 25 and in six weeks it had enough growth that it was necessary, to turn on his steers. So far, Mr Overton has received 18 days’ grazing for 80 head of 8501 b steers, or 1440 cow days. He is well pleased with the results and quite a number of farmers have visited the property for the purpose of seeing the demonstration. Several have expressed the desire to try the same mixture on . their farm, and would appreciate information ocncerning the price of the different seeds that Mr Overton used. In other words, we would like to know the approximate cost of the seed mixture laid down in Clinton, also, how long it will take to get there, and with whom to communciate to buy the seed.” Mr Tennent says this seems an excellent opportunity of taking advantage of the scheme launched by the Seed Committee of Federated Farmers, by whidh it is proposed to supply free of charge sufficient seeds to conduct further trials in the United States and Canada.

“If you concur I shall advise Mr Ivens Federeated Farmers of New Zealand is prepared to give a supply of seed to farmers in the Clinton district selected by Mr Ivens for further trial purposes.” Mr Henderson said today that Tennessee farmers will be granted a considerable portion of free seed as a gift from the seed growers of New Zealand for further experimental work under the supervision of the county agent of the College of Agriculture, Tennessee. This will be in line with similar allocations for other States.