AGRICULTURAL SEEDS. N0.3.

Otago Witness, Issue 1583, 25 March 1882, Page 6

AGRICULTURAL SEEDS. N0.3.

It will not be out of place here to notice the frequent complaints made by farmers who. have laid down lands into pasture as to the permanence of the perennial grasses and clovers, because of the innumerable and conflicting opinions held on. the subject, and for all of which actual experience may be quoted' to justify. In one instance the grasses will be found maintaining a luxuriant growth for years ; whilst in another, on an exactly similar soil, so early as the third or fourth season symptoms of decay will be very apparent, and which ia almost invariably attributed to inferiority of seed instead of the true cause— the mismanagement of the grass lands. It is the common practice with farmers, especially those following a rotation system to cut the grasses in the first season for hay ; and very frequently they are allowed to ripen the seed. On fertile lands the injury to the grass plant is less serious nor where it is intended to again break up in the third or fourth year will the evil con&e* quences be bo fully experienced. When, however, it is the purpose to lay down for permanent pasture, cutting for hay or overstocking are alike fatal to the object in view, as in either case, the sufficient development of the root growth— a sine qua mm in pasturage— is effectually prevented, and if the seed be taken the mischief is still further intensified. The exhaustive effect of seeding on the roots of plants common in cultivation is well known to farmers, yet apparently they fail to recognise the fact that the same principle operates in the cultivation and growth of the clovers and grasses. Again, we have overwhelming cvi. dence of the evil results from overstocking the natural grasses. Vast < areas in New South Wales have been depreciated in their value for pastoral . purposes from this cause, and we know of one considerable holding which it was necessary to keep free of stock for three years ere it had even partially recovered. The result of observation and experience in these Colonies^ coupled with the inferences - suggested by experiments with grassos in the Mother Country, strengthens us in the belief that to whatever extent the permanent habit of the grasses may contribute to the success of old pastures, this is in a still greater measure the result of selfseeding. In understocking the opportunity of self -seeding is afforded, and this supplies any deficiency occasioned by the exhaustion or natural decay of tho old plant. We regard it to be indubitably clear, therefore, that tho perennial characteristics of grasses must be materially affected by their management, and which should receive closer study and attention than it has heretofore received.

The influence of skilful cultivation on the natural habits and characteristics of plants is universally known, nor is it possible that the grasses should prove the exception to the rule . there is good evidence indeed that the contrary is the case. Over forty years ago Italian rye-grass seed was imported into the United Kingdom, and with strong recommendations in its favour. After partial trial it was almost unanimously condemned, and for various reasons : it was a coarse grass ; was tender, and when made into hay, well-fed cattle would not eat it. It was given a lengthened trial, however, at the Model Farm, near Dublin^and its value for house-feeding stock was bo apparent that it was there grown in preference to all the otber

varieties. To that Institution the after success of this variety of grass in the three Kingdoms may be justly credited, for it there attracted by its luxuriant growth and heavy yields the attention of a large number of visitors. Two systems of rotation obtained on the farm— a four and a five year; consequently in the former a field remained one year, and in the latter two years in grass. The seed of the Italian was sown tho first season on the field in the four crops rotation, but when it became necessary to plough for the ensuing crop, the aftor math was so strong and heavy, it waß apparent that the variety would prove at least biennial. The grass after a year or two improved so much by acclimatisation, that the seed was much sought for, but, though four cuttings were taken during the season, the Professor of Agriculture would only permit one to ripen for the purpose, and when this was removed a heavy dressing of liquid manure was given. The land was certainly very rich, nevertheless the fact remained, that from this supposed annual heavy yields were obtained a second year, and it was subsequently proven by experiment that in the third season a fair return could be had, and this exclusively from root growths, as there was care taken that there should be no self-sowing possible. This led up to a trial on a more extended scale to test its value for depasturing purposes, and a more lengfchenedperiod. Seed of the second year's crop was selected for the purpose, and sown in one of tho Irish Midland Counties, where the writer saw it in the fifth year of pasturage. It had been judiciously grazed certainly, and doubtless self-seeded regularly, but it was certainly clear that the habit was so much changed as to entitle the variety to a place in mixtures for certain pastures. As we have touched on tho subject of artificial pastures, we would strongly urge upon farmers the propriety, nay absolute necessity, of giving a full quantity of grass seeds when sowing down, for with these it is exactly the reverse as should be the practice with others where thin seeding is more commendable. Doubtless, the expense has led to the custom whioh now too frequently prevails. Fifteen acres properly laid down will dopasture as much stock as fifty acres sown with an indifferent selection, or thinly seeded, and in the latter caso the growth of weeds, which eventually 'choke the grass, is encouraged. It may be argued that where the land is clean the grasses will thicken ; but this is a tedious process at best, and involves a certain loss in waiting.

To return to our immediate subject, however

—the growth of agricultural seeds— we have to remark as regards clover seeds, which properly come next in order, that these are grown profitably under such varying circumstances of climate and soil that there can be no real difficulty with them here. With reference to one, or two varieties it is objected that the bloom does not fertilise perfectly, but this may be regarded as a visionary idea. The attempts hitherto made have been partial, and as we have all the necessary conditions for success at command the results cannot be in doubt. It may, however, be definitely' stated that to grow clover seeds the land must be absolutely free from weeds. It would be difficult to realise an approximate idea of the mischief inflicted by the grower of olover and' weed seeds; farmers, however, have" themselves suffered so much in this way, that it is to be hoped those who may attempt the growth of seed of whatever kind, will take the neoessary precaution of thoroughly cleaning the land, in erder that they may not be the culpable agents of serious injury to their brother cultivators.

We cannot better induce the fanners to give this subject their attention, than by reminding them of the very great demand which already exists for clovers and grass seed here, and that this must inorease as the advantages of improving the natural pastures become more fully recognised. A system of mixed husbandry, of necessity now on the eve of adoption, will permanently sustain this demand, and if, added to this, similar eventualities occur in the Northern Colonies, there can be no question that this branch of the seed trade will prove the source of very considerable profits to cultivators.