THE FIELD EXPERIMENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3019, 24 January 1912, Page 18

THE FIELD EXPERIMENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

VISIT OF INSPECTION TO TOTARA AND THE WAITAKI BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL.

The inspection of the field experiments being conducted by Supervisor S. M. Taylor, under the direction of Mr Macphcrson, the Department’s instructor, on the various farms in the neighbourhood of Oamaru fell on a very inconvenient day for a large number of the members of the North Otago A. and P. Association, who would otherwise have joined the parly which set out for this purpose last Thursday morning. The local traders’ picnic engaged the services of some of the members, and the presence of the Auckland bowling team demanded the attention of others, so that it was a comparatively small party which braved the elements and set out in motor cars on a tour of inspection round the various farms whore experimental plots had been established last year. Unfortunately, the promise of the morning was not upheld, for heavy rain showers supervened and soaked the ground and growing crops to such an extent than an otherwise pleasant and highly profitable excursion was deprived of some of its attractions; and after visiting Mr Macphcrson’s, at Totara, and the Waitaki Boys’ High School experimental field, further ” inspection of the remaining 15 farms was abandoned. The sympathy of all the party was extended to the field instructor, who is endeavouring to popularise these visits of inspection, and thus enable the farmers to realise more fully and completely the lessons which he had been exerting himself for the last 12 months to impart to them. The attendance was disappointing, because there were object lessons presented both at Totara and the High School which would well repay the careful attention of every farmer in the district. Many of the experiments wore not sufficiently advanced to permit of a proper realisation of the embodied lessons, but this did not prevent the visitors from appreciating the work done. Perhaps another inspection later on will bo all the more appreciated after having seen the various plants in their earlier stages of growth at Totara.

The plots at Totara reflected credit on all concerned, and it was at once evident that neither time nor trouble had been spared to endeavour to bring the tests to a satisfactory conclusion. For this credit is due both to the management and to those who, in this and other instances, provided land for the purpose. After inspecting the plote on Totara, the party were.very hospitably entertained by Mr and Mrs Maephonnn at the homestead. I'rior to leaving, Mr Seth-Smith called for cheeps for the host and hostess, and these were heartily given.

A visit was first paid to a. field of oats on Mr Maephcrson’s Totara Estate. There wore nine plots, each a tenth of an acre in extent, and all had been drilled in on September 8. 1911. In 1907 the land, which had been in pasture for 10 years, was brought into cultivation, two crops of wheat being sown in succession, followed by one j>otato crop and another crop of wheat. Previous to the sowing of the oats the land had been ploughed in the autumn and exposed to the frost all winter. It is a rich black volcanic soil, with limestone subsoil, and rich in all plant foods. It becomes very sticky or tarry when wot. The sub-sod which is of a yellowish colour, turns black when exposed to the weather. It is a retentive coil and difficult to keep clean. The vest was purely a variety test, its pur pose being to ascertain the kind of oats most suitable for the locality and for the local climatic conditions. The sparrowbills proved the most promising of the lot, and are all so heavy that they are likely to go down before harvest, Non© of the varieties had been pickled—that is stooped for rust or smut. On plot I—The1 —The Yielder—the crop was very light: next to this was (lie Storm King variety, and this proved very much better, being an oat which has proved itself worth growing on heavy alluvial flats on cccount of its strong, vigorous straw. On the third plot were the sparrowbills. which, as already mentioned, were the Irest of the whole lot. The Dun oats and the Algerians might have been better, but they should have been sown in the autumn instead of the spring The ordinary Garton plot had done remarkably well, but the seed of the Ganon Yielder was imported and had not yet become sufficiently acclimatised to grow a successful crop. The ordinary Gartens and the sparrowbills arc the standard oats in the south, and of the two the Garton is superior for milling and feed The Triumph plot, the class of oats which were so successful at Ashburton

daring the drought last year, had grown only fairly well, while the Danish oats are too well known to require comment. The party next proceeded to another part of the station where tests had been arranged for several fodder and green crops. The first of those was a variety test of 27 different kinds of mangolds, which had all been sown on the 14th of October, on land which, in 1909, had been in pasture for 15 years It was then broken up and cropped for wheat. This was followed by a crop of potatoes, which preceded the mongolds tests. The land was ploughed and double-disced, and afterwards narrowed down fine. It was then drilled up and sown as stated, and thinned in December. Some of the varieties had started off very much better than others, but until the season is further advanced it would bo invidious and probably misleading to specially commend any of the varieties experimented with. When the crops are weighed some very interesting results will be obtained —results which should be of material assistance to the local farmers. One rather remarkable result secured was that, the seed grown locally had not done any better in the inclement season experienced than the imported seed. There were four plots of lucerne which had been sown in such a manner as to demonstrate the advantages derived from liming and soil inoculation. On all of the plots the seed had brairded remarkably well. On the best plot—that which had been limed and innoculated with soil—it had grown 28 inches long. However, they were all good, and there was not a groat deal of difference between any of the plots. As in the case of all the other crops experimented with, it was too early in the season to arrive at the comparative value of the different treatment of each plot. The maize crop was quite a revelation. It had been tried and failed so frequently in the south that in this instance the value of acclimatisation of seed was very clearly demonstrated, the plants having done remarkably well and grown to a height of 18 inches. There was, moreover, hardly a blank in the v.hole length of the drill. It looked strong and vigorous, and had every indication of growing to a height of eight or nine feet. On the next division four varieties of millet, another fodder plant, had been sown—Japanese, Manchurian, pearl, and Siberian. The seed of this plant is very bulky but light in comparison with other seeds. The two first-named varieties were growing well, being very thick in the cliill and standing a foot high, while the two latter had brairded very badly and had been abandoned. This plant grows very rapidly to a height of five or six feet. One acre was devoted to the srrowth of silver beet, a ioddea- which is blight-proof and frost -.resistant, and is being experimented with to ascertain whether it is capable of taking the place of rape and turnips. Chou moellier, a French oow-cab'-bago, a valuable summer and winter fodder, and stated to be both frost and drought resistant, occupied the next plot. R grows to a height of 6ft, and the leaves may be stripped off about five times during a season. The whole plant is then chaffed and fed without waste. On the next plot had been sown the soya bean, a Japanese product, which has recently come into prominence in European countries. It is used as a fodder crop for stock, and as a green manure for ploughing in, and has been successfully grown under varying climatic conditions. Tire seed is heavily changed- with oil, and the residue is utilised for the production of cattle food. A sowing of cow-peas had failed to grow, the seed which had been imported probably being bad, as exactly the same result was obtained at Belfast. gome seven different varieties of carrots had, with one exception- brairded well, and gave promise of excellent returns, but at this stage in their growth it is very difficult to hazard an opinion as to the ultimate return they will afford It is the intention of the association to visit all these experimental plots after they have matured, at which time it will be possible to obtain definite results and fuller information. Plots wore devoted to Rhodes gra-s*, which has not yet had time to develop properly; to Russian barley, which is being grown as a fodder crop to test its value against Capo barley, and which has done romarkablkv well; and to Phalaris commutate, which was grown both from seed and rooted plants obtained from Ruakura. Notwithstanding the fact that they suffered by being delayed in transit fnv several weeks, they have done remarkably well. Tint seed has also brairded well, and the resultant plant gives every promise of being a most valuable fodder-plant in the drier portions of the Oaruaru district. It is claimed that it is one of the greatest drought-resisting grasses ever introduced into the Dominion, and its value has been abundantly proved in the districts north of Auckland.

Tho wheat, had lecn grown on land similar to that used for oats, but hardly so black or heavy. There wore eight varieties, and all had been sown on July 18, without the use of any fertiliser. The first variety inspected was Solid Straw Tuscan, and this proved to bo a remarkably fine heavy crop, which should give a gratifying yield. It can be sown either in autumn or in spring, and. generally yields from live to 10 bushels more than any other variety. It is very difficult to harvest or stack, and also to thresh. The husk has a tremendous hold of the grain, and it is not easily shaken out by the wind. It is a valuable acquisition to the district, for it will stand any weather, and in South Canterbury it will grow successfully on land on which other crops will not grow, with the result that, it. has increased the value of land in some parts of that district by as much as £5 per acre The plot of white velvet, one of the oldest established wheats, was not true to kind by any means, tho seed having evidently been somewhat mixed. There was a veiy fair crop of Pearl velvet, another old-established wheat, but it was hardly as good as it should have been under the circumstances. Tho red c-hafT plot had produced a very fair crop, but the heads might have been a good deal larger, and it compared very unfavourably with tho Tuscan. Although inferior for nulling purposes, it is usually a very - heavy cropper, and has to bo cut green, as it is easily shaken. Red Martel, an Anglicised French wheat, introduced by the department, had the best appearance of any on the ground, having,-a long, full head. It is supposed to be one of tho largest-berried wheats, and yields well, but, like other French wheat, is easily shaken by the w ind Thera . was a very good crop of Marshall’s Improved Tuscan, tho seed of which had been got from the best ears

of wheat grown in Canterbury Red Tuscan, another of the older established varicJ tie.-, and one much prized by millers for ■ mixing purposes, made a good show, but Federation, an Australian wheat, which ' had previously done .well in Canterbury, I was a rank failure, and is evidently not 1 suited for growing in the Oamaru disj triet. WAITAKI HIGH SCHOOL. Shortly afterwards the party proceeded I to the Waitaki High School hoys’ experi- ! mental field, and spent a considerable time in inspecting the various plots. These j have been established under the control of the field division of the Department of Agriculture with a view of providing object lessons for the boys attending the school who wish to study agriculture, and of 1 enabling them to become acquainted, with ■ and recognise the various grasses which are ■ more commonly used in building up the prescriptions usually adopted for permanent pasture. For every different kind and condition of soil there is a suitable mixture of grasses which does bettor than another. The plants selected may bo both indigenous and exotic, and they will thrive best if they suit the locality and climate. Some kinds do best on high ground and in dry weather, others want heavy soil and plenty of moisture. Some mature so oarlv, and others so late, that from the beginning of spring till wun- , ter sots in there is no time in the season when one or other is not at its best. And similarly with fodder crops, there are some which suit one locality, seme another; some are blight-proof and frost-rcsistent, j and others will not stand the water. The efforts of the Department are directed to discover the most suitable crop for each , district, and with that object in view, they • have introduced many varieties which have 1 come from all parts of the world. Those 1 arc being experimented with in the school field, arid their habits of growth and : peculiarities studied for the guidance of farmers locally. The plots are full of interest, and would amply repay the inspection of any one interested in agriculture, even if lie had to go 100 miles to get there. Some of the fodder plants grown will bo i noticed in another column. ■ Other portions ! of this.experimental field have been utilised for groon crop and manure tests. Those are conducted on a scale which makes them of : very considerable interest, and an object lesson, not only to the boys themselves, hut to the farmers of the district. We commend the idea of a visit to this experimental field to anv farmer who grows fodder for his cattle or sheep and is interested in the ; subject, and if ho was fortunate enough to i be invited also to Totara, ho would gain I information of great value to him in his ! business.