IMPROVING PASTURE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3513, 12 July 1921, Page 8

IMPROVING PASTURE.

The continual removal from tile soil ol the elements of nutrition by the annual crops of wool, lambs, fat stock, cheese and butter-fat, without giving back to the soil compensation in the form of fertilisers, will ultimately spell soil exnaustjon. I’astoral lands, although to eye well enough grassed, are not turning off the fat stock, or weight of wool, or as good lambs as they did, say 20 years ago. The pastures, in many cases, seem played out truly. The natural herbage nas been dissipated, and the drain on the ash constituents of the soil has been continuous, and with small attempt to improve the pastures by top-dressing. Then too, injury is caused to pastures by overstocking and the spread of noxious weeds, and, of course, the übiquitous rabbit must carry his share of the blame for eating out. the best types of grasses. The Superintendent of Agriculture in Victoria in a- paper read by him at the annual conference of butter and cheese factory managers and secretaries in Melbourne in May last, emphasised some results effected by his department. The first tests made were those at Rutherglen in 1913, to ascertain the value of various fertilisers in top-dressing natural pastures. Superphosphate 2cwt, basic slag 2cwt, super. 2cwt, pins lime lOcwt were tested alongside a control plot of no manure. Fifteen crossbred lambs of even quality were placed on each of the plots, and the increase in live weight obtained by weighing the lambs on and off the plots. The lambs were removed from the plots ns soon as the grass had been eaten out. The season was very favourable lor grass, the growth of the natural pastures hawing been exceedingly heavy. The results of the tests showed that whereas the increase in weight of the animals on the unmanured land was only 2381 b, in 21 days, those grazed for 28 days on the p’ot dressed with 2cwt super., plus lOcwt lime, revealed an increase of 4971 b, those on the 2owt super land 4911 b, and those on the 2cwt basic slag area 3871 b. Three effects were immediately apparent from the experiment. The weight of the herbage was greatly increased. The proportion of clovers and trefoils in the herbage was greatly increased. The palatability and stock-carrying capacity of the herbage \yas much inc reused. The experiments were repeated in 1914 on larger plots of four acres each, with precisely similar results. Further experiments in 1018 confirmed the Rutherglen results. The effects of applications of basic phosphate and superphosphate more than trebled the weight of grass, while lime proved of great value. The stimulation of the growth of clovers by the phosphatic dressings is a point of practical significance. These plants, as we know, have a high feeding value on account of the comparatively high ratio of digestible protein to carbo-hydrates compared with ordinary grasses. Legumes are of vast importance where dairy cows are kept, arid lambing ewes, while young stock thrive where these nitrogen gatherers and fixers are doing well. Then,, too. the improvement in the palatability of the dry feed on the manured areas was most noticeable. The greatest effect was observed on the land manured with lOcwt of lime and 2ewt of superphosphate. It was found that when sheep were given the choice of the whole of the manured pastures they selected and entirely disposed of the grass on this plot before attacking that of any of the others. An interesting example of the preference shown bv cows for top-dressed land, says Mr Richardson, has been demonstrated on Mr Horne’s property at Oudgee, in the WarramLool district. In distributing the manure with the drill narrow strips were missed, and the animals seemed to know them to the inch. Thev have been observed to feed along the edges of the treated portions, and at the end of the season strips of long dry grass on the untreated portions have been visible from a considerable distance. Tt is generally recognised that onr Dominion soils can do with phosphatic manuring, and that up till the present the call for nitrogenous manures has not been very great. Their time will come, however, if we do not generally encourage the growth of leguminous plants and set them gathering atmospheric nitrogen. Given a. fair rainfall and phosphatic manures will work wonders. Superphosphates on lands which have been well limed a year or two previously, where there is no acid reaction, probably cannot be eunalled. The amount to be applied per acre must be determined by the owner of the land, but at least a cwt per acre is recommended. The opportunity may poor: he available to farmers to experiment with finely-ground Nauru phosphate. It is anticipated that in our wed-stocked humus soils that results equal to those obtained bv top-dressing of basic slag in the Old Country will be obtained. Theoretically, we should get even better results. It will depend on the fineness o{ division of the raw phosphate whether our hopes are fulfilled. In investigating whether phosphate rock could be economically used in its raw state the N.Z. Phosphate Commissioner forms the opinion

that, if finely ground, it may be considered a satisfactory substitute for basic slag—that is, in those districts where there is usually a sufficient rainfall to ensure that the solubility of the raw phosphate will not be unduly retarded. In soils which have a sour tendenev, as is frequently the case here, or where there is a good proportion of organic matter or humus present, conditions may be considered most suitable for using the raw phosphate. It can invariably, with satisfactory results, be used for top-dl’eseing grass iands._ It may be advisable, as was customary in Ireland during the shortage of acid (required to dissolve raw phosphates) to use a two to one mixture, as it was termed. That is a mixture of say, two parts of high-grade superphosphate and one part raw rock phosphate, or even half and half mixture. It would make the phosphoric acid cheaper, and that is what is required on the farm. The fact of the matter is that where there is ample vegetable matter present in the soil raw rock phosphate is ground to an impalpable powder, is going to prove an inestimable benefit to the man owning sour acres, as it appears that the bacteria present under such conditions are ever active, and can utilise the raw rock phosphate for the requirements of plant growth.

NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

In discussing the pros and cons of a high protective tariff as it effects producers, the Australian Meat Trades Journal does not mince matters. Producers, it alleges, are complaining of high freights and damn all shiDowners. They do not look below the surface of things for the true reason. It is impossible for shipowners to offer cheap freights for produce if there is no cargo to be had on the outward trip. Australia (why not add New Zeeland?) is solely to blame for the conditions. . She blocks other countries from sending in their manufactures by high duties, by her idiotic Labour laws and want of discipline, allows the wharfies to go slow and knock off when they like. She allows the various Slates to rob the 'shipowners by exorbitant harbour and other rates, and yet the blame for high freights are put on the shipowners. The protection fetish is a red herring across the sent, which tho producers are too blind or dense to see, not only are they obliged to pay through the nose for all their plant to keep Melbourne and Sydney busy, but they have to pay high freights to get their produce away. It, is a choice of two (hings—either manufact tmes and congested towns or prosperous production and a settler! back country. It cannot be both. There are some who pin their faith on Government owned ships in which to take their produce Home. These ships are already losing money heavily, and wi'l do so much more shortly. They also have to come out empty. However, so long as Great Britain lends money to keep them running money which probably will never be reps d. so long ma.v they continue to demand help to kill British shipping and assist Japan, Germany, America, and other countries to get the world’s shipping trade. Kverything that possibly could be done to kill British shipping has been done, by Australia. In judging fat cattle, says Mr W. A. Dryden in the Breeders’ Gazette, “T first like to satisfy mvself as to general conformation by looking over the animal from a short distance. The impression gained at this d stance would give an idea of the type, depth of body. ' thickness, and general quality, which would include any tendency to coarseness or unevenness in general make up. One thus gets an idea as to whether an animal is too wide and rough in the shoulder, too deep and heavy in front, in contrast to the dentil behind, and whether carrying a belly or paunch like an in-calf cow. All of these points detract from general appearance and. worse than that, provide a waste in slaughter which is not, to the butcher’s liking. Sometimes one is deceived bv first impressions, but as a rule an animal that is rough and coarse in its bone and general make-up is rough and patchy in its flesh, and often more or less devoid of flesh in those places where it is most, to be d< sired. At closer ran ire it is well to look over the shoulder and make sure that it well laid into the body, that it is pea t! v io : ned by the neck vein to the neck, that the r : b» are well sprung both fore and aft. and that the hooks are not, too w'de and protruding. Then, too. if the caso in hand is Pot definitely decided bv the casual look, it, is safe to handle each animal a little. One sometimes can feel things that he cannot see, but first ho must know what he is feeing for, and if the bulge is not, _ thoroughly acnueintod on this nohit he is ant to err. A touch or two ove’- the back on the ribs should find flesh find not fat. There should be depth, evenness of covering, and "o tendency to patchiness or undue fat,. The faculty of knowing if one is foo.Vng flesh in contrast to fat is not acquired by everyone in the cattle business, and if undertaking work as a iudge where competition, is keen it is a point that one shoird be well aeouainted wbb. Given all other points in general conformation, if an ammnJ j- no t „ flesh-onrrbr it is not of much eonsemiencc to the butcher A smooth, nicelvenvered shoulder. rlWv fleshed end wide nVPr the crops, w’th plenty of mm and a long smooth quarter, with » hen. wellr.l !.*,] fl it-li rv*rwori to him a. sond rmttpr and one that will provide cuts of the best mielitv v. ith the mirrmom of waste m general Tn classes- where mmnet'linr is „nW« ere hi ebb- fitted nncsihly the most important no-rt f n u’dgo to f rv to he sure on is dm niiditv of the flesh rather than the euant’iv ef the fat. The high cost of fertilisers makes it imperative that some thought should he given to the condition of the soil and the requirements of the particular cron'. Different sods .and diffe ent plants require different treatment. I here is no one fertilise” which is equally applicable to every soil and every crop. Farmyard manure is the nearest approach to being a universal manure, but even it requires to be supplemented in some eases. Fertilisers which rnav be used on light soils with excellent ) results may not, answer on a clay soil, and vice versa. Non-attention to these points means loss of money and disappointment. Then, the soil mwst be brought to a good

condition, and attended to during the growth cf the crop. The surface must be kept loose, and any semblance of a crust prevented. On heavy undrained land the effect of artificials, or even farmyard, is not of much use, and mav be considered so much mono'- thrown awv. A good mechanical and physical condition is of the utmost importance, and quick lime is invaluable in this respect. Lime is not only a plant food but improves the condition generally of a heavy soil. In the Lincoln and Stamford Mercury Professor James Long discus'es milking character. The yield of milk, ho says, depends not only unon the treed of the cow and her individuality, but upon the food produced upon the farm, the manner in which it is supplied, and the general management. Milking character is in the blood or it is not. but it is useless to expect a high-bred milker to respond to bad feeding. We must not only obtain sufficient food, but food which is well balanced, and wh’ch, therefore, provides a proper ratio of protein to carbo-hyd r ates. It would ' e felly to ignore the value of the calf, nobody wants inferior calves, and we can see every week of our lives how larre is the number of such animals sent to the market because the owners have no customers who require them. T his is not the case where a herd is of first-class quality. It is good stock, and good stock only, that one should be bothered with in the present high costs of product’on. AGRICOLA. WELLINGTON WOOL SALE BIDDING BRISK. WELLINGTON, July 4. The fourth wool sale of the season took place in the Wellington Town Hall to-day. The sale is being held in co-operation with the British and Australian Wool Realisation Association which limits the quantities offered, and fixes the minimum reserves. The attendance was good, and the bidding brisk. There is little variation in prices from those realised in May. The catalogue comprised 10,173 bales, and it is estimated that 90 per cent, of the wool offered was disposed of. America was little interested at last sale, and was again inconspicuous, the principal competitors being Bradford and the Continent. The range of prices, together with a comparison of the May sale, is as follows:

May 26, 1921. J uly 4, 1921. Merino— 9 d to 9Jd Southdown —- 9 d to lOAd 10id to 11 d Halfbred, medium— laid to 15 d 7’d to 8Jd Halfbred, inferior— 7 d to 8 d 6 d to 7Jd Crossbred, super.— 5Jd to 6?d 6'd to 6Jd Crossbred, fine— 6 d to G d 5 d to 6 d 4|d to 5Jd Crossbred, medium— 3Jd to 4Jd 3Jd to ljd Crossbred, coarse— 3 d to 3id Crossbred, inf. seedy— 3 d to 4 d 2}d to 2Jd 2Jd to 3id Crossbred, pieces, bailies 1 d to 3Jd 1 d to 3*d Halfbred, pieces, be’lies3 d to 4Jd Locks —• Id to 2d 1 d to ltd Crn tellings— Id to 2d 1 d to 3 d Lambs, best— 7 d to 7Jd 7 d to 8 d. Lambs, medium— 5 d to 6£d 5 d to Gid Lambs, Southdown— 9 d to 10Jd