IMPORTANCE OF HUMUS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3756, 9 March 1926, Page 12

IMPORTANCE OF HUMUS.

In considering the probable value of any of our farm lands, more particularly perhaps those lands which have been cropped frequently during the past years, and received but little remedial treatment, it is impossible to ignore the importance of organic matter —that is to say, rotting vegetation (humus). Land that lacks humus is poor and hungry, and dries out quickly, even if none of the three essential chemical constituents are lacking. These fertilising elements—nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash—can be supplied or maintained in the soil by the application of chemical manures. Farmers admittedly do spend a good deal of money in artificial manures, but hesitate a while if it is suggested that more farmyard manure is wanted, or, in lieu of the incomparable dung, the ploughing in of some green leguminous crop. The humus factor is of the utmost importance in our cultivated soils. Although not exactly a plant food, its presence is essential for the plant to make the most economical use of the foods present in the soil naturally or those added in ferilisers.

Humus has been described as “the key that unlocks Nature’s storehouse.” This is how one scientist puts it: “The action of green manure before it reaches th humus stage is invariably beneficial; indeed, it is more beneficial than humus itself. Decaying organic matter such as we have in turned-under green crops has its main value in the mechanical action that takes place in the process of making humus. Besides providing plant food and improving the mechanical condition of the soil, turned-under green crops, particularly leguminous crops, provide a cheap supply of nitrogen, increase the—temperature of the soil, and enable it to conserve its store of moisture. The mechanical improvement of the soil is of the utmost importance, because we know th"'; in the absence of good soil conditions all the other soil ‘ keys * combined will unlock only a limited quantity of the store of plant food which the soil may contain. If we lay aside all bias, we must coine to the conclusion that, quite apart from supplying direct plant food, even artificial fertilisers have a considerable mechanical and biological effect on the soil, and it is only natural to expect that green manuring will act still more beneficially in the same direction, with the difference that the mechanical and biological changes brought about by green manuring are invariably beneficial, while in some cases the application of artificial fertilisers may bring about soil conditions that are very deleterious.” The mysteries of the soil are many—our knowledge of it as yet extremely hazy,—and if we could only so magnify the soil and its teeming millions of bacteria, so as to see them plainly, and understand the soil changes that are continually brought about, we should doubtless be ashamed of the robbing process due to the successive and continual growing of similar crops. The great value of green manuring lies in the fact that the benefits from it extend over several years, a matter which should be considered when counting the cost of the crop. The farm lands at Home are treated far better than they are in newer countries. This has always been the case, and accounts for the fertility of British soils, even after years of cropping. Manuring, liming, rotation of crops, and, above all, the application of good farmyard manure, combined with good cultivation, are the main fertility factors of the Old Country’s acres. In green manuring all green crops should be ploughed under when the soil is damp, so as to hasten the decay of the plouglied-under material. Some time ago (states an exch gc) a large track of poor sandy soil in Austria was reported to have attained the highest state of fertility by ploughing under successive crops of blue lupins. The nature of the soil was changed from a poor, light-coloured sand to a dark, rich, sandy loam. Such changes are always noticeable after green manuring. Both light and heavy soils become darker in colour, but the light soils are bound more closely together, while the heavy soils are opened up and made more friable.

NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS. Harvesting „a late this year, a lot of crop still standing. The Farm Work stubbles should provide lor March. some useful feeding once the stooks are cleared and the weed growth cleaned up. The earlier these lands are ploughed the better. Some years it is possible to disc the stubbles with tho idea of springing weed seeds, which later can be fed off or ploughed under. The sowing of some such crops as rye corn, cape barley, or oats now should ensure some useful stock feed before winter sets in, and in springtime provide an early “bite” ere the grass has made progress. Land intended for lucerne if now ploughed and limed and allowed to lie fallow during the winter should be readily cleaned next spring for seeding, in Otago, about November. The wisdom of covering grain stacks is obvious, if left over the winter, while all straw stack 3 are the better if w’ell raked down and securely weighted. Once the grass commences to “go off,” it is well to provide young stock with some extra feeding, as the feeding value of weathered grass is indifferent at it 3 best. The provision of a “lick” of salt will help digestion and the health of stock. All milkers should receive some foodstuff of a succulent nature when the grass commences to get woody, in order to maintain the flow of milk. See that the pigs get plenty of food, and stop that squealing in the cold weather by attention to their wants. Attend to all lambs and crutch them, then dip Yerminiferous lambs are a source of waste of both feed and flesh. Wean all lamb 3 in time to permit the ewes having eight weeks’ rest before tupping time, and retain some of the ewe lambs to replace the good jld : has beens.” Select vour rams with judgment—clad with the style of wool fancied and built as near like a typical Down sheep as may be. How else can you reckon upon securing lambs which will be shapely sorts under 361 b weight? See, too s that the rams’ feet are of undoubted quality and substance—as well own a lame racehorse as footsore rams. If the rams are to do a season worth while, it is suggested that an occasional feed of, say, crushed oai-s, peas, beans, with chaff and a little linseed, in fact anything calculated to make the rams extend themselves. Also “flush” the ewes. He is a wise man who endeavouis to secure over 100 per cent, of lambs, but the sheep must be shepherded. Dip all sheep, including ‘stragglers,” and get things tidy for the winter.

It is important that one should realise that the greater part of Proper „ a cow’s milk is secreted Milking. during the process of milking. The action of milking is the stimulus bringing about secretions. In the same, way (writes Miss D. Pybus in the Bloemfontein Farmers’ Weekly) saliva forms in the mouth as a result of a savoury smell or taste; hence a specially appetising food is said to “make the mouth water.” Similarly, the flow of digestive juices begins in the stomach when food is eaten. This point, with regard to milk, shows the importance of proper milking, for not only can milk secretion be thus encouraged, but it can also be discouraged by improper milking. A cow can give or withhold her milk to a great extent according as she approves or disapproves her milker. Moreover, it is the fat which 6he particularly withholds, so that a bad milker will often obtain milk poorer in quality than that obtained by a good milker. The essential parts to be borne in mind are that milking should be done quickly, quietly, and thoroughly. The expert milker who does th*» job quickly and quietly, getting a “bead” on the bucket, gets a greater amount of milk and richer in fat than does the novice. Thorough milking is an absolute necessity for a big and prolonged yield. A secretion is produced only where there is a demand for it. The demand is made by withdrawing all the milk from the udder„ when more is manufactured by the glands to meet future requirements.

Proof positive of the importance of soil content under dry con-

sol I and ditions is interesting, and Dry Conditions. should serve to stress the necessity of keeping up the supply of organic matter in soils which “Sol” scorches for days at a time. A report of experiments carried out by the Tennessee College of Agriculture indicates that it is not the lack of much moisture alone that makes the difference between a good and a poor harvest. Two fields lying alongside were ploughed, planted, and cultivated alike. In one, drought burned the maize to death; in the other the maize plants remained green, and even before the late rain came the ears were continuing to increase in weight and feeding value. This difference was due to a difference in the soil conditions of the two fields. In one case the land had been cropped long and continuously to maize, and the organic content was low. In the other field the soil had been cropped to legumes from time to time, and vegetation had been turned under frequently, so that there was sufficient organic matter to store up the moisture present when the weather turned dry.

Dominion farmers in recent years have, in a sense, had thrown Some at them phosphate facts Fertiliser Facte. which admittedly (if not in the rock) are as valuable as they are entertuining. Our soils must have phosphorous, but there are equally sound reasons why the nitrogen requirements of crops should be studied. For instance, the Illinois Agriculture Experiment Station, which has tried out this problem, says:—“One busliel of oats (grain or straw) requires lib of nitrogen. One bushel of maize (grain and stalks) requires lilb of nitrogen. One bushel of wheat (grain and rtraw) requires 21b of nitrogen. One ton of timothy hay requires 241 b of nitrogen. One ton of clover contains 401 b of nitrogen. One ton of cowpeas contains 431 b of nitrogen. One ton of average manure contains 101 b of nitrogen. For easy figuring it is worth keeping the foregoing table in mind. The roots of clover contain about half as much nitrogen as the tops, and cowpeas con* tain about one-tenth as much as the tops.” Granted that the growing of healthy crops may prove the most eeo-

nomic method of providing nitrogen, the use of a cheap nitrogenous manure may well be welcomed. AGRICOLA. DAIRY CONTROL. BOARD S POLICY DEFENDED. Mr W. Grounds, the chairman of the Dairy Produce Control Board, addressed a large gathering of dairy farmers on the Ist in the Express Company’s buildings, Mr W. Bryant being in the chair. * 'file speaker said the last time he was in Dunedin he had just returned from the Homeland and the board had decided, on information gathered at Home, to take absolute control of dairy produce as provided iu tile Act. The board had been subjected to criticism, which was welcome, as it showed that the dairymen were concentrating their attention on the question of control. When the board was elected an effort was made to see that each district was represented under an unofficial ward system In some quarters he was held responsible for the ward system not going through at the last session of Parliament. The matter was going to be rushed through _ without due consideration and he had blocked it. The board had convened a meeting of factory directors in Wellington, when the method of electing the board members would be thoroughly discussed. The date of the conference would give every factory a chance to consider the question and its representative would then have full power to express tfyo opinion of the factory he represented.

The individual supplier had long ago given over his rights to his directors with regard to the disposal of the cheese. To follow this principle to a logical conclusion it would be equally more satisfactory for a central control body to handle all the available export produce. Speaking as one of themselves, and not a 9 chairman of the board, he said he was in favour of the directors electing the board as that would secure a complete vote of the whole industry. Under the system in vogue last election only one-third of the producers had voted, so they could see the possibilities of such a vote being used disto the interests of the whole.

Another statement was that no notice had been given of the proposed conference but the official newspaper had notified the producers of the conference. The newspaper took the place of a direct circular. Ihe board had been subjected to criticism oyer the large amount of cheese arriving in London during January, and causing a slump, but they must remember that the shipping strike had disorganised everything. When the strike was ended the board had reduced the output as it was its policy to maintain a steady market level and keep prices about the same.

Other critics said the board should have taken advantage of high prices ruling in America and shipped cheese there. The board was not responsible for the distribution of the exportable surplus until August. On the other hand one English paper, the Westminster Ga/.ette, had accused the board of withholding 10 per cent, of the produce and shipping it to America. It was stated that the board was robbing the individual of his rights, but the Britisher was always ready to follow a course that would be to his advantage and exploit new possibilities. A great change was taking placo in the handling of primary products and in the last few years largo concerns had been formed to handle produce. The meat markets of the world were governed by certain large interests and unless the producers did the right thing now the dairy industry would got caught in a similar strangle-hold. Without any desire to hurt the consumer they must combine and be sufficiently strong to bo able to foroe a compromise with those handling their produce. He was convinced that they were getting in at the right time and they must push forward.

Merchants would receive supplies on tho average of the produce handled by them during the last throe yean. The hoard's London house would be in direct touch with all merchants, and this would put a stop to a considerable amount of price fluctuation. Some housos handling their produce made a good deal by buying when the market was low and holding the produce against a rise. It was being stated that the board would not take control in August but this was a statement calculated to oreate doubt in the minds of the producers. So fa>r as the board was concerned it had no idea nor intention to defer control. Mr J. R. Thacker, a member of the board, also spoke. He said that the members of the board were not concerned how the board was elected but desired to have the decision of the majority of the producers. He would advise them to see that they were represented at the pro-

posed conference by men whom they could trust.

After Mr Grounds had answered a number of questions Mr Macauley moved: “That this meeting of dairy producers is in favour of the. members of the Dairy Control Board being elected on the single ward system, the individual producer voting at the elections.” Mr Mason seconded the motion.

The Chairman said that they had not come there to discuss this question, but to hear Mr Grounds explain the policy of the board and, therefore, he would rule the motion out of order.

Mr A. Moore jnovod a motion of confidence in the Dairy Produce Control Board which was seconded by Mr M‘Kay. The motion was lost on the voices and Mr Mason Said that the motion was not a motion of no-conlidcnco jn Mr Grounds but against the chairman in refusing to allow the meeting to vote on the previous motion.

Vote 3 of thanks to Mr Grounds and the chairman concluded the meeting.

Ihe New Zealand Dairy Produce Control Board met in Wellington recently. Little of "hat transpired at the meeting was available fdr publication, but when a reporter questioned the chairman (Mr W. Grounds) he was informed that there was absolutely no foundation for the erroneous impression that appeared to have get abroad in certain quarters to the effect that the proposed control would not be given effect to on August 1. Mr Grounds stated definitely that the board is making every arrangement and preparation for the institution of control on the date already decided upon. This statement should effectively disperse the impressions that are quite general in many places that the control would not be instituted in August. Continuing, Mr Grounds said: “Infotmation has been received that an offort is being made to create the impression that the boards’ policy will include a system of price-fixing to raise the levels for fhe English public. Steps are being taken to make clear to tho English public that a system of service is the aim of the board, and that its policy of regularised supplies through regulation of shipments and supervision of distribution will be an advantage to the consumer, ir. addition to seeming a more regularised return for the producer.” OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER. BETTER PROSPECTS FOR WOOLGROWING. (From Our Spkcial Correspondent.) BRADFORD, December 31. The end of the year having arrived, it is but natural to look back and to indulge in mental stocktaking. There i. 3 real heart-burning and concern at tile disastrous time which has been experienced. The writer has now been observing carefully the movements of the wool trade fo: 25 years, and cannot remember such a tragic experience as has bee., witnessed during the past year. We go back to the little boom of 1899, followed by the year of slump. At that time G4’-s tops fell from 32d to 18d. We call to mind the flurry of 1908 Avhen 40’s tops were sold at 7sd. We also remember the big slump of 1920, when 64 s tops fell from 13s to 3s in March, 1921, but e en these times are lie to be compared to the tragic events of this year. The slump of 1920 found compensation in the returns which the Government made under the Excess Profits Duty Act, when the losses were atoned for by very generous refunding of the excess profits made in the previous years. The year 1925 will go down to history without any compensation whatever, and we see nothing anywhere that offers the slightest comfort when fortunes have been lost and the work of many previous years has all gone west. However, it seems useless dwelling too much on the black side. The picture is uninviting enough, and if oqp gazes too long .. means that the breaking of a better dav will be prolonged. WOOL HAS MOVED.

The fleece of the sheep is the foundation of the great textile industry of the West Riding; in fact of the world. Without wool there would be no need for combs, spindles, and looms, and it is the raw material which must ever engage the attention of everyone. Upon the foundation of the raw material there hangs everything, and that is ti.e section of the trade where the most money was lost. There is iust one important difference between the slumps of 1925 and 1920. In the latter year it was manufacturers and piece merchants who suffered the most; this year it is those nearest the raw material who caught the worst. In 1920 woalmen were carrying

very light stocks, but quite enough to satisfy everyone. This year superoptimism led practically all to buy heavily in the colonies during the last three months of 1924, the result being that all this year dear-bought wool has had to be struggled with and jobbed off at the best possible price. Somebody may say that it would have paid holders better to have stood by their stocks and done nothing. That is an impossible position to occupy by those who must be doing something and turning over their capital. From January to the end of August it was one continual fall in prices, and nobody could do anything right. Of course, it was the direct result of every firm beiug saddled with excessively dear wool, which nobody would have, spinners buying tops from hand to mouth, simply because they thought that the next time they needed a lot they would have less money to pay for same. That is what actually took place, and as the direct result of dear wool many firms have lost practically their all, and are to-day back at where their fathers began 20, 30, and even in some cases 50 and 60 years ago. It>»seems useless making any distinction between merino and crossbred wools, for all alike declined heavily. The New Zealand sales this season compared with a year ago throw upon the picture a very lurid light, and pastoralists “down under” know too well what it means to them. Scores of firms in the West Riding lost anywhere from £ls to £2O per bale on average on all their colonial purchases—a very serious loss indeed. We do not think we can do better than give Buxton, Ronald, and Co.’s closing figures at thp recent London sales, showing what are ci..rent values for wool compared with a year ago and what the fall is in percentages:— 1.924. 1925. Lower Dec. Dec. than Average. Avernare. Dec. Greasy Mbrino. Per lb. Per lb. 1924.

PAYING PRICKS FOR GROWERS. We need not pursue the review any further than the raw material, sufficing to say that at successive stages of manufacture —namely, in tops, yar: and pieces—serious losses have resulted to topniakers and spinners. Manufacturers pursued the wise policy of buying from hand to mouth all during the year, consequently their losses this year have not been anything like what they were in 1920. Viewed from the grower’s standpoint, notwithstanding the serious decline in values, wool-growing is not as yet an unprofitable occupation. These remarks apply mostly to the merino section. A well-known Australian pastoralist was in Bradford a good fortnight ago, and frankly said to the writer that at current values they were still able to grow wool at a good profit. We are glad at the news, because no single buyer of wool is desirous of seeing values fall to an unprofitable level. Whenever that occurs there will be no encouragement for expansion, and the r orld is wanting more wool. We should say that on average good greasy combing wool is fetching anything from 20d to 24d per lb in the grease. It would indeed be interesting to know what is

the average cost for producing wool per lb in Australia. Of course, it depends a good deal upon when a man’s property was bought, whether pre-war or post-war. But whenever bought, we are satisfied that wool-growing to-day is a profitable occupation, and long may it remain so. The production of crossbred wool is not on all fours with the growing of merino wool, and it is patent from the prices ruling to-day in New Zealand that there has been a big fall in all descriptions of wool compared with a year ago. We cannot see any New Zealand pastoralists growing even 40’s crossbred wool under an average cost of 12d per grease lb, and then he will want a good return for his carcase at the hands of the freezing establishments. True, the higher prices paid for his fat lambs and crossbred sheep will offer some compensation which is denied the Australian pastoralist; but even a Dominion sheep farmer will want an average of at least 12d before his occupation is a profitable one. As far as we can see, the ruling price to-day in New Zealand for coarse crossbred wool in the grease is anywhere from 9sd to lid, and it is only in the higher halfbred and three-quarterbred sheep where prices will be ruling for wool from 13d to 18d, according to quality. However, taking one with the other, we still think that even New Zealand pastoralists are not losing on their job, though at the moment values cannot ssibly leave behind much by way of profit. However, we look forward to the future with confidence, believing that the outlook is better than for years bock, simply because of an expanding world’s consumption. We cannot see much sign to-day of any materially lower values for wool, for it is at a useable price, and any recovery in Continental finance will see ;.n expansion there which will lead to a big demand for raw wool.

(For Continuation of Farm and Station see page 20)

Victorian— Western, good qualitj d. d. Per cent. and condition New South Wales— Hirer ina, good staple 46-50 32-34 31 and condition Queensland— Central, good staple, 42-45 27-29 36 fair condition W. Australian— Fair length and con-38-42 24-26 37 dition New ZealandSouth Island, fair 36-39 23-25 36 character CapeFair condition (10-12 36-37 23-25 33 months) 24-26 16-18 32 Irregular, short, skirtv 20-21 13-14 34 Scoured Merino. Victorian— Fair body and colour QueenslandGood quality, colour, 65-70 43-48 33 and condition New South Wales— 72-76 48-53 32 Fair body, rather fatty New Zealand-59-63 36-39 39 Fair body and colour 65-67 48-52 24 Fair body and style 58-62 35-38 39 Irregular, short, skivty C'ROS Australian — 51-55 1SBRED. 29-31 43 Fine, 58-60Y 36-38 22-24 38 Fine. 53-58’s New Zealand— 35-36 20-22 41 Fine, 56's 34-36 19-22 41 Medium, 50’s 30-31 16i-17$ 44 Medium, 48’a 28-30 15 -16 46 Medium, 46’s ... ... 27$-28$ 14.J-15 47 Coarse, 44’s •. 25J-27 14 -144 45 Coarse, 40’s 244-25$ 134-14$ 44 Coarse, 36’s 24 -25 13$-14 44