NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3865, 10 April 1928, Page 12

NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

The Ideal Dairy Farmer.

In the following quotation the ideal,

as I understand it, is pictured of a successful dairy farmer:—“ In the

first place, the man should have a happy, cheerful, generous disposition, who sees the sunshine in life and forgets the shadows. A morose, fault-finding, unhappy man will not make a success of dairying. We dairymen must be generous in our feeding and care, making our cows happy, if we expect them io make us. any money. And the man .who gives it his whole 'attention, studying his cows, the composition' of feeds, how to get a balanced ration so hie cows can digest all the food and convert it into milk, and not be overtaxing the system with indigestible food, .as would be the case were the ration too wide or too narrow; who' weighs and tests his milk for butter-fat, who studies bacteriology in its relation to dairying, who studies the markets and puts his product in the best possible condition to sell, who attends dairy meetings, reads dairy papers, and advertises his product in a business-like way is the man who will succeed in dairying. “No foot, no horse” is literally true.

The ' Equine Leg.

To be able to assess the merits of the horse in this particular, it is necessary to study and

jicvcb&di ,v w Biuuy ana compare the feet of different horses in their size, shape, spread heel, and texture and quality of the hoof. The part of the leg from the hoof to the fetlock called the pastern, should receive due attention. It is not only the seat of ringbones and other troubles, but there is a proper angle at which it should stand—it may be too upright or it may be too much depressed. The shape and quality of the legs from the pasterns to anil including the hock and knee joints, are of the greatest' importance. These are the features most closely scanned for imperfections and unsoundness. The leg should be broad anch flat, with the tendon placed well away from the bone. The whole should have a smooth and glossy appearance, and be perfectly smooths to the touch. Round'legs are to be carefully avoided, and they generally have a gummy and unhealthy appearance. ..Hock joints should be large and distinctly marked in all their members, and free from tendencies to curb or spavin. Broad and well-defined kneecaps and strength and breadth of the foreleg just below the knee are. important essentials. Ihe shape of the angle of the hind leg at the hock should be studied. Some are too straight for action, and others are too much bent for strength.

.An Historic Stud.

Some of the early .Otago settlers will re-

member and know-some-thing of the Clarke family and their connection with

. ■ ag extensive pastoral area in the province, and’ will be interested, no doubt, to learn that owing to the death of Sir Rupert Clarke and the fact that ’his young heir is being brought up in England, the executors have- leased the -Bolinda Vale (Vie.) property of about 4600 acres. Tlie English Leicester sheep were sold- last month. Stud rams realised from 24gns to 36gns, other purebred rams 4ghs to sgns, find ram lambs 4jgns. Stud ewe Jambs -brought 6gns, and full-mouthed stud ewes joined with pure stud rams brought- from 40s to 45s a head. Qf the flock ewes two-year-olds made 40s to 42s 6d, three-year-olds 40s, one-year-old ewes 28 s 6d to 39s 6d, four-year-old ewes joined with English- Leicester rams 31s 6d, .five-year-old ewes joined with pure rams 30s, and ewe weaners realised 32s 3d. About 90 years ago - Sir Rupert’s grandfather established, the flock in Tasmania. Subsequently, it was located for many years at Rupertswood, Sunbury. For over 30 years it was inbred. In_the early ’seventies the late R. ■ Morton, of Mt. Derrimut, had, along-with two Shorthorn ■ bulls; .two yearling;. English. rams. One of these he gave to the late Sir W. J. Clarke, and the infusion- of new blood had a wonderful effect on, the subsequent progeny. Shortly. after the flock at Sunbury was transferred to Mb a Fla t station, in,- New Zealand. After several years the nucleus of the present stud came back to’- 7 Vic-

toria, and the flock was added to by the purchase of more New Zealand-bred ewes. The stud has been kept pure ever since. Experimental processes in connection with

Lime and Clovers.

a new system of applying lime to the soil are supplying promising results at tnp ATinhicrnn +

the Michigan Experimental Station, U.S.A. The liming material is drilled simultaneously -with the legume seeds in the small drill row, and comparisons are made with the more general practice of broadcasting them separately. Under the new method the lime and seed are delivered to the soil by the same tubes. Dealing with his experience in this connection, Professor M‘Cool states in the Journal of the American Society of Agronomy, that “ these results appear to indicate that 7501 b applied in the row is as effective as much larger applications sown broadcast.” It can also be affirmed from the data that a fractional dose in the row greatly excelled a similar dose broadcast, and further, the alfalfa response to 7501 b of hydrated lime or finely ground limestone in the row is equal to that from double or triple amounts used broadcast. For soil types of fair to medium lime-deficiencv, these results, if corroborated by late experiments, should have- a ready application The advantage by M'Cool’s row method of placing lime holds forth a cheerful nromise for clover on many farms where scant clover crops are now the “ bottle-neck ” in the rotation. - AGRICOLA. PASTURE RESEARCH. EXPERIMENT IN TOP DRESSING. CO-OPERATIVE FIELD TRIALS. lI.—CENTRAL OTAGO. With a view to ascertaining the effect of fertilisers on grass land in the semiarid region of Central Otago, 11 plots were laid down, three of these being on irrigated pasture and the remainder on uon-irrigated pasture. In connection with the irrigated plots it was realised’ that to obtain accurate results even watering over the whole plot would be essential, and, further, that irrigation would have to -take place at such times as to ensure maximum growth for harvesting. In- the case of two -of the irrigated plots this was done. In the case of the third too little water was applied, with the result that Extremely scanty growth took place over the whole plot, thus giving very inconclusive results. In viewing the results of those irrigated plots it must be borne in mind that under the extremely : arid conditions prevailing, namely, 12in of rainfall per annum, the limiting factor of pasture growth is soil moisture. Growth can only take place when this is supplied by irrigation. No amount of artificial fertiliser can take the place of' water. The top-dressing of pastures, therefore, in the drier districts of Central Otago must be looked upon as supplementary to irrigation.. The results of the •■ experiments for>< Central Otago are as under:— INDIVIDUAL RESULTS. The results obtained on the'various plots are summarised below, each summary being..followed by a comparison of weights harvested from each strip treated. IRRIGATED PASTURES. MR L. RYAN, GALLOWAY. RESULTS No. 12. Summary.—Lime showed littleincrease over the urilimed portions. Superhphosphate undoubtedly gave the best results not only in-■ weight, but in composition. White clover and, suckling clover showed vigorously increased growth on those plots top-dressed with . super. Basic slag also showed increased clover growth, but to a less marked degree. This plot has been evenly irrigated during growth, the results being quite uniform.

* The results On this plot were unsatisfactory, very/little giowth having taken place. This' fact ean be solely accounted

for -by the sparing amount of water applied to the crop. ,-Jt j 9 anticipated that next year more frequent irrigations will be given, and thus afford a better index as to the efficacy of the different fertilisers . employed.

Mr G. Gartly, Springvale. Marked differences wore observed on those plots . treated with superphosphate with and without lime, as compared with the control plots, white clover growth being most prolific in the superphosphate strips. Basio slag with and without lime also showed up strongly, but to a lesser degree than those strips dressed with superphospliate. It is interesting to note that the limed strips gave an appreciable increase in yi®ld over the control strips.

Mr R- j- E. Smith, Wedderburn.

By’’ observation no differences could be noted on any of the strips treated with the various fertilisers. At the 'date of harvesting the general growth all over the plot was poor, and it would have been more advantageous to have delayed harvesting till a later date. This, however, could not be done. As will be observed the general yield from tho different treatments is low, but quite appreciable gains were recorded on those strips treated with superphosphate. Neither basic slag nor lime showed significant increases.

Mr J. Crutchley, Kyeburn. Superphosphate and lime gave the greatest yield, this being largely accounted for. by the remarkably heavy growth <-f white clover growing on strips receiving this treatment. Those strips sown down with superphosphate alone also gave an excellent response and to the eye the difference between them and 'the control strip was most striking. Basic slag with and without lime appears to have had little effect. Lime alone does not show results.

Mr S. C. Greer, Patearoa. The strips top-dressed with superphosphate showed up very early after closing the plot and gave a remarkably good yield. The increased yield over the control steps was due largely to increased white clover growth which showed up to the eye in a striking manner. This plot was another instance of the efficacy of superphosphate during the first year of application, Tho application of lime alone has not given results during tho first year, yet n significant increase is noted in basic slag plus lime, as against basic slag alone. A similar increase is to be noted in company superphosphate plus lime against superphosphate alone.

Mr M. A. Kinney, Hyde. The growth of grass was light th.o.. -h--out. Despite this fact it is extremely important to record that on those st-'ys topdressed with superphosphate a dense growth of white clover took place. On pastures of this description a clover growth such as is here recorded is extremely valuable and is exactly what the pastoralist is seeking. The table of results emphasises the fact that superphosphate plus lime and superphosphate alone gave a ch heavier all round growth of herbage than the control strips. Lime alone and basic slag plus

Messrs Robertson and Co., Middlcmarch. Those strips top-dressed with □hate showed up to a much better degree than strips receiving other treatment. The increase of white clover on the superphosphate strips stood out quite conspicuously and accounted mainly for the increase, in weight over the control strips. Lime alone showed a significant increase., but basic slag alone did not show any visible signs of having improved the pasture. On first year’s results, superphosphate, phis lime, and superphosphate alono proved much suerior to any treatment

Mr J. Beer, Oturehua. This plot situated on rolling downs country under dry conditions consisted of a pasture sown down in' 1922. Although sown to cocksfoot, ryegrass, crested dogstail, and white clover at the time of topjdcessing, practically a pure stand of cocksfoot existed and this was in a very open condition. Very little white clover was noted throughout the pasture. The plot was top-dressed on August 5, 1927, closed to stock October 1, 1927, but was not harvested. Strict observation was kept on this plot until the end of January.’ The rainfall during the growing period, was extremely low and very little growth took place. At no stage, could any apparent difference be noted from the various treatments. The growth did not justify attempting to obtain weighings. It is probable that after the winter '.rains'; interesting results will be obtained next season. For the Reason 1927-28 there 5 -it nothing to record on this pick s i'

MR T. DOWLING, HYDE. The pasture utlised for. this experiment Was situated on rolling country. Over 22 years of age, it was composed of brown top, danthonia pilosa, suckling clover, and various weed plants. Of an extremely poor nature, it appeared inconceivable that results from any manurial, treatment could be obtained on a pasture of this nature. The plot was top-dressed on 10/7/27, closed to stock on 8/10/27, but was not harvested. Very little growth took place on this plot. The only difference noted was an increase in suckling clover growth on those strips top-dressed with superphosphate. No other treatment appeared to have any effect, and at no stage did the plot justify • cutting. On this year’s result the expenditure of money ..on various manures showed no justification. MR J. E. KEARNEY, RANFURLY. This pasture was laid down in 1904 With ryegrass and white clover. During the early part of season 1927-28 the rainfall was extremely low in this locality, and little growth took place on the plot. At the time of top-dressing, viz., 8/8/27, Degress and white clover still existed in the pasture, but in an extremely weak land open condition. The plot was closed on 1/10/27, but was not harvested. Although the growth was. of such a Short pature as. to preclude harvesting, nevertheless this proved to be a most valuable Pj 0 ,’ strips top-dressed with superphosphate stood out very.clearly, and were . composed of a solid mat of white clover, giving invaluable feed. This clover growth Was most phenomenal, and contrasts strongly with the poor miserable strips or untreated grass alongside. It was unfortunate the height of clover precluded any possibility of obtaining results by harvesting, but several photographs were taken, which emphasise how successful the application of superphosphate proved on this pasture. Superphosphate in this case undoubtedly justified its application, and proved an unqualified success in promot- \ ing good succulent clover growth. Neither basic slag nor lime gave any visible rc~<ilts. .

Tons. cwt. qrs. Basic slag ... . 1 14 3 Basic slag and lime .. .• . 1 10 2 Super . 2 2 0 Super and lime 2 1 Lime .... . 1 7 . 2 No manure . 1 5 1 ■ Mr R. Tohill, Raggedy Ridge.

Basic slag ...' ... Tons. Cwt. Ors. .,. 0 3 2 Basic slag and lime ... 0 3 3 Super ... ... 0 3 0 Super and lime ... ... 0 3 2 Lime ... 0 3 2 No manure ... 0 3 0

Basic slag Tons. Cwt. Qrs ... 1 6 1 Basic slag and lime ... 1 8 3 Super ... ... 1 13 2 Super and lime ... 1 17 ■3 Bimo ... ... 1 6 2 No manure ... ... ... 1 1 2 NON-IRRIG ATED 'PLOTS.

Basic slag Tons. Cwt. Ors. ... 0 4 3 Basic slag and lime ... 0 5 1 Super ... ... ... 0 8 3 Super and lime ... ... 0 9 0 Lime ... 0 5 0 No manure ... 0 2

Tons. cwt. qrs. Basic slag ... . .. 0 12 3 Basic slag and limo 0 13 2 Super .. 1 19 0 Super and lime .. 2 1 3 Lime ... 0 11 1 No manure ... . .. 0 11 0

Tons. cwt. qrs. Basic slag ... 2 2 2 Basic slag and lime 2 5 3 Super .. 2 13 2 Super and lime .. 2 16 0 Limo ... 1 16 9 No manure ... . .. 1 17 2

limo gave no appreciable'increase. Tons. cwt. qrs. Basic slag ... 0 11 3 Basic slag and lime 0 13 0 Super ... . . ... ;;; 1 3 1 Super and lime ... 1 4 1 Lime ... ; 0 11 1 No manure ... ... 0 ’0 0

Basic slag ... ... . Tons. cwt. qr.'’‘ .. 0 13 0 ■ ’ Basic slag and lime ... 0 14 3 - Super _ ... 1 2 1 ’ Super and lime ... . ... 1 3 1 . Lime .. 0 14 1 No manure . .. o 10 2