CERTIFICATION OF SEED WHEAT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3870, 15 May 1928, Page 12

CERTIFICATION OF SEED WHEAT.

The cost of farming, more particularly when it concerns the growing of wheat, is now so great that it is only by the application of science to agricultural methods that it can be made a profitable undertaking. Wheat growing involves more than the proper working of the land in order to conserve moisture, eradicate weeds, etc., and pay for the use of fertilisers. It also entails the careful selection of seed and its treatment prior to sowing. Seed selection is of immense importance, and in this connectio ’s satisfactory to learn that an endeavour has been made in Canterbury to make available to merchants and growers lines of seed reasonably pure and free from disease. In an article in last month’s Journal of Agriculture J. W. Hadfield, H.D.A., states the initial steps taken to increase the output of certificated seed wheat.. The general standard of our wheats is far from satisfactory, being disappointing to our millers and a source of loss to growers. “ It has been proved,” says Mr Hadfield, “ that the majority of the diseases which each year take serious toll of our wheat crops are seed-borne. Some, in addition to being seed-borne, are carried over from, year to year in the soil; but this does not alter the fact that the seed is the most important agency in the distribution of disease, and the loss thus entailed can be almost entirely eliminated by the use of disease-free seed. It is quite within the bounds of possibilitv for the mycologist and plant-breeder to produce seed which is at least free from the more serious diseases, and certification following its distribution is the logical extension. In the meantime certification merely indicates those crops relatively free from disease, and affords the most practical means of reducing to within reasonable limits the loss, which is a very real burden to the grower.” Inspection of the seed is not a reliable means of determining whether diseases are present, while it is difficult to detect impurities by an examination of the grain. For this reason the growing crops are inspected, and growers requested to sign a guarantee to have the threshing mill thoroughly cleaned out, and, in addition, to reject the first three, and sometimes the last three, sacks from the mill. The grain is then sampled by an officer of the Department of Agriculture, the sample is gradeel, and the line accepted or rejected accordingly. On acceptance the grain is machine dressed under supervision, and the bags sealed and tagged. The certification tag indicates the name of the variety, the grower and the merchant dressing the seed’ During the 1927-28 season certification was limited to Solid-straw Tuscan, Hunter s, and Velvet, but unfortunately none of the last-named variety came up to the necessary standard. . When we consider that the certification .of wheat scheme was inaugurated only last December there is no necessity to be depressed by the somewhat meagre results. Growers, naturally enough, have to become familiar with the details of the project before accepting it con amore. Next season we anticipate more enthusiasm. We note that the following areas have been inspected:— ° Passed Field Inspected. Inspection. Solid-straw Tuscan 97 Hunter’s . .. .. 250 hr Velvet 126 “ 8 A few growers withdrew their crops and the following actually sold grain which was certified and "scaled -— A. E. Tutton, Broadfields Solid-straw Tuscan D. Jones, Dunsandel .. . J. F. Dawson, Fernside ” T. H. Wilkinson, Spotswood Hunter’s. Geo. M'Cullough, Temuka E. W. Milne, Greenpark " Merchants came forward with orders for 2300 bushels of Solid-straw Tuscan,

1940 bushels Hunter’s, and 830 bush Velvet. It was obvious that ordc would have to be filled pro rata, and number which arrived late had to be refused. These are not included in the above. Exclusive of Lincoln College, which has produced all the pedigree certified wheat this season, the following firms have purchased and been supplied with farmers’ certified seed wheat: — Dalgety and Co., Ltd., Christchurch. New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Association, Ltd., Christchurch. Wright, Stephenson, and Co., Ltd., Chrlschurch. Canterbury Seed Company (N.Z.), Ltd., Christchurch. National Mortgage and Agency Company, Ltd., Christchurch. Wood Bros., Ltd., Christchurch. Matson and Co.. Christchurch. Darling and M’Dowell, Oamaru. Wright, Stephenson, and Co., Ltd., Oamaru. New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Association, Ltd., Leeston. Grain and Produce Merchants' Association, Blenheim.