SERVICE FOR WHEAT GROWERS

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLXII, Issue 15241, 6 January 1943, Page 4

SERVICE FOR WHEAT GROWERS

MOISTURE TESTING. A moisture testing service for wheat growers in the North Island is to be conducted by the Seed Testing Station, Palmerston Norfcii, on behalf oi the Wheat Research Institute, Christchurch. The service is free and all growers are invited to make the fullest use of it. The testing is to ascertain that grain is in the proper condition for storing, as otherwise A t is liable to develop moulds and become unfit lor human consumption. It is stated that half the wheat in the North Island this season is likely to be headed, which eliminates the period between cutting and threshing, so that til© moisture content of the grain must be low enough to permit safe storage. Farmers taking supplies must c,l ~ sure that they are truly representative of the crop. The best way of doing this is to walk over tw 0 <l la ~ goiials of the field and pick random about 150 to 200 heads by their straws. The picker should avoid the larger or smaller, or riper or greener heads. A sample of about four ounces of gi'uiu is required, or about a two-ounce tobacco tiu full. The collected heads should be rubbed out and the chaff eliminated, the tin sealed and sent by the fastest route to the Seed Testing Station, Moisture Service, Box <509, Palmerston North, enclosing name and address, telephone number tor youi neighbour's) or nearest telegrap.. office inside the tin. The result of the tost will then be telephoned or telegraphed. The upper limit at which wheat can be headed is 17 per cent. Above that, it must not be headed under any circumstances. The safest and best way is to head under 15.5 per cent-