GROWTH OF ROOT CROPS.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 231, 5 April 1928, Page 6

GROWTH OF ROOT CROPS.

FAIR YIELD ASSURED. More Rain Wanted. While there is a marked tendency in the Morrinsville district to reduce the area devoted annually to cropping and concentrate on the establishment of permanent pastures, there are as yet few farmers courageous or sufficiently far-seeing enough to dispense entirely with root crops for winter feeding. Two months ago the prospects of a good take of swedes, mangolds and soft turnips were regarded as anything but favourable, and for nearly six weeks no growth whatsoever was made owing to the drought. Some farmers adopted the course of resowing, apparently with no more success. Plants that germinated reached a certain stage and then ceased growing, being turned a purple colour by the sun. When the rain came there was a marked improvement, the crops made rapid growth, and the roots, particularly swedes, which seem to preponderate in the district, have now reached a good size. Soft turnips, which are not so numerous, have not come away as well as swedes and mangolds, but are doing fairly well. More rain is now urgently wanted if the growth is to be sustained. A , good heavy shower within a week would ensure quite a good crop, ; though of course not as heavy as J last year’s, which was exceptional.