QUICK FERTILIZER IS HELPFUL

Southland Times, Issue 23988, 1 December 1939, Page 3

QUICK FERTILIZER IS HELPFUL

Farmers must have plenty of hay and their patriotism ahd optimism will, no doubt, result in many paddocks being devoted to the purpose with the hope that the necessary labour will be available to handle the crops. A factor of importance in the production of good crops of grasses and clovers is the supply of plant food in the soil. Because of the lateness of the season the highest fertility only will ensure good yields. A farmer near Winton recently arrived at the conclusion that this could be achieved only by top-dressing with quick-acting fertilizer. He applied a heavy dressing of ammoniated super and in view of past experience from the treatment there is every prospect that good results will follow. The adoption of a similar policy by all those who require a good bulk of material from perhaps a limited area is well worth consideration.

Mr Bruce Levy, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, recently quoted a statement made by Sir George Stapledon, director of the Aberystwyth Experimental Station: “Emergency fertility is the urgent national need.” This quotation was applied to British grasslands even before the outbreak of war. “Today that emergency fertility has become more critically urgent to the national need,” Mr Levy added in his comments. The words used apply with almost equal force in this country, and although difficulties may have to be overcome before the. fruits of the extra fertility are harvested, it is to be hoped that the increased production policy will be successfully dealt with by sound organization of all resources in conjunction with good farm management.