Tested Manures

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 726, 27 July 1929, Page 31

Tested Manures

V aliie of Phosphates MERCHANTS throughout the province report that the spring selling season for fertilisers lias already commenced. Indications are that sales will be heavy, but one of the features of the trade at the moment is the increasing spread of demands. With a seemingly growing number of varieties and grades of manures on the market, farmers are being induced to give other than tested fertilisers a trial

While this tendency, in many respects, is in accord with the present spirit or progress working among the {arming community, it is one which should be allowed to operate with a considerable amount of caution. Fertilisers mean all the difference between a profit and a loss to the big majority of farmers today; thus, it must be right to assume that they cannot afford to risk certainties by pursuing doubtful, gain in the field of experiment. Many of the new manures, largely proprietary lines, which have come on the market over the past year or so, have undoubted advantages both in regard to cost and efficiency as a soilreviver. Nevertheless, the point is that some brands have little or no practical value for the farmer working certain classes of soil. Certainly they cannot be compared with the tested varieties which have been giving positive results over a period of years. While the writer is not prepared to contend that the farmer would be unwise in trying out any fertiliser, irrespective of the way it may be boosted by the promoting company, other than tested brands of superphosphate and basic super or slag, it certainly must be admitted that farming is becoming more and more of a science and, on these premises alone, It seems most reasonable to argue that all tests and experiments should be loft to experts, who are prepared to face losses. Try a new fertiliser by all means If it is thought that more satisfactory results can be obtained, but it seems that the policy of some farmers of

placing full confidence in pictures painted by theorising agents and, instead of testing it out on control plots, etc., include a new manure in their programme as the main topdressing manure for the season, is hardly wise. New Zealand farmers, and Auckland farmers in particular, have accomplished much by the judicious use of top-dressing manures, and it would be fatal for the farmer as an individual to start experimenting now that topdressing has come to mean so much in prosperity of the province. Such can well be left to the officers of tho Agricultural Department. Derpite tho appearance of other brands of manures on the market, however, it seems that the day is still far distant when they will be having any serious effect on the sales of New Zealand manufactured fertilisers, superphosphates in particular. The fact that New Zealand farmers now use approximately 250,000 tons of phosphatic manures a year at an annual aggregate cost which cauuot be much less than £1,500,000 is sufiicient testimony to its value. As a manure it is quick-acting as a plant food, and it eusures early results on practically all classes of soils. Its judicious application has largely been responsible for the phenomenal increase in production throughout the province on the past decade. As man's study of the soil in its relation to plant life advances, additional stimulants and the need of them will be discovered; that part of the work, however, can well be left to experts. As previously indicated, the margin between profit and loss is too great for the farmer to entertain uncertainties. Only tested and proved manures should be included in the spring programme of top-dressing. I

“USE MORE WOOL” AUSTRALIA’S NEW CRY BOOSTING CONSUMPTION A cable message from London tells us that the ‘'Yorkshire Observer,” discussing the suggested ‘‘Use More Wool” campaign, says that woolgrowers all over the world must reduce the cost of production by writing down estates from the inflated prices which some paid for them, and on which others have been calculating what they regard as popular prices for wool, states the Australian "Country Life.” The paper also suggests that Australian woolgrowers would do better by selling a larger proportion of their wool in London. Mr.. F. H. Tout, president of the Graziers’ Association, discussing these comments, said that it was clearly recognised in the Australian wool industry that costs of production had to be got down. As to whether, however, the first step in this direction was to write down estates “from the inflated prices,” as suggested by the Yorkshire paper, opinions would differ. It was doubtless true that if wool prices fall much further a revaluation of pastoral lands in Australia would be inevitable. The truth, however, was that many men in the wool industry in Australia today, working on reasonably-priced land, were not getting a sufficient financial return. And the danger was that the return would be still more unsatisfactory unless costs of production can be lowered or wool prices increase. “Our line of attack, as growers, lies more particularly in scientific research, propaganda and scientific marketing. The suggested ‘Use More Wool’ campaign, which embraces both propaganda and scientific research, is a clear indication that growers are tackling the problem. “It seems to me that the Bradford wool trade should be eager to cooperate with us in the campaign, because it is obvious that if we strengthen and widen the demand for wool we must materially benefit the manufacturer. It would mean more and securer trade for them, and altogether a brighter outlook. I understand that the wool manufacturers in the United States have combined with the distributors and formed a wool institute, the function of which is to further the use of woollen mat-

erials by propaganda. In other words, the United States is already trying a ‘Use More Wool’ campaign! “Perhaps it will be suggested that to bring about increased consumption of wool is especially the province of the manufacturers, but I say that it still more deeply concerns the woolgrowers. Further, it is more especially the concern of Australia, because the wool is our greatest industry, on ■which our whole system of economics and finance is based, and because Australia holds the merino wool supremacy of the world. As I see it, the lead should come front Australian woolgrowers, followed by the co-oper-ation of New Zealand, perhaps South Africa, and of wool manufacturers everywhere.

"I cannot follow at all the argument of the Yorkshire paper that we ourselves are partly to blame through concentrating our wool auction sales in Australia ‘at the expense of London.’ We, as Australian woolgrowers, believe we have everything to gain by auctioning all our wool in Australia vnder tne joint control of the organised growers and the wool-selling brokers.

“I don’t believe for a moment that we would gain anything by shipping large quantities direct to London. On the contrary, I believe that such a policy would be foolish and expensive to our industry. It is generally admitted now that the Australian wool markets are the greatest in the world, and the values as realised in these markets determine wool values everywhere. After many years of constant endeavour we have achieved this proud position, and I don’t think there is any danger of our losing it. We have tried London, and —we prefer Australia for the selling of our wool.”

FOR THE FARMERS HOW TO USE COW MANURE Cow manure, though not as heating as horse manure, is nevertheless particularly useful. It is a slow-acting manure. In fact, well-decayed cow manure, applied near the time of planting, will be of great value to any crop. To prepare liquid manure on a small scale take a wooden cask containing 20 gallons of water and immerse a bag holding about 30 pounds of cow or sheep dung, to which a pint of soot has been added, and follow the instructions given. When the cask is empty renew the liquid. Liquid manure is recommended at the rate of a quarter of a pint to the' gallon of water, but this is merely a guide to work on. For delicate and soft-wooded plants, liquid manure would require to be used at a much weaker strength. USEFUL WINTER TIT-BITS Cuttings of various bedding plants which were rooted in pots and boxes in early autumn need only sufficient water to keep them alive until growth is renewed; if more is given, many will rot at the soil level. Liquid manure is needed much less during winter by pot plants, but it can always be used with advantage in the garden. During mild weather old fruit trees and permanent vegetable crops will benefit from occasional soakings. Tulips growing in pots of soil oxbowls of fibre should never be allowed to become dry or they will go blind. The beneficial effect of sweeping a lawn is not confined to its subsequent tidy appeai-ance. Sweeping should be carried out regularly when the weather is suitable. Stakes supporting fences, etc., are most liable to decay at the ground level, and for this reason it is a good plan to creosote such stakes for a few inches below ground level. Where much pruning has to be done secateurs are much quicker than a ! knife, but it is important with this ■ tool to make certain it is in good i working order and very keen-edged. ■ A straight path is the only one pos- j ; sible in many small gardens. Where i this can ho avoided, be careful not to i go to the other extreme by forming I a walk which winds about too much.! Where a lawn is to be sown down | | in spring, the preparation of the site | should be undertaken as soon as pos- i sible. Be thorough in this matter; ! the only subsequent method of as-! sisting grass is by means of topdressing. HOW TO USE POULTRY MANURE Poultry manure containing a large percentage of potash, phosphoric acid and nitrogen is one of the most valu- i able of all natural manures. It must j be handled with great care and applied very sparingly, which is not an easv | matter on account of the moisture in J it. If kept in a dry place and mixed I with a limited amount of dry soil, then j pulvei-ised as much as possible, it may be scattered along rows of growing vegetables to great adx-antage.

When there is need for artificial nourishment to stimulate growth and prolong the bearing period, at the

same time helping to develop much finer produce, nothing is quicker in action than properly made liquid manure. Liqxtid manure should be used at the rate of J pint to one gallon of water. Cow and sheep dung make one of the best and safest liquid manures for the amateur. A stock solution may be prepared in a barrel, mixing the fresh manure with water and allowing it to steep for five or six days. During this time fermentation will cause a thick scum to form on the surface and this should be removed. Stir the solution at least once a day during the period and always befoi'e using. For use, the liquid should have the appearance of weak tea and diluting in the propoi-tions reeommended, will reduce the solution to this consistency. Always keep the lid on the barrel so as to prevent insects from breeding in the solution, as well as to keep in the odours, which practically disappear after a few days. CORRECT SEED SOWING Deep boxes are unecessary for sowing most seeds. A good average depth is 4in. What is important, however, is strength; flimsy boxes are a continual nuisance, and worry. Very fine soil is needed only, on which to sow and with which to cover small seeds. The roots of seedlings will always be found adhering to small lumps of soil if they have the opportunity to do so. Remember that the smaller the seeds, the lighter the covering of soil must be. Dust-like seeds are better uncovered, and it then becomes important to sec that the surface never

approaches dryness. Watering must be done before sowing. and it is best accomplished by partial immersion of the boxes or pots. If any further watering is necessary before the seedlings are somewhat advanced, adopt the same method. Thin sowing is not a fad. It means that each individual seedling gets a fair chance from the commencement and consequently must develop into a better plant. Covering the boxes or pans with glass and paper assists germination by keeping the soil moist and at a more even temperature. The paper must be removed immediately the first seedlings appear. Label every seed-pan correctly as the seeds are sown, and always add the date. If the seeds fail to germinate within a reasonable time, another sowing can then be made immediately.

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