VALUE OF FERTILISERS

Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1930, Page 15

VALUE OF FERTILISERS

TIKORANGI EXPERIMENTS

VISIT TO MR. PAULGER’S PROPERTY

INTERESTING OBSERVATIONS MADE

The interest taken in field days by the farmers of the Tikorangi district was shown . y the number who attended the examination of the plots on Mr. J, Paulger’s property yesterday afternoon. Between 60 and 70 farmers were present, and the fields instructor, Mr. J. M. Smith, conducted the review. Mr. J. Paulger on behalf of the Tikorangi branch of the Farmers’ Union welcomed those present and expressed gratification in seeing Mr. W. J. McCulloch, director of the Fields Division, Palmerston, North, present. Before examining the experimental plots Mr. Smith explained that perhaps niany considered the field day was being held at an unusual time when the pastures were not at their flush growth. However, this was the time of the year good growth was most needed and perhaps a mistake had been made in the past in not examining the plots at this period of the year. The area to be reviewed had been laid down to experiment with manures that gave quick growth and others that gave a more sustained growth. The paddock used was a six-acre one divided into plots of an acre each, and all the standard manures in use when the experiment had began three years ago had been used. Thirteen phosphates had been used and there were also some fine controls for comparison. In addition, sections of the plots were treated with kainit, lewt. 30 per cent, potash and 2ewt. 30 per cent, potash. He impressed upon those present that Mr. Paulger was notgCgetting some manure out of the Government for nothing” —he was- a direct loser by the experiment, while a direct gain went to the district.

The sections were exTimined thoroughly and Mr. Smith pointed out the fact that potash showed a. great response in the Tikorangi district, but that the

same results were not available in all districts. Clover showed up considerably on the growth, but that was because clover reached its flush growth in the autumn. Nevertheless, there was a good growth of ryegrass in the parts treated by potash. The three paddocks fronting Mr. Paulger’s property had originally been manured the same way, but the adjoining paddock was now manured with super, potash and ammonia, this mixture having the most beneficial effect on the experimental area. Every farm and almost every paddock responded better to different manures, and he advised those present to conduct trial plots on their farms at their next manuring. In the free control areas there was v<.ry little apparent difference when potash alone had been used, but where potash was used in conjunction with phosphates the benefits were impressively noticeable. This area was the most outstanding plot they had for potash and proved the land conditions suited it.' However, th# soil had to be well up in its phosphatic content before the potash had any marked bearing on the pasture. That was the main point, and the experiments proved that potash and sulphate of ammonia were beneficial only in conjunction with phosphates. It was generally proved that for the production of early spring growth sulphate of ammonia was playing a big part in production. It was now necessary to find a manure which prolonged the growth through the autumn and even through the winter. This would do away, to a certain extent, with the necessity of cropping for hay and ensilage, and there was no doubt that green food produced the most milk and built up the best condition in stock. So far it looked as if potash was helping to build up the sward and further experiments would be made all through Taranaki to find the most beneficial manures for the various localities.

In the pasture competitions experiments had proved that nearly 30 per cent, of the farms was bare ground and the aim was to build up a close sward and thus to do away ■ with this non-productive ground. Here again experiments were being made, but the . position was not .fully solved. j “How long does potash take to respond?”, asked one farmer. The benefits continued Mri Smith, were seen in. the first season and were qtiite appreciable. Aftei- tliat year even greater improvement could be seen in two succeeding years. However, the general use of potash could not yet be recommended, and until further trials were made it could not be s. d with any degree -of certainty to be a payable proposition. The Tikorangi district, though, seemed very suitable. Were super and lime preferable to slag?—Experiments showed very little difference, though when lime and super were used there appeared to be a better upward growth. Afterwards the large assemblage was entertained at afternoon tea. Mr. H. E. Blyde, president of the North Taranaki executive of the Farmers’ Union, proposed a hearty vote of .thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Paulger for their-hospital-ity arid the- motion was carried -'.-by acclamation.