THE FARM.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVI, Issue 16310, 11 August 1917, Page 3

THE FARM.

(By "Koradi."') XLT.XII> SEED. For some time there lias been a report in circulation that turnip and raptj seed is going lo be very scarce, and consequently very ..dear during the coming season. If such is to be the case this year, and I believe that it is, what will be tlio position if the war continues into tlio next European summer as it seems almost sure to dol' It. looks very much like a famine in theso important, seeds unless we do something to provide ou>" own requirements in this respect. And there does not- seem to lie any reason why we should not he able to do so. Some years ago when some tanners were dissatisfied with the seed that they were, getting from the Old Country, they decided to try growing their own coed and they succeeded in doing so. Tlio seed seemed to he just as good as the imported article, in fact, was better in til" matter of speedy germination. because it was quite fresh. Tudeed it was sown almost as soon as it was harvested, so that there could be no question as to its age, as there sometimes is in connection v.-iih the seed that is imported from the other sido of the globe. "V\ o depend upon Great Britain and somo of tile European countries far more than we require to do for our supplies of seeds of various kinds. For instance practically all our turnip seed comes from Great Britain. For some reason or other farmers here have not persisted Tn growing their own small seeds though there appears to be no reason why they should not do so. At any rate there seems to be, now an opportunity to again try the. raising of turnip and rape seed. Tt is true that last, autumn quite a lot of rape seed was harvested and the sani" should be done this year. "Rape. however, is easier to manage than turnips. There is still time to sro in for growing turnip seed' :or use this season, and fanners would do well to try an seeing thai" tump seed will be sen'i-e and dear, and that anorh->>- the may be even more difficult to obtain from the older countries than it is this year.

THE PROCEDURE. Tlio way to set. about growing turnip seod is to set out in a description of some work that is being carried cut at the present time at Addington, near Christchurch where -Messrs w'rignt, Stephenson and Co. liavo planted an area of two acres this year for turnip seed purposes. A contemporary thus describes the method in which the work is being carried out, and I am reprinting the description hero in the hope that itmay givo a few hints to any that think of trying to raise their own turnip seed for the coming season.—

It should be understood that the turnips, after they have obtained a full growth, aro transplanted into the seed area. Beforo this is done careful selection is made. All malformed turnips, those departing in any way from the desired shape and those which do not have a largo single tap root, are discarded. It will he seen, therefore, that only a small portion of an ordinary crop is suitable for seed purposes. At Addington the turnips, which aro the well-known Carton's Hardy Green Globe variety, wero obtained from Southland, and, after the ground had been fully prepared and treated, were planted in rows, at intervals of a foot apart, the procedure being much the same as with potatoes. Care was taken to see that the bulbs were buried "bv several inches of soil, and to allow for the resulting .subsidence. It is anticipated that the iieads on the plants will have formed and ripened early in December. A precaution necessary at Addington was to grow only one Variety. V

Danger <v cross fertilisation, owing to the working of the bees, n.s the reason for this, is a matter which has to he taken into consideration. In fact, the intending grower of seed must see that no other seed areas, or neglected turnip crops which aro likely to come to maturity, are in the vicinity. A number of ordinary sized paddocks should intervene to ensure that this clanger is eliminated. "Whether the Addington experiment is likely to meet with success is a matter on which itwould he unwise to speak at present. The suitabilty of tho climatic conditions of Canterbury has yet to be proved. In Great Britain the seed is produced i:i the frost areas of northern England and Scotland. Iho southern counties, owing to the warm weather invariab'y experienced, are unsuitable. It is possible that, in Canterbury, particularly if the spring is an early one, it will he found that tho seed forms and ripens too early. But this is only a. probability. and should not deter experiments. The transplanting and selection -could be (lane at the present time. One argument- in favour oi' tho enterprise is that not only this season, but next year particularly, turnip seed is likely to he scarce, and command a high price. These crops have failed largely in England, whilst the growing of' cereals has encroa-hed on many of the seed areas. Alld. in spite of the ravages of the diamond back moth and aphis on turnips in Canterbury during the past- season or so. the popularity of this fattening food, owing to tho high prices for primstock, is not likely to be sericusly affected.

SALT FOR. STOCK. Tile necessity ior giving salt- to stock cannot, he too o ten dwelt upon, as so many iarmrrs fail to provide salt lor their animals. From the nio»L ancient, times shepherds all the world over have ri cognised the necessity of giving their (locks a fairly liberal allowance 7>f salt ;*iiu nowadays, t-hough salt has gone, up considerably in price, then' are some sheep men who would not. dream oi" allowing their flovks to go withouttheir salt lick. It is said thai, the Spanish shepherds used to allow their sheep •-'l-'.bs oi stilt- p.-r b"ad. This quantity was con-uinicd in about live months, or a." Ihe rale o! half a pound per head per month. The sheep got none at all in lite winter months. There was an idea abroad at that- time thai salt caused abort irii among the cues and it was ' in-rr-.ufe v.-ithbeld from the breeding ewes. |,_ is said that this idea still prevails !■> a considerable extent. There

does not seem to be any warrant for the supposition. It may he that when salt : s withheld i rem the sheep for '-eiec nine the animals may greediK' e.-i' more than is good for (hem should tl.e r. iislt be provided all at once in eooMiier-able quantities. W hen stilt or a mixed lick is provided at all limes and is available to all !:t— cs of sheep it is not likely that : hey will out sufficient at one. timetodo :; ■ i'i:i. Now that, the grass is coming av.-.,y. and is sot:. and perhaps not ioo nut rii ion-, tt stt.lt lick should be given and should be of considerable it- 1 " in ~l'C'-p are iniv." being kept oii' the lamb;:ig pad! i k-. ::s much as possible in -tiring i.nre i.; quoted as a fatal do-.> '■■■■' a pc -. -j:, grains of stt.lt p.-r order ii, may get a r-hau ••• •••• i befell- the lali'leng cuiuI'eu.-. v.je-ie ; hey are avad- '■ '■ J 'f|" ' : bay -1 ra is ;i ; i,e- ---'" - : " ' : - o • \ iit i -alt w i' h

tageous. and if there are no roots, frequent changes from paddock lo paddock are recommended. It is well known that salt in large quantities is very harmful to pigs and Dakota College, U.S.A. A large dose of castor oil is proscribed, followed by sews to prevent them eating their distaste for meat and blood. GREENING SF.ED POTATOES. Now that spring is approaching, tlio trea.tmeni". -of seed potatoes should como in for some consideration.- Theiw will no doubt be a. big lot of potates put in this season, in .sj>ite of the fact tliat they are not much of a price at tlio present time. 'The last year't> tubers did not do a great deal of good in somo instances. Some of tlio yields were small and the potatoes were not healthy. Indeed some of them are scarcely saleable, and are causing those who have to handle them a good deal of worry. S'onio that have been shipped to northern ports liavo been very much disputed over, and there have been many contentions between vendors and buyers concerning them. It is to be feared that somo of the seed that will be sown will not be too good in quality, as it is impossible to tell this season if the tubers are good or not unless they are cut open with a knife. A good many of us .sow whole seed, and therefore cannot tell whether the potato is sound or not. It appears 1 to mo that the Up-to-date variety is ono of the worst this season, which is a pity, because it has been a. good I sort of potato lor a number of years I now. There are indications, however, that it : s running out just as the Deri wonts did somo years ago. However, to deal with the subject of the greening of seed potatoes, there can lie no doubt that the practice is a \ei\ beneficial especially in regard to the early varieties. It may °not he possible to green all the seed required for the main crop, but it should be possible to do so with the earlier kinds. The garden sorts should be treated in this manner, because they will come away all the earlier and yield all the 'oetter if they are sprouted"'in the light and then carefully planted so as not to destroy the shoots that have formed. One writer stattes that ;r his opinion the greening of seed potatoes is. of national importance, and he then goes on to give a. few hints regarding the greening and sprouting of seed potatoes and the reasons why it should be done. "When the seed tubers are properly exposed to the light from the time of lifting, chlorophyll forms j:i the outer skin, and the sprouts which subsequently grow also become well nourished with chlorophyll. There is no waste of strength, but a steady building up 0 f strength. Potatoes from properly greened sets are fit for lifting for eating purposes quite ten days earlier than those from sets wintered in darkened stores. The (ate Mr •Tames Clark, the raiser of the famous Magnum P.onum potato, wjio was personally well known to the writer, greened all his seed tubers, and regarded the process as one of the utmost importance. There is a right way of doing it. "When lifted, the seed "tubers should bo fully exposed to the air and sun. if possible, for about, an hour to get. the skin hardened a little. Then they must.be removed to an open shed where plenty of light can reach them, bo spread thinly on the floor, and turned once. At the end of a month, box the tubers, and until required, .for planting, expose them to light and air, onlv excluding frost.

If placed in frames to green, tilt the lights a foot high, and retain them there for a week. I have blown many tubers to be burned in frames when the lights have Vteon closed. CHOOSING SEED POTATOES. There can be no doubt that we do not pick our seed potatoes as scientifically as we should do, and tliat-_ may lie one reason why so many varieties so soon run out. The usual method is to dig the roots and then to first of all pifk out the eating potatoes, those that are the largest and the best in every way. Then wo may pick up all the remainder and pit them together, sotting out the best for seed later on. Or we may go over tlio seconds as they are Iving oil the ground and pick Out +be best '-lianed tubers, those of medium and even size. Theso form good--1001-iiiir seod and may bo true to type, as well as clear of disease. But that method, id though it is ' letter than the indiscriminate use of all tubers except tlie largest, is not the best by any means, and for tlx is reason. The medium sized potatoes may come from bills that did not have many, if any large sized eating potatoes. Tn digging one will "nine across one hill that has a o;g proportion of eating potatoes, but onlv a verv' few small ones. The consequence is that the big potatoes go into the bag for sale or for consumption on the farm, and the seed from timerooi will not be very numerous. On the other hand a root may lie turned that has only a few large potatoes upon if. ".)ut a great many smaller ones. From a commercial and from a yielding point el' view, that root is not «vfa all a desirable. yet a moment's reflection will prove that it is from roots such as that- we draw a, good deal oi' our seed. There can be no doubt at", all about that. One sometimes hears it said that a magnificent crop has been grown from seed that is practically only pig potatoes. That is no reason for sowing the smallest seed that we can Jind, though it may be no worse than the medium seed as far as quality is concerned. Ol' course the larger the seed in leason "the better chance the plant lias of coming out vigorously because it receives the more nourishment from tlie parent tuber.

No doubt the. most scientific way to choose the seod is by noting which hills are the best in point of health, vigour, and yield. Then if the seed is picked from these, plant-! the subsequent crop is sure to be benefited on tho principle that like begets like. If selection on those grounds were carried out systematically, it is certain that the various sorts would not run out as quickly as they are doing at the present time. Almost every year fresh sorts are being introduced in the- hope that- iliev will prove superior to the older varieties in the matter of yield and capability of withstanding disease.

11l procuring seed potatoes it is preferable t.o purchase tho tubers sold for culinary purposes. These are usually a goo: 1 size and they are generally as healthy ;t •; it is possible to have, them, because most ol the diseased tubers have be. n discarded so as not to spoil the sample. -Moreover, when one buys the big potatoes for seed purposes one is certiiu that they have not all come iiom loots winch could prodiee little else than small tubers. This seed should, of course In- cm, though I am not- as a general :u!e in favour of cutting the seed. lit procuring fresh seed it is its well to get the potatoes from as far south as possible. If the seod is procured Irom the north it. may not do well for iho iirst year, ivhereas if it coir.es from a colder climate it stands .i good chance of coming out well. I liavo quoted from one writer nu lite 11 eatment of seed. I shall now give another man's experience in i|,e ma iter:—"M have always found good, dear, medium siezd sets. l> to :i ounces ill weight, lo lie the best for givim.a heavy yield. I do not believe in culling s-.-ts if a big enm i> wanted. 1 prefer .seed lo be en the large .side raiher than small. If very short- or -eei) you call •■lit she round varieties, '.til 1 contend thai whole s.-t> produce :: heavier crop- besides being able i i

withstaud disease and drought and cold much better than if they were cut. I am a firm advocate of sprouting ah seed potatoes, never mind whether they be earlies, seconds, or lato varieties. At planting time they should have two or three robust, sturdy sprouts strongly attached to them,"and if possible they should be the first sprouts. One cannot afford to let the -seed tuber waste its nourishment; it must be deposited in the soil with all its powers intact. 1 f you are compelled to use poor seed, plant the tubers nearer together in the drills. Tubers meant for seed .should be dug up before they are quite ripe. Tne sprouts that emergo from the upper end of the tubers are the | and produce the heaviest yield. I have planted, side by side, seed tubers that have been cut, and whole .seed, and seed taken straight from the clamp with its first shoots rubbed off. -This experiment proved conclusively that whole seed carefully prepared was much to be preferred. Sprouted tubers, when the soil conditions are perfect, will catch up with unsprouted ones that have _ been planted three weeks before, besides escaping the possibility of a sharp frost."

JOTTINGS. Latest returns show a decline in wheat- and oats production for threshing of over 2,000,000 bushels each for this year as compared with last. Barley and maize also show reductions. Potatoes show 2000 tons increase. Speaking to a Christchurch' Star reporter, Mr A. H. Cockayne. Government Biologist, who has been making investigations into turnip diseases, said he had completed a tour of Canterbury, Otago, and Southland. He found dry rot in turnips fairly widespread in the main turnip areas of the south, but the disease is not so serious as it was during the two or three preceding years. Nevertheless, the loss sustained in the south has been very considerable. The Agricultural Department has made full arrangements to carry out a series of investigations in the Southland district, and it is hoped that some solution of the trouble will bo arrived at.

Arrangements are in operation for scouring in New Zealand a. considerable quantity of tlie wool purchased on behalf of the Imperial Government. The total quantity set aside for i his purpose up to the present is 71,506 bales, states the Hon. W. D. S. Mao Donald The rest of the clip is being shipped to the United Kingdom in tho greasy state, in accordance with r.h=- wishes of the Imperial Government. A little-known potato which has recently been introduced into Canterburyis The Eurelca. It has \ieen claimed as being an extremely prolific- yielder, and certainly a 17 tons to the acre crop iust lifted by a grower in Lincoln somewhat supports this contention (says the Christchurch "Sun"-). In appearance it is a. rough-coated tuber, red under the skin, and white insio'j. The crop mentioned was grown in only moderate-quality soil, whilst the tubers themselves were good. It is a neeuliarity of many of these new varieties that after some years they becrin to revert back to the characteristics of one of the kind of potato from which the cross was originally derived. The Up-to-Date is a striking example in this respect, many of those placed on the market lately closely resembling the old kidney potato from which the strain was partly obtained.