PLEASANT POINT FARM SCHOOL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20672, 10 March 1937, Page 3

PLEASANT POINT FARM SCHOOL

OBSERVATIONS ON CLOVERS INOCULATED AND UNTREATED SEED

Some interesting work has been carried out at the Pleasant Point Farm School in connection with the growing of clovers from Inoculated and untreated seed, and from comparisons made of the number of plants in the various plots it has been proved that better results are obtained by sowing seed that has been inoculated. The following report on observations made on clovers, showing comparison between inoculated and untreated seed, was presented by the secretary, Mr A. K. Easterbrook, at a meeting of the Farm School Committee: Red Clover Not Treated Number of clover plants per linear f00t—3.6. This trial showed decidedly more leafy growth and thicker growth for seven yards out from creek—perhaps due to irrigation from creek. Here the plants were more plentiful—due perhaps to type of drilling here. A definite division line marking tire limit of this area is definitely noticeable another reason why the growth here may be due to heavier seeding. From this area going towards Mr Agnew’s fence the plants are not in so great a number, the ratio of plants in each area being estimated as in the ratio of 63 plants near creek to 29 from 7 yds. line out from the creek and Mr Agnew’s fence. The plants generally are sparse in parts. They have struck well and are very healthy. Red Clover Innoculated Average number of plants per ft. —4.1. Ratio of plants in untreated red clover to treated red clover—llo to 123 showing that Inoculation has been of benefit with red clover. This inoculated clover shows decidc .ly better growth than the noninoculated. The growth is more uniform than in the untreated except in the area neighbouring the patches of Californian thistles, etc., and particularly in gullies the growth is patchy. Again as in untreated the growth is heavy near the stream and Mr Agnew’s fence. Weeds are present. N.Z. Wild White Untreated Number of plants per foot —3.2. The N.Z. wild white is a distinctly smaller clover but this clover was more uniform in number of plants covering the area than the red untreated lacking the patchy growth of these two, although the average number of plants was less. Weeds including yarrow were present. N.Z. Wild White Treated Average number of plants per foot—--3.3. Ratio of number of plants per foot in untreated and treated trials are as 32 to 33. Not much difference per foot but taken over an acre would make a difference of 4356 plants. This trial showed itself to be very patchy compared with the untreated. One reason may be the soil texture of this part. But where the growth was good it was better than the growth in the untreated area. Weeds same as in the above. Montgomery Red Untreated Number of plants per f00t—2.4. Decidedly better growth alongside Mr Agnew’s fence. Oats in this area were more discoloured. Growth fairly uniform but it was not thick; weeds as in other varieties. Montgomery Red Treated Number of plants r-r f00t—3.4. Ratio of plants per foot in untreated to treated 12:17. This trial showed thick growth two drills out from creek and alongside Mr Agnew’s fence but it was sparser between these limits. It showed better growth than the untreated and the average number of plants was better. Weeds as above. Subterranean Untreated Average number of plants per foot—--3.5. This clover in comparison with the others shows thick and better growth, due probably to the spreading habit of the plant. The growth is very uniform, and the clover seems marked by greater growth than that of the others but the number of plants much at a par with that of the others. Subterranean Treated Average number of plants per foot—--3.8. Ratio of untreated to treated —35:38. This trial marked by particularly thick sturdy and matted growth. This is decidedly so in corner near the stream and Mr Agnew's confer. In places growth tends to fluctuate. Summary

Red Clover .. . Untreated Treated 36 41 Montgomery Red 24 34 Wild White .. , 32 33 Subterranean 35 38