GREAT ADVANCE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20761, 23 June 1937, Page 3

GREAT ADVANCE

must be realised that ail the turfs save '.hose from the Plant Research Station Palmerston Nqrth, have come from fields under actual grazing conditions The farmers from whose properties they were taken desire it to be known hat they are fully aware and conveisant with the areas.

GRASSLAND FARMING CONTROL OF PASTURES One of the greatest advances in recent years has been that of improved methods in glassland farming. Farmers in the past were confronted with the problem of sowing down grasses with a short life, but to-day, as a result of valuable research work, pastures can be put down with strains of seed which result in producing grass of quality and lasting properties. The numerous grass plots on view at the Winter Show are an object lesson of the best methods of grassland practice. Examples are shown, too, of the results of wrong practice, and the contrast between the two, supplies a fund of knowledge to those engaged in farming operations. The agricultural exhibits at the Show are splendid and it must be most gratifying to the promoters that the farming community of South Canterbury have competed so well and sent forward such excellent produce. Space has been taxed to the utmost with roots, potatoes, vegetables, fruit, grain and seeds of the highest quality. Those who have not won prizes have the satisfaction of having competed in probably the best display of its kind ever made in the province.

Establishing Pastures

Around the borders of the stands are displayed turfs from field and experimental areas in the province. If these are studied in conjunction witij the explanations which are posted down the middle of the stands they will be found to be of great interest. The display covers all phases of pasture, establishment, maintenance and control, and is subdivided so that the observer can follow the different aspects of grassland management.

• (1) The importance of strain in Perennial ryegrass, Italian ryegrass, cocksfoot and red and white clover is illustrated by turfs obtained from the strain trials on the farm of Mr W. Scott, Fairlie, the Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and the Plant Research Station, Palmerston North. It is on these differences that the

certification of pasture seeds, inaugurated by the Department of Agriculture is based. (2) Methods of pasture establishment are discussed by contrasting the good with the bad. The effects of badly balanced mixtures, the importance of cocksfoot and ryegrass being separated in the sward, and the importance of using certified seeds are all to be seen by those who are interested. (3) The manuring and liming oi pastures and hill country form a section to convince us of the necessity of maintaining and feeding the swards. In this section some sharp contrasts are to be seen and careful attention on the part of the observer is necessary so that he may realise the importance of the following features of manuring:— (a) The necessity of manuring young pastures. (b) The value of superphosphate and lime when used in conjunction with one another; and (c) The value of reverted phosphate in improving our hill country and depleted native pastures. Subterranean Clover (4) A display of subterranean clover is highly instructive in view oi tremendous interest which this development has aroused in the province during the last 18 months. Correct methods of establishment and maintenance are shown, and the results of wrong methods are contrasted. The improvements that this clover can make on poor land and poor pasture and the necessity of feeding it with superphosphate are fully brought out. (5) In a separate section is displayed the results obtained by the use of irrigation. These turfs were taken from farms on the Redcliff irrigation scheme, and show the benefit that can be obtained from a sufficient supply of soil moisture. At the back of this section diagrams, plans and maps illustrate the amount of investigational work which is being carried out by the Public Works Department in order to •nsure success of the projects and should serve to assure and convince armers that the days of wild cat schemes are er. Tc fully appreciate the display it