SEED STRAINS DISCUSSED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20763, 25 June 1937, Page 6

SEED STRAINS DISCUSSED

AN INSTRUCTIVE TALK Yesterday afternoon an instructive talk on seed strains and blending was given farmers by Mr C. C. Leitch, of the Department of Agriculture. Mr Leitch, who was introduced by the president of the Winter Show Association (Mr G. Andrews), by means of small sample plots displayed in the produce section, was able to show the various strains of pasture seeds under actual growing conditions and to point out the contrast between good and bad blending and the beneficial effects of topdressing and manuring. After touching on perennial and pedigree ryegrass, Mt Leitch emphasised the need to sow white clover, although it was well-known that it would seed from year to year without actual sowing. To sow the seed in the same manner as other crops would entails greater expense in manuring, but he maintained that the extra outlay would be well worth while. Discussing Montgomeryshire red clover, he explained that the seed had been sent to New Zealand for experimental purposes as the seed yield at Home was unsatisfactory, and it was hoped that it would produce sufficient seed in the Dominion to supply English requirements. Sueh was not proving the case, however, and only sufficient seed for New Zealand's needs was being produced. There were farms in South Canterbury on which Montgomery red clover had been used for five years, and it was proving quite satisfactory. He contrasted its straight-growing qualities with those of broad red clover, which spread over the pasture, smothering it. After dealing with Danish and Akaroa cocksfoot, Mr Leitch demonstrated the qualities of “C 23,” which is being grown at Canterbury Agricultural College. Its chief property, he said, was the elimination of tuftiness, which was prevalent in cocksfoot. There was only a small quantity available at the present time, but in a few years it was hoped to increase the production.

Good Pasture Mixtures. Demonstrating the effects of good blending, Mr Leitch said the chief object was to mix the seed so that one strain did not interfere with the other. If a cocksfoot pasture was wanted, he maintained that ryegrass should be kept out of the mixture altogether. He suggested that the best blend was cocksfoot with a little Montgomery red clover, in the proportion of about 18 to 201 b cocksfoot to four of clover. Ryegrass could be mixed with white clover and if that pasture was used for spring and cocksfoot and Montgomery red for summer plenty of green feed should be available. Mr Leitch said lime was an essential in topdressing with super. In some cases results were obtained with super alone, but he thought lime, in the ratio of about a ton per acre should be the foundation of all topdressing in South Canterbury. He pointed out that hydrogen was most necessary for ryegrass, and it was through lime that the grass received that property.

To what extent subterranean clover will be successful in South Canterbury it was not yet possible to say as the seed was still in the experimental stage, said Mr Leitch. It was known, however, that the seed did best on light, loamy soil. He issued a warning to farmers not to sow the whole of their farms down in subterranean clover and then think that their worries were over. Their worries might only be starting. He suggested that on a 200 to 300 acre farm, 30 or 40 acres should be sown at a time and the crop rotated as was down with other pastures. Another important point was that super must be sown with subterranean clover. Discussing the best time for sowing, Mr Leitch said January and February were the best months.

On the motion of Mr C .E. Kerr. Mr Leitch was accorded a vote of thanks for his lecture.