WEED GROWTH AND MOISTURE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23111, 27 January 1945, Page 3

WEED GROWTH AND MOISTURE

Acute Problems

The growth of weeds and crops owing to continued rain, overcast conditions and warmth has resulted in a set of extraordinary circumstances which have presented unfamiliar problems to farmers in this district. Probably the chief concern has now become one of how to get out of the situation with as little loss as possible. When one sees day after day crops and stock deteriorating, the work of tire farm building up, and harvesting conditions on already poor crops becoming difficult, if not impossible, the prospect is anything but hopeful. Some of these difficulties, such as the replacement of winter feed crops, have already been dealt with, but, unfortunately, there are now immediate problems of sowing together with the harvesting and disposal of crops whose returns have been considerably diminished through unfavourable weather. Experience is lacking, and it is therefore only by discussion that the best means of tackling the problems can be arrived at. Suggestions made here are given in a hope that they mayprompt some thought and action which will enable these acute problems to be solved. Worked Land

Land which was either to go into lamb fattening, winter feed or autumn grass is now in such a state with weed growth and wetness that it is difficult to decide which method of cultivation is to be used in order to dispose of weeds and surplus moisture to bring the land back into a suitable condition for sowing. Continual top work such as grubbing and drag-harrowing is really effective only when suitable conditions prevail for the killing of weed growth. Further, there is the difficulty of drilling when a lot of dead material has to be contended with and also the competition set up, owing to the fact that most of the larger plants of yarrow, Californian-thistle, docks and fathen are not removed even by numerous grubbings. Continuous top work also tends to render the soil in too fine a state, causing a condition under the slightest shower.' It would appear that the best and quickest method to adopt is to grub or hustle such land to endeavour to dry out the soil and then to plough at a sufficient depth to cover the weed growth. From then cultivation and sowing should be carried out as quickly as possible in a hope that in some measure the moisture content of the soil, combined with the previous cultivations, will ensure quick growth and establishment of the crop whatever it may be. Perennial Ryegrass

Crops which have been cut preparatory to picking up with the header present some difficulty, in that where the swath is thick or clover growth heavy, drying out and growth in the swath makes heading hours short and picking up difficult. It will be found that the main source of the problem lies in the shedder side of the swath. Here the thickness of the straw on the ground, together with the fact that in some cases the tractor wheel has pushed it into the ground, makes drying out more difficult. If this side of the swath can be lifted an hour before heading, the operation will be materially assisted.

The disposal of the straw from such fields is always a problem, and while the best and only method is to remove it immediately, this cannot always be done. When there is likely to be a delay in removing the threshed straw, the straw spreader on the header should not be disconnected. In this manner the straw will be evenly spread and the grass and clover will have a greater opportunity to recover than it would if the straw lies thick in windrows over the field. In fact, it can be argued that under such favourable growth conditions, straw removal this season is not imperative since the recovery of the grass and clover after cutting is undoubtedly very vigorous. Linen Flax Crops

Flax crops have suffered this season more than any other crop. It is safe to say that hundreds of acres are now in such a condition that they will never be harvested. The problem of how to get rid of these crops in order to make further use of the land will be difficult to solve. On account of lodging, undergrowth, and the wet condition of the soil, burning at present is impossible. It is dangerous to put stock on to the field on account of the fibre content of the plant, while ploughing is also impossible. It would seem that unless a grower is prepared to put a considerable amount of hard work into getting rid of a useless crop, the only thing that can be done is to wait until winter when weather and time have rotted the tangled straw. The Oat Crop

Oat crops, especially heavy ones, have lodged with little prospect of recovery. Where lodging is severe there is little hope of the grain filling sufficiently to give a profitable return. In any case mowing is probably the only way in which the crop can be cleared from the field. Of the crops which still have some prospect, white clover seems to be the least hopeful. The continued growth of leaf and consequent poor flowering means difficult threshing for little seed. Peas have made wonderful growth but the pods are filling very slowly.

Those crops with the best prospects are wheat and red clover. The result, as always, lies with the weather during the next two months. Sunshine is needed urgently for crops and stock. It is unfortunate that a season which opened with such good prospects should have faded away to its present state.