AMONG THE SHEAVES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10755, 29 April 1913, Page 1

AMONG THE SHEAVES.

CHAMPION CEREALS PREPARING

FOR SHOW

NEW AMERICAN WHEATS

AN OBJECT-LESSON FOR

FARMERS

ON VIEW IN CHRISTCHURCH

"Educating the fanners is the watchword of the Agricultural Department, but it does not undertake all tho work itself. It allows tho host farmers to educate their less fortunate or experienced brethren by sending among them the choicest produce of the harvest field. In this way. a very healthy rivalry is sot up in some favoured districts, for if John Smith can produce a finer ear of com than his neighbour he frequently gets tiie chance "to have samples sent from Auckland to Livercargill in a Departmental exhibit. WHEAT AND WEEDS. A transformation has been effected in the old building in Christchurch. known as Vincent's Brewery. It resembles a harvest field. Its dim interior ranked with sheaves, the finest product of the finest wheat-fields hi New Zealand—eighty bushels to tho acre crops. The sheaves are in charge of Mr A. Macpherson, director of field experiments, and are under process of preparation 'for the Auckland Exhibition and the Dunedin and other winter shows. There are cereals in ear and in small sacks from all parts of the South Island. Over one hundred weeds of every variety common in New Zealand are also to be seen. These are mounted on cardboard, with their good or bad habits clearly stated. Of course, there are good and bad weeds, for the agricultural definition of a weed is " a plant out of place." There arc- three sets of each kind of weed, so that three exhibits may be made simultaneously. CANTERBURY WINTER SHOW. Canterbury farmers will ask the value of an exhibit which they have little chance of seeing. The exhibits, however, are available for inspection now, and parties of farmers or individuals need only apply to Mr Macpherson to be shown every specimen in the building. Ther% are smaller exhibits, also, that can be put up in cabinets and sent to the rooms of the Farmers' Unions for inspection. The exhibits are very instructive,, as they cover grasses used for i-evegetating waste lands, the results of field experiments in the sheaf and threshed and a variety of other interesting specimens. AMERICAN WHEATS AND OATS. American wheats and oats are likely to find favour in the eyes of New Zealand farmers. The Department has imported a considerable number of samples, some of which are exceedingly attractive. There are two sacks of Prohi wheat on view, a very nice specimen, and one of the best wheats in America, but the most astonishing wheat is an American sample of Perfection. Other varieties are Dreadnought, Federation and Burgoyne, grown at Cambridge College in America. Among these imported samples is one frcm Naples, named Raeti. It was by the Department last year to get it established", and now seed is being sent out. The American oats also look promising. They include Shadeland Climax, a picture of conditiou, and New Kerson. While on the subject of imported oats, it is interesting to know that the director of the Ruakura experimental station some time ago selected an oat from Argentina, which has proved for some years to be absolutely rust-resistant. It is now beuig tried in the South Island in various districts, in order that the Department can be assured that outside its own district it retains its rust-resisting quaiiSHEAF EXHIBITS. Christchurch folk have become familiar with the healthy-looking sheaves that their province can produce. The Department has had samples sent it from all parts of the island. A fine sheaf of Garton oats, .grown by Mr James Black, of Ida Valley, must have stood over six feet high before being cut. There are also many samples of grain grown in variety tests. on experimental plots a yard square. These have been tied in sheaves with the root growth intact, and when they are properly labelled and set up they should be an invaluable object lesson. They come principally from Tapanui, where the farmers are so keen to have a Departmental exhibit that they are prepared to pay the cost of carriage. At Fairlie Show recently the exhibit was the finest ever seen in the district, and a special letter was sent to Mr Macpherson by the Agricultural and Pastoral Committee, expressing the very high value of the exhibit. REVEGETATING DEPLETED LANDS. The work that is- being done in revegetating depleted lands in Central Ota go arid the Mackenzie Country is invaluable. Formerly fanners and others asserted that the laud was valueless. The Department lias sown down experimental areas with grasses and fodder plants, and triumphantly exhibits tho resultant crop. At tho depot, growing outside in boxes, may bo see.rj luxuriant specimens taken from the waste areas. Sheens Burnet, one of the best deep-rooted varieties for feeding sheep, stands alongside specimens of tall oat grass, cocksfoot, awnless blue grass, prairie grass,_ phalaris commutata, or bulbosa, chicory, lucerne, clover, lotus corniculatus, white clover and Bokhara clover, ribgrass, and yarrow. | LOCAL EXHIBITS. Canterbury has never specialised in winter shows, and many persons hold \ that it is because the Agricultural and Pastoral Association docs not cater for the small farmer, who would mostly benefit by the experience. It has been suggested that Grand National week, although a little late, might be adopted for a Christ-church winter show, at which the Department's exhibits could be displayed.