EXPERIMENT RESULTS IN BIG WHEAT YIELD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18385, 10 February 1928, Page 16

EXPERIMENT RESULTS IN BIG WHEAT YIELD.

ASHBURTON MAN MAKES SUCCESSFUL TRIAL. T ll view of the recent cablegram from London to the effect that experiments had shown it would be possible to increase the average yield of wheat from 32 bushels to 130 bushels per acre it is interesting to record that Mr John O’Grady, of Cameron Street West, Ashburton. has demonstrated that something like this can be done, though whether on a payable basis is questionable. Two seasons ago. Mr O’Grady grew on one plant of solid straw Tuscan wheat 190 fully developed heads containing an average of over 50 plump grains. The attention of the Lincoln College authorities was drawn to the fact, and the Agricultural Director of the College (Mr R. E. Alexander), together with another of the college staff, made a special journey to* Ashburton and obtained from Mr O’Grady permission to dig up the root of wheat. This was done and the college authorities sent the root in a tub to the Dunedin Exhibition, where it was an object of keen interest in the Canterbury Court. Mr O'Grady intends to experiment on a much larger scale next season. This season Mr O'Grady is experimenting with one plant of Garton oats, The ground was first carefully prepaied and manured and when the seed had germinated, and was a few inches above the ground he cut it off at a joint. , As each sprout came out of the

ground this process was repeated five times, and the plant has now 36 vigorous and well-headed stalks. During the recent dry weather the plant was carefully watered every third evening. A careful count is about to be made of the total number of grains there is on the 36 heads. Mr O'Grady is at present having harvested on his farm at Lauristcn, oat crops which are estimated to yield from 70 to SO bushels per acre and wheat which will thresh out from 50 to 60 bushels per acre. The land is what is known as medium plains land but it is well farmed. A ton of superphosphate manure to the acre was used when the seed was sown.