CERTIFICATION OF COCKSFOOT SEED

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18939, 9 December 1929, Page 10

CERTIFICATION OF COCKSFOOT SEED

SOMETHING IS TO BE DONE IN 1930 SEASON. The question of the certification of Banks Pesinsula cocksfoot seed has been considered by the Hon G. W. Forbes, Minister for Lands, in response to a communication from Mr J. M’Combs, M.P. for Lyttelton. The Minister has advised Mr M’Combs that the Department will not be able to do anything in regard to this season’s crop, but he is of opinion that something can be done the following season, subject to an arrangement with those concerned. The arrangement will probably be on similar lines to those made in connection with the certification of other seeds. It may be pointed out that certification would be of great value to cocksfoot growers on Banks Peninsula, as the type of cocksfoot produced is unique in the country. Many years ago the cocksfoot was sown on some fairly high land, and the resulting plants were the ancestors of the cocks foot grown there to-day. The peculiar conditions have resulted in the evolution of cocksfoot grass which produces a permanent pasture. This seed is very much sought after, especially in certain districts in the North Island, where a sound permanent pasture is greatly desired. The certification -'ff Banks Peninsula cocksfoot, as such, would guarantee to the purchaser that he was receiving seed which had the permanent pasture qualities which he required.