COLONIAL CLOVER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19828, 30 April 1927, Page 21 (Supplement)

COLONIAL CLOVER

EXPERIMENTS AT MARTON IMPROVED PASTURE. Clover experiments of unusual interests are "being carried out at the Marton Experimental Area and the results already achieved it is plainly demonstrated that by a more careful selection of seed, the carrying capacity of the majority of Now Zealand pastures can be largely increased. .Further, it is apparent that there is an unexplored overseas market for genuine colonial (or “Canterbury” as it is commonly called) saved seed. Throe broad strips of different varieties of clovers make an interesting study in one of the largest fields on the farm. When a ‘‘Chronicle” reporter inspected th e paddock last week he found that the outstanding feature of the first strip sown with ordinary imported (Dutch) white clover was its abundance of clover Howers and seed heads and absence of foliage. Alongside was the plot of genuine Canterbury saved clover and there only a few seed heads were in evidence, while the plant itself was covering the ground almost everywhere in a solid mat The neighbouring strip contained the genuine Kentish wild white variety and in this case seed heads were exceptionally rare, practically the whole z of the plants’ energies having gone into suculant growth. The first point of interest lay in the similarity between the Canterbury and Kentish varieties which when New Zealand retail prices are compared— Canterbury Is (id per lb., and Kentish 10s to 12s, give food for thought. Secondly, the marked superiority of Canterbury over ordinary imported (Dutch) clover made it clear that in giving preference to the ordinary imported white clover, as against Canterbury seed, farmers are literally throwing away good pasture. The line of demarkation between the strips containing these two varieties was most marked, it being very apparent that the Dutch clover is developed to give the maximum of seed, and thereby sacrifices green feed growth. With the Canterbury article it is different. The seed in this case is saved in th c threshing of rye and other grasses. By this means genuine wild clover seed is

secured which can be sold at comparatively low prices. At the present time, colonial or “Canterbury” seed is being sold in Europe at between 4s and ss—half the price of the Kentish seed, and as it so nearly resembles the latter it would seem that, there is a good overseas market awaiting genuine New Zealand grown seed. .Some three years ago quantities of colonial saved seed were sent to Britain and thc possibilities of the varieties investigated. David Bell and Sons, Leith, now advise that thc seed from the Dominion is “just about as good as thc Kentish wild white.” Prof< ssor Stapleton of Aberystwyth, Wales, reports similarly on experiments carried out. under his supervision. In view of the fact that thc colonial seed is becoming known in England, and a demand is setting in for it, it behoves all those interested in thc seed trade to take the necessary steps to see only genuine New Zealand grown seed is sent Home. The question of farming associations to inspect the fields where clover is grown and certify to its genuineness is now under consideration. PIGS FOR EXPORT THE FIRST CROSS BEST. Bacon curers are consistently advising breeders to produce first-class animals (says a Home paper). At Ihe Smithfield Show some .14 different crosses were entered in thc five classes open to crossbreds, and in point, of numbers these classes were by far thc best filled in thc whole pig section. The crossbred championship went to a pair of Large White Berkshircs, with sonic Bor’ shire-Middle Whites in reserve; while the reserve single pig of the show was a Tamworth-Berkshire. Other prize-winners in the bacon pig classes were Large White-Middle Whites, Middip White-Bcrkshircs, and Middle White-Large Blacks, while in the porker class Long White Lop Eared-Middle Whites took several prizes, and other Middle White crosses were also well to the fore. Thc Tam-worth-Berkshirc cross makes a grand bacon pig, and the carcase championship went, to one of these animals. Jt is a strange fact, however, that tit' Tamworth does not seem to “nick” well with any breed but the Berkshire. There is a tendency in some quarters to regard the crossbred as the pig of the future, but it must be remembered that successful crossbreeding pre-sup-poses the existence of good pure breeds, and the work of the pedigree breeder will be just as important in the future as it has been in thc past. It will be noted that thc Largo White, which has been recommended as the best breed for the New Zealand export trade, is mentioned in one of the crosses, and that the Tamworth-Berkshire cross won the carcase, championship, a cross that used to be more popular in Canterbury than it now appears to bo.

That Proves It. “Doctor, this bill is exorbitant and I won’t pay it,” said thc patient, irritably. “Besides, I’m no better now than when I came to you.” “Of course you’re no better,” reported the. doctor, “and all because you didn’t take my advice.” “Oh!” said the patient. “Of course, •as .1 didn’t take it, I don’t owe you anything for it. Good evening.” been contaminated by careless handling before it reached the factory. On thc other hand Lt was quite safe to say that “finest’’ cream as it was known to-day, could be substantially improved by vacuum treatment.