RENOVATING OUR PASTURES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3151, 3 September 1892, Page 2 (Supplement)

RENOVATING OUR PASTURES.

Tije question as to what is the most effective, albeit economical, mode of renewing worn-out pastures is one which has many a time and oft occupied the attention of our agriculturists. Good rich pasture is about the most valuable adjuuet upon any farm, while its

presence is, perhaps, the best evidence of the farmer's capacity to successfully till his soil. Iu Waikato, particularly, a great deal of trouble and loss has been occasioned by the complete disappearance from our pastures of the most valuable grasses and clovers, aud this upon lands which have been laid down comparatively few years.

It was at first supposed that re-plough-ing, with the addition of fresh seed and manure would suffice to re-establish the pasture; but this was found out not to be the case. The grass never seemed to do so well the second time, and in most instances the clover failed altogether. This was rather a serious matter to settlers, for, iu addition to the loss of grazing in the meantime, the cost of ploughing, grass seed, manure, etc., made up a heavy item.

■We have, however, lately had an opportunity of observing how these wornout grass lands may be thoroughly renewed, and yet made to pay their way all the time. Mr D. McLaren, of Ohaupo, had a paddock of this kind which had been grazed for a number of years, and from which the best grasses had practically disappeared. During last spring tlu land was ouce ploughed ; worked up fine, and seed oats drilled in, with two cwt of Kempthorne Prosser and Co.'s manure to the acre. This crop thrashed out 43 bushels per acre, the oats being sold off at 2s per bushel. In addicion to this the stack of oaten straw left in tjie paddock, was in Mr Maolaren's opinion, worth, for winter feeding-, the whole cost of growing the crop. After harvest the land was again ploughed, and in early autumn, half a bjsliel of orts, with another two cwt. ot the same manure, per acre was sown bro'id-uast, and to finish off, grass and clover seeds were lightly harrowed in. During the winter the oats protected the grass, and at the same time afforded a lot of feed for dairy cows, and now the grass and clovers are coming away fresh and strong, with every promise of making a first-clasß pasture. We have drawn attention to this instance for it certainly appears to us, to be a most profitable way to deal with these old pastures. Whether our agricultural friends will all coincide with this view or not, upon one point, we think, there can be no difference of opinion, and this is, that over a very large area in Waikato the pastures l>adly need renovating.