OUR GRASSLANDS.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18642, 21 May 1932, Page 19 (Supplement)

OUR GRASSLANDS.

VALUE OF PEDIGREE STRAINS . . . SCIENTIFIC EXPLOITATION. PRACTICAL APPLICATION. (By H. Woodyear-Smith, Technical Fields’ Officer). The determination of strain and ■species in pasture plants has been likened to atoek breeding on pedigree lines, for the simple reason that when ■the factors governing the potentialities of production of the particular species of pasture plants have been determined, the matter of selection on performance Is then taken into consideration'. It can well be realised that each ■species possesses many and varied •characteristics when viewed from the standpoint of production, persistency and suitability under given conditions. The gradations would range from good to bad and then indifferent,. Although possibly good-under certain conditions the particular pasture plant could be easily regarded as had under unsuitable conditions, but the evidence of the best characteristics would always continue to show themselves under any conditions when compared with the performance of poor and weakly types of the same speoles. The farmer must, therefore, ha prepared to study the conditions whioh exist on Ills holding, in order to determine for himself, having in mind the results obtained through research work on various types, exactly what ■his country Is best suited for. In determining this he must be prepared to make sufficient arrangements financially for the upkeep of the mixture of high production pasture plants which he intends to sow and with this oome the principles of adequate fertility and efficient management. In other words, he should organise well and plan In order to obtain the desired ends from thiß grassland. In suggesting that the farmer should make a olose study of conditions it must be borne in mind that this does not mean researoh work on his part. Through his every day dealing with the land, he must eventually obtain a comprehensive knowledge of the Immediate conditions, and In such a way practically apply the results of the scentlflo developments which have been determined for him.

Importance of Proper Feeding.

'Having reached the point where he has obtained his good pedigree stock of pasture plants, the farmer must not neglect the Importance of proper feeding, for no matter how well bred either an animal or plant may be, they cannot perform if badly nourished. This feeding must be continual nnd not spasmodic, the aim being to increase and build up.

The important question of plant selection has caused research workers to pick up districts where the predominating factors in strain in the pasture plants are reasonably close to the ideal. This has been carefully considered, for' in order to populate our grasslands with the’best, possible types of the various grasses, it is necessary that seed production from high producing strains of correct typo should he sufficiently large and well distributed to allow as groat an area to become occupied with the ideal combinations of plant life as possible, In order that the grower may work for maximum production. In this respect New Zealand Is exceedingly fortunate. Thero are areas In the Dominion which are capable of being the sources of foundation of the vicious types of plants, which are superior in most cases to any imported varieties. Those we get are Hawke’s Bay and Poverty Ray ryegrass and white clover, and Akaroa cocksfoot. Although such areas arc the principal sources from which to obtain foundation supplies of seed, there are many others In the Dominion capable of growing their produce from the “mother” or foundation areas, cheaply ami commercially. In Ibis way. distribution of seed of approved type and strain becomes very much quicker, and lias a more immediate effect, upon national production.