SEED PRODUCTION

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21035, 10 February 1940, Page 20 (Supplement)

SEED PRODUCTION

WAR-TIME MEASURE To ensue an adequate supply of ! I'ape, turnip and swede seeds in New Zealand during the war it has been decided to arrange for the internal production of these seeds under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture. The Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Lee Martin, has announced that the growing of brassica crops for seed purposes was being supervised by the fields division of the Department of Agriculture. “ Considerable quantities of seed will be produced under official supervision and under a system of contract to merchants from selected stocks,” said flie Minister, “ but it is expected that in addition other farmers will, on their own account, save crops for seed. “ Although the saving of seed by farmers is not discouraged, it is felt that wherever possible contracts with merchants should first be arranged lor any seed which might be produced. It is obvious also that unless there is some control there is grave danger of the seed produced being of inferior quality. Cross-Pollination “ Farmers who have grown brassica crops for seed production will realise fully the danger of cross-pol-lination among adjacent crops,” the Minister continued. “ Every effort is being made to produce in New Zealand seed of the highest quality. Thus it is necessary in the interests of the farming community to exercise a measure of control over brassica seed production. Fanners in areas where crops arc being grown for seed should take every precaution to see that no plants among the ciops not intended for seed purposes reach the flowering stage.

“ Local instructors in agriculture are being authorised to the necessary steps to ensure the protection first of those crops sown with selected stocks which are under contract to mercantile firms, and, secondly, of any other crops likely to produce high quality seed. Farmers are therefore urged in their own interests to get into communication with the local instructor in agriculture before sowing any area intended specifically for brassica seed production or reserving for seed any brassica crops which were sown primarily as grazing propositions.”