SURFACE SOWING

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21041, 17 February 1940, Page 15 (Supplement)

SURFACE SOWING

SUITABLE MIXTURES In addition to the grass and clover seed which is sown on areas after the preparation of a seed-bed there is a large quantity of seed surface sown every year either after a light cultivation or after no cultivation. Clovers such as subterranean clover and Lotus major, grasses such as paspalum, and mixtures for bush and secondary growth burns are the main seeds sown in this way. Lotus major and paspalum are usually spring sown on the areas for which they are suitable. In districts with a reliable rainfall, some success has been achieved in bringing back good swards by the surface sowing of a seeds mixture on run-out pastures following a harrowing with a drastic type of harrow. A mixture used successfully is 20 lb of certified permanent pasture ryegrass, 21b of crested dogstail, and 1 to 2 lb of certified white clover to the acre. A light harrowing follows the sowing and then a rolling or consolidation by

sheep to firm the surface, results in a quicker strike. Early autumn reseeding is generally favoured. Secondary Growth On secondary growth country manuka should be cut in the late spring and summer so as to be ready for burning in the early autumn. Where rain may be expected in February, burning and sowing of seed in January gives good results. Where autumn rains are doubtful, burning and sowing in late autumn will give best results, but sowing should not be too late to allow clover establishment. Bracken fern grows mainly from October to February, so it should not be burnt till March. Spraying of hard fern with arsenic pentoxide solution should be done at any time from November to March but preferably in January. The area may then be burnt and sown in early or late autumn whenever weather conditions are suitable. All seed mixtures for secondary growth burns should contain 1 to 2 lb of certified white clover as well as either Lotus major in wet areas or subterranean clover in drier districts.

i The surface broadcasting of sub- ; terranean clover seed at.the rate of ' 2 to 51b per acre together with a topj dressing of to 3 cwt. of superphosj phate is being used as a means of i regeneration and improvement of Ja | considerable amount of light land and dry hill country especially on the east coast where soils and climatic conditions favour the growth of this clover. Sowing in late summer or early autumn is favoured, but climatic conditions often prevent sowing ! till late autumn. Opportunity must I be given for the clover to establish | thoroughly before frosts begin in the I winter. A certain amount of rough I growth affords cover for the estab- ! lishment of the clover and prevents ] too much seed from being taken by birds. A quick method for the sow- ! ing of subterranean clover on hill | country is to sow from horse-back, I using an agile pony.