LINSEED.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume VI, Issue 5, 15 May 1913, Page 489

LINSEED.

MOUMAHAKI EXPEDIENCE.

T. W. LONSDALE.

The leading oil-bearing plant grown in the Dominion is flax, the seed of which is known as linseed.,. The area., devoted ■ to*-its - cultivation is very limited, though, considering the uses to which it may be put, the growing of flax-seed on somewhat extended lines might profitably be undertaken. : Well matured linseed, does not contain starch,, but the oil-content ,is of -high commercial , value. r

b: Ground linseed used in conjunction with separated milk for calffeeding probably surpasses all other substitutes. Used in reasonable quantities, it is quite equal in value to many proprietary mixtures.

It is claimed that linseed possesses a cathartic principle, and, should therefore be fed in limited quantities. . Calves may safely. be fed | lb. of . linseed per day . with. , separated, milk, and. this amount. will supply oil to take the place of the- butter-fat extracted in the process of separation. In countries where it is customary to stall feed cattle the allowance of linseed per head per day amounts in some instances to 8 lb. Linseed may be used in many ways in this country. Fed judiciously in limited quantities to horses and cattle it is invaluable.

Heavy rich land is best adapted to the growing of linseed, though the crop can be successfully cultivated on light soils. . - . .

It has been customary at the Moumahaki* Experimental Farm during the past two years to grow sufficient linseed to’ supply home requirements. This season 11 acres has been grown.

' The land on which--the crop ' was produced previously carried a crop of mangels, which was eaten on the field, after which the land was ploughed, harrowed, and- sown in linseed on the 26th September, 1912. The seeding was at . the rate of 1 bushel per acre, . and the manure

3 cwt. of superphosphate and | cwt. of sulphate of potash —• was applied when drilling the seed. The crop was harvested on -the 12th February, 1913, four months and a half from the time of seeding. The yield was 32 bushels per acre, probably a record crop. The English average crop is from 16 to 20 bushels. . -

The total cost of preparation of the land, seed, manure, harvesting, threshing, and cleaning . the seed fit for commercial ■ purposes -was £4 2s. per acre, and the gross returns were £25 12s. per acre. After deducting cost' of seed, manure, labour, and allowing for rent at the rate of £2 per acre per annum, the net return was £2O 10s. per acre..