SILVER-BEET.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume VI, Issue 6, 16 June 1913, Page 588

SILVER-BEET.

ITS USE AS A FORAGE CROP.

A. Macpherson.

The phenomenal success which has attended, the introduction of silverbeet is naturally attracting the attention of farmers in all parts of the ' Dominion. Its freedom so far from insect pests and.’. fungoid diseases, its great prolificacy in producing a wealth of . stem and leaf (giving quite six feedings-off with sheep in twelve months’ time from date of first feeding), its resistance to drought and severe frosts, its apparent freedom from causing scour or bloat in sheep, the appreciation of all classes of farm stock for it (trials having proved that it is relished before rape, kale, or roots), the enormous tonnage ,of succulent forage it produces, and its fairly high feeding-value place it in the forefront of all other forage or root crops grown for stock in this country at the present time. The remarkable results obtained last year in the growing and feeding- capabilities of silver-beet with sheep at the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company’s experimental farm at Belfast., and at other farms in the South Island. where co-operative field experiments have been conducted, prove' in a practical way its possibilities for the feeding and fattening of all farm-animals. At Belfast a quarter of .an acre was sown with silver-beet on' the 9th October, 1911, and was ready to feed off in the last week in February, 1912. Owing, however, to a flush of other feed, the silver-beet was not stocked until the 12th March, 1912, from which date till the Ist March, 1913, it was stocked at intervals with sheep, and fed off six times. The results from this quarter-acre show that one acre would approximately carry 1,014 sheep for eighty-four days. The weight of stems and leaves was 218 tons per acre, this weight of forage being produced' within twelve months from the date of first stocking. ■lt should be emphasized that the plants were by no means exhausted after the sixth feeding, and would have continued to give further ' feedings but for the fact that too long a period had been allowed to elapse between one or two of the foldings. Some of the plants had thereby thrown out seed-stalks,. with the result, that their feeding-value for subsequent growth was impaired. It was therefore decided not to keep further records.

Specimens of the first growth of stems and leaves of four varieties sown last spring . were analysed by Mr. Aston, Chief Agricultural Chemist, to. ascertain their dry-matter content. This was found to average about 8 per cent. Specimens of a later growth of stems and leaves from the same varieties will have to be analysed before the percentage of dry matter can be ascertained with any degree of certainty. It may be assumed, . however, that the average of . 8 per cent, will be maintained; if not exceeded, as the stems of two varieties submitted', were not fully developed. Taking the approximate yield at Belfast last year of 218 tons per acre, and the average dry-matter content at 8 per cent., it will be seen that a yield of. 1744 tons of dry matter per acre was secured within the twelve months. The value of. silver-beet' in the fattening of sheep was further demonstrated by several feeding tests conducted this year. In .two instances the sheep put on at the rate of 1 lb. a day live weight on the silver-beet. ; Cultivation of Crop. As farmers in general are not acquainted with silver-beet as a forage crop, it is desirable . that full details be given as to the correct procedure in preparing the land, and of the subsequent management of the crop. In the first place it should be clearly understood that, whilst splendid results can be . obtained from the plant in the feeding of stock, silver-beet is a crop that demands very careful treatment—indeed, more careful treatment than any other crop of a similar nature. While silver-beet has done very well on rather unpromising soils and in unfavourable locations, the .• best results will ■ only be obtained where the soil is good and .is well prepared for the crop. Then, when, the crop is developed inter-cultivation is imperative, for it must be remembered that it is not the value of the first year’s crop which determines the economical importance of silver-beet, but rather the many subsequent crops which well-nourished plants carefully managed afford at subsequent seasons of the year.

Silver-beet-appreciates a deep loam, well cultivated, and free from other plant-growth. It should be sown in spring, when the ground is warm, and again in the autumn. From 6 lb. to 8 lb. of seed per acre, sown in drills 21 in. apart, should be employed. The seeds should be steeped for twenty hours in cold and clean water prior to sowing. Experiments have indicated that ,it is desirable to sow the seed on the flat this in order to prevent stock from eating the plants too deeply down, which-is always a danger with the plants sown in raised rows, when through the tramping ,of the stock too much' of the root portion of the plant is exposed and eaten. The plants should be thinned out to about 12 in. in the row. If there are

blanks in the rows the plants will stand transplanting ; but this should be done immediately before, during, or after rain.

Mangel-manure is a suitable fertilizer, and should be applied at the rate of about 3 cwt. to the acre. As it is impossible to definitely state what manure is necessary for the crop in all soils and situations, the farmer must, decide this matter for himself by discovering the manorial requirements of his particular soil. The following mixtures are recommended to the growers of silver-beet, for testing the question, by Mr. B. C. Aston, Chief Agricultural Chemist: —- Plot 1 : 1 cwt. superphosphate, 1 cwt. Island guano, J- cwt. seed gypsum, per acre. Plot 2 : cwt. superphosphate, 2 cwt. Island guano, per acre. Plot 3 : No manure (one row). Plot 4 : 1-cwt. superphosphate, | cwt. Island guano, | cwt. dried blood, J cwt; seed gypsum, per acre. Plot 5 : 1 cwt. superphosphate, | cwt. Island . guano, | cwt. dried blood, J cwt. sulphate of potash, per ' acre. To secure a good crop, inter-cultivation should be given until the plant is well established, as silver-beet will stand eating off several times. It is desirable immediately after each feeding is completed to run a cultivator between the rows, provided the land is in a fit condition to do this. After the. first feeding it is advisable, judging from observations made, to slightly cover the stem of the plant with soil to a depth of 1 in. to 2 in. Tn the winter this will give the necessary protection to the roots and to the young springing shoots. Of course, after the colder weather is over this protection is not necessary. Management of the Crop. I have already pointed out that silver-beet demands careful management. Certain lessons in co-operative experiments in the South Island afford a good idea of the procedure in feeding off, &c. Let the farmer never make . the mistake of growing more silver-beet than he can effectively control and feed off completely at the right periods. It is a crop that cannot be neglected or trifled with. It is, indeed, only when silver-beet is managed to the best advantage that its great value as a forage crop is realized. Care must be taken not to allow the plant to seed.. ■ .

The crop is generally fit for feeding in about four months from sowing. Immediately the outer leaves show an indication of taking on a yellow tinge the crop should be stocked, and here comes in the

first danger. The procedure in carrying out the feeding-off process depends upon the number of sheep’ to be fed. In the first place, the break should enable the beet to be fed off in seven to nine days, or in a shorter period if possible. Therefore the break should always be

a , comparatively small one. This is necessary, • for the reason that the plant shoots away- very -rapidly after being eaten down, and should stock remain a day too long they would eat the young shoots coming away, and therefore retard the second growth.

I might mention here that the principal feeding-off of silver-beet is not obtained in the first but in the following season. Therefore' the main object of the grower should be to nurse and conserve -the crop, in order that the most valuable forage to be secured in a subsequent season may be as abundant as possible. ’ Say the first feeding has taken place in March', then the second' feeding should be obtained in June. The plant will continue to grow throughout the winter, and

in' the spring provides its best and most abundant forage. It is at this time of the. year that silver-beet shows up to the greatest advantage. But even with the remarkable spring feed it affords, silver-beet if properly managed will again provide good feed about the following March, and again in midwinter — fact proved by the experience at Belfast, where the 1911-sown crop provided excellent feed in March of this year, and is ready this month again for another feeding.

Varieties. Some disappointment has been experienced by growers of silverbeet, who have not gained anything like the resalts obtained in the co-operative experiments, in the South Island. The cause in the majority of cases is the growing of the wrong varieties. In commerce there are eight varieties of Swiss chard, or silver-beet. Four varieties have been tested in the South Island experiments, and these are herewith illustrated. (1.) Swiss chard (silver-beet) has a plain dark-green leaf, with broad wide stems and thick midrib. The plant illustrated was not fully matured at the time the photograph was taken. This variety is undoubtedly the best of the four tested, and is the one to be. de-

pended upon to give the ' results referred to above. It is also remarkable for its greater vitality.' and longer life than the other varieties. It can therefore be relied upon to .give a larger number of feedings before becoming exhausted.

(2.) Swiss chard (silver-beet) has a light-green ’ leaf, with broad stem and a thick midrib.. It is the second-best variety. The plant photographed was not fully matured.

(3.) Swiss chard (lucullus) : Although this gives, a wealth of stem and foliage, it apparently is not so well liked by stock, nor will it give the continuous crops, that No. 1 will furnish.

(4.) Perpetual spinach-beet: This variety is being tried for the first time. -It .may prove successful in some localities, but so far it does not approach No. 1 as a fodder plant.