SILVER-BEET.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume VII, Issue 1, 15 July 1913, Page 15

SILVER-BEET.

The variety display of silver-beet at the Department’s exhibit at the Palmerston North and Hawera Winter Shows is illustrated on the following page. The principal varieties shown were grown by J. C. Anderson, Esq., Stirling, Otago, and at the Weraroa Experimental Farm. As a number of inquiries have been received as to the correct varieties to be used and where seed of these may be obtained, it may be mentioned that the varieties which have proved to be most valuable for stock-fodder purposes are Nos. i and 2 illustrated in the last issue of the Journal, page 591, both being entitled Swiss chard, or silver-beet. The plants were not fully matured at the time the photographs were taken. Both varieties are characterized by a plain leaf with a broad white stem and thick midrib. There are other varieties which may prove equally good, these having a broad stem and thick midrib, but with a curled leaf. It is impossible to give any information as to how seed of these special varieties may be secured at the present time. A difficulty is presented that it is only in New Zealand (and this through the agency of the Department) that the value of silverbeet as a forage plant has been demonstrated; therefore seed is not known to commerce in any quantity. All a grower can do at present is to purchase silver-beet seed from a reliable seedsman and select his future seed himself. The procedure should be to eat

off the crop several times and, to prevent cross-fertilization, dig out all undesirable plants and allow the desired varieties to seed. It is expected within a few seasons that some of the leading seed firms of the Dominion will be able to supply seed of silver-beet of the best variety for our purpose.

Hoggets at the Weraroa Experimental Farm having gone off in condition, owing, apparently, to their being affected with stomach-worm, they were removed to a dry paddock and fed with crushed oats and wheat and meal, a supply of mangels being also carted out on the field. This had an immediately beneficial effect, the hoggets rapidly improving in condition.