RYE-CORN STRAW FOR THATCHING.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XII, Issue 3, 20 March 1916, Page 196

RYE-CORN STRAW FOR THATCHING.

A. W. GREEN,

Manager, Ruakura Farm of Instruction.

Much difficulty is often experienced by farmers in obtaining thatch-ing-material for stacks and other purposes. Rushes have been the chief stand-by, but with the steady spread of cultivation and land - clearing generally this material is becoming scarce in many

localities. Even where they abound considerable labour is required to cut sufficient rushes to thatch a few small stacks. Fortunately, a first-class thatching-material can be grown on any arable farm. Cut at the right stage, there is no, better material for this purpose than rye-corn straw. Farmers will find it a good practice when putting in cereal crops to sow a . small proportion of the field with rye-corn, thus anticipating requirements for stacks after the harvest. Half an acre of rye will provide enough thatch for 20 acres of crop of average bulk.' .. . , Rye-corn may be either sown in autumn and fed off, or in early ■spring for continuous growth. The usual seeding ,is 2 bushels

per acre, and a very suitable manure is basic superphosphate at the rate of 3 cwt. per acre.

The proper time to cut rye-corn for thatch is when the head is in the flowering stage, a tough straw being then obtained. If the rye is allowed ' to mature further the straw becomes brittle, and is not nearly so suitable for thatching. Moreover, mature heads may germinate „on the stack in moist weather. The rye . for thatching can be' cut green with the reaper - and - binder before the harvest rush is on, and by the time the grain crops are ready, for stacking the rye will be dry enough to use for immediate thatching.

A useful feature of rye-corn is that it can be successfully grown in sour swamp soils, where both wheat and .barley would fail. On such soils sorrel is usually abundant. Few ' crops will kill out sorrel to such an extent as a heavy growth of rye-corn. At Ruakura this season an area of 12 acres of rye-corn was grown. , The crop was sown on '' the 3rd September and made splendid growth, attaining. a height of over 6 ft. Early in December 6 acres were cut in the flowering stage, giving about 3| tons per acre of thatching-material-an exceptionally good yield. The accompanying photograph shows this part of the crop drying in stook, with the maturing portion of the rye to the left.

Twenty-two large stacks of cereals, lucerne hay, and meadow hay, at Ruakura, have been thatched with this rye-corn. A quantity has also been reserved for thatching the pig-shelters. In addition, a fair bulk has been sold to . neighbouring farmers, while more inquiries have been received for the material , than could be satisfied. The field in which the rye-corn was grown was reclaimed from swamp a few years ago, and is still sour and sorrely. Barley grown next the rye-corn was almost a failure. On the part occupied by the rye-corn the sorrel has been pretty well smothered out.