The Journal of Agriculture.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XVI, Issue 6, 20 June 1918, Page 311

The Journal of Agriculture.

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND. 20TH JUNE, 1918.

TURNIP- AND RAPE-SEED PRODUCTION.

POINTS FOR NEW ZEALAND FARMERS.

A. H. COCKAYNE.

Biologist.

THE recent census of stocks of turnip, swede, and rape seed held in New Zealand shows that there will be enough seed to sow approximately 440,000 acres of turnips and swedes, while with regard to rape-seed there will be sufficient for our average season’s requirement. It had been hoped that a fair quantity of turnip and swede seed still held in Great Britain would be licensed for export and reach New Zealand in time for the main 1918 sowings. The latest advices, however, indicate that Britain is refusing licenses for any further supplies this season. Apart from the fact that there will be a shortage over normal requirements, especially with regard to certain varieties, there are in New Zealand a good many lines of turnip and swede seed of distinctly inferior germination that should be sown at a thicker rate than usual. This means that the acreage in turnips and swedes will have to be

less than usual, and increased sowings of autumn forage crops, such as cereals, Western Wolths and Italian rye-grass, will have to be made in the autumn of . 1919 to make up any deficiency in this respect. The avoidance of bare stubbles by the inclusion of clovers and temporary grasses along with grain crops will also help to tide over any shortage in the turnip crop. In dairying districts it is probable that the scarcity of turnip-seed will be reflected in an increased acreage of mangels, of which there will be abundance of seed for our 1918 requirements. On the whole the New Zealand farmer is very fortunate in that the position with regard to turnip- and swede-seed supplies is not far more serious. The only real inconvenience that will be felt will be the very high price (probably in some cases over 7s. 6d. per pound) of certain of our standard varieties. Even with prices as high as they are likely to reach, turnips and swedes will still represent the cheapest forage crops that can be grown. So far as 191,9 requirements are concerned, the position with regard to turnips and swedes may become extremely serious unless special efforts are made by farmers to supplement overseas supplies with locally grown seed. It is quite impossible to forecast whether or not Great Britain will be able to supply anything like our normal requirement of something over 300 tons. It appears fairly certain, however, that many varieties most in demand, such as the Aberdeens, Green Globes, and Red Globes, will be in extremely short supply. Certain English merchants appear fairly confident that they will be able to fill a fair percentage of their 1919 colonial orders provided the necessary licenses are granted by the Home authorities. Others, again, are equally confident that great difficulty will be experienced through an absolute shortage of supplies. The virtual prohibition that has now been established of the export of turnip and swede seed from Great Britain may, of course, be simply a safeguard to ensure a fair carry-over in case their 1918 seed crops are a failure. Satisfactory 1918 crops, therefore, may mean that there would be quite sufficient seed to spare for our requirements. Certain 'advices from Great Britain, however, indicate that large areas of contract turnips that should have been harvested next August were ploughed under in the spring to make room for food crops of a more direct nature. This seems to point to a short turnip-seed harvest in Great Britain this year, and indicates that unless the New Zealand farmer makes some really serious effort to save a considerable quantity of local seed the position for 1919 may easily be disastrous.

As to local merchants’ stocks, there will be absolutely no carry-over for the 1919 season, except perhaps in certain varieties for which the demand is small. It is quite safe to say that such a position has

never before occurred in New Zealand, there being normally a very considerable carry-over from season to season.

LOCAL PRODUCTION.

Up till last season very little turnip-seed had been raised in Nev Zealand, production being practically confined to the occasional collection of seed from individual bulbs. The question of producing our supplies locally has been suggested on and off for many years past, but the ease and general cheapness with which ample supplies of imported . seed could hitherto be procured, the lack of knowledge as to the best methods to adopt, and the scant encouragement given by merchants, rendered any establishment of a local turnip-seed-raising industry almost out of the question. At -the present time, however, the great prices ruling' for seed, and the willingness of merchants to buy local seed of approved varieties, is a great inducement for farmers to embark on this enterprise. Apart, however, from the fact that unless during the next summer considerable quantities of turnip-seed are produced locally our pastoral industry may be seriously threatened, the present time affords a unique opportunity of determining whether or not turnip-seed can be classed as a profitable crop to produce. The prices being offered to farmers — 2s. and over per poundare nearly seven times the price for which turnip-seed is contracted for in Great Britain in normal times. Thus, even with expensive labour and management and small yields, there is a good chance of considerable profit in growing seed, even if it is shown that in normal times the expenses of production are too great to compete against imported seed. During the past season quite an appreciable. quantity 'of turnipseed— probably well over io tons has been harvested in New Zealand. The principal crop produced was grown in the vicinity of Ranfurly, .in Central Otago. The land had been once cropped out of tussock with Aberdeen turnips, and this was followed by another crop of Aberdeens, broadcasted at the rate of I lb. per acre without manure, and sown in the third week of November, 1916. Dry weather delayed germination until well on into January, and, owing to abundance of other feed and the poor nature of the top, feedingoff was delayed till the spring. A great growth of leaves developed in the early spring, but stock refusing to feed at all freely on , the crop it was shut up for seed. About the middle of February last the crop was ready to cut, but no suitable binder being available it was harvested by hand, the plants being pulled and the seed flailed out without any stacking. The yield was approximately 8 cwt. per acre, and even then a good deal of seed (estimated at over 1 cwt. per acre) was lost through shaking. • The area harvested was between 12 and

13 acres, and birds, although abundant, did not injure the crop. This was by far the most successful turnip crop harvested locally last year, and at the same time it was the largest individual area devoted to seed-production. In Southland certain areas of Aberdeens and Hardy Green Globe threshed out quite satisfactorily, varying in yield from 2 cwt. to 5 cwt., but many small areas of from | acre to 2 acres were complete failures owing to birds. In Canterbury quite a good crop of Imperial Green Globe, yielding 4 cwt. of seed, was also harvested. An experimental area of Hardy Green Globe grown from transplanted bulbs yielded about 2 cwt. per acre, but although a good deal of birdcontrol was carried out, quite 4 cwt., per acre was destroyed through their ravages. Seed from certain of the crops harvested last summer has been tested for bulb-development and has given excellent results, comparing more than favourably with imported seed. The same can also be said of some trials carried out this year at the Central Development Farm, where locally grown seed was in every way satisfactory when compared with similar varieties of imported seed. Last year’s experience shows that, provided certain of the limiting factors with regard to seed-production are controlled, satisfactory crops of local turnip-seed can be grown. LIMITING FACTORS OF TURNIP-SEED PRODUCTION. The main limiting factors in the local production of turnip-seed are three in number —namely, cross-fertilization, grain-feeding birds, and rotting of the bulbs in the field before seeding takes place. Cross-fertilization. crops that are selected for seed should consist of only one variety, and where more than one variety is saved in the same district the . crops should be at least half a mile from each other. If turnip-seed-growing ever becomes a regular practice protection against cross-fertilization of- one variety with another will have to be most rigidly carried out. For the production of seed next season, necessitating the immediate reserving of growing crops for that purpose, there is no absolute necessity that only • pure crops should be kept for seed. It has been shown that excellent crops may be secured from mixed seed, provided the parents are goodyielding varieties maturing about the same time. Thus, for instance, if sufficient pure crops cannot be reserved, then mixed crops of the following types may be held over for seed (but the yield must be sold : as mixed seed, and must on no account be used for the production of any further seed crops) :■ —- ' . .

(i.) Green-top Aberdeen with Purple-top Aberdeen.

(2.) Green-top or Purple-top Aberdeen with a good-keeping yellowfleshed variety, such as Waite’s Eclipse.

(3.) Imperial Green Globe with Hardy Green Globe

(4.) Imperial Green Globe or Hardy Green Globe with Lincolnshire Red. The Green Globes with Lincoln Red should, however, be avoided in most cases, as the last named is likely to rot before flowering takes place. It must be clearly understood that I am not advocating the reservation of mixed crops for seed purposes, but recognize that this season it may be difficult to secure enough pure crops of . sufficient size and in favourable locations. Thus, for instance, it will be difficult to secure crops of pure Green-top Yellow Aberdeen, but it is quite likely that crops mixed with Purple-top may be available. Another point to . guard against is . the close proximity of rape that is being held over for seed. Cross-fertilization of turnip with rape is, of course, fatal, as hybrid turnip-rape is valueless for the production of bulbs. It is, however, with wild turnip that the greatest danger of cross-fertilization occurs, and districts where this weed is extremely prevalent should not be used either for the production of turnip or rape seed. Any turnip crops that are being saved for seed should be gone over in the early summer, and any rape or wild turnip carefully removed. Special attention should also be paid to destroying any of the plants growing in the immediate vicinity of the crops. Grain-feeding Birds. — The small-bird nuisance is, without doubt, the great limiting factor of the production of turnip-seed of those varieties that keep well through the winter under ordinary field conditions and which would otherwise produce good seed crops.- Nearly all the failures recorded last year were due entirely to the ravages of birds, and had the latter been guarded against successful crops would have been produced. The greater part of the damage is done while the pods are quite green. When once they have commenced to turn colour there is not so much danger, and when quite ripe the seeds are rarely eaten out of the pod. The critical period extends about three weeks, from the middle of December to the first week in January. The exact period, of course, may vary with different varieties flowering at' different dates. It has been conclusively shown that the larger the-individual area the less likelihood there is of extensive bird-damage occurring. Thus, all the crops, with one exception, reserved for seed last season, consisting of from | ■ acre to 2 acres, were completely ruined by birds, but in all cases the larger the individual area the greater was the yield per acre. This is a most important point, and shows how ■ necessary it' is to have a small number of large individual areas rather than a large number of small ones., \ In order to be fairly safe from birds, crops should not be smaller than 15 acres. Unless specially

sown for seed purposes, it will be difficult for any farmer to reserve such a large acreage, and this season it may be necessary to attempt seed-saving on much smaller blocks. At any rate, unless, the farmer is certain that he can protect the crop efficiently, it is quite useless reserving just an acre or so for seed purposes. In selecting areas to be held over for seed special attention to the bird question should be given in every case. Crops near plantations or in fields surrounded by high live fences should never be reserved. In one instance last season a 4-acre block bordered by a large pine plantation was completely ruined after it had given promise of yielding well over 6 cwt. of seed per acre. - . . . With the • aid of scarecrows, automatic bird-scarers, and shooting (especially during the early hours of the morning) the ravages of the small bird can be kept down fairly well. Such methods are imperative with regard to all small areas of under 10 acres, and though expensive they will be found to be quite payable. In the'early days of rape-seed production in New Zealand the small-bird nuisance was as marked as it now is with regard to turnip-growing. As soon, however, as large areas of rape-seed began to be saved the effects of birds rapidly diminished, and there is no reason to assume that the same would not occur with turnips grown for seed in large individual blocks. Rotting of Bulbs in the Field. — The destruction of crops through rot before the seed crop is produced is a limiting factor only with regard to swedes and early-maturing varieties of turnips, and the system of holding over ordinary feeding-off crops for seed purposes is not possible .with regard to such varieties. This brings us to the point of deciding what kind of turnips should be saved for seed purposes. The answer, of course, is only those varieties that will carry through to the spring without rotting. In certain districts, however, one particular turnip may keep well, while in another district it readily rots away after attaining maturity. So far as late years( experience is concerned it has been shown that the Aberdeens, both Green-top and Purple-top, together with some of the improved varieties, such as Perfection and Favourite, are admirably adapted for holding over for seed purposes. Imperial Green Globe and Hardy, Green Globe are also quite satisfactory. It will be well,. therefore, to restrict seed-saving very, largely to these varieties. Apart from their being satisfactory for the purposes they represent, they are the turnips that are most extensively grown, and at the same time the very varieties of which short supplies of seed are to be. expected. Of course, if the farmer has good crops of such varieties as Fosterton Hybrid, Romney Marsh, or similar good-keeping yellow-fleshed varieties available, their reservation for seed would be a good policy.

METHODS FOR SECURING SUPPLIES.

The following are the main methods that could be adopted for securing supplies of locally grown turnip-seed : (i.) By the farmer himself reserving certain areas of the present growing crops, and selling the seed next year on the open market. ’ (2.) By the seed-merchant contracting at. the present time for the seed from a definite crop at a certain price per.pound. (3.) By the seed-merchant buying from the- farmer growing crops at the market price, and paying reasonable expenses of management, harvesting, and threshing, together with the rent of the land during the time the land is occupied. Assuming a shortage of turnip-seed next year, the first method would .be by far the most profitable for the farmer to adopt. He, however, will probably not undertake any seed-growing unless a definite price for the seed is guaranteed him. This many seed-merchants are prepared to do at the present time, and are offering in the vicinity of 2s. per pound for seed harvested next summer from approved crops. The third method, that of merchants buying crops outright, is also being adopted, but is not entirely satisfactory, as the farmer having no further interest in the crop is not likely to exercise the same degree of supervision as when he is to receive a definite price for the seed produced. It is to be 'hoped that from 600 to 1,000 acres of turnips may be reserved for seed this year. Many merchants are quite willing to contract for large acreages, and it is. entirely in the farmers' hands whether or not the production of turnip-seed will be carried out on an extended scale. It is possible that shortage of labour will act as a deterrent, but the amount required would not be very great, although it would be mainly needed just at the period when the ordinary harvesting operations are in full swing. Labour for bird-control, especially if small areas are reserved, would also be heavy ; but as the critical period coincides with the school summer holidays juvenile labour might well be utilized for this purpose. There are a good many difficulties to be overcome in the matter of harvesting turnip-seed, more especially in the way of avoiding shaking off the seed in the various operations between cutting and threshing. Full inquiries as to, the best methods of procedure are being carried out, and the results will be published in the Journal in time for next season’s harvest. SWEDE-SEED PRODUCTION. Swede-seed production has not, so far as I am aware, ever been successfully carried out on an extended scale in New Zealand. From

time to time small. quantities from individual transplanted bulbs have been secured, but wherever swedes have been tried as a seed crop on a field scale failures have resulted. This in every case has been due to the rotting of the bulbs by the “ dry-rot ” fungus (Phoma nafiobrassicae). All the efforts to save swede-seed on an extended scale have been confined to the southern portion of the South Island, where phoma is especially prevalent. Provided the crops were grown in districts more or less free from phoma there is no reason why swede-seed-raising should offer any greater difficulties than those experienced with the yellow-fleshed and late-keeping varieties of the white-fleshed turnips. The great trouble, however, is that .it is impossible definitely to locate districts sufficiently free from phoma so as to render seedproduction feasible when carried out in the same way as has been adopted with turnips. Phoma is extremely widespread, and is likely to cause extensive rotting even at a period later than when swedes are normally fed off. Thus a crop apparently quite clean at the end of August may almost completely rot away before the end of September. Farmers who have never experienced phoma in their swede crops even when held into the early spring will be well advised to reserve certain areas for seed-production. The price of swede-seed is certain to be extremely high. Moreover, European supplies are likely to be inadequate for our 1919 requirements, and if such should turn out to be the case swedes will have to be largely replaced by the betterkeeping varieties of yellow-fleshed turnips, such as the Aberdeens, until such time as full supplies ‘ of swede-seed are again available. Apart from the fact that in many districts Aberdeens are not very suitable-for replacing swedes, the seed of these turnips is also likely to be short. It is therefore to be hoped that some effort for the saving of local swede-seed will be made, although the prospects are by no means as good as is the case with the yellow-fleshed and Green Globe type of turnips. In Europe two methods of swede-seed raising are in vogue. In the first selected bulbs are transplanted in the early winter and covered with soil right up to the necks,- leaving only the tops exposed. . In this way phoma . infection, normally, occurring on. the exposed portions of the bulb, is avoided. . The second method is to sow very thickly (using 4 lb. to 8 lb. of seed per acre) in the late summer. In . this way bulbing is almost entirely avoided, and very successful seed crops may be produced. The first methodthat of deep plantingcould be adopted in New Zealand this winter, and seed available for 1919 sowing produced. The labour and expense involved, however, would be very considerable. Again, the bird factor would be even greater than with turnips, as the individual areas would probably be small. ' When these considerations

are taken into account it is not likely that many farmers would be tempted to carry out the enterprise.

The second method cannot now be adopted for the production of seed for 1919. requirements. If sown, say, next February, or even later, on stubble land, in either 7 in. or 14 in. drills, at the rate of from 4 lb. to 8 lb. of seed per acre, supplies of local seed could be secured for 1920 sowing.. . . ■ . • . - EARLY-MATURING TURNIPS. Seed-sowing of early-maturing turnips, such as Purple-top Mammoth, Devon Greystone, White Stone, and Lincoln Red, cannot be successfully accomplished with any degree of certainty by holding over ordinary crops sown for feeding purposes. In most cases one or other of the soft-rotting bacteria causes the destruction of the crop prior to. seeding. In order to produce satisfactorily seed of such varieties it would be necessary to adopt the method of thick late summer sowing, as mentioned for swedes. This is the regular European method, adopted for the production of soft-turnip seed. So far as 1919 requirements are concerned, no local provision can now be made except in the most northern parts of New Zealand, where thick winter sowing might result in seed crops being harvested next summer. Personally, however, I do not consider that a seed shortage in. certain of our most rapidly maturing turnips would be very seriousprovided there was abundance of one or other ,of the Green Globesavailable. In certain dairying districts rapid-maturing turnips are at present looked upon as a necessity, but their place can be taken, temporarily at any rate, by one or other of the summer forages. A shortage of .Lincoln Red would be severely felt in parts of the South. Island, but there are certain districts in Southland where crops of that variety might be successfully held over for seed. It is doubtful, however, if there are any crops available, as the feeding-off of the. variety is normally completed at the present time. If any midwinter sowings for seed-production are attempted in the warmer parts of the North, I should strongly advise the use of this variety, or its very close relative Red Paragon. The seed should be sown in 14 in. drills at the rate of from 4 lb. to 6 lb. per acre. ... SEED-SAVING IN SMALL QUANTITIES. .

Apart from the immediate reservation of large areas of turnips for seed-production next summer, it would appear to be a wise policy for many farmers to endeavour to save sufficient seed for their own particular requirements. Personally I am not in favour of such a system becoming a regular and permanent feature, inasmuch as variety deterioration is likely to occur unless the work is carried out carefully

and systematically. On the other hand, in order to tide over any temporary scarcity that may be experienced, turnip- and even swede-seed-saving on a small scale by individual farmers during next summer should be carried out. The best method to adopt would be to transplant bulbs any time .before the. end of July. Well-shaped bulbs weighing from 6 lb. to 8 lb. should be selected, and planted in rows about 2 ft. apart, spaced about 9 in. to 1 ft. apart in the rows. In the case of turnips the bulbs should be planted fairly deep, leaving only a couple of inches or so of the bulb above the surface of the ground. With swedes, they .should be covered with soil right up to the neck, so as to avoid destruction by the dry-rot fungus. Quite a small area in the garden would be sufficient for most farmers who do not ordinarily sow out large acreages. One ounce of seed per bulb when grown under these conditions can be looked upon as an average yield, so that from twelve to sixteen bulbs should supply enough seed to sow an acre. Care should be taken for each farmer to save only a single variety ■of turnip or swede. In districts where, say, a variety of a swede, an Aberdeen and a Green Globe, are the main varieties required, one farmer might grow enough of one particular variety for himself and two or three neighbours, and they in turn could grow sufficient of the •other varieties for their combined needs. With a certain amount of ■co-operation along these lines there should be no difficulty in securing considerable quantities of seed. Special attention' should be paid to the destruction of any wild turnip in the vicinity of these garden plots, as otherwise any seed produced might be quite valueless. As already indicated, small birds, unless controlled, are very liable to completely spoil the seed crop of very small areas of turnips such as are suggested here,- but in many cases the plots might be netted in, and thus any loss in this connection avoided. If netting-in is not feasible the measures previously detailed should prove fairly effective. Harvesting should be delayed until the seed is quite ripe and easily threshed out with a flail. The stems may be either cut with a sharp •sickle or pulled by hand, and the seed should be immediately flailed -out. It should then be dried in the sun for a day or two, as otherwise ■sweating is likely to occur and moulds to develop, often completely ■spoiling the .germinating - quality. Damage in this direction is, however, not likely in lots of only a few pounds, and has mainly to be guarded against when threshing out large areas direct from the stook. During the past season a line of nearly eighty sacks of . rape-seed was completely ruined through being bagged before properly dried.

The main varieties of turnips that should be saved for seed are those advocated for more extended cropsnamely, the Aberdeens and the Green Globes. As regards swedes, the variety selected should he the one that is most extensively grown in the district where the

seed is being saved, but one cannot go far wrong with either Superlative or Magnum Bonum. Champion is also an excellent variety, at present largely overshadowed by many of the newer varieties, but it has a very good reputation as a large and reliable seed-bearer. RAPE-SEED PRODUCTION. For many years past it has been well known that excellent crops of rape-seed could be produced in New Zealand from crops used for ordinary forage purposes, and then allowed to seed approximately twelve months after sowing. Until quite recently, however, there was an intense prejudice against locally grown seed, and few seedmerchants were prepared to operate in local seed of this description. There was a general impression that reliable rape-seed could be secured only from crops specifically grown for seed, and that feeding-off resulted in the production of seed yielding inferior crops. This idea was largely based on the fact that feeding-off is rarely practised in the production of European rape-seed. . Again, from time to time local rape crops that, were in themselves of an unsatisfactory type were saved for seed, and this led to a feeling of great uncertainty' as to local seed producing as good crops as those secured from imported seed. During the past four years, however, the scarcity of imported rape has , led to merchants operating freely in locally produced seed. The excellent forage crops that have been produced from local rape-seed, and its general reliability, provided the seed is procured from crops derived from a high-grade type of seed, makes it clear that in future all our requisite supplies can be profitably and satisfactorily secured from locally grown crops/ . It is difficult to determine accurately the quantity of rape-seed used annually in New Zealand, as, apart from the variation in the area under rape, the agricultural statistics are not wholly reliable, inasmuch as some of the rape used in the laying-down of grass on ploughed land is not enumerated. Again, that used in bush-burn mixtures and • a certain amount used in stubble-sowing can be only estimated. The following, however, can be looked upon as a fairly reliable estimate of the quantity annually used :- Acres. Tons. Rape for feeding off . . . . . . 220,000 at 4 lb. per acre, about 400 Rape and grass not enumerated, in agricul- . : tural statistics . . . . . . 70,000 at 2 lb. per acre, about 65 Rape usedin bush-burn mixtures, &c. . . 200,000 at lb. per acre, about 50 Total .. ... .. .. .. .. ■ ' 515 Note.A good deal of the area “Rape for feeding off” consists of rape and grass. In addition to this, in seasons when conditions are unfavourable a large amount of resowing has to take place, so that probably 550

tons per annum is not an excessive estimate for covering all requirements. Another point that should be considered is the quantity of rape-seed used in Australia, estimated at the present time.at 120 tons per annum. It would appear that New Zealand might well fill this demand ; in fact, during the past season a very' considerable quantity of seed has been exported to the Commonwealth. From the foregoing it can be seen that an annual production of from 550 to 650 tons of rape-seed could be easily absorbed. . There seems no reason why locally produced seed should not provide the whole of our requirements. If this were done a permanent and extremely profitable sale-crop would thus be added to our minor agricultural industries. Limiting Factors.— The three main limiting factors in the successful development of rape-seed-growing as a permanent industry are overproduction, depredation by small birds, and cross-fertilization by wild turnip, the latter being one of the most serious troubles. So far as overproduction is concerned, this can be avoided by farmers growing only on contract for seed-merchants. In this way a regular price could be maintained and the danger of glutting the market obviated. Such a system is general in Great Britain, where the majority of the rape for seed-houses is grown on contract at prices varying from 9s. to 14s. per bushel. The small-bird pest was in the early history of local rape-seed production just as serious a factor as it now appears for the production of turnip-seed. It has, however, been conclusively shown that the larger the individual crop the smaller the. damage sustained. In crops of over 20 acres, in fact, the small-bird factor can be looked upon as trifling compared with where the crop consists of a few acres only. • • A Profitable Sale-crop. — The yields of rape-seed are in general very good, and from 8 cwt. to 10 cwt. per acre can be looked upon as a satisfactory crop. As rape-seed crops in New Zealand , are always treated as ordinary feeding-off crops, it can be seen that the expenses of seed-production are virtually limited to rent and harvesting-charges. In all cases the whole costs of production are more than covered by the grazing-returns, so that rape-seed .production can be looked upon as extremely profitable even when the price realized is low. At 2d. a pound, at which figure it would always successfully compete in price . against imported rape of even the lowest grades, a 10-cwt. crop of rape-seed would equal in gross receipts a 40-bushel crop of wheat at . ss. . Considering the low cost of production of rape-seed under the New Zealand system the profitable nature of the' crop can be easily realized. Provided the seed produced is maintained at a high standard of quality, there is no doubt. that rape-seed will become a

regular crop in the Dominion. The excellent-prices and keen demand that has now been created for local seed makes it certain that sufficient local seed will be produced next season to obviate any shortage that might otherwise have occurred through difficulty of securing imported seed. . “ THE NEED .FOR CROP-SUPERVISION. In the growing for seed of named varieties or strains of agricultural crops, such as turnips . and . rape, a guarantee that the ’ crop grown is true to name and has been produced under conditions resulting in the production of reliable seed is essential. If the growing of various strains of Brassica is to become permanent in New Zealand, then some proper system of crop-control will be imperative. This will be especially true of turnip-seed production, but we need not discuss at the present time this matter with regard to that crop. Personally, I am not particularly sanguine as to turnip-seed becoming a- regular crop in New Zealand in normal times. The long time taken by the crop to develop, and the lack of any other receipts from it except those derived from the seed, will always be a considerable drawback, although at. the present time it is not of any consequence owing to the very high value of the seed. As regards rape, provided due crop-supervision is carried out, I feel assured that it will become one of our regular minor agricultural industries. It is hardly likely ever to assume large dimensions. The profitable returns that can be secured and the comparatively limited amount of labour required ensure, to my mind, an average annual acreage of something over 2,000 acres, which would supply all local and Australian requirements. for some time to come. At the present time merchants purchasing local rape-seed require •to be satisfied that the. crops have been grown from seed of an approved strain, and that the crop was free from wild turnip. Such precautionary measures are very necessary, but cannot always be satisfactorily carried out by the merchant. It appears to me that if rape-seed-growing is to be put on a permanently satisfactory footing a system of official cropinspection —say, at the time of the first feeding-off and again just before the plants begin to flower — necessary. Under such a system the tendency to save seed from inferior strains • or in districts where cross-fertilization with wild turnip occurred would be largely stopped. So far as local rape-seed is concerned, it would be of no value that the greater part of the seed was reliable. If only a small fraction produced unreliable crops, then the industry would be ruined. It is simply the fact that at times the seed produced unreliable crops that has caused imported open-market rape and turnip seed to be almost •entirely replaced by “ supervised ” seed grown by British seedmerchants under a crop-control system.