ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1, 21 January 1929, Page 68

ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES.

IN order to ensure reply to questions, correspondents must give their name and address, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Letters should be addressed to the Editor. PERENNIAL CANARY-GRASS (PHALARIS BULBOSA). W. H. Homer, Tasman : I would be pleased if you could give me any information regarding perennial canary-grass (Phalaris bulbosa), time to sow, &c. The Fields Division :

Phalaris bulbosa has been tried (mostly in small plots) in various parts of New Zealand, and in some of the colder districts, when sown on heavy land, it has done fairly well. It has been included in pasture mixtures in some cases, but results have not been good. Its period of growth is during the cooler part of the year, but prairie-grass has proved superior when grown under similar conditions. The rate of seeding of Phalaris bulbosa is about 15 lb. per acre, and sowing can take place from about rst October until the end of the year. The land should be well rolled prior to sowing, and the seed should be covered with a light brush harrow. This grass responds well to a dressing of superphosphate, which should be applied at time of seeding at the rate of 2 cwt. per acre.

CROSSBREEDING OF MUSCOVY DUCKS. Roy Sleep, Penrose : Kindly inform me whether it is possible to cross Muscovy and Aylesbury ducks, as the former take five weeks to hatch and the latter four weeks. The Live-stock Division :

We have no first-hand knowledge that these two breeds will cross. It is, however, commonly known that the Indian Runner, Mallard, and ’ other breeds of duck will cross with the Muscovy. In the circumstances there is good reason to believe that the Aylesbury and Muscovy would cross. It is claimed by some authorities that the crosses produced by the Muscovy with other breeds of ducks are sterile, but this contention does not hold good in all cases if the opinions expressed by various authorities can be relied upon.

TROUBLE WITH HONEY. “XYZ,” Otane :

After taking my honey last season, and straining it without heating, I put it into jars. It did not set hard, but about one-third at the bottom went sugary, leaving the remaining two-thirds a runny brown liquid. The bees had abundance of clover, and there is no manuka within a few miles of the hives. Kindly explain the altered condition.

The Horticulture Division :

The fact of your honey having changed its condition as described indicates either a separation of the two main sugars which constitute honey—levulose and dextrose —or that the honey has been slightly fermenting. The condition may be due to the honey not being ripe when taken from the combs, or through not being stored in airtight vessels during the winter months. Honey readily absorbs moisture from the atmosphere if not kept in a dry place, and fermentation sets

up. You do not mention whether the “ runny brown liquid ”is sour or otherwise, and a sample of the honey would be necessary in order to give a definite explanation of its altered condition.

BASIC SLAG FOR SOUTH CANTERBURY GRASSLANDS. W. Simpson, Waimate :

I would be obliged if you could advise me if basic slag (17-20 phosphoric acid, 80 per cent, fineness) would be suitable for top-dressing grassland here, and if the results would be as satisfactory as with superphosphate 44-46. The price •of slag is £4 per ton Dunedin. Our land is on the downs, two miles from Waimate, in the Waituna district. .

The Fields Division : We feel sure that on the type of soil and with the climatic conditions •obtaining at Waituna basic slag will give good results in top-dressing pastures. Comparatively little basic slag has been used in Canterbury so far, but where it has been used along the foothills country results have been most satisfactory. To get the best results slag should be applied in April or May. w *

COST OF STARTING POULTRY-FARMING. “ Poultry,” Puni : • ' Would you please state what is the initial cost in housing and for the purchase ■of all requirements to start poultry-farming with 500 to 750 hens ?

The Chief Poultry Instructor : The initial cost of purchasing land, and of fully equipping a poultry plant sufficiently large to accommodate from 500 to 750 hens would depend to a great extent on local conditions. The price of land, building-material, &c., and whether the site is flat or otherwise would all have an important bearing on the initial cost •of the proposed venture. Furthermore, no mention is made as to whether or not it is proposed to hatch the necessary stock on the plant, or stock it with day-old ■chicks or young pullets bred by another. However, from a general standpoint, to purchase suitable land and provide the necessary buildings and equipment, the initial cost should run from £1 to £1 ss. per bird. \

PRESSING HAY DIRECT FROM FIELD.

R. B. N., Mount Somers : I would be grateful if you would give me some information regarding the ■pressing of hay direct from, the field. (1) How long must the hay lie before being pressed to ensure against it becoming mouldy or heated ? (2) What is the best method of stacking the bales for storage purposes ? (3) What weight should be put into the bales if the hay has not been stacked ? (4) How long can pressed hay be stored and still retain its quality ? • The Fields Division : . The system of pressing hay direct from the field has not proved altogether satisfactory in this country, such hay having often opened up in indifferent condition. However, under the best conditions and with proper technique some good results have been attained. In many cases the bales are too tightly pressed. If you decide to give the practice a trial it would be best to arrange for bales to be pressed somewhat loosely, which would necessitate,three wires in place of two. Store in tiers where a good current of air can circulate around the bales. The weight of the bales should not exceed about 56 lb. If saved in really good condition and well protected from the weather, pressed hay should keep quite good for several years.