Farm Practice and Management.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 58, Issue 2, 20 February 1939, Page 159

Farm Practice and Management.

Contributed by Officers of the Fields Division.

Construction of Useful Farm Implement and Store Shed.

THE farm shed shown in the illustration provides a useful and convenient shed for a dairy-farm of

120 acres to 150 acres, and provides ample space for storing foodstuffs, seeds, fertilizers, and implements. The store shed is 15 ft. wide and 15 ft. 6 in. deep, and the walls are 9 ft. high. Windows are provided on the side and back walls, and the floor is raised 2 ft. 6 in. from the ground level, thus giving easy loading facilities. The open shed is 35 ft. long and 15 ft. . 6 in. deep ; the height in front is 10 ft. and at the back 7 ft., and 2 ft. 6 m. of the front wall are boarded.

This type of shed is very convenient, and the size may be varied according to the requirements of ■ the farm. -With

slight alterations the buildings may be used for shearing small flocks i.e., instead of having the floor of the barn all close-boarded part may be laid with a grating floor and a doorway and ramp made leading into the open shed, where sheep may be enclosed by means of hurdles placed along the open front. In the majority of farm sheds no lining is placed below the iron, and during frosty weather water drips from the iron and . causes much inconvenience. This may be overcome by placing building paper supported by wire netting beneath the iron, but the following method is cheaper and prevents water from accumulating at the overlap of the roofing iron and purlins and thence dropping to the floor. Short lengths of roofing iron should be used— ft. and 6 ft. lengths being the bestand the overlap requires to be at least 8 in. In using 6 ft. lengths of iron it is advisable to

rivet the side laps midway between the purlins, thus making a firm job. As each sheet is securely nailed in position to the lower or first purlin it should be temporarily nailed in place on to the second purlin. Much care must be I exercised to keep the iron in true position, otherwise when the last or topmost row is put on considerable trouble may arise through faulty alignment. When nailing the iron to the purlin the first nail should be driven through the centre of the sheet, as, if placed near the side, there is a tendency for the sheet to get slightly out of line. After the first row of iron is made secure in this manner, and before placing the second row in position (which will overlap the bottom row at the second purlin), a 2 in. by | in. batten is laid on the iron directly over the purlin for the full length of the building. No. 8

fencing wire may be used in lieu of the batten ; indeed, some builders choose the wire in preference, as the batten is liable to split when nailed. Having placed the batten or wire as mentioned, the next step is to place the second row of iron in position, the overlap covering the batten or wire directly over the purlin. Then secure the iron by

nailing it down. For this purpose roofing nails J in. longer than the standard size are required. The additional rows of iron are placed and made secure similarly. When completed, the 2 in. by | in. batten or No. 8 wire leaves .a small space between the overlap of the roofing iron, thus allowing the moisture to carry on past the usual point of accumulation (the

close joint of the overlap) and drop on to the lower sheet of iron. Figure 2 shows the iron placed in position with battens between the sheets directly over the purlins, thereby checking the consistent dropping of moisture from the roof to the floor or stores. —C. S. Dalgliesh, Fields Instructor, Rotorua. '

Top-dressing of King Country Hill Pastures.

EACH year it becomes increasingly apparent that more and more land in the King - country is going completely out of production by the increase of secondary growth. There is no doubt that a great deal of the area in question should be allowed completely to revertthe soil is poor, the rainfall is high, and the country is too steep to be farmed economically. Actually, much of the land should be permanently forested, for land with a high elevation and a high rainfall is difficult to maintain in grass. It is indeed a pity that more was not known

about the different classes of country when it was first settled ; then only the better portions need have been broken in. The land originally carried forest growth, and was sown to English grasses. The deterioration has varied according to the soil type, the management, and the type of stock carried, .until at the present time there is a wide variation in the type of pasture and secondary growth on this hill country. ■ On the steeper country to-day only the better-class soils are being farmed really successfully, and even there it means a continuous battle to keep the country clean.

Without sufficient capital it is not possible to farm this hill country, and that is one of the mistakes made in the first place. The land was cheap, and it was a great temptation to people with little capital to settle on the land—often with tragic results. Land Worth Saving. Nevertheless, there is much of the land that is well worth saving and bringing into better heart. Country that is still holding a certain amount of grass is by no means hopeless, and can be brought

back by top-dressing, perhaps the introduction of some seed, and adequate stocking to control the secondary growth. With country that has gone too far into secondary growth it is necessary to do much more, such as burning, resowing in a suitable grass-mixture, top-dressing and, as before, stocking sufficiently to control the secondary growth. Cattle are undoubtedly the best medium in controlling secondary growth, but to winter them in sufficient numbers is no small problem because of the shortage of feed at that time. The wintering of more cattle is certainly correlated with top-dressing, and a hopeful, avenue of experiment seems to be in the use of pampas grass as a winter fodder. Top-dressing. Over the whole of the King-country there occurs a medley of soil types.

The country generally is based on beds of greywacke, conglomerates, limestones, and claystones covered in parts, and sometimes to considerable depths, by an accumulation of rhyolite tuff and breccia, the product of eruptions in the Taupo district. ' Geologically speaking, the soils of this part of the North Island are termed young soils and are recent in origin—that is, in comparison with the older and leached soils of North Auckland. Phosphatic manuring gives the best results on all King-country soils, and this has been amply proved in many manurial trials carried out by the Department of Agriculture. Responses on grassland to lime and potash are slight generally, and farm practice and experimental evidence indicates that superphosphate is the cheapest and most efficient fertilizer for pasture top-dressing in the King-country. Undoubtedly the best time to apply manure to pastures is in the autumn, and

this tends to even out the pasture growth throughout the whole year, at the same time giving a longer feeding into the winter months. Spring top-dressing, unless for special reasons, such as hay and ensilage crops, tends to give a big bulk of feed just when it is not required. With a mild and humid summer climate, pastures in the King-country are liable to get well out of control, and the growth in the summer months is indeed rapid. There is no doubt that the time is approaching when more thought must be given to the bringing into production of the more difficult country. It would appear that, if considerable deterioration is to be prevented from setting in as time goes on, top-dressing of the steeper country must be faced sooner or later. M. Hopkins, Instructor in Agriculture, Taumarunui.

Maintaining Healthy Seed Potatoes.

IN order to prevent deterioration or “ running out ” of a crop of Iron Duke potatoes because of “ mosaic ” virus disease a farmer in South Otago has adopted a procedure which is meeting with success and which does not necessitate an undue period of time or amount of labour. . A rapid and progressive increase in the amount of “ mosaic ” disease had taken place, and it was evident that unless measures were taken immediately to contend with this virus disease the parent stock would soon be useless. Originally, the removal of all mosaic diseased haulms and tubers, as well as

plants with other virus diseases, was resorted to' by pulling or roguing at or before flowering, but as this resulted in the removal of a large percentage of plants the yield was proportionately decreased. After consultation with officers of the Fields Division it was decided to begin with a small area of about onefifth acre of ground planted in large seed selected at hand-digging for freedom from virus disease and yield, and at handpicking for type, shape, and freedom from skin and internal diseases.

The ground selected was well isolated by a gorse hedge on one side and a crop of oats on the other, and was on soil not previously cropped with plants of the solanaceous family and at least a mile from adjacent farm garden potatoes or field crops of potatoes. As soon as the shaws were well enough developed to show definite signs . of mosaic disease the diseased plants were pulled out together with each immediately adjacent plant, whether diseased or not.

This early roguing prevented the transference of disease from diseased to healthy plants by leaf-biting insects, which were not very active at that time. Thus, possible centres of infection were removed.

At or about flowering time a second roguing was done to eliminate all plants showing signs of late-developing mosaic. This roguing removed not plants which became contaminated since the date of first roguing, but plants in which the mosaic disease had not made itself manifest ,at the time of first roguing. Plants infected with virus do not show signs of the disease, as a rule, until the following year unless very early infection has occurred. . As the result of roguing about 25 per cent, of the plants were removed, care being taken to remove completely all partially developed tubers from underpulled plants. At the date of handdigging a still further selection was made for shape, tuber diseases, and yield. The best of this seed was hand-selected and sown again in isolation with a view to following the same procedure, while the remaining seed was transferred to the area sown for commercial crop. By this means it is hoped to replace old seed with specially selected seed, and to have a constant stream of diseasefree tubers available for sowing a commercial crop. —A. F. Greenall, Instructor in Agriculture, Balclutha.

Fields Division Exhibit at Nelson Show.

IN common with the practice of the Department of Agriculture to exhibit at the principal agricultural and pastoral shows in rural centres, an exhibit by the Fields Division was staged at the Nelson Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s forty-sixth annual show. Lack of indoor space necessitated the erection of a suitable outdoor stand. This drawback, however, was compensated for by the fact that the stand was arranged with plots to one side treated with a varied manurial programme. While numerous turfs depicted stages in the development of permanent pasture on first- and second-class land and the effects of sowing various strains of grasses and clovers, the outdoor plots left no doubt of the effectiveness of dressings of lime and superphosphate. Many visitors inspected the stand and adjacent plots. Their keenness and interest, together with the many questions asked, left no doubt regarding the success of this display. —D. M. E. Merry, Instructor in Agriculture, Nelson.

Farm Lorry Converted into Mechanized Hay-sweep.

MANY methods are used for collecting hay, the basic principle being a sweep, with different forms of traction. The most popular for this motor age is the tractor or motor-lorry, or even the family car.

The sweep illustrated in Fig. 1 has been constructed by a farmer for use with the farm motor-lorry. The advantages of this form of traction are apparent, but the main features are

simplicity, speed, and stability. The sweep is fastened to the front of the lorry by two flexible brackets and stayed in such manner that the attachment is simple yet rigid. In operation the load is picked up and the front of sweep elevated by means of a rope passing through the pully at the end of the lever attached to the back of the sweep. With the teeth raised, the

load can then be carried to the stack in the minimum of time. As can be seen in Fig. 2, the implement can be requisitioned for sweeping material other than hay. In this case a paddock from which the gorse had been grubbed was cleared in a very short time, the material being swept into large heaps ready for burning. —E. B. Glanville, Instructor in Agriculture, Whangarei.

Farm Shelter-belts in Nelson.

STRESS has been laid in recent issues of the Journal on the necessity for providing adequate farm shelter from the aspects of stock-protection, provision of farm firewood, and the better growth of pasture in sheltered situations. Recently the Nelson District experienced a succession of strong southwesterly winds, which have dried pasture, wilted both lucerne and clover, and laid cereal crops. The work of the winds leaves no doubt that more shelter is urgently required especially on the wide open belt of plain. Trees and effective, shelter are widely differing subjects. Trees provide summer shade, while shelter-belts are designed

to cast the minimum of shade and give the maximum wind shelter both in summer and winter. The illustration depicts a line of windswept pines only too typical of general plantings. Close, dense shelter, obtained

by underplanting the taller trees, is what is required. In general, it may be stated that the direction of shelter-belts in this district should be north and south, as the least shade will be cast over pastures and protection given from strong south-westerly

winds. A good shelter-belt should present a conical outline, and should deflect the wind, giving complete protection for three to five times its height and partial protection for fifteen times its height. s —D. M. E. Merry, Instructor in Agriculture, Nelson.

Grazing Value of Blue Wheat Grass.

T~\ROBABLY one of the most valuable PROBABLY one of most valuable of our native grasses is Agropyron scabrum, or blue wheat grass. At one stage this was a very common constituent of most of the tussock country and was often found dominating the sward, and ; under . these conditions it was observed to be very palatable to sheep, cattle, and horses, all of which readily fattened when grazing on this grass. Overstocking and rabbits, however, have thinned this species down. One can find it on areas which are inaccessible to stock or only occasionally grazed by stock. On tussock country occasional plants can be found growing out of silver tussocks which have sheltered it from excessive grazing. Under dry, hard conditions it will thrive. The average growth of foliage produced yearly is from 5 in. to 14 in., depending on the conditions under which it is growing. Two different forms are found growing under similar conditions — one is a prostrate or drooping variety, while the other is erect, the latter being the most common in Otago. The seed stalks of both grow from about 14 in. to 2 ft. 6 in. in length.

The illustration shows Agropyron scabrum growing under hard conditions on a bank where stock and rabbits cannot easily obtain access to it. There is evidence to show that this grass, if spelled during the spring growth, will stand hard grazing during the autumn and do stock well. Seed from

this variety was saved and sown out last year at the Pisa Flat Experimental Area, where it is hoped to gain some further knowledge of it under controlled grazing conditions. —G. G. Calder, Instructor in Agriculture, Alexandra.

Lifting the Potato Crop.

IN general, the potato crop will be lifted during March and April, and the farmer is advised to dig only when the ground is sufficiently dry to allow the potatoes to be lifted in a clean condition. To attempt digging while the ground is wet is undoubtedly looking for trouble so far as the crop is concerned, as difficulty is' experienced in .drying the tubers thoroughly before going into the store. Potatoes stored in a damp condition will rot quickly, especially if a spell of warm weather is experienced.

While digging try to avoid as much as . possible any damaging or bruising with the fork, as damaged potatoes among a heap which is inclined to rot merely increases the susceptibility to decay. . Where possible, store in a well-venti-lated, dry shed. When the pit method of storing must be used it is important that the ground beneath the pit is high and well-drained, A ditch should be dug - about the pit to prevent surface water coming in contact with the pit. Clean, dry straw or, better still, plenty of rushes should be used to cover the

potatoes, and the whole should be covered with a good layer of earth, which should be built to a ridge on the top. —W. L. Harb Instructor in 1 ' Agriculture, Invercargill.

Special High School Class at Ruakura.

A SPECIAL farm school was held from 19th to 25th November at Ruakura Farm of Instruction for a class of twenty-seven boys attending the Whangarei High School. The boys ranged in ages from thirteen years to eighteen years, and comprised all of the students who are specially interested in farming and are at present taking the school course" in agriculture. The students received lectures and demonstrations in the following subjects : Pasture establishment and management, farm shelter, farm drainage, diseases of the dairy cow, feeding and management of the dairy herd, pig feeding and management, dairy-shed management, pasture top-dressing, hay- and silage-making, farm water-supply, fencing and farm layout, and fat-lamb production. They also visited cheese, butter, and casein factories, as well as local dairy-farms. During their period at the - school the boys displayed great interest in the instruction given, and many of them — quite obviously the sons of farmers—were anxious to obtain special information which would be helpful when they returned home.

The Department will be pleased to receive applications from the headmasters of other secondary schools for short

courses of this nature for their agricultural students.