MAIZE GROWING IN NORTH AUCKLAND

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 63, Issue 2, 15 August 1941, Page 121

MAIZE GROWING IN NORTH AUCKLAND

Renewed interest has been displayed in growing cob-maize during the past three years in the North Auckland district, particularly for carrying store pigs through the win-

ter in a thriving condition. In this article the author discusses suitable soils,, methods of sowing, rates of ■ seeding, choice of varieties, fertilisers and harvesting.

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiin By ;

E. H. ARNOLD,

Instructor in Agriculture, Dargaville.

Maize was one of the first crops introduced into North Auckland by the early missionaries. Half a century after its introduction the total area devoted to this crop was 643 acres. In 1911, twenty-five years later, the area sown had increased to 2151 acres. Unfortunately, the next next quarter of a century saw only 603 acres sown, and of this acreage, 213 acres were saved for grain.

During the past three years renewed interest has been displayed in growing cob-maize, particularly for carrying, store pigs through the winter in a thriving condition. Thus, in the 1939-40 season the crop amounted to 1060 acres, of which 355 acres were harvested for grain.

Scope in North Auckland

Although certain areas in 'North Auckland are harvested for the sale of the grain, it cannot be claimed that maize is as certain a commercial crop as .in the East Coast districts. Climatic conditions are somewhat less reliable,

and the late spring rains maintain the heavy alluvial soils in a wet condition, delaying and reducing much of the essential preparatory cultivation. A wet summer results in intensified competition from weeds and paspalum, while autumn rains and the almost complete absence of frosts during the late autumn prevent complete ripening of

the cobs, causing rotting of the grain in the cobs before picking and lowering its quality. - When conditions are entirely suitable, high yields of more than 100 bushels per acre have been, and still will be, obtained. However, where farmers attempted to grow large commercial areas of the crop they soon found that it did not pay, and quickly realised that greater monetary returns could be obtained from dairying off a good ryegrass-paspalum-white clover pasture on the same land.

Valuable for Pigs

The maize crop ' can :be widely grown on farms where pig-keeping is undertaken in conjunction with dairying. Feeding trials carried out during the past three years at the Northern Wairoa Experimental and Demonstration Farm, Dargaville, have shown that pigs fed on maize and meat-meal, with access to grass paddocks and. provided with suitable housing to keep them off the wet land during bad weather, will winter in a thriving condition and be suitable to carry on to baconer weight when skim-milk supplies become available in the spring.

grown maize' will obviate the necessity for the disposal of light porkers and stores at unremunerative prices in the autumn and the subsequent purchase of costly stores in the spring. Where pigs are carried through the winter, an ample supply of maize in the cob makes all the difference between the mere existence and the growth of pigs, while fewer deaths will occur. Other trials have demonstrated that maize is a valuable supplement for feeding both the sows and litters of those early May-June wings, when skim-milk is at a premium, until the flush comes away in the spring. Further, maize can safely be used to eke out, the lessening skim-milk supplies of the late summer and autumn. Provided the amount of maize fed does not exceed 21b. per pig per day, the quality of the flesh is not adversely affected. Fattening pigs fed in this way can still be called skim-milk-fed pigs and not maize-fed pigs. The wintering of a store pig for three months requires 2 to 2g bushels of maize and 451 b. of meat-meal. Thus, one acre of maize yielding 60 bushels of grain will be sufficient to winter

successfully 20 store pigs, as well as to provide valuable home-grown feed for the breeding sows. . ’

Suitable Soils

A deep, rich, friable loam well supplied with organic matter is ideal for maize, so that good crops can be obtained on the river flats so widely scattered throughout North Auckland. Good drainage is of supreme importance, for the crops, especially in the early stages, will not stand for even one or two days water lying on the surface, in the hollows, or even in the top-soil. Less fertile soils can be used for growing profitable, though not heavy, crops. - For pig-feeding, only a small area one to one and a half acres on a farm where sixty cows are milkedis sufficient, and the fertility on such an area can well be increased by spreading the manure from the milking shed and the pig houses over the ground before ploughing. In fact, the ideal situation to grow such a crop is where pig runs have been in existence for some years, or near the milking shed where the manure has been dumped over many seasons. In both instances,

the farmer can “cash in” on stored-up fertility.

Cultivation

Thorough cultivation ,is essential to ensure a full yield. Good seed, good land, and the liberal use of fertilisers are, to a large extent, wasted if the preparatory cultivation is not thorough. Deep and complete cultivation of the seed-bed is most necessary, and if this is done, unfavourable conditions which may occur later will not. affect yields so much. An idea exists among some farmers that a well-pre-pared seed bed is not so necessary because of the large size of the seed of maize. No greater mistake can be made, for no amount of after-cultiva-tion, important as this is, can make up for insufficient preparation of the soil. Being comparatively shallow-rooted, especially in the later stages of its growth, maize requires a deep, wellworked seed bed, for it is mainly , in. this depth of worked soil that the roots are distributed and on which they depend almost wholly for the nourishment of the plant during later growth. The ground should, therefore, be ploughed as deeply as possible without turning over an undue amount of subsoil. This ploughing should be given in the autumn or early winter, and theground allowed to lie in the “plough” and mellow down under the action of winter rains • and possible frosts.

As soon as the land is dry enough in the spring, a second ploughing' should

be given to destroy weeds and make a good, clean seed bed. . 'lf this second ploughing ( immedaitely precedes sowing, it should not be so deep, as the seed bed, requires a certain amount of firmness. Practical farmers on the heavy land of the North Auckland river-flats have found that it pays’ to delay the spring ploughing if the weather is at all wet. One farmer who has spent a lifetime on these flats gives the following excellent advice. “Leave the land alone when it is wet, and also when it appears ready for ploughing. Get in and plough when, it appears to, be becoming too dry to work. Then the soil crumbles up freely and a really good seed bed can be prepared.”

The spring ploughing should then be followed up with thorough discing and harrowing to prepare the ground for sowing. A rolling, using the Cambridge roller, generally proves very beneficial after ploughing and before discing.

Overcoming Competition From Paspalum

Many farmers in the north are loath to crop even one acre for maize for winter feed for pigs because of the competition from paspalum in the growing «crop, but if thorough cultivation has been done this is not at all serious. • More trouble occurs from seedling paspalum . plants growing from seed during late November and December than , from existing old plants throwing up new growth. These seedlings can be dealt with by the inter-row cultivator or scarifier. Established paspalum can be dealt with by careful preparatory cultivation. In this case, the late autumn or early winter ploughing is best done as a skim-ploughing. The ground is then left lie over winter, and three weeks before the spring ploughing, which should be at normal depth, it is disced thoroughly. The cut-up material is

then buried under the furrow. If the land is-too rough for skim-ploughing, the ''first ploughing should be as deep as possible, followed by a shallow spring ploughing. This leaves the old plants well buried out of the way. Where only one ploughing can be given, perhaps the best method is to plough \ with a long .1 mould-board plough with a skim-coulter attachment. The skim-coulter takes off part of the top edge of the furrow, turns it down to the bottom, and prevents the paspalum growing up between the furrow slices. Discing follows immediately, so that in this manner no light at all can reach the paspalum plants. If the land is ploughed in the ordinary way, the paspalum comes up between the furrow slices. ..

Time of Sowing

Most of the maize-growing soils of North Auckland are not early soils. Consequently, although the first crops may under some conditions be sown from the first week of November, delayed cultivation—and this, as already mentioned, may prove necessary and beneficial result in :■ the crop being sown as late as early December. This is no handicap, provided cultivation is thorough.

Methods of Sowing and Rates of Seeding

The maize drill is by far the most satisfactory method of sowing. Unfortunately, there are few. maize drills in North Auckland, and the small areas sown on each farm do not justify the purchase of a new machine. Small areas are often ploughed in, the seed being dropped by hand behind the plough in every fourth furrow. The ploughing should be shallow so that on the heavy soils not too much covering is placed over the seed. Some farmers have successfully sown maize by use of the discs. These are so worked that the seed is dropped in the shallow furrow ; left between the two gangs; the seed is dropped by hand, and the next time along, as for double discing, it is covered by the soil turned over by the outside disc. Another method is to use a sledge with permanent or temporary runners spaced the distance apart at which the rows are placed. Seed is dropped by hand and covered by harrowing. When only half an acre is planted, the use of a line and a spade or hoe is probably sufficient. In all cases where the maize drill is not used, the ground must be well prepared, in a good tilth, and free from

weedy material. . After sowing, a rolling, followed by a light harrowing, will prove very beneficial. < Broadcasting for cob-maize always proves very unsatisfactory. ~ For grain, rows are usually placed 3 to 4 feet apart, but they must be wide enough for the passage of the horsehoe, and especially for the swingletree, which, if the rows are too close, will damage the young plants. The plants can average 12 to 18 inches apart in the rows, the closer planting being adopted for richer soils. Where the soils are poorer and drier, it often proves profitable to plant on the square or check system, with the rows 3| feet apart and the plant, or rather groups of plants, every 3| feet apart. This method will allow inter-cultiva-tion both ways. If the crop is planted by the maize drill, 10 to 12 lb. seed will be sufficient, while any of the other methods will require an additional 3 or 41b. of seed per acre. As the crop in the north is liable to be attacked when a few inches high by the caterpillars early brood of the New Zealand cutworm or army worm-extra' seed is worth while; the surplus plants may be cut out later during the hand-hoe-ing of the crop.

Control of Caterpillars

At the end of November or early in December, the young maize crops are subject to attacks' of caterpillars, which cut off the young plants about ground level. This caterpillar is of the first batch of the season of the New Zealand army or cutworm, ( Cirhpis unipuncta. If the attack is severe or is neglected in the early stages, it will be found necessary to replant the crop. The attack lasts only for about ten days, and crops above 6 to 7 inches high are not affected. The first consideration is to get the crop in early and past the time of attack. If the period of susceptibility coincides with the presence of the cutworms, the use of ample superphosphate when sowing will reduce the damage by rapidly increasing the rate of growth of the young seedlings. When the first signs of an attack are observed, the use of poisoned bait will be found invaluable in preventing the spread, thus avoiding the necessity of resowing the crop. The formula Paris green or white arsenic, lib. Bran, 241 b. Water, up to 3 gallons. Salt, lOoz. Molasses, 3-41 b.

Although white - arsenic is less attractive and effective, it may be difficult to obtain supplies of Paris green,

The bran and Paris green or white arsenic are mixed dry with the salt, while the molasses is mixed with the

water. When the mixing's are thoroughly complete, the solution is added to : the mixture : of bran ' and , poison. Only enough solution is used to make the bait' crumbly and not over-moist. The bait is then scattered along the rows in the - late afternoon so that. it is fresh /for the evening, which is the time when the caterpillars feed. By this method some 401 b per acre are sufficient. The treatment can be repeated for several evenings. It should be remembered that the bait is poisonous, and should be kept out of reach of stock.

Choice of Varieties

All maize varieties differ not only in growth and cob. characteristics, but also in the time taken to reach maturity. High-yielding varieties require a long-growing season, and quick-matur-ings varieties are generally poor grainproducers. The alluvial soils of North Auckland are not early soils, and unfavourable ripening and harvesting conditions may occur in the autumn, so that the normal maizegrowing season in the north is not a long one. The variety which can be expected to do well is one . which matures, early after a short growing season and yet yields heavily at the

same time. Much of the seed maize sown is crossed with other varieties. It is of little use for a farmer to save his own seed unless he grows only one variety, and unless this is isolated from crops of other varieties by a distance of at least half a mile. During recent seasons the Northern Wairoa Experimental and Demonstration farm has carried out extensive trials to procure suitable pure varieties for North Auckland. . The results are tabulated in the above table. , Taking into account all relative factors, as well as the yield, the Demonstration Farm decided to concentrate on the variety, Johannson’s White. A crop of 3J acres was grown-during the 1940-41 season, and a yield of 108.6 bushels per acre has been obtained. Selected seed of this variety will be available to farmers this coming planting season. If the farmer does not favour a white variety, Prairie Queen is recommended. The next best appears to be 90 Day, provided a pure line is obtainable. Seed of other suitable varieties is difficult to procure in New Zealand..

Fertilisers

Maize makes a heavy demand on the plant food of the soil. •• It has been stated that on rich, very heavily fertilised soil in the United States of America, yields of up to 255 bushels per acre have been produced. While it is impossible to approach this figure in North Auckland, definite evidence exists that the better the crop is fertilised, provided cultivation is thorough, the higher will be the yield. Farm practice varies from straight superphosphate to. mixtures of superphosphate, bonedust and blood and bone, while 1 some farmers use one of the

many proprietary maize mixtures available. . '/ A manorial trial carried out on the Dargaville Demonstration Fann produced the following results: r

It is clear that maize requires ample superphosphate and some nitrogen. When the soil is rich, as is the case

after an old pasture, 4 cwt. of superphosphate per acre gives excellent results. The crop of Johannsen's White yielding 108.6 bushels per acre received this treatment. When fertility is not so high, the addition of nitrogen is worth while. Sulphate of ammonia

is recommended, if available, while dried blood op blood and bone may be used as a substitute.

The Growing Crop

Although thorough preparation of the soil is important, it is no more important than thorough after-cultiva-tion. If heavy rain falls soon after sowing, a light harrowing, especially on heavy soils, loosens the surface and destroys weed seedlings. Even when the crop is 5 or 6 inches high, a har-

lowing does little harm to tide maize plants. A bright day should be selected as the plants are soft and brittle 'on a cloudy, cool day, or early in the morning, but are quite tough and supple in the heat of the day. The harrow should be kept free from clogging rubbish, which would cause many plants to be torn out. Such a harrowing saves a great amount of expensive cultivation and hand-hoeing, as it destroys a big crop of young weeds and paspalum which may become troublesome later. The inter-row horse cultivator or scarifier should be used every week or ten days for as long as it is possible to drive the horse and cultivator between the rows. If ho light, harrowing has been given, it will be necessary to hand-hoe between the plants within the rows. This removes weeds not reached by the horse hoe, and if the crop is too thick, surplus plants are removed at this time. The depth of the cultivation should be regulated according to the height of the crop; as maize plants grow in height, their roots more nearly approach the surface. During the early stages of growth cultivation may be given to a depth of 4 to 5 inches, but this must later be reduced to 2 or 3 inches, and must be kept away from the plants themselves, or else a large number of valuable feeding roots will be destroyed. The question is often asked, “Should the suckers be removed, with the idea of increasing the yield and incidentally providing a little green fodder for stock, especially pigs confined to pens?” Many a crop yielding exceedingly well has been found to have an abundance of suckers, but trials carried out overseas indicate that the value of the suckers is offset by the cost of their removal, and that the yield of the crop is reduced by desuckering.

Harvesting The Crop

If part of the crop is required for the immediate feeding to pigs, picking may begin during April or May. The remainder should be left until the cobs are ripened, but not long enough into the winter to allow the grain to rot because of frequent rains. A crop is usually fit to pull when about 80 per cent, of the stalks are quite yellow. The cobs are snapped off by hand, husks removed, and they are then carted to the maize crib to store and dry until required for use.

If an acre of maize is grown every year for wintering pigs it will pay to construct a permanent crib, which need not be elaborate. The floor is best constructed of close boards, and the sides and ends, including doors, of 3in. by lin. battens spaced 1| inches apart. The gable roof of iron is best carried well over the sides. The whole crib should be up off the ground on piles, the tops of which are fitted with tin rat shields. A suitable-sized crib for a 'small crop of one acre yielding 60 bushels per acre would require the following internal . masurements: — sft. wide, 6ft. long, and 6ft. high to the

eaves. The size, required for larger areas can easily be calculated from these measurements.

Variety. Origin. Yield, in bushels per acre. ’ . ,1937-38. ' 1938-39. 1939-40. Early Butter Bay of Plenty /, 55.1 American Early ■ 57.4 Kearns . Rough Dent .. . 48.1 . Otumoetai Horsetooth 64.9 . Golden Glow .. New South Wales 48.8 39.1 34.1 Willingrove 64.3 62.6 ■ J? ■ • , ■ - • • 64.3 62.6 Iowa Silvermine 64.5 40.3 ? , . 99 99. 64.5 40.3 Funks Yellow Dent .'. 58.6 35.6 . 99 ' 99 9958.6 35.6 . Hickory King . . 69.0 40.3 Learning 99 99 99 58.9 Boone County White.. 99 99 99 ' 48.1 Johannson’s White .. Dargaville 48.1 Johannson’s White .. Dargaville 69.7 58.2 93.1 Prairie Queen .. Ruawai 60.8 45.9 94.6 90 Day .. .. ... 51.1 < Quebec No. 28 . . . A America 32.8 39.0 < Longfellow 30.6 30.4 99 30.6 30.4 Salzers .. .. .. 39.7 52.6 : Wisconsin 26.7 53.3 1 99 ' 26.7 53.3 ; White Cap Yellow Dent 20.3 , 31.1 Pfister Hybrid No. 360 85.1 85.1 3, /

Plot | Treatment Manure applied (Cwt. per ac.) Yield Z (Bushels per ac.) 1 r ■ No fertiliser . 49.5 2 | Superphosphate r ■ 4 68.7 3 Superphosphate • 2 Blood and bone 68.7. I Blood and bone 2 .. 2 68.7 4 Superphosphate 4 Sulphate of ammonia 1 86.4 5 Superphosphate 4 30% potash salts 1 86.8 6 Superphosphate 4 . Sulphate of ammonia 1 30% potash salts 1 84.0 1 84.0 ' ■ ■ - < -' ■'