Seasonal Notes

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 68, Issue 5, 15 May 1944, Page 371

Seasonal Notes

The Fields Division

Trees for Form Shelter

Now is the time for the commencement of tree planting, which may be continued, except in the coldest districts, throughout the winter months, for by now the land has been well moistened by the autumn rains and no check owing to lack of soil moisture will occur. The first year after planting is the most dangerous for the young tree, for not only may it succumb to drought in the summer of that year but it is very liable to destruction by rabbits. Where rabbits are plentiful steps to destroy them should be taken prior to the planting of the trees, because their presence in large numbers may easily result in loss of a large proportion of the trees. IN PLANTING make as much use as possible of ground of least use for agricultural purposes. Frequently it is found that planting in waste gullies

and steep places is the easiest method •• of avoiding ground draught, a common fault in shelter belts. Plantations should necessarily be placed to obstruct the prevailing wind and at the same time avoid top much shading of the ground. Where suitably placed gullies or hillsides are not available the fences protecting the trees from stock should be placed well away from the trees, so that when they are mature stock cannot nibble or rub 7 against the lower branches, causing their defoliation and resulting in ground draught. The fences need to be substantial to effect permanent protection. Some trees do not require as much protection as others whose foliage is liked by stock. To protect the

former the fence must be strong and

at such a distance from the trees that stock are not tempted to strain against the fence in an attempt to reach the trees. ' The Young Trees Young trees are usually planted in spits which have been, dug some time beforehand, so that, the soil is in a fit condition. So that the young trees may establish quickly incorporate a few ounces of blood and bone in the'soil prior to planting. Young trees will respond to occasional dressings of fertiliser after planting and if animal manure is available some of this will accelerate growth. Make the soil firm around the roots and plant the tree at its natural depth with the roots spread and not bunched together. The space immediately surrounding the

trees should be cleared of vegetation and thereafter kept clear until they are able to cope with the competition of the surrounding growth. The remainder of the vegetation should be left undisturbed because it will afford shelter. The distance apart of planting varies according to the kind of tree. Unless trees are required subsequently to provide timber and unless a properly closed windbreak is required at an earlier date, there is no need to plant closer than will provide room for the tree when it is about 10 years old. It is better to plant at least two varieties for the main belts, one to provide tall shelter and the other more suited to provide ground shelter and the hardier one of the two should be placed on the windward side. For interior shelter one row of trees for low shelter is all that is necessary, provided that sufficient room is given to protect the lower branches from stock. In fact, better shelter from winds is provided in this manner than by two or even more rows, where the outside branches are not given sufficient room to grow undisturbed, for it is on the lower outside branches that you must rely to prevent most of the ground draught.

Species to Plant . The farmer should be guided by reliable local nurserymen and local experience as to species to plant; and advice is also available from Fields Division officers and from, the Forestry Department. . Gaps in plantations through death of mature trees are usually caused by, the planting of varieties that do not entirely suit the soil and climatic conditions. Farmers intending to plant for shelter should read the article “Farm Shelter” prepared by Mr. P. S. Syme appearing in this journal in February this year and other articles that have appeared from time to time. In spite of adequate protection from stock some species of trees, such as Pinus radiata, do not give good low protection from winds when they reach maturity. They can be induced to maintain their lower branches for a longer period than usual by topping when about 15 years old. In time, however, the growth form of this kind of tree, despite topping, results in much ground draught, and unless other trees providing low protection from winds have been planted alongside, they may have to be cut down and replaced by trees which will provide a more suitable shelter belt.

Feeding Root Crops to Sheep

T ARGE fields of root crops should . always be fed off in breaks not only to prevent waste but also to give each class of sheep as continuous a supply as possible of the most suitable type of food. The type of food fed is dependent on the mouth of the sheep and also whether it requires a maintenance diet, a fattening, diet or one which will give rise to . growth of the animal. The leaves of the turnip are soft and do not require a well-filled mouth of sound teeth; they contain more protein and minerals than the bulb and are therefore better for promoting health and growth in young animals. The bulb is most satisfactory for fattening and maintenance. There are two times in the life, of the sheep when the teeth are inadequate to deal with hard foodin old age when the teeth are decayed and as a hogget when it is losing its baby teeth and the two central permanent incisors are not fully in position. • In feeding off breaks, therefore, the

hoggets should be fed the tops of the turnips, mainly because this type of feed is more suitable for health and growth of young animals and partly because of the difficulty hoggets have in eating the bulb. Old ewes whose teeth cannot cope with the bulbs must also be fed the tops, although this type of animal should if possible have been disposed of before winter. Next come wethers and ewes requiring fattening. These should not be allowed to taste the tops, otherwise, particularly when arriving at prime condition, they may refuse to consume sufficient of the

bulb to maintain the required rate of increase in weight. Lastly the shells are reserved for feeding to the soundmouthed breeding ewes followed by any sound-mouthed, non-breeding mature sheep which are to be only maintained in condition. Sometimes sheep if unaccustomed to turnips will not commence feeding on the bulbs unless they are first put on

the tops and an exception may have to be temporarily made in regard to the method of feeding outlined above. In feeding turnips always provide a grass run-off and arrange so that the sheep become gradually accustomed to their new diet. In frosty weather the sheep should be removed to pasture in the evenings and not permitted on the turnips in the mornings until the frost thaws. Hay, straw or oat-sheaf chaff should be provided to balance the diet when feeding turnips.

Growing of Wheat

TT IS time for the sowing of winter A wheat. The ground should be in good order for the drill: that is, firm and fine below with any small lumps brought to the surface. Large clods will have been brought to the surface by the cultivator, and reduced by rolling and harrowing. An indication of the variety to sow can. be obtained from. the Wheat Research Report on Wheat Varieties, a summary of which has been prepared by Mr. J. H. Claridge and appeared in the February issue of this journal. More precise information in regard to the sowing of a particular field can be

obtained from the local Fields Division officer, who can also advise concerning the growing of the crop. The seed should be plump and free from weed seeds and foreign matter and pure as regards variety. The amount of seed to be sown varies with the time of sowing, the soil, climate and variety, On light land with small seed 1| bushels may suffice, . whilst on heavy land using varieties . with large grain for seed two bushels may be required, Larger amounts still are required for spring sowings, especially in the highrainfall areas, where up to 2J bushels are commonly sown. Before sowing the seed should be dusted with organic mercuric materials to prevent rust, After drilling the ground should

be harrowed ! to ~ cover the .. seed. To obtain a good yield it is necessary that there should be a fairly thick and even strike of plants. This cannot be obtained by very heavy sowing but is dependent on a properly prepared seed-bed free of rubbish and large clods and'ah’ even-sowing drill. ■ Effect of Super A considerable amount ' of experimental evidence covering about 20 years is now available on the effect of fertilisers on the production of wheat in North .Otago and Canterbury. In the early years wheat gave .fairly consistent and payable increases in yield for an application of 1 cwt. of super per acre with the seed. Latterly experiments show much less benefit from the application of super to wheat. This may be due to the improvement of the pasture lands of Canterbury through sowing of better strains of grass and clover seeds and the topdressing and better management of them. . However, in view of the fact that the residual effect of fertiliser applications has. not been measured, it would be advisable under present circumstances for all wheat growers to use as much phosphate as the present ration provides. To make sure that the civilian population and Armed Forces in the Dominion obtain sufficient bread and to replenish the stores of ships visiting New Zealand ports it is necessary that farmers in the Dominion grow approximately 300,000 acres of wheat annually. So far this figure has not been reached, although the production of the immediate pre-war years has been improved on to a very great extent.

Virgin Heavy Soils

BY May the ground is sufficiently softened by autumn rains to enable ploughing or other means of deep cultivation of heavy soils to be performed with ease and yet not so wet that tractors and horses have difficulty in travelling over the ground. Before cultivation commences . all tall scrub should have been cut and the area burnt so that cultivation is interfered with to the minimum extent. Leave the ground in a rough condition throughout the winter so . that the maximum of the soil is exposed to air and sunshine. If the soil is made too fine, and particularly is this so concerning the extremely ■ heavy soils, it will become packed down and waterlogged with the heavy winter rains. Hence the plough would appear to be the best implement to use. The cultivated area should be left undisturbed until the spring when it becomes dry enough for further cultivation to take place. . . ■ '

—J. E. BELL,

Acting Land Utilisation

Officer, Wellington;