Linseed a Valuable Crop in South Island Rotations

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 75, Issue 1, 15 July 1947, Page 83

Linseed a Valuable Crop in South Island Rotations

By

E. G. SMITH,

Fields Instructor, Rangiora.

WITH an assured market at a fixed price, linseed is a crop worthy of consideration on many South Island mixed farms. Although this season some autumn sowing has been carried out, linseed has always been looked on, as it is in this article, as a spring-sown crop. However, there is no reason why autumn sowing should not prove quite satisfactory under suitable conditions.

/'"’IVEN warm weather and a reasonable supply of moisture, the crop is quick to establish and makes rapid growth. Dry weather is desirable as the crop nears maturity to condition the seed and facilitate ' harvesting. Linseed has been grown in the past principally on the downs of Canterbury, and while it is satisfactory on a wide range of "soil types, it usually does best on land with a clay subsoil. Place in Rotation The old belief that linseed would not give its best yields unless grown on land out of browntop has not proved to be correct. Generally highest yields are obtained on land out of good pasture. However, the crop can be grown successfully practically anywhere in the rotation, if the soil fertility is sufficiently high and the land reasonably free of weed seeds. Wheat is the most popular crop to follow linseed. Sowing a grass-seed mixture with the crop is now common, and while it is not suggested that this is the .best method of establishing pasture, at least it is cheap, and some exdellent pastures have been established in this way.

Cultivation Cultivation methods vary with the conditions. / If the land is skimmed out of grass during the autumn ,or the hustler .used, and a well-rotted turf is ploughed down during the winter, an excellent seed-bed can be produced by subsequent cultivation. Whatever method is adopted the resulting seed-bed must be fine, well consolidated, and free from weeds. To obtain this condition at minimum cultivation costs early ploughing is. advisable, as it gives time for the weather to play its part in mellowing and consolidating the soil. Whether the crop is sown on one furrow or the paddock skimmed or hustled before deep ploughing, care is needed to see that the land is worked to the bottom of the furrow, otherwise the moisture-holding capacity is reduced and the crop is severely checked during a dry period. Although the roller compacts the surface soil only, it is advisable to sow on a rolled surface to obtain an even depth of seed at drilling. . Varieties , ■ ; Bison has been the variety most widely grown in recent years and has

given satisfactory- results. For the past two seasons the Department of Agriculture has carried out variety ' trials and in these Golden Viking, Walsh, and Rio have shown promise, and seed stocks of ■ these varieties are being multiplied for commercial use. Sowing and Manuring . Linseed should be sown as soon as. the soil is sufficiently warm to give quick establishment.. In Canterbury an early October sowing is usually most suitable. Under favourable conditions late-sown.. crops may give payable yields, but in seasons such as the one just past harvesting difficulties are likely to arise. A seeding rate of between 30 and 401 b. an acre is recommended, although in the. larger-seeded' varieties this should be increased. It is advisable to drill on a rolled surface through every coulter of the grain drill. Set the coulters right back and if possible use well-worn coulter tips. ' The seed should be planted not more than lin. deep. Neither cross drilling nor the broadcast method has proved as reliable as drilling one way. Superphosphate or serpentine superphosphate at lewt. an acre assists inquick establishment and root development of the crop. Light harrows should follow the drill to give an even cover of seed. Except on. light stony land, rolling after drilling is not recommended. As linseed . thrives on a semi-acid soil, a heavy application of lime just before sowing is not desirable. If, however, lime has been applied to pasture .some time before ploughing, no ill effects will result. Normally harrowing is not necessary after the crop is established. If, however, heavy rain crusts the surface after sowing, a light tine harrow with well-sharpened points may be employed. Such harrowing should be carried out at a reasonably-slow pace, advisably in the direction of the. drill. Harvesting and Yield If linseed is sown in October, it . will normally be ready for harvest in late February or in March. Under favourable soil and climatic conditions direct heading can’ be quite satisfactory, but if ripening is not even, reaping and ■ threshing out of stook or, stack is probably most reliable. The seed .finishes well in the stook and can be stacked some days before'it is ready to thresh. If labour is not available for stocking, linseed may be windrowed and later picked up with the header. When this practice is adopted it is advisable to cut with the binder rather than the mower. Although , cutting with a high stubble increases wind risk, it has the advantage of helping to condition the seed.. Yields vary considerably, half a ton an acre being considered a; fair average. , \