ON THE LAND

New Zealand Tablet, 3 April 1919, Page 37

ON THE LAND

A striking example of the rapid growth of the Pinus Insignis is afforded by the belt of trees growing inside the western wall of the A. and P. Show Grounds (states the Southland News). Planted about six years ago, some have already attained a height of 20ft, and their symmetrical shape and vivid green constitute a pleasing feature in the landscape. The results so 'speedily attained prove the fertility of the soil, which is of a similar nature to the bulk of that now being brought into cultivation on the reclaimed area. That there is good money in harvesting cocksfoot has just been proved by the experience of two Wanganui residents (says an exchange). The cocksfoot crop was specially good along the Main Trunk, and the two men in question decided to go harvesting. For seven weeks they stuck at their work and saved 110 bags of seed. The estimated value of the saving is .£450 in its present state, which will be considerably augmented when put through the seed-cleaning machines. THE PLOUGH. So much attention is now devoted to mechanical aid in ploughing that the horse-drawn - implement is for the present quite out of the limelight, but, nevertheless, it is still upon horse-strength that the bulk of farmers mainly depend (says a writer in Farm, Field, and Fireside). The horse-plough is the implement for the little field, and it is still as valuable in the big field as it ever was, and mechanical ploughing will not yet drive the horse-plough out of commission. There is, however, a placeand abundant work—for ploughs of both classes, and where both are available it should be, so far as is possible, managed that the power-plough deals with the larger areas, the horse-plough with the smaller. Then both can do their best work, and the most is made of the means available. The plough is the foundation of successful graingrowing, and ploughing up of land from which crop has been cleared should be done as soon as it can possibly be managed— that is, when surface conditions permit. In ploughing, the depth should be regulated by former cultivation, the width by the particular soil, and the work should be done properly and evenly, so that each portion of the surface receives equal treatment. A point in connection with ploughing is to plough well out to the end of each furrow, and to set in again early and evenly. Unless this is done, either some of the surface is not properly dealt with or the headlands must be more widely ploughed than should be necessary. THE HONEY CROP. The Director of the Horticulture Division of the Department of Agriculture has received from the apiary instructors the following report concerning the honey crop prospects: Auckland. February has been an ideal month for the bees, and prospects have improved accordingly. Waikato reports indicate the honey crop will be slightly below the average. Thames Valley will show good returns, mainly owing to the late flow from pennyroyal. Generally, the season will be fair.

Wellington.A number of returns are how available, showing the honey crop gathered from apiaries in the district. They are all good average crops, which serve to indicate that the climatic conditions were very evenly distributed, as usually the crops are patchy. The quality is all that could be desired None of this season’s crop has yet reached the market, but prices are likely to remain firm. ; Beeswax is in demand at 2s 3d per lb. ■ • Christchurch and Dunedin. Weather conditions have been favorable for extracting operations, and, as indicated last month, there is an assured crop in Canterbury and northern districts. In Otago the crops are light, but in Southland the season generally has been a failure. If weather conditions had been favorable a good surplus would have been secured from the thistle bloom. Prices are firm."' A few consignments of this season’s crop are forward for export. Sections to 10st per dozen; bulk honey to 91b per lb. No pat honey forward. Beeswax is in good demand. MANURES FOR BROKEN-UP GRASS LAND. In the course of a leaflet on The Cropping of Grass Land Broken- U for the Next Harvest, issued 'by the British Board of Agriculture, it is pointed out that only the poorest soils should require any autumn manm*ial dressing, and as a rule this should be limited to about 2 cwt of superphosphate per acre. Basic slag, the supplies of which are relatively short, should be reserved for the heavier clay soils deficient in both phosphates and lime, and in no case should the application exceed 4 cwt per acre. If necessary the phosphate dressing may be supplemented in the case of cereals with a dressing of sulphate of ammonia at the rate of 1 to 1-J cwt per acre applied in spring, or partly in autumn and partly in spring. For spring-sown corn about 2 cwt superphosphate per acre should be given as a rule, supplemented, if necessary, by about 1 cwt of sulphate of ammonia. For mangels and potatoes, sulphate of ammonia and superphospate at the rate of 1 to 2 cwt of the former and 2 to 4 cwt of the latter per acre will, as a rule, be sufficient.