FARMING NOTES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 113, 22 January 1940, Page 7

FARMING NOTES

SEED CERTIFICATION SCHEME

-SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS FOR 1938-39 The seed certification returns for the 1938-1939 season indicate that for most crops an increased production of certified seed is recorded. Particularly is that .so in the case of brown-top, cocksfoot, and red ■clover seeds, but an actual decrease in production of certified seed of .Italian ryegrass, potatoes, and rape is shown. Extensions of the seed certification scheme have been made in the past Reason to cover broad red clover and ■ v clover. Inquiries for certified "Government. Stock" seeds have been greater than in past seasons, and many merchants and farmers have therefore been disappointed at the short "supply of seed thus caused. The policy of the Department to produce more seeds of selected strains is being pursued, and to this end further contracts have been arranged for the production of "Government Stock" grass and clover seeds. Perennial Ryegrass. A gratifying increase is recorded in the production of certified perennial ryegrass seed. It is indeed unfortunate that this increase has been largely offset by the reduced germinations of this seed experienced in practically all seed-growing districts. In this connection it is considered that the season just past has been the worst experienced since the introduction of certification. 'Certainly it lias disorganised to a considerable extent the normal trading in certified perennial ryegrass seed. The production of certified ''Pedigree'* seed has increased from 5000 to nearly 10,000 bushels, while the produce of such seed certified in the "Mother" and "Permanent Pas'ture'* classes totals a further 20,000 The total production of '"Mother'* seed has increased from bushels to more than 54,000 bushels. Approximately 165,000 bush ■els were certified in the two classes, "Permanent Pasture"' and "Commerwcial." Cocksfoot. "The production of certified cocksfoot seed (991,0001b) was more than "30 per cent greater than in any one previous season. This increase has been caused largely by an improved yield of 1801b per acre. The Akaroa district is still the main cocksfoot seed-producing area, although its supremacy is being seriously challenged by Mid-Canterbury. T\ r o other district approaches either of these in the production of ccrti;fied seed.

White Clover. More than one ton of white clover seed received recognition in the "Pedigree" class during the 1938-39 season. The season's total in the "Mother" and "Permanent Pasture" classes was almost 200 tons. It is interesting to note that whereas in the 1936-37 and 1937-38 seasons "Mother" 1 seed comprised approximately 14 per cent of the total, this proportion increased to more than 30 per cent during 1938-39. This trend is very suggestive that "Mother" seed is being utilised in the establishment of areas for seed production, with consequent good effect on the general quality of the Avhite clover seed liarvested. It is estimated that probably 90 per cent of the country's white clover crop is now for certification, approximately two-thirds of this quantity being accepted as certified seed. Browntop. An exceptionally good browntop "harvest has resulted in the recognition as certified of more than 600,0001b of seed, as compared with the previous highest season's production of 385. : 0001b. An increased area entered for certification has been a further factor in this phenomenal increase. Red Clover. Consequent upon a very favourable harvest season for Montgomery red clover, production of certified ■seed has risen from 45,0001b to 1-14,-

0001 b. This increase has been followed by a welcome reduction in price. Yields of this seed have averaged out at 1511b per acre. The 1038-39 season lias seen the introduction of a certification sehemc to cover broad red clover also. A nucleus of 80 acres produced 10,1(58 lb of seed, which was certified as "N.Z.-grown Broad Red Clover." Indications are that a rapid development in the certification of this type of seed can be expectcd. Italian Ryegrass. Due largely to lower yields, the quantity of Italian ryegrass seed certified is less than in either of the two preceding seasons. This is unfortunate in view of the undoubted merit of this strain of seed, and of the generally inferior nature oi much of the uncertified seed. An increase in the production of certified seed would be very welcome to all farmers who know the value of really good" Ilalian ryegrass as a temporary pasture. Phalaris Tuberosa. More than 100 acres of plialaris tuberosa were harvested for seed during the 1938-39 season, and with a more consistent yield than lias been experienced in previous seasons, the total certified product amounted to more than 12,000 lbs. Germination cf this seed has been rather unsatisfactory, although it is understood that this fault is not uncommon in seed harvested overseas. Subterranean Clover. In order to give an assurance as to the type of locally-produced subterranean clover seed, a scheme of certification has been introduced. Nearly five tons of seed were obtained from the 70 acres harvested, all this seed being of the mid-season (Mt. Barker) strain. Seed Wheat. The acreage of seed wheat accepted lor certification in the 1938-39 season showed a slight increase over that certified in the previous season. A higher proportion than usual of the threshed grain was sealed and tagged after machine dressing, almost 60,000 bushels of seed being so treated. Nearly 40 per cent of this quantity was of the Cross 7 variety, while the varieties Solid Straw Tuscan and Hunters 11. each represented approximately 20 per cent of the total certified. Seed Potatoes. Although a reduction was recorded in the number of potato crops inspected, the acreage involved in the 1938139 season was the highest on record. Similarly, the acreage accepted—32Bl acres —was also great er than in any previous season. Because of the general shortage of potato supplies during the season, much of the crop normally reserved foor seed purposes was diverted to domestic use. As a result, a considerable reduction was recorded in the quantities of tubers finally tagged after grading. No material alteration is shown in the relative importance of the varieties under certification. The five main varieties, Aucklander Short Top, Dakota, Arran Chief, Inverness Favourite, and King Edward, together account for 90 per cent, of the area inspected. Brassica Crops. It has still been imposiblc, because of adverse seasonal conditions, to produce sufficient supplies of certified rape seed. Low yields averaging 3cwt per acre were experienced from the 60 acres harvested, and there Avas finally sealed 275cwt of the Broad Leaf Essex type and 350 cwt of the Giant type.

IT PAYS TO MAKE FARM-YARD MANURE ■Farm-yard manure is a valuable fertiliser made from the litter, dung and urine of animals. It contains nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash in various degrees of availability lo tiie plant, and also supplies humus to the soil. Urine contains most of the nitrogen and potash of the food in a water-soluble and avail able form. The nitrogen and potash are, moreover, comparable in their effect with quick-acting, synthetic fertilisers. The litter is poor in the three fertilising constituents, but it supplies most of the hemus,, and acts as a retainer for much of the urine in the manure. The dung consists of indigestible residue of the food ingested, and contains nitrogen, phosphates and potash, usually in an insoluble and comparatively resistant state. Together with the litter or bedding, it supplies humus to the soil. Essential Foods. Surprisingly large quantities of the three essential plant foods—nitrogen, phosphate and potash—pass through the animal system, and it has been calculated that although only one-half of the solid matter of the food re-appears in the manure, about three-quarters of the nitrogen and nine-tenths of the phosphate are voided. These proportions will, of course, be reduced for growing animals and increased, fox* fullgrown stcok. There is considerable variation in the quality and character of farmjrard manure, depending on the kind of food and animal and the manner of storage. Thus, horses produce dry "hot" dung, which ferments and acts quickly, "whereas that of cattle and pigs is "cold," slow-acting and more durable. The quality of the manure is largely determined by the manner in which it is stored. In New Zealand very large quantities of cow and pig excreta are wasted annually solely because proper steps arc not taken to conserve this valuable fertiliser. Saving Manure. Some farmers have recognised this fact, and have devised means of saving both solid and liquid manure with the least amount of w-astage. A certain amount of the nitrogen cannot be prevented from escaping in the form of ammonia. Where dung is exposed to sun, wind, rain, and seepage, the loss may be as high as .30 per cent of the total ingredients. Farm-yard manure is best made if kept wet enough to rot and sufficiently consolidated to rot slowly. These two ends can be well achieved by depositing new dung over the old in a pit, preferably constructed of concrete to hold the moisture. The making of farm-yard manure involves a certain amount of work, but is it beyond doubt that this is amply offset by the subsequent value and return from crops by the applications of this fertiliser. Whether used for cropping or on pasture, it is best applied in the autumn so that it holds winter rains and is well rotted in spring or early summer. IMPORTATIONS The following stock were imported during the year ended 31st March last: Cattle, 33; sheep, 839; pigs, 24; horses. 18. Of the above animals, the following were placed in quarantine for the respective periods: Cattle, 33; sheep, 14, pigs, 24; horses, 12 (trotters from the United States of America) . During the year under review the following animals were exported: Sheep, 10,742; cattle, 97; pjgs, 22; horses, 6. There was the usual movement of thoroughbred horses to and from Australia. MOULDING OF CROPS The moulding of crops is quite an important operation, and has marked benefits to crops during the dry saeson. Firstly, it covers the roots with a greater depth of soil, so that the about the roots is not subjected to the same amount of drj'ing, as otherwise would be the case. ■ Secondly, it destroys w( mls between the rows and buries those actually in the rows which are otherwise difficult to hoe. Thirdly, by drawing several inches of soil round the plants, additional support is given to the stems, so that the plants do not lodge so readily.