EXPERIMENTAL FARMS.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14839, 3 December 1913, Page 12

EXPERIMENTAL FARMS.

THIS SEASON'S SCHEME OF ACTIVITIES.

! (By E. Clifton in the Journal of Agriculture) WERAROA. An important work during the cornin" season at tho Vverarou -bxpenmental Farm of tbo Department wui bo tho further preparation and cultivation, of that portion ot tho estate recently cleared from the remains ot the forest covering—an area of VO acres. Tho main portion of tms will be devoted to root-production. It is recognised that after high-class arable land has been cleared from vie last residue of tho bush, no matter what tho seed mixture used may be, the pastures may contain an undue preponderance of "inferior grasses, and at Weraroa the quality of the soil is too good to permit it continuing tinder anything but the most profitable of productive plants. Another important development at Weraroa will l>o the preparation aud sowing of-eomo 25 acres in lucerne. Only the varieties which are considered the* most suitable will be used, those bein«- excludod which the experience ot tho Department has demonstrated to he unsuitable for .New Zealand conditions. In preparing, tho land for theso lucerne demonstrations the soil has been ploughed at different depths, varying from the lighter ploughing of Gin. or 7m. up to 14m. This last work was performed with a single-furrow disc plough, provided with two discs, one above the other, tho upper disc being slightly in advance and removing tho first layer or soil, and tlie second penetrating to a greater depth and but slightly elevating the subsoil, although a slight admixture of the soil and buosoil naturally results. Tests will also be carried out as to tho various periods ot cutting. A certain proportion will be set apart to demonstrate >"1q best methods of depasturing stock on lucerne, having special regard for the safeguarding of tho plant from destruction and the animal from the effects of bloat on the rich succulent feed, lhe primary object of theso tests Iβ to popularise the use of lucerne. Demonstrations will also be continued at Weraroa this season in regard to the \ise of forage crope, which will include maize, millet, peas and clovers. Of these, maize is the plant on which most reliance ie placed at Weraroa. A perusal of tbo reports from this, farm for several years past will testify .to the inestimable value of green maize for maintaining milk-production at its highest during the drier months of the year, a period when- dairy farmers too often experience a diminishing flow. In addition to the feeding-out of green maize, the Department has arranged for the erection of a silo. This will bo constructed on the most economical principles, so that it may bo of tho greatest practical value to the dairy I farmer desiring to ndopt this method of fodder conservation. .„ The Holstein herd at Weraroa. still maintains its high character of the past. It now consists of just over one hundred head of purebred stock. The milking Shorthcrjis of the Australian type give every promise of providing a most valuable addition to the dairy herds o* tho Dominion. Tho milking herd ie being added to by tho addition of selected Shorthorn " cows oP a definite dairy type, and it is believed that they are of euch breeding that they will claim registration in the herd-book of tho lately-formed "Milking Shorthorn Association. These cows will be tised with the purebred Australian milking Shorthorn bulls. .

Feeding tests will be continued in order to arrive at tho most economical method of raising calves. Experiments have already been carried out in this connexion, but it is not the desire of the Department to report on tho results of tests of this description conducted merely for ono season. Tt ie accepted that such tests only' becomo of value whon they have been carried out over a series of years. ■

Buildings have been erected at Wera-* roa for the reception of an equipment that will permit the manufacture into butter and cheese of tho milk produced on the farm. Special cheeses aro being manufactured by tho Department's Instructress in Soft and Fancy Choesemaking. These classes of cheese should be highly appreciated in tho farmer's home. Tho farmer's daughter might well devote her attention to this kin«f of work, which would prove a source of both profit and pleasure.

MOUMAHAKI. - Ono of tho most important features of this year's activity at tho Moumuhaki Experimental Farm will be the continuance of the tests to determine the effect of groen-nianuring. These have now been in being for three years. The beneficial effect on tho Moumahaki soils is indisputable. The greenmanuring not only imparts fertility but conserves moisture in the soil, thereby proving valuable in periods of drought. It appears that even tho texture of tho land is more or less permanently affected. The difficulty is to set out in actual terms the value of tho results extending over a period of years. The lucerne-iields, now about thirty acres in extent, aro a demonstration that it is believed wfll bo of very great value to tho dairy farmers of the west coast of the North Island. At this farm the investigating fnrmor will be able to observe tho effect of grazing lucerne, the conversion of it into silage, and the preparation of the valuable hay which this plant affords. Jfany variety tests are being continued and valuable work is being done by the plant-breeding officer of tho farm in the matter of determining tho best varieties for different purposes. The Department recognises at Moumahaki, as at other experimental farms, that a dominant industry of the Dominion is milk-production, and the production of fodder crops for feeding to dairy stock will therefore be a feature of the year's activities* The Ayrshire herd being bred at Moumahaki on milk-record principles is being appreciated, and promises to become the most popular feature of this experimental centre. Selected Shorthorn dairy cows of a distinct milking type will also be included in the dairying operations of this farm These will be~bred to ono of tho purebred Australian dairy Shorthorn bulls.

&heep-breedinj» on a limited scale is being continued at Moumahaki, for here, as at other experimental farms of the Department, it is recoenised that it is necessary to have a flock of sheep available if cow pastures are to be maintained in their most profitable condition To this end it is, o f course, desirable that the fields should not ho too large.