GRASS MIXTURES.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20491, 9 March 1932, Page 4

GRASS MIXTURES.

NEW ZEALAND SEEDS. SUCCESS IN ENGLAND. Professor R. (*■ Stapledon, of Abcnstwytli, lias a well-timed article on the improvement of Jicrbage plants in the January issue of the "Scottish Journal of Agriculture." Within recent years practical observation indicates that better seed mixtures are being sown, and although this change in appearance may largely be attributed to the inclusion of wild white clover there is little doubt that better balanced mixtures and better varieties are being , utilised. The tendency is all towards more land being laid down to grass, ami it is incumbent on all who are doing so to make thoroughly certain that the foundation of good swards is being laid. There are several points in. Protessor Stapledon's article which deserve considerable attention. It is a commonplace now that wneie there are improved native strains these are preferable to foreign varieties, no matter how much -these may be advertised. While we have derived considerable benefit from imported varieties of oats, it can not be said that the grasses have proved superior to our own improved indigenous stock. The Svalof "Victoria" ryegrass has proved to pe inferior to the ordinary commercial Ayrshire perennial. The characteristics which are most desired in herbage plants are persistency and leafiness, and these are mostly found in old native stocks. The Akaroa cocksfoot and the Hawke's Bay ryegrass are from old stocks, and they have proved very successful in this country, being much more valuable than the Continental pedigree strains. Farmers sowing down pcuianent grass are often very disappointed at the "leeeiness" of tlie resultant pasture. Apart from the difficulty of securing seed from really leafy strains • ingredients are often added to ensure an adequate cover while the slower growing varieties are getting established. While this may result in a creditable appearance for the first year or two the more valuable- grasses may not get securely established. Professor Stapledon is all for simplicity in seed mixtures, a policy which has been consistently advocated in the "Scottish Journal of Agriculture in recent years. The multiplicity of varieties which a™ often advised involves extra cost and little or no return. The Professor at Aberystwyth has had good returns from such mixtures as 16 to 181b of indigenous nerennial, 2 to 31b rough stalked meadow grass, and 2-to 31b wild white clover; and, 101b pedigree leafy cocksfoot, 1 to 21b rough stalked meadow grass, 2 to 31b pedigree red fescue and 2 to 31b of wild white clover. Necessary distinction has to be made as to the purpose of. the mixture. As vet? J itr^S^et!n'"diffleult^to-lay-flown' seeds which will both give a good hay crop the first year and a good permanent sward thereafter. A compromise is necessary to give reasonable satisfaction in both instances. It has been ; found, however, that where pedigree seeds are sown that these have a considerable advantage °v er ordinary commercial seed. Thomas in Wales demonstrates in an extensive trial that m the second harvest year pedigree strains persisted to the extent of <2 per cent., while the ordinary commercial strains survived only to the extent of 49 per Ce The word "indigenous" figures prominently in most seed catalogues, and there is often quite innocent deception. The indigenous Scandinavian stwiins which are largely sold m Scotland have not proved any more successful than our native commercial seed. The New Zealand-Akaroa cocksfoot has proved itself "supremely useful. Indigenous is a local, term, and itw contradictory to apply it to attract world sales The Professor advocate? the improvement of native varieties and _ instances Germany as being progressive. Even at Aberystwyth they are securing np to 6501b of eockfoot per , acre, 9001b of perennial, 6501b of timothy, and4Bo lb of. red, fescue, and it is urged that

iii suitable districts attempts should be made to exploit the growing for seed of sound native herbage plants. If of local repute there will be no difficulty in finding a market. Lastly, in the preparation of this year's mixtures their purpose should be clearly defined, whether for hay or for permanent grass, and simplicity should be attempted. By their own observation farmers all know the varieties which answer best in their own districts, those which are most persistent in their permanent grass, and the ideal of improving these indigenous strains should be kept in the foremost position, despite the attractive advertisements of foreign varieties.