GRASS MIXTURES.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20497, 16 March 1932, Page 18

GRASS MIXTURES.

WELSH INVESTIGATIONS. VALUE OF AKAROA ; COCKSFOOT. ~ | professor R. G. Stapledon, of Aberystwyth, lias an article on the improvement of herbage 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, and 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 Professor Stapledon's article which deserve considerable attention. It is a commonplace now that where 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, me Svalof "Victoria" ryegrass has prov.ri to be inferior to the ordinary commercial Ayrshire perennial. Jhe characteristic? vh".:h ar-3 most desired in herbage plants are persistency and leafiness, and these are mostly found irl old native stocks The A^ar ° a cocksfoot and the Hawke s Bay rjoorass from New Zealand are from old stocks and they have proved very successful in the Old Country, being much more valuable than the Continental pedigree strains.

Simplicity in Seed Mixtures. Fa-mcrs sowing down permanent grass arc often very disappointed at the "IcgginGSS'*' of the resultant pasture. Apart from the difficulty of centring seed from really leafy strains 'ingredients arc often added to ensure an" adequate cover while the slowergrowing varieties are getting established. While this may result in a creditable appearance for the first year or two lite more valuable grasses may not get securely established. Professor Stapledon is all, for simplicity in seed mixtures. The multiplicity of vaiieties which are often advised involves extra cost and little, or no return. The Professor at Aberystwyth has had good returns from such mixtures as 16 to JBlb of indigenous perennial, 2 to Sib rough .stalked meadow grass, and 2 to .31b wild while clover; and 16H> 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 tho purpose of the mixture. As yet it has been difficult to lay down 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 fceeds are sown that these have a considerable advantage over ordinary commercial seed. Thomas in Wales demonstrates in an extensive trial that in the second harvest year pedigree strains persisted to the extent of 72 per cent., while tho ordinary commercial strains survived only to the extent of 49 per cent.

"Supremely Useful" Akaroa Seed. The word "indigenous" figures prominently in most seed catalogues, and there is often quite innocent deception. The indigenous Scandinavian strains which are largely sold in England hare 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 it is contradictory to apply it to attract world sales. Ther Professor advocates the improvement of native varieties arid instances Germany as being progressive. Even at Aberystwyth they are securing up to 0501b of cocksfoot per acre, 9001b ot perennial, 6501b of timothy, and 4801b of red fescue, and it is urged that there is room fo: considerable regional work in improvement by selection and inspection and ultimately registration This is already in force with Montgomery red clover, and wild white. In suitable localities there is little doubt that considerable checks could be given to the vast tonnage of foreign seed which enters England every year, and the Professor even visualises a tuturo export trade if the problem were courageously tackled.