GRASS SEED.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1756, 22 May 1913, Page 8

GRASS SEED.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. At tho close of bis address on pastures, grasses, and seeds, at Sandon on Monday Mr, A. H. Cockayne, of the Department of Agriculture, was asked a number of questions by farmers. Replying to a question as to wtietner ho considered any seed other than tlwso now cultivated could be grown at bandon, Air. Cockavno stated that the - proposed Seed Growers' Association could go Jnto this matter and'experiment. In addition to rye, other seeds notably, poa tiivialis —might bo found profitable. , On. tho Jiuroneaii market this grass commands lOd. to Is. 2d. per lb., and during n good season 1601b. to 2501b. per acre could bo grown. It was a disgrace that winto clover should bo imported. This grass could bo grown in New Zealand, tho imported white clovor was tho most impure grass imported, and was responsihlo for more weeds than all the grasses exported from New Zealand. Experiments had successfully boon conducted at Jlaumahaki of growing toP« 1( ' bottom grasses simultaneously. Tho failure to grow red clover at Saiulon was due _ to tho Iwes being unable to work, owing to tho strong winds. White clover would bo different, and it was preferab o to take tho first yield and not wait tor the socond cut. Mr. Pcrrctt slated that wliito clover in the Sandon district was very erratic in growth. On his farm last veal- 11001b. of white clover had been cut with the rye' ofE 10 acres. Tho rye produced 40 bushols per acre. . , Mr. Cockayne stated that lie had only once before met a similar experience. Many farmers mistook suckling clover for whito clover. Ho dould not assign a cause for such n quantity of whito clover J. Phillips asked the speaker b explain why lye giving a prolific crop at first, entirely disappeared ill tho third or fourth season. , Tho lecturer explained tliat ill slicii cases tho vitality of the seed had disappeared. It was important to get good, strong seed. In answer to a cjicstion whv Sandon rye brings ss. Cd. per bushol against South Island rye at 3s. Id. to 3° Gd. per bushel, Mr. Cockhyno stated that Sandon. grass was worth more, as evidence showed that in many parts of this Island the South Island seed would not hold, and Sandon grass was without this objection.