LOCAL SEED PRODUCTION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 247, 6 July 1918, Page 10

LOCAL SEED PRODUCTION

AN EXPERT'S VlliWS. Mr. A. H. Cockayne, in an interesting article in tlia "Journal of Agriculture," eays in connection with the local production of seed: "Apart, however, from.the fact that unless during the next summer considerable .quantities of turnip seed are produced locally, our pastoral industry may be seriously threatened, the present time affords u- 'unique opportunity of determining whether or not turnip seed be classed as a profitable crop to produce. The prices being offered to farmers— namely, 2s. and over per lb.—are nearly seven timas the prico for which turnip Beed is contracted for in-Great Britain in jiormal times. Thus, even with expensive- - ]abour and management and small yields, there is. a good chance of considerable profit in growing seed, even if it is shown that in normal times the expenses of production are too great to compete against imported seed. During the past reason quite an appreciable quantity of ' turnip seed—probably well over jO tonslias been harvasted in New Zealand. The principal crop produced was grows in the vinicity of Btinfurly, in Central Otago. The land had been once cropped out of tussock with Aberdeen turnips, and this ■was followed by another crop of Aberdeens, broadcasted at the rate of lib. per acre'without manure, and sown in the third week of November, il)10. Dry weather delayed germination vntil well on into January, and, owing to abundance of other feed and the poor nature of tho ■ top, feediug-off was delayed till the spring. A great growth of leaves developed in the early spring, but stock refusing to feed at all freely on the crop it •was shut np for seed. About the middlo • of February last the crop was ready to cut, but no suitable binder being available, it was harvested by hand, the plants being pulled and the seed flailed out ■without-any stacking. The yield was approximately Bcwt. per acre, and even then e good deal of seed (estimated at over lewt. per acre) was lost through shaking. The area harvested was between 12 and 13 acres, and birds, although abundant, did not injure the i-Top. This was by far the most successful turnip crop harvested locally lsust year, and at the same time it was the largest Individual area devoted to seed production. In Southland certain nreas of Aberdeens and Hardy Green Globe thrashed out quite satisfactorily, varying in yield fromSewt. to Scwt., but many small areas- of from half-acre to two aores were complete failures owing to birds. In Canterbury quite a good crop of Imperial Green Globe, yielding 4cwt. of seed, was also harvested. An experimental area of Hardy Gvien Globo grown firom transplanted bulbs yielded nbout "2cwt. per acre, but, although agood deal of bird-control was carried . cut, quite Jcwt. i>or acre was destroyed . through their ravages. Seed from certain of the crop.s harvested last summer has been tested for bulb development, and has Biven excellent lesulls, comparing more ' than favourably with imported seed. Tho Fame can also be said of some trials carried out this year at tho Central Development. Farm, where locally-grown seed was in every way satisfactory when ccirrpared with similar varieties of imported seed. Last year's experience shows ! that, providing certain of the limiting ■ ' factors with regard to seed production are controlled, satisfactory crops of local turnip seed can be grown,"