TURNIP SEED

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 253, 13 July 1918, Page 10

TURNIP SEED

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCTION. , In, an articlo which deals with the productkm of turnip seed, Mr. A. H. .Cookayne, Government biologist, says:— "The following aro the main methods that oould be adopted for securing supplies of locally-grown turnip eeed: (11 By the farmer himself reserving certain areas of the present growing crops and Belling tlje seed next year oh the open market; (2) by the seed merchant contracting at tho present time for the seed from a definite crop at a certain price per pound; (3) by tho seed merchant buying from the farmer growing crops at the market price, nnd paying reasonable expenses of management, harvesting, and thrashing,., together with the rent of tho land during the time the land is occupied. Assuming a shortage of turnip seed next year, the first method would be by far tho most profitable for tho farmer to adopt. He, howevor, will probably not undertake a-ny , seed-growing un■•less a definite price for the seed is guaranteed him. This many seed merchants are prepared to do at tho present time, and are offering in the vicinity of 2s. per pound for seed harvested next summer from approved crops. The third method, that of merchants' buying crops . outright, is also being adopted, but is not entirely satisfactory, as the farmer, having 'no further interest in tho crop, is not likely to exercise tho same degree of supervision as when he is to receive a definite price for the seed produced. "It is to be hoped that from 600 to ■1000 acres of turnips may be reeorved for seed this year. Many morchants are quite willing to contract for large acreages, and it is ontirely in the farmers hands whether' or not the production of turnip seed will bo carried out on an exiended scale. It is possible that shortage of labour will act as a deterrent, but the amonnt required would not bo very great, although it would bo mainly needed just at tho period when the ordinary i harvesting operations aro in full swing. Labour for bird-control, specially if small areas are reserved, would ftlso be heavy; but as the critical period coincides with tho school summer holidays juvenile labour might well be .utilised for this purpose. There aro a good many difficulties to be overcome in the matter of harvesting turnip seed, more especially in the way of avoiding shaking off tin seed in tho various operations between cutting and thrashing. Full inquiries as to the best methods ol ! procedure are being carried out, and tho results will be published in the Journal in.time for next season's harvest.