RICE GERMINATES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 49, 20 November 1937, Page 4

RICE GERMINATES

Experiment at Cornwall Park HOPES FOR SUCCESS Rice will germlnate in the Hastings district. This fact has now been established as the result of the experiment being earried out by Mr. J. G. C. Mackenzie, Bbrough Superintendent of Reserves, at Cornwall Park. Rice seeds which were pianted a little over two weeks ago have germinated in one of the two beds laid down and the plants are now abOut an inch high. Tho sceds wero brought to Hastings by Mr. J. Wattic, wlio obtained them When on a rccent visit to Australia, he having been greatly imprcssed by the possibilities sof establishing the ricegroAving industry in this district. , It was decided to conduct an e'xperiment in Cornwall Park and the small pack--age of seed was used to law down two beds, each about 8ft by 5ft. One of these beds was arranged close to the water 's edge of the stream and, though it is known that rice requires an abundance of water— in fact the fields have to be flooded for months on end — it,,is a curious thing that the seed in this bed has not germinated as yet. On the other hand the second bed, placed in higher and drier ground, has proved a satisfaetory arrangement, for a strike of about 80 per cent. of the seed had been obtained. Interesting though the fact that germination of the seed is possible in this district, however, the ultimate success of the experiment will be attained only if the rice ripens and can be liarvested. Depending upon these facts is the consideration of the possibilities osf cstablishing the industry on a commercial basis in this province. It will be some months before fchia asgect can .be. flocidedv