LIME AND POTASH

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 3 December 1927, Page 12

LIME AND POTASH

Keeping pastures close cropped, and the application of limo and potash to our pastures ,are three things strongly recommended by Mr McLinden. the officer in charge of the Animal Husbandry section of the Department of Agriculture. Mi- McLinden, preior to coming to New Zealand a little over twelve months ago, had lengthy experience of farming conditions in Scotland where the treatment accorded the pastures is the result of very many years of careful research work. While admitting that dairy farmers are now alive to the need of top-dressing their land, he considers that they rely too much on one form of phoaphatic fertiliser, with the result that many of our soils are steadily becoming acid. "Potash is greatly needed oy pastures in New Zealand, ana a dressing of one cwt. of sulplintu of potash to the acre would benefit most of ihe dairying land,’ he said in discussing the subpect recently. "I am also of the opinion that insufficient liming is carried out, especially in the North Island. “Better results are secured from pasture that is kept close cropped. Many farmers recognise this and cut their grass when it becomes too long, making ensilage which itself is a very valuable stand-by.”

This advice regarding potash and lime is timely. The claims of superphosphate have been so strongly pressed during recent years that we are apt to forget that plants require other foods than phosphates. Potash is also required in fair quantities and as little of this has been applied in New Zealand, it stands to reason that our pastures need it. Lime, while not in itself a fertiliser, is a soil improver, and there is not the slightest doubt that a generous application would immeasurably benefit a great proportion of our soils.