The Hokitika Guardian TUESDAY, SEPT. 27th, 1921. PASTURES.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1921, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian TUESDAY, SEPT. 27th, 1921. PASTURES.

’ 'l'llk good folk on till' land miuire to take more ami more interest in the * growing ot (truss. This district is goine to lieconie a (treat pastoral territory, and its pastures will be of prime importance. At the meetiiiH oi tne Progress Beaune last week, Mr Dalgliesh of the Stock Department, read a very informative paper oil “Grasses and it is manifest it is a subject et t'e greatest importance to the man on the land. Me the land dear or cheap, its value lies in its productivity. Dear land becomes cheaper, the more that is cot out of it. But it is necessary always to assist nature, and with land in particular, the more you pot into it, the more one will net out of It. The ((rowing of fodder is an important matter nowadays, with markets offering good prices for stock or produce. The herds whether for beef or mutton, or for dairying purposes, hove to lx- Kept in condition, and the common pasture grasses require augmenting to secure the best results. Fifty years of experience in this climate has, of course taught its lessons. and allowing for loontion, dry or Bwatnp lands, rive flats or hilly country, tlio sverf-ae pas

toralist lias sicquireti much know The agricultural scientist, lioa*.*vim\ is worth hearing nit the subject b r be

(mu I,riny; inhumation as to cxpeir cnee gained elsewhere* and tin* knowledge in grass-growing is always wtu th learning. Grasses have their hab;is, and their tastes, and palatibility isomctiiing wliii h counts even with the bovine. liTstiuet helps the horse m the cuw to select the grasses ivitli Pie sweetest Havoiir and where <* tempting morsel is there v. ill be the animal devouring the pleusant pasture, and av uiding that which may not lie so pleasant. There is a good ileal in the knowledge of grasses, and the man oil the la ml m .'ds to use his [Movers of observation closely. There is a great variety of grasses of course, and they . II have distinctive qualities and special habits. '1 iie late competition among the pnpi’s of tile schools was ail excellent idea to develope the families oi the rising generation in a most useful dir.’etion. i lie result ot tue competition was a worthy reward to the chief promoter, Jii- \i , .J. tint lor, tor the entrants did really splendid work tor youths, dis [da vum research and jintivnce, as well sis mtelliy,ent observation winch was most coin im? tillable. Nowadays *.li'*rc are many special grasses held in e.-Lcem lor various qualities. Lucerne giowing lias taken on very mi cli in tanterhmy. but it is imt so | ujnilar here. tlumy;li its results are wonderful in !odder pioductmu. Lotus major is vud to In* the Imenic oi the Utnsi, and t itik. eoiii|itij a ativel,v recent Is mi mum-oil

grass is spreading itso.l. Our nurc humid climate, and d.unp lands, including miieii land absolutely swampy natui.dly suggest tae selection of special mixtuies where itvd is a necessity all the year round. In summer all gra- »*s do pretty well, but it is winter Ceding which requires augmenting an l research and experiments in mat directum arc well worth while. Farme»s tue now aware of the value oi a stable supply of feed all the year rouu l, and aie providing it more and more. r J he most successful farmer is the one who grasses his lands liberally when sow--iug his selected seed, and if the ground is at all responsive he gets his reward in the resultant cxiclient and well sustained pasture.