EXPORT OF SEEDS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1932, Page 6

EXPORT OF SEEDS

.i n ii_ : —— A CHANCE FOR NEW ZEALAND MARKETS IN ENGLAND. Encouraging opinions upon the value in Geat Britain of New Zealand produced seeds, and especially white clover, are expressed by Professor R. G. Stapledon, Director of the Welsh Plant Research Station, in an article in the Empire Trade ‘and Engineering Supplement of “The Times.” He considers New Zealand chuld market her seed to better advantage provided certain conditions are observed. The fact that gras? and clover seeds, in common with other agricultural seeds, unilike certain fertiliseis, have not been placed on the free list under the provisions of the Import Duty Act, raises a number of imporant considerations, Professor Stapledon writes. The Act has not, however, had any material influence -so far -as the present season is concerned, because the great bulk, of the impoits for the current year’s sowing, following their normal course, would have reached Great Britain before March 1 last. Seeds fom New Zealand usually reach Britain in August and September, that is about six months before they are retailed. European and North American seeds normally arrive from September onward to the following April, the imports being heaviest in most seasons in January and February. Further, owing to world causes, the # wholesale price of seeds has been so low that they are now being retailed at phenomenally cheap IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY. Seeds, perhaps more, than any other trade commodity, should be considered from the point of view of quality rather than of price. . Mere cheapness and even superlative germination are to b,e regarded as secondary, and not primary, excellencies, for unless the -strain and’ the variety are correct for a particular use in a particular pHace, the sowing of seeds in themselves perfect will avail little or nothing. Innumerable trials in most tempeiate countries of the world have proved beyond a doubt that the best heir, bage -seeds for any country to use are those grown within its own borders. Speaking in general terms then, if the impression of an import, duty encourages home production of herbage seeds, we are therefore the gaineis. The garnering of herbage seeds is, however,. influenced to a marked degree by weather conditions, and any country that sets out to be entirely self-supporting in all -species of gr-a sses and clovers would certainly be faced with a complete, or very seriotfs, failure of crop in respect of some species at irregular recurring intervals. Thus the seed producing countries are .necessarily to a large extent -interdependent for their supplies. This is well illustrated by red clover, of which Great Britain’s consumption .must ■average over 5000 tons per annum. We are unable to rely wholly upon,the home crop, and in fact, we both import and export this seed on a Ilaige f-ea'le, in all probability/not producing enough for our own needs once in three years. : SUITABLE IMPORT STRAIN.

In the interests of the productivity, of our prepared grasslands, it is the first importance only to supplement home supplies with seed obtained from countries which produce strains i oally suitable to our needs. Save for wild white clover, which in 1 ' favourable years we now harvest from a substantial average (about 'IO,OOO acres), the great bulk of the white clover sown in this country comes from Poland and Czechoslovakia! But there is very little doubt, as bare 1 fully i. conducted trials are showing, 1 ’ that white clover from New Zealand would be far more suitable for the purposes to which this European' clover is put. \ In normal years the great bulk of led clove# imported into Great Britain’ is of French and Polish origin. Yet:’ taking these clovers as. a whole, they* are no more, and on } the average rather less, suitable for our needs than red clover have, actually been imported ed during the -last two years, as the result of good crops in Canada. ■>

Denmark is almost the only countiy which has built up a specialised industry in grass seed producton. She the tyadb cocksfoot, meadow fescue and rough-stalked meadow grass. New Zealand cocksfoot is, however, far more suitable for use in Great Britain, in Australia, and in Now- Zealand itself, than the Danish type.

In 1928 the New Zealand Government laid down regulations for the dyeing if imported seed, wth the result that the importation of Danislp cocksfoot in 1929 fell by 50 per cent., s compared with the^ previous year, s NEW ZEALAND’S ADVANTAGES Great Britain and Northern Ireland, are the largest producers of perennial,-ryc-grass, and this its the only glass or clover in which this country holds a dominating - position. Canada is the greatest producer of alsike clover, but at present the- United States is the largest grower of timothy. The climate of New Zealand is' admirably suited to grass and clover seed production, but she hardly exports on an - .average irore than 10 cent, of the total production; . The Dominions is, however, alive to the possibilities of this trade and is rapidly organisng her seed production 01 ‘ a sound basis as regards both strain and inspection. Thus, from the point of view of improving our grasslands, leaving aside all questions of trade , and finance a.such, there is everything to l>e said for axj import duty on grass and

dlovel* fceWlS ‘Which gives a preference to Ethpilk* products, although for the time ! bfeihfe,; until the . Empire is able to or&ifiise [ the production of roughstalked nibadow grass, meadow fescue and hW;6i l n|d«s and similar species, there is r # strong ease for placing the seed of thedte plants op the free list.