ELIMINATING RUSHES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4732, 1 August 1924, Page 3

ELIMINATING RUSHES.

A METHOD ADOPTED AT EUREKA. READY FOR PERMANENT PASTURE A recently established permanent pasture on the farm of Mr T. Luxton, Eureka, South Auckland, contains features of general interest (states “The Dairyfarmer”). The area in question is a peaty loam, which was covered with a dense growth of rushes when it was ploughed in September, 1923, in preparation for a root crop. The root crop failed on account of the dry weather experienced when the seed was sown.

The method of ploughing adopted by Mr Luxton calls for attention. A heavy plough was used, and it was set to turn wide furrows which were completely inverted. It was also fitted with a chain to drag under the tops of the rushes. The result of this was that the rushes were buried to a considerably greater degree than would have been the case had the special precaution mentioned not been taken. The area was thoroughly cultivated during the dry spell, and this killed the majority of the old rush plants which threatened to reappear. Any cf the rushes which survived were dug out.

The area was sown in a permanent pasture mixture, together with soft turnips, on February 12, 1924. The pasture mixture contained ryegrass, cocksfoot, meadow foxtail, .cowgrass, white clovpr, barley, and. Lotus major. By .the last week in April it was covered with a dense, luxuriant growth. Feeding-off commenced on May 1, but could have been commenced earlier had there not been available a surplus of other feed. A feature of the field is the elimination of the rushes which were originally sp prominent. The elimination of the rushes may be attributed to the following factors: (1) The method of ploughing that was adopted ; (2) the subsequent thorough cultivation ; (3) the remarkably heavy growth of pasture, which would exert a smothering effect on the young, rushes that attempted establishment.

Apart from the destruction of the rushes, Mr Luxton’s recently established pasture is of interest in that it demonstrates the very beneficial effect of thorough . preparatory cultivation in sowing down pasture.

Incidentally, Mr Luxton, speaking from experience, is a strong advocate of only one ploughing for sowing down permanent pasture. The one ploughing, however, requires to be deep, and the furrows to be well turned over. Mr Ljxton explains that weed seeds which lie in great numbers on an ordinary soil surface are, by a single ploughing, pnt down and kept at a depth at which they do not germinate. Whereas if a second ploughing occurs the seeds are brought, to the surface layer, where they readily germinate.