THE RURAL WORLD

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 366, 3 June 1911, Page 3

THE RURAL WORLD

POTASH IN AGRICULTURE. Notwithstanding all the agricultural instruction oi the present day, and the convincing evidence continually brought forward by practical and scientific irien as to the value of potash, there is still a large number of farmers who are ignorant of the advantages to be derived from its use. Before the enormous deposits of potash salts were discovered in Germany it was a common practice for farmers to burn wood and distribute the ashes over their land, and although they were quite aware of the benefit derived from such treatment, they had no conception it was owing to the fertilising value of potash contained in the ashes. It is now more than half a century since potash was proved to be a necessary constituent of plant food, but it is only in recent years that its great virtues as a fertiliser have been established. Perhaps no greater testimony to the efficacy of potash salts as a fertiliser could be adduced than the fact of their rapid increase in consumption throughout the world, from several thousand tons in 1575 to over 5,000,000 tons at the present day. The function of potash is perhaps somewhat difficult to define, but we now know for certain that it is concerned in some way with the manufacture of carbo-hydrates and protein bodies in plants. In other words, the use of potash results in a higher sugar and starch content in all roots such as mangolds, potatoes, turnips, etc., while in the case of grain it increases the percentage of starch and albuminoids, with the result that a brighter, plumper, and heavier product is obtained. Besides by virtue of its cellulose forming power, it produces a stronger and healthier straw, and thus helps to prevent lodging. From this it can clearly be seen that potash is an important factor in the production not only of quantity but of quality. For confirmation of this we need only revert to the last year's results of the mangold experiment at Rothamsted: —

Plot sa—Ammonium salts and superphosphate: Roots, 5.59 tons; leaves, 1.89 tons. Plot 6a—Ammonium salts, superphosphate and potash: Roots, 19.13 tons; leaves 1.9 tjns. Increase due to potash, 13,54 tons. The plot with potash has produced more than three times the weight of roots grown upon the plot, without potash. This difference is no doubt almost wholly due to sugar and other carbohydrates manufactured in the leaf and passed on to the root for storage, for although the leaf development on both plots is practically the same, the formation of sugar, etc., on Plot oa has been evidently checked by the want of potash. The efficacy of potash manures in encouraging the growth of all leguminous plants is now also a well established fact. The practical and economic advantage of the presence in any meadow or pasture of a large percentage of leguminous plants endowed with the power of fixing nitrogen free of cost from the atmosphere has long been recognised by observant farmers The more the growth of these nitro-gen-collecting plants is promoted by the application of liberal quantities of potash and phosphatic manures, the greater will be the the quantity of nitrogen drawn from the air. According to the well known German chemist, Dr Wagner, who has just conducted a series of experiments extending over a number of years, on the manuring of meadows, a special application of an active nitrogenous manure is not necessary on meadow land, but, on the contrary, proves to be quite unremunerative after the first or second year, when the clovers have been sufficiently stimulated by potash and phosphatic fertilisers, so as to be able to draw all the nitrogen required from the atmosphere. The three chief forms of potash at the farmer's disposal are kainit, muriate of potash, and sulphate of potash. The amount of pure potash in these salts is what should be considered by the farmer, although kainit also contains a large percentage of common salt and possesses valuable anti-septic and fungicide properties. Early application of kainit is to be recommended, in order that the magnesium salts, particularly the chlorides, which are found to check germination and prove injurious to tender rootlets of growing plants, may be washed away.

On heavy soils muriate of potash is to be preferred to kainit, as heavy applications of the latter are found to have the injurious physical effect of cementing and hardening the soil. Farmers do not take sufficient advantage of the high-grade potash salts, viz., sulphate of potash and muriate of potash. For potatoes, for instance, sulphate of potash is decidedly the best form to use. Owing to their higher potash content only onefourth the quantity required of kainit has to be applied, and thus a saving in freight is effected by their use. Besides, their application can be deferred until spring. IMPORTED PEDIGREE STOCK. The Drayton Grange, which arrived at Wellington this week, had aboard a [valuable consignment of purebred Shorthorn cattle under consignment to the well-known cattle breeder, Mr W. Taylor, of Greenhill, Te Awamutu Waikato. The consignment consists of "Bletchley Admiral," a two year old roan Shorthorn bull; "Brown Prince," a young bull of the Lincoln Red Shorthorn type, and nine Lincoln red heifers. The whole of the cattle were selected from the leading milking strains in Lincolnshire by Mr Edward Cartwright, who is a recognised authority on this breed. There were no casualties on the voyage out, and the whole number are in first-class condition. They are under the charge of Mr Alfred Weightman, an enthusiastic young Englishman, who expects to remain some time, if not permanently, in the

Dominion. The most conspicuous animal is Bletchley Admiral, because of his immense size, he being possessed of a strong masculine head, a lengthy barrel with strong hindquarters,showing the beef in the right place. He occupied rather an exposed position and suffered slightly from the rolling of the vessel, and is not carrying the same amount of flesh as the others. His present condition therefore given an opportunity for noting his finer points. When in prime condition he will be an immense animal. In an adjoining pen stands Brown Prince, of the red or milking strain breed. This is a young animal, and although little more than a calf, he has already assumed massive proportions; he has a well set and strong head, a level back, and is altogether a promising animal, that is sure to be heard of later on. The nine heifers have been selected from milking strains-of repute, and they are all in calf to pedigree bulls. In general appearance they vary slightly, especially in the set and curvature of the horns. They are all big framed cows and are carrying a lot of condition. They have all flesh-coloured muzzles, a feature representing the true type of Lincoln red Shorthorns. "Steingoh Violet 6th" is a fine specimen of the breed with correct outline and of the type most desired by breeders. Another fine pair are "Edwinstone Abbess" and "Edwinstone Baroness," both of beautiful proportions and good square frames. It has been predicted recently in several dairying centres that there will be a tendency in future to revert to breeds such as the Shorthorn and Holstein that give large quantities of milk. This is brought about by the rapid increase in the number of cheese factories that are supplanting many of those that were formerly used exclusively for the manufacture of butter. There are a large number of dairymen who believe in retaining the Shorthorn strain in their herds as a basis for crossing with those breeds ofhigh testing peculiarities, and it will be interesting to watch the results that follow Mr Taylor's importations of reputed milking strains of Lincoln red Shorthorns.