ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 2 September 1915, Page 3

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

THE following interesting hints are taken from the latest Government Journal of Agriculture in answer to correspondents :—

GRASSES SUITABLE FOR SAND-DRIFTS

"Sandhill," Masterton :—Could you inform me what grasses are suitable for sowing on sand-drifts which will be covered over byrubbish, as fern, scrub, rotten straw, etc., after sowing—something that will grow quick and be more as a break than fo give any feeding value ?

The first thing to do is to arrest the initial drift by growing marram-grass- and lupins. The marram, when rightly planted, regularly (from plants), in rows at right angles to the prevailing wind, and at a time when the seasonal conditions enable the plants to become established, should ultimately provide fair shelter. The plant grows fairly quickly, as does the yellow perennial lupin, planted subsequently among and to the leeward of the marram-grass. To provide quick shelter for better grasses and to confine the sanddrift the lupin is unequalled. The Department is collecting data as to the best means of dealing with sand-drift, and as to the grasses that do best after the drift is arrested. So if you write when you have dealt with the sand on the above-mentioned lines, perhaps more definite information can be supplied you. When writing again, please give a full description as to the nature of the sand and drift. FODDER CROPS — POTATODISEASE " Subscriber," Makomako :—(1) I am breaking up piece of ground and want to put a crop in to get it in order for swedes next year. Would you kindly let me know what would be best to put in for eating off with sheep ? I was thinking of putting in Garton oats and Wolths grass. Would Garton oats stand grazing off, or would barley be better ? If so, what sort and what quantity should I sow ?

(2) Could you let me know what is the cause of skin-disease/ on potatoes ? I have a few that have a sort of scab and are quite rough. I used superphosphate as manure. Would that have anything to do with it? The variety is Gamekeeper.

For eating off with sheep, I would advise you to sow Emerald rye and Bleak Scotch winter vetch (or the hairy vetch) at the rate of I] 4, bushels of rye and 1 bushel of vetches per acre. Cape barley (2 bushels) and vetches (1 bushel) could also be sown. These grow well in winter, and both the rye and the barley provide for several feedings-off.

The disease on your potatoes is potato-scab (Oospora scabies). It may be caused through previous liming (a year should elapse from the time lime is applied and when the potatoes are planted), or the spores of the disease may have been in the seed or lurking in the soil. Superphosphate would not cause it; on the contrary, alkaline substances encourage it, and not acid. The treatment is : On infected soils — (a) Adopt a rotation of crops, varying the length from three to five years, (b) Plant potatoes after clover, (c) Avoid alkali fertilizers. (d) Ayoid manure from stock fed on scabby potatoes (c) Disinfect the tubers with formalin and plant only sound tubers; this may be done by soaking the uncut tubers for two hours in formalin solution (1 pint to 30 gallons water); spread the treated tubers out to dry on dean grasses, and bags, etc., should be disinfected. In the case of clean soils, plant only sound tubers and disinfect with formalin,