SUBTERRANEAN CLOVER.

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 251, 24 October 1942, Page 2

SUBTERRANEAN CLOVER.

PROGRESS IN MARLBOROUGH. VALUE FOR SECOND-GRADE LANDS.

(Bv

D. R.

Wilkie,

Instructor in Agri-

culture, Blenheim, in N.Z. Journal of Agriculture). In order to indieate what scope there is for subterranean clover in the district a brief discussion of the types of land to be found in Marlborough is necessary. This province may be divided roughly into three classes of land. Firstly we have the lieavy land found in the lower reaehes of the Wairau Valley and to a lesser extent at Seddon and Ward. Similar land may also be A

found at Kaikoura. As one proceeds up the vaileys so does the land become lighter, but the best of it may be regarded as equal to any in New Zealand. The total area of this type is approximately 85,00:0 acres. Further to the north -west and proeeeding up the vaileys, land of second class nature is encountered. Althqugh this has been extensively cropped with wheat in the past, it is now too poor for that crop and tariey- growing is tlte rule. Pastures are for the most pare of poor quality, the limiting factors being absence of top-dressing and a decided tendency to drought. These lands are admirably suited to subterranean clover as footh practlcal experience and the recent soil survey have shown. This type of land is estimated to cover about 317,000 acres. The third class of land is vast in extent and is used almost wholly for grazing purposes. Parts of this are of excellent quality and could carry high fertility grasses, while other areas are fit only for native associations. In this area, which covers 1,429,000 acres, subteranean clover has a place, but transport difflculties, the topography of the country and labour costs are problems which must be faced. Up to the present time little has been done with the clcver on this vast area beyond the sowing down of small paddocks with a view to saving seed for future broadcasting. The bulk of these paddocks, particularly those in tlie bounds district, have done excellently and the clover shows promise. On the other hand the second-elass land has shown a great increase in areas sown to subterranean clover during the last few years, and many of the results have been encouraging. Stands have also been laid down in some cases on the heavy land, and the results were interesting. EARLY HISTORY. When subterranean clover was first introduced into Marlborough is a matter for conjecture, but as far as can be ascertained the plant has been grown in parts of the province for over forty years. It has been reported from the hills near T'ua Marina that there exists a stand over forty years old. At that time very few acres were sown, and it is apparent that the clover was not regarded with much favour, as these original paddocks did not spread to any extent during the next thirtyfive years and it was only during the last decade that much headway began to be made. Whether this v/as due to inertia, laek of appreciation of the plant or mismanagement is diflicult to say, but it should be remembered that the clover was then introduced on excellent land where such plants as ryegrass, cocksfoot and red clover grew well, and the subterranean clover with its annual decline in the summer months perhaps was poor in comparison. Generally farmers did not hear of the plant at this time, and it was not tried on the poorer land until many years later.

INTERMEDIATE PHASE. Thus it came about that the clover beeame concentrated in the hands of a few enthusiasts who appreciated its capabilities, and some of them even at this time managed to save seed. The demand for the seed was, however, • most discouraging and harvesting costs were barely covered, the immediate result being that further areas were sown for grazing purposes on the few farms concerned. Efforts were also made in some cases to eradicate the clover. Cropp ing with an utter disregard for the plant was carried out, and in one instance this was practised for four years, and when, in the fifth season, the clover came away as thick as ever in the stubble the potentialities of the plant v/ere recognised. Experier.ces such as this were convineing, particularly as the area concerned j was in a district of low rainfall. It was about this time that the use , of the clover in Australia beeame l:nown and widespread publicity was given it in New Zealand. In all dis- j tricts in the country, areas of the plant were laid down and a large de-

mand for the seed arose. The har- \ esting of existing areas in Marlborough was again undertaken, while many others were sown down. The immediate effect of a large floocl of publicity might be likened to fflat. of a gold rush when many injudicious things were done, and the case of s'l.bteranean clover was no exception; areas v/ere sown down on land entirely unsuitable; others were grossly mismanaged, and in many cases dismal failure was the result, with discredit to the plant and its advoeates. Where, however, a little prudence was exercised excellent responscs resulted, their value being enhanced by the dry conditions often experienced in Marlborough. Cases can be cited where by the use of subterranean clover farms have been improved beyond recognition and the clover has shown itself of great value. Its supposed ability to crowd out grasses has been disproved by experience in Marlborough, and an interesting instance of its faculty for disappearing where better clovers are able to grow was demonstrated last season. A paddock sown with subterranean clover and ryegrass on medium land had a heavy stilp at one end into which the drainage of the paddock was concentrated. Ilere the subterranean clover did not survive, but was rep-laced by white clover. Experience in Marlborough has shown several points of value to the district. Early autumn sov/ing where possible is definitely advisable in order to ensure a good sfrike and the successful over-v/intering of the plant. Further, it has been found that sowing pure except on the very wbrst land is not advisable. PROGRESS IN DISTRICTS. Marlborough Sounds: In the Marlborough Sounds attempts have been made to sow down paddocks 011 the better flats on subterranean clover, and these are now in their fourth to fifth year. Good growth has been experienced and it is hoped to take seed off these areas and sow down the poorer Inll faces. The Sounds district offers favourable conditions for subterranean; frosts are not severe, the growing season is long and the rainfall adequate. Bepartmental experiments where subterranean clover was broadcast on hill country with lime and super have shown excellent results, and it is considered that under the conditions, broadcasting on these hills should result in a fair "strike." Variety trials here point to Mount Barker seed being the most suitable present type.

Difficulties in the Sounds are the nature oi the country, active competition from weeds and shrubs, lack of acequate transport and the high cost of manures. Extensive broadcasting on the hills without fencing and pioper grazing management has led to failures. Marlborough County: Here many good areas of subterranean are to be seen. It is to be found mostly on light shingly loam v/hich previously carried danthonia and v/eeds and in some cases poor run-out pastures. The introduction of subterranean ciover has revitalised a large number of these paddocks. Limiting factors are a tendency to drought and a lack of lime in the soil, but phosphate and lime are being applied v/ith good results. Most of the seed harvested is in this area, and in future it is thought that more of this land will be sown in subterranean clover. Awatere County: The clover has been tried both at Seddon and Ward 011 the lighter land. There are no large areas, and these paddocks may be regarded merely as experimental blocks, but in the last few seasons results have been worth while, and it is probable that further areas will be sown. Kaikoura County: Several parts of this district offer scope for the growing of subterranean clover. Rainfall is higher than the northern end of Marlborough and conditions are qnite suitable. No large areas have been sown as yet, but the plant has been tried fairly extensively. SEED PRODUCTION. Another feature of subterranean clover growing in Marlborough is

that of seed production. In years past some good yields of seed have been obtained, and following the advent of certiflcation there is rooni for expansion in this field. Several areas were accepted into certiflcation last season, and the seed produced, judged by Australian standards, was of excellent quality. Other areas will possibly follow, and it is conceivable, should the demand for the seed remain. that subterranean clover may be harvested more exiensiveiy in Marlborough. HARVESTING THE SEED. In the first place the ordinary mower and hayrake was used, but this proved only moderately successful, it being found that only a very small propcrtion of the seed on the ground found its way into the bags. An improvement was effected by fltting special lifting fingers over the mower points, which fingers had the effect of raising the seed off the ground before the knife came along. This appliance practically doubled the yields obtained. Subsequent seasons showed, however, that there were defects in this method also. It will be reaiised that in order to lift the seed from the ground a certain amcunt of strength must remain in the straw. When in a normal sense this obtained the method worked quite satisfactorily, but in dry conditions the straw merely broke, leaving the seed on the ground. In this case the hayrake had to be reverted to and the ehain-drum stripper was also used. This latter method was inclined to include too much earth in the sample and could liardly *be described as satisfactory. Work is now being carried out on a method which might be described as a large vacuum cleaner. This wiil have a record blast capable of pick111 g up the burrs without disturbing the soil particles. Experimental work on this method shows promise, and it is possible that it will be used in future. FUTURE PRC.3PSCTS. There seems little doubt subterranean clover will be an assistance in bringing back much of the seoond grade country in Marlborough. It also has possibilities in this district from a seed point of view and this may be an avenue in which expansion will come.' Judging by past experience some failure may be expected in certain seasons, but in general this clover in Marlborough has been successful and if the work started v/ith this plant is continued subterranean clover will prove itself a valuable addition to the poorer pastures and much of the back country. V —