FIELD DAY AT OROUA DOWNS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 40402, 18 January 1930, Page 3

FIELD DAY AT OROUA DOWNS.

INBPEIOTION OF WORK YESTERDAY. A field day, which was largely attended, was held on Mr. • F. C* Raikes’ farm at Oroua Downs yesterday, when an inspection was made of the work already done and an explanation of the work-and objects of the Oroua Downs Pasture Improvement Society made by Mr. E. ©race Levy, of the Department of Agriculture. There was a large attendance of farmers present, representative of all parts of the district. The exjpeyhnen'.ts occupy [about ten acres of Mr. Raikes’ farm, of which four acres have been laid down in- 200 plots,while another - four or live acres has been sown with a- uniform grass mixture on wluich will be conducted manural trials. It" is hoped thus to determine the species best suited to the district and if it is possible to bring the soil up to a standard of fertility that, will enable rye and white clover to ho permanently established. Mr. Levy spoke of the variation in rye —the true perennial variety, annual type and pseiulo-pereunial —variations that spelt the difference between success and failure in the establishing of a permanent pasture. The false perennial rye did not, recover after cutting .for hay so it would he realised liow essential it. was for a fanner to know 7 what type of rye lie was sowing. Rye should occupy HO per cent, of the composition of a sward so it was essential to see that conditions were such that they would suit rye and white clover. It was difficult, of course, to do this. However, it was obvious that there was a weakness when a pasture opened up to allow in eatseai', sweet vernal and other poor grass. One felt that there was. one hundred per cent, scope for pasture improve- ' ment in New Zealand. TOP DRESSING- DANGERS. With rapid rotational grazing there was all the more need for persistent grasses and as far as ryes were concerned, that from Hawke’s Bay had stood up to continual cutting which prevented re-seeding. Wonderful as had been file, growth of top dressing practice, nevertheless lie felt that a great many farmers were underestimating the amount of plant food their pastures required with the result that there' was a small general deterioration

going on where reliance had been placed entirely on phosphatie manures. “We will be up against it in the near future where maximum production is aimed at,” added the speaker. Some there were who advocated the abandonment of the plough and reliance on top dressing . but the danger lay in underestimating the amount of manure required. “I feel,” said Mr. Levy, “that the day is not far off when we will have to plough and resow with better strains and keep going- with the manuring of these.” The soil was greatly rejuvenated by ploughing. It was possible to keep a good sward but one had to be liberal with manures. Where the .wrong type of rye was sown it would certainly pay to plough and resow. CERTIFIED SEED. •Mr. Levy explained the scheme the Department had inaugurated so that farmers could secure certitied seed. In Hawlk'e’s Bay 2-200 acres of rye had been certified to as true perennial and 350 in Poverty Bay. Only one lot of Sandon rye - had been entered. _ What the Department would like to see was the certified seed sown this year for. seed purposes. It was seed farmers should seize upon for their pastures. Mr. Levy answered a large number of questions. He stated that sulphate of ammonia helped in the establishment of young pastures. The aim of the experiments on Mr. Raikes' farm was to keep rye and white clover dominant in the pasture. A great number of species of grass was not wanted in a pasture. There would be a period during - which ■ Hawke’s Bay rye would be 'dear but the Department had in train machinery whereby it was hoped to have available permanent rye seed at from 8/- to 9/- per bushel. However, it would be better to pay £1 a bushel for the right seed than 5/- for the wrong type. A farmejr, if he liked, ‘could sow an acre and save his own seed. Any soil could be made to carry rye permanently provided there was the rainfall and money to pay for manure. In answer to Mr. H. .Bond, Mr. Levy gave the assuifanco that three cwt. of super and one cwt. of sulphate of ammonia would keep crested dogstail out of a resown rye pasture'. Land that grew crested dogstail could he lifted to the rye standard with very little manuring. BYE ON LIGHT LANDS. It was very important that the permanent type of rye should he sown on light soils. On the heavy soils rye was re-established by reseeding which did not' happen on the lighter lands. Mr. Levy ventured the opinion that if Kairanga “lands were mowed each week for a year little rye would be left as the type iwas a poor one. A better type - would work wonders. The plots were inspected and explained, those present , being able to • distinguish the difference in the types of rye. At the conclusion Mr. W. E. Barber expressed the pleasure of the farmers- at having been able to inspect the trials. He had seen great changes in the district with the passing of years but the land stil needed improving. Farmers rea-

. Used the value of the services being rendered by Mr. Levy and were prepared to take his advice. 1 lit* pastures were going hack and it had been a worry lo know what to (Jo to slop the grasses from going right out. The remedy lay in the farmers’ own hands. Mr. Raikes was Jo he (hanked for placing his land at the disposal ol the Department and -Improvement .Society. Mr. Railkes said he was very pleased to see the large attendance of farmers. He was pleased lo know that some of the problems that had been concerning the farmers of the district, were being tackled. Mr. Raikes •nllso spoke of the importance of drainage. 'The | carrying capacity of the land -do- , pended upon what a farmer could winter and that could only be done . by draining properlv. Farmers were . only beginning to learn of the value | of ryes and clovers. ] Mr. M. E. Perreau, Mayor of , Eoxton, moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Levy. He was agreeably stir- , prised to learn that there was an , Improvement Society in Oroua ; Downs. An invitation to visit the expert- ( mental plots in Palmerston North , was extended by Mi*. Levy and aeeepted. The visit will take place - <m Thursday next at 1 pan. ]