CURRENT SEASONAL WORK.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 118, 17 April 1940, Page 4

CURRENT SEASONAL WORK.

MAINTAINING FOOD SUPPLY FOR STOCK. ("Written, for the “Standard.”) The variable and most unusually fluctuating weather conditions which have been such a marked feature during the past summer, and the extreme severity of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, make one view the current autumn and ensuing winter with some considerable apprehension. While good crops of hay have been secured in a few more favoured localities, reserves of fodder in most parts of the Dominion may be considered altogether inadequate to meet stock requirements in a normal season. Atmospheric conditions throughout the. world are very considerably disturbed and present indications in this country point to a protracted and trying period to which livestock may be subjected- It is essential, therefore, to immediately proceed on lines of action by which the full food requirements of stock will be assured. Of the measures which may be adopted to meet the jiosition autumn top-dressing with phosphates, especially superphosphates, together with liberal liming of grassland should bo undertaken without further delay. Quite an important feature of April topdressing is that it usually brings about a substantial increase in valuable growth prior to the practically dormant winter period. If the topdressing is done at once this increase may be especially valuable in prolonging the dairying season, lly doing this the aggregate decreased production that is now inevitable may be considerably reduced. Jn view of the prospective short supplies of winter feed any additional growth of grass in the autumn months will be particularly valuable this year as an aid towards securing good condition in the stock prior to entering upon the relatively severe season of the year. Pastures may usually bo expected to respond earlier to superphosphate—provided the soil contains a reasonable quantity of available lime —than to other forms of phosphate. It is not always wise, however, to altogether exclude from use such forms ol phosphate as basic slag. North African phosphate, Nauru, Ephos and Seychelles, all of which under suitable conditions of rainfall and warmth bring about successful growth. While basic slag is most effective when applied to heavy clay soils and strong loams, medium and light loams respond equally well to slag under liberal rainfall conditions. llaw rock phosphates should not be used in conjunction with lime, or be applied to land recently limed j nor should lime in any form be used for several years alter on soils in which these forms of phosphate are incorporated. The use of organic manures such as blood and bone and fish manure provide an equally valuable means of increasing growth of pasture and crops, thereby maintaining the productiveness of live-stock. YOUNG PASTURES. The management of recently sown pastures calls for special attention. Young pastures, and particularly those it is intended to make permanent, should be treated with special care during autumn and throughout winter and the early spring. 'I he two extremes —under-grazing and overgrnsdug —equally should lie avoided. The young plants should neither be allowed to become long nor subjected to continuous close grazing. I nder-grazing is probably the most serious fault in the management of young permanent pastures and this is certainly so it Italian ryegrass is to any extent acomponent of the herbage. Undergrazing of young pastures tends to shading with consequent weakening and possibly destruction ol certain more slowly developing valuable species. On the other hand persistent close grazing of young pastures checks the development of the extensive root systems by which vigorous pastures are established. Young pastures arc most effectively grazed by a relatively large number of stock tor a short period. This avoids selective ■ hard grazing of the more palatable species, which is likely to occur when the numbers of stock are not sufficient to cope with the rapid growth. . Well controlled grazing loads to a stooling. out of young plants in contrast with the drawn and upright luihit brought about by undergrazing. Whenever it is possible to do so young pastures should be grazed hv sheep. It grazed by cattle “poaching” or “pugging” is liable to occur, especially if the soil is inclined to clayincss or at all wet. “Pugging” leads to bare patches by means of which weeds gain access. Sheep, if they are not allowed to remain too long on the pasture, bring about that desired state of consolidation conducive to high productiveness of grassland. THE POTATO CHOP. The main crop of .potatoes should now be lifted and as crops are good generally large-scale potato growers will be fully employed during this month. Weather conditions —at the time of writing—arc favourable. The soil being in a fair state of dryness will facilitate operations inasmuch as it does not adhere to the tubers, which being comparatively clean and dry when bagged are not so liable to sweat ill the sacks. In order to avoid the destructive ravages of the potato niotli—whenever hand-digging is practised, or the tubers ploughed out of the soil—they should lie gathered into sacks and the sacks ■sewn or tied without delay. , It is also advisable when storing potatoes loose in hulk to lightly dust hydrated lime over the heap as a deterrent to tlie potato moths. These-deposit their eggs on the potatoes and the larvae burrows into the tubers thus causing considerable waste, as potatoes so damaged are unmarketable. SUPPLEMENTARY CROPS. In view of the short supplies of winter fodder it is imperative that, no ground should remain unproductive. II the provision of supplementary feed is not immediately taken in hand in a wholehearted manner it is very probable that stock will experience an ex- | tremely trying time during the coming winter and early spring. A combination ol Emerald rye and vetches if sown now will provide excellent forage that can lie grazed at intervals during winter and spring. Rye may, however, ho sown alone. It is particularly adapted to light soil, and even on poor soils when supplied with adequate rainfall it will make a lair growth. Rye stools strongly and • in this respect excels all other cereals. The vetch being a leguminous plant provides in conjunction with rye an excellently balanced food which is relished by all classes of live-stock. It is also a good soil renovator. To obtain maximum growth sow 1 bushel of rye corn. 1* bushels vetches, together with Sca t carbonate of lime and 3cwt superplios-

pliatc per acre. Other crops which may now lie sown comprise . Cape barley, oats, preferably the variety known as Dunn. This sort stools to better advantage than other varieties. Sow bnr.ley or oats at the rate of 3 bushels per acre, together with not less than lewt superphosphate and •• 2cwt blood and bone manure.