TURNIP, SWEDE, AND RAPE SEED SUPPLIES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 379, 28 May 1918, Page 4

TURNIP, SWEDE, AND RAPE SEED SUPPLIES.

A Warning to Farmers.

The Board of Agriculture held a lengthy meeting on May 16th, at which there was a large attendance of members, the President (Sir James Wilson) being in the chair. The Board went very exhaustively into the question of the supply of turnip and swede seeds, as inquiries from merchants had shown that the stocks were seriously below the probable requirements for the coming season. Full details of the quantities on" hand and expected to arrive from Great Britain, and the usual annual requirements, were laid before the meeting, and the best steps to be taken to secure a sufficient supply for the coming season were discussed. It was pointed out that as there was such a shortage of supply of seeds in Great Britain the necessity for reserving sufficient to meet hdme requirements compelled restriction of exports even to British possessions, and with regard to some .seeds export licenses were being entirely refused. It was decided to issue a warning to farmers that there would probably be a shortage of turnip and swede seeds for 1918 sowing and to maike the suggestion that they should reserve.; a. patrtiou of their crops for seed purposes, also to-advise that it would be well to husband our resources as much an possible. The position with regard to 1911) supplies was still doubtful, but it seemed extremely probable that Great Britain would be short, and attempts were being made to persuade merchants and farmers to grow at least 1000 acres of turnips for seed, to ( be harvested about next December or January. It was thought that certain varieties such as Purple TopMammoth, Red Paragon, and othfer early maturing varieties might fioi be obtainable for 111 19 requirements; and that it might be necessary to do without these varieties for a season.

8o far as rape was concerned, th ore appeared to be a better supply in store to fulfil the 11)18 requirements, but there was every indifcation that the 11)19 supply would have to be largely'made up from locally-produced seed. ' ,