ROOT COMPETITION.

Shannon News, 27 September 1921, Page 1

ROOT COMPETITION.

VALUE OF GOOD 'CULTIVATION. At Saturday morning’s meeting of the Manawatu Sub-provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union, Mr J. Balsillie, of Palmerston North, brought forward a suggestion that the Union should institute root crop competitions among farmers for small plots, the roots mentioned being soft turnips, swedes and mangels, with addition of carrots or parsnips. In explaining the scheme, Mr Balsillie said that production should be encouraged, and the way was to get down and see what could be done by good cultivation on small plots. He thought that the branches should inaugurate the competition in their respective 7 districts, for which prizes should be given. "Hvir W. J. McCulloch, manager of the Central Development Farm, was present by invitation, and spoke briefly on the treatment of soil, manuring and kindred subjects. Mr McCulloch said lie considered that the farmers could produce far more than they do by good cultivation. He instanced a crop, of swedes grown on the Farm [the season before last. This crop'had produced 60 tons per acre, and yet over the fence on an adjoining farm was another crop of swedes of 10 tons to the acre. That showed the difference between good cultivation on the Farm and the methods adopt-; ed on the other farm. It wajs that difference that meant so much to the farmers to-day. The cost per acre of producing the 60-ton crop was £5 7s 6d as compared with £3 7s 6d for the lb-ton crop, but it would be admitted the higher cost of the first-named crop was more than justified. It was considered tat the present time that land was too high: in price, but he did not agree that land was too high where high production could be obtained. (Hear, hear.) The chairman (Mr A. Buchanan): What is the class of soil on the Farm? Mr McCulloch said it was a deposit soil, similar to the whole of this plain. He admitted ( they had good soil oh the Farm. The chairman asked Mr McCulloch if he could give the meeting any information as to how different roots would grow on sandy or clay formations. ■ Mr McCulloch said mangels' would stand the dry weather more than turnips, and would do better on light country. ' In reply to a question, Mr McCulloch stated there were 15 varieties of swedes used in the crop he hdd referred to, and the manure was 3cwt of superphosphate per acre. As regards thle best varieties of swedes, he could not name any;;outstanding variety. fie had had good results from most of them. Touching on the use of lime, Mr McCulloch stated that, he woujd rise burnt lime even on sandy soil. Less of it was required than crushed lime, and, moreover, the burnt, article was much more quicly made available a* plant food than the crushed product. In other words, burnt lime would give a quicker return than crushed, and in the same way would give a quicker return on the money invested. 1 Mr Balsillie said it was possible that swedes might not be suitable to all ihe districts that would ,be represented in the competitions. He inquired if Mr McCulloch would visit these districts and advise what would he the most suitable crops. Mr McCulloch stated that he would hardly be able to do that, as he was fully occupied at the Farm. However, there were agricultural instructors who would be glad to assist in that way. Replying to Mr A. McLeavey, Mr McCulloch said burnt lime would be quite suitable to Ohau soil, at about one ton to the acre. In conclusion, Mr McCulloch said that cultivation was the principal thing, and good 'cultivation was equal to a treatment, of manure. Mr Tatton Fraser: A double ploughing is worth a ton of manure. Mr Balsillie suggested that each branch take charge of the competition in its district, and that it be left to the discretion of the branch as to which roots were the most suitable to the soil in its district. This suggestion was adopted, also that an officer of the Agricultural Department be asked to judge the competition. A unanimous vote of thanks was passed to Mr McCulloch for his attendance, and for the information he was able to give the meeting.