GLEANINGS

Shannon News, 3 July 1928, Page 4

GLEANINGS

FARMING FACTS OF NOTE

Vitality of Buried Seeds,

Mr F. L. Engledew writes interestingly in "Agricultural Research in 1926," upon the above subject. nc days that from time to time the story of the growing of prehistoric wheat grains from Egyptian t mbs is repeated, and not always without receiving credence. While we need not pause to consider the longevity of seeds in terms of centuries, to have some estimate of it in years is at once interesting and important. The seed of most of our crop plants retains viability but a few years. Four years' storage reduces the germination capacity of many common crops to 50 per cent or less. A recent paper, by a well-known scientist furnishes evidence of much interest. In the year 1902, seeds of 107 species of plants were buried in the soil at three depths, Bin., 22in., and 42in. Samples were dug up after intervals of one, three, six, ten, sixteen, and twenty-one years. In general, deterioration of the seeds was found to be more marked at a depth of Sin than at 22in. or 42in. Between these last two depths, differences were small. For no fewer than 51, out. of the 107 species of plants tested, some weeds were found to bo alive at the end of 21 years. Of these 51 species there were 12 of which living seed was found at all three depths. Among these 12 was a solitary crop plant —tobacco — the rest being species of weeds. Millions of Bees. "Old Drone" tells the "New Zealand Smallholder" how he became a beekeeper. A dairy farmer Avith 4.0 hives said: 'You can take away the hives and bees if you give me the honey that's now in them." He i went to work, and'despite bee stings and stickiness, suspended six or seven bags of crushed honey comb to strain in an old dairy over bathtubs, kerosene tins, and so on. How green he was! Next morning, thrilled with his bargain, he reached the farm to resume, and was met by the farmer's wife in terrible, excitement and anger. "Oh," she said,''&the. shed and all i around the house.is full -of bees. They are into everything*" This green yOung man, who is now old, says: "Practically all the beos from the 40 hives were in or around the dairy. The bath and tins were full of bees ! and honey. The floor was at least three inches deep with honey-covered bees crawling around. The honey bags were covered with fighting, sliding bees. It was simply impossible to do : anything until they had cleaned up i most of the honey. I hastened matters by carrying out the tins and bath and emptying them on the grass in ! front of the hives. When I finally fin- ' ished the job I had about 20 colonies, i rather weak, for all my trouble, and next year they all had foul brood.'' I Flock House Scheme. The Duke of Montrose has written to various Scottish papers bringing to public notice the New Zealand sheep farmers' scheme for assisting the sons ol sailors. "I have just had a report," he says, "that all Scottish boys and girls are doing remarkably well; are exceedingly happy and have made wonderful physical development by reason of their open-air life and good food. On the average the are earning about 30s. a week with full board and lodgings, and most of them have been able to put by substantial savings to-' ward purchasing farms of their own. I wonder how many young people of the same age, who stay at home, fare as well, and have before them tiie same bright prospects? If I can help any more Scots boys a a girls under this most generous scheme, I shall be only too pleased to receive applications." Akaroa Cocksfoot. "That the importation of cocksfoot seed from Denmark is unnecessary and undesirable, and also a possible means of introducing foot-and-mouth disease" was a remit passed by the North Canterbury district conference of the Farmers' Union last week. In speaking to the remit, Mr D. Bates said that the locally grown seed was far better than that imported. There was nothing like Peninsula cocksfoot for producing foliage. Mr J. D. Hall: Local-ly-grown is not appreciated in the North Island, but our seed is substantially better than any other. In Australia. Akaroa cocksfoot is always quoted a penny higher.