New Zealand Farmers’ Union.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXII, Issue 42773, 2 September 1905, Page 2

New Zealand Farmers’ Union.

LECTURE AT WAIHOU, ON THE MANORIAL TREATMENT OF .. GREEN PASTURES.

On Thursday evening last, in the Public Hall, Waihou, a most interesting and instructive lecture was delivered by Mr J. M. Hattrick, P.H.A.S., N.D.A., Manager for Australia of the Potash Syndicate. Mr Hattrick was introduced by the Chairman, Mr Thomas, who mentioned that Mr Hattrick possessed a vast experience, gained in the Old Country, both in practice and at the Agricultural Colleges, and also in the Australian colonies.

Mr Hattrick said that people might think at first sight that the subject of mammal treatment seemed more complicated than it really was. He said that an important point was to first determine what elements were taken up in excess from the soil, by any particular crop, and from this they could then determine what would be the most suitable manurial treatment. This question had, he said, for a long time proved a difficulty to practical farmers and agriculturists alike, but by means of analysis, agricultural chemists have determined that all plants require the same substances for their growth and development, although it seemed a sweeping statement to make, but it was, nevertheless, true. It would be sufficient for present purposes to say that there were in all, nine or ten substances distinguished by chemists as being absolutely essential to the growth of plants, and in attempting to grow plants, with one of these substances lacking, it would be impossible to obtain a proper growth. All plants do not require these substances in the same proportions. Potates, for example, required a great deal of one substance. There was still another consideration, and that was that different plants, especially -when cultivated, have different powers of absorbing these substances-from the soil—turnips for instance, had very little pull on the soil, and would die where thistles would flourish. It was, he said, a very curious fact that turnips might be starving for the want of one ingredient where another plant might be thriving, and the fact was obvious to a practical man, that if you put nothing into the soil you cannot expect to get anything out of it. Chemists had proved that of nine or ten substances, only three ever became a difficulty in any ordinary soil. That has been determined for us. Nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash must be replaced in the soil before plants can be grown. These three only become beneficial in certain soils. The question of lime in soil could not he discussed in an ordinary lecture, as it would occupy the whole time. Plants, however, must have an abundance of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash. Mr Hattrick here showed a highly instructive diagram which illustrated the varying quantities of organic substances extracted from the Boil by crops of different kinds. Another diagram indicated in a very graphic manner, the varying proportions of the constituents of the several generally-used manures. The first diagram indicated that oats, barley and timothy lhay each required a large amount of nitrogen aud potash, but only a small amount of phosphoric acid. Proceeding, the lecturer said that nitrogen was the most difficult substance for all grasses to obtain. Peas belong to the same family as grass ; they also remove far more phosphoric acid than most other plants. The substances that peas find the greatest difficulty in obtaining are potash and phosphoric acid. Mr Hattrick then explained how this was accounted for through the little modules which are found on the roots of this plant, (pea), which he said had the power of absorbing nitrogen from the air by the agency of bacteria, adding that all plants of this family have the power of absorbing nitrogen. There are many points to be considered in determining manurial treatment. It was, the speaker said, a good plan to introduce clover amongst grasses, as the clover stored up nitrogen to feed the grasses. In the Old Country, on account of cheapness, it does not pay to grow wheat. Two million acres have there lately gone out of cultivation. The process was then described of comparing the qualities of different manures by means of live stock. A number of sheep in good health, and uniform in weight were chosen, these were in turn placed in a paddock of untreated soil, but after the first year the soil was treated successively with basic slag, and combination of basic slag and phosphoric acid in increasing quantities. The experiments were carried on for eight years, and tables of the results read by Mr Hattrick showed conclusively that the greatest weight of mutton was obtained from those paddocks in which the grass had received the proper manurial treatment, and was a good illustration of how basic slag produced such a marvellous increase in the soil whore that experiment was carriod out, having, after careful analysis, been found very deficient in phosphoric acid though there was plenty of potash. Basic slag was known by the same name in Great Britain, but in Australia was called Thomas Phosphate.

, Mr Hattrick then related the results of experiments which had been carried out in Sweden, and illustrated his remarks by tables which clearly showed the tremendous increase in the amount of hay obtained where a correct manurial treatment had been adopted, We here give one of these tables.

It will be seen from tbe above table that the best results are obtained by using a combination of superphosphates and "potash manure, and also that phosphoric acid alone was insufficient to produce the desired increase. The table, of course, is calculated

upon the prices which the hay would fetch in Sweden, but that does not affect the lesson it convoys. The combined manures would, on a soil deficient in potash, produce this ( effect. | Coloured illustrations were then handed round showing photographic reproductions of clover plants experimentally grown in ordi- , nipy soiL in. boxes, which limited the supply j ay M

of potash. Other clover plants were grown near by in the open soil, and a marvellot b difference of growth was shown in the illustrations. For clovers in New Zealand, it was best to combine basio slug, with potash manure. The lessons to be derived from tms experiment were these: —That manurial treatment produces in the soil, the mostneeded substances, which in turn also has its effect on the plants in the pasture. j-f you have only one plant in, it may be better to apply only phosphoric acid. To improve pasture do not give it nitrogen, as that substance is most expensive, and nitrogenous manurial treatment only encourages ths grasses at the expense of the clovers. In some cases manurial treatment may have been found to fail. Anyone would naturally wish to know the reason of this; it wo probably be owing to the application o potash to a paddock destitute in clovers. Another conclusion is that a light and san y, or coarse gravelly soil will not yield a. satisfactory return in a dry season ; failure is - most certain, and a very careful examination is necessary before applying manure sue a field. In light or medium soil a mixture of phosphates and potash would, produee Cl °MrHattrick then announced that he would be pleased to answer any questions. A member said he thought the local son was deficient in lime. In that case, the lecturer said, basic slag would be the best to use, and would give more satisfactory returns than superphosphates. _ • Would you apply basic slag by ltselx < It is more advisable to use it in combination withkainit or potash. Two parts of slag to half a part of 40 per cent, potash, or one part of kainit to one of slag. You do not recommend bone-dust r, . No; bone-dust contains phosphoric acid and nitrogen, and as already mentioned, grasses have a difficulty in getting sufficient nitrogen, but can get phosphoric acid and potash. Clovers get nitrogen and not phosphoric acid and potash. If you apply manure containing nitrogen you encourage grasses which you do not perhaps want. Ihe potash from anything burnt off would remain in the soil and be effective. What is your opinion of the new grass, Paspalum Dilatum? , It is an exceedingly valuable grass and. splendid for dairy stock. It wants faiHy rich soil, and thrives best on heavy ground, has also the property of resisting drpught. It is classed as a grass. Red clover, being strong, is the best to sow with it, as Fas* palum has a tendency to suppress every other grass in the paddook. A member said that’many had tried to grow Lucerne, but failed, and he wished to know how thay might obtain good results. Mr Hattrick, in reply said that the failures might be owing to the fact of the bacteria, necessary for lucerene, being absent from the soil. Each plant of the clover family has a particular microbe of its own,. There might be an abundance of bacteria • suitable for white clover, but none for Lucerene. If you try to grow Lucerene where it has never been grown before, you might find the first season to he a failure, hut by persevering you might get good crops in say four years., but the same good result might be obtained in the first season by inoculating the ground according to the method recently published in the newspapers. Lucerne grows best m a warm climate with a well-drained medium loam, and a fair supply of moisture and summer warmth. What would be the effect of ploughing in crops of clover ? ' ‘ Ploughfng in clover or other plants is called “ green manuring,” and. there is no better plan of improving the soil than that, but clover is very usoful for ■ pasture, and there are not many people who could afford to plough’it in. It would usually he fed off first, and the roots afterwards ploughed in. Asked his opinion of rape, Mr Hattrick said it was of considerable value in any s . > but especially where light and sandy, but it was possible to get a plant that would pay better than rape. What manure would you. recommeed for potatoes ? They require a large. amount of potash, which they have an especial difficulty in absorbing. After many experiments lam able to recommend as a, good dressing : -a “4 parts super, 1 part sulphate of potash, aud - j part of sulphate of ammonia. . Would potash manure be of benefit to a turnip crop ? It would. Experiments have clearly shown potash, on medium and heavy soils, always gives a very satisiaccory profit. From ono to one-and-a-half tons more turnips per acre can be obtained ; by using a dressing of fewt muriate of potash ..added to the usual manure; this will be as elf j itivc as two or three hundred-weight of boae-dest or superphosphates. One part of bone-dust, one part Buper and half part muriate of potash would be good. Mr Hattrick said he was anxious to get someone to carry out a few simple experiments locally, in order to find out what crops would be of most Benefit to the district. Each experimenter -would sot apart three plots each one square chain in area. Mr Hattrick would supply the manure free, on condition that the experimenter would measure off and book the results for him. The manures would be sent ready for use in bags, with labels attached describing their contents. Mr Hetherington, Te Aroha, volunteered to experiment with potatoes and oats . Mr R. Johnson of Waihou, with oats, and Mr Taylor with potatoes. In connection with the experiments, the. said that the land should he as uniform as possible, and in poor rather than rich condition.

Mr Cooper asked for advice in growing peas. . ■ •; , _ They do not need much nitrogen, being of the same family as clover. The proper manuring for peas is, by weight, two parts super and 1 part muriate of potash. Bonedust is not recommended, as it contains nitrogen, which is expensive, and peas can get it for nothing. v . . •• Basic slag is excelleut for turnips. , periments show that as a general rule superphosphates gave a slightly better weight, but those grown with slag were of a better feeding nature. This had been proved both by chemical analysis and practical experience. This closed the lecture.

After a vote of thanks from the Chairman was carried, Mr Hattrick said he was pieced to see that his experiments had > been taken up in such a thorough spirit, and he would be glad at some future date to come back and discuss the results of the experiments undertaken.

Experiments at Long in 1903 (6 YEARS OU) meadow). * - Manuring per acre. Amount of hay per acre. (in lbs.) Value of hay. Value of increase Cost of manure. Profits du to manure, 1. Unmanured. 2096 79s * 2. 1781bs Super. 2945 Ills 32s 5s 3d 26s 9d. 3. 2241bs Potash Manure 40 p.c. 4. 178 lbs Super 224 lbs Potash Manure. 3437 130a 51s Us 40s 4o p.c. 5220 198s 119s 16s 3d 102s 9c