PRODUCTION OF SEED

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1940, Page 2

PRODUCTION OF SEED

IMPORTS RESTRICTED The production of seeds in New Zealand has for many years past been a most important primary industry, and with the possibility that the irnportation of seeds from Britain may be greatly restricted next season owing to the war, many farmers are concerned about the necessary supplies. Mr. R. McGillivray, Fields Superintendent of the Department of Agriculture at Christchurch, said this week that many farmers had inquired about next year's supply of seeds, and it appeared that one of their greatest concerns was supplies of rape seed. Mr. McGillivray said, given reasonable growing conditions, there would not be any scarcity of rape seed. In fact, he expected quite a large surplus. A large area of both giant and broad leaf Essex rape was being ! grown for seed production under the de- ■ partment's qertification scheme, • and ] many farmers were also saving areas for | seed production on their own account. I Areas had been set aside for the production of mangel, turnip, swede, chou molfier, and sugar beet seed, he said, and these areas should produce quite a considerable quantity of seed for next year's sowings. 1 Mr. McGillivray made particular menI tion of the necessity for farmers to produce large quantities of grass and clover [seed, as it was essential that we should have adequate supplies of these for next I season's sowings. He specially mentioned | the importance of topdressing in the pro- | duction of seeds, preferably an applica- | tion of ammoniated superphoshate at j 2cwt an acre for the grass seed areas, , and superphosphate at the same rate for 1 the clover areas. The necessity for lime I also should be kept well to the fore. [ Mr. McGillivray said that it appeared I to him that sufficient topdressing had ' not been done last autumn, even on pas1 tures intended only for grazing. He strongly recommended that this work should not be left undone, but that an endeavour should be made to get the 'work done now. Many farmers considered the contract rates for this work were now far too high, but the difflculty could be overcome by each farmer as far as possible doing his own work. If this were done, costs would soon right themselves. He stated that he particularly wished to emphasise the importance of adequate manuring in the production of seeds, as well as the production of nutritious pasturage.