TOP-DRESSING PASTURES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3197, 25 May 1909, Page 5

TOP-DRESSING PASTURES.

A demonstration of top-dressing was given on Saturday last with Sergeant's patent drill. Mr \V. Cameron's paddock was treated , with the following fertilisers:— Basic slag and potash salts, the former was in a fine state of division, 90 per cent, fineness, containing 20 per cent, phosphoric anhydriac, the latter containing 22.20 sulphate of potash. Af .er mixing the manures, four cwt. was applied to the acre, the machine being net to this quantity, and the' manure was successfully distributed, and there was not one pound of manure left after completing the dressing, showing that the machine when set to a j given quantity cin be relied upon to i distribute it a very important item to farmers and others using costly i fertilisers. The introduction of this I machine to this country will greatly j assist the farmer in solving the j question of the shortage of grass j and poor herbage, and increase the \ carrying capacity of the land. The j machine has been specially made to suit New Zealand requiremens, being 9ft 6in in width, fitted with durable wheels, and light draught. A good feature of the machinery is that it can be quickly set to any [ quantity from one pound to one ton per acre, and when finishing a paddock, say the headland, the maihine can be thrown out of gear half way, and so save wasting manures. This machine can also be used for sowing grain and grass seed broadcast. There is no change wheels required. The distribution of manures and seed in the desired quantity being obtained by a special manipulator of a slide, feed and manures may "be tipped into the hopper at any stage. The following awards have been obtained by the makers of this machine:--Gold medal Birkenhead Show, Paris International Exhibition, Staffordshire Agricultural bfcow, Northampton Agricultural Show, East Lothian Agricultural Show. The machine having passed through many tests, and proved itself perfect in every way. A few machines have been indented by A. B. Wood, agricultural chemist for J. D. Cruickshank and Lo., Ltd., who conducted tho trial on Mr Cameron's property.