SEED CERTIFICATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 November 1940, Page 7

SEED CERTIFICATION

ACTIVITIES IN WAIRARAPA GRASS AND CLOVER. ENTRIES SO FAR VERY POOR. "Entries for grass and clover seec. certification are extremely poor in the Wairarapa this season,” stated Mr IN. Lamont, of the Department of Agriculture, Masterton, today. "It is. of course, impossible to forecast wha> area will be entered later for examination under the U.V. test, but it was expected that entries of areas of pedigree strains would be far in excess oi the 20 acres that was the total on Friday last when entries closed." "We have experienced a wonderful ■growthy’ spring and throughout the district pastures have been uncontrollable,” said Mr Lamont. "Not only i: inadequate spring control one of the causes of summer and winter, shortage, but also a valuable source of revenue is being neglected. In some cases, of course, labour difficulties are a genuine cause of failure to save seed, but it is most unfortunate if so much valuable seed is to be wasted at a time like the present. The increased ploughing that followed the request foi increased production, must increase also the demand for pasture seeds foi resowing.

“Although one would be very rash to prophesy, there is some reason to hope that the germination trouble experienced over "the past two years will not be so prevalent this year. Admittedly an unsuitable period of weather just prior to Christmas couk have serious effects, but present indications at least are hopeful, in that it has been found that heavy crops, and those from pastures with a good dense bottom are less susceptible to the disease. The strong growth this spring both of ryegrass and clovers has brought about those conditions that should discourage the disease. "There is every indication that hay crops will be heavy and consequently supplies should be ample next winter. It is to be hoped, therefore, that some of those who cut hay for sale will turn their attention to grass seed production as an alternative method of pasture control.”