FARMERS’ COLUMN.

Waipukurau Press, Issue 299, 22 August 1908, Page 6

FARMERS’ COLUMN.

To make good manure from poultry droppings it is necessary to keep them covered with good soil; if the droppings are exposed they quickly throw off their goodness.

The use of basic slag on one of the State Experimental Farms, Waerenga, has increased the yield of grass twenty fold, taking the comparative yields of manured and unmanured plots over a series of three years, half a ton per acre being applied in one dressing to last three years. This, of course, was on soil having in its natural state very little plant food.

Encouraged by the first-class condition of their land for the reception of seed, farmers are making all possible haste with their spring sowing, large numbers having been engaged in this important work during last week (says the “ Oamaiu Mail ”). Indications are still in the direction of showing that the area under crop will be much greater this season than is usually the case.

Actual tests of the requirements of the soil made on the farm are of the greatest value. It is so simple it may be done by the farmer himself in a few spare hours, and the interest in -watching the results adds very largely to the pleasures of a country life. The cost is so little as not to be worth serious consideration. A plot 11yds by 4yds or Byds by s|yds is, roughly, 112th part of an acre. This is a most convenient size, for every pound of fertiliser applied to the plot is equivalent to lewt per acre.

An authority on stock is net at all favourably impressed with the general appearance of dairy herds throughout the Hawera district (says the “ Star ”). Some herds —those on farms well sheltered and supplied with hay, root crops, etc. —are looking splendid ; but others, particularly since the recent week of very bad weather, are showing poor condition. Cows near to calving show the absence of an abundant supply of feed very quickly, more so if the farm is not well off for shelter. The gentleman referred to considers that farmers would be wise ■—especially in the Plains district —to provide more shelter for stock, as not only are they affected considerably by bad weather, but are more susceptible to disease when low in condition.

According to the opinions expressed by an old resident to a “Marlborough Herald ” representative, the forthcoming season promises to be an excellent one. Rain fell at an opportune time, and the series of frosts lately experienced is having a good effect in sweetening and mellowing the soil at a time when little growth in vegetation is to be looked for under any circumstances. An abundant rainfall maybe expected after the spell of dry and frosty weather, and if it comes at the beginning of spring, when the crops are ready to make growth, the result should be first-class yields in the coming season. The crops have never been put to better advantage, the soil having been in a fairly dry and friable condition, so that the preparation of a good seed-bed was an easy matter. The young crops are in an exceedingly healthy condition, the soil is in good heart, and, with the weather conditions before mentioned, Marlborough is likely to once again assert its yield-producing powers.