GRASSLAND.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17981, 28 March 1930, Page 9

GRASSLAND.

MANURES ADVOCATED. OBSERVATIONS OF DR. ANNETT. CONCLUSIONS FROM REGENT TOUR Dr. H. E. Annett, who has just returned to liis properly at Matangi after a lour of the United Kingdom, Ireland, Holland and Germany, staled to a Waikato Times representative that in undertaking the tour lie had three main objects in view—to see what was to be learnt of the position of grassland farming in the countries visited; to see whether New Zealand had anyUiing to learn of diseases and troubles in stock, if this 'country was any worse in that respect than in England, to get in touch with the various research work throughout the countries visited, and to see what bearing their findings had on conditions here. An additional motive was to make contact with the Empire Marketing Board and marketing organisations at Home with the purpose of gaining some idea of marketing at Home. Grassland. On the subject of grassland and grass Dr. Annett stated: “I must say distinctly that grassland management, operation, and research work will in a few years put New Zealand at the head of the world in these matters. In saying Ibis one had to bear in mind the recent work bearing on the very great importance of strain in various qualities of grass, fi’aking any one, such as rye, one may isolate from this one variety of ryegrass many strains, in the same way as we get strains of wheat, some 'Of these being much more highly productive than others. The New Zealand Department of Agriculture has been working in these directions for some time. In this connection one may refer to Bruce Levy’s work on rye grass, a work that indicated the very great value of Hawke’s Bay and Poverty Bay rye grasses as compared with rye grass from the South Island. If wo are going to get the best results from manuring, then it is obvi-ous we want the best strain ol' grass in use before mauring, so as to get the best value for our money. Work on various pasture plants is being carried out at Atoerys twit'll, Wales. This station is working in close contact with the New Zealand Department of Agriculture, and has loaned them one of its most capable officers, Mr Davies. Conditions Almost Ideal. Regarding actual grassland management, the characteristic conditions in New Zealand, particularly in the North Island, may be considered to be almost ideal. The only part of the British isles which approaches New Zealand in this respect is Southern Ireland. Generally, however, in this matter, throughout the British Isles the New Zealand farmer has little to learn. As far as grassland culture in certain areas, such as the lowlands of Scotland, Northumberland, Cheshire and Leicestershire are concerned, the management of the best farmers reaches a very high level. Willi regard to manuring, the English farmer does not usually treat his pastures so frequently with phosphates as do the farmers of New Zealand. In England it is unusual to apply phosphates more frequently than say once in four years. The New Zealand practice is far sounder, and experimental ■work so far carried out in this country indicates that more beneficial effects will be obtained by applying several small doses of phosphates in one year rather than one dose annually. Of other fertiliser constituents the heaviest users of potash and nitrogen are the farmers of the lowlands of Scotland. There are indications, though, that throughout England there will be a considerable increase in Hie use of potash and nitrogenous manures on temporary pastures. In Kent, for instance, where sheep used to be folded on roots, the practice is being introduced of heavily manuring the seeds lea for the purpose of grazing the sheep on them. In Holland in recent years there has been an enormous development in the use of nitrogenious manures on grassland. It is interesting to note that this development has been very largely the work of commercial propaganda. The Imperial Chemical industries, who control the nitrogenous fertiliser business in England, are building up their enterprise on quite unusual lines. They base their sales propaganda on the results of their experimental work, and arc not encouraging the farmers to use nitrogenous fertilisers unless they are convinced that its use is likely lo give results. The Making of Ensilage. The New Zealand dairy farmer lias recently made great strides in the making of ensilage anti grass, and we now 'recognise that in order to obtain ensilage of high feeding value it must he made from grass in the short leafy stage. In Holland and in Germany Dr. Annett saw ensilage which was made from grass at 'this stage, and the farmers spoke very highly of its value for cow feed for milk production.