THE PRODUCTION OF PASTURE SEED IN CANTERBURY,

Abstract

In a country such as New Zealand where a high percentage of the arable land is in pasture the question of seed production must necessarily be one of primary importance to the farmer. Every grass paddock is a potential seed crop but whether or not it is harvested as such is governed almost entirely by the adequacy or otherwise of the grazing available to meet the needs of the stock carried, Thus it is mainly in seasons of abundant growth that it is possible to close up a paddock for seed, and the production of this important crop may be a rather haphazard proposition. of recent years, however, type has been a factor exercising a modifying effect on this; and the supposition that our seed will meet with a ready overseas demand has stimulated the production of pasture seed and has brought about a greater concentration on methods which will produce seeds of higher quality.