FARMING NOTES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 110, 15 January 1940, Page 3

FARMING NOTES

LUCERNE GROWING (By C. R. Taylor, Department of Agriculture, Whakatane). Concluding the articlc on lucerne growing Avhich was published on Friday. On all farms the carrying capacity is largely governed by their ability to winter stock and especially is this so in the ease of dairy farms where there is normally very little trading in livestock. Tims to adequately winter stock without lucerne it becomes necessary to set aside large acreages of pasture land each year for periods ranging from between three and four months to provide for winter feed. This, in turn, seriously reduces the number of animals that can lie grazed during the productive season and so reduces income. J If, therefore, a much smaller area I of lucerne will provide the same nourishment equivalent it is evident that a greater number of stock can be carried at a time when they are most profitable. Hence where lucerne can be grown and it will tolerate a wide range of soil and climatic conditions, it is a wise investment to make. Especially is this the case at the present time when with our country at war, we are asked for increased efforts in the direction of added production. SUITABLE STOCK-PROOF HEDGES FOR WET COUNTRY Suitable stock-proof hedges for country Avhich is inclined to be wet are described by the Fields Division. Acacia verticil lata, a spring evergreen, does weil on fairly still country, and some good hedges of this species are to be seen on the heavier soils along the Wanganui coastal area. Osage orange (Madura aurantiaca) a thorny deciduous plant, has proved hardly in fairly exposed positions and will afford a stock-proof hedge similar in type to that of hawthorne if planted close (six inches apart) and the top trimmed back in winter during the initial year of establishment in order to obtain good lateral growth. Other stock-proof special which succeed in eoaslal districts include the well-known African boxthorne and Hakea Saligna, though the former is best suited by well-drained soils, and the prolific spread of its growth and poisonous nature of the strong thorns necessitate regular attention in trimming and the careful burning of alii trimmings. Plants of this species should be planted l?.in. apart in the rows. Hakea Saligna. Hakea Saligna thrives well on the heavy, wet, clay soils of the northern districts, and will afford a good stock-proof hedge on land that is inclined to lie wet in the winter. For this purpose plants are usually spaced two to three feet apart in the row. There are several other wellj known species, such as Cupressus Lawsoniana, or C. Benthamii, on wetter soils which do not give trouble from thorns becoming entangled 111 the wool' of sheep, as do the thorny species. HoAvever, with such species it is essential that they be protected from stock at all times if their efficiency as a shelter hedge is to remain unimpaired. Of the above species, Acacia verticellata may be recommended to give satisfaction for your purposes, and while more reliable results are best obtained when protection from stock is offered, particularly during the early stages, it would be quite possible to establish this species Avithout resort to double fencing. Prepare the ground by digging a spade-width strip along the fence line, and, if possible, work in org- ( anic manure. A mixture of artificial fertilisers, such as superphos- , phate and blood and bone, would ( also prove beneficial to establishment. Preparing the Ground. j The ground is best prepared some I I'tUK' prior io plarilr.g, par! icuiurly •f the field is to be slueked soon after that dale, as newly-turned soil has a special attraction for stock

which, in the course of their investigations, would be liable to damage or destroy the young plants. Planting of this species is best deferred until late August or. September in order to avoid frosts in the initial stages of establishment. Space the plants 12 to 18 inchcs apart along the bottom Avire of the fence, and make sure that the roots * of the plants do not dry out to plant ing and that tin- soil is firm around them after planting. Also ensure that no smothering growth affects them until they are strongly established and able to take care of them selves in this respect. Plants of this species should afford a good cattle-proof hedge within two or three years after planting and only light trimming should be necessary to keep them in order, VEGETABLES RAISED FROM SEED MUST BE FREE FROM WEED COMPETITION To produce good vegetable crops from seed, Aveeding requires close attention, especially AA-hile the crop plants arc small. When the plants become large enough to cover the ground there is less danger of their suffering a setback from Aveeds in the competition for the available light, air, moisture, etc. Many crops arc either lost by being overgrown by weeds or only small crops are harvested at an uneconomical cost due to the amount of labour spent on Aveeding. Serious Aveeds such as couch grass or twitch should be worked out )f the ground before sowing, although not infrequently one finds a grower hopeful enough to soav or plant a herbaceous crop in ground infested in that Avay. Most of the Aveeds present in the garden grow from seeds in the ground Avhich have either been groAvn there, have bloAvn in or have been brought in by birds. Stable manure, straw or organic matter of many kinds Avhich are ploughed under to enrich the soil may include live Aveed seeds. To prevent the introduction of weeds from such sources the material should be thoroughly fermented. By this means, in most instances, the seeds are sprouted and destroyed during the fermenting process or in the subsequent handling. FolloAving deep cultivation, land which is considered to be clean sometimes produces a heaA-y groAvth of weeds from seeds brought up near the surface from below, Avhere they have lain dormant for many years. Such is the hardihood of some Aveed seeds. The labour and cost of Aveeding is greatly reduced if, during the preparation of the land for sowing, it is alloAved to lie and settle doAA n for a fortnight or so after deep and thorough cultivation has been given. This rest aIIoAVS the Aveed seeds near the surface to germinate, Avhen they may be readily destroyed on a fine lay by means of a shalloAV stroke with the hoe. If the crop is then sown Avihout further deep cultivation the labour of dealing Avith weeds is greatly reduced. THINNING THE SEEDLINGS Thinning the crop is a formidable undertaking Avith groAvers who have a large area under horticultural crops. Where plants arc croAvded in the rows it is impossible to obtain a good crop unless the plants are thinned out. Thinning, under the best of conditions, is a tedious undertaking. This labour may be almost entirely avoided by carefully spacing the seeds to the desired distance between plants. They may be soavii sufficiently thin in the rows to produce a crop which will require little or no thinning out afterAvards. If the seed should have a loav germination percentage it Avill be necessary to sow the seed thicker than Would be necessary if it had a high germination. Weeding and thinning seedling crops should uoav be given prompt attention as required. Weeds should be destroyed during line Aveather while sli!! small and before they prot'uee rough leaves. Thinning should be done shortly after rain, j Avhen the young plants draAV easily.