"SALVATION" CROPS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1294, 24 November 1911, Page 10

"SALVATION" CROPS.

■ POINTS FOR THE DAIRYMAN. At' tho present time, rays Mr. T. W. Lonsdale! in the "Agricultural Journal," thoro arc probably no crops,of so muchimparlance to the dairyman as fodder crops, and none have received so little attention. Happily it is now recognised that theso aro of vital importance, as they supply tho herd with succulent food during protracted periods of drought, and may fitlv ' be termed "salvation" crops. The la'ck of making provision for the heftl by growing'supplementary crops has been keenly felt during tho last few years, but probably not to such an extent as last season, when, owing to tho extremely dry weather, niauv herds rapidly failed in milk-production: When wo consider: the great loss individually and the enormous loss to the Dominion collectively, a loss which by a little forethought and preparation could be avoided, it may bo fairly conceded that it is time to adopt improved • methods'. SORGHUM AND MILLET. -. A variety of crops are'afc our command. That which is receiving most attention is maize. In many parte of the Dominion it is probable that this will continue-as the premier foddei'rplant, yet' in districts subject to laic and early frosts, and alio light precipitation, the maize crop ; is precarious'. Other crops suitable for such districts aro sorghum and millet. Theso aro common plants of China and Turkos-tan,-and it.is estimated that nine-tenths of the Natives of these countries and India subsist on tho grain of the sorghum. In the semi-arid parts of the Western States of America, sorghum has in recent years become prominent, iD some instances leading maize, which hitherto had been the greater in cultivation, in tho extent of its production. ' So much has been writien and is already known about the cultivation of maize that information on the subject is not so necessary. PREPARATION OF LAND.. As for all crops, thorough cultivation prior to seeding' is • essential; tho seed, being small, requires a fine, clean seedbed, and should be lightly drilled. . Tho operation can bo performed with an ordinary grain-drill, using all the coulters; or, if it is desired to grow stronger plants, alternate coulters may lie iised, or tho seed can bo sown in drills 26in. apart, to allow for cultivation with a horse-hoo. ! ' - - ; Cultivation after tho seed has germinated is oS6ential, arid can be effected .by harrowing at intervals with tine harrows, tho process being repeated until the plants have become too high. Harrowing has a twofold cflect —weedcontrol and tho conservation of moistnro -both essential to tho young plants, when tho plants are established and too high to allow of further cultivation the I crop may safely be left to take its course, and will grow rapidly, during hot and dry weather. VARIETIES TO GROW. Probably -Sorghum imphce and Sorghum saccharat.iim are tho best varieties. These jjroduce heayy crops of succulent fodder.

Early amber caun is also a good cropper. It should be cut ljei'ore tho' stalks become woody. Japanese millet, white French miilot, and ('.gyptian millet are suitable varieties. White l-rench dees not piodui-t' us much fodder as the other varieties, l)iit grows rapidly and mat hits earlier. MANURES VXD SEED. It must, be remembered that these crops nro gTasS'feeders, hence liberal manuring.is requisito, A combination of boucdust, superphosphate, and sulphate of potash makes a .suitable manurial mixture, and the quantify supplied will be deeided by the grower. About 201b. of wed per acre is a. liberal quantity if broadcasted, but, if drilled, 51b. will bo' sufficient. WHEN TO CUT. Millet may be cut immediately after flowering; if left' later hard seedheads aro formed, and tho stalks become fibrous and unpalatable. . Sorghum should not ",bc used uutil the plants ave in tassel, as previous to this stage tfle plant may prove injurious. Other crops may' be grown for (he purpose of supplying fodder during times of scarcity. Lucerne and vetches aro invaluable; but', as tho virtues of • these cropa have already been expounded, it is not intended to deal with tliern in this article. The object of the writer, is to bring to the notice of dairymen throughout the Dominion the gre'at importance, of fodder crops in general.