LUCERNE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 90, 9 January 1918, Page 8

LUCERNE

Lucerne claims a very early place in the history of the world. It.was introduced into Europe from Arabia about the year 500.8.C., and was carried by the Spaniards to South America, r-jid has become the wealth of the Argentine. Its introduction to the United States of America has- also been phenomenally successful, and the value of the lucerne hay crop to the States is said to be 20 million uounds sterling per annum. Its introduction to Australia and New Zealand has also met with success, but the area under this most valuable fodder in New Zealand is as yet very much restricted. It is not suggested that all lands_ are suitable for the successful cultivation cf lucerne, but its range is much wider ■than is thought to be the case at present. A suitable soil for lucerne is a good, well-drained lc.im with iin open subsoil. The land must be limed, and the application (if inoculated soil is strongly recommended. "When the soil is in good heart, been limed, and has inoculated Boil applied at the rate of about 2 cwt. per acre, the results are generally satisfactory. The inoculated soil should be from an established lucerne field, and broadcasted over the area to be sown cither in the early morning or in the evening or on a dull day, and immediately harrowed in and rolled. Bright sunlight is fatal to bacterial life, so the utmost care must h« taken to keep tho soil in a dark, damp place until required, and it should only lie applied to the ground undor tlto conditions mentioned.