MAUKU.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 615, 11 March 1921, Page 2

MAUKU.

LUCERNE DEMONSTRATION. In response to an invitation from the Mauku branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, some 35 farmers from Mauku and the surroundingdistricts met on Ti Ti farm on Friday afternoon to witness a lecture and demonstration on lucerne cultivation by Mr. S. W. Hill. Mr. Hill has a fine field of this legume in which the demonstration took place. This field was sown in the early part of 1920 and the first cutting, which was made a few weeks ago, yielded approximately three tons to the acre, and is now about 15 inches high again.

Mr Hill opened his address by tracing the history of the lucerne plant from the time of the Meads and Persians, explaining in detail the results obtained in the different countries it had passed through. He mentioned some fields in Mexico which were stated to be over 200 years old.

Mr. Hill considered there was a great future for lucerne in this Dominion and with the prospect of lean years to come, urged all to consider the growing of a plant that would give the best return as well as one that would improve the soil better than any other plant. Farmers generally were a little shy of lucerne, thinking it needed a particularly suitable soil, but it had been proved that lucerne would do well on almost any soil providing it received proper treatment, and would do well on drained swamp so long as the water was moving slowly. Mr Clifton, late director of fields and experimental farms for the Department of Agriculture, considered that if the energies of sevex-al men were concentrated on this one plant it would be money well spent and the country would benefit thereby. The best preparatory crop was autumn-sown rape, which after being fed off should be ploughed in during the spring. The ground should then be limed at the rate of from 1 to 3 tons per acre. Mr Hill was emphatic in his opinion that absolutely the best results were obtained by using Marlborough seed at the quantity of 121 b to 151 b per acre. A few pounds of inoculated soil should be mixed with the seed to ensure the best results.

In the management, he advised not too frequent cutting during the first year and then as late as possible in the spring. A good guide was when the crop showed half to one-third flower. Any attempt at grazing except by pigs should not occur till the third season, whilst the whole policy should be to nurse the crop carefully the first two seasons, when the future cuttings would be greatly increased and a lasting and permanent result obtained . Mr. Hill’s address was listened to with evident interest and numerous questions were asked by farmers present, who intend giving the crop i trial. On the motion of Mr. J. Whftham, of Glenbrook, a hearty vote of thanks was proposed to Mr Hill for his interesting find instructive address and congratulation to the Mauku branch of the Farmers’ Union for inaugurating such a beneficial field day for the district.