Page 3 Advertisements Column 2

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 53, 25 November 1937, Page 3

Articbokes for Pigs. The Jerusalem artichoke is a crop which should receive much more atteutiou, particularly by those engaged in pig-raising in the drier farming districts, such as Hawke's Bay. Not only is it very drought resistant, but its tubers are highly nutritious as well. The yield, which is controlled by the soil and seasonal conditions, may range from six to eight tons or more to the acre, and although the plant-dc-es best on good friable loams, it will thrive on sandy, gravelly or clayey soils, which enables tlie poorer patches of soil on the farm to be put to a profitable use. The area intended for 1 Jerusalem artichokes should be prepared iu much tlie saine way as for yotatoes. Tlie crop may be planted i]'n early spring in furrows three feet apart with thc sets two feet apart. This spacing with medium-sized tubers will entail the use of between four cwt. and live cwt. an acre. IJntil the crop is foui inches high, all cultural operations can be carried out with tined liarrows working across the drills. Afterwards tho cultiyator will have to bo used as the condition of the soil and weed growth necessitates. "VVhen the tops die tk^ crop is fit for harvesting, which can be aceomplisked inost profitably by turning pigs on to the field. If it is intended to plant the same area in the succeeding season, it will be necessary to remove the pigs before all the tubers liave been eaten, if replanting is to be avoided. The area should be cultivated in the spring, snbsequent working will be similar to that of the first season. Tlie white and red vari.et.ies are considered to be the most hardy and jprolific | ,