Lucerne.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 12 March 1915, Page 4

Lucerne.

ITS VALUE TO THE POULTRY-

KEEPER

W. S. HILL, B. Agric.

It is impossible to expect a- pro- j fitable return from stock if when a . staple feed soars to a high level of ( value inferior substitutes are empleyed, and the animals in consequence do not obtain the food-materials they demand. 1 Yet there .are circumstances when, through too much reliance being placed on an expensive foodstuff, valuable and more economical substitutes are neglected. In regard to poultryfeeding, there has heen for some years , an ample supply of grain that could he j 1 purchased at a reasonable price. This t easy supply has perhaps caused undue j reliance to ho placed on grain as a food for poultry. The increasing shortage has caused the want to he somewhat acutely felt. To be continually fed with grain is not an essential feature in the life of a bird, and it seems more natural that an ample supply of some nutritious fodder plant .would almost replace the usual supply of grain. The plant most adapted for this purpose is lucerne. Found to be invaluable for the maintenance of perfect health in horses, cattle, sheep, and p : gs. its usefulness also extends to the ieeding of poultry. For this pyrpose Income can be utilised eithef* as cliafF. to largely replace the grain ration, <>i as green feed. The great value of a plot of lucerne lies in the fact that it supplies a permanent source of highly nutritious fodder. No sooner is the plant cut back than new shoots spring out to

form a fresh succulent growth. Those who have a plot of lucerne will amply testify as to its value during this sea-

To those poultry-farmers wishing to sow lucerne it woidd seem advisable to prepare the land immediately. Lucerne requires a well-drained soil, free from weed 6. sweet, and well supplied with organic matter. Any inclination to be acid or sour must be counteracted by draining, exposure to the atmosphere, and the application of quicklime or burnt limestone at the rate of 2cwt. per square chain. With the exception of limestone land the application of this lime will be beneficial. The land intended for lucerne should be the recipient of all valuable poultry manure. The application 'of this would save to some extent the purchase of artificial fertilizers. For autumn planting sow early in March, in order to have strong plants before the winter frosts set iri. If the winter frosts are severe in the locality, sowing would be preferably delayed intil late spring. Perpare the land >o that there is a good tilth on the surface, and then firm well by rolling until the feet will not sink. The -ced may 'be broadcasted, and for this purpose mix 2 lb. seed with from J to i cwt basic slag or other phosphatic fertilizer. or with the soil where poultry manure is employed, and apply to a square chain. Lightly rake to cover seed, and again roll. To sow in drills make drills 14in to 24in apart. oow seed and fertilizer very lightly at the rate of lib to lAlb seed per square chain. Lightly cover and firm the drills. Keep as free from weeds as possible. If the lucerne does not grows sufficiently rapidly water with liquid manure or nitrate ol soda at the rate of 1 lb to 20 gallons of water. After cutting, and especially in hot, dry weather, keep the soil among the plants or between the drills well stirred In many cases the use of inoculated soil is found to stimulate the growth. This soil may be obtained from any established plot of, lucerne having nodules on the roots of th«j plants or from Moumahaki Experimental Farm. The varieties of lucerne most suitable for general culture in this country are Marlborough Hunter River, and Peruvian. The two fornlter are the best all-round varieties, while the last-nam-ed variety grows more rapidly, yields more cuts, but does not produce the weight that can be obtained from the foimer. Poultry-farmers who 'nave suitable land are strongly advised "o prepare land for lucerne, and, if conditions are suitable, to sow down in early autumn. Journal of Agrioul--1 ture.