DAIRY FARMING IN THE MANAWATU

Hokitika Guardian, 15 January 1920, Page 4

DAIRY FARMING IN THE MANAWATU

THE VALUE OF LUCERNE.

PALMERSTON. N., Jan. 9,

Although a few farmers in the Manawatu district have gone in for lucerne growing on a small scale, the use of this crop has not received the attention that it ought, more especially in connection with dairying. That but little is known here as to its growth is evidnt by the variety of advice given to those who are making inquiries as to the best method of introducing it into the district. A local farmer inquired of a stock and station firm as to the best method to adopt, and was eventually put in touch with a person who poses as an expert, and received advice which, if followed, would mean that it would take four years before any return could be got from a crop of lucerne. The instructions included ploughing up the pasture in June and sowing with swedes in November of the first year. For the second year the land was to be ploughed up in July and sown with oats in October, with the alternatives of spring-time cultivating and sowing with Cape barley in April. In the latter case the barley was to bo ploughed in ' when six to eight indies in height with half a ton to the acre of unburned lime in September. For the third year it was recommended to work up the ground a few times to kill the weeds, then put in another half-ton of lime, and sow broadcast 151 bto 201 b of lucerne seed to the acre (mixed with 2cwt of Eplios phosphate) early in November. It was also recommended that the soil should be innoculated with lcwt tc 2cwt of soil to the acre taken from another lucerne patch. If it required three years with all the preparation before a crop of lucerne can be expected it is not surprising that its growth is not innre nonular.

That it is not necessary to observe this formula is shown by the success met with in lucerne growing by Mr A. Montgomerie, the well-known Arysliiro breeder, on his “Glencairn” farm at Kauwhata. A representative of The Dominion paid a visit to this well-kept property, and was astonished to find three very fine fields of lucerne, in addition to a comprehensive collection of root crops suitable for feed for a dairyherd, including field peas, maize, etc. At the outset it may be mentioned that the farm, which is only 56 acres .in extent, was only taken up by Mr Mont-, gomerie a little over six years ago, when it was nothing but virgin bush. Now the small property carries 33 cows besides young cattle and .the usual farm stock, and a number of pigs. Even with the quantity of stock there is oceans of feed, and this happy position

Mr Montgomerie attributes to two causes. In the first place, he works his ground thoroughly, using the disc freely both before and after ploughing, anu also to the fact that for the past four years he has been provided with plenty of lucerne for his stock both in the green stage and in the shape of hay.

Although all the paddocks of lucerne are looking extremely well, two having been cut three time's this season, particular interest from a farming point of view attaches to the latest plot put down in the luguminous plant and which is now ready for its third cut this season. Starting in the autumn of 1918, this paddock was thoroughly tilled and put down in broad beans and vetches, which were cut for green feed as soon as ready, and supplied excellent fodder for the cows. Oats were next sown, and they wore also cut for green feed, after which the ground was again disced until a very fine mould was secured. At suitable times the ground was again disced and then harrowed, so as to bring all the weeds to the surface. It was thus worked imtil the beginning of November, and then ploughed to a depth of six to seven inches, with a little farmyard manure, and was afterwards again subjected to two or three discings. At the commencement of December, Blenheim lucerne was sown broadcast with a hand “fiddle,” about 151 b to the acre of the seed being used. When the first cut was taken off it this season for green feed, the height of the crop was two feet three inches, and the second, which was saved for hay, was two feet nine inches. This is only five weeks ago, and the lucerne is just about the same height again, and ready for the third cut. The crop is very even all through, and of a good, bright colour, and should make luscious feed, while an examination of the ground shows it to be thoroughly clean and free from weeds. In another paddock, which is just coming to its fourth cut, the experiment of sowing Western Wolth grass with it has been tried, and this has proved a great success, as the solidity of this grass mixed with the lucerne has had the effect of entirely preventing scouring in the cows, which is liable to follow the feeding on lucerne alone. From the results seen on this property, it is evident that the thorough working of the land is one of the secrets of successful farming, but it is a matter which it too much neglected in the Manawatu district, where there are too many farmers who rely on simply “scratching” the surface instead of “tilling” the soil in the manner which is considered essential in England, Scotland, and on the Continent. The crops of field peas and maipe have been similarly treated, and besides lime the only manure used is that saved from the farmyard, which is, however, properly treated during the year. The stockyard and pig-pens are all concreted and cleaned out each day, and the manure stocked. Mr Montgomerie points out that unless the yards, etc., have concrete floors it is impossible to save the real essence of the manure, which, in unpaved yards, percolates through the surface, and is lost in a portion of the ground where it is not wanted. It may bo mentioned that the whole of the plants for the shelter hedges and trees on the place have been raised from seed on the property. Many, farmers in this district might tako a lesson from “Glencairn” farm in the matter of cleanness, for it is so thoroughly worked that noxious weeds have no chance to grow.