LUCERNE.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 15 May 1914, Page 7

LUCERNE.

Regarding the needs of lucerne, W€ could, almost sum the matter up is four words —lime, drainage, humus, , and inoculation. Perhaps we have ! given these in the order of their relative importance. Lime is necessary on soils not naturally of limestone formation or filled with limestone pebbles. The importance of. this is j impressed on us more and more each I year ; in fact, we believe to-day that there has been more failures throughout the United States on account of insufficient lime in the soil than from any other cause. Then as to drainage ; there is no use in planting lucerne on any soil where water may ordinarily be found at a depth of less than 3 feet. The lucerne may grow all right until its roots strike this water, but then it will die. Fertile soils contain enough humus. Impoverished soils may be so deficient that special preparation must be j made before lucerne can possibly succeed. Where stable manure is not available, on impoverished soils we would recommend preparation for lucerne one or two years in advance, growing such crops as crimson clover mammoth clover, aow peas, Canada field peas or soja beans, and preferably turning them under, or else pasturing them off so as to, the soil the greatest benefit possible from them. We recommend inoculation, not that it is always necessary but it is an inexpensive process; and in five cases out of sir it will actually pay.—"lrrigation Age," Chicago.