LUCERNE.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 28 August 1914, Page 7

LUCERNE.

(Medicago Sativs.) j ——* —— (From the Journal of the Agricultural Department of Tasmania). | 1 " "" 1 The reason why this useful and nutritious fodder is not more generally grown here is dillicult to Jnderstand. Although every work an fodder crops places lucerne at the head of the list, and its area in various parts of the Northern Hemisphere, as well as the Argentine and the mainland of Australia, would seem to indicate that some special reason was underlying the lack of attention which the Tastnanian farmer gives to a valuable 'odder and a drought-resisting plant. Lucerne, or alfalfa, has been known, and appreciated for centuries. In his "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," Gibbon writes, "The use of artificial grasses became familiar', to the farmers, both of Italy and the provinces, particularly the lucerne, which derived its name and origin from Melia." The usual instructions are that the soil ; chosen for growing this fodder, and • the variety selected, will be the de- i siding factors whether success or failure will result. Lucerne sends ; its roots deeply down into the earth, and: at the same time will not : thrive in undrained land. It seems to prefer well-drained subsoils or alluvial flats, but will not exist in places where for any period its roots are subjected to excessive moisture, A soil which contains a high content of lime should be chosen for preference, on/ account of the percentage of this ingredient which analysis of the ash reveals. ; Mr. A. E. Mansell, of " Mount Vernon," who has, roundly, 100 acres under lucerne, states that any good soil will suit ; even black land is good, but its liability to crack during dry spells is a disadvantage. A good sand with a suitable subsoil, it must offer free permeability to the root system of the plant, and provided this is afforded, ( a good clay will do well. Fallowing the land is necessary, and the more cultivation, it has the better, as the seed-bed should be fine, and the soil firm around the seed. In sowing, Mr. Mansell prefers the spring—say from tho end of August to November—as more certain to secure a high germination. The early autumn will do just as well if sufficient moisture is in the land. The amount of "seed sown varies from 8 to 10 lbs. per acre, according to the nature and fineness of the seed-bed. The practice at "Mount Vernon" is to drill in the seed, thus allowing a little fertiliser to be sown at the same time to get the young plant established; but when sowing Mr. Mansell says he always takes the feet off the drill, in order to avoid the seed being put in too deeply. Once established, the more the paddock is cultivated to keep the surfnco loose and suppress grass and \\\. the better. If lucerne is not cut i'.;r hay or soiling it requires care in grazing. It should be al L lowed to grow up a good height, then grazed, and drawn again ; it does not do as well if constantly eaten down. As a soiling crop lucerne has very few equals, but the time to cut the plant is very important. Fodders are generally at their best just about flowering time ; after this they become hard and woody on account of the transference of the nutritive material to form seed and the increase in the percentage of woody fibre. The cutting, therefore, should not be delayed after the blossoms have formed ; and whether emploj red for pig pasture, sheep food, or a cheap material for milk-production, it deserves far more attention than it at present receives. The age of a lucerne paddock is interesting to conceive. Some writers contend that it should be broken up every seven or ten years. On some soils the stand will stunt and deteriorate very rapidly ; much earlier if proper attention is not paid to it. Naturally a strong grower, it reuqirea particular care the first year. On account of its deep-rooting habit the practice of growing this crop in an orchard is condemned, as the check to the trees is material, if no further injury arises. The judicious practice of sowing a quick-growing, shallow-rooting (Crop,, such as mustard, and ploughing same under to increase the soil humus, should not, however, be confounded with the injurious practice of allowing the orchard to become a wilderness.