GREEN MANURES IN ORCHARDS.

Motueka Star, Volume III, Issue 118, 30 September 1902, Page 4

GREEN MANURES IN ORCHARDS.

—o Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Jt is to be feared that very little in the way of autuirn -sown crops for green manures has been possible this season. Where, there has been rain, and the ground has had a good soaking a fair growth for turning under could be speedily secured if a little care were exercised in getting in the seed at the earliest opportunity. The sort of crop most suitable under the extraordinary conditions that maj. prevail will depend a good deal on circumstances. Where the land is in fine tilth, and is situated well up on a sunny hillside, there is no reasou why a sufficient luxuriant growth of gray peas, of tares, or *of grape might not be made available for turning under before the end of September. In bleaker localities, oats, barley or rye, especially the last mentioned, may be depended upon to produce with moderate rainfall a good mass of stuff that vvill : readily lie converted into humus. The need for sufficient humus or decayed vegetable matter in orchard soils is strikingly apparent in seasons like the one we have unfortunately had to endure. In soils that have been enriched with vegetable matter in the shape of liberal dressings of properly' rotted bush-rakings, or by means of green crops turned uuder, the trees have made steady growth, and lia\ r e borne aud are now carrying very fair crops. On the other hand, where no attempt has been made to keep the soil mellow and assist it to retain moisture, the trees are in a pitiable condition and the crops are pi-actically nil. It is to be hoped that the orchardists of this State may uever again experience such a series of dry seasons as we have just been passing through. Still similar conditions may recur, and it is wise to be on the safe side and to take steps to minimise the effects of drought. Green cropping and persistent cultivation are the most effective means of combating drought. In bearing orchards, spring and summer grown green crops, like cow pea, which is probably the finest plant for the purpose, are not desirable; but there is nothing to prevent the growth of such' crops in young orchards. In speaking about green manures for orchards, Mr G. F. Bray, of Castle Hill, sa vs : —Last year I sowed gray peas, about one bushel per acre. I find that the green manure kept my ground mellow and in good order during the summer. 1 also tried manure, but find that peas gave the best result, and only cost about a quarter the amount. I sow during April and May, and plough in when the pods are forming. During the summer I keep the soil well worked.