AUTUMN CULTIVATION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8353, 13 February 1913, Page 2

AUTUMN CULTIVATION

ENCOURAGING SOIL FERTILITY. CATCH CROPS. * Noar that the greater part of the grain, crops has been harvested, farmers are busy ploughing or cultivating stubble land, with the object of sowing catch crops, either for feeding off on the land or to provide material for subsequent jiloughing in for manorial purposes. It is only within recent years that Now Zealand farmers have given any serious attention to this feature of farm economy, and although autumn fallowing is practised on the majority of farms, the work is not generally carried out along lines that lead to revenue production in its fullest extent. The needs of present-day farming are such that no agriculturist can very well afford to allow his land to remain unproductive at any time of the year, and the old system of allowing the land to remain idle from one cropping season to anothei is being superseded by a system of cultivation that will keep the soil in a healthy and productive condition without undue exhaustion at any period. ' ■ LAND WANTS FEEDING. Among the ancients the practice of fallowing cereal land was widely practised, but tho original idea seems to have been to give the land a long period of rest and an allegorical meaning was given to the process, i.e., the land was to “enjoy her Sabbaths.” Wo have Outlived the notion that land requires “rest,” for such an idea is inconsistent with root cultivation. Land feeding, and does not demand rest. The crude system followed in tho Observation of a sort of rough rotation, alternating between corn crops and grass, is instructive as showing the natural recuperative power of soils, but the teachings of science and the necessity for increasing the earning power of the land make the adoption of more rapid and efficient principles almost imperative for the occupier of high-priced land to secure the best results. The procedure that is followed at tho State farms in keeping the soil occupied all tho year round by the cultivation of such fodder plants as may be planted successfully in the autumn after a grain crop provides a lead that might be followed with advantage by all farmers. VEGETABLE MANURING. Green crop manuring has been a favourite theme with many writers on agriculture, and is worthy of attention. The advantage of ploughingin a fodder crop such as winter vetches, clovers, white mustard, etc.', effects a double purpose, as it both manures and cleans the land. In some instances, where the first growth comes away quickly and luxuriantly, it is employed for stock feeding purposes and subsequent growths ploughed Under. The experience on the Moumahaki State farm has been that where green crops and frequent cultivation have followed a grain crop the land has beea so enriched that no artificial manures are required for the succeeding white crop; and, further,, the yields of grain have increased annually, notwithstanding the fact that the soil in that neighbourhood is considered too light for wheat and oats. TURNIPS FOR SPRING FEEDING. Many farmers make a practice of sowing a small area of soft turnips in tho autumn as a catch crop for spring feeding, with very good results, provided the weather is not too dry at sowing time to hinder seed germination. Imperial green globe or Centenary are said to be useful varieties to sow at this season, bub no time should ho wasted in getting the seed into tho ground. In the sowing of autumn catch crops some farmers recommend sowing the seed on the bare stubble, and then skim ploughing or discing it in. The advantages claimed for this method are that a greater area can bo covered in a day; the seed will germinate more rapidly if the ploughing is done carefully and not too deep; the plants will have a deeper root and bo bettor enabled to stand a spell of dry weather. Sowing after ploughing, especially in a dry season, has tho disadvantage of exposing the seed to drying influences, and conduces to poor and irregular ■ germination. Where mixed farming is practised the wide-awake manager usually contrives to have a field of sustaining fodder for feed for ewes and lambs in the Spring, and the Cultivation of one or other of the crops suited to autumn sowing fits his purpose exactly. Tho possession of a good supply of succulent feed at tho critical time when ordinary pasture is scarce is a valuable asset that can bo secured at a Very small cash outlay, while the procedure followed jjj growing the crop leaves tho soil in a better condition for tho nest, than if it had been allowed to remain idle.