LUCERNE.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 313, 7 November 1929, Page 6

LUCERNE.

VALUABLE FODDER CROP. Suitable for Morrinsville. Method of Sowing. That the value o.f lucerne as a forage crop is not adequately rexealised in this district is borne out by the fact that on very few farms is this useful crop to be found. Morrinsville district is particularly suited to the growth of lucerne, and provided the proper methods are used in preparing the soil and sowing the seed there is no reason why better results should not be secured than in Taranaki, where this phase of farming operations is very extensively carried out.

The importance of early and adequate preparation was stressed by Mr. W. J. Dakers, manager of Mr. J. J. Patterson’s farms at Te Puninga. Mr. Dakers was formerly manager of a Taranaki State farm, where lucerne-growing was carefully studied and carried out with success. Be proposes planting 60 acres on the eight farms at Te Puninga, and outlined the methods he has found successful in the past to a Morrinsville Star reporter. Mr. Dakers is strongly of the opinion that with slight adaptations these methods will produce better crops in the Morrinsville district than in Taranaki.

Early ploughing is an essential, so as to enable the grass to be properly rotted. The soil should lie fallowing and exposed to the frost during late winter and early spring, and be worked with discs and harrows until sowing time. During the working process it is advisable to use half a ton to a ton of lime to the acre. The seed should be sown in midNovember or early December. It is a mistake to sow too early, a better Strike being secured when both the gather and the ground are warm, *The soil requires rolling before sowing, so as not to bury the seed too Heeply. The quantity of the seed used should be from 15 to 20l;b to the acre. Before being sown the seed shoijld he innoeulatecT either with a special preparation .or by soil from an old-established lucerne paddock. The effect of this is that nodules are Quickly formed on the roots. The seed, should be sown on a dull day, as sunshine spoils the effect of the

innoculation. Where soil from an old lucerne paddock is used it should be at the rate of 2 or 3 cwt to the acre, and harrowed in. Basic super is a suitable fertiliser to sow with the seed, approximately 3 cwt being applied to the acre. 1

The lucerne*will come up in a very few days, and when it is about six inches high the tyne harrr.ws should be run over the paddock if weeds are coming away. The roots have a good hold by this time, and the plants will not be damaged. Under favourable conditions it should be possible to get four good cuts of lucerne to the acre; and each cut should average out 12 tons to the acre. The advantage of lucerne is that it makes its fastest growth in dry weather. It excellent ensilage and hay and takes the place* of turnips and other root crops. It is practically permanent, and there are to be found in Taranaki paddocks ten and twelve years old which are growing on country not recGg*nised as the best. It is inadvisable to attempt to establish lucerne on wet places. High and dry land with a good free subsoil such as is to be found in most parts of the Morrinsville district is the best for growing lucerne- —Mbrrinsville Star.