THE FARM.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 87, 24 September 1915, Page 4

THE FARM.

I Growing Lucerne. It is unwise for a farmer to conclude tbat lucerne will not grow profitably on bis land before be has tried it. It thrives on an extraordinary variety ot soil?. Limitations of its range in this respect are propounded from time to time, generally only to be refuted by the experience of some other grower. But maximum results cannot te expected from land which oilers violence to tbe essential qualities ot the plant. It is sensitive in certain respects, and disregard of its special susceptibilities will result in reduced yields. Lucrene, of course, will not grow without moisture, if the rainfall is insufficient and cannot te supplemented by irrigation, heavy or even goud yields are out of the question. But before deciding that a district is too dry for lucerne, we should answer the question—What fodder plant will do better? If ram does not fall at the right time, maize and potato crops fail, but lucerne, deeply established h the soil, is awaitinz its chance, and at once commences to grow vigorously when the rain dots come. Payable results may be expected , from almost any land, except that which is badly drained, or is very sandy. But when we consider that the plant roots very deeply, it is , obvious that a deep, permeable subsoil co;it»ibutay to maximum results. Still, this is r.ot an absolute essential to successful growth, ' as was once supposed. THE lUEAL SOIL. The heaviest yields are ibtained on the very best alluvial soils found on river banks, particularlydeep, free soils well supplied with lime and potash, and with free 1 water 15 feet O 30 feet below the j Burface. A farmer possessing such ground will find it hard to discover i a more profitable use for it than to grow lucerne. 1 DRAINAGL'. "Lucerne will not stand wet ' feet." Drainage is absolutely essential to success, ana if the soil is not naturally drained to a depth of at least several feet, action must te taken to bring about this condition before lucrene growing is atY tempted. Where badly drained patches occur in tbe soil, the " lucerne soon dies out absolut.ly, and its place is taksn by weeds ot all kind?, blood waters do cot effect it unless the water lies upon it for some time; but to cover a lucerne field with water for two or three days, is a sure means of eradicating it altogether. Water Bhould never be allowed to lay on lucerne for any length of time. PREPARATION OF THE SOIL. The first matter to be considered by the farmer proposing to grjw lucerne is the question of weeds. Koughly speaking, the better the soi 1 the better the growth of weed?. Young lucerne plants grow comparatively t>lowly, and are apt tc be killed by weeds during their earlier stages of growth. Tbis is - particularly the case where the seed is sown in autumn. Where weeds are very bad it is idle tc f expect to grow lucerne until the ' land is thoroughly cleaned, and the Bowing had better be postponed until this is done. Probably tht best way to deal with them is, after ploughing the land, tr immediately so« one of Btunning'a 4 Purpose Crop Mixtures, or twe t bushels of Field Peas per acre. Use this as a green crop and plough it under before sowing the lucarne. Any of these crops will keep the weeds down, end the burying of the whole mass in ihe soil wil create improved conditions for tbt lucerne. Do not leave the plough ing under too late, as if done ii warm weather fermentation hurtful to the lucerne .seed may commence. DRAINAGE. Water, if allowed to lid about l« the roots of lucerne, will destroy the piaut. If tbe land is not naturally well drained, artificia drainage is necessary, otherwise the results will not be satisfactory, On soils particularly subject t< excesrive moisture, where lucerm will not naturally thrive, underdrainage, though expensive, may b( worthy of consideration, as the resulting improvements, in the valu< of the land may far more thar ,n compensate the holder for the cos ot laying tile drains. Readers whe contemplate under-drainage on a large scale should consult a com petent engineer and ascertain tn< [( j cost of carrying out the work. The] 2j may then consider whether it would be profitable. In many cases i would be better to sow Strawberry a Clover, which will grow prolificallj even in swamps. Due regard shoulc - be given to the fertility of alluvial flats, but it must be distinctly remembered that sowing lucerne or badly drained land is a waste of time and money. DEEP STIRRING FOR STIFF LAND. , Lucerne is a deep-rooting plant and although its routs have great penetrating power, the plants wil thrive better, and a better sianc will be obtained by the deep stirring of stiff subsoil. Plough as deeply as possible without bringing clay to the surface, and folio* in the furrows with a subsoil plougt from twelve to fourteen inches. This depth of loose soil will enable the young plants to root well, and in case of irrigation will enable the applied water to soak down. Bacterial action, so essential tc the healthy growth of lucerne, takes place chiefly witbiu the first fcot or two from the surface, - hence the necessity of having this in good physical condition.

THE SEED UED. Just before seed is eowd tbe land ihould be lightly ploughed, harrowed mil relied. A firm, fine seed bed is lecesjsry, and to obtain it, may be receesary to roll twice. If weeds >r grass still present they • should be worked out with a springtooth cultivator and removed. Lucerne will not succeed on sour soils, or those which have a strongly acid reaction. It prefers a soil which is neutral or slightly alkaline. Acidity occurs in worn-out joil which has been cropped for many years in succcsson, or in Bour or badly-drained ground. The free growth of sorrel is almost a certain indicator of soil acidity. A simple test of Che necessity for liming is to moisten a portion of the Eoil, so that it will stick together, and insert a Blip of blue iltmus paper, which can be obtained trom any druggist, closing the soil completely round the paper. If within a few minutes the paper shows red or pink stains, the need of lime is indicated. Fortunately. lucerne is a crop which, under proper conditions, gives excellent returns from very small areas, so that a farmer may hope to very soon recoup himself the expense of preparation ot th 3 soil