THE FARM.

Shannon News, 5 September 1922, Page 3

THE FARM.

FIELD NOTES FOR SEPTEMBER

(Supplied by Fields Instruction

Branch—Agricultural Department.) The mild moist' weather during August has given grass a good start but has delayed general farm work to some extent.

Top-dressing of Pastures.—'Tills should have been completed before September, but where this lias not been possible it may still be done, but quick acting manures like superphosphate and basic super should be used. The harrows should be kept going on all pastures so as to distribute manures.

Green Crops.—Where there are Algerian oats intended lor 'hay, the feeding off should be done by the end of the month unless»on very rich land. As a general principle crops that have provided several feedings should be shut up by the middle of September, for if led too late in the spring the hay crop will be light, if not already done, the sowing oi green cereal crops for chaff, hay or ensilage should be pushed on, particularly in the drier situations near the coast; further inland October will oe early'enough. Good mixtures for hay and ensilage are Algerian oats and peas or tares at the rate of two bushels oi oats to one of peas or tares per acre. Good varieties of peas are Grey Partridge and Early Minto; Golden tares are best for spring sowing, but they are practically unprocurable and ordinary grey will have to be used. Superphosphate, basic super, •or similar manures at the rate of from 1 to 2cwt per acre will be found suitable.

Root Crops.—Ploughing for these should be pushed on so as to givetime lor working and sweetening the land in preparation for sowing mam golds, carrots and turnips about the end of October; suitable varieties aim manures will be dealt with next month.

Lucerne.—This should be cut or led off towards the end of the month and if the land is dry, given the necessary cultivation: If it has been properly worked in the autumn and has not been grazed heavily it should require very little work in the spring; one or two strokes of the tine harrows is sufficient in most Tases. 11 on the other hand autumn cultivation has been neglected and the area consolidated by heavy grazing the work will require to he more thorough and the cultivator or disc used. The cultivator is the better implement, and this should he fitted with special lucerne teeth. Where the disc, has .to be -used care should be taken not to put much cut on; run the disc os straight as possible otherwise a number oi plants will be destroyed. The disc should be used to cut the hard suriacei and subsequent cultivation done with the tine harrows. The cultivator should also be followed by harrows to shake up the grass and weeds and leave a level surface for the. mower. Never cultivate lucerne when the land is wet, and remember that spring cultivation is intended to open up the surface of the land and bring about a rapid, vigorous growth of lucerne so as to smother weeds rather than destroy them by cultivation, therefore it should be delayed until the weather is warm enough to allow the lucerne to grow rapidly. Generally these conditions exist about the erm ol September. If the land is in good heart and the crop doing well no manure is required, but ii the laud is poor or the crop hanging lire it will he greatly benefited by a topdressing oi manure. 11 plenty ol lime lias been applied there is nddiing better than superphosphate, hut i! the liming has not been heavy or heavy growth is not desired until the autumn, better results.will be obla'it ed from basic super, basic slag, oi similar mixtures. Apply at Hie rate of from 2to 3cwt per acre, and harrow in. If any green crops are being grown in preparation for lucerne these should be turned under during September.