FIELD NOTES FOR APRIL.

Shannon News, 1 April 1924, Page 3

FIELD NOTES FOR APRIL.

(By W. J. McCulloch, Instructor in Agriculture Palmferston N.) CULTURAL WORK. - During the month land intended for autumn sown cereals sliould be worked up as opportunity offers, taking advantage of weather conditions to clean out troublesome weeds as far as possible Jay bringing them to the surface. Preparation for sowing in May means the supply of seed

wheat and oats, and where these are to be purchased, only good welldressed seed should be selected, preferably from a colder climate. A number of crops, badly attacked by siriut were noticed during the past season, and it is evident that the pickling of seed. does not command tihe attention it deserves. Treating} the seed with a solution of formalin

is now the most popular preventive, and it is quite effective if applied ■ with reasonable care. The ordinary pint bottle procurable* from any chemist will make 40 gallons of solution. Empty the grain out; on to a clean floor and sprinkle with the solution, turning the seed over epeatediy; with

a shovel until every grain has become moistened. Everything should be in readiness for sowing before treatment takes place, as a delay for a few days after pickling means tJiat germination will be impaired. The usual way ms to pickle during the afternoon before sowing, leave in heaps - overnight, unless the weather is threatening, when it is advisable to do the pickling in the morning! of the day of sowing, as the seed dries sufficiently well for sowing within a few-hours; LIMING. April is a good month to apply lime, and on cultivated land this should only be done after the last ploughing of the season, for lime should never be ploughed in but should be sown on the surface and thoroughly incorporated with the soil,during cultivation with other implements before seeding. The application of lime is undoubtedly of great value preceding superphosphate, and now that the carbonate form is nearly always applied there is little danger .of giving an overdose. In most cases too much is expected from a very small amount per acre and again it is often applied to \vtet land hi the hope that it wdi assist to dry the soil, etc. This is a great mistake and a waste of goou material, for where necessary wet land must be efficiently under-drain-ed before any good effect can be expected from. lime, as well as manures, or cultivation. Lime certainly has a wonderful physical effect in opening up a sticky or heavy clay land,' but drains must be provided to carry away the surplus moisture from below, otherwise one of the great benefits of lime on a heavy clay soil is lost. •On a light sandy soil the physical effect of lime is directly opposite, the tendency being to bind the soil, and to some extent assist consolidation which "is so necessary ,on light land. The of lime is of greatest benefit where the clovers appear suppressed, as it quickly drives these legumes into vigorous growth, and if we look after the clovers in a pasture they will look after the grasses.

FIELD DRAINAGE. As winter approaches, field drainage claims attention. Open ditches should be cleaned and made ready to carry their full capacity alter (heavy rains, and 'especially where closed drains are dependent on them as main outlets. The outlets of all closed drains require attention particularly, and should be carefully cleared so that nothing remains to imped© a flow. Where further drainage is decided upon during the coming winter the field should hie carefully looked over and a decision arrrved at as to fall, "style of drains, outlets, etc., for of all operations on the farm nothing demands more thoughtful care and skill tlhan drainage construction. At best it is always an expensive item, and if wrongly carried out, cannot easily bes remedied, * but represents just so. much capital expended on a permanent improvement which may be closely associated with the future success of every oepration on the farm. FODDER AND ROOTS. The feieding of the maize crop will be .completed during the month, and as previously advised, any likely surplus can be turned into ensilage before frost occurs. Threshed pea straw, if available, built in light layers alternately with the green maize in the ensilage stack makes a more valuable food for stock- tlhan either separately, and assists better beating in the ensilage stack. As maize feeding nears an .end, a few roots should be allowed daily, gradually increasing until the maize is finished, thus avoiding a sudden change which is generally so detrimental to stock. Mangels and

swedes are now beginning to swell ) ■ rapidly from this onwards, and show the benefits of past good cultivation. Early sown Westernwolths and Italian ryegrass will even now be offering a fresh bite for stock; likewise green cereals. PASTURES. Harrowing of pastures to scatter droppings should be done \ also any top-dressing decided upon with the slower-acting manures, such as basic slag or rock phosphates, so that ample time be allowed for nature to do its part before spring. ■ f . LUCERNE. . After the last cut of the season, lucerne should be well cultivated with, preferably, a narrow pointed spring tooth cultivator in order to - eradicate patches of grass which may become established during summer. Autumn cultivation is of the greatest importance in localities where the wet conditions of the early spring makes cultivation unpracticable.