FIELD NOTES FOR JULY.

Shannon News, 18 July 1924, Page 4

FIELD NOTES FOR JULY.

(By W. J. McGuaioeli, instructor m Agriculture, Palmerston N.).

CULTIVATION WORK. Plougiuag lor spring crops should be pusned on at every opportunity where soil conditions remit. The . iiOcivier iand rna.y now no too wet and* coid, in which dase it is better left over iqr a time. Prov ded the weather is good, lor the n xt few weeks arrears in cullivatiqn AvOrk will soon; ise caught dp. PASTURES. The tripod-liar rowing of old pastures should not be put uli any longer but snould be attended to at every opportunity when the tea a cannot caJ*iry on other cultivation work. The quicker acting manures should be j applied to pastures so that spring ! growth may gain all the advantages 'possible lor the early grass as cerjtainly the most- profitable. '• Autumn sown cereal 3 /or grass should provide reliei to the bare pastures and the wise provision of a plentiful .(supply ai goad flay and roots will now be apparent. DRAINAGE. Wet patches—if not the whole field —should be drained while the ground is soft. Indications of want of drainage will now be very apparent. Money spent on manures and lime is wasted Avhere drainage is the con- • trolling factor. | SHELTER. The effect of want of shelter from i tlie prevailing cold Aveather is very j manifest on m|any Harms. Hedges and plantations save feed and are a profitable investment. The present ' months is the most suitable time to plant new hedges or shelter belts. FEEDING OFF ROOTS. Care should be taken to remove stock from roots .being fed off iduiring wet weather, in order that the texture of the heavier soils should not be spoiled. Neglect in this direction i may mean a ruined field for some 1 years. Provide a good run off Avith 1 access to good hay or straw, i MISCELLANEOUS. I All iodd jobs ifadoors Should be icarried out during wet Aveather, such as looking over machinery and implements, etc., and Avhile dry over-, head all fencing, etc., -should be repaired so that ias spring advances all labour Ayill be available for the busy season. > ; . ,