FIELD NOTES FOR AUGUST.

Shannon News, 1 August 1924, Page 1

FIELD NOTES FOR AUGUST.

(By W. J. McCulloch, Instructor in '''Agriculture, Palnierston North.) .As August is the beginning of the busy season in agricultuireal operations on the farm, the team should be kept busy when climatic and soil conditions permit, but oh no account should an attempt be made to work land while .in a water-logged condition. Generally speaking, this refers to. land previously ploughed during late autumn or winter, which , has absorbed and retained the winter rains. On the other hand, lea or grass land may be ploughed the first time while fairly moist. Cereals. —

Spring wheat should be sows during the month, provided the weather is favourable, and the soil is in a mellow condition. Oats should follow about 'trie end of the month, or beginning of [September, with barley later. Heavier seeding is necessary for spring sowf ing. From 2 1 to 2| bushels per acre, with to 1 1 cwt super, would be advisable, choosing one of the quick maturing and hardy varieties of wheat such as Solid Straw Tuscan, Purple Straw Tuscan or Bobs. Owing to many varieties of oats, being so susceptible to rust, and the probability that they are only required for chaffing, the choice remains with the Algerian variety. Earlier sown cereals are greatly stimulated after feeding off- by a stroke of the tinediarrows, more especially if In inclined to be. thin. A few pounds (3.0 r 4 lbs) of cowgrass sown at this time will prove very profitable, providing a fresh bite after harvest, while-cleaning up the stubbles, and later, to be ploughed In, All cereals should In; dressed with - Formalin or Bluestone solution, as. a prevention against rust. Cultivation Work.—

Land intended for roots or green fodder crops including lucerne, should be taken in hand at once and kept stirred occasionally from ndxv c» -.-j seeding time, with th 0 object of germinating arid killing as' many weed seeds as. possible. The groat object should be to have a fine ..mellow seed-bed well aerated and ventilated when the sowing of these various crops commence.

Lea land previously skim-ploughed should be cross-ploughed as soon as dijy enough, in ordet that reasonable fallow many result.

Top Dressing of Pastures.— Thoroughly harrqwirisr the grass paddocks with triped harrows, and top-dressing with a quickly available phosphate such as superphosphate, at up t 0,3 cwt per acre, should not be delayed longer than the present month. Miscellaneous.—

This is undoubtedly the Avorst month for stock, but where mangelshave been cleared off and swedes near ■tity, together with a liberal allowance of, hay, the. provident farmer, has nothing to fear. Soft turnips should have been clared off and swedes n earing the end, and possibly being followed' by spring sown coreals.