FIELD NOTES FOR OCTOBER.

Shannon News, 7 October 1924, Page 4

FIELD NOTES FOR OCTOBER.

(By W. J. McCullough; Instructor in Agriculture). Potatoes* The main crop of potatoes should, be planted towards the end of the months and the beginning of November, choosing-one or other of the standard varieties suited to tbb district. In planting; the better method is to set- up- ridges with- a drill plough (or single furrow; with * a.' sack * tiedacross the breast) *2B to 30 1 inches apart, apply manure between- the ridges, and plant the tubers subsequently splitting the drills to,cover. A short time after planting, or just before the. shoots appear give- a stroke of the light harrows (this dan be quite well i accomplished ; by - turning ordinary- harrowsi on. their hacks). Harrow lengthwise of the ridges. The. ridges are thus knocked down to some extent, ‘ and any weeds which may have germinated meanwhile are killed. A quick method is to plough in seed and manure every third fur- ; row. A suitable manure under average conditions would be super 3 cwL blood and bone H cwt. and sulphate of potash i to i cwt. per acre. The addition of stable , manure where < available is of course very profitable and the artificial mixture can be cut down accordingly. Rape and the Kales. The first sowing of rape can be made during the month’in favourable positions with the main crop following early in November as weather conditions permit It is recognised as good practice to sow a small portion* of mustard with rape, but unfortunately being a quicker maturing plant is generally in full flower when the rape is ready for feeding off. The better plan is to miss-sowing a,few widths of the drill throughout the paddock and sow later with mustard when it will be found that both. mature together. Any of the kales can be sown this month to come in from the middle of January; and beginning of February. Chou moellier is well adapted for this purpose and is particularly useful on the dairy farm, being to some extent a drought resister and not so susceptible to Aphiis as other cruciferous plants. It requires reasonably good-strong land and'liberal manuring. This plant ; being a vigorous grower requires: more room than rape and on strong land up to 28 inches between the rows is not considered too much. Rape should have up to 2 cwt:;super per acre, andChou moellier up’to 3cwt-. super;- In addition sulphate of ammonia up to Jcwt. per acre may be profitable- in certain cases.

Soft Turnips. , A small area of Devonshire, Greystone or Purple , Top Mammoth should be sown during the > month to come in for, early feeding and later a further, area of Hardy or Imperial Green Globe* -thus- providing a valuable supplement to the. failing pastures in the end- of January and February. Apply-up-to 2 J cwt; super per acre.

Italian rye or Westernwolths and clover sown now'should 1 also provide green feed to come in at a suitable time. Sow 15 lbs. of each of the ryegrasses with 5 or 6lbs. of cowgrass. Like oats and tares if not wanted for grazing ryegrass and clover will make excellent hay. ■ Mangels, Swedes -and-Carrots.

Areas intended! for these crops must be ready by the end of the month. A start may be made to sow mangels in good warm positions towards the end of October, but in most localities early in November is soon enough. Land to be sown in swedes should be prepared so that as the sowing of mangels is completed swedes will follow with carrots next about the middle of November. The "Globe" variety of mangel easily holds its own as the heaviest cropper. Sow 51bs. per acre in ridges 28in. apart, with 3cwt. super and IS cwt blood and bone. Salt at the rate of 2to 3

cwt. per acre should have been previously broadcasted before sowing the seed. Cereals. Oats for chaffing may still be sown early in October. Harrow any recently fed-off cereals; Sow a few lbs. of cowgrass to provide feed on the stubbles after harvest. Clover assists the growth of cereals. Hay Paddocks. Paddocks intended for hay should be shut up. Early, closing means good quality, but if a large proportion of clover is desired, later closing will have the required effect. Lucerne, Land intended for new stands of lucerne should be thoroughly prepared with a view to sowing early in November. If not already done, apply a ton of; carbonate of lime per acre and work in on the surface.