ON THE LAND.

Shannon News, 6 January 1925, Page 3

ON THE LAND.

HELD NO 1 Eis Foil JAx\ UAiiY, 1925. (By W. J. McCulloch, instructor m Agriculture, Palmerston N.) Roois.—Roofs and otner tallow crops stin require attention and s.nouid ne periouicaiiy horse-hued until the tops meet m Lie rows.- As drier weauier approaches weeds generally are less uoumesoine, but snaliow surface cultivation at tins time creates a soil mulcn which is so necessary to consex ve xhoisture.

The last sowing oi swedes should now l>e re.ady for tnimung and scarifying. in this case also cultivation snounl be shallow..

in the earlier root crops whe r c the tops are closed, and lurtiier hoeing is not possible, any weeds that may have escaped cultivation should be hanu puJied. Hay Hurvest.—There will still be considerable hay to liar vest during the month. .. The correct tune to mow huy is very important, and the two main factors, are “yield” and “digestibility” qf the fodder. It. is generally agreed that when tne greatest number of plants in the pasture are in flower the nest yield with quality is obtained, li a sacrifice has. to be made lor any reason, it is desirable to- forego quantity rather than quality (i.e. cut early).

in the case of cereais and tares, ox peas, mow when the grain is in the rough stage. It will usually be found that the legume is. forming pods at this time but not filling. As mentioned last month, good hay is always cured in cocks. Add lOlbs of'salt per ton; more if the quality is inferior.

Cereal Harvest.—The grain harvest usually follows quickly on the hay, and every opportunity should he taken to put harvesting machinery in periect running order, if not already done. It is much the better plan to complete repairs immediately harvest is over, and before any weakness or necessary repair is forgotten. Much loss oi' tune and material occurs when binders, mowers, lakes, etc., are started in the harvest field in bad repair. For threshing, it is generally recognised that both wheat and oats are belter cut on the green side rather than allowed to become overripe. Ttie latter condition in wives much i risk, and heavy loss, may occur from a wind shake, and furthermore the sample oi gram is brighter and better in quality when not allowed to become over-ripe.

Where large areas oil grain must be handled in a short time it is common practice to cut some of the earlier sown oats Qn the green side and reserve for chaffing. Barley, on tne other hand, if for -malting, should not be reaped until quite ripe. The proper time to reap wheat is when the straw immediately below, the head becomes yellow and free, from moisture when tightly twisted. At this, stage the skin or bran is finer and the gram yields a higher proportion of hour to bran and pollard, while if left to become over-ripe both the latter increase in proportion. Oil the other hand, care must be observed not io cut too green, otherwise there will be a toss of ' weight by shrivelling. A certain 'amount of filling occurs after the gram is in stook. ’ The size of the sheaves should be. regulated to suit tne climate and condition of'the crop, if the climate is damp the sheaves should be tied smaller to lacilitate drymg. Again should there be an undergrowth of , grass or weeds in the butts of the sheaves they Should be made small loathe same reason, and if very bad they are better lelt lying a day or two before stooKing. This is especially' important when dealing with barlej with much undergrowth, as this grain is so easily discoloured, which greatly reduces Its value for malting.

Stookmg is often treated very light, ly, but it always pays to take some pains m making a good stook. Tne average stook should consist of from 8 to 10 sheaves, and each sheaf should be firmly placed With sufficient slant to withstand a reasonable wind and turn a fair amount of rain. Considerable loss often occurs with careless stcoking, the grain becoming discoloured or even sprouting wuen the stook falls and is left lying.

Alter the crop has been in stook for two or’three weeks, according to weather, stacking should commence. Select a convenient, site on high ground, and make up a bottom oi old logs, branches or hedge clipping. If the stjick is to stand for some tune before chailing or threshing, it is imperative that the foundation be good. The size of'title stack naturally depends on the bulk of the crop, and area of the field. The building epinmences by forming a stook in the centre and working round in tiers or courses to the marked boundary, keeping the sheaves as upright as. possible. The whole secret in stack-building is to build the heart firm and always higher than the outside courses from foundation to ridge. Too many stacks of both hay and sheaves, are only well built on the outside courses, while the inner ones are loosely or carelessly placed, the consequence being that later, as. the whole bulk settles down, the heart sinks most, leaving the sheaves slanting downwards, towards the centre, and ready to convey moisture to the heart, whereas the opposite should be the aim. The skilfdi builder will slightly spring the stack from the foundation to tile eave. Tins allows the rain to drip clear, and with a \yell-built heart kept high, causing a slant frx>m the centre to the outside, water will not penetrate. Thq novice should endeavour to see his first stack opened up so that he may profit in future from mistakes.

Field beans.—As a rule, this crop-is not ready until after the cereals, are cut. The pods should be black, anti the stems, turning dark before reaping.

Peas.—On rich land in a damp season it is somewhat difficult to judge just when to cuit, as in certain instances the bottom pods may be overripe and shelling, whilst the tips of the haulms are still flowering with pods in stages in between. In such cases mow when the greatest number of pods commence to shrivel and before they open. Cock in small heaps like hay, and handle as gently as possible. If the crop is badly laid, use the hay rake instead of a mower. Thresh d

rect from the paddock if the weather permits. Feed soft turnips to the dairy herd, or other supplementary crops., as the grass growth fails, and before the yield of milk decreases. Pull the turnips a couple of days ahead and allow to wilt before feeding. Always feed in limited quantity immediately after milking, to avoid taint. _