ON THE FARM.

Shannon News, 11 December 1925, Page 2

ON THE FARM.

FIELD NOTES FOR DECEMBER. (By W. J. McCullough, instructor in ; Ayrjoui.ure, I'uimeialuii North;. Ab a it-ouit oi ino poibisleiit rainfall una tboduon boil conditions in the iM-jicr pari ot die reason, loilowed suuuemy ny dry woainer, the growth oi botn pasture and springbow.ii crops has suffered more or less. However, where provision has been made euaoling systematic intereultivatiou among the green fodder and root crops the soil moisture has been neater retained, and growth in, consequence n-as been well maintained. ' Pastures should be carefully watched at tins period, and" any tendency to run into seed-head avoided by clipping with the mower set very high, or sheep fallowing the dairy herd as they are changed to fresh fields, at the % same time using judgment not to graze the cow paddocks too close with sneep towards the beginning of January, otneiwise the drier conditions to „e "expected later will detrimentally affect the growth. The movement of stock or 'grazing control" is no doubt one of the very important factors in pasture management. Roots.—intercultivation and thinning uf the mangel ami earlier sown soft turnip and carrot crops should be pushed ahead so that all available labour can be utilised in the hay harvest. Roots, and especially the mange!, shOtt Id be carefully weeded and thoroughly cultivated during the earlier period of growth and careful attention in this direction "will be well repaid. In many instances the area attempted is.much too great and usually results in a very indifferent yield. The earlier planted potatoes should be thoroughly grubbed and moulded up. In many cases the main crop will be plarited during the beginning of the present month. Where • annual weeds are likely toi be troublesome a great amount of weed seed is apt 'to be germinated on the ridges shortly after planting and considerable labour may be avoided by / •i stroke of the tine-harrows laid on their hack-, and. pulled lengthwise » along the ridges. This kills the small seedling weeds, and at the same time breaks down the ridges allowing the sprouts of the tubers to reach the sur- • face more easily. The swede crop may be sown any time in December, and the same remarks regarding the cultivation of mangels apply to this crop, although less is demanded. In '- districts still free from club, root and dry ret there* is no doubt that tlie swede is a very profitable ..crop; Sow U to 21bs of seed of any good standard variety, in ridges 26 to 28 inches "apart. If the weather is dry, roll! the ridges with a"Cambridge roller lengthwise. This {brings the moisture to the surface and ensures germination. Ap- ~ ply a mixture in 'the proportion of 3 ewt. super and li cwt. blood and bone with the seed. If sowing on tho flat, use 8 to ,10 ozs seed through every coulter. ',, Millet may be sown dming the , month in districts likely to. suffer with drought, and mixed with peas it becomes more valuable and provides good feed "where rape may not be successful far sheep or grazing with the dairy herd. This fodder should be grazed each time us soon as it - reaches six or seven inches in height. Sowings of chou unoellier may still be continued, and also rape.< Maize: In order to provide a succession of tiiis fodder, sow the later maturing varieties and add peas, or preferably tares, to balance the ration, , and manure liberally. < Lucerne inav still, 'be in well prepared land". As it may still be too early owing to 'unsettled weather .to make hay of the first cuts in certain localities', this should be turned into ensilage, and if the quantity is not sufficient lor the purpose it may be mixed with grass or other available green growth. • Hay: Early closed pasture may-be ready foir mowing towards the end ■ of December, although in the majority of instances, owing to the lateness of the season, few early crops will be cut until wen into January. Provided the bay paddocks have been previously top-dressed, a vigorous aftermath I will result, and may prove of great assistance to tide over the dry period in February.