VALUE OF LUCERNE.

Shannon News, 8 January 1926, Page 3

VALUE OF LUCERNE.

HELP DURING DRY' SPELL. "The present has proved a bad season everywhere, but it affords a splendid opportunity to demonstrate the value of growing lucerne," re marked by Mr W. J. McGulloch, instructor in agriculture, in Palmerston North last week. He also stressed the necessity for dairy farmers laying in all the stocks of hay they can secure, for that type of fodder undoubtedly would be scarce. "Yes, I travel about the country a good deal, and 1 can, assure you thai the season is a bad one in all quar r ters," said Mr MaCulloch. "It is a peculiarity that each farmer seems to think that his own particular district is suffering more than most others." Mr McCuMioch cited some cases in point, and described his experience in different districts where the Winds and cold weather, combined in some cases with-drought, had seriously retarded growth. Although, said Mr McGulloch, it was rather late to again advise dairy farmers to save hay, he .would, counsel them to cut all they could get, for a shortage was inevitable. Of late, he added, he had seen some fine crops* of lucerne which, in many cases, formed the only green patch in a great expanse of brown pasture . Its value was patent to everyone, and in a season such as this it was a standby well worth having. Rain and warm weather were the need ot.the hour, he concluded.