FIELD NOTES FOR APRIL.

Shannon News, 30 March 1926, Page 4

FIELD NOTES FOR APRIL.

(By W. J. McCulloch.) Sowing of Pastures. —As the season is advancing and a lowering soil temperature ,is to be expected as winter approaches, the sowing of grass and other small seeds should be completed without delay. In districts where winter is early it is even now too late for sowing permanent pasture, more especially as clovers constitute part of the mixture. If, however, only a temporary I pasture is desired a heavy seeding of Italian ryegrass or westernwolths, with a few pounds of cowgrass sown this month, can be expected to furnish very early spring feed. Late sowing should be made heavier as the season advances and manured liberally.. There appears to be considerable difference of opinion in regard to the best season .of the year to lay down permanent mixtures. Many contend that autumn is nature's time to sow while others are equally emphatic that spring sowing gives the best results. No doubt both opinions are correct, provided the farmer has studied his local conditions of soil and climate. If the soil is improperly drained or a heavy, tenacious clay or one likely to become waterlogged and extremely cold during winter with a tardy spring growth, then, undoubtedly, autumn sowing will not be successful and in consequence spring sowing would give the better result. If drainage is efficient, and the soil reasonably warm and free, and provided the sowing takes place reasonably early, autumn sowing is equally successful. The best season to sow is therefore controlled by local conditions. From careful observation it is very evident thai more failures are attributable to carelessly prepared seed-beds, and mixtures'! not adapted to local conditions, than to all other causes. Top-dressing, Harrowing, etc.— Where the slower-acting phosphates such as basic slag or any of the ground rock phosphates, etc., are preferred these should be applied as soon as .possible if an early spring effect is to be expected. On the other hand where super is preferred and carting is difficult in early spring or weather conditions unsuitable for application, super can be spread at any time during winter. The idea that phosphates wash or leach out is an erroneous as has been proved very conclusively. The present month is a very opportune time to thoroughly tripod-harrow the old pastures. The through harrowing of grassland periodically is easily one of the most important factors next to manuring. It is observed that in many instances a light harrowing is apparently considered sufficient so long as .the animal droppings are scattered, whereas one of the main objects., viz., the invigorating of the old turf, can '' only be effected by thoroughly breaking the surface. Liming.—Lime, like the' sloweracting manures, is best applied in the autumn so that it may become thoroughly incorporated with the soil during winter and where application is, possible is of value to precede super. In most eaises. too much «. is expected from a very small amount per acre and again it is often applied in the hope that wet land will be made drier, etc. This is a great mistake and a waste of good material, for such land should first be efficiently drained before any good effect can be expected, either from lime, manures or cultivation. Ground limestone should be applied -at not less than i ton per acre or ground burnt lime at from 10 to 12cwt. on average soils.

Catch Crops and Winter Fallows.—Land from which such crops as maize, soft turnips or similar early consumed fodders have been, removed and which are to be utilised next spring for further cropping or sowing in grass, should be turned over at once. If the benefits of a winter fallow are desirable as in the case of the heavier or stiffer clays, the ploughing should be fairly deep and the furrow thrWn well up so as to expose the greatest area of surface to the ameliorating influences of the weather, but should the soil be of a light friable nature, it is desirable that a catch crop should monopolise the area leather thari weeds or that there should be any risk from nitrates leaching. As the season is now well advanced the choice of such crops is naturally limited to the cereals such as oats or barleyi and of these black skinless barley is the quickest, while Alegrian or Garton oats yield a heavy bulk of fodder in early spring. Cape barley or emerald ryecorn may also be sown, the latter being useful particularly on the poorer sandy or cold clay soils. The seeding of any of these cereals should be at 3 bushels per acre. From observation it is very evident that stock prefer Al* I gerian oats rather than Gartons, al- | though the latter is a heavier yield- ' er. ■ White mustard may be sown early in the month and should proIvide a good fodder for sheep in from 6 to 8 weeks or if not required a good bulk to plough under as green manure. Lucerne. —On established stands, where cultivation was not carried out sooner, this should be attended to without delay provided the soil is not wet. Leave a few inches of growth to protect the crown during I winter and do not graze if the soil is inclined to become consolidated with tramping. Potatoes. —The work of lifting the main crop should not be delayed further if not already completed and carefully stored, Artichokes. —If feed is running short pigs may begin on the crop this month, giving a fairly large break to avoid puddling during wet weather or stocking may be deferred for a couple of mouths if other, feed is available. \ Maize.-r-This crop should be clear-

ed completely during the month — either fed or made into ensilage—as frost can be expected at any time severe enough to spoil this fodder. Field Drainage.—As winter approaches the extension of drainage should claim attention on many farms, and although the area drained annually is steadily increasing, there is still room for great • development in this direction. Another effort should be made to extend the work during the coming months. The outlets of existing drains should be cleared of growth or refuse likely to impede the flow and all open drains cleaned in readiness to cope with surplus water during winter and, early spring.