FIELD NOTES FOR SEPTEMBER

Shannon News, 31 August 1926, Page 1

FIELD NOTES FOR SEPTEMBER

(By W. J. McCULtiQCH, Instructor in Agriculture, Palmerston N.) Pastures. —Young spring growth of pastures should bo coming away vigorously during the month where previously top-dressed, and until the grass becomes firmer the dairy cows should be allowed a reasonable ration of hay so long as they show a desire / for dry fodder. There . can be no doubt that the common shortage of hay during late winter ana early spring is to a large extent responsible for much sickness in some dairy herds. Pastures Should be carefully grazed and not allowed to get away too much. Shift the stock as often as necessary, and use the mowing machine —set high—if the growth cannot be controlled otherwise. If possible, sheep should be used to clean up the dairy pastures behind the cows, and in a similar way the position is reversed on hill pasture where cattle must be used as a means of control. The stocking and grazing of all' grass-land is vastly important and amply justifies careful study, especially during the maximum growth period of spring. The object should be to keep the grasses sufficiently in ’ check that they may remain palatable while at the same time clover not be smothered,v and the result a properly balanced and nutritious food. Within the next few weeks paddocks intended for hay may be closed. If not already ! top-dressed, this should be done at once, using a quick-act-ing phosphatic fertiliser after close grazing, and tripod harrow, vigorously. Early closing usually means; a fine quality hay, but if a greater percentage of clover is desired, later closing - will be necessary. Special Hay Crops.—Special crops for hay, 3uch as oats and tares or .peas, may be sown during the month, and as such crops are useful in cleaning weedy ground they should be liberally manured. , Sow two bushels of Algerian .oats *to IS bushels tares or grey' partridge peas with 2 to 3cwt. super or other phosphatic .fertiliser. Italian ryegrass or Westernwolths at 301 b per acre, or half quantities ;of .each with 5 or 61b. cowgrass, makes very fine hay, and afterwards provides a useful temporary pasture. The latter should be liberally manured likewise. Summer and Autumn Fodders The cultivation of areas intended for early roots or green fodders should be well in hand. On early warm land a first sowing of soft turnips, preferably purple top mammoth, may pe made about the middle of October, followed by further areas of Liftjcoln reds and green glpbes at later intervals. Owing to purple top mammoth becoming quickly pithy after maturing, only a small area should be sown .at one time. ' The other varieties will stand ' much longer. Sow Boz. on the flat- or 10 to 12oz. in ridges, 24 to 28 inches apart, with 2 to Scwt. super per acre, and thin. A small area ,of rape may be sown on a warm northerly aspect, about the middle of October for early feeding, and is better ridged for an early crop, sowing lllb per acre.’ Kale may< be treated similarly. Chou moellier sown about the end of next month would be ready for autumn or early winter as required. The latter. is very hardy, and if not required when ready will stand till later. If for cow feed, allow more room to develop and apply a mixture of 3 parts super or other phosphatic manure and U parts blood and bone, or any good rape fertiliser and manure liberally, but if for sheep, sow thicker and use all phosphates. Cereals.—September is quite the best month for sowing oats, either for chaffing' or threshing, and wheat may still be sown. Seeding of spring sown cereals should bo from a. half to three-quarters of a bushel thicker than autumn sowings. Apply from li to 2ewt. of a phosphatic fertiliser per acre. Next month is quite soon enough for barley. Cultivation.— Keep the mangel area stirred occasionally -with the idea of sowing towards the end of October or early in November. Make preparation for planting potatoes early in October. Pick over the seed tubers as opportunity offers, discarding those showing indications of disease. Endeavour to change seed every few years, preferably chosing a consignment from further south. Areas suggested for the establishment of lucerne should be kept with the idea ot sowing as soon as the soil is sufficiently warmed up, probably about November. 'Where spring sowing of, permanent pasture is preferred, the land should be well worked this * month and sown in October. Ir sowing down grass success depend* > very much on the condition of the ■ ■ seed bed. The last cultivations should not be deep but shoulc rather be in the nature of consolidating the soil with, just sufficin' t loose tilth on the surface to covei i the seeds lightly. A number o failures occur through lack of con solidation. This state is evidencee later by a good take in the whee i marks of the machine and the foot Vjmarks of the team, and poor germi nation over the remainder of th field.