FIELD NOTES FOR NOVEMBER.

Shannon News, 26 October 1926, Page 3

FIELD NOTES FOR NOVEMBER.

—. 4 , (By W C. McCullocb, instructor in agriculture: Palmerston North.) Spring sowings and the cultivation of already established crops make November one of the busiest months on the farm, and probably more so this year owing to the boisterous weather experienced during part of August and the whole of September, which in some localities greatly delayed the early preparation of the land. Every advantage should be taken to catch up on arrears of work while at the same time no crop should be sown unless the preparatory work has been thorough. The Main Rape Crop. One of the most important on the sheep farm—should go in this month. Broad-leaved Essex variety,continues to be popular. Sow 3 to' 41bs per acre with 2 to 3cwt super or any good proprie]fcary mixture. Cei'tain Instances were noticed last season where an overdose of nitrogenous fertiliser resulted in very slow ripening, and while it may be admitted that in certain classes of ' soils a reasonable amount of nitrogenous manure might be an advantage, care should be taken that the amount Is moderate and that the great bulk, of the manure is a phosphatic nature. Although rape is admittedly a bad milk tainter, yet, fed with discretion to the dairy herd, it has been found possible to avoid this and obtain high yields of butterfat. A mixture of peas and oats with rape is preferable j for this purpose. Jiist as the dairy farmer has learned to feed soft turnips with discretion he may also learn to feed rape. Sow in breakes to suit the requirements of the stock. Mangolds. Mangolds should be sown in well prepared ground this month, at from 4 to 61bs per acre and if possible in ridges 26 to 28 inches apart. Reasonable heavy, manuring always pays on average land. A good average mixture would be 3 parts super, lj&—2 parts blood and bone, and from \ to aewt sulphate of potash, or the equivalent- in 30 per cent, potash at the rate of 3 to 4cwt petf acre according to the quality of the soil. In this case 2 to 3cwt of salt would have been applied broadcast some week or two previously, or instead of potash ( added to the mixture use kainlt j in place of salt. The points of greatest importance in growing a high yield- j ing mangold crop are good preparatory cultivation, reasonable' manuring, and strict attention to intercultvation and control of weeds., The scarifier should be run through the crop at intervals from thinning time during the next two, months, or until the tips meet j in the drills. , J Swedes. j In some localities sowing- is carried i out during November, but this A'arles j accarding to districts, and provi- j ded young plants get a > good start before dry weather sets in, late sowing towards the end of December are often very successful. As in , the case of all roots the ground should be well worked early, the object being j to obtain a firm moist seed bed. Sow at from 10 to 14ozs. per acre through every coulter, or if in ridges about l£lbs with a fair proportion of quick- . acting phosphate (super) so that the young plants may reach the firstrough leaf stage as quickly as possible in order to avoid depredation by fly. An average good mixture would toe 2cwt super to 1 or l£cwt slag "(sown immediately after-mixing) or super and ephos or super and bones In .suitable similar proportions. An,a<3- ' dition of lewt sulphate of potash may be an mprovement in some few cases on old land. Swedes require a cool . moist climate. Soft Turnips. I The main crop of better keeping varieties, such as Green Globes, should be sown during November, or early in December a't the rate of from 8 to lOozs per acre, with super at from 2 to 3cwt according to quality \of land etc. Green Top Aberdeen is a splendid keeping variety of Yellow Fleshed-turnip but has a habit of growing its bulb rather deeply in the ground. i Qhou Moellier and Kales. j If for autumn or winter feeding these | crops should be sown early in Novemj ber. Manure as for rape but heavier j and sow in rows 24 to 28 inches ! apart and in'tercultivate. Seeding at I about lSlbs per acre. Chou moellier is more immune to blights and aphis than moist crueiferious plants, and although a milk-tainter is much less so than rape fed carelessly | Mai^e. Maize may be sown during November provided there is no danger from frost. This crop demands fairly good land if a high yield of green fodder is to be expected; Sow in breakes < using early varieties, such as Early Red Leamington, Ninety Days, etc. as first earlies, following with Yellow Horse Tooth, Hickory King, etc. as, main crops. An addition of one bushel of tares or peas makes a better balanced fodder for cows, or if fed on maize alone milk cows should have access to pasture containing a fair clover content A mixture containing of 2cwt super and. 11 blood and bone should be suitable on average soils. Millet. Millet is frequently used as a summer forage in dry localities being a, j good . drought, resister, and 15/201bs [ x millet with lft bushels peas makes very fine fodder, whether for green soiling or ensilage. It should not be sown until the ground is warm and is ready fo,r feeding in from 2 to 2| months, and is easily handled if used for grazing. It should be well manured. Millet is very susceptable to frost. Carrots. Carrots require a fair amount of labour if they are to be successful, but are recognised as a very palatable food. Matchless White continues a, very popular variety, being a heavier yielder and standing well out of the ground. Sow in November an area small enough to be well looked after. The Potatoe Crop. The main crop planting will continue during November and December. From 12 to 15cwt seed per acre

\ is required according- to the size of the I tubers. This crop may follow any of the ordinary farm crops, but-a vir- ! gin soil or following- old lea is preferable provided it has been turned over ; early and ploughed a second time. Farmyard manure 'where available together with artificial fertiliser is to be preferred. Preparing For liucerne. ■Lucerne should be sown in well prepared clean land during- November.. Grass of any variety is the biggest enmy of lucerne and every care should have been exercised to germinate the seed content of 'the soil as much as possible during the past few weeks. .Lime at about one ton per acre should have been worked in previously. The seed bed should have been worked fine and firm. Uso innoculated soil, or have the seed innoculated with one of the preparations now on the market. Sow In , every coulter half the seed one way ' and the remainder at right angles. Manure with super or other phosphatic fertiliser -and do nit bury the seed more than an inch. Marlborough variety has proven itself by long experience to be quite suitable for most localities. Do not sow until the ground is •warm and conditllns suitable for vigorous growth. Pastures. Where top-dressing and harrowing: has been practised the growth will be vigorous, and icare must be taken to stop seed heads from forming - . If seeding cannot be controlled by grazing then recourse muist be had to the mowing' machine. Rather shut up for ensilage or even a late hay crop than have the animals wandering over too lrge an area out of control. "Ay me, now many perils do unfold."—Spenser. You are never free from the risk of catching cold.. At all seasons of the year germs are lurking somewhere. There is nothing that will rout them so easily, and so quickly, as Baxter's Lung Preserver. Thousands of people all over New Zealand have proved the worth of this dependable specific famous for over half a century. The surest preventive of coughs, colds, influenza, bronchitis, and all throat, chest and lung complaints. Invaluable, too, as a tonic. Obtainable all chemists and stores. Generous sized bottle 8/6, family sixe 4JL»