FIELD NOTES FOR DECEMBER, 1926

Shannon News, 3 December 1926, Page 4

FIELD NOTES FOR DECEMBER, 1926

(By W. J. McCulloch, Instructor in Agriculture Palmerston North.) Pastures. In certain districts there may not be such an over-abundance at pasture this season, but where such should occur, and stock are not likely to keep pace with a luxurious growth, every endeavour should be made to avoid seed-head formation, or a dominating growth of the coarser grasses. This may be effected either by mowing or following the dairy herd with sheep to clean up roughage. ( The majority of hill country pasture should likewise be fairly easily trolled by cattle this season. Where grass pasture has been top-dreseed, and thereby made more palatable and nutritious it is a significient fact that control is- made very much easier.. As the area of grass-land manured each season is increasing tremendously it is absolutely imperative that, if the greatest benefits are to be derived from such expenditure, more provision must be made to tide stocks over the lean periods. This can best be accomplished be conserving more of the surplus summer-growth either as hay o,r ensilage, or both, during the peak period of grass yield. Although this practice is amply justified in all districts it is more especially desirable in districts liable to suffer from occasional droughts. Well made hay or ensilage will keep for long periods and as a supplementary standby to pasture in time of shortage, either would prove invaluable. ' Hay.

Towards the end of December ana during January, haymaking will be, m full swing. The quality of hay, as of all other crops, is of first impori- | ance, and mowing should commence I at the right time, viz. when the ! raa- | jority of plants are in flower. ‘ At this period all parts of the plant are more digestible and nutritious than when harvesting is too long deferred. The same remarks refer to special hay crops. The next important matter'is to save the crop in good condition and where the yield is heavy, it is doubtful if it can be properly saved without having been cocked, such a method also ensures quality, colour, etc. and there can be no doubt that heavy crops stacked immediately from' the swath are very liable to over-heat and spoil.

Choose high ground in a convenient position for the stack and provide plenty oJ: material'for the ‘stack bottom. Under-estimate the size of the stack slightly, rather than over-esti-mate for it too often happens that

Sift I. i many faulty roofs result from a shortage of material. During the building of the stack, distribute about 10 lbs. (or more) clean coarse salt per ton of hay. This addition greatly assists palatability, more especially where the material is inferior. Aim to build high so that roof area will be small and pressure good. The aftermath of the hay field is very valuable, for as a rule it has a high clover content, and if it can be saved, will prove most useful when grazing pastures begin to fail. Even if growth should get away a little, it is contended, according to recent research. in England, that roughage of tliis kind, as a result of an aftermath, will be well eaten during the winter. This does not apply to roughage In a field not grazed or properly cleaned pp at least once during early summer, but f only to late summer growth. -Hoot Crops. Mangolds, swjedes, turnips and carrots may claim special attention during December if weeding and singling havp not yet been carried out. All root crops handsomely repay any extra attention during early growth, and none more so than mangolds. Intercultivation retains moisture and destroys seedling weeds and should be continued until the crop meets m the rows, after which it will- look after itself. Areas intended l’or swedes should be kept stirred ‘ and subsequently sown either towards the end of December or early in January. Soft turnips for winter feeding should go in about the same time, sowing the later blocks slightly heavier as the germination may not be so good. Imperial or Hardy Green Globe are suitable varieties for winter, use. Potatoes. Keep the horse hoe mbving to control the weeds and mould up as soon as -the' tops are sufficiently grown. This crop will soon look after itself if given a. reasonable start. Rape. The earlier sown areas should be ready. for feeding about the middle, of January, and if attention has been given to a succession of sowings should carry on through the lambfattening season. Should there be a tendency to scald allow a run off on grass or clover. More attention should be given to. the fact that rape should be allowed to ripen or\mature properly before stocking. This is when the foliage tarns a bluish colour. On the other hand /feeding should never be defered until the leaves begin to turn a reddish tint. Dairymen should feed with great care and only in limited quantity immediately after milking. , Soft Turnips. The earlier sown areas should be

ready during January. Feed carefully to the cows immediately after milking in limited quantity and \yell wilted, for at least 24 hours or longer if convenient. • Lucerne. « Provided the weather is suitable lucerne may still be sown early in December in . well worked ground. Where grass or other growth has become established in old stands as a result of consolidation during the earlier part, of the season the stand should be well loosened with a cultivator having narrow pointed tines and all such growth torn out after mowing. Millet. Millet may still be sown duringDecember, and' in districts lil-rely to suffer from .drought is valuable for. grazing. Mixed with peas or tares, it makes quite a good balanced, ration. A mixture of 12lbs. .Japanese millet to one bushel of peas or tares should prove .useful. Miscellaneous. In all cases where transport costs of manures for top-dressing hill country at a considerable distance from rail, are high, advantage should be - taken to back-load during the woolen if in g season.