FIELD NOTES FOR JULY.

Shannon News, 5 July 1927, Page 4

FIELD NOTES FOR JULY.

'(By W. J. McCulloch —Instructor in r. Agrlculthre—Palmerston North. [*; ' Cultural Work. ; No opportunity be lost to i turn over land intended for Spring f; t crop3 provided the soil is in conditlon 1.e., not too wet. It should be borne, in mind that while the fallow- ’ ing or weathering of soil is very v" beneficial, the - benefits so derived p can easily be outweighed by ploughj .fing or working land when too wet. Greater care is necessary on land under cultivation than on ,t.viea being broken up. In"earlier or drier localities a second ploughing If'for root* crops etc which always pays |;! best -in all soil types can bo pushed l along towards the end of the month llfand/ during August as conditions suit. A good example of second ploughing ’ ‘'’.is invariably seen as a result of, for v’~ instance, mangels repeated on the l ;same, area in the second year. Ite;''"''' Spring Crops, ■. A In planning ahead useful Autf*’ umn fodders past experience should V guide the farmer as to requirements. .In localities where there is risk of {-■ shortage ■ of pasture ample s provision be made, choosing a proporft'tion of such crop 3 that may be * turned Into hay or ensilage later if not actually required. The popular practice' of top-dressing grassland $ tends to make the provision of supplementary fodders imperative. In " this connection Spring sown props .'such as Oats and Tares, Westenwolths and Clover, Millett, Maize, otc.p

although intended to tide over Autumn or Early Winter can bo conveniently utilised and stored for future use according to variety either as hay or ensilage. The provident farmer always overestimates the requirement of his stock and underestimates the yield of his crops. The end of August and well into September is quite early enough to sow Spring Wheat in average districts. Oats or. Barley may follow towards the end of September. In the case of all Spring crops Super alone or in combination with certain other manures should be used. A quickly soluble prohpliate is necessary so that vigorous growth is assured in early* Spring. Pastures— Where not already carried out top-dressing should be done during the month and the choice should be a quick-acting phosphate if conditions permit or a combination containing a large proportion of same. Vigorous tripod liarrowings should be carried out on all well established pastures before Spring growth commences and should always be recognised as next in importance to topdressing. The combination of both is ideal but even where circumstances will not permit .expenditure on manures triped-harrowing should never be neglected. Continue to feed hay or foots etc. on the lighter or grub infested patches but avoid puddling. If .the letter condition prevails the sward may be killed out or thinned to such an extent that weed invasion is made easy. * This

o'ovidea the reason why only good

hay free from weed seeds should be fed out. While clover and good grass seeds can be introduced in this way it is also as easy, to introduce weeds and inferior grasses. Shut up and retain a good paddock which has been top-dressed, in readiness for the early Spring calvers. Continue to provide a good run off from the root crop where a certain amount of roughage will be available for sheep or cattle. . If fresh clean young pasture is not provided for Spring calves do not neglect to apply a heavy application of burnt lime to the old calf paddock. Lucerne. If soil conditions permit during August Lucerne stands should be vigorously cultivated to tear out grass which may have established during Winter. - Top-dress with a quick-acting phosphate such as Super or Basic and where necessary an. addition Qf sulphate of Potash or 30 per cent. Potash. A previous application of Lime will be very beneficial. > Miscellaneous. Continue to keep a watchful eye on open drains, removing blockage. An inspection should be made of all outlets of tiles or moles after heavy rain and a note made of any that fail to discharge saitsfactorily with a view of remedying same. Where under drainage is not yet provided remove accumulations of water from pastures or crops by running a plough furrow from depressions in the paddock. Pick over stored-pota-tocs removing diseased tubers.