FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 116, 2 October 1912, Page 7

FARM AND DAIRY.

LUCERNE AND MAIZE AS FODDER. At the top of tihe list of fodders is lucerne, which takes precedence in protein contents even to bran. One important consideration, however, has to be noted. This pre-excellenee of quality is dependent solely upon the lucerne being allowed to niatlire without becoming dead ripe, and being used for feeding at that stage of cutting, or otherwise harvested as 'hay. The grazing of lucerne so as to keep it continually fed down is a grave mistake. Then comes maize fodder. No fodder is more easily grown or contains a larger amount of digestible nutrients per acre than maize, which when produced under the most favorable conditions of well-tilled land, comprises from eight to ten per cent, of protein. A difference of from three to four per cent, of this valuable element is found in favor of- well-tilled and manured land over that grown upon similar but badlyworked land, unmanured. Peas, which are highly nitrogenous, give their bent results in sheep and pig fattening. For pigs, peas increase t'he proportion of kan meat, and generally improve t'he quality and firmness of the bacon. When pigs . are turned into a paddock of peas they have the advantage of securing a required mixture of other fodder, and therefore do not have against them the highly albuminous character of this food, as, in addition, they obtain a proportion of stubble and weeds, together with the necessary exercise. When' peas are fed in the trough they need to be mixed with some crushed barley, crushed wheat, or maize meal. Rape, registers a good average percentage of protein,, and the haulms from peas, after thrashing, are exceptionally ricili, as also are clover vetches and soya beans, while wellsaved, good sound meadow 'hay has been known to reach a» high as 11 per cent, protein, although the ordinary average is only from 5 to G per cent. By meadow hay is meant one of the cultivated paddocks that are laid down in cultivated grasses, being shut off from grazing early in the. spring, and being allowed to mature go as to cut for liay. In feeding there is, of. course, a great saving in the grain and mill products where fodders High in protein are used.

la experimental orchard h'as been <astablislied at Bunnytliorpe, and 134 trees have been planted. There are 113 different kinds of apples and eight plums. The Government orehardist, Mr. George, ■Stratford;- will supervise. The prices for all classes of stock promise to l>e : exceptionally high (says the Pahiatua; Herald.) A local stock luyer who has been operating <luring the last few days in the Manawatu, paid £ll each for-.a-Jfee .of 24 bullocks. For a line of wethers he had to pay 235, whilst he instanced the fact that in another cr.se wethers had changed hands at 25s and 'ewes ; at ,2:ls. --• The iainbing peiceirtag.es in'the Manawatu have been high. In onie paddock; of , 280 ewes, the percentage of lambs has ,been 130, in another of 90 jicreg.TSq.'.per :^entv, : am(jL jj, .t'lird <if 200 acres 135 per!-dent. • He i'.dded that tlie percentages 'in many districts this year were much, higher, than usual. Although there had bben an exceptional rainfall in most districts the country generally wag looking in. splendid condition.. ■ A-Feilding farmer-'states that he and his neighbors are far Tram being pleased with, the pric«s.offering ai the cuiruncnc-e----ment of this .season -for pigs, viz., *ld per lb. There are -S'ev-eral in +ne community also who!.-will'jabs.ohitely decline to do business, at! this! price. They contend that 5d would!be! little enough, w-ien taking into consideration the keeping of pigs through.:the ,;wiiit.er and the irr-reased price of food and labor. Further, the deduction !of 27y 3 per cent. on live pigs is too'grasping ,on the part <-f t.ie buyers, aaid practically .-iicaiis thiit the farmer has :to ■ sacrifice about 501b on a good fat' pig. 4 - Froin 'experiments' it ' would appear that.wh'uli' the growth of a crop is not at all satisfactory the -ause vuy likely arises from, a diminution in th t soil of the bacteria w*liieh develop the stock of nitrogen in the. soil, '"lie eirennui-ineea •which- restrkt the . rapid. yMM t'i of the soil organisms' also' Jxert a py** : u< T ;cial influence on'the gro vth of most eulti•.vasted cro|r\----Tlies?, causes, arc: —1. An unusually I'6'fr proportion of lime in the soil and "the ruinous consequences resulting tlieTefwWi. Then acid .-oil rem tion, which' miiy'be nttrib'iv.ed mthtr (o 'absence of lim-fi 'iii the soil or an excess of luimus suliStanee. Probably the most usual -cause, foT such -conditions of the soil arises.frbih ! ploughing too deeply in a soil naturally' 'poor ; in lime. It has be-en proved Over and over again that it is necessary to proceed very gradually in deepening the 'surface, otherwise serious injury may be caused, although the risk is lessened by heavy liming and liberal dressing of farmyard manure. Plants which seem able to contend with the unfavorable conditions caused by _ a too deep ploi'ighin'g are-oats, rye, maize, and potatoes. ' Oli "the other hand, barley and leguminous plants are most sensitive to itr Other means in addition to liming and farmyard manure for remedying 'the evil are':—l. 'A thorough aeration of the soil by means of repeated ploughing. 2. The application of nitro cultures which contain the desired bacteria, and'especially the cultivation of lucerne, vetches, etc.