LUCERNE GROWING.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1919, Page 11

LUCERNE GROWING.

, IN TARANAKI. j ' LUCERNE (Medicago sativa). j (Specially Written for the News.) j Lucerne belongs to the natural order iLeguminosae, and to the genus Medicago Legumes are of great economic importance, due to their ability to make use of the nitrogen in the soil air, and their high content of nitrogen, which is a most important element of food for plants, animals, and man. Lucerne once established, fonna perhaps the most valuable green fodder and hay crop on the farm, giving good yields over a period of five to fifteen years and more. It produces a number of surface roots, and a strongly developed tap-root which penetrates deeply into the soil. It is thus able to withstand drought by drawing upon the supplies of moisture in the sub-soil. After repeated cutting the stem develops a wide spreading crown from which arise new stems after every cutting. SELECTION OF SITE. Lucerne does best on a deep, friable alluvial soil with adequate supplies of potash and lime in the soil. A good free sub-soil is essential for the best results, and the permanent water table should be at least nine feet below the surface. Good surface drainage is also necessary, so that undulating country is an advantage. Shelter from the prevailing winds and a sunny aspect, while not necessary, is beneficial. A clean piece of land should be chosen, one in which a preparatory cleaning crop, such as potatoes, maize, or roots, has been grown. In the light Taranaki soil, lucerne is best grown on ground which has been in pasture for some years, or even maiden pasture. Such ground is usually free from sorrel, which cannot hold in well consolidated soil, so that pasture, then turnip or rape, and then lucerne is very suitable. PREPARATION OP SOIL. (1) Between August and October plough pasture land, if soil light, turn a flat furrow; (2) 801 l well to consolidate, to hasten decay and obviate air cushions in the soil; (3) When turf has rotted, disc harrow to cut soil away from the turf to pulverise the soil; (4) Tine harrow to level the field; (5) Add artificial manure and lightly harrow in; (0) Boll; (7) Chain or brush harrow to loosen surface soil, and form a "soil mulch"; (8) Sow the seed; (9) Roll to cover seed, and to compact the soil round the seed. SOWING. This is usually done between the end of October and the first week in January, (under ordinary conditions). November is considered the most suitable month. Autumn sowing Bhould not be attempted unless the land is well sheltered and warm, and even then not later than March. There are various methods of sowing: (1) In drills, through every coulter; (2) In drills, half the seed one way and the other half across (this obviates misses); (3) In drills 21 to 28in. apart; (4) Broadcast. If sown in drills 141b to I6lb of seed per acre is necessary; If broadcast, about 201bs. Lucerne appears to like cultivation, so that if labor is available it is advisable to drill in the seed to permit of regular and thorough cultivation. MANURES. If possible, with previous cleaning crop apply ground limestone about lOcwt per acre, and basic slag 3cwt to the acre. If this is not done, just before sowing add lime and manure as stated above. During the first year keep manures near the surface, so do not use slowly soluble ones. When the lucerne not highly Boluble. When the lucerne hag become well established use soluble manures that will peraolate down to the roots, such as superphosphate and burnt lime, about 3cwt per aere of each. If obtainable add a potash manure, about Jcwt. per acre would be sufficient. Superphosphate must not be used, unless lime haß been added previously. Basic slag should be used on an established crop only when sorrel, due to excessive past cultivation or other causes, shows freely in the crop . INOCULATION. In most part? of Taranaki inoculated soil is not necessary. But some heavy cold soils do not contain a sufficient quantity of the symbiotic bacteria and consequently the lucerne would not be successful. Under these conditions it becomes necessary to introduce the specific bacteria into the soil by spreading over the area to be sown some soil that has been obtained from a well established lucerne patch. About 300 lbs. to the acre is sufMent. The inoculated soil should be either drilled in or quickly harrowed in as the sunlight kirn the bacteria. Choose dull weather or apply late in the afternoon. yARIETIES. For Taranaki, especially along the coastal belt, Marlborough gives the best results. Hunter River is also very good but as a rule produces a more fibrous growth than Marlborough. There is usually too much stem in proportion to the leaf, and as the leaf is by much the more nutritious, this is a disadvantage. AFTER TREATMENT. As the first year of growth is the critical period in the life of the lucerne plant, it is of importance to give it good treatment- If it is sowa. in drills, inter-cultivation should be carried out while the crop is growing, but usually no treatment will be necessary until after the first cut, when a spring tooth cultivator or tine harrows heavily weighted, should be used. In winter stop all cultivation, but roll in July or August while the soil is still moist. A good harrowing will kill or check all surface rooting weeds and grasses. In the following spring weeds will be in evidence, but do not attempt to get them out. After the first cut they will be checked as the weather that usually follows favors the vigorous growth of lucerne which will smother the weeds. As the first cut thus usually contains many weeds, it is not made into hay but into ensilage. In early spring a top dressing of burnt lime, 2cwt., and superphosphate, 2cwt., greatly stimulates the growth of lucerne. While the lucerne is becoming established, and its roots are shallow, the manures should be kept near the surface, e.g., basic slag, but when the roots have penetrated deeper a more soluble manure such as superphosphate and burnt lime should be used. Als6, if sorrel is plentiful, due to excessive past cultivation or other cause, basic slag should be supplied and not superphosphate.

After its Second year lucerne will not be checked by drought. As its long root system renders it indepandent of the rainfall, and it will continue to give plenty of green feed when most needed, e.g., January to April. If at any time the lucerne receives a check, cut or graze it, and a new fresh growth will start. GRAZING. (I) Do not graze the first season, but cut and cart out. Grazing encourages the growth of weeds; (2) After the nrst season judicious grazing may be indulged in, but do not graze too closely, especially just before winter; (3) Summer grazing is objectionable on account of the weeds and grass seeds carried into the lucerne field by. the stock. This is a very substantial objection; (4). It should be fed sparingly for the first day or so, and never in a wet condition, specially to dairy cows. Cows should not be put on until late in the day, when the dew or moisture has had time to dry, and for the first few times the stock should go on with full stomachs. Twenty minutes a day for the first week is long enough for dairy cattle grazing. CUTTING FOR HAY. Lucerne for hay should be cut just when the young shoots are starting from the crowns. This usually occurs in the early flowering stage when ab«ut one-tenth of the plants are in bloom. Not only does this give the best quality hay but it also fosters a more vigorous, healthy, and more immediate subsequent growth, because the young shoots are neither cut by the mower nor weakened by the excessive shade. DISEASES. Root fungus (Rhizoctouia). —Usually found in old bush land. Care should be taken not to spread it by cultivation. Dig up the affected part, apply a heavy dressing of burnt lime or add sulphate of iron at the rate of 3-13 cwt. per acre. But sulphate of iron is now very expensive. The disease may be recognised by the plant turning yellow and wilting, and the presence of the whitish colored fungus on the root. Leaf spot (Pseudopeziza medicaginis). —A fungoid disease causing yellow spots on the leaves. Cheok by frequent cutting. Rust Uromyces striatus).—Occurring as dark reddish to black specks on the leaves. Control by good drainage and frequent mowing. ■ ADVANTAGES OP LUCERNE. (II) Permanence: Will return profitable fields for many years; (2) It is of high nutritious value; (3) Useful as a green feed; (4) Makes excellent hay; (5) The first cut, especially, may be used for ensilage; (6) Can be cut and fed to stock, e.g., a soiling crop; (7) Can be grazed in dry weather.