LUCERNE.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1921, Page 8

LUCERNE.

IN SOUTH TARANAKI. AN INSTRUCTIVE FIELD DAY. That the growing of lucerne for fodder for dairy cattle has long passed the experimental stage was strongly impressed upon those farmers, numbering over 40, including two or three ladies, who accepted the invitation given by the Hnvver.i branch of the Farmers’ Union to attend a field day yesterday. A number of farms within a radius of 7 or 8 miles of Hawera, including Messrs. W. Nulville (Taru Tarn Road), Ogle Bros. (Ararata), Gane (Normanby), W. J. Laurent (Normanby), A. Schneibetti (Ketemarei Road), H. E. Batten (Tokaora), and Griffin (Tokaora) were visited. These contained plots varying from a few acres to 50 acres of lucerne, some having been down 14 years and others just sown this season. Those present were given information of the treatment accorded the plots, together with the common food yield and the high estimation in which lucerne is held by those who are fortunate enough to possess a few acres, and their number is increasing in South Taranaki. The party was accompanied by Messrs J. W. Deen (fields inspector to the Agricultural Department), and by Mr. Glasson (the Hawera departmental officer), who have taken a keen interest in the development of the growing of lucerne. Before dispersing Mr. F. Mills (president of the branch) returned his thanks to Messrs. ,T. W Deen and Glasson and the owners of the farms visited. Many, he said, had expressed doubts as to whether lucerne would do well, hut he felt surp that their doubts had been removed after what they had seen that day. It was also satisfactory to know that even If the lucerne plot was neglected for a year or two it was possible, by working it. to bring It back again, and at the same time get good returns for it.