LUCERNE AS A FODDER.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1921, Page 12

LUCERNE AS A FODDER.

JTS SUCCESSFUL CULTIVATION, SOME INTERESTING OBSERVATIONS. The necessity for making the land produce as much as possible is being impressed upon farmers more and more each year, especially since land, stock, etc., have reached such high prices. More particularly does this apply to dairy-farming. Intensive cultivation, together with the introduction of up-to-date methods of farming, as well as the testing .and culling of the dairy herds, all have their important part in successful farming, but one of the most important factors is the growing of suitable milk-producing fodders. In this connection lucerne must be given a permanent place, providing as it does in a 'small area an abundant supply of green feed during the months of summer and autumn, besides providing either hay or ensilage for winter use. One prominent South Taranaki farmer considers that lucerne will prove the salvation of many farmers on high-priced land. For some years past the claims of lucerne have been recognised, and various plots have been successfully grown in South Taranaki, where the officials of the Agricultural Department have always done their best to assist and encourage farmers to grow lucerne. The result is that there are numerous plots scattered throughout South Taranaki, and each season sees the area laid down in this prolific fodder plant increase, as farmers recognise the advantages to be derived from lucerne.

Last week, at the invitation of the Hawera branch of the Farmers’ Union, a party of over forty farmers, including a number of ladies, visited a number of farms within a radius of seven or eight miles of Hawera. They were impressed by what they saw, and any doubts which they may have had as to the suitability of South Taranaki for lucerne —the difficulties, of growing it, the length of tiime a plot lasts, etc.—were dispelled by what they saw, and by the replies given by the successful growers to the various (questions asked by the interested spectators. Messrs. Deem (field instructor to the Agricultural Department), ana Glasson (the Hawera Departmental official), who have always been keen advocates of lucerne growing, accompanied the party, and gave some very useful advice. Eight farms were visited, where lucerne was grown in areas from four to fifty acres. Two of the crops had only been sown in December, 1520, while the others ranged from two to fourteen years of age, and the party were thus enabled to ’aspect crops under different periods of growth. December appeared to be the most successful month for sowing, and the method preferred was either through every coulter of the drill, or board cast, and from 15 to 201bs of seed per acre had been sown in most Instances. In most cases lime had been applied, and fertilisets at from .3 to 8 cwt. per acre had been applied at time of sowing, and basic slag, basic super, and super being the main manures used.

The first farm visited was that of Mr. - William Melville, Turu Turu road. 'Here there was a crop of ten acres. The ground was ploughed in early spring after a crop of swedes, and worked at intervals till the crop sown on December 26, 1910, with 151bs of Alarlborough seed per acre, with 5 cwt. of basic super and 2 cwt. of inoculated soil. Lime at ti e rate of one ton to the acre was sown after the first cut in April. It had since been top-dressed with 2% cwt of lucerne manure in August, 1920, and G cwt. of lime in September, 1920. It had yielded 4 cwts. this last season, besides being highly grazed on in the autumn. It was at present being cut and fed cut to the cows for the third cutting this season, whilst there were two stacks of hay available for winter use. The ground was remarkably free from weeds. Mr. Melville made a practice of running a light cultivator over it, after it was cut, and also harrowed iti and this was strongly impressed on those present, viz, that the secret of success is to keep the ground well cultivated, and cultivation mut not be severe until the crop is established. Mr. Melville runs 60 cows on the hundred acres, and could easily do. another ten.

The nert place visited was Ogle Bros.', Ararat a. Mr. Ogle, senr., is considered to be the father of lucerne in South Taranaki. This was the oldest stand visited, a portion being sown in 1906, some in 1910, and the balance in 1913. The whole of the areas are still doing well; in fact Mr. Ogle considers that the 1906 and 1910 stands were better this year than any previous year.. Mr. Ogle was asked what, in his opinion, were the most important factors in the success of the lucerne, to which he replied: “Plenty of cultivation and manure.'’ Mr. Deem, in discussing this crop, pointed out that portions of the crop were 8, 10, and 13 years old, which showed that lucerne, properly tended, would last a long time, and not peter out in a year or two, as many thought.. He also pointed out that the condition of 'these crops was a very strong reply to those people who contended that manure was harmful to lucerne. When sowing,' Mr. Ogle .applied 3 cwt. of basic slag per acre. This had been repeated every second or third year since sowing.

Mr. Gane, of Normanby, has 50 acres of lucerne sown in 1914 and 1915, and here there were some interesting lessons in how not to treat lucerne. Most of the area tad been more or less continuously grazed, and for long periods cultivation had been neglected, and still there was a lot of lucerne to be seen. One field of ten acres, which had been heavily cultivated a few weeks ago, was making very vigorous growth, and was a great object lesson of what may be done by thorough cultivation to renovate a field of lucerne. Mr. Mills remarked that there might be times when farmers could not conveniently cut their crop, and this area showed that it might be grazed, and then recover Mr. Deem cautioned farmers not to graze for the first twelve months or two years. Regarding cultivation, he said, they need not be afraid of dragging a little soil on the plants, as soil placed on the crown caused the plants to spread out. Cutting too soon, he pointed out, was also apt to check root development. In after cuttings there was no specific height at which crops should be cut. Tkej’ must always be guided by observing when the young shoots were breaking away from the crows in the plants.

Mr. Laurent’s area of nine acres was seen in different stages of growth, and, although some of it is in Its seventh year, the crops are as heavy as ever.

Mr. Mr. A. Schneebell’s, a patch of 2 1 ,4. acres sown as recently as December 15 with 141 b of seed to the acre, was seen. Five cwt. of Ephos to the acre was used, whilst half a ton of lime was given to the acre before sowing. It was a remarkably even patch, having been cross-drilled. A patch where farm manure had been used was remarkably thick.

Mr. Batten’s field of nine acres at Tokaora was also a fine sight. This is giving its third cut for the season, and is being fed out green to the dairy herd. Mr. Batten says that he las been feeding out between three and four tons per day for the last two months, and he has not yefc. caught up on the growth. Mr. Batten is a great believer in cultivation, and his method is to folfovv the mowing machine with the cultivator, and this is reflected in the beautiful condition of bis field. A portion of this lucerne, which had 34 days’ growth since last cutting, was measured by some of the party, and showed 34 inches of growth. Mr. Batten has gone in extensively for lucerne, and erected .a concrete silo 38ft high to hold 160 tons of ensilage. which is chaffed and elevated into the s’.lo. Mr Batten is a great believer in labor-saving appliances, and loader that does away with the necessity of handling the lucerne after it is cut. Mr. A. Griffin has ten acres of the king of fodders. 5 acres sown in 1913, three in 1915, and 2 in 1920, and his stands were the most even ever seen dur ! ng the day. The older crops if anything appear to be on the improve. In discussing this cron, Mr. Deem drew attention to tire large amount of manure applied by Mr. Griffen to 1 is five acres Bcwn in 19'3, viz., 3 cwt. super, .3 cwt basic slag, and 2 cwt. bone per acre at time of sowing. Ee was not prepared to advocate such heavy manuring; at the same time it would hardly be possible to imagine anything finer than the crop under review, and after seeing this crop in conjunction with others during the day he did not think that many: of those present would subscribe to the doctrine that manure was harmful to lucerne. The consensus qf opinion among the success-

ful growers of lucerne seen during the day was that artificial fertilisers wsre of great value in the growing of lucerne. In speaking further on this subject Mr. Deem said that he believed in liberal manuring of lucerne in Taranaki, but he thought lime and thorough cultivation were of even more Importance. He was very strong on the necessity of cultivation, and said if a man had to choose between cultivation and manure be would advise the cultivation every time, as no amount of imanure would compensate for the failure to cultivate. Good crops of lucerne could b<* grown where the cultivation was thorough without manure or lime, but in many districts the attempt to depend on lime, and manure without cultivation usually ended in failure. The three factors mentioned above for value stood in the following order: —Cultivation, lime, manure.

The last farm visited was that of Mr. John Finlay, Tokaora. Mr. Finlay has a young stand of 4 acres of lucerne, which le making splendid growth, and with luck lie should soon be classed among the successful growers of lucerne in South Taranaki. In going over this crop, Mr. Deem commented on the firmness of the land, and the evenness of the crop. Mr. Finlay replied that on the advice of Messrs. Deem and Glasson he bad bought a roller at a cost of £46, and he was nov. sure it was the best investment he had ever made.

The party were then entertained by Mrs. and Misses Finlay with afternoon tea, which brought to a close a very pleasant and instructive day.

Before the party dispersed, Mr. Mills expressed the thanks of the branch to the farmers who had attended, also to Messrs. Deem and Glasson, and to the owners of the farms visited. felt certain those who- had made the trip had gained considerable knowledge. Many had had doubts as to whether lucerne would do well, but he felt sure that their doubts had been removed after what they had seen that day."" It was also satisfactory to know that even if lucerne was neglected for a year or two it was possible by working it to bring it back again.