VALUE OF LUCERNE.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 May 1921, Page 7

VALUE OF LUCERNE.

“THERE’S MONEY IN IT.” MOVEMENT IN MANAWATU. Palmerston N., May 25. In New Zealand we are specially endowed by nature with all the features helpful to successful farming. 'Yet lucerne growing, which occupies a very high place among green crops for milk production in other dairying countries, is only just beginning to come to its own in this country. The lack of interest on the part of dairymen may be due to the many failures in getting a go|d strike of the seed. Some recent inquiries made in the Manawatu district show that farmers are only waiting for the knowledge of the plant life to go in for it extensively. Many who have succeeded in raising lucerne in Palmerston North say that the man who has the soil and situation combined, and has it drained, limed and worked, can grow anything he wants. The Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce discussed the subject, when it was pointed out that a campaign in favor of growing lucerne was going on at the present time throughout the country. While it was stated it was not a matter for chambers to deal with, it could be referred to the agricultural and pastoral associations.' It was further mentioned that in New Zealand the average yield of butter-fat per cow was 1601 b. With one cow fed on special foods such as lucerne, as high as 9801 b had been secured.