THE FARMERS’ MONTH

Wairarapa Age, 22 February 1927, Page 3

THE FARMERS’ MONTH

FIELD NOTES FOR MARCH.

By

W. J. McCulloch,

Instructor in

Agriculture, Palmerston North.

The majority of the cereal crops would be stacked by the end of February, and unless it is intended'to thresh <-,r chaff the stacks before the bad weather sets in, they should be securely thatched as also should all hay stacks. A thoroughly stock-proof fence should also protect the stacks, and a few furrows ploughed round them as a protection against fire. Unfortunately, considerable waste continues from neglect of these simple precautions. CATCH CROPS. Land which has grown early soft turnips or other fodders together with the stubbles should be utilised for catch crops whether for feeding later or ploughing in. Unless the object is to fallow and clean out troublesome plants such as the couch grasses, etc., land should not remain in idleness at this season, growing and seeding weeds. Although the season is well advanced, there are still a number of useful fodder crops which may be sown with safety, provided there is Sufficient moisture. In some districts even swedes have been sown with' reasonable success as late as the end of February, but swedes are less adaptable than soft turnips for very late sowing. Algerian oats and ryccorn sown this month make good winter grazing, or either of the foregoing at 2 bushels with 1 bushel Scotch Tares per acre provide useful crops. Likewise Black Skinless Barley at from 2J bushels to 3 bushels per acre being an. extremely quick grower should be ready for feeding in from 6 to 8 weeks. Westernwolths in good strong land, or Italian Ry® at 30 lb. per acre with 5 or 6 lbs Cowgrass wakes a vigorous temporary pasture for periodical grazing, and one which can be counted on to last for two seasons if necessary. Crimson Clover is sometimes substituted for CoWgrass, but on the average does not appear to give the sshno amount of feed, and being only an annual, such temoprary pastures devoid of Clover extent in thQ second year, excepting that which ebmes naturally. All catch crops should be given a liberal application of a phosphatic fertiliser. SOWING OF GRASS. March is a much favoured month for grossing down in many districts, and preparations should be well in hand. Bush or scrub burns are usually most successful at this time. The mixtures to be sown should be on hand in order that no time will be lost, and every advantage taken of the ash to form a good seed-bed. An arable land sowing should be complete by the end of the month if possible. Where such foders as rape, kale, etc., has been fed off, and the area is going into grass, the moit successful method of preparation is to disc thoroughly instead of ploughing. Consolidation of the seed-bed is thus assured, and the manure left by stock kept at the surface. Should ploughing be necessary, then it should only be shallow, and worked later to a fine and firm condition. In making up mixtures, local conditions of soil and climate are the most important factors, and where there is doubt advice should be sought. LUCERNE. Provided the conditions suit, advantage should be taken to eradicate grass or other weeds from the stand. For this purpose it may first be necessary to break the surface with the discs, but for the eradication of grass, etc., there is no finer implement than the special lucerne cultivator with narrow long pointed teeth. Where such a machine is not available, the special teeth can be fitted to the ordinary spring-tooth cultivator. If the stand has developed a good root hold, the cultivation should be deep and thorough, so that all grasses, etc., will be uprooted and killed on the surface. OTHER CROPS. This fodder will be proving very useful, and where not grown with tares or peas the dairy herd should have access to pasture with an abundant clover content such as a hay aftermath. Also a most useful supplementary crop, should be fed with reasonable care. They should be pulled at least from 24 to 48 hours before feeding to avoid taint. Early rape should still be continuing to provide a useful bite, and like other green fodders if they can be spared, will assist to freshen the ewe flock just before tupping. The main crop will now bo nearing maturity towards the end. of the month and beginning of April, but no attempt to harvest them until the haulms arc properly ripened off, . otherwise the keeping quality will be impaired. LINING, TOP-DRESSING, ETC. In order that success can be relied upon ajl arrangements should bo in hand where liming is proposed so that the fullest benefit may be derived the 'following spring. Likewise, where conditions of soil, etc., suit the slower acting manures for top-dressing grass, the work should receive early consideration. Basic Slag and the rock phosphates should be applied at this season if a benefit is expected in early spring. Super applied now gives a better winter growth, and is common practice in many districts. Hill country top-dressing is easier handled now and during early winter.