LUCERNE ON THE LODDON.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 617, 4 May 1876, Page 3

LUCERNE ON THE LODDON.

Thb following practical letter, addressed to a well-known Melbourne seed firm by oee of its Loddon constituents, has been handed to us for publication : — " Gentlemen, — I promised last season to let you know how the lucerne answered in our district. Of course you are aware that I purchased seed from you for SO acres. Forty acres was fallowed land, had been under crop four years ; and the other 40 was ploughed up and sown the same season. I find it is a very good plan to J fallow and clean the land well before sow. ing- lucerne, for I find that the 40 acres put in without, fallowing has not come on half as well as the other, and I find where there were any wild oats they have killed the lucerne altogether, and I have to topdregs it to bring it up near to the 40 ncrei. " It will answer first-class on our heavy clay plains— l am quite convinced of that now — ami I intend to pot in altogether about 500 acres, after taking about four crops off eoch paddock. " The best time to sow lucerne, in my opinion, is the first rains in April (I hut was the time I put in my own). The iro-»t will not kill it if put in then, tor it will be well rooted before the cold weather setb in ; and alehough the frost may keep the plant back in growing up, it -will he making good road down ; and when the spring comes in, then it will give a good account of itself. " I would not recommend to let the lucerne grow too high before putting sheep on it ; by them eating it oft it will make the plant stool out and grow strong ; but do not feed too cloße. The land wants to be well worked before sowing, and rolled down, all the rolling to bo done before sowing. After sowing, take a li^ht set of harrows and give the land one harrpwing (no rolling). If there are any small nugo-s (lumps), so much the better — it will protect the young plant from frost. Roll down latter end of summer, and harrow. The dirt from small lumps will fill up the cracks and do the lucerne good. I sowed 141b to acre with a broad-cast machine I got sent out from England. Yon can sow I with it any kind of grass-seed, from lib !to 301b to acre. I sowed 16 acres a day with it, and shifted my own poten. I think you would do well to have a few imported. "If you should want any more information I shall be happy to comply j but you must bear in mind I am only q ving you my own experience, and tho way I intend to treat my own land in sowing lucerne ; and, if any one follows my plan Ido not think he will be far astray. Ido not think it would be advisable to sow grass seeds with lucerne ; for if the wild oats will kill the lucerne, I fancy the grasses will do the same— in fact, I know a neighbouring farmer that did ao last year ; tho grass grow well, but there is vory little lucerne to be seen now. -I am, &c, Edwin Jewell, Clovelly Farm, Bridge water-on-Loddon. "