SEASONABLE NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1765, 19 September 1885, Page 14

SEASONABLE NOTES.

Generally speaking the month of August is cold and stormy, and September quite genial and springlike in the character of the weather ; but this year the usual conditions seem to have been reversed, for the latter half of August was more springlike and warm than the first two weeks of September. Vegetation was induced to make a i>remature start and put forth shoots and buds, which have now been cut back or checked considerably by the cold biting winds. But farmers must bear in mind the proverb of the wise king, which is to the effect that he who will not plough because of the cold shall go hungry at harvest, and keep the teams going as constantly as possible, for it is imperative that all spring crops should be sown before the end of the month. Early sowing means early reaping, and consequently more freedom from rust, which invariably v makes -its aj>pearauce in late-ripening crops if Aaxap weather prevails during the autumn, as •Jhas been the case for several seasons past. The sooner, too, the cereal crops are disposed of the 6ooner the farmer can proceed with the work of getting in the root crops and seeds. Moist summers have been the rule for so many seasons that farmers have forgotten what a dry scorching summer is like, and do not hurry themselves in getting all cr6p3 into the ground; but we have experienced very dry summers, and may do -so again when we least expect it, and therefore it is advisable to bo on the safe side, and let all the crops get a good start as early as possible. The cultivation of linseed seems to have been J&nguishing of late, but efforts are again being made in North Canterbury to stir up the farmers to a sense of the importance and profitableness of this crop. Newly broken-up ground of tho alluvial kind, and deep "friable loam containing decomposed vegetable are best suited for the cultivation of $ax, but such land is not absolutely necessary Sn order to raise a fair crop. Any well-tilled andclean s.oH that is not stiff and clayey, and does »ot bake, is capable of growing a medium if not a good crop. The choice of good and sound seed is a matter of importance.. Fresh and .good seed should be smooth, bright, plump, and so heavy as to sink in water. In European it is considered equal fee wheat as an exhaustive cvop if grown for seed, ai^l as a green crop whew the plant is pulled for fibre alone. In the nortk pt' Ireland it, is generally sown by the small farmers after potatoes, and in Belgium they say it should not follow peas nor beans, or be sown on the sarao soil oftener than twice in nine years. The after-culture consists in keeping the evop free from weeds. If the soil be dry and porous, rolling is beneficial in pressing the soil about the young plants and in keeping out the drought. The high price of grass-seed and the low price of wooL do not offer much inducement to lay down land to "grass which is capable of growing anything else. But there are doubtless numerous paddocks that are not fit for anything but a long rest in grass in order to recuperate its strength and smother tUe sorrel or couch. Many farmers consider that January is the best time to sow grass, »s there is more chance of .«&owery weather in the autumn, and Jf tne seeds Wnot be sown in September or early in .October it will probably be the better plan to defer 4oing so until the New Yeai', (W Novem&er and JOecember are oftentimes too dry 19V the Beed to take root, and many paddocks sown at midsummer ijave been almost a total failure for want of nioistujre enough to cause the germinafajig and striking of the seed. But as before srei»3.rked, dry suronacw have been the exception .of late years. This is the time,for sowing mangolds, and an :acre or tovo of clean, well-tilk<& ground should Ibe planted vrith mangels on every i^epn. The main crop of potatoes should toe planted during the last week of this or the first week of -next mqnth. It is a debated question whether 'large or small sets produce the best crops, other (things being equal. It seems to be generally .admitted, however, that the cuttings should be made from large but not overgrown potatoes, »nd that it is not advisable to plant either small potatoes or small cuttings. A pood set cut from a large potato, other things being equal, will naturally produce a stronger and better plant than part of a small potato, the crop being in general proportionate to the weight of the potato sets. A large set gives nourishment to the plant when young, which promotes its future growth. At any rate that seems to *he

the common sense view of the matter, and is applicable to all kinds of seeds. Many years ago an experiment was made in this matter. The plots of soil, of equal size and quality, were planted with (1) very large sets, (2) very small sets, and (3) medium size sets ; and the results from the first and third were nearly the same, while that from the very small sets was one-fourth less. The earlier tho planting the larger the sets should be, for if a large set throws up a stronger plant there is more chance of it recovering when nipped by frost.

The majority of ewe flocks on farms will now be lambing, and it is to be hoped that move settled weather will prevail during tho veiuaiiider of the month. It is desirable th.it v lioUl of good fresh feed should bo providi"! for the ewes during and after lambing. They should be well looked after while lambing, as assisinnee is often necessary, especially the firs; crossbred lamb with merino or maiden ewes. It is noli well ..to allow ewes to lamb on turnips ; a f rosh pasture for lambing, and a good bite of green food to pass the ewes and lambs on to, promotes the flow of milk, and consequently the growth of the lambs. A paddock of winter rape or of rye sown in March would now be very acceptable to tho ewes and lambs, and could be fed oif in time, for barley. Ewes cannot be kept too well while, suckling the lambs, but it is the opinion of some that good feed before lambing heats the blood and promotes inflammation at lambing ; while others say that the ewe requires good feed up to the time of lambing to nourish and .sustain the growing but unborn lamb. It seems necessary, then, to endeavour to hit the happy medium, and neither have them in a too gross condition, nor yet too poor and weak.

The gorse is rapidly coming into bloom, and the careful farmer will do well to see that it is trimmed before the seed-pods ripen and scatter their contents far and wide, and entail much labour in grubbing in the future.