LUCERNE AND GRASSES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8689, 15 October 1913, Page 7

LUCERNE AND GRASSES.

A "Guardian" reporter was shown over the experimental plots at Ashburton High School, which are being carried on in conjunction with the Agricultural Department. Under Mr \V. F. Watters, 8.A., and Mr Stewart, ©1.A., the boys are doing very good work. They are taking a Keen interest in agriculture, and have already achieved results that will be of particular interest to farmers and of benefit to scholars who, in after-life, take tip agricultural pursuits.

In front of the school is a half-acre of medium quality land, broken up last December, where some very interesting experiments have -been carried out since then. For the reason that it had generally been considered that Ashburton County was not adapted for the growing of lucerne, perhaps the experiments made by the boys with this most valuable fodder will be of the greatest interest to agriculturists. Lucerne has long been recognised as an invaluable food for stock, and it has been claimed for it that where conditions are suitable no other forageplant could compare with it. In December last the boys at the High School .planted nine different varieties of lucerne, and the test has afforded a fine object-lesson for those interested. The varieties include Arabian, Marlborough, American, Turkestan, Peruvian, Hungarian, Hunter River, French, and others, and every species has done well. The plants are now a little more than a foot high, and look as healthy as possible. By mistake, some of ,:,tho plants were sown., with manure, ,but these have not-made any better showing than those sown with-1 out, illustrating ' that in .jts present condition the soil for lucerne does not! require, manure. 1 The plants are to be cut down to within about three inches of the ground and then let grow again, and cut down from time to time with a view to seeing how many crops the plot will yield. The fodder taken away will be weighed and a record kept, showing the yield from the area B«wn, which will allow of an estimate of how much forage per year may be taken from an acre of lucerne. Lucerne ie a very deep-rooted plant, and trenches are to be dug between the rows of plants with the object of ascertaining how far the roots descend. Sown in December last, it is!: estimated that the roots of these plants have already gone down some fiveUfeet, and the average depth for lucerne roots i« given as 17 feet. Mr McPherson visited the plot on Saturday last, and expressed himself as very pleased with all the experiments made. In his mind there is no doubt that this part of Canterbury is suitable for the cultivation of lucerne. Farmers desirous of viewing the plot j will, be welcomed.

The boys have also made .extensive experiments . with grasses of various specieSj and every test has attended with success. What is known as the tall oatgrass has reached a height of about 18 inches, , and the Western Worths (a new grass, which j agriculturists are greatly interested in) has done exceedingly well and seems well adapted to this climate. Phalaris commutara (a very fine grass) has done splendidly, and the Chief Fields Instructor was particularly taken with it. Prairie ryegrass, perennial, evergreen, and all kinds of clovers gave excellent results. These will be dug-in to ascertain - .the benefits _of gr.een manures. Sheep parsley, King Island mellilot, . saniform, stradella, yarrow, and other fodders were also experimented with, while all the root crops were grown with good results, includ- \ ing turnips (various varieties), mangolds, carrots, and potatoes. Better yields are expected _ next year. Ploughing for turnips is. to be commenced immediately. In the grounds at the back of the school a second p10t,,2* chains long by about 24 feet deep, has been prepared for experiments with grasses The boys are now awaiting the seed, when 50 varieties of pastures mil be sown in strips eight feet by three : feet with a path running between each plot. All the varieties will be distinctly named, and, as the soil is only medium, the result should be information. gamed as to which pastures are best suited to that particular kind of soil.. It may readily be judged^that these interesting experiments wjlL result m much benefit to the agriculturists of the future.