THE VALUE OF LUCERNE.

Bruce Herald, Volume LV, Issue 65, 25 August 1919, Page 3

THE VALUE OF LUCERNE.

Being a deep feeder, lucerne is one of the best drought-rcsisters, and in those localities where summer drought is of regular occurrence the present is tho time to decide on having at- least a few r acres under this useful fodder crop. It is one that can remain down for a number of years, and will yield several crops per annum, totalling some 20 tons of green fodder or five tons of hay. An indication of its nutritive value is found in the. fact that a ton of lucerne hay is equal to a third of a ton of decorticated cotton cake, yet it is obtained at a much less price. A deep soil is necessary for this crop, and the particular nature of the land is not of great importance, provided it is not of too compact a texture, but this does not preclude its cultivation on clay soils from which, indeed, excellent crops have been obtained.. As with all other leguminous crops, the presence of lime is desirable. The seed may be sown early in the new year on a spring planted com crop ; about 2olb per acre should be drilled in rows a foot apart. If, however, the land is clean enough not to require hoeing between the rows, the seed may be broadcasted instead of drilled. It is found in practice that the growth of lucerne by itself is not to be recommended, as it soon becomes overrun with weeds; hence to prevent them growing between tl.c luccrno plants it is good policy to sow a dozen pounds per .acre of a grass mixture, tho best grasses being timothy, meadow fescue, and cocksfoot. These effectually occupy ■the ground, and, being of vigorous growth, it is difficult for weeds to compete against them. The manuring of lucerne has been the subject of a number of experiments, and the most reliable results poin-t to the following mixtures of artificials as the most suitable ; 3-Jcwt of superphosphate, 2cwt. of Kainit, and Icwt. of nitrate of soda; oil' soils deficient in lime .however. cwt of basic slag may be substituted for the superphosphate.