LUCERNE GROWING.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17247, 10 September 1921, Page 10

LUCERNE GROWING.

TO the editor of "thk press." I Sir,—While all right-thinking pecjle agree that a plot of lucerne well established is a'nicst valuable asset, there appears to be great difference of opinion as to the best means ,of obtaining that eud, or of even setting about to grow it at all. No one will deny the honeetv of purpose of our worthy Mr Mcpherson's enthusiasm, in this important matter, but it is an easier matter to carry out Government experiments than it is for farmers to experiment with money out of their own pocket, because, after all, • £ s. d. is the thing that matters most. As one willing apd anxious to try lucerne-growing, I was interested in the letters of Mr J. Parlane and Mr W. Sandrey, and to tho'se gentlemen and io any others who have grown, or tried to grow, lucerne, I suggest that they should, through your paper, give details of their method of working, where the results have proved successful, and I would ask the following questions, which may prove useful to those in the aame position as myself: (1) Naturt} of soil and sub-soil. (2) £state of ground broken ut>? (3) Dates of first ploughing and subsequent working? (4) Depth of ptougning? (5) If rolled before or after drilling? (6) Manure used, if any? (7) Variety of seed? (8) Date of sowing? (9) Quantitv of seed per acre? (10) Width of [ drills or rowsP (11) Depth from surto waterP (12) If land i'i subject to fat-hen by late spring working ?_ (13) Any other particulars not specified that on© practical farmer knows would interest a new or novice grower? I think, sir, that a correspondence of this kind coming from men whose experience has been bought out of their own pockets _ would do a lot of good, and as this is the season for prospective growers to get busy',' I trust that all who can will give their experience. —Yours, etc., FAT LAMB.