LUCERNE GROWING

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17272, 10 October 1921, Page 9

LUCERNE GROWING

10 THE EDITOR-OF "THE TRESS."

Sir,—l have been very much interested' in the above discussion in your paper, which "should do much to popularise liie growing of this useful plant on suitablo soils. I have been growing and grazing lucerne for tho last ten veara, and I would like to give my opinion for what it. is worth. Iherb seems to be a great difference of opinion as to tho best method of bowing—broadcast, or in rows. I have tried it three wavs: One paddock each broadcast, drilled in 7-inch rows and cross- j drilled, and drilled in 14-mch rows, in each case 101b of seed per acre, ihe result was a good strike and a strong plant in every case, but tho paddook in 14-inch rows gives decidedly less feed than either of the other two, owing, in my opinion, to so much ground growing nothing. The seed was sown iu the spring, and the land being subject to fat hen, it naturally carno up thick, but when a few inches high it was cut with a mower and left to lie This operation was repeated a few weeks later, after which it was lightly grazed. Tho paddock iu 14-inch rows was sown with" a crop of peas, the obKct of the poas beiflg to choke the fat hen. In this they were entirely successful, and after tho peas were barvested the lucerne, looked really well. Method of cultivation: Every winter or early spring I cultivate with a clay clubber, one strode each way, and luirrow down to remove clover or other shallow-rooted plants. I migjit mention that a few rears ago one field was so hard l that tfie grubber would not touch it, so I removed the mouldboards from the'double-furrow plough,-and

with narrow shares ploughed- it . six incites deep, after which it was worked down, and the lucerne did not sceln any the worse. It. seems to .mo that cultivation is necessary more to keep the weeds and glasses o'it than to keep a loose surface, as. two of my paddocks have engine and other traffic i across them every year, but. the lucerne docs not appear to suffer under the wheel tracks, also with heavy stocking with sheep during vfet weather the ground naturally gets as hard as a* old grass paddock, with apparently no ilU&eet. Grazing: Sheep can be turned on and' left there with absolute safety, no matter if they be hungry or full, or if the lucerne is wet or dry, ana the death-rate will" be practically ml. Lambs thrive particularly well while with their mothers on lucerav hut after weaning, they will not fatten as quiclcly a? they willonrape. Thane noticed thfttVieep or lambs will not scour on lucerne, and if -ptxt on ore bliehted rape for a; day or two will dry up almost immediately. 1 X v!? mention that one of my paddocks has been grazed almost continually for the last ten Tears, and the other two for lessor periods, and they are ing juk aa healthy as.ever they did.Yours, etc., McIJ;TOSH . "ltiversidc," "West Eyreton. October sth.

TO THB EDXIon 0? "iBE PRESS." » cj r Tho printer's error in making mq say. in my letter of the '•Timaru" instead of "Surnnor, wab s > obvious that I did net think it worth whilo .to. correct it. .In any case, it does not alter the fact that vho s®"*® cut of lucerne from the area mentioned measured 17ft, not does 't do away with the necessity o? the wtonsive cultivation of eoin© fodder plant in Canterbuo which. wilf improve t-ic present lamentable conditions. eraniu .to mo. to I>e tho 01% plant th:it will fully meet the roquifcmcnts, and if tliat is so, it will undoubtedly >. w grown with vaijing degrees of care and mte 11 ipe net-.—Yours, 00 C'arlto.'i Mill road, Christchurcli. October 9th.