GROW LUCERNE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1178, 13 July 1911, Page 8

GROW LUCERNE.

EXTERT'S ADVICE TO HAWKE'S BAY. At the quarterly general meeting of tlio Hastings branch of tlio New Zealand Farmers' Union, Mr. F. E. Nottage, Government Inspector of Orchards, delivered un address on "Lucerne-growing." Mr. Nottage said that in Hawke's Bay the prico of land was high, and in order to make both ends meet it whs necessary to adapt our methods in such a way as •to ensure every acre returning its full ■share toward the farmer's income. From .lis own observation in this and other dands ho had come to the conclusion that no other crop'would do so much to improve both the soil fertility and tho banking account as tho growing of lucerne. The climate and soils of Hawke's Bay ;were admirably suited to the growth of /lucerne either with or without irrigation, (and it could only be a question of timo [when every dairy farmer, would rcaliso 'that his lucerne paddocks were indispenifiabta. The plant would grow on a great [variety of soils, the chief determining ifeaturc liiakiug for success being that tho land should be thoroughly drained. .Autumn sowing was advocated, and the ■land should have been previously worked :aud re-worked to secure an even and fine surface. Speaking generally, broadcasting was preferable to drilling in the seed. 'The value of lucerne as a restorer of soil (fertility could not'bo overestimated. The 'deep Tooting habit of the plant enabled.it to draw sustenance from .deeper_ levels 'than other plants, and.,the surface soil got a rest which was very neccssary after repeated cropping with grain, or root ■crops.' The liardiness and adaptability iof tho plant Was one of its strongest re,commendations, while its comparative Ifreedom from attack of pests and diseases .placed it on a plane of its own among ; tlio fodder plants of the day. In conclusion; every "farmer present was urged, |if he had not yet tried "the' King of Fod'ders" to sow down a small area, make careful notes of the results.