FIELD NOTES FOR AUGUST.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 6 August 1924, Page 6

FIELD NOTES FOR AUGUST.

(Supnlied by Fields Division). CULTIVATION. v This should he pushed along ,so as to have the land ready for sowing cereal crops in September. On dry areas these may be sown in August, but as a rule early September will be soon enough for wheat and oats. Barley is betteir sown towards the end of September. TOP-DRESSING OF PASTURES. This work should have been completed last month, but quick acting manures like super or basic super, or mixtures of super and lime may still be applied. Keep the harrows going to distribute the droppings of stock. FEEDING GREEN CROPS.

Where these are available, cows that have come into profit will be turned on to graze for half an hour or more. Cure should be taken to see that they are not too long for the first few clays, especially if the weather is .wet and co-kl, otherwise there is a <jtisiderable danger of red water. This is particularly so where crops like thou-sand-headed kale that have stood over the winter are being fed. Generally it pays to cut this class of crop and let it welt for a day or two.

Cereal crons that are be carried on for grain or chaff should in most cases have the final feeding off by the end ofAugust. The exceptions are very strong land where lodging is feared. In such cases feeding off could be continued until the end of September. After the final feeding, give the crop cue or more strokes with the tin© harrows. This will open the land and assist subsequent growth. If the crop has not been previously manured, and appears thin or weak, give it lewt of superphosphate per acre either before or after harrowing. ROOT CROPS. Swede crops will be mostly done and a start will be. made on mangolds. These are excellent for either sheep or cattle, provided they have been out of the ground long enough to ripen. They may be fed to sheep on the fields on which they were grown, but better results are obtained where they are carted out on a clean grass paddock. In feeding mangolds to dairy cows start with 201 bs per day and gradually work up to 401 bs per day in the ease of in-calf cows, and Gfllbs per day in the case of cows in profit. Always provide a good supply of hav. GREEN CROPS FOR HAY; OR ENSILAGE. In dry situations these may lie sown towards' the end of August, but generally September is earLy enough. Two bushels of oats or wneat and one of tares o,r li °f peas gives good results. Golden tares are best for airing sowing. Early Mihto, Gray

Partridge or Imperial Blue peas are best in the order warned. Suitable' manures are basic super, on- mixtures of super and eplios. or Nauru or basic slag two to three ewt per acre.

LAND INTENDED FOR ROOT CROPS. Land for.- root crons such as carrots, mangolds, turnips and swedes, should he ploughed as early and deep as the nature of the, land will allow. Early ploughing allows the turned under material to rot and form a union with tlie subsoil, and,this insures a good supply of moisture during the hot summer months by what is known as capillary attraction.