FIELD NOTES FOR NOVEMBER.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 4 November 1924, Page 2

FIELD NOTES FOR NOVEMBER.

(J. W. Deem, Instructor in Agriculture. Fields Division, Department of Agriculture.) PASTURES. Feed is now plentiful and every endeavour should be made to keep it iu a succulent condition by means of careful grazing, so that the best results are obtained and the season prolonged. If there is danger in some of the most forward districts of it bolting to seed towards the end of the month, it should, if possible, be controlled by stock. If these are not sufficient, the surplus grass should be cut with the mower and made into ensilage or hay, or even carted off for manure, rather than let a good pasture spoil. GREEN CROPS. The sowing of rape and kales should be pushed along, and in very warm situations millet and maize may be sown. In average localities, the middle of the month will be soon enough for maize or millet, and in high, cold localities. it is better deferred until the end of November, or the first week in December'. In localities where rape or kale cannot be successfully grown for lamb fattening, Japanese millet should be tried, as it gives fairly good results. Sow at the rate of 16 to 181bs. of seed per acre through every coulter of the drill. Manure with superphosphate, 3 to 4 cwt. per acre, or sow 121bs. millet and rape per acre, using the same manure. Millet is also very good for grazing dairy cows during the dry weather. It should be sown so as to feed off in breaks. There are several varieties of maize available, hut for this 5 coast, Ninety Day, Horse Tooth, and Hickory King are among the best. For feeding out to stock, sow through every coulter at the rate of two bushels per acre. Suitable manures are basic super, super, or mixtures of half super, half ephos, or half super half blood and bone, 3 to 4 cwt. per acre. Peas for lamb fattening may still be sown, varieties and manures were dealt with last month.' . ROOT CROPS. The sowing of mangolds, carrots, and soft turnips should be pushed along. Varieties and manures were dealt with last month. From the middle to the end of November is a good time to sow the Guerande carrot for sheep feeding. This carrot is gaining in popularity for this purpose, and a large area will be put in this year. They are best sown on ridges 21 to 26 inches apart. This permits intereultivation with the horse hoe to control weeds and retain moisture. If the land is reasonably clean and no ridger is available, they may be sown on the flat, through every eoulter of the drill. Sow from Ito li lbs. seed per acre and do not thin. When sown on ridges, it will pay to run over them once and pull out the weeds. Manure at the rate of 3. cwt. per acre. Any good phosphatic manure is suitable, basic super, or mixtures of super and ephos half and half, or super and bonemeal will give good results, or proprietary mangold or carrot manures, at the same rate per acre. LUCERNE. Fields that are being -got ready for lucerne should be frequently worked this month, so as to destroy weeds and get the land into good condition for sowing. If the land is not clean, it is better to delay sowing for a few w r eeks, and get the weeds destroyed. As a rule, November 20 is early enough, and generally the best results on this coast are procured from December sowings. Lucerne requires a firm seed bed, consequently the land should be well consolidated with the Cambridge roller. If this is not available, lighter rollers may be used, and where no roller can be produced, fair consideration may be obtained by driving sheep backward and forwards. The land should have been previously limed with at least 10 cwt. of carbonate of lime or 5 cwt. of burnt lime pei* acre; double these quantities would be an advantage. Seeding should be done at from 15 to 20 lb per acre, and is best drilled in through ©very coulter of the drill, or drill half the seed one way and cross drill the balance, taking care to drill as lightly as possible, so that the seed will be just covered, finishing with the roller. Next to drilling, broadcasting after the roller is recommended. When broadcasting, not less than 20 lb per acre should be sown. If the land has been limed, manure with 2 cwt. superphosphate per acre; if no lime has been applied, use basic super or basic slag 3 cwt. per acre. When sowing, it is good practice to mix the, seed and manure and sow at once. Seed should not be mixed with superphosphate and let stand before sowing, as this retards germination. In some districts lucerne will do well without inoculation, while in others it is absolutely necessary to inoculate to get a stand. As a rule it pays; to inoculate where lucerne may be grown without inoculation; it is found that the stands establish quicker where inoculation is added. There are various ways of applying the bacteria, but for ordinary farm practice 2 to 3 cwt. of soil from a vigorous lucerne crop, broadcasted and harrowed in just before drilling or treating the seed with “Farmogerm,” can be recommended. . The second year is frequently a crucial time with lucerne. Crops that come away will, in the first year often go off badly in the second season, showing yellow, sickly patches and making poor growth. In such cases the farmer must have patience, as the majority of these crops get over their trouble in the autumn and do well afterwards.