LUCERNE GROWING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 30 January 1928, Page 7

LUCERNE GROWING.

COMPETITION AT OTAKEHI). TMR MEM 8 CLUB EXHIBITS. Tiie first of the season’s lucerne competitions in the Otakeho district was neld on Friday, when crops entered in the competition, under tne a e gm ot the warmers' Club were judged. Ihe entries were not up to last year’s and there was noted by the judges. Messrs J. W. Deem and A. J. Olasson, a tali oil’ in qaulity, generally. The work of tlie competition was organised by a committee consisting of Messrs E. J. Lurke( president), j. D- Bus hlor u, 11. Davison, C. A. Burke with the Hon. secretary (Mr. H. 11. Wood). At the end of the day’s judging the thanks of the club and district were conveyed to the judges by Mr. E. Bourke, who regretted that there were no more crops and said that probably cultivation had been too severe, which accounted for the deterioration in standard. Mr. Deem acknowledged the appreciation, and said that they certainly were not up to previous years and that probably iarmers had been inclined to neglect the lield somewhat because of the fact that- during the past year or two, they had let the lucerne go, while pastures were so succulent, due to the favourable season. But, he added, much cultivation was not advisable. He considered that probably also there had been too much spring grazing and this would result in a falling off m density of the crops. There was a Jack ill cultivation at the proper time. After the third cut for instance, lu.cerne needed very light cultivation to keep the surface loose and this would not disturb the plants to any extent. All the paddocks at present were very hard and baked. It was remarkable how the lucerne would shoot ahead with a loosening up of the ground after grazing or cutting. The spring cultivation would put it into good condition on the opening of the season. . Referring to the crops he had seen, Mr. Deem said that undoubtedly'’ the demonstration farm area was in the best condition. It looked to have had better attention, and at the right time, two or three times during the season. Mr. Daker’s crop was a good stand, and the grazing by pigsi had done it good, but tended to' harden the ground. Mr. E. Putt’s crop proved to be close up to Mr. Daker’s, and rather, better in quality and in the case of Mr. J. Landers, Mr. C. Burke’s, Mr Bashford’s, all mature crops, light cultivation was badly needed and generally they had gone back somewhat. There was a thinness and a patchiness that told of want of care. Mr. E. Burke’s and Mr Outhbert’s were good in colour. In the two year crops, Mr. H. Gorki 11’s was easily the better of tlie two shown, but bare patches appeared and light cultivation would have improved it while inoculation would probably have been of value. The party was entertained at morning tea by Mrs J. Dakers, an attention which was much appreciated. A wards were as follows : .MATURED GRUBS. J. Dakers.—Cultivation 12. quality 4. colour 5. evenness 8-J-, freedom from weeds 13. total 42*. K. Putt.—Cultivation 12, quality 5, colour 5, evenness 8, freedom from weeds 11. total 41. L. Cuthbert.—Cultivation 10, quality 4, colour 5, evenness 8, freedom from weeds 11, total 38. J. Landers. —Cultivation 8, quality 4. colour o, evenness 7. freedom from weeds, 10 total 34. C. Burke. —Cultivation 6, quality 3, colour 4£. evenness 6. freedom from weeds 8, total 27*. E. Burke. —Cultivation 5, quality from weedp 5, total 23*. TWO-YEAR CROPS.

H. Cork ill. —Cultivation 13, quality 3, colour 3, evenness 8, freedom from weeds 12. total 39. J. D. Bashford. —Cultivation 10, quality 2, colour 2, evenness 8, freedom from weeds 12, total 33.