LUCERNE CROPS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 72, 7 March 1933, Page 11

LUCERNE CROPS

SEASONAL CULTIVATION. ; GOOD RESULTS WITH TOPDRESSING. By cultivating and manuring at this time of the year, lucerne | stands will be kept in a vigorous I condition, able to combat weed ini vasion and giving earlier spring ! growth. Weeds are the curse of i any lucerne stand, and should always be kept in check. It is advisable to mow young lucerne sown in November or December either iu February or early March. This is necessary if weed infestation of the stand is to bo prevented. If farmers consider that there is little possibility of weeds getting a hold in the lucerne, this mowing is not essential. borne farmers prefer to run the risk of weeds, as they consider that by leaving the crop unchecked the root development of the plants is encouraged. This is quite correct, and where the crop has been suffering from a spell of dry weather the cheek that the mowing gives ix considerable.

By top-dressing the lucerne in the autumn with one of the phosphate manures, the lucerne is given a good start and the prospects of early spring growth are much improved. Nitrogenous manurit.g is hardly necessary with lucerne, as this is one of the crops to which the nitrogen fixing bacteria attach themselves, and supply nitrogen to the plant in return for other foods. Autumn top-dressing is generally preferred to spring top-drossing, particularly with lucerne. Where spring manuring is practiced, the weeds bene fit ns well as the lucerne, and a considerable amount of the fertiliser i.» wasted.

To farmers who are considering sowing down lucerne the problem will probably arise as to when the stand should be sown down —February or November. There are some points in favour of both, but the general consensus of opinion favours the November-De-cember sowings. By sowing in Fcburary or early March, germination is assisted by the higher soil temperatures, and there is considerably less weed competition, particularly fat-hen and night shade. With autumn sowings there is, of course, the danger that the erop may not be sufficiently established when the harder weather comes. Coastal farmers have less to fear in this respect than those occupying inland properties. For obtaining a good growth of winter and early spring feed, particularly on farms run intensively, a cover crop of Algerian oats sown at the rate of from 11 to 2 bushels per acre, give excellent results. Not only are weeds held

in check and the lucerne benefits thereby, but the land is also being productive. which is the aim of all intensive farming. Cut for ensilage in the spring, a good bulk of feed is obtained, and the lucerne makes a quick recovery.