LUCERNE

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 22 May 1915, Page 2

LUCERNE

\<^^bu&<t^o}^sr,'iaA $n opttdrtuni^y r' fluri^ig this week of mspectoi^ two plots of 'hicerne—one-at Mr fiohertsotx's farm on the Tawhiti road, and one «t Mr T. Winks' at Ararata, Mi Robertson's half-acre plot was sown I with Hunter River seed in December. 1913, and appears to have received fair treatment and shows fairly even growth, excepting in one weak spot. During last season four cuts were taken off It—two for ensilage, one for hay, and one for green fed—and Mr is so satisfied with the results obtained from this plant that he is now preparing a much larger area for lucerne. In this section, as indeed in too many lucerne plots, there is an evidence of the want of surface cultivation, and too many weeds are showing. At Mr T. Winks' farm the plot had been put do^n in a well-sheltered locality and in very good loamy soil. It bore unmistakable evidence; however,, of the want of proper".'attention and surface cultivation, and there, were places where the couch grass had almost smothered out the lucerne. In other places the lucerne was, growing splendidly, sturdy and a deep rich 'greenY This plot furnished conclusive evidence of the fact that at no stage is it judicious, to cease surface cultivation. The farmer may imagine that his lucerne is so thick" and sq strong that it will smother the weeds, bnt this is not the case, and unless, the harrows are run over and the weeds torn cut in the winter the lucerne will ultimately suffer. In this plot at Mr Winks' were discovered a few isolated plants which were turning yellow and dying off. These wer© carefully dugiip and the roots examined, and although in each ca»se the lower portions were apparently quite sound, there # was a kind of mildew extending from the crown to- about six inches below •the surface^ and in .some cases-.'--this portion of the root had rotted almost away. Th:s could not have been due to dampness, and in almost every case the affected plant was growing in amongst thoroughly healthy plants. The specimens will be sent -to the Government' officials In Wellington for 1 a I report.. Notwithstanding t;he want of proper cultivation, 'this plot had yielded no less than five cuts during., the past season.