LUCERNE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 639, 31 January 1914, Page 3

LUCERNE.

ALL ABOUT ITS GROWTH AND CULTIVATION. (By M. A. O'Callaghin, in Dairying in Australasia.") From what wondprful encyclopaedia of knowledge of dairying we take the following article on "Lucerne." Perhaps no one in the Commonwealth ever hud the same opportunities of watching the benefits of lucerne growing like the author of this book, so his opinions on the subject ought to be of great value to every dairyman : LUCERNE. With the lapse of time and the extension of experimental work, both private and official, the fact has been disclosed that successful lucerne culture is possible under conditions previously considered impossible. No longer is its cultivation confined to the rich alluvial banks of coastal rivers, where the rainfall is large, but test have proved its adaptability to a wide range of conditions exending far inland, into districts having a comparatively light rainfall. It has, therefore become an important factor in increasing the carrying capacity of large areas of land varying in altitude, quality of soil and rainfall, and where irrigation is available, the certainty of its producing heavy returns has largely increased the value of holdings possessing this possibility. Although under normal ! nland conditions crops cannot compare with those obtained in the more forward uoastal district, ever when it may be regarded only a crop for pasturage, it is a profitable one. In the better seasons it is possible to secure a growth sufficient to admit of the preparation, by means of haymaking, or, better still, by ensilage of valuable reserves of fodder against less favourable seasons. Its succulent nature and ite texture render it the most desirable of all crops for conservation, by the simple and inexpensive methods of ensilage, described later, and which are within the reach of the man of small means. SOIL AND PREPARATION. Provided it is fairly level, or has even slopes, the lowest available part of the farm should be selected, as such sites usually possess a greater depth of soil, owing to additions being made to them by transference of loose soil from adjacent hill tops and slopes, by the agency of wind and water. A well-drained soil is necessary, as water should not lie long on the surface. Where possible, the banks of a creek should be chosen, as in some cases a fair supply of moisture is accessible to the crop at a moderate depth and as the soil in such situations is more friable than that on higher lands, it is more favourable for the extensive ramifications o£ the root system, which is characterise of the crop under favourable conditions. The land should be thoroughly broken to as great a depth as is possible, without bringing sour soil to the surface. Should the subsoil be very compact it will be found advisable to break it by means of a sub soiling plough, so as to give the crnp every possible advantage in its efforts to extend its root system in its early growth. After ploughing, it should be thoroughly pulverised by harrowing and rolling, a final rolling just prior to sowing being desirable for the due compaction of the seed bed, so, as to j ensure the deposit of the seed at an even depth. Should the seed be sown broadcast, it should be covered by very lightly harrowing, followed by rolling. The latter operation may be omitted if the soil as a tendency to crust on the surface as a result. SOWING. The seed which has given the best results in all comparative trials is that produced in the Hunter or Tamworth district, although for grazing purposes, the French (Provence) has proved desirable, it being of fine texture and producing ample foliage in proportionp to fibre. Seed may be sown in two seasons, viz., autumn and spring, the former being preferable under conditions where the risk of competition with weed" is not great. HARVESTING AND PASTURING. Lucerne Bhould not be grazed by stock until it has been cut at least once, aB the crop would suffer damage. The first crop, therefore, should be cut by the mower at the flowering stage, even though it would be unprofitable to harvest it. In the latter case stock might be turned on to the cut crop allowing only sufficient time for them to pick it up without interfering with the plants. Should the later gzowth be insufficient to justify harvesting, it would be desirable to treat it in a similar way until the root system becomes well established, when the feeding off of the crop at the proper stages may be regularly carried out. When a full growth is obtainable it will be more profitable to harvest the crop for hay or silage. The best period of growth at which to commence cutting the crop is when about ten to fifteen per cent, of it is in flower, and by the time the work is in full swing the greater part of it will be well on in the flowering stage. When crops are intended for fodder, seed Bhould not be allowed to form if it can be avoided. In dry hot weather when there is no probability of dew or rain, cutting for hay can be moat economically carried out by the reaper and binder, as by this meanß very little handling of the crop is necessary, and very little of the foliage is lost in hay making. The sheaves should be lightly stooked in rows not more than two deep so as to admit of drying in the shortest time, as thus the best quality of hay is secured and the land is

cleared to allow of the progress of the new crop. When the cutting for ensilage, the reaper and binder may also be used, but the bands on the sheaves should be cut and removed when stacking or filling the pit, which should promptly follow cutting so as to prevent loss of moisture. Under other conditions the mowing machine roust be used on the large areas. When using this machine it will save a good deal of labour in raking, if the "sheafer" is used at the time of cutting. As little time as possible should elapse between the time of cutting thecrop and putting it into cocks, so as to prevent loss of foilage in handling, which i 3 inevitable if it is allowed to lie long in the swath. Under dry conditions, carting to stack may be done in about 24 hours after cutting for hay, which should be in a crisp condition, but not dry enojgh to entail loss of leaves in carting and subsequent handling. Storage space may be economised by baling as soon as the hay is dry enough for the purpose. PASTURING. Feeding off lucerne should be commenced when the first flowers appear, and it should bs completed as promptly as possible so as to ensure the minimum of injury to the crop, and the earliest possible start of the new growth. Sub-divisiori into small areas and heavy stocking of these is therefore recommended, the various paddocks being pastured in turn. Empty stock should not be allowed access to the lucerne crop, nor to any succulent crop, owing to iheir liability to hov9n. All stock should therefore be partly filled beforehand, and until they become accustomed to the conditions they should not be allowed to remain in the crop more than 30 or 40 minutes. After a few days they may be allowed to remain longer but the condition of all should be carefully noted on being removed.