HARROWING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXV, Issue 3303, 14 May 1931, Page 2

HARROWING.

This is a good period to get some of the pasture harrowing done. Later on when feeding out will be in full swing, time will be limited, while the team will also be engaged in any ploughing, etc. The value of harrowing as a rejuvenator of the pasture sward, especially at a time like this, when the full dressing of manure may not be made, cannot be over-estimat-ed. The value of intercultivating mangolds, carrots, etc., and the surface cultivations of lucerne, is fully appreciated, yet with our pastures, the most important crop of all and one that responds just as readily as do the crops mentioned, this phrase of the work is almost neglected. Harrowing, to do any good apart from scattering the droppings, must be fairly severe, and a harrow that cuts into the turf should be used. A harrow that does this inevitably tears

out a certain amount of grass (mostly of the vernal type fortunately), but the good that accrues more than compensates for any damage done. It is felt that more use might be made of the disc harrows for harrowing pactures. Not too much cut should be put on the discs, the idea being to get more of a cutting effect with a slight lift. Rolling after harrowing is recommended, and although this appears at first sight to be contradictory (that is opening up with the harrows and closing up again with the roller) the good that follows such a rolling is not imaginary. Where cropping is to be carried out this coming spring and lea land is being utilised for root crops, it will be just as well to get the lea skim plowed at an early date. Two ploughings for roots is half the battle. This lea ploughing can often be done in showery weather, when it is too wet to permit of other farming operations.

Areas where autumn fodder crops have been fed off should be ploughed at an early date and sown down for spring feed. Oates (Algerians) or black skinless barley is very suitable for this purpose, and if grazed judiciously two or three feedings can be obtained in the spring. Autumn sown pastures should be grazed carefully at the first grazing, and should not be fed down too hard. At the same time neither should they be allowed to seed, as this will weaken the sward somewhat. The application of a little quick-acting manure to tide them over the winter should be very helpful.