THE TREE LUCERNR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10613, 23 March 1895, Page 6

THE TREE LUCERNR.

Upon the tree , lucerne as a valuable fodder plant in dry districts, Mr George Sage, Nuriootpa, South Australia, writes to the Leader:—l have lately received favourable reports concerning the tree lucerne, and would again urge farmers and graziers to plant tree lucerne as a provision against dry seasons and consequent scarcity of feed. When once established a plantation of tree lucerne or tagosaste (a name under which it was introduced by Dr Sohomburgk) requires no cultivation oj; expense, and should furnish two good cuttings annually, or it may be fed off. Not only will it thrive on soils too dry for lucerne, bub it possesses an advantage over the latter—it may be utilised at any season. It is being planted largely as a break-wind for orchards and vineyards, for which it has been found highly suitable, but as yet little seems to be known about it in the loss favourable districts, where the cultivation of green fodder crops is at least precarious. I do not think that horses and cattle require to be educated to its use, especially in tho case of those accustomed to maize, lucerne, &c. Stock, however, sometimes refuse to taka to it at first when it has been allowed to grow coarse and woody, but by catting back freely it may be kept tender and palatable. As most failures with new plants ate duo to want of knowledge, a tew hints concerning its cultivation may be acceptable to some. The seeds should not bo sown on cold, wet land, otherwise they will remain dormant for many months, and will have no chance against tho weeds that have accumulated in the meantime. If sown during the hot weather in boxes or beds—-which of course should be kept moist-young plants will be available for planting out towards the latter part of winter or spring. It is not necessary to soak the seed before sowing, although this ia sometimes advantageous. Set tho plants five feet apart in a single row if required for a break wind, or four feet apart each way if for fodder alone. It is advisable to plough or cultivate between the rows for tho first year or two. The tops should be cut back often to encourage a dwarf, bushy habit, but if planted for a breakwind the side branches only should be kept well trimmed back. 'lt grows slowly at first—for two or three seasons bub in five or six years it attains a height of twelve feet or more, and being of a spreading bushy nature, affords a largo amount of good fodder. The plant grows readily from seed in very dry soils, and in almost any situation; and if a few acres were set apart on some of the farms in the dry northern districts a good insurance would be effected against extreme drought. , A fodder plant of this description has the advantage over annual .crops.' If there is sufficient rainfall to or.sure good growth of herbage, it can be left uncut for several years, and will keep oa increasing in size, while it seems to bear repeated cutting without injury. We shall have droughts in the future as in the past, but if precautions are taken the effects can be materially reduced, and with I the extension of the dairying industry this will bo of great importance.