FIELD NOTES FOR JANUARY

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3479, 13 December 1926, Page 15

FIELD NOTES FOR JANUARY

rt* w. j. McCulloch Instructor In Agriculture.) As the month advances and stubbles, or land which has grown early soft turnips or other fodders, become available, every endeavour should be made to get in suitable catch crops. It should be remembered that vacant land encourages weed growth, if not already present, when such crops are removed. Weed growth at this time is often in a comparatively weak state and easily "killed with a minimlm of cultivation, if the weather Is at all seasonable, and unless such weeds are of a particularly persistent nature there will be no need of a bar fallow. Where conditions necessitate ploughing, this should be very shallow in order not to unduly dry out moisture, but in many cases grubbing will be sufficient. If it is intended to autumn sow grass there may still be time to provide a quick crop like mustard for ploughing in, which would be of Immense advantage on light textured soils. Sow 13 to 15 lbs. mustard with S or 3 cwt. super per acre. Land not required until spring can be sown with Black Skinless barley, for quick results, or for better feeding Algerian oats and Scotch tares, or a temporary

pasture of Italian or Westernwolths rye and clover. Sow 2 to 2J bushels Black barley or 2 bushels oats and 1 bushel tares, or 30 lbs. of either Italian or Westerwolths ,or 15 lbs of each with 5 or 6 lbs. Red clover, and in all cases use 2 or 3 cwt super or other suitable phosphatic manure. Soft turnips may be sown during the month but should not follow a similar crop. Pastures. The preparation of areas to be sown down in permanent pasture during ■autumn should be kept in view. While many factors are important in the establishment of a good pasture It must bo admitted that late ploughing and hurried cultivation is the cause of much failure. A properly sweetened ■and consolidated bed is imperative, and this cannot be attained by hurried rolling and working alone. As with all cultivation nature must be permitted to do her share, hence It It is necessary that preparation should 1 be started at least a few weeks before sowing. Varieties to constitute the mixture should be chosen with care and suited to the particular conditions of soil and climate. As the maintenance and permanency of good pastures is becoming better understood ,and is clearly of economic importance to all graziers, greater care in laying down permanent grassland Aiust follow. Top-dressing although valuable and important will give Its best results at a later date where the

pasture has been properly established. If grass is to follow a crop eaten off by sheep ,and provided the land is clean, it is often better to disk rather than plough in order to retain consolidation and keep the animal manure near the surface. Prevent young pastures from seeding—an old thin pasture may be allowed to ripen seed and afterwards top-dressed and harrowed. Root Crops. Continue to thin and intercultivate root crops and mould up potatoes. Weeds are robbers of both moisture and fertility. Lucerne. Young lucerne stands may require mowing towards the end of the month or beginning of Feburary. Rather allow the young plants to strengthen than mow too early, unless weed growth is likely to be troublesome. Provided the weather is dry old stands should be thoroughly cultivated to eradicate grass ,etc. as opportunity offers after mowing. Young Stands should be given cultivation as they become rooted, with the same object in view. Haymaking. If the weather Is moist and there Is difficulty In stacking hay, use plenty of clean agricultural salt, about 1 cwt to every 5 tons of material. Use one or more sacks, filled with hay In the centre of the stack and pulled up as each succeeding

layer is built on. thus leaving a tunnel for the escape of heat ,and build firmly to exclude as much air as possible. The greatest danger of over-heating is from the natural sap in the atoms of the material and least from moisture which may have fallen as rain or dew. Where the hay is too dry or badly bleached add the salt as brine made with water, or molasses may be used in the same way. Where neither are available us about 1 cwt of green material with each load of hay. Miscellaneous. Where necessary and the grass pasture is past Its best meantime .supplementary feeding should commence. Start feeding before the herd indicates a fall, and maize is fed, allow the cows access to a pasture with a fair amount of clover in it. This provides a better balance. Provide dry fodder or a good run-off to lambs on rape. Surplus crops of cereals, maize, clover, lucerne or grass growth may be converted into silage provided there is at least 25 to 30 tons of material. Make preparation for topdressing hill country by hand as opportunity offers.