THE FARM

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 12 June 1926, Page 9

THE FARM

CHOU MOEILIEK THE MOST VALUABLE OF RECENT INTRODUCTIONS ("Ploughshare,” in Auckland Star.) Few crops have advanced so rapidly in popularity as has Chou moellior. In England, wlicro it- is known as murrowstemmed kale, its uso first became gcuu'i’ml during Ihu vv<ir» when labour 'foi turnip-hoeing was scarce, and it is uo-'.v firmly established as one of tho most important fodder-crops. Us progress in this country has been more recent and even more rapid, and iL is now in cultivation from the North Cape to the Bluff. Like all crops of recent introduction, quite a few misconceptions have sprung up about Chou moellicr. and this sometimer. leads io disappointments. Chou moellicr cannot be sown at any time of the year, will not thrive on really poor land*, and does not enrich the soil, but u is a singularly useful crop. The crop lias an extensive root-system and is a gross-feeder, responding well to immures. It is hardly'suitable for poor light, soils, where turnips arc probably more profitable. It does well on days that have been well-manured, on good mixed loams, and peaty soils. But them is no doubt that it is an exhausting crop, drawing a good deal from the land, and subsequent crops must ho welt treated. Like all cruciferous crops, Chou moellicr requires soluble phosphates, and by reason of its big leafy growth a, little nitrogen in addition Is often advisable. Suitable mixtures would be, super 21cwt, sulphate of ammonia Acwl, or super 2cwt, blood and bone lewt. Where a bulky crop is aimed at, these amounts may well bo increased. SOWING THE CROP The crop is best sown in October or November,„so that it will have the whole season in which to grow. It will, then he fit to feed in April aud succeeding months, for the crop requires some five months in which to eomo to maturity. For winter and spring use a sowing may be made in February, but the yield will hardly be so large as from the spring sowing. Chou moellier is hardly a catch-crop and there is little use in making sowings after March. In Southland, where very heavy crops are grown, (he ridger is used. Seed is sown on ridges 28 inches apart and thinned out as required. This gives largo plants, up to five feet high. On deep foamy -soils in this province the above method may be recommended, but most sowings will liavo to be done on tho flat./ Where the farm is small and tho farmer is prepared to put in a good deal of labour to keep the crop clear, drilling in 28-inch rows and thinning will give a large crop. But if the labour is not lik'elv to bo forthcoming, then it will be better to drill in 14-inch rows, using about lib of seed per aero. Ihe result will be a dense crop capable of smothering weeds, but neither individual plants nor the total crop will be so large as by the first method. Chou moellicr has the advantage of being less subject to club-root and dia-mond-back moth than are turnips or rape, but it- is by no means immune. Therefore it is best to give it new ground if possible, though where the crop is growing vigorously on land comparatively free from weeds this work wilL of coyrs.e be unnecessary. CAME ir* rEEDING As regards feeding, considerable care must bo exercised, it is true that chou moellier will not taint milk to the same extent that turnips will, but there is a risk, a very decided risk if tho cows are left in the'crop all day, for Chou moellier, after all. is a cruciferous crop, that is to say, it belongs to the same family as the turnip. Therefore it is better to restrict tho quantity, the cows eat either by limiting the grazing time to a few hours a day or by cutting the crop and carting it- out on to a grass paddock. The latter method is the best of all as it reduced waste to a minimum. It is always advisable to feed hay in conjunction with this crop, more especially in wet weather. Sheep do well on the crop. It is by no means so fattening as rape, but is well suited for ewes and store sheep. Where the sterns are large, the sheep may have some difficulty in tackling them, and it is quite a good plan to go through the paddock when the leaves have been eaten and knock down the biggest of the stems with a slasher Or cattle may be put in to clean them up. Chou moellicr is one of the best crops tor pigs. They will thrive particularly well on the stems, eating them right down to the ground. Some men advocate taking two feedings off tho crop. Certaiqiy if tho first crop is grazel lightly there will be a second growth in a few weeks time; or if the first grazing takes place in April and May, there should be a certain amount of feed again in the following September. This method is very useful in seasons of scarcity, but it must be remembered that it lias certain drawbacks; not only do the leaves lack the nutriment of the first crop, but the stems are very apt to become tough and woody. The land also tends to become very weedy unless intercultivation is. carried out "between feedings. On the whole it is better to plough and take some other crop.