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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 14 January 1937, Page 10

iarly old ewes fattening on them readily.

INCREASING SOIL FERTILITY

The second very valuable character of Subterranean Clover is that it will so increase the fertility of the soil on which it grows that other and more valuable grasses may later be introduced to the pasture with a certainty of success, whereas without previous assistance from the Sub it would have been impossible to establish them. This, I think, is the most valuable feature in growing Sub-Clover. I have seen paddocks in Canterbury which normally would not grow anything except sweet vernal, hair-grass, 1 brown-top. or weeds, now carrying a good stand of mixed' pasture of a high quality, principally rye, cocksfoot, and Sub, purely, on account of the increased fertility brought about by the previous sowing of Sub Clover. On this type of light land it is necessary to get the Sub Clover established this taking about three years and then allowing it to grow prolifically for about another three. At the end of this time the other grasses may be introduced by harrowing or lightly cultivating the surface of the soil prior to sowing them during the dormant period of the clover growth. They may be sown with the clover itself, but they will not appear until such' time as the clover has raised the standard of fertility of the soil so that required for their successful growth. Personally, I think that it is better, particularly on very poor soils to sow after the clover has become properly established.

NITROGEN CONTENT

' It is remarkable the extent to which Sub Clover will increase the fertility of the soil. It does this by increasing the humus content by the rotting of the dead leaves and stalks when the clover dies by increasing the nitrogen content of the soil by its action as a leguminous plant and also by increasing the nitrogen content as a result of the heavy stocking of the land which it allows. On light soils this heavy stocking also increases the consolidation. As a crop prior to grain it is most useful, because it not only ensures a good grain crop following it, but also saves any expense in sowing down the paddock after harvest. Even if the paddock is ploughed prior to sowing the grain, the Sub Clover will germinate and provide excellent autumn and winter feed after harvest. IMPORTANT PART IN NELSON FARMING . I think that Sub Clover will play an important part in farming in the Nelson District. Already it has been grown successfully in the Hope District, and other parts of the Nelson province. As a soil improver, particularly, on the Moutere Hills, I am sure that it is well worth a try-out. On Mr G. Paynter’s property at' Tasman it is growing successfully, so successfully that I am certain further areas should bo sown to test out its possibilities on this land. If this country could be improved by its use so that in the future it would maintain a large number of sheep, its value to the Nelson district would be immense. Through the Motueka Valley by Tapawera and Motupiko is another block of country which I think would grow this clover successfully. The farmers in these areas would be welladvised to test out a small area for themselves and see by their own experience whether successful results can be obtained on their properties. 1 Most failures in the growing <?f j Subterranean Clover can be traced to one or both of two causes. 1. Grazing too hard at the time of seeding, particularly in the, first year. 2. Lack of superphosphate.

Very few experiments, if any, have been made with this clover, and the application of lime, and it is doubtful if any great response will be observed from lime applications as it will grow prolifically in soil which has too low a lime content for the successful growth of other clovers. Against this it reciuires an abundance of phosphate, and Professor Hudson was very definite in his statement that if a farmer were not prepared to apply superphosphate he should not sow Sub. In concluding these notes I should like to give a copy of the recommendations made by Professor Hudson for the successful establishment of Sub.

Canterbury Agricultural College

Subterranean Clover

Subterranean Clover is capable of

producing high-yielding pastures on the light soils of Canterbury. If correct methods are adopted it is easily established. Observance of the following points will ensure success: 1. Sow about 41b to the acre in the early autumn.

2. Drill the seed.as shallow as possible and in contact with superphosphate (lewt to the acre). Avoid broadcasting the seed or super. 3. Use the genuine Mt. Barker strain and insist on the seed being free from any soil particles. 4. To give the plants a chance to seed, young stands should be grazed lightly in their first year. 5. Top-dress with superphosphate annually in the early autumn. 6. To ensure quick establishment of the sub., avoid sowing it with Italian or heavy seedings of perennial ryegrass.

7. On the lightest soils do not sow any grasses with the sub. These may be introduced later.

8. On poor swards sub. clover may be introduced by surface-working the soil with grassland harrows, etc., after which the sub. and super should be drilled in.