TASMAN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 24 November 1938, Page 12

TASMAN

SUBTERRANEAN CLOVER IN ORCHARDS

EXCELLENT SWARD OX MR JAMES’ j PROPERTY BUILDING UP ORGANIC MATTER ; IN THE SOIL Typical of the best in the fruitgrow- j ing areas is Mr A. S. James’ home and orchard on the Moutere Inlet. A pro- ( fusion of flowering shrubs of exquisite colours surrounds the drive and lawns leading to the house from the main road } by the sea. The orchard stretches out on gentle i slopes at the back, eventually guarded I by insignis pine shelter belts. Looking ' cut front the leafy shade of the trees j it is possible to see the waters of the | inlet sparkling in the sunlight, and in sheltered parts, reflecting the deep green of the insignis pines on headlands opposite. Even the garage was beflowered, and the sight of up-to-date machinery working among trees of the healthiest green, completed a picture to live in the, memory. DENSE SWARD IN ONE YEAR At the time of a visit to this orchard Mr James was mowing a crop of subterranean clover which was planted last year in a portion of the orchard. The plant has made a very dense sward end will undoubtedly do what is expected of i*—mainly to prevent erosion. The portions cut by the mower were being heaped to make a mulch round the trees. The clover is also planted for the purpose of adding nitrogen to the soil. In later years it is Mr James’ intention to put sheep on to eat the plant down. BURRS IN THE GROUND The sward when seen yesterday covered the ground in a thick network and the burrs had all turned in towards the ground on to which they fasten, and in soft ground the little claws are buried in the earth. The sowing was made last year at the rate of 51bs to the acre. This year with the hundreds of thousands of seed burrs turning into the ground and each containing three or four seeds the self-sowing will be very heavy indeed. It is most important that in the first year subterranean clover be not heavily stocked for this selfseeding ensures permanency. Subterranean clover will also help to build up the organic matter in the soil

and thus make it a better holder of 1 moisture and render it easier to work.