A VALUABLE FODDER CROP

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7865, 29 July 1911, Page 2

A VALUABLE FODDER CROP

VETCHES. (By T. W. Lonsdale, in tie “Agricultural Journal.”) An experimental farm demonstration which lias served a valuable purpose in the immediate district is that in connection with vetches at the Ruakrira Farm of the Department. Vetches -were .grown on on extensive scale, 'with the object ot providing early spring feeding both 101 ewes and Lauras; also as a soiling-crop for dairy-cows, and again. for ploughing in where tho soil was deficient in huinas, the vetch being a deep-rooting and highly nitrogenous plant, Tho efficacy ot vetches for tho two former purposes appealed at once to tho farmers of the district, and they are now becoming qnito a feature of local farming operations. Tills dry season vetches have proved, an excellent stand-by at Kuakura, and, after close feeding-down on two occasions, have now provided a good -wealth of material for ploughing in, to thereby improve the soil-texture. CULTIVATION AND DEEDING. At Tuakura tho land used for the experiment, in an oat crop the previous season, was ploughed and left m fallow for a few months. The field had become foul through excessive cropping, and it was necessary, in consequence, to again plough in May. The land was then disced twice, tine-harrowed about four times, and rolled. Tho seed -was sown with 2i cwt manure (li cwt superphosphate and 1 cwt bonodust) 'to the acre in Juno, and tho land was again rolled. In September tho crop had made ia vigorous growth of about 18in in height. Ewes and lambs were then turned on to it, 150 on to the 3 acres. This stocking was maintained for a fortnight, both tho ewes and lambs having rapidly ■ improved in condition during that period. After two ’ weeks’ rest the field was as luxuriant in growth as before. Again the same number of ewes and lambs were turned on for a fortnight. When the field had been rested for several weeks the crop had once more regained its former development. From tho middle of November to well on in January the field, carried eighty weaned lambs, which finished prime with the crop by no means eaten down. Subsequently the crop was ploughed under. Another crop on an adjoining field which had not been grazed was cut and carted out to the dairy stock and work-ing-horses in the beginning of the year, 5 acres lasting for six weeks, and' this during the driest months of the season. Then, es with the main crop, it was ploughed under, and the paddock sown to grass on May Ist. At the present time tho -retches are showing up thickly with tho grass, the whole forming a luxuriant pasture, giving every promise of providing excellent spring feeding. A GOOD SOILING CHOP. Farmers! in other districts wonld find the vetch a valuable fodder-plant, as it thrives well in dry seasons, is not susceptible to blight, and, given fair treatment, will provide at tho least twentyfour tons of green fodder to the aero. It is easy of cultivation. Like all other crops, of oonrsei, if a good yield is to be secured a good seed-bed must be provided. It is one of tho best soil-reno-vators we have. As the retell gives a great wealth of material with little manuring, it is one of tho most valuable of all crops for ploughing in on light land. It may bo considered that as the seed is apparently expensive tho vetch is not an economical crop. When, however, it- is remembered that, even if the seed costs 10s 6d a bushel, only a bushel and a half is refxuircd to the

acre a great wealth of green fodder is provided (which may ho eaten down several times even in a dry season), that it requires little manure, is easy to erow, is not affected by blight, and when finished with for fowling purposes nrovides excellent material for ploughin'” in to enrich the soil, trio net result will be seen to considerably counterbalance any exceptional first cost for seed. In this connection tho wisdom is suggested of the farmer thrilling sufficient of his crop to provide his own seed. A Wairarapa settlor last week disposed of 500 2-tooth fat wethers at 19. &d per head. Tho Levin Co-operative Dairy Co. has decided to instal a pasteurising plant to deal with the skim milk at the oomnanv's creameries and factories. The big White Star tramp steamer Delphic is taking on board at Melbourne a wheat parcel of 60,000 bags. There were 700,000 bags of wheat awaiting export, but vessels were not ottering space lor cargo. ~ i . . , A Palmerston orchardist informed a “Standard” reporter that it is quite a mistake to suppose that continuous frosts destroy insect pests. They do so to a very limited extent only, he said: indeed, all the good they do in t..at respect is scarcely worth considering. T-hio red spider and many other insoot pests suffer very little diminution by frost. The ground in this part of the Dominion is scarcely ever Dozen to a greater depth than an inch at the outside. and the pests survive that all ri"ht. “You may be surprised it I tell you," ho proceeded, “that, in countries where tho ground is frozen to a depth of nine inches the insect peets survive even those extreme. conditions. the frosts are good for the farmer, and their effect on the soil in unquestionable, but tho horticulturist does not benefit by them. Our violets do not bloom so well when we have severe frosts, But in my opinion tho weather conditions in the North Island have undergone o marked change within tho last twenty years.'