SUBTERGRIM LUCERNE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22716, 31 October 1935, Page 12

SUBTERGRIM LUCERNE

TO THE EDITOR. Sin, —Your article on subtergrlm lucerne is of great interest. The first paragraph states that the seed was sown on December 28, 1934, and that the first crop was cut 11 weeta and 3 days from ihe date of sowing. A further paragraph states that an unusual spacing of plants has to be adopted because of the spreading habit of the plant. Now for my question. When the seed was sown, in due time the seedlings appeared. Were the seedlings then transplanted? If so, what was the spacing? On the other hand, were the seedlings left where they grew? I myself am growing a small area of subtergrim lucerne, and am, therefore, greatly interested in the subject. To-day I cut off the top of one of my plants. It weighed 4ioz, and the area temporarily allotted to this plant is only about 72 square inches. A little calculation brings out a result of about 11 tons of green lucerne per acre. This is the result of growth during winter time under drought conditions. A further statement in the article under consideration is that 8J tons of green lucerne are equivalent to 2i tons of hay. My 11 tons, then, are equal to 3.2 tons of hay. There should be five crops in the season, and the result would be between 16 and 20 tons of hay per acre on the above assumptions.—l am, etc.. S. P. Q- R. Oainaru, October 29.