CULTIVATION OF TARES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1500, 14 August 1880, Page 6

CULTIVATION OF TARES.

The tare is a plant of very hardy growth, and has been cultivated in Britain from time immemorial. The cultivation of tares is worthy the attention of every farmer, because of their value as a substitute for grasß for stock during early summer, when many of the meadows are shut up for hay. There are only two varieties commonly sown— namely, the winter tare or vetch and the spring tare or vetch, There is a considerable difference in the habits of these two sorts. The spring vetch runs up a stalk very early, and branches out very little, while it is not of so hardy a nature as the winter vetch, and the food is of a weaker quality. It is also very sensitive to frost, and does not produce a great weight of food. The stalkß, being weak, fall to the ground very early, thus getting mouldy, and leaving only the topa as food of any value. The winter tare has a shorter stem, with numerous branches, and produces a considerable weight of sound, nutritious food, except on very rich land, where it gets overgrown and is apt to lodge very soon; though if sown in the spring on such land it is found to answer very well. It will stand severe frosts, and if early feed is required, it is undoubtedly the besb kind to sow. Tares of either aorfc will do well on any moderately rich or good soil, whether clay or sandy loam, provided it is not too wet. It is scarcely possible to distinguish the seed of the two varieties, owing to their being so very much alike, both in size and colour. The farmer must therefore rely on the honesty of the seedsman to a great extent, only taking care that the seed is plump and entirely free from weed seeds of any sort. We should imagine that the better way would be for every farmer to save enough seed for his own use every year: vetches are very easily threshed, and no dressing is required beyond sifting to separate seed from husk.

The winter taie is generally sown in March and April : the first sowing ought to be made as soon after harvest as possible ; and if ajsupply extending over a long period is desired, another sowing may be made a month or two later. The spring vetch should, be sown about the month of August, and it will be ready for mowing soon after the supply of winter Bown is exhausted. The quantity of seed to sow per acre depends upon the condition and quality of the soil — from one and a-half to two bushels wiJi generally be found sufficient, but a less quantity will be required if the orop is meant for seed. A slight sprinkling of oats or rye sown with tares will keep them from falling close to the ground. Tares are usually sown broadcast, but if the land is foul with weeds it is advisable to drill the seed in rows at a sufficient distance apart to admit of working the horse hoe between them. To ensure a really heavy orop of tares after a corn crop, a good dressing of farmyard manure must be ploughed in at !a good depth. Tares are rather gross feeders, and in England they are generally treated to five or six hundredweight of guano per acre, applied previous to ploughing, or mixed with an equaljweight of dry ashes and drilled in with the seed.

Tares ought to be well harrowed in and rolled in the spring to render the surface as smooth as possible, in order that the scythe may close to the ground when mowing them. When intended for green food they should always be cut with the scythe, for by using the sickle or reap hook many of the stalks are pulled up by the root or broken off, thereby rendering the Beoond growth of little value. For seed they may be cut in any way, and dried and threshed in the same manner as peas. As green food tares are very little behind other leguminous crops, such -as -luoerne, sainfoin, clover, Ac. The average composition's as follows :— it s I 4 '■ft I I I Water .. .. 83-65 73-41 77-320 8216 ' Flesh-forming matters 4 06 4-40 3-612 3-66 Heat and fat producing substances .. 1026 19*11 17*438 12*74 Inorganic matters .. 1*57 3-08 1*730 1*54 100*00 100-00 100-00 100.00 The produce of a fairly good crop when cut green is from ten to twelve tons per acre. Tares are sometimes made into hay ; but this operation is attended [with a good deal of risk, unless in a very favourable season ; and the weight being so muoh less than in a green state, the practise is seldom followed. The weight per acre when made into hay is generally about three tons. They are sometimes fed off at Home by folding sheep on them, but this plan is not to be reoommended, on acoount of the great wft&te pawed by the sheep tramping down

and spoiling a great portion of the crop. The yield of seed varies from 20 to 30 bushels per acre, but in a good season, with careful tillage, forty-two or more bushels may be obtained. The seed is usually preserved for sowing, and in come cases given to poultry and horse 3, but it is not considered very good for them, being of a heating and very stimulating natnre. Horses thrive very well on green tares, even better than they do on rye-grass and clover ; and the same remark is applicable to fattening cattle, which feed faster on this article of green fodder than upon any kind of grass or esoulent with which we are acquainted. Danger often arises from their eating too many, especially when foddered, as (colics, and other stomaoh disorders are apt to be pro. duoed by the excessive]loads which they devour.