FARM km STATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2355, 13 April 1899, Page 4

FARM km STATION.

CATCH-CItOPPING.

In a former article on the sowing of autumn catch crops, prominence was given to the advantages resulting from the cultivation of winter tares. The systematic growth of intermediate forage crops implies additional stock-keeping and feeding as part of the farming system, and consequently an appreciable and direct return to the soil in the form of natural manure. Of couise, it mufct be conceded that stock rearing removes important inorganic elements from the soil, but the necessary additional fertility, such as that from phosphates, and in some cases potash, may be readily restored at a low price at the present day. Meanwhile, ir mixed farming, apart from the place the commonly, grown clovers occupy in. the rotation, other leguminous plants, , such as peas; beans, trifoljurn . incarnatum (crimson , clover) leave . a residuum of nitrogen in the fonr of organic matter in the soil, and, therefore, when grown as intermediaries, contribute materially to the success of the crop following. Olden time experiences of the benefits 'have been confirmed by the recent scientific explanation of the direct action of the root nodules of leguminous crops in gathering nitrogen from the atmosphere, an appreciable proportion being retained in the fibrous roots when the above-ground growth is removed. Everywhere, therefore, we find leguminous crops and their peculiar action during growth being more widely discussed, with the view of a more general application ir agricultural practice. It is an older system of fertility (familiar to tillers of the soil in Egypt since -the early ages and continuously practised up to the present time) now brought to life again as it were. According to reports in British agricultural journals nothing is so closely identified with recent improvements in farm practices as the revival of .Tie system of catch-cropping, • well 'known' to and practised by farmers of arabic lands all over tho country It is very certain ' that these crops are much more widely cultivated than they were a few years ago, but it is a matter of complaint with the agricultural journals " that British official statistics do not show — as -hey record the cropping of the land in the month of June — the extension in the area of catch crops, fiown after date and consumed before the same date m the succeeding year. Therefore, only a very small portion of the trifoiium, winter and spring vetches, winter oats, winter barley, and rye, and even of transplanted green crops, for winter and spring consumption are ju.clu.ded in the r<j-

turns." The more frequent cultivation of catch creps and the judicious use of artificial manures to ensure their luxuriant growth are, to quote from an article in the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England., " striking evidences of what farmers have done to help jhemselves, and I indicate that they are possessed of more skill, or, at any rate, more energy, than were their immediate predecessors — in all "probability both." In addition to the crops already mentioned most generally provided for by successive sowings made in autumn must be mentioned rape, both seeded and transplanted from seedling beds, thousand-headed kale transplanted, crimson clover, stubble turnip, and mustard. Successive sowings of rye, winter barley, and oats are made about the same time as ■winter vetches (the first seedings as early as possible. From there to four months j after seeding, according to che fertility of 1 'the soil or liberal application of manure, I cuttings of green stuff are available and j continue in supply throughout the winter j •and spring. Among the more skilled farmers the invariable practice is to put the green stuff mixed with straw through the chaffcutter. The chaffed mixture, slightly salted, is then trodden down on the floor •ot a barn or shed and when it has under- j gone a slight fermentation is fed to the i •cattle and sheep. When the crops are grown to be fed off at repeated intervals by sheep, care must be exercised thfut in the arlier feedings the youne growth is not eaten too bare, and that the sheep are supplied with sufficient dry food to correct the laxative action of the green stuff. On the whole, however, the chaffing of the green stuff with straw or hay and the suggested after treatment of the mixed chaff have been found to be the most economical "and profitable means of utilising forage •irops, in winter especially. Italian crimson rl< vei" (Tnfolium incarnatum) — of the gree'i foliage crops — next deserves attention because the greatest benefit derived from the crop* is from the autumnisown one. Its merits as a fodder plant are bo well known and appreciated by farmers in the southern and midKnd counties of England, Scotland, and Ireland that in recent years its cultivation has extended as if by magic. We are, therefore, pleased to recognise rh-* persistent" dvertisement ot , the seed for sale in the colony by Messrs I Nimmo and TM:ur, and trust that fanners . may be induced to give the plant a fair 1 trial. It is one of the most beautiful plants i cultivated in the field, so much so that it ! has long been cultivated in the garden as a i- attractive flowering plant, its stem growing to the height of 2ft. with brilliant j scarlet flowers. Its cultivation is simplicity itself. As soon as possible after harvest the stubble is harrowed once or twice so that the seed may be niore easily covered. In .the case of very heavy soils a shallow ploughing is given, but. Os a rule, it is found better to dispense " with the ploughing, loosening to a great depth not beiug found to give satisfactory results. When sown immediately after harvest the crop will be found ready for cuttine by the end of September or early in October after ordinary weather experienced in the colony. It is more rapid in its growth Mian winter tares. Italian ryegrass may he sown with it, and will grow nearly as ranidlv, and after the crimson clover has been cul t"he ryegrass will continue to grow and afford an excellent cutting from jrhich a valuable, pure sample of seed may be saved. Ordi narily, however, what is known ns the " sincle-cut " variety is srrown, and when mown in spring the land is prepared for seeding for a root crop. There is also a late variety which if sown at the same time in autumn as ..he common variety will come to maturity shortly after, and thus form a good succession. 'Hie distinguishing characteristics of this variety are vigour of growth. tallne*s. and lateness of flowering. From 201b to <!8)h seed per acre are usually sown broadcast or if sown in drills by a machine a few pounds less will snffire. The soil, is then harrowed and rolled. When cut in full flowe. it makes a hay much relished by horses, and the \-ield is about that of the common red clover.

Generations jf fanners in England have grown white mustard us a foracre for sheep, or for ploughing undei as preen manure. For either of the c e purposes it may be usefully employed after a corn crop, especially on light sandy soils, the plant food in which is lifeelv to be washed out by autumn and winter rains. The stubble ie prepared by being lightly ploughed or grubbed, harrowed and^ rolled. The white mustard seed' is then sown broadcast at the rate of abut 201b per acre, harrowed in, and rolled. Used either for- feeding off tvifch sheep or' for ploughing in. the mustard crop will be found a valuable economiser of the soluble fertilising ingredients in the soil, which instead of being washed out by the autumn and winter rains will be stored up in the prowine plant, nnd returned to the soil — either directly or through the manure of the sheep which have consumed it — for the use of the green or grain crop to follow. It is believed to have a deadly effect upon insect peste in the soil when ploughed in ; certainly these occasion little trouble for some time after.