NOTES FOR FARMERS.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12397, 12 November 1908, Page 4

NOTES FOR FARMERS.

HOW TO GROW LUCERNE.

The plant grows bast in deep, friable loamy soils, containing lime, with porus, well-drained deep subsoilSi, In this lucerne establishes itself rapidly, penetrates the subsoils to great depth, and eventually becomes one of the best drought-resis-tant plants wo pbssess. In all: situations whore there exists underground water, lucerne will send its roots down. Rich creek or river flats are best, provided there is no serious overflow. The long vigorous roots of the plant grows to- great depths in search of plant food and moisture. . . .

Instances are on record in Australia whore splendid lucerne paddocks sown forty years ago are still giving six to. eight heavy cuts per annum. The roots are found in a healthy stateSO feet below the surface.

This, of course, is where 'the plant is grown under ideal conditions. It is much shorter-lived on poorer soils and in dry districts. It can be grown more or less luxuriantly on a wide range of soils. Ib is simply surprising how vigorous the plant is, and how it survives the , greatest hardships so. long as the soils, Jiowever poor, are deep and naturally or artifically well drained. Lucerne is not. influenced by "altitude, so long as the soils are deep, warm and well drained, and moisture is available.

On lands .with • stiff clay subsoils, and where water is likely to - lodge around the rots more than 48 hours, the plant does not flourish. ' It must be remembered that lucerne is a gross feeder, and when ov.c.a established will last a number of years, and, from a monetary point' of View, will afford a greater return than any other fodder. The success of its growth to a great extent depends on the selection of- land and the care and intelligence showed on thn preliminary preparation of the soil.

The- land must bo clean and free from weeds. To effect this one or more- crops should bo taken off, not only to get rid of weeds, but, to enablo a proper system of fertilisation to be effected (also liming, if needed.)