ON THE FARM

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19829, 2 May 1927, Page 9

ON THE FARM

FIELD NOTES FOR MAY (By J. W. Deem, Instructor in Agriculture, Wanganui). The sowing of cereal crops should be well in hand by the end of April. Where there is still sowing to be done the work should bo pushed on as rapidly as possible with the object of having everything sown by the end of may. Pastures can still be sown on the lower country and in the warm and drier situations, but when sowing as late as this it is advisable to sow a bushel of a cereal such as Black or Cape Barley or Gartons Oats to provide a little shelter for the young clover and grass plants. In situations where very wot conditions exist or hard frosts are experienced, it is advisable to pospone sowing until the, spring. As mentioned last month land required for spring crops should be ploughed and cither let lie fallow all winter or sown in a catch crop such as barley or oats. The wetter lands will greatly benefit by a winter fallow whereas light free soil is better in a catch crop. Top-Dressing. This was fully dealt with last mouth, and the work then suggested should be pushed on while weather conditions are good. The same applies to liming. In applying lime it is not necessary to put on heavy dressings except in the case of excessive lime requirements. Generally the most profitable procedure is to apply from 6 to 15 cwt. of carbonate of lime or half this weight of burnt lime and repeat again in a year or two. Of course if the land is very sour it will be necessary to apply a heavy dressing at once to correct.

Root Crops. Grass land intended for mangold or carrot crops should be lightly ploughed in the spring. Harrowing of Pastures This should be done at frequent intervals aS time permits. This is best done after rain when the droppings are soft. Herd. The majority of dairy cows will be dried off during May, and where this happens great care should be taken to see that they are fed to their fullest during the resting period. A great many farmers arc under the impression that when a cow is dry she can do with less food. This is a great mistake as it is during this resting period that the cow should be built up if she is to give a good return the following season. 1' urther, it should be remembered that during this period the cow is carrying a big calf. Careful experiments have shown that the heavier a cow is fed for a month or two before calving, the better her returns when she comes in Do not be afraid that the cow will be too fat at calving time. General. This is also a good time to effect general repairs on the farm, such as trimming hedges, repairing fences and gates, cowsheds and creek crossings. On dairy farms the fixing up of creek crossings should get early attention. If this is done before the real wet weather sets in a great deal of extra work and worry will be avoided in the spring. Watch swede crops for rot, and if much of this appears, feed off at once as it is better to let the stock have this crop when it is in good feeding condition.