LUCERNE.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 4, Issue 3, 15 March 1912, Page 190

LUCERNE.

TESTS AT WERAROA EXPERIMENTAL FARM

Some experiments are in progress at Weraroa Experimental Farm to test the suitability of the environment for the cultivation of lucerne, as well as to discover the best variety of the plant to grow. Already facts have been demonstrated. It ' has been conclusively proved, for one thing, that an ideal seed-bed can be provided in' the locality, while there is nothing in the climate to retard a vigorous development and a consequent heavy production. The first cutting from the testingplotsa cutting which is usually hot of sufficient luxuriance of growth to justify its use for hay, being allowed to remain on the ground as a —was of remarkable growth, a heavy y mass. of vegetation fully 3 ft. in height being produced in fifty days from sowing. The accompanying picture is of the second growth, twenty-one days from cutting.

The method of establishing the lucerne was as follows: The lea paddock had been down in grass for six years. Stable manure, at the rate of 6 tons per acre, was spread on the surface before ploughing. It was skim-ploughed in May and ploughed again in July. 2 cwt. of basic slag per acre was then disced in. It was ploughed for the third time in October. On account of the ground being too wet sowing was delayed until the 24th of November.

Eight varieties were sown broadcast— American, Peruvian, Colonial, Arabian, Turkestan, Hungarian, Hunter River. The . whole of these germinated very satisfactorily, with the exception of Hunter River. French: This made the most rapid, growth. It was cut just before coming into flower, and was fed Ao dairy herd in fifty days from sowing. ' • ' • American : The leaf is longer and narrower than that of the French variety. . ... . •: Peruvian: Similar to the American, but the leaves' are' slightly smaller and are more pointed ; while it is not quite so tall it stooled out better. Colonial: The proportion of leaf to stem is better than that of any of the other varieties. Arabian : Slower in growth, but there is a fair proportion of leaf to stem. . . . . • '

Turkestan: The habit, of growth is an objection, the stem being procumbent. Hungarian: Upright habit of growth, with a large number of stems. Hunter. River The germination, as mentioned, is poor and the growth was slow, with the result that it became badly choked with weeds. The best of these varieties for the locality cannot be . determined from the first season’s experience. The plants must be acclimatized and be tested under extremes of climatic conditions.

A FEILDING TEST.

In a test being carried out ; by Mr. James Knight, of Feilding, with several varieties of lucerne, Provence has made much the strongest growth. Little difference is so far discernable between Peruvian, Arabian, and Turkestan. A portion of ..the - land was limed. The difference between the lucerne in the limed and the unlimed portions is most striking.. The liming was at the rate of 8 cwt. to the acre. The seed was , drilled— drills being 7. in. apartat the rate of 14 lb. to the acre. The plots received a manurial dressing of 1| cwt. of superphosphate, :40 lb. of bonemeal, 20 lb. of sulphate of potash, and 10 lb. of sulphate of ammonia. The seed was produced in the South Island.

Perhaps the forage soiling crop which promises the best results in the future,, reports Mr. Primrose McConnell, from Ruakura, : is a mixture of peas and. millet or peas and maize.- These are well-balanced foodstuffs, and should leave the land in better condition than when the maize and millets are grown alone. . These mixtures are to be tested at Ruakura for milkproduction. ’ - . ■