A GOOD FODDER FOR STOCK.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume VI, Issue 6, 16 June 1913, Page 604

A GOOD FODDER FOR STOCK.

W. C. Berridge.

To provide green feed quickly during the middle of summer, when pastures are failing, is a vexed problem for the farmer, especially in dairying districts. Those who have a good lucerne patch are largely independent of adverse weather-conditions, as the lucerne, being a deeprooted plant, makes its best growth during that season. Farmers who have forethought enough to provide green maize for their cows are also in a better position to face a dry season. Those who for various reasons may not have green feed provided for the middle of summer should try a . plot of Hungarian millet. This makes a rapid growth during the hottest weather, independent of rain. Hungarian millet should be cut before the seed-heads shoot, as it is then- in its most succulent stage. All live - stock seemed fond of the millet, both horses and cows eating it readily when first . offered. Being succulent, there was little or no waste with it. - At the Tauranga Experimental Farm a piece of land, from which oats were cut last January, was ploughed, harrowed, and scarified, as it was very foul with sorrel and other weeds. Superphosphate, at the rate of 3 cwt. to the acre, was then broadcasted and harrowed in. The Hungarian millet was sown broadcast on the 28th January, at the rate of 12 lb. to the acre, and was covered with a chain harrow. Though no rain fell for six weeks, the millet grew rapidly, and in ten weeks’ time was ready to cut. It yielded at the rate of 17 tons to the acre. During the whole period of growth ' there were only two days on which rain fell. A part of the plot was manured with half the quantity of superphosphate (1| cwt.- to the acre being applied), and this part yielded 40 per cent, less by weight. Now that the millet is removed the land presents a very clean appearance, most of the weeds having been smothered by the dense growth. After the millet was cut, the land was ploughed and sown with oats and vetches for spring feed.