GRIMM LUCERNE AT CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXII, Issue 1, 20 January 1921, Page 50

GRIMM LUCERNE AT CHRISTCHURCH.

The extraordinarily robust growth of a plant of Grimm lucerne selected by Mr. A. Macpherson, late Fields Instructor, Christchurch, has at various times been commented upon in the Journal, and a further note on the subject will doubtless be of interest. The plant made a continuous growth throughout the winter months of 1920. All the strong growths were cut away in September, and the fresh shoots made rapid headway, being 'quite 1 ft. in length within fourteen days after being cut. During November a second cut was secured. The average length was over 4 ft., and after being dried it was weighed and found to give 51lb. of hay (from the one plant). . Judging by the vigorous growth of this selection of Grimm lucerne, 4,840 plants set out 3 ft. apart and 3 ft. between the rows would appear to be sufficient for 1 acre. This will be understood when the fact is mentioned that the plant when in full growth last season measured

12 ft. 9 in. in diameter. Taking the plant mentioned as a criterion, an acre of such plants would yield 11-3 tons of hay per acre for one cut. The plant actually gave five cuts last season, and the yields from each cut were approximately the same weight. . • It may be mentioned that a plot of Grimm lucerne was sown at the Department’s depot, Bath Street, Christchurch, in December, 1919. The plot is now twelve months old, and it is of interest to know that it has given four cuts in that time. The first was taken fourteen weeks after sowing, and the fourth on 6th December, 1920. The total yield of hay for the year from this plot, at a per-acre calculation, works out at I2| tons, which at £8 per ton (market value) gives the handsome return of £9B per acre per annum. — -McGillivray, Fields Instructor, Christchurch.