LUCERNE-GROWING IN SOUTH AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXVII, Issue 4, 20 October 1923, Page 240

LUCERNE-GROWING IN SOUTH AUCKLAND.

EXPERIENCE OF A CAMBRIDGE STAND.

T H PATTERSON,

Instructor in Agriculture, Auckland.

Lucerne is undoubtedly gaining in popularity in the Auckland Provincial District, and the total area devoted to the crop has steadily increased during the last five years. A number of co-operative trials have been carried out between different farmers and the Department of Agriculture, and much useful information gained, of which the following record is a good example. . . ■ ■

In 1920 Mr. L. B. Dougherty, of “Green Hill,” Cambridge, decided to put an area of 5 acres of his dairy farm into lucerne. He applied to the Department at Auckland for advice. A co-operative trial was set out with the object of demonstrating the value of cropping preliminary to sowing in lucerne, and later to try some control measures for root fungus (Rhizoctonia medicaginis). This root parasite has shown up on many areas of lucerne ini the Waikato and Bay of? Plenty during the last five years.

The area was ploughed out of permanent pasture in August, 1920, and sown in soft turnips in December following. The crop, owing to unfavourable weather, proved a comparative failure. In the following autumn (March, 1921) the ground was prepared for barley and vetches. This crop did well and was grazed off with pigs.

The soil was ploughed in the August following, disked twice in September, and 16 cwt. of ground limestone was applied on 23rd of that month'. It received two strokes of the tine harrows on the following

day, and was rolled two days later with the Cambridge roller. On 14th October the paddock was cultivated with the spring-toothed cultivator to kill weeds and loosen the surface. On 14th November, late in the afternoon, 3 cwt. of inoculated soil per acre was applied, and the area was immediately tine-harrowed twice. On 16th November it was rolled, and sown on the following day. Four acres were sown with 10 lb. per acre of Hunter River seed in 7 in. drills. The following -mixturewas applied with the seed : Superphosphate, 2 cwt. 3 ground rock phosphate (Nauru-Ocean), 1 cwt. ; sulphate of potash, cwt. One acre was sown with 10 lb. per acre of Grimm lucerne.

The season proved very wet, and weeds grew strongly. Before the first cut was made on 1st February, 1922, the lucerne looked hopeless on account of weeds —mainly annuals. After the lucerne was cut and

stacked the area was tine-harrowed twice and was made much cleaner. On 10th April the second cut was made, and there was still , more weed-growth than lucerne. It was again cultivated, using this time the tine cultivator. In May the tine harrows were used again. In early June dry dairy cows were put on, and the lucerne was grazed. This procedure left the area clean for the winter. From 8th to 24th August the tine cultivator was used to clean out weeds, and the area was topdressed with a mixture of superphosphate and ground rock phosphate (Nauru-Ocean).

The first cut of the 1922-23 season was made on 14th December and stacked later. Though somewhat weedy, it made good hay. The area was again cultivated with the tine cultivator after the hay had been taken off. The second cut, made in the last week of January, was very

satisfactory. The lucerne was practically free of weeds, and the vigour of the stand was apparent on inspection. The accompanying photo was taken just previous to cutting.

As yet no root fungus has appeared in the crop, though it is found in the district. It is hoped that the vigour maintained by good treatment will enable the lucerne to become resistant to invasion.

COMMENT.

A lucerne crop should never be considered hopeless so far as weeds are concerned. This is especially the case in the early stages of its establishment. The wet, cool summers of the last two seasons made the eradication of weeds extremely difficult. Normal summer weather would have made the task easier. Despite the unfavourable weather, however, the weeds were conquered in Mr. Dougherty's case. Liming, of course, is necessary. Top-dressing with phosphates consisting mainly of superphosphate may also be regarded as essential. This, added to the cutting, assists|materially in the control of weeds.

' After experience with both methods, I am of opinion that lucerne sown after a clean permanent pasture is better in many cases than resorting to preliminary cropping. The grass-sod should be broken in early winter by skim-ploughing, and the area reploughed deeply in the spring following. It should then be worked down, limed, and sown about November. Comparing broadcasting with drilling, I would advise on the lighter soils, such as those of Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and elsewhere in the province, sowing broadcast. Drilling half the seed one way and crossing the area at right angles with the remainder is to be recommended.

The importance of regularly top-dressing and cultivating after cutting, for the maintenance of a vigorous stand free of weeds, cannot be overemphasized.

In the south Auckland district dairy-farmers particularly can use profitably a small area —up to io or 15 acres—of lucerne. It reduces the area that need be devoted to special crops. Cutting permanent pasture regularly for hay is not recommended, because the growth produced when the field is shut up does injury to the better grasses. It must not be forgotten also that lucerne is the highest-grade crop that can be produced from the nutrition point of view; moreover, it. leaves the soil in an improved condition after the stand is broken up.

Inspection of Farm Engines. — The Board of Agriculture has in the past endeavoured to obtain exemption from inspection for farm engines and motors of less than 6 horse-power, as it is recognized that practically nothing is achieved by such inspection. An amendment to the Inspection of Machinery Act was introduced into the House last session, and was referred to the Labour Bills Committee for consideration, but went no further. At its last meeting the Board decided to take up the matter again in due course. •

Registration of Apiaries.— The total number of registered apiaries at the close of the last official year was 8,007, representing a total of 111,100 hives.