SEASONAL NOTES.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXIX, Issue 6, 20 December 1924, Page 417

SEASONAL NOTES.

THE FARM. CEREAL HARVEST. The grain harvest usually follows quickly on haymaking. For threshing it is generally recognized that both wheat and oats are better cut on the green side than allowed to become overripe. The latter condition involves much risk, and heavy loss may occur from a windshake ; furthermore the sample of grain is brighter and better in quality when the crop is not . allowed to become overripe. Barley, for malting, however, should not be reaped until quite ripe. The proper time to reap wheat is when the straw immediately below the head becomes yellow, and is free from moisture when tightly twisted, with the grains still a little soft but not milky or doughy. At this stage the skin or bran is finer, and the grain yields a higher proportion of flour to bran and pollard, while if the crop is left to become overripe both the latter increase in proportion. On the other hand, care must be observed not to cut too green, otherwise there will be a loss of weight by shrivelling. A certain amount of filling occurs after the grain is in stock. The size of the sheaves should be regulated to suit the climatic condition and the condition of the crop. If the weather is damp the sheaves should be tied smaller to facilitate drying. Again, should there be an undergrowth of grass or weeds in the butts of the' sheaves they should be made small for the same reason, and if very bad they are better left lying a day or two before stocking. This is especially important when dealing with barley with much undergrowth, as this grain is so easily discoloured, which greatly reduces its value for malting. It always pays to take some pains in making a good stook. The average stook should consist of from eight to ten sheaves, each sheaf being firmly, placed with sufficient slant to withstand 1 a reasonable wind and turn a fair amount of rain. Considerable loss often occurs from careless stocking, the grain becoming discoloured or even sprouting when the stook falls and is left lying. After the crop has been in stook for two or three weeks, according to weather (and if threshing from stook is not practised), stacking will follow. For this a convenient site on high ground should be selected, and a bottom made up of old logs, branches, or hedge-clippings. If the- stack is to stand for some time before chaffing or threshing it is imperative that the foundation be good. The size of the stack naturally depends on the bulk of the crop and area of the field. The building commences by forming a stook in the centre and working round in tiers or courses to the marked boundary, keeping the sheaves as upright as possible. The secret of good stack-building is to build the heart firm and always higher than the outside courses from foundation to ridge. Too many stacks of both hay and sheaves are only well built on the outside courses, while 1 the inner ones are loosely or- carelessly

placed, the consequence being that later, as the whole bulk settles down, the heart sinks most, leaving the sheaves slanting downwards towards the centre, and ready to convey moisture to the heart, whereas the opposite should be the aim. The skilful builder will slightly spring the stack from the foundation to the eave. This allows the rain to drip clear, and with a well-built heart kept high, causing a slant from the centre to the outside, water will not penetrate. The novice should endeavour to see his first stack opened up, so that he may profit from any mistakes. ROOT CROPS AND GREEN FORAGES. The end of the year will see most of the root crops sown, the exceptions being swedes on the higher country. These may be sown any time up to the middle of January. After this it is safer to sow turnips Hardy or Imperial Green Globe for preference—and after the end of January stubble sowing will be - best. When seeding at this time of the year care should be taken to ' work the land down fine and roll firm so as to ensure moisture for the young seedlings. The thinning of mangold and carrot crops should be pushed along. If mangolds are holding and looking at all yellow a top-dressing with i cwt. of nitrate of soda per acre will often put new life into the crop, provided that there is sufficient rain to melt the nitrate. In districts with suitable climatic conditions misses among the mangold and turnip crops may be filled up with cattle-marrows (kumi-kumis). The best method is to plant groups of two seeds each about 3 ft. apart, using a hoe and working in a little super and blood-and-bone at the same time. Soft turnips for dairy cows should be fed sparingly, both to avoid taint and to make the crop last as long as possible. The larger roots should be pulled first. Purple-tops are the first of all varieties to lose their succulence and to decay ; they should therefore be used early, but in strict moderation, as they are most liable to injure the quality of the milk or cream. Red Paragon, Green Globe, and Devonshire Greystone are alb better keepers and safer feed. No progressive dairyfarmer should allow his cows to have access to the turnip-paddock even for short periods. It is best to pull the turnips a couple of days ahead and allow them to wilt before feeding. Millet should be grazed when not more than io in. high; and spelled at intervals. The best plan is to let the cows graze it for an hour or two after milking. FIELD PEAS AND BEANS. On rich land in a damp season it is somewhat difficult to judge just when to cut the pea crop, as in some cases the bottom pods may be overripe and shelling while the tips of the haulms are still flowering, with pods in various stages in between. In such cases mowing should be done when the greatest number of pods commence to shrivel and before they open. The cut material should be cocked in small heaps like hay, and handled as gently as possible. If the crop is badly laid the hay-rake may be used instead of a mower. Threshing can be done direct from the paddock if the weather permits. As a rule the bean crop is not ready until after the cereals are cut. The pods should be black and the stems' turning dark before reaping.

SPECIAL HAY CROPS. In the south the late hay crops consisting of oats and pea mixtures will be ready to cut during January. The proper stage for harvesting these crops is when the oats are in a tough, doughy stage, and the peas are filling the pods. The peas must not be allowed to overripen, otherwise much loss will result when the crop is harvested. . As. it is, a considerable proportion of peas will fall to the ground. These may be utilized by. turning sheep on to the stubble. Another method of utilizing any peas which may have fallen is to run the disk cultivators over the stubble, and so allow the peas to germinate. A catch-crop very suitable for late autumn feeding will thus be obtained. The yields from the oats and pea mixtures have in the past been most satisfactory, and if saved in good condition the material makes a splendid hay or chaff for feeding in the winter along with turnips. Similar crops intended for ensilage will also be ready for operations in January. - . ■ —-Fields Division.