SEASONAL NOTES.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXX, Issue 1, 20 January 1925, Page 50

SEASONAL NOTES.

THE FARM. VACANT LAND AND CATCH-CROPS. An all-too-common feature of many farms in ‘the latter part of the season is the large area of stubble and other land that has grown a crop — such as early turnips, tares, &c. — and which is left idle to grow weeds and accumulate rubbish for several months, or at least till autumn grass-sowing. This is sheer waste, for February, March, and April are all good growing months in which much may be achieved. Unless the land is excessively foul — in ’ which case a fallow is indicated — the best plan is to run the cultivator or disks through the ground once, or twice to germinate weeds. In the case of twitchy land the disks should not be used, but the twitch should be worked to'the surface with the cultivator and harrows. After an interval of a couple of weeks the land may be ploughed and sown as soon as the weather conditions permit. • The utilization of such vacant land depends upon the district, the requirements of the farm,' and the length of time available. When grass is to be sown in March, white mustard makes cheap and easilygrown material for ploughing in ; 15 lb. of seed and 2 cwt. of super should give a good crop. It is as well to remember that though mustard rots down quickly the land should be given a week or two's fallow before the grass is sown. If autumn feed is the main consideration there is still time to sow turnips — Imperial Green Globe, "Hardy Green • Globe, and Green - top Scotch (Aberdeen) being all suitable generally. In some northern districts swedes have been sown as late as March with success, but swedes are less adaptable than soft turnips, and less satisfactory for late sowing. Black, skinless barley is another quick-growing catch-crop that-will give good grazing for cows or sheep in eight weeks from sowing. In districts free from early frosts Japanese millet may be sown up to the end of January for March feeding, but not later,, as it does not thrive in the shorter days ■ and cooler nights of autumn. For later sowing and later use Algerian oats and rye-corn are both good winter grazing crops, .-while Western Wolths or Italian rye-grass can be sown in February for autumn or spring feed. A good mixture for average - quality land for grazing in May, and again in August and September, Western Wolths,' 15 lb. ; Italian rye-grass, 15 lb. ; crimson clover, 5 lb. ; red clover, 3 lb. ; with super (or super and blood-and-bone), 3 cwt. This mixture is purely temporary, but will yield double the feed of permanent pasture, and that at difficult.. seasons of the year. For South Otago and Southland a mixture of Scotch vetches or golden tares with oats, at the rate of 1 bushel of the former and 2 bushels of the latter, is recommended for' early spring feed. In Central Otago rye-corn sown at the rate of 2-|- bushels will prove very useful for either lambing ewes or early cal vers.

PREPARATION FOR GRASS-SOWING. Many farmers will now be thinking-of grass-sowing. In making up mixtures local conditions of soil and climate must be taken into consideration a mixture suitable to one district often does not give satisfactory results in another. In the preparation of land (where ploughable) an early start is invaluable, as it. enables. the killing . of weeds, that would otherwise harass and weaken the young grass. Consolidation of the seed-bed is highly important ; clover in particular does-not strike well- on loose ground. When a crop has been fed off with sheep and the land is clean it is often better to disk 'rather than plough, so that the treading and the manure may not be lost. lucerne. * Provided the weather is seasonable, February is generally a favourable period for sowing lucerne. Compared with spring sowing, more time is available for destroying weeds, and there is less likelihood of a cold wet spell of weather following closely on the germination of the lucerne-seed and so checking the growth of the young plants. A frequent mistake in lucerne-culture is that of sowing too deeply. Sometimes one sees the ordinary tine harrows being used for this purpose, with the result that a large proportion of the seed is buried. A light brush harrow, or one made from strips of wire netting laced together and weighted at the end with bolts, will be found more satisfactory for covering the seed. ' The coming month is also a good time for’ destroying weeds and grass which may be infesting stands of lucerne. As the lucerne is cut the land should be cultivated. If clean, a stroke of the tine harrows . to keep the soil free is all that is required ; but if dirty, stronger methods must be adopted. Young lucerne crops sown in November and December should be ready for cutting about the end of February, and will greatly benefit by a cultivation to keep the land free and destroy weeds.' Under normal Canterbury conditions it is generally found economical to graze the last growth of established stands of lucerne. The cut is usually so light that it does not pay for working-expenses for haying. As soon as growth ceases, the land should be stirred with the grubber.- . • . ROOT CROPS. The intercultivation of root crops should be continued as long as possible. This operation not only keeps down weeds, but conserves moisture and aerates the soil, greatly promoting growth of the crop. Thinning of the later-sown turnip and swede crops will also call for attention at this time. • . POTATOES. In the coming month the later potato crops will be given their last cultivation. Potatoes being essentially a cleaning crop, it pays to keep the cultivator going as long as possible. Preparations' may be made for saving seed. Only those tubers free from disease should be selected, and although the storage of immature seed is not always easily accomplished the latter usually gives the best results. Mediumsized seed about the size of a hen's egg will be found the most suitable generally. . - —Fields Division.