Montgomery Red Clover.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 58, Issue 3, 20 March 1939, Page 234

Montgomery Red Clover.

R. E. R. (RAETIHI) : Is Montgomery red clover suitable for light hill sheep country in this district ? I have a lot of ring fern. Would it be suitable to sow on this when burnt off ? Fields. Division : Montgomery' red clover is not considered suitable for light hill country in your district. Subterranean clover and Lotus major are much better adapted to the conditions mentioned. Both these plants can be established on ring-fern

burns by sowing up to 4 lb. per acre of subterranean clover and 1 lb. of Lotus major with 41b. of brown-top, 3 W- of danthohia, 4 lb. of crested dogstail, and . up to 8 lb. of good type perennial ryegrass in late February or early March. To get a good clean burn of ring fern during spring spraying with a solution of arsenic pentoxide is recommended during January. A solution of 1 lb. of arsenic pentoxide to 32 gallons of water is strong enough to brown off all foliage for a good fire. The edges of the clumps should be thoroughly - sprayed, and after the grass is up in the autumn odd pieces of ring fern round the edges of clumps should be sprayed again. Lotus major, which is a very useful plant in your country, can be introduced by surface sowing about November on places where the surface is broken and crumbly, while subterranean clover can be introduced by surface sowing 2 lb. to 4 lb. per acre on the pastures in late February or early March. It is best to have some roughage on the area as a ' protection for the young plants from birds. ♦ ♦ ♦