ON THE LAND

New Zealand Tablet, 15 November 1917, Page 34

ON THE LAND

LUCERNE GROWING.

As a considerable number of farmers and others have sown lucerne this season, the following important information* is given by Mr. A. Macphersou, Fields Supervisor, regarding the first cutting of the young crop:

In the past it has been the practice to clip the first growth of lucerne when about 10 inches in length. Recent experiments and investigations go to show that this practice is not sound, and is injurious to root development. It is found that clipping materially reduces the diameter of the root immediately below the crown. Extensive investigations extending from 1912 have been carried out at Chico, California., in regard to this. "The effect of clipping the first season on the subsequent yield of hay was that it reduced the yield of hay, especially in the first and second seasons, and probably longer." It is just as true of lucerne as any other young plant, that it must form a top growth before, or at the same time, that it is producing roots. The leaves are the stomach and lungs of the plant, and before the roots can develop, the leaves must manufacture the products which are built into the cells and tissues that constitute the roots. If this top growth of leaves is kept cut off before a sufficient root growth has been .established to easily restore the top growth, the effect is to check the growth of the plant, weaken it, and perhaps destroy it. A number of similar tests made in the Canterbury and other distne. for a number of years, confirms the above.

Immediately the first flowers are noticed the root of the stems near the crown should be examined, and if fresh buds or growth are observable, say of half an inch in length, that is the best indication that the crop should be cut; that is, of course, if the weather is seasonable. In cutting, care must be taken that at least four inches of growth is left as a stubble above the surface of the soil. If cut too close down on to the crown the plant will be injured, or it may be completely destroyed.

THE HONEY CHOP. The Director of the Horticulture Division of the Department of Agriculture has received from the apiary instructors the following report concerning the honey crop prospects : Auckland.—We have experienced a fortnight's fine weather in September, and the bees have been busy on the early flora. Honey prices remain unchanged, but beeswax is in demand at Is 9d per lb. Wellington.—The honey crop prospects for the coming season are good. The good rains compared with other seasons are favorable, and will undoubtedly materially stimulate the growth of clover, and this in turn will lead to honey production. Occasional summer showers are all that it requires to produce a firstclass return. Christchurch.—Pastures are looking well, grass and young clover coming away in fine style. Bees have had a very busy time working the willow catkins. Fresh honey and abundance of pollen are being stored in the brood combs. Young queens with plenty of

stores have fairly large brood nests established, and the more forward stocks have young bees flying. Indications are for an early season. Swarms in two instances have already been reported. Dunedin.—The prospects of a good season are bright. Excellent rains have revived the pastures in the northern parts of my district. In the bush districts nectar is being freely gathered, and generally speaking the bees have wintered well. Inquiries are being made for next season’s crop. Indications are that prices will rule high. Bulk honey is quoted at 6d; sections, none offering; 21b pottles, 18s per dozerj,; beeswax, to Is 9d per lb.

GENERAL.

It has long been recognised that when Bordeaux mixture was prepared it would not retain its fungicidal properties many hours, and consequently when any spray was left over it was invariably thrown away. Chemists have been experimenting for some years to try to find a way to prevent this waste. In a recent interview, Mr. J. Grant, of the Argicultural Department, stated that the simplest way to overcome the difficulty was to add a small quantity of sugar to the spray it was desired to keep for a week or two. The amount of sugar recommended was about one gram to the quart, or just under half a pound to 50 gallons. The saving of the spray was more important now than it had ever been, owing to the increased price of copper sulphate. One of the finest plots of lucerne grown in the Ashburton County is to be seen in the Ashburton A. and P. Association’s grounds. The plot was sown for experimental purposes, and has proved exceptionally successful. There are ten varieties in the area, which is barely a quarter of an acre in extent. They were planted at the end of October, 1916, and, with one exception (a variety known as Turkestan) are showing wonderful growth, and are quite ready for cutting. It is difficult to pick out any variety as being the best, though Marlborough (grown from seed purchased in Blenheim) appears to be more sturdy and luxuriant than others. Dryland, although shorter in the stalk, has a larger leaf, and experts state that in the summer this is more in evidence than at present. As threeparts of the plant’s virtue is in the leaf, this is no doubt a consideration when choosing the seed. As an experiment two rows were planted with mixed seed, of unknown origin, but this has been a complete failure. The officers of the Fields Division of the Agricultural Department have had two and a-half acres ploughed adjoining the railway line, near the Ashburton Saleyards, and this will be sown with lucerne, and should prove an object-lesson to farmers traversing the adjacent road.