348 Agricidtiiral Gazette of N.S.W. [April 2, 1908. 



Jarm Notes. 



IIawkesbury District — April. 



H. W. POTTS. 



The recent rains liaNc been favourable for getting;- tlie land into good con- 

 dition for the sowing of autumn crops. Advantage may be taken of the 

 opportunity to consei-ve cultivated crops in the form of hay or ensilage now 

 that there is plenty of gi'ass. 



Wheat. — Owing to the prevalence of rust, it is not safe to grow this crop 

 for grain. The main sowings may be made for hay, and rust-resisting types 

 should be selected as far as possible. This season a number- of new cross-bred 

 types that have succeeded well in the wheat-growing dii^tricts are being planted 

 on an extensive scale. Tluy- include John Brown, Rymer, Thew, Plover, 

 Federation, Comeback, .lumbuek. It is a,(l\isaV)le to stee]i Ix^fore sowing. 

 Drill in at the rate of 45 lb. to the acre. 



0<ttK. — For green teed the Algerian is the best. Sow about 2 bushels of seed 

 to the acre. The main sowings for hay are made next month. An improved 

 ration is made bv sowing a fcnv tares, .say lialf a bushel, with the oats. 



i)'ar/e(i/. ^Successive sowings may be made of Cape barley for green feed. 

 Tares should be included where grown for dairy stock. This combination 

 provides a more relishable fodder, and ensures a better balanced ration tor 

 milk-production. 



Rye. — Emerald ive may be planted for green feed or green manure. It 

 will thrive on light pooi- soil, unsuited for any other crop. Where grown 

 for gi'ain, the straw should be saved, as it is invaluable for bedding purposes, 

 and, if not broken in threshing, is suitable for stutling collars, Arc. 



Lucerne. — It is not yet too late for sowing this valuable crop. Have land 

 as clean as pt)ssibl(\ and broadcast at the rate of about 1 5 lb. of seed to the acre. 

 Select prime clean samples, obtained fi'oin good lucerne paddocks. Light 

 soils, if pi'operlv worked, will gi'ow good crops of this plant, and no stock- 

 owner should be without a paddock of it. It may be rather difficult to make 

 hay of the late cuttings of old estal)lished crops, owing to heavy dews, cool 

 weather, and showery conditions, but it makes good ensilage. 



Maize and Sorghum. — The late sowings of these crops should be kep>t clean 

 by the use of the cultivator until they are high enough to look after them- 

 selves. Towards the end of the month these will be readv for convei'ting 

 into ensilage. 



Turnips and Swedes. — -The-se crops will now be making rapid growth, and 

 if thinning has not been done it should be pushed on as (piickly as possible. 

 This provides for well-shaped uiiit'oiiii roots, so essential t'of market pur- 

 poses. A few late sowings may be made for stock feed. The swede is a 

 valuable crop for a rotation, and, on large areas, may be grazed ofif by sheep ; 

 the land will be greatly benefited by the accumulation of manure from the 

 animals. 



