494 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [June 2, 1908. 



for five months, and then so little effect was apparent on the pasture that a 

 large ()iiantitv of it was cut for ensilage. It was 0)ily ])ossil)lr' to operate on 

 a limited area as the grasses and herbage ripened ra})idly. 



In a later year the pasture would have carried at least twelve sheep for 

 four to live niontlis ol the grov/ing season, but it was not possible to stock 

 it fully. 



In a paddock which had borne eight crops in ten years, two of which were 

 fed off while green, we have fed within a fraction of four sheep per acre for 

 five months, the effect on the pasture being Ixardiy apparent. 



Re-seeding has been carried out partly by the action of winds ni carr\iiig 

 seed from surrounding paddocks, and partly from the grasses which will 

 usually be found to some extent present in cropped land. A quantity of 

 grnss seed probibly lies dormant until the land is freed from crops for a time. 



As it is desirable in conjunction with lanib-rai dug to provide sonn» cultivated 

 pasture of a siuculent nature, notes on rape and lucerne are appended. 



Crops for Sheep. 

 Bo,fe. 



In conjunction with the raising of cereals, this crop will be found useful lor 

 rotation, the plants being deeply rooted and therefore of value in opening up 

 and sweetening the subsoil. The preparation of the land for rape is of value 

 in causing the germination of the seeds of weeds and such grain as may have 

 been shed during the previous harvest, and there is thus provided a greater 

 variety of pasture for stock, while at the same time the land is cleaned for 

 succeeding crops. 



If it be desired that rape should immediately follow a cereal crop, the 

 land should he ploughed or otherwise broken innnediately after the stubbles 

 have been fed off by sheep. 



In the drier districts the rotary disc plough will be found invalual)le for 

 the purpose, it being very thorough, expeditious, and economical in its work. 



It can also be used in the summer, when work with mould-board ploughs is 

 impracticable. The soil should be thoroughly pulverised and the surface 

 made faii'ly even, as the seed is small and, therefore, it must only be covered 

 lightly. 



If sown broadcast it may be covered by harrowing lightly or by rolling. 

 It may also be sown by means of the grass-box attachment of an ordinary 

 wheat drill, the latter method having an advantage in the depositing of the 

 manure with the seed and in slightly reducing the cost of seed. 



The latter item, however, is inconsiderable, as the cost of seed rarely exceeds 

 4d. ])cr pound, and a broadcast sowing of 3 lb. per acre is ample. 



The best variety is the Dwarf Essex. 



The best time for sowing is February or March, the former being preferable, 

 as in the event of storm rr.ins the growth, owing to the greater warmth of 

 the soil, is very ra])id. Still good results may be obtained by sowing as 

 late as April, provided the crop is manured. 



