496 Agricultural Gazette of N.S. IF. [e///we 2, 1908. 



A fine, firm seed-bed should be prepared, as it is inadvisable to cover tbe 

 seed very deeply, about an inch being the maximum. 



Seed sown broadcast may be covered by lightly harrowing, or by rolling, 

 according to the condition of the soil. If it be desired to use fertihser with 

 broadcast seed it should first be sown underground by means of the drill, 

 as surface-sown maimres in dry localities are comparatively ineffectual, and 

 in some cases they are iiijurious as they attract the roots of the crop to the 

 surface stratum. 



The use of fertihsers is recommended in wheat land of the ordinary quahty,. 

 as even a small quantity deposited with the seed is of great assistance to the 

 young crop in its competition with weeds. 



About 50 lb. of supei'])hosj)hate drilled with the seed will be found to give 

 very satisfactory results. The application of potash has, so far, proved 

 unprofitable, but at some time in the future its application may become 

 necessary. 



Lucerne may be sown in two seasons, viz., autumn and spring. In the 

 former, March and April are the best months, and in the latter season August- 

 and September will be found the best. Where irrigation is possible, however, 

 the sowing season may be considerably extended. 



As the autumn sown crop is usually more liable to suffer from competition 

 with weeds which start with it, the spring is the most favoured sowing time 

 inland, but, as already explained, the conditions may be greatly improved 

 by the proper application of manure. 



As the life of lucerne may be considerably prolonged by cutting it instead 

 of feeding it off, it will be found desirable to use the mower, even though it 

 may be necessary to allow the stock to pick it up after the cutting. Of course,. 

 as it is not always possible to obtain sufficient growth for cutting, there are 

 times when it must be fed off as it is undesirable to allow the crop to run to 

 seed. 



In hot weather, when the growth is sufficiently strong, it may be harvested 

 with the reaper and binder, as by this means the work can be much more 

 cheaph'' carried out than is possible with the mower and horse rake. The 

 hay is of the best quality, as if cut when in flower there is practically no loss- 

 of leaves, owing to the binding in sheaves, which does away with the necessity 

 of handling it as is necessary when cut by the mower. The sheaves should 

 be lightly stooked in rows, not more than two deep. 



By cutting and storing the crop it mav be saved for times of greater neces- 

 sity than those existing when the crop is fit to cut. 



As in the case of stocking rape, sheep should not be turned into a standing 

 crop of lucerne when they are empty. When feeding off is necessary, it should 

 be done as promptly as possible, and the sheep removed before they can 

 injure the stools. The crop possesses its best feeding value when just at. 

 the flowering stage. 



