776 Agricultural Gazette of J^.S.W. [56'jj^. 2, 1908. 



attractive nature tliat the N'allcv is suicfjf hciiig cuiivcitrd iuto a dairying' 

 centre. Owing to its vigoi'ous habit and immense yield jier acre, maize may 

 be looked ujxin ;is jin ideal fodder for cattle in sumnur. it can lie ii( ilisrd in 

 so many ways, and is the least expensive of all crops to urow. We have to 

 look for a variety of a branching habit: in other words, one that \\ ill throw 

 oft' three to fcnir suckering stalks from the main stem. These cover the main 

 root, gradually thicken, and provide a heavier and mort' succulent yield than 

 the single-stemmed sort selected for grain. Eai-ly and rapid growth has also' 

 to be considei'ed as important factors in their selecti(m. 



Amongst those found res})onding best to these requiremejits ai-e Hickory 

 King, Eaily Mastodon, and Iowa Silvermine. 



For this pur-])()se, viz., gi'een feed or ensilage, drills should be struck out 

 3 feet ajjart, and a single seed sown by hand or maize-di'0])per every 12 inches 

 in the row. Where the soil needs manuring or plant food, it can be suj)plied 

 through the inaize-dropper when sowing, l)y mixing lilood and bone manure 

 with superphosphate in equal parts and applying the mixture at the rate of 

 1 cwt. per acre. This ([uantity may be increased in the poorer soils. 



Tn some soils it is an advajitage to add muriate of potash at the rat(^ of 

 5U lb. per acre to the above mixture. 



It is important to observe that where large yields of green forage are 

 looked foi', cultivation must be practised shortly aftei' planting. The surface 

 must be stirred frequently to stimulate growth early, to check the growth of 

 weeds, and to conserve moisture. We may reasonably anticipate an al)n(jrmal 

 growth of weeds this season. 



X light harrow will be the best implement until the corn is sutiicientlv 

 grown to indicate the use of the cultivatoi- and shallow tillage. 



For grain, we find other varieties are better yielder.s, and among them our 

 local farmers have secured the best returns from Red Hogan, King's Early, 

 Golden Beauty, Pride of the North, and Leeming's Early, in the yellow class, 

 and Towa Silvermine to i-epresent the white varieties. 



The customary width between lows to plant is 4 ft. G in. \\ hen the grain 

 is dropped by hand, three or four gi'ains are planted 3 feet apart in the 

 rows. With the maize-drop})er, experience favours planting a single grain from 

 16 to 18 inches apart. 



Where manure is apjilied in the form of an artificial fertiliser, it is found 

 the best practice to apply one half when planting, and the balance as a top 

 dressing when the crop is - feet high and when the last cultivation is 

 effected. 



This is done to avoid the growth of a weak, tall, saji|)y plant. Planting 

 may commence the first week in Septembei- and be continued at intervals of 

 a fortnight up to the middle of December for both grain and forage crops. 

 Thus a continuation of feed is provided, as well as an economic distribution of 

 ftirm labour. 



Sorghums. — The question of food production to su2:)plement grazing in a 

 dairying locality must be ever present, and in the allotment of suitable ciops 

 for this purpose the value of sorghum cannot be overlooked. 



