May 3, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.SM. 315 



Farmers^ Experiment Plots, 



Winter Fodders, Western District, 1919. 



J. E. SYME, Inspector of Agriculture. 



These winter fodder experiments are carried on in a two years' rotation with 

 wheat, winter fodder and fallow occupying one year, and wheat the succeeding 

 year. The object is to maintain the soil's organic content, which, in dry 

 districts where alternate bare fallow and wheat is the general practice, is 

 burnt or oxidised out under the heat of the sun, leaving the land poorer 

 in fertility, with a lower water-holding capacity, and so compacted that 

 cultivation is made difficult. The growing of these fodders also enables the 

 farmer to increase the stock on the farm. 



The fodders are planted as early as possible on the stubble land of the 

 previous wheat crop, the stubble being grazed quickly and then disc-cultivated 

 or spring-toothed and the fodders sown as soon as rain falls. ■ 



The season of 1919 was not conducive to any great growth, practically the 

 only rain of any importance falling in February and May. The autumn and 

 the preceding summer were so extr-emely dry that there was practically no 

 moisture in the soil at all, even at a depth of 4 or 5 feet. However, all 

 farmers conducting the trials were quite satisfied as to their value, as they 

 provided green feed at a time when stock were perishing, and in many cases 

 saved the lives of stock that would otherwise have died. So great was the 

 scarcity of feed that stock were very often put on before the fodder had any 

 chance to make much growth, and the feeding was extended far later than 

 would have been wise in a good season, as it delayed the fallowing of the 

 ground. 



Mixtures of fodders were in most cases sown with the idea of finding the 

 most profitable winter fodders for the western districts. Under the con- 

 ditions that prevailed, Skinless barley and Golden tares gave the best results, 

 the tares being most favoured by stock, which invariably cleared them out 

 before tackling anything else. The season was too dry for rape, and it made 

 very little growth. In the mixture of Sunrise oats and Egyptian field peas, 

 the oats provided good feed right through, but the peas did not make much 

 growth. 



Cultural Details. 



The tests were carried out as follows : — 



M. F. Dalton, Duntry League, Orange. — Land, grey to red basalt, 7 acres. 

 Ploughed with mouldboard in March ; harrowed and rolled ; sown 21st 

 March, 1919. Mixture (1), 3 bushels Skinless barley and U bushels Golden. 



