382 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [June 2, 1920. 



that of olden times ; others agree that the drier seasons, and sowing on areas 

 the hmnus of which li^s been leached out by overcropping are partly the cause. 

 Poor cultural preparatory methods, sowing at the wrong season and on dirty 

 land, have certainly caused many failures. Cutting too sho)t or too young, 

 grazing off too early or too constantly, and a total ignorance of the handling 

 of the crop, have ruined fields in less than three seasons in several instances. 



Lucerne is not a difficult ci'op to grow successfully when properly under- 

 stood, but the observance of certain points is imperative. 



A good deep soil is most essential, for lucerne is a gross feeder, and the 

 power it has of penetrating deeply into the lower strata not only gives it 

 a more extensive feeding area, but also enables it to draw moisture from lower 

 -sources and thus help to ward off the ill effects of dry spells. Deep alluvial 

 soils, t/OO, are usually well drained, and this is essential, for nothing kills out 

 lucerne quicker than standing water, especially during hot weather. 



Too little attention is paid to the selection of the site. In many instances 

 lucerne is sown on land that is practically devoid of humus, owing to injudicious 

 over-croppiiiig. The plot must be rich in humus, and where it is not present in 

 large enough quantities it should first of all be increased by the growth of 

 suitable green manure crops and rotations. New alluvial land recently 

 broken up, or paddocks under pasture for a number of years are most suitable, 

 but the latter should be thoroughly cleaned of weed growth beforehand. 



It will be seen that cultural operations that aim at the increase of the 

 humus content, the conservation of moisture, the destruction of weeds, and 

 lastly a perfect seed-bed, should be commenced at least twelve months prior 



to sowing. 



Where autumn sowing is practised, the land should, where possible, be broken 

 up the previous autumn, fallowed during the winter, and a drill-crop, such as 

 potatoes or early maize, sown during the spring. The cultivation applied to 

 this crop plays an important part in the destruction of weeds. An alterna- 

 tive is to sow a straw or green manure crop in the autumn, plough under in 

 the spring, and then by fallowing and working the fallow destroy the weed 

 growth and conserve moisture until the land is ready to prepare for sowing, 



» A good seed-bed is most essential. It should be firm and settled, with the 

 top few ijiches in a fairly fine tilth. Many failures have been caused by 

 having the seed-bed too loose. 



A deep ploughing may be given a month or six weeks prior to sowing, 

 followed by light workings to firm the soil down, and at the same time to 

 eheck weeds and conserve moisture. If weeds be present, or if the surface 

 has become too firm, a very shallow^ skim-ploughing may be given a few days 

 before sowing, followed by workings with suitable implements to get the 

 desired seed-bed. 



Autumn sowing is usually practised on the coast, April, May, and June 

 being the most popular months. The advantages of sowing then are that 

 the plants become well established during the winter, and are better able to 

 withstand the tryins; conditions during the hotter months of the year than 



