June 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 383 



when spring-sown. Further, should weeds be troublesome, the stand will be 

 sufficiently advanced to cut, and thus prevent them seeding. Spring sawings,. 

 unless made very early and with other conditions, suitable, are somewhat 

 risky. 



So many failures have been caused through sowing inferior seed that it is 

 almost useless to proceed except with the best procurable. 



Owing to the fertility of the soil, unless the seeding is made heavy — from 

 15 lb. to 20 lb., and even more — growth becomes too luxuriant, and thick 

 stalks are the rule. The seed is sown on either a rolled or harrowed surface^ 

 both having their advocates, but a rolled surface is usually left after covering. 

 This compacts the soil round the seed, and crushes any clods. Sowings are 

 made by hand, half the seed being broadcasted in one dii"ection and the 

 remainder at right angles, the object being to ensure an even seeding. Very- 

 few mechanical " sowers " are to be found on the coast. Farmers are adept.s- 

 at hand-sowing, the " patent " probably having been handed down fromt 

 older generations. 



With autumn Sowing, the first cutting is usually ready about August or 

 early September. A good indication is to observe the buds at the base of 

 the stems. When these are sprouting the crop is i^eady for mowing. Should 

 weeds be troublesome the mowing may be started earlier. Another useful 

 guide is when the blooms are appearing, but the former method is to be- 

 preferred, being safer and better, because often in good seasons^ the young 

 growth commences before the blooms appear, and to cut the tender buds, 

 injui'es the next crop. 



The first cutting should be made about 3 or 4 inches from the ground a» 

 a safeguard against " bleeding " the young plants. In subsequent mowings, 

 cut lower. 



Curing depends mainly upon weather conditions and the heaviness of the 

 crop. Under ordinary circumstances, where hay is mown in the morning, 

 raking may be commenced during the afternoon, and the cocking may be 

 done next day. No hard and fast rules can be laid down, but the 

 farmer soon learns from experience. 



Good-coloured leafy hay is necessary for prime quality. To leave it too 

 long in the swath or windrow results in loss of leaf, while if it is carted, 

 in too moist it becomes brown in colour or mouldy, and inferior in quality. 



Most lucerne growers do not graze their fields under any consideration ^ 

 but along the Manning River most of the farmers who are dairying utilise 

 at least three of the crops in each season for grazing or as green fodder, 

 reserving for hay only such growth as occurs when aniple feed of other 

 descriptions is available. 



Unless extreme caution be taken there is always a risk of hoven or 

 " blowing " if the growth is too immature or the cattle are left on it for toa 

 long a. period. 



Experiments with top-dressing lucerne have proved beyond doubt that a,n 

 application of 2 cwt. of superphosphate on a well-established field has a most 



