384 Agricultural Gazette of xY./S.F. [June 2, 1920. 



beneficial etiect. The excellent results obtained from the Department's 

 plots are being largely availed of by lucerne growers with remarkable results. 

 In many instances increases in yield of over 60 per cent, over the non- 

 fertilised areas have been obtained with four cuts of green fodder. 



Not only is there an increase in yield, but the stand is considerably 

 thickened and the plants stool better. Weak growth is turned into vigorous 

 growth, and for the small initial outlay, the return is highly profitable. The 

 results are the more striking in wet seasons. 



Applications of superphosphate are best made early in the spring after the 

 paddocks have been cut and then spring- toothed or spike-harrowed. 



Top-dx-essing is not recommended on fields badly infested with paspalum, 

 couch, or nut grass. 



The South Coast. 



R. N. MAKIN, Inspector of Agriculture. 



Lucerne growing on the South Coast has not received the attention that 

 is due to it. 



Farmers holding really good land rarely give it attention, as the pastures 

 may generally be depended upon for nine months in the year, and the 

 average farmer seems to be content with such conditions. The man "whose 

 holding is not so good naturally turns his attention to the production of 

 fodder crops to supplement his pastures. 



The value of lucerne for dairy stock is unquestionable. The point 

 therefore is : "Can it be grown, and where, how, and when?" 



In selecting a site for lucerne it does not always follow that the soil is 

 unsuitable because surface indications are unfavourable. Lucerne is one of 

 the deepest rooting of all plants ; therefore, in considering the soil, 

 one must consider more than the first six inches. The nature of the 

 subsoil should be ascertained by means of a spade ; should it be free, with 

 no big stones or puggy clay and no stagnant water lying about in wet weather, 

 it is worth while trying a small plot for a start. In making these 

 investigations it is well to sink a hole at least -t feet deep. It does not 

 follow that if there are no river flats or valleys deep Avith the wash 

 from the hills it is no use trying to grow lucerne. It has been proved that 

 lucerne may be grown to advantage on the hill sides after it has failed on 

 the flats, that sown 'on the higher ground often escaping the frost — a point 

 that is worthy of consideration. 



To establish a plot it is necessary that the ground be cleaned of trouble- 

 some weeds, such as couch, prairie, and paspalum grasses, fat hen, wire weed, 

 wild turnip, etc. It might be specially mentioned that wliere nut-grass is 

 troublesome laying down to lucerne is often a very successful method of 

 dealing with the pest. 



