Inquiriks and Rkpi.ie.s. 4G7 



INQUIRIES AND REPLIES. 



SELECTED LETTERS FROM FARMERS. 



[Hereunder are a number of recent letters replieil to by the various Divisions and 

 Schools of Agriculture concerned. They are selected for publication as being of interest to 

 farmers generally in the localities affected. In each case the area only from which the 

 inquiry emanates is given : as the replies must necessjirily be curtailed, they will indicate, 

 when required, literature from which further information may be had. All departmental 

 bulletins quoted are obtainable on application to the Editor.] 



Yellow Maize. 



Pleterinarifzhiirf/. — Reoardino' oiain tor caille (and aLso for 

 eiisilaf^e and incaliV liay), wliat variety of yellow mealies will l)e best? 



Cedara School of AgricvJturc replies: — Tlie following yellow 

 varieties are widely grown in Natal, and from wliieh a cdioice rnay be 

 made: — Yellow Horsefooth : Very late yellow dent, producing heavy 

 growth of foliage, with large cobs, good type foi' ensilage, but for 

 grain gives better results in districts with a long growing season. 

 Golden Beauty : A good general purpose variety late in maturing, 

 12-row yellow dent, vigorous grower, fairly drought resisting. 

 Natal 8-Roic : Yellow ilint variety, medium early in maturing, very 

 hardy type and quick grower, does extremely well in districts with 

 a shorter growing period. A good yielder of grain, and is gaining 

 rapid favour amongst the farmers of Natal. Chester Coutitij : Yellow 

 dent early variety, not so hardy as the 8-row yellow flint, but a good 

 geneial variety. 



Soil Conditions for Lucerne Growing. 



l\ich)nond, Natal. — Please let me know the soil required, etc., 

 for the cultivation of lucerne. We have a marshy tract of ground 

 which Ave think could be utilized for that purpose. 



Cedara School of Agriculture replies: — Lucerne grows most 

 favourably under irrigation, but can also be grown with success on 

 dry lands. The essentials are:— (o) A deep, well-drained soil, rich 

 in lime, (b) Rainfall 20 to 40 inches (on dry land) according to season 

 of distribution, (c) Warm locality. It is not advisable to attempt 

 to establish this crop on a marshy tract of ground, as the plants can- 

 not withstand " wet feet," the result of excessive moisture in the soil. 

 After draining the soil, and provided the above conditions are present, 

 lucerne growing may prove profitable. 



