782 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 Nov., 1911. 



URGENT DAIRY FARM WORK. 



A WARNING FOR THE COMING SEASON. 



/. ^S". McFadzean, Senior Dairy Supervisor. 



There would appear to be every j)ro.spect of tlie coming summer being 

 a bad one for dairy-farmers unless they make full use of their present 

 opportunities. Over nearly the whole of the State the oat crops were 

 prevented from making good growth by the excessive rainfall. Many have 

 not stooled out at all, and are more or less overrun with sorrel and other 

 weeds. There is thus almost certain to be a serious shortage in the hay 

 crop. The grass also has not come on as well as could be desired; and 

 it is now running to seed on a \ery short growth. 



With little hay, and less grass than usual, dairymen should make sure 

 of ha\ing as much summer growing fodder sown as possible. Maize, 

 sorghum, amber cane, Japanese millet, pumpkins, melons, and the like, 

 are all good summer crops ; but a good variety of maize will usually give 

 the biggest bulk yield per acre ; and it is also a fodder much relished by 

 stock when properly grown. However, some such crop should be sown 

 at once, if this has not alread>' been done; and later sowings may be 

 made, with a little care in preparing the ground, even up to the end of 

 January. At least \ acre per cow should be sown; and the sooner it is 

 in the better, for it will then be available all the earlier tO' keep up the 

 milk supply. 



For quick maturing, the varieties of maize known as Funk's Yellow 

 Dent, and Ec'lipse, may be sown first in November ; while later on, and 

 through December, the heavier-yielding Hickory King and Yellow Moruya 

 varieties should be planted. Then, in January, the Eclipse and Dent may 

 be sown again. 



When the ground is ploughed it should not be allowed to become dry 

 and caked on the surface; but should l)e kept loose with the harrows. 

 If the land has not been well manured previouslv it is as well to put in 

 a little superphosphate with the seed. The seed should be sown in rows 

 3 ft, apart ; and not deeper than from 3 to 4 in. Putting the seeds from 

 6 to 8 in. apart in the rows, from 30 to ;i^^ ll)s. will sow an acre. 

 When hand sowing after the plough, every fourth furrow will be close 

 enough to put in the seed. In ^•ery loose or drv soil, rolling the land 

 after sowing is an advantage, as it sets the soil closer to the seed ; but 

 harrowing after sowing is the better method in damp or loamy soils. 



As soon as the crop shows through the ground the horse-hoe should 

 be run down betw-een the rows to loosen the surface soil again, to clieck 

 the weeds, and to prevent the soil moisture from drying out. This can 

 be repeated with advantage about every ten da}s until the crop is 18 

 to 24 in. high ; but only a very light working must be given so as not to 

 stir the soil deeply, or break the roots of the maize. A piece of brush 

 under the scarifier will keep it from running too deep in light land ; and 

 two or three workings are generally sufficient for a crop. A culti\-ation 

 shouild always be given after each rain. The scarifying does all that is 

 required to keep the maize growing, even through verv drv weather. It 

 is the drill sowing and careful cultixation that will make the maize crop 

 a success. 



