36 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 Jan., 1918. 



Fitzherbert and Tusser, in the next century there were many more, 

 including Markham, Weston, Plattes and Taylor. Englishmen 

 were interested in Flemish and Brabant methods of cultivation. It 

 was at this time that the Cambridgeshire fens were drained, and also 

 Hatfield Chase, near Doncaster, whilst the salt marshes of Essex and 

 the low lands of Norfolk were banked against the sea, thus providing a 

 largely extended area of good pasturage. 



On the whole it would seem that, in spite of the Civil Wars, English 

 farming industry throve in the seventeeth century, and we find that 

 the rents of both arable and pasture rose decidedly, though Professor 

 Rogers attributes the rise to the demand made for land by tlioee who 

 had proSipered by the growth of trade. 



There is only one more development to be mentioned, and that is 

 the introduction of turnips into the regular rotation of crops by Lord 

 Townshend about the year 1730. 



And now I must bring my remarks to a close, with the hope that 

 I have not taken you with me so far into the past that you will be 

 unable to return to the consideration of those modern conditions which 

 are 8o essential to the successful prosecution of the art of dairy farming 

 in modern times. 



LUCERNE GROWING IN SOUTH GIPPSLAND. 



By A. Mess, Dairy Su'pervisor. 



Lucerne when properly treated ranks among the most valuable of all 

 fodder crops. Certain climatic conditions, suitable soil, and ample 

 moisture are necessary for its success, and when these are present it 

 stands without an equal for rapid growth and prolific yields per acre. 



That lucerne can be grown in the hill country of South Gippsland 

 without irrigation has been profitably proved by Mr. J. F. Tuckey, of 

 Carrajung. Mr. Tuckey's farm is situated 1,000 feet above the sea level 

 in hilly country, which is really a continuation of the Blackwarry 

 Ranges. The soil is rich dark chocolate with a semi-porous subsoil. 

 Ten acres have been sown down with lucerne — four with Hunter River 

 seed in April, 1913, and six Avith French Province in November, 1914 — 

 and now over the whole paddock there is a splendid growth, which 

 flourishes through the hot summer months, when all other pastures have 

 withered. 



An easterly slope was selected for sowing. After ploughing about 

 8 inches deep, the land was reduced to a fine state of inellowness and 

 tilth for the reception of the seed, which was sown broadcast (18 lbs. per 

 acre), with a dressing of 1 cwt. of superphosphate to the acre. 



During last year the lucerne was cut four times — in Septemjber, about 

 the end of October, in the middle of December, and for a fourth time 

 towards the end of January. The first two cuttings were of an average 

 height of 3 feet ; the other two were not quite so good. The first tw^o cut- 

 tings were not required for feeding, as there was an abundant growth of 

 grass at the time, and therefore it was made into silage, which subse- 

 quently proved to be of excellent quality. A common idea with many 

 landholders is that, no matter what kind of fodder is put into a silo — 

 thistles or grass of any description — good ensilage is bound to be the 



