15 Oct., 1919.] 



Farm Notes for September. 



617 



The check banks were then formed to an average height of 5 inches and 

 2 feet to 2 ft. 6 in. in width by the final operation of the Austin grader. 



The surface irrigation channels were constructed at intervals of approxi- 

 mately 8 chains on the nearest and most practical lines of level. The irrigation 

 channels were made with a delver. The average width of the channel should 

 be from 3 feet to 4 feet and 1 foot to 1 ft. 6 in. deep, thus providing sufiicient 

 soil to insure strong banks, which are very essential when irrigation of the 

 field is in operation. 



The cost of this work on average blocks in the district is as follows : — 



5. d. 



1. Ploughing 7 inches where land is suitable — 12s. per acre . . 



2. Three cultivations, to insure good tilth — 3s. per acre 



3. Buck scraping and filling crab holes, &c. — 12s. per acre . . 



4. Setting out checks — Is. per acre 



5. Levelling bays with Austin grader — 8s. per acre 



6. Completion of check banks with Austin grader — 3s. per acre 



7. Cost of channels — Is. 6d. per acre 



8. Final cultivation prior to seeding — 2s. per acre 



Cultivation and grading — Total 



To this can be added— 

 l.'Cost of seed — 12 lbs. Hunter River, per acre, at Is. 4d. per lb. 

 2. Manure — ^1 cwt. per acre, at 5s. per cwt. 

 3._Drilling twice over, at 3s. per acre 



Total seeding cost 



Total 



Harvesting Lucerne Hay. 



Seeding Lucerne on Irrigated Areas. 



The best months for seeding in this district are September and October, 

 and, if the ground is prepared properly, fine of tilth, firm on surface, and free 

 from weeds, the ordinary farmer's seed drill can be used for the operation. 



It has been found through our investigations here that the most suitable 

 fertilizer is superphosphate, and that a seeding of from 12 lbs. to 14 lbs. of 

 Hunter River lucerne per acre gives the best results. This mixture should 

 be sown through the seed-box of the drill, with the discs or tines lifted in 

 such a way that the seed will not be sown to a greater depth than half an inch 

 if possible. 



