ioDec. 1Q12."; Fodder Crops for Norihcrti Areas under Irrigation. 743 



of December, and ran l)e relied upon to keep tilings going until the end 

 of February. Millets make good milk producers, and are easily handled ; 

 thev are also suitable for silage. Farm manures suit the millets best. 

 A third paddock should he in preparation for maize, which can be 

 sown in Septemlier, October, Xovember. and, where irrigation is possible. 

 December. The best fodder varieties are Hickory King. Yellow 

 Moruva, and Eclipse. These kinds give heavier \ ields. and keep green 

 longer than most others, have a large leaf system with the least pro- 

 portionate amount of woody fibre. The land should be fallowed and 

 well worked, and seed sown at the rate of 20 to 30 lbs. per acre in 

 drills 3 feet apart, and the seed 9 to u inches in the rows, two to three 

 seeds in each place or hill as it is termed. 



The rows should be worked between with the scufifler at intervals to 

 conserve moisture, admit air. and keep down weeds until 6 feet high, 



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MAIZE CROP SOWN INT DRILLS. 



the later working being shallow, when the crop itself should protect the 

 soil from the sun's ra\s. Relays of seeding each month to keep a con- 

 tinuous supply should be sown, and the first cutting under favorable 

 conditions should be ready about the end of January, and the last right 

 into June. Broadcasting maize is a bad system, as if grown too thickly 

 the lower leaves will drv off and become useless as fodder, and the stalk 

 will be hard and woody, and less digestible; scarifying cannot be done, 

 and the result is smaller and less succulent fodder. Yields of from 10 

 to 30 tons are possible per acre, and the best time to cut is when the crop 

 comes into flower, and before the grain hardens in the cob. Maize is not 

 only a fine fodder for cows and silage, but contrary to general opinion 

 makes a fine fattening crop for sheep, especiallv crossbreds, if good fodder 

 varieties are used, as thev soon learn to straddle the stalks after cleaning 

 up the bottom leaves. &c.. and will eat it ba'^k to within a couple of feet 



