LUCERNE 163 



Precautions must be taken to prevent the seeds 

 of water weed being distributed through the 

 lucerne, entailing heavy subsequent loss to eradi- 

 cate. A piece of fine wire gauze over the mouth 

 of the suction-pipe should suffice for this. 



The abundant supply of natural pasture, even 

 during the driest time, make it doubtful if it 

 would pay to grow lucerne under intense cultiva- 

 tion exclusively for feeding cattle. Many years 

 must elapse before the natural pastures become 

 fully stocked. But lucerne benefits by light 

 grazing, and it will probably constitute an im- 

 portant detail in the management of a stand when 

 once established, say the third year, to turn on 

 stock after the season is over. It is probablj' the 

 cheapest way of killing the weeds, at the same 

 time manuring the ground. The danger of cattle 

 becoming blown through being left too long at one 

 time to pasture upon highly succulent food should 

 be guarded against. The feeding value of lucerne 

 hay is about half that of maize. Perhaps one of 

 the most profitable ways of utilizing a stand of 

 lucerne within easy access of the market would be 

 to soil the crop to pigs. 



