MAIZK. 



393 



In early spring the land should be given u second ploughing (prefer 

 iiMv a cross ploughing), so as to destroy all weeds and make a good clean 

 seed-bed. This second ploughing should nol lie deep it' it immediately precedes 

 planting, as the seed lied requires a certain amount of firmness. The spring 

 ploughing slum Id be followed immediately by harrowing to conserve moisture, 

 as evaporation is becoming more acti\e al tins time of the year. If a green 

 crop or much weed growth is being tinned under in the course of the spring 

 ploughing, the furrow can he made a liitie deeper than would otherwise be 

 advisable, and the work should be completed at least a month or six weeks 

 before sowing. As soon as the top of the ground is sufficiently dry, the 

 roller should be used to consolidate the soil, and ensure that the buried 

 vegetable matter comes into firm contact with moist ground, thus facilitating 

 its rapid decomposition. If this is not done, large air spaces will be formed, 

 which are particularly injurious to the succeeding crop during a dry season. 

 This rolling sliould, of course, always he followed by harrowing. Rolling is 

 also sometimes found necessary to produce a proper seechbed from cloddy 

 land, but the judicious use of the harrow on such land at the right time after 

 rain is better than the roller. The disc harrow is coming into great favour 

 of late years on the coast for preparing a seedd>ed for maize, and it has been 

 found possible to dispense with a second ploughing in some instances by the 

 use of this implement. 



The importance of a thorough preparation of the soil for maize cannot, be 

 too strongly stressed, as it seems to be a prevailing idea with many that a well- 

 prepared soil is not so necessary owing to the large size of the seed of maize. 

 No greater mistake can be made, for no amount of after-cultivation can make 

 up for insufficient preparation of the soil for this crop. 



Time of Sowing. 



< »n the far North Coast sowing may commence with early varieties towards 

 tlie beginning of August, in order to catch the higher price which usually 

 prevails in January and February. These crops are, however, often light 

 (sometimes failures) owing to the dry springs usually experienced, and only 

 small areas and light seeding are recommended. 



Maize Drill, with Fertiliser Attachment. 



