M \I/K. HO 



This instance shows how valuable io the farmer are the results <>t' properly 



conducted fertiliser teats, and the information to be lia<l fr the I >epartment 



on this question is vitally important to maize-growers throughout the State. 

 ■ Unfortunately, too many farmers who have been converted to the use of 

 fertilisers at presenl take no account of the kind of fertiliser they apply, 

 mostly leaving it to the nearest store or the fertiliser mercl. ant to supply 

 them with a good fertiliser for maize 



On the Northern Tableland \ cwt. superphosphate has given r n average 

 increase of 5 bushels maize per acre, showing a profil of over '-' (, s per acre. 

 In the Tumut district the best increase has been made from a mixture con- 

 sisting of 1 to 2 cwt. superphosphate and about .', cwt. sulphate of ammonia. 



Experiments are being continued with potash fertilisers for maize in 

 different districts to determine whether at present prices (which are much 

 higher than pre-war rates) this ingredient can be profitably included in 

 mixtures. 



The use of fertilisers for fodder maize is a question that must be eon 

 sidered apart from that of fertilising a grain crop. On the North Coast an 

 average increase of 4^ tons green fodder has been obtained from the appli- 

 cation of 2 cwt. superphosphate per acre, giving a profit of over 50s. per acre. 

 It is likely that small quantities in addition of sulphate of ammonia or 

 nitrate of soda would also be profitable. On the South Coast a profit of -'^>s. 

 per acre from an increase of nearly 2^ tons fodder has been secured by the 

 application of 1 cwt. superphosphate per acre. On the Southern Tableland 

 an increase of 4 tons per acre has been made from an application of 2 cwt. 

 superphosphate, thus showing a profit of over 50s. per acre. 



The Growing Crop. 



Important though a thorough preparation of the soil for maize has Keen 

 made to appear, it i^ no more important than a thorough after-cultivation. 

 The cultivation of maize should begin almost from the day the crop is planted, 

 and the first operation should be a light harrowing. This harrowing may 

 left with advantage until four or five days after planting, as it then 

 becomes almost imperative if rain falls soon after sowing, especially on 

 heavy land. Under such circumstances, tins harrowing will make all the 

 lifference between a poor and a good germination. The advantage of this 

 harrowing also lies in the fact that it kills a heavy crop of young weeds, and 

 aerates and warms the soil. The use of the harrow should be continued 

 until the maize is about 6 inches high. The single-horse cultivator is an 

 implement that is used far too early in the cultivation of the crop by many 

 farmers. Many cannot yet reconcile themselves to the use of the harrow on 

 the growing crop, but the practice is growing rapidly, for it is a case of 

 " once tried, always used."' There are, however, two words of caution Io be 

 remembered when harrowing growing corn : the first is to select a bright 

 day for the work, as the plants are sot't and brittle on a cloudy, cool day. or 

 in the early morning, but quite tough and supple in the heat of the day : the 

 second is to keep the harrow free fioin clogging rubbish, as this is the cause 

 of many plants being torn out. The use of the harrow" on young maize saves 

 a very large amount of more expensive cultivation and hand-hoeing later on, 

 as it destroys a big crop of young weeds and grass which later becomes 

 troublesome. A light lever harrow is the hest type of implement for this 

 purpose. 



