LEGUMINOUS CROPS. 53^ 



Where the ground has become exhausted through frequent cropping or 

 i- naturally poor, artificial fertilisers will be required, and the suggestions 



de with regard to lucerne and clover on page 113 of this Handbook as well 

 as the references to manuring in connection with the cultivation of each of 

 the leguminous crops, should be carefullj studied. 



Preparation of the Soil. 



The first matter to be considered by the farmer proposing to grow lucerne 

 is the question of weeds, loung lucerne plants grow comparatively slowly, 

 and are apt to be killed by weeds during then earlier stage of growtn. 

 For this reason it is generally preferable to sow lucerne in autumn, when 

 the growth of weeds is not so great; but even then, in some districts, the 

 problem is a difficult one. 



if the ground be ploughed several months before sowing, and the weeds 

 •which then spring up destroyed by frequent cultivation, a large proportion 

 of the weed seeds will have germinated and will be effectively disposed of. 

 This method, however, will not be sufficient in districts or on soils which 

 are specially subject to the growth of weeds, and cleaning crops such as 

 barley, Hungarian millet, cowpeas, &c, to suit the district, can be grown to 

 profitable advantage, the land being thoroughly cultivated and kept clear 

 of weeds and couch grass while they occupy the soil. 



Lucerne is a deep-rooting plant, and although its roots have great 

 penetrating power, the plants will thrive better, and a better stand will be 

 obtained, by opening up a stiff subsoil as deeply as possible. Plough 8 inches 

 deep, if the nature of the soil will permit, and follow in the furrow with 

 a subsoil plough from 12 to 14 inches. This depth of loose soil will enable 

 the young plants to root well, after which they will be strong enough to 

 ; pierce even a very stiff subsoil ; though, of course, the deeper the friable soil 

 .goes the better. 



A good rainfall cannot always be depended upon at seeding-time, and light 

 falls of rain may have the effect of germinating the seed without being 

 sufficient for further growth. For dry districts, therefore, fallowing can be 

 recommended, and the land should be ploughed in autumn or early winter 

 the year before it is intended to sow the seed. Plough 9 inches deep, provided 

 the top soil reaches down to that depth. In case the top soil is only 5 or 

 6 inches deep, then the land should be ploughed to that depth, and a second 

 plough, with the mouldboard taken off, should follow the first plough, and 

 stir the subsoil to a further depth of 6 inches. Care must be taken not to 

 t>ring any of the subsoil to the surface. 



The ploughed land should then be allowed to lie in the rough state during 

 winter, and be broken down in the beginning of spring with harrows 

 During the summer months the land must be frequently worked with harrow 

 or cultivator, so as to allow neither growth of weeds nor the formation of a 

 hard crust on top. If the seed-bed cannot be worked down sufficiently fine 

 with the harrows, a one-w r ay disc cultivator or roller will soon do all that is 

 necessar5\ If the land is rolled it should be harrowed immediately after 

 the rolling. 



The success of lucerne-growing in dry districts depends almost entirely 

 upon the thorough preparation of the soil, and the ideal conditions to be 

 aimed at are a deeply ploughed soil, in which the previous year's rainfall 



is been conserved, together with a finely worked surface a? a seed-bed. 



