LEG! M1N01 E « ROPS. 549 



In Western District. — Sonic interest ins; figures that prove the value of 

 top-dressing come from a farmer in the Oran%e district. Portion of a good 

 stand of lucerne, which had nevertheless not been yielding as well as it 

 might, was top-dressed with 1 cwt. per acre, and another portion with 2 cwt, 

 while a third portion was left untreated for comparison. The whole pad- 

 dock was worked with the spring-tooth cultivator both ways in the beginning 

 of August, again " spring-toothed " late in the month and the superphosphate 

 sown with the wheat drill on the 29th August. The difference in the growth 

 of the plots was very marked; the unmanured plot showed sickly growth 

 mixed with grass, and the leaves died off as a consequence in the dry 

 weather. The manured plots, on the other hand, grew luxuriantly, and 

 showed a dark, healthy, green colour. On 25th November the plots were 

 cut, and the crops weighed at once, with the following results: — 



tons. CWt. lb. 



No manure . . . . . . . . . . 5 64 



1 cwt, superphosphate per acre . . . . 2 12 64 



2 cwt. superphosphate per acre . . . . 3 7 78 



These results were so satisfactory that the whole area was dressed with 

 superphosphate, and though very dry weather followed and seriously checked 

 growth, the manner in which the lucerne revived after rain suggested that 

 the fertiliser really saved the stand from extinction. 



Under Irrigation. — As the result of experiment, the top-dressing of lucerne 

 with superphosphate in the spring has become a recognised feature of the 

 farm work at Yanco Experiment Farm, and in various experiments con- 

 ducted by the Department in conjunction with settlers on the Murrum- 

 bidgee areas, applications of 2 cwt. of superphosphate have been the means 

 of increasing the yields by "as much as 1 ton 14 cwt. 



Summary; — The outstanding advantages that are to be derived from the 

 top-dressing of lucerne with superphosphate may be summarised thus: — 



(1) The green fodder yield is greatly increased. 



(2) A better quality product results — in fact, a healthy, dark-green 

 colour is noticeable throughout the whole growing period. 



(3) The general condition of the stand is built up consequent upon the 

 vigorous growth developed. 



(4) The useful life of the stand may be extended, and depleted stands 

 largely restored. 



Lucerne under Irrigation.* 



Throughout the western and south-western districts of this State there 

 are many thousands of acres of land admirably adapted to the growth of 

 lucerne under irrigation. The main requirements of the crop are plenty of 

 sunshine, high summer temperature, sufficient moisture, and a deep, well- 

 drained soil, rich in plant food. Any porous soil with proper natural drain- 

 age will be found suitable for the growth of lucerne under irrigation. Heavy 

 clay land should be avoided on account of its close texture, which prevents 

 the free percolation of air and water, and also on account of the mechanical 

 obstacles which it offers to cultivation. But clayey loam is quite suitable, 

 and heavier soils will yield good results if they are of such a nature that the 

 lucerne roots can penetrate freely through the subsoil. 



* Compiled from Farmers' Bulletin No. 143 by F. G. Chomley and F. A. Chaffey 

 (Yanco Experiment Farm), and other sources. 



