554 



THE FARMERS HANDBOOK. 



For the sowing, the grass-seed attachment of the ordinary wheat drill is 

 used, the seed being fed at the rate of 10 lb. of seed per acre through all the 

 tubes into the main holes of the drill. Some farmers use the drill but sow 

 broadcast, leaving the tubes out of the hoes ; the results are seldom so satis- 

 factory as when the seed is put down into the soil with the aid of the hoes 

 (withal, of course, not too deeply). Let it be remembered in what a prime 

 condition the soil now is, and all that is required to ensure good germination 

 is to place the seed down on the moist soil. The soil warmth and the 

 moisture will do the rest. 



To ensure a sowing 1£ inches to 2 inches below the surface, the drill is set 

 in the first notch ; the soils on this farm, as already stated, are stiff, and this 

 is necessary under such conditions. Where the soil is a fine loam, the hoes 

 could run free, and not in the notch at all, and the weight of the hoe would 

 be sufficient to sow the seed deep enough. When sowing the headlands 

 where the horses have trampled down the surface, the practice is to put 

 the drill in the second notch in order that the seed may be sown at the right 

 depth. The principal thing is to ensure that the seed is put down on the 

 moisture and to work the drill to that end. 



Fig. 4. —Irrigation by furrows previous to cultivating and sowing. 



Superphosphate is sown through the manure box of the drill at the same 

 time as the seed, 56 lb. per acre being applied. The manure is also sent 

 down the hoes of the drill, so that it may be deposited close to the seed where 

 i t can be made use of at once. Superphosphate has a distinct value in rela- 

 tion to lucerne, having given better results under our conditions than any 

 other fertiliser. The top-dressing of lucerne stands in the winter or spring 

 has given marked results and should become part of the farm practice of 

 growers in almost every part of the State, but in connection with the estab- 

 lishment of a stand it also has a definite utility. 



The lucerne seed is thus put in the ground under conditions that could 

 hardly be improved upon. The last farm operations — the furrowing, 

 irrigating, and sowing — are accomplished within a few days; the soil is still 

 warm and it is thoroughly moist. Amid such favourable surroundings the 

 lucerne seed, hard though it is, usually germinates within four days, and 

 the rows can be clearly seen in ten days. 



