MISCELLANEOUS CROPS. .V.K> 



In districts having a good rainfall, and where at sowing time the soil is 

 very moist, the seed may In- miwii by the machine direct, and without 

 opening out drills with the plough. 



The practice of broadcasting broom millet cannot be recommended. The 

 chief objections are that cultivation operations— so essential for good results 

 — cannot be carried int<> effect, and also that the harvesting and curing 

 Cannot be carried out so expeditiously. 



On big areas the ordinary wheat drill can be used for planting by merely 

 stopping up the openings of a number of the seed tubes so as to leave free 

 those that would sow at the requisite distance apart. In a similar manner 

 these machines can be used for distributing fertilisers also, closing all but 

 those which correspond with the seed-sowing tubes. 



The amount of seed required varies from 3 to 6 lb. to the acre. 



When the plants are 6 inches high, they should be thinned out 

 to 5 or 6 inches apart for rich soil, and more space allowed each 

 plant in poorer soil. With good, clean, and evenly-graded seed, 

 the sowing may be adjusted so that very little thinning is necessary, 

 thereby saving a tedious and rather expensive operation. The quality 

 of the brush is affected to a very large extent by the manner in ivhich 

 this thinning is carried out. If too much space is allowed, the plants 

 grow very strong and vigorous and produce brush which is coarse and 

 unsuitable for market. On the other hand, if crowded too much, they become 

 very fine and weak. To obtain an even crop, it is essential to have 

 uniform sowing and germination, and later on to thin the plants to a 

 uniform distance. 



Some growers prefer to sow the seed in "hills," 15 to 20 inches apart 

 in the drills, leaving from three or four stalks to each. The seed should 

 be covered from | to 1 inch deep, the depth depending upon the 

 character and condition of the soil. If it is dry, deeper covering is more 

 necessary than would be the case if the soil were in a good moist condition. 



Where labour is scarce, several sowings should be made in succession to 

 enable the grower to deal with his crop at regular intervals, and not have the 

 whole area mature at the same time. Rolling the land as the seed is planted 

 ensures a quicker germination and a better stand, particularly if the soil is a 

 little dry. When drilled, the roller at the rear of the machine is quite 

 sufficient. Should heavy rains fall after sowing, and before the seed has 

 germinated, a light harrow should be used as soon as the condition of the soil 

 will admit. When 6 inches high, the crop may be harrowed to kepp the soil 

 loose and to gradually fill in tbe drills, and thus destroy any young weeds. 

 Broom millet makes rather slow r growth for the first couple of weeks, and the 

 cultivator should be kept going every fortnight or three weeks to keep the 

 surface soil loose and friable, to conserve moisture, and prevent weed growth, 

 and in every instance after rains. For large areas, a two-horse spring tine 

 cultivator may be used. When the crop is half grown, under favourable 

 conditions cultivation may cease ; in any case the surface roots must not be 

 disturbed by cultivating too deeply. In moist and exposed situations the crop 

 may be lightly hilled, as an extra support is necessary. It is during the early 

 stages of growth that the cultivator is of greatest value, as the soil may then 

 be loosened fairly deeply. The most critical period is when the heads are 

 forming. If dry weather should set in then, the brush will be short and 

 stunted. It may be necessary in some districts to sow early or late in the 

 season so that the crop will not come into flower during such trying conditions. 



