51 



Peninsula and on the West Coast in calcareous soil, provided the 

 roots, which penetrate 3 to 4 ft. deep, are not stopped by solid 

 limestone. Like all other pea-flowering plants, it is sure to give 

 largely increased crops when manured with phosphoric acid and 

 potash, and enrich the soil with nitrogen. Forty years ago I 

 found this clover to grow well in Bugle Ranges on a deep light soil 

 with a rainfall of about 28 in. 



RAPE AND MUSTARD 



I have always recommended as good fodder plants. The 

 land should be will pulverised, and even if ploughed under as 

 green manure, or fed off, should be manured, so as to give a 

 fine crop. The late Mr. J. L. Thompson, of Beefacres, Dookie, and 

 Hawkesbury College, so well known as a good farmer, certainly 

 produced good crops of rape in rotation from wheat-sick land with- 

 out manuring; but he ploughed fully 6 in. deep in January, and 

 worked the land so as to bring its tilth to the proverbial "onion 

 bed" before he did sow in April after the first rains, about 6 Ib. 

 of seed broadcasted. As a protection against the fly a top- 

 dressing of soot and ashes, or perhaps lime is advisable. If in- 

 tended for green manure it should be ploughed under when com- 

 mencing to flower. In about seven or eight weeks it should be 

 fit for sheep, and one acre fattens ten lambs, especially if fenced 

 off by a movable wirenetting. Mr. H. Hart, of Millicent (with 

 29 in.), fenced across his mustard field, taking 2J acres at a time 

 for 300 sheep, which lasted them, with an outlet into an adjoining 

 grass paddock each day, for six days. Care must be taken that 

 the luxuriant growth does not blow them. For seed the sickle 

 must be used when most of the seeds are ripe, and thrashed on 

 a tarpaulin. Seed sell at 12/6 a bushel. To sow a few pounds 

 of rape into a clean stubble gives after a light harrowing some- 

 times a good bite after a summer rain, such as we have sometimes. 

 Members of the Bureau at Yarrow and Port Elliot advise the cul- 

 tivation of rape. 



In Tasmania from 2 to 2J cwt. of phosphatic fertilisers are used 

 sometimes per acre for rape upon which sheep and lambs are to be 

 fattened. In New Zealand no less than 125,367 acres have been 

 (1900) under rape, or actually 21,446 acres more than in 1899. 

 On two farms in the Tokomairiro Plain manures (not mentioned) 

 were drilled in, and an exceptionally good growth was the result. 



Mr. J. C. Ruwoldt, of Mount Gambler, S.A. (31.82 in.), fat- 

 tened after well-manured potatoes 100 sheep on 25 acres sown with 

 mustard. Mr.G.H. Vickery, of Meadows (34.56 in.), praises the Broad- 

 leaf Mustard for the earliest crop. Drill it in 1 in. deep in February 

 to catch the first light rains. The plants run to seed in December, 

 often 7 ft. high. Mr. T. Lewis, of Cherry Gardens (over 30 in ) ; 

 had a single plant weighing 12 Ib. In the hills you can, of coiu'se, 

 sow at any time. Mr. E. Lamming, of Paskevilie (15.49 in.), fe-i 

 his piga for three weeks on mustard, and afterwards his sheep, 

 for whom such early feed is very valuable. Mr. H. 



