Lucerne in NataL 



(Bv MR. L. ACUTT.) 



A LTHOUGH this King cf Forage Plants has been grown in the 

 **' Cape Colcny for many year?, it is only recently that it has 

 engaged the attention cf farmers in Natal and been grown on any 

 large scale. It is true that it has been gvown in small quantities 

 and in different localities for some considerable time, and its value 

 as a forage plant has been recognised, and fair supplies of green 

 lucerne have found their way to the chief local markets, but until 

 recently, one may almost say within, the last two years, no cured 

 lucerne hay has been offered for sale. The reasons for it not having 

 been produced on a larger scale appear to me to have been : 



(1) The first trials did not happen to be upon Ihe most suit- 

 able soil and under the most favourable conditions as regards 

 climate and water supply. 



(2) Difficulty in obtaining a satisfactory stand, owing to dry 

 seascns, want of knowledge as to the right time of seeding, unsuit- 

 able preparation of the land and want of know edge as to treatment 

 and cultivation after sowing. 



In consequence, farmers, after giving it a trial and not meeting 

 with success at once, have abandoned it as a main forage crop in 

 favour of the more cer ain oathay and mealies. 



Some few years ago, however, attention was called to the suc- 

 cess attending the cultivation of lucerne in the valleys below the 

 Weenen Irrigation Settlement. This was still on a small scale, 

 but in spite of distance from market (some 45 to 50 miles of ox 

 wagon transport over bad roads to reach Estcourt railway station), 

 it was found profitable to send cured hay to market. 



Farmers in the Weenen Irrigation Settlement took the matter 

 up, and the soil and other conditions being favourable, met with 

 success, but even so recently as two years ago, the largest field 

 under this crop was only 18 acres in extent. The results were 

 most satisfactory, and knowledge as to preparation of land and 

 time of seeding were gained. 



COMMISSION TO CAPE COLONY. 



In January, 1903, the L;nd Board of Natal decided to send a 

 ComiiBsion to ths Caps Colony to visit the lucerne districts, and 

 obtain information with regard to lucerne and irrigation, and the 

 : suitability of lucerne as a crop for the lands of the farmers on the 



