I.; ('ERNE CULTURE. 



when sown than when planted in rows ; any few bare places show- 

 ing can be filled up by scattering a few seeds and raking them in. 

 In land which may be expected to produce a heavy crop cf weeds,. 

 as in the case on our coast lands, it is considered preferable to 

 plant in drills a foot to 15 inches apart, the land can then be more 

 effectively kept clean. 



Some experimental plots put in on the coast were planted 

 with Japanese millet between the rows ; this acted as a protection 

 from the sun and wind, and proved successful. In sowing also, 

 oats are often sown with the lucerne as a " nurse crop," but the 

 plan is not favoured unless under special circumstances, such as 

 exposed situation, sand drift or great heat rendering it necessary 

 to provide protection for the young plants. 



Most of the sowing which has come under my notice has been 

 done by machines, which work with the most marvellous accuracy 

 where the land has been properly prepared, and when the weather 

 is favourable, that is, neither too dry nor too wet, 



IRRIGATION. 



. I may just touch on this point, but 'as the whole industry of 

 lucerne growing is in its infancy, very little is known as to the- 

 best times to irrigate, how much water to use, etc., for in the pre- 

 sent lucenie districts the supply of water is practically unlimited, 

 At present water appears to be led on to the ground in quantity 

 after every cutting unless there happens to be rain, but there is a 

 feeling that irrigation may be overdone, and some of the best far- 

 mers are providing for drainage, as some patches of soil already 

 showed signs of becoming water-logged ; and probably, as time 

 goes on, much less water will be used. 



CULTIVATION. 



So far nothing has been done to the fields in Natal after they 

 are once sown and the land well covered, that is, there is no cul- 

 tivation by ploughing or harrowing between cuttings ; I can there- 

 fore only give some information on this point for the guidance of 

 farmers, which I selected from standard works on the subject. 



Professor J. C. Haney, of the Kansas Agricultural College, 

 writing of the use of the disc and harrow on alfalfa, says : 



"It is demonstrated beyond doubt that alfalfa must have some 

 cultivation to secure its best development. Statements of 

 what it is possible to do for this plant with the disc or other 

 harrow can scarcely be credited without demonstration. 

 But cultivation with these will make alfalfa succeed in 

 many places wheie it is now pronounced a failure, and will 

 increase the yields and permanency ; after the first season's 

 growth the alfalfa has rooted so deeply that it will withstand 

 a surprising amount of surface disturbance. A thorough 

 harrowing with a sharp harrow the spring after seeding and 



