42 LUCERNE CULTURE. 



these will be mastered by the lucerne if the Jailer is given a fair 

 chance ; but it is a fatal fallacy to suppose that lucerne is str. ng 

 enough to overcome any and rll weeds. This is not the case ; in 

 fact, this crop is more seriously injured by weeds than most crops 

 of which we have had experience. 



IRRIGATION. 



The amount and frequency of the irrirati >ns must depend 

 largely on the character of the soil. 



On heavy, black-turf land I find one irrigation per crop is 

 sufficient if applied immediately after the last cutting ; this means 

 one irrigation per month, as I average one crop per mon'.h during- 

 the season. 



On the lighter, red loams of the Irene Estate. Mr. Van dor Byl 

 finds it necessary to give two irrigations per crop, or one in about 

 two weeks. 



Paradoxical though it may seem, it is often bcvt'er to irrigate 

 during a light rain or in cloudy weather, than d iring hot, dry 

 weather. There is thus less loss of water by evaporation, and t he- 

 water soaks deeper into the soil. 



But in a capricious climate like that of the Transvaal it would 

 not do to wait for cloudy weather before irrigating. Irrigate as 

 soon as the crop is off the land, but do not hesitate to do so because 

 the weather is threatening rain or is rainy. 



By irrigating immediately after a crop is removed, a new 

 growth is star led without delay, and the loss of moisture which 

 would otherwise inevitably follow the baring of the surface, is 

 checked. 



NURSE CROPS. 



Owing to the fact that lucerne does not give heavy crops iu 

 the first year, there is a great temptation to sow a nurse crop with 

 it. in order to get some crop oil the land the first season. It is also 

 supposed that the nurse crop will protect the young lucerne plants 

 as it does with a crop of ;i seeds M in Europe. 



In this as in many other cases, however, theory is not con- 

 firmed by experience. The theory may be correct as far as it goes, 

 but the trouble is that it does not go far enough. In climates 

 which suit lucerne best, a nurse crop takes too much moisture out 

 of the soil, so that the lucerne seedlings suffer. This is our experi- 

 ence in the Transvaal, and it is abundantly confirmed by that d 

 American growers. 



CULTIVATION. 



I have a 'ready referred to the injuri:.us effect of weeds. - It 

 remains to discuss the best method of treatment to avoid their 

 growth. I know that some farmers pooh-pooh weeds, and consider" 

 that it is not worth while to remove them ; this is one of the mail- 



