82 LUCERNE MEMS. 



figures given above certainly go to show that the last word has not. 

 yet been said in the cultivation of lucerne, and that those who> 

 have already found money in lucerne may still go one better. 



Lucerne Profits 



(By the Director of Irrigation.) 



All the calcareous soils of the Karroo and the fertile alluvial ..! 

 valleys nearer the coast, which have been formed with the washings 

 brought down by the Karroo rivers, are eminently suited to the 

 cultivation of lucerne, provided the soil is not too shallow, nor 

 "brak," and is well drained. Lucerne in the Cape Colony responds 

 to irrigation and cultivation to a degree hardly credible, and ! 

 unknown elsewhere. For many months I have been endeavouring, 

 to collect information and authentic statistics regarding the culti- 

 vation of this crop, which will ultimately be of some value to 

 farmers. Disregarding extraordinary out-turns to which specially 

 favoured localities give rise, I think it safe to say that the average 

 net profits accruing to a lucerne farmer amount to from 9 

 to 20 per acre per annum, these rates being based upon the 

 sales of baled lucerne hay. If lucerne is not baled, but used on 

 the farm for feeding stock, the profits are still greater. According 

 to a statement made by a well-known ostrich farmer at one of the 

 meetings of the Cradock Farmery 1 Association, a net profit of 30 

 per acre of lucerne per annum can be made. In my present argu- 

 ment I am content to assume a modest profit of 10 per acre per 

 annum only. Now, with such returns in. view, it is obvious that 

 farmers are encouraged to lay out capital on irrigation works and 

 in laying out their lands to lucerne. Where there are natural pos- 

 sibilities, the capital cost of the works is paid for within a year or 

 two, but even more ambitious and expensive schemes, costing 20 

 to 30 per acre irrigated, become feasible and financially sound. 

 One great fact must be borne in mind, viz., that lucerne once 

 established on suitable soil continues to give its full yield for an 

 indefinite number of years, and while doing so is continually 

 improving the soil, Again, whilst lucerne is now being grown . 

 mainly for hay, and sold in Johannesburg or to the military 

 authorities, or otherwise for feeding ostriches, farmers have yet to 

 realise the great value of lucerne for almost every kind of stock, 

 large or small, also for poultry. The farmers in the Western 

 States of America are growing wealthy by feeding lucerne to cattle, 

 horses, pigs, sheep, poultry, and even bees, and there is no reason 

 why this country should not do likewise. It is evident that far- 

 mers are now waking up to the advantages of irrigation in parts 

 where immediate and handsome profits are the reward of enterprise, 

 but in the tracts in most urgent need of irrigation, largely owing . 

 to the conservative and backward state of the farmers settled there, 

 much education and encouragement are required before things are - 

 as they should be. 1907 Report. 



