986 The Value of Lupins on Poor Light Land, [jan.. 



investigated properly in this country. The writer, in 191 8, was 

 instrumental in arranging for the application of a neutral 

 phosphate to about 30 acres of lupins on Hinton Hall Farm, 

 Suffolk — no potash was available owing to the War. An 

 excellent crop of lupins resulted, and the land grew a good 

 crop of rye in 191 9. 



As previously mentioned Boodt* states that in Drente an ap- 

 plication of 4 cwt. of basic slag, and 4 cwt. of kainit per acre is 

 found suitable as a first dressing, smaller quantities being 

 given in subsequent years. If the soil is poor in potash more 

 kainit should be given, as lupins greatly need potash. Boodt 

 states that when lupins are sown for the first time in Holland, 

 the soil requires inoculation at the rate of about 4 loads of 

 soil, in which lupins have previously grown, per acre. This 

 practice does not appear to have been adopted in East Anglia, 

 and on land which has not so far as it is known grown lupins 

 before, excellent crops have resulted without inoculation. 



In Suffolk, as already stated, lupins are either ploughed in 

 green, folded with sheep, or the seed is harvested. 



During the past season (191 9) the writer has seen excellent 

 crops of rye grown after lupins ploughed in, on poor, light, 

 sandy land adjoining the heath. 



The experience of a few farmers in the cultivation of lupins 

 may be given : — 



Mr. A. M. Rope, of Leiston, Suffolk, states that he ploughed up very 

 poor land, which had been abandoned for some years, in May or June, 

 that he drilled lupins across the furrows, and obtained a good heavy 

 crop and excellent rye afterwards. He has now a second crop of rye, 

 looking fairly well, on the land. He agrees that one may grow lupins and 

 rye alternately for some years until the land becomes too full of 

 couch. The land in question is too poor for turnips to be grown fit for 

 feeding to sheep. 



Mr. Rope has never sown lupins so late as August, but he thinks that 

 if sown in this month they might answer for ploughing in green provided 

 the seed be cheap. He has often sown in June or July, after folding rye 

 or vetches, or after working the land to clean it of couch grass. The 

 heavy smothering crop of lupins which follows helps to keep the land 

 clean. Mr. Rope finds that folding a good crop of lupins leaves the land 

 in very good heart for a crop of rye. He considers that lupins will grow 

 quite well where, owing to the absence of lime, the land is definitely 

 acid. 



Opinions are divided as to whether, from the standpoint of the 

 succeeding crop, it is best to harvest the lupins for seed, to plough them 

 in green, or to fold them with sheep. Mr. J. R. Grimsey, of Leiston, and 

 Mr. F. W. C. Chartres, of Willingham, Beccles, both with extensive 

 experience of lupin growing, consider that the best results are likely to 

 be' obtained when the seed is harvested. Mr. John Goddard, of Tunstall, 



* Log. cit. 



