Cah eat ie) wyeler are) Or ve septate neacet sh “4 ears a7 tie ¢ att + fe ve - : ieee - teiare? 4 + Tp ep cere at Kase ek te? ays 4 is St —. 2 wed SUPPLEMENT—FEBRUARY 2, 1g2r. VOL. XXXII. AGRICULTURAL CASE ETE hao oo Oe Tew ALES Issued by Direction of THE Hon. W. F. DUNN, M.LA., MINISTBR OF AGRICULTURE. W. H. BROWN, Editor. Hr Authority: SyDNEY: W. A. GULL'CK, GOVERNMENT PRINTER. a 1921, 14127 -A tog iz THRE - i: ea Li eh i | PYESTATI ee - ae parKRy Teamnpay ME, 7 Supplement to “ Agricultural Gazette,” February 2, 1921. To Vou. XXXI. 1920. SUBJECT INDEX. PAGE, PAGE, A _ Agricultural Bureau of N.S.W.—Rep: rts He of Meetings—continued. Agricultural Bureau of New South Wales— Miranda «. 84, 148, 225, 605, 756, 906 Its Usefulness to Primary Producers ... 31, 296 Mittagong see : 31, 72, 756 ' Monthly Notes 31, 68, 144, 223, 296, 375, 447, Moss Vale}... 31, 72, 236, 450, 530, 681, s, 526, 601, 679, 751, 832, 901 | 756, 834 ' Reports of Meetings— Mount Keira... se 31, 451, 530, 681, 834 Albury ... oab ase bic 31, 448, 679 Nimbin 5, nae ste Snans OUSUTO Auburn . ase 31, 601, 751, 901 Orchard Hills ... ne oie 81, 530, 756 Avoca. [See Yarrunga- Avoea. | Parkesbourne ... atte ine 31, 682, 834. Bimbaya 31, 68, 223, 297, 375, 526, 679, | Penrose-Kareela .. 81, 72,148, 451, 605, 752, 901 757, 906 Blacktown vit ate 31, 224, 376, 448 | Pinecliffe. [Sec Garra-Pinecliffe.] Borenore 31, 527, 752,,902 Quakers’ al ioe ante 31, 226, 379, 451 Bunaloo. [See Thyra- -Bunalac.| ms} Rydal ... sels .-. 1, 908 . Cardiff — seatit B1, 69 Springside 31, 73, 149, 301, 451, 530, hot % Castlereagh (via Penrith) ace 10) Oly 6895,:752, St. "John’s Park ee 31, 301, 452 oo 832, 902 Stony Point (via Lee ton) ath 31, 757, 908 ; Clifton (near Young) ... Sho wi eA 8BR5, 903 Stratford es 31, 73, 149, 226, 379, 452, ; Clovass ... be ils 31, 144, 448, 527 530, 605, 757, 834, 910 ; Coradgery mag uf sey (Bg, TOS a seis dec 31, 73, 531, 682 m= ° Coraki. ... 31, 68, 298, 448, 602, 753, 903 Tallong .. ve ve ve -.. 81, 453 ; Cordeaux-Goondarin ... 31, 145, 298, 376, Taralga .. vee wee 31, 757, 835 448, 753, 833 Thyra-Bunaloo.. 31, 74, 453, 531, 757 Cotta Walla... 34, 69, 145, 224, 298, 449, Tingha ... 31, 301, 379, 453, 531 682, 527, 602, 753 758, 835 Cunningham _... 31, 69, 527, 603, 680, 753, 903 Toronto » 81, 74, 226, 379, 454, 531, Dooralong. [See Jilliby-Dooralong. | | ; 682, 758, 835 Dural ... 31, 70, 145, 224, 298, 449, 603 Walla Walla... “ ... 81, 682 Garra-Pinecliffe ae 31, 70,224, 527 Wellington sid 31, 74, 149, 379, 454, 531, Glen Innes ou Insects, Injurious.] 31, 167 | INDEX, 1920. PAGE. | . | Rye— Breeding Cereals at the Experiment F Farms Brie Farmers’ Experiment Plots Winter Fodders (Coastal) 3 S Sacaton Grasses (Sporobolus spp.). Grasses—S pecijic. | [See Saunders’ Case Moth (Metura clongata). [See Insects, Injurious. | Sehedonorus Hookerianus (Hooker’s Fes- cue). [See Grasses—Specific.] Seore Card. [See names of animals.] Sea-weed. [Sce Manures and Fertilisers. ] Seeds and Seed Testing — Cleansing of Imported Impure Seed .. ‘Electrolytic Treatment of Seeds (Wol- fryn Process) before Sowing Farmers’ Experiment Plots— Acclimatized v. Unacclimatized Seed 31, 153, 239 31, 153 31, 845 31, 698 31, 831 31, 393 Graded v. Ungraded Seed Lucerne Seed, A Germination Standard fOUL” cas More Imported Rubbish Pure-seed Growers Recommended by the Department ... 31, 590, 644, 745, 804, 882 Seed Wheat, The Saving of 31, 841 Wheat for Seed, To Store 31, 538 Shade and Ornamental Trees. [See For- estry-] Shearman’s Clover (J'rifolium fragiferum var.) [See Clovers.] Sheep— Castration of Lambs, The 31, 618 Co-operative Sheep Dip, A 31, 770 Grazing Sheep on Vines .. 31, 386 Hand-feeding (Bureau paper) . 31, 450 Inereased Production of Wool per head of Sheep : .. 81, 688 Licks for Different Classes of Country .. 81, 19 Roscommon Sheep in Crossbreeding Trials .. 8h, 695 Safeguarding of Farm Stock from Di- sease ... 31, 339, 427, 513, 572, 726, 809, 861 Searing Iron versus the Knife for De- tail- x ing Lambs ... . 84, 792 Sheep and Wool for Farmers—_ Results of Lamb-raising Trials. [Tll.] 34, 761, 846 Sheepskins, Need for Improved Methods. in Handling... 31, 94 Some Practical Experience with nena (Bureau paper) =... a. 84, 908 Supplement to “ Agricultural Gazette,” February 2, 1921. INDEX, 1920. PAGE. ~Sheep—continued. Two Lambingsa Year . 31, 874 Vary the Ration when “Hand- feeding Sheep ¢ 31, 324 "—— Diseases— Liver Fluke, Control of . 31, 688 Spraying as a Preventive for Blow-flies 31, 617 Suspected Cases of Poisoning of Stock... 31, 651 Tretoil Dermatitis 31, 43 Sheep’s Burnett (Poterium sanguisorba). [See Forage Plants and Soiling Crops. ] Sheepskins. [See Sheep.] Shelter Trees and Windbreaks, [See For- estry.] Shining Green Cockchafer (Anoplognathus chloropyrus). [See Insects, Injuri- ous. |} Silos and Silage— Beet-tops, Silage from ... 31, 344 Concrete Block Silo, The Construction ‘of Seee (alll. | me 31, 171 Conservation of Fodder (Bureau paper) 31, 602 Silage Stack on the North Coast, A. [Ill.] 31, 798 Sunflowers as Silage se Pal [See also Feeding Experiments; Fod- ders. ] ‘Silver Rust Mite (Phyllocoptes oleivorus). [See Insects, Injurious.] Silver-top Grass (Danthonia). [See Grasses Specific. | [See names of animals.] [See Agriculture—General.] Skins. ‘Smoke. Soifs— Correcting Acidity caused by ey ae phate 5 _ Fertility, The Maintenance Olt hz Land and its Preparation for ee ri (Bureau paper) w. 84, 145 Maize, Soil Improvement for 31, 29, 111, 177, y 318, 495 et Reclaimed Swamp Lands, Utilisation of 31, 401 31, 272 31, 220 Soil Analysis for Farmers 31, 478 ; Sterilisation of Tobacco Seed-beds by Steam. [Tll.] 31, 285 Wheat on Heavy Black Soil 31, 176 -Sorghum— Fermers’ Experiment Plots— Central Coast 31, 805 Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area 31, 554 _ Grain Sorghums in Northern Districts... 34, 17 Grass, Millet and pee yes Trials at Prospect 31, 626 xvii PAGE. Sorghum—continued. Green Winter Fodders, Fertilisers for ... 34, 241 Improvement of Sweet Sorghums $1, 549 Industrial Alcohol, Sorghum asa, Possible Source of... .. 81, 479 Some ae Tae Introduced Fodder Plants : S865 873 Sorghum Chaff as ; Feed for Working "Horses 31, 551 ——Varieties— Early Amber Cane 31, 549, 556 Feterita : : 31, 17 Imphee .. 31, 549 Kaoliang ... 31, 17 Milo 31, 17 No. 61... 31, 550 Planters’ Friend . = 31, 549, 556 Sacecaline .. 81, 549, 556, 874 31, 549, 556 [See Grasses— Sorghum saccharatum Sporobolus (various species). Specific. | Spraying— Bordeaux Powders v. Home-made Bor- deaux Mixture 31, 595 Combined Spray, Another ; 31, 438 Lead Arsenates, The me of Various. [Il.] 31, 208 ** Leaded Bordeaux”’ Spray : “An An- alysis sc 31, 288 Lime-sulphur, A Dry Form of ... ... 91,216 Spray Formula, Suggested Variationin 31, 35 Spraying asa Preventive for Blow-flies... 31, 617 **Sulpho-arsenate Powder,’ Composi- tion of ate 31, 304 St. John’s Wort, [See Poisonous Plants (Reputed).] Star Grasses (Chloris, various species). [See Grasses—S pecific. ] Starling. [See Agricultural Pests.] Stink Grass (Eragrostis major) [See Poison- ous Plants (Reputed.)| Strawberry — > Strawberry Culture around Sydney. [IIl.] 31, 731, 815 Strawberry Clover (Trifolium fragiferum). [See Clovers—Varieties. | Stypandra glauca. [See Poisonous Plants (Reputed).] Suck-fly (Dicyphus tabaci). TInjurious. | [See Insects, , Sudan Grass (Andropogon sorghum). [See Grasses—Specifir. | ‘ Sugar Beet. [See Beet; Sugar; Sugar Beet and Sugar Cane.] Supplement to “ Agricultural Gazette,’ lebruary 2, 1921. XVill PAGE. “Sugar or Brown-top Grass (Hrianthus fulvus.) [See Grasses—Specific.] Sugar, Sugar Beet, and Sugar Cane— Culture of Sugar Cane in New South Wales. [Ill] 31, 13, S00 Gumming of Sugar-cane : . a1, 720 Sugar Beet Growing in England 31, 314 ——Growing in Victoria 31, 463 Sulpho-arsenate Powder. and Insecticides. | [See Fungicides ‘Sulphur— Sulphur as a Fertiliser for Wheat [See Forage Plants.] 31, 462 Sunflower. Superphosphate. [See Manures and Fer- tilisers. | Swamp. [See Agriculture—General.] [See Turnip and Swede. ] Sweet Corn. [See Maize; Vegetable Gar- dening. | Swede. T Cat Grass (Avena Grasses—S pecific. | [See Agricultural Farm Buildings. | Tanning. [See Sheep.] [See Vetches.] [See Heredity; Horses.] Tall elatior). [See Tank. Enginecring ; Tares. Telegony. Texas Grass (Panicum bulbosum). [See Grasses—Speciyic. | Thrigs tabaci. Tick. [See Insects, Injurious.] [See Insects, Injurious; names of animals. | Tillage. [See Cultivation and Cultural Methods. ] Timbers. [See Forestry]. Timothy Grass (Phlewm pratense). [See Grasses—S pecific. | Tobacco— Sterilisation of Tobacco Seed-beds by Steam. [Ill.] ; —— Diseases— Insects Found on Tobacco in New South Wales.. ie Thrips Damaging Tobacco Anaphothri i ae striatus). [Ill.] ee 31, 285 31, 502 31, 714 INDEX, 1920. PAGE, Tobacco Bug (Dicyphus tabaci). sects, Injurious.| [See In- Tobacco Moth (Phihorimea operculella). [See Insect's, Injurious. | Toowoomba Canary Grass (Phalaris bul- bosa). [Sce Grasses—Specific.] Tractor. [Sce Motor Tractor.] Trangie Experiment Farm. ment Farms.] Trefoil. [See Clovers.] Trefoil Dermatitis. [See names of animals; —Diseases; Veterinary Science and Practice. ] ' [See Experi- Trifolium (various species). [See Clovers— Varieties. | Turnip and Swede— Useful Turnip Crop, The Winter Fodder ere (Western District) : 31, 348 31, 315 Tussock Grass (Sporobolus indicus). [See Grasses—S pecific. | Vv Vegetable Gardening— : ** Grow your Own Vegetables”. S8¢ Horse Radish asa Crop eis 31, 462 “ Jerusalem Artichoke,’’ Origin. of the Name Mint for its Oil, Production of. Papago: A New Lee of Sw ect Corn 31, 552 Thrift Gardening .» 315/396 Vegetable Growing (Burea eau paper) .. 34, 683 ‘ Vegetable Growing in New South Wales” as 31, 882 Vegetable Growing: on the Murrumbidgee Trrigation Areas... 31, 820 Vetches— Field Peas, &c., as Fodder ” ei 167 Winter Fodder E ‘xperiments (C ‘oastal) .. sale zi ——(Western District) . ee vee Ody B15 Veterinary Science and Practice— Safeguarding Farm Stock from Disease 31, 339, 427, 513, 572, 726, 809, 861 Searing Iron versus the Knife for De- tailing Lambs : St. John’s Wort and its “Effects ¢ on Live Stock — aa vee «Od, 265 Tick Eradication i in U.S. A. 31, 503 Trefoil Dermatitis 31, 43 Worms in Horses.. xs 31, 338 [See also names of animals—Discases. ] 31, 792 eee LO ee ee eee a Supplement to “ Agricultural Gazette,’ February 2, 1921. INDEX, 1920. x1x PAGE, PAGE. Wheat—continued. Farmers’ Experiment Plots— Viticulture— Almond Trees as a Vineyard Border 31, 522 Bordeaux Powders v. Home-made Bor- Central-western District 31, 159 deaux Mixture 31, 595 cae Bea ws Vane al- western Grazing Sheep on Vines ... sie to, O86 istricts, to 1919 31, 533 ; F ; 2 North-western District 31, 161 Pruning of the Vine. [IIl.} 31, 47, 121, 655 Riverina and South-western Slopes . et 153 Table Grapes, Good Returns from 31, 489 Western District 7 P, 31, 235 ——on Sultana Stock, An Experiment Winter Fodders (Coastal) .. 34, Te ed with ... ue 31, 600 ——(Western District) ; 31, 315 ——Varieties for Wane District 31, 337 Fertility, The Maintenance of ... 31, 220 Vineyard Notes 31, 18, 141, 200 Field Peas as Fodder—A Substitute for Di Wheat and Oats bee Ode LOM eae VO CORES — Grading New South Wales Wheats 31, 771 Vine-leaf Blister Mite alae vitis). 4 Green Winter Fodders, Fertilisers for ... 31, 241 ie ae 31, 578 Hay, Wheat Experiments for (Yanco Vi Experiment Farm, 1919) 31, 467 Inegar— ‘ Narromine, Wheat Plotsat ... 31, 233 Home-made Vinegar, A Recipe for 31, 303 Natural Crossing in Wheat. [II].] 31, 457 Nurse Crop with Lucerne, A... 31, 120 W | Poultry, Boiled Wheat for 31, 478 Saving of Seed Wheat, The 31, 841 Waipu. [See Grasses—Specific.] Seed, To Store Wheat for a2 31, 538 Selection of Promising Wheat Plants . 31, 548 Wallaby Grass (Danthonia semiannularis). Sulphur as a Fertiliser for Wheat St, 462 Stored Maize and Wheat from ate To Protect ... .. 81, 718 [See Grasses—Specific. | Warrego Summer Grass (Panicum flavidum). Two New Canadian Wheat Varieties ... 31, 84 [See Grasses—Specific. ] Wheat Breeding, Principles of (Bureau Z paper) 31, 454. ec, Beekd | —-—for Hay or for Grain? (Bureau dis- ; Wedge-tailed Eagle. [Sce Birds.] cussion) si jeeert: 1k glee ——on Heavy Black Soil 31, 176 Weeds— When to Cut for Hay 31, 814 Bracken, Eradication of “6 31, 589 Chats about Prickly Pear. [Ill.] 81, 117, 195, 325, 407, 557, 645, 889 —— Diseases— Obscure Disease in Wheat. [I.] Rust in Australia, A Note on the Over- 31, 229 Cleansing of Imported Impure Seed 31, 831 summering of 31, 165 Eradication of Weeds, The 31, 881 | ——Milling Qualities— False Castor-oil Plant, An Enquiry about 31, 650 Notes on Wheats entered for the Royal Homeria collina (Poison Tulip) 31, 881 Agricultural Society’s Show S162 Melilotus indica (Hexham Scent) 31, 881 Varieties, Note on the Classification of ... 31, 243 More Imported Rubbish... ees 31,698 | ——Varieties— Plants Declared Noxious Ef Local, Bomen .. 4, 533 Bodies 31, 212 Bunyip .. 1, 164, 533 Prickly Pear Beedle. Teneoiie. of 31, 571 Canberra ... “31, 8, 163, 233, 238, 533 St. John’s Wort and its Effects on Live Clarendon : 31, 8 Stock a a, a =) 31, 265 Cleveland ve Se 815 81, 160, ek [See also Blackberry; Castor-oil eure ye 15 "34, 154. a Pee PltnG: : ; : ederation »2 ree Poisonous Plants; Prickly Firbank 31, 81, 470 Florence nate 31, 81, 164 Weevil, White Striped (Perperus insularis). Hard Federation .. 31, 154, 233, 238 [See Insects, Injurious.] Huguenot . oe 31, 8, 78 Improved Steinwedel 31, 470, 533 Wheat— King’s Early 31, 533 Agriculture at Nyngan ... 31, 685 Marquis 53 a» Oly L160 Breeding Cereals at the Experiment Marshall’s No,. 3 31, 470, 533 Farms 2 31, 697 Rattling Jack 31, 163 Crop Competition in n Victoria, Effects of 2 a 31, 176 Roseworthy . 81, 533 Fallow or Summer Fallow? _... .. 31, 794 Sunset 31, 160, 164 Supplement to “ Agricultural Gazette,’ February 2, 1921. xx PAGE. Wheat— V arieties—continued. Thew Warden... Yandilla King Zealand ... ian te : [See also Bush Fires; Cultivation; Ex- periment Farms; Grain Silos; Lime; Manures; Sheep; Weeds. } White Ants. [See Insects, Injurious.] White Striped Weevil (Perperus insularis). [See Insects, Injurious.] White-top Grass (Danthonia). Specific ]. Whitewashes. [See Lime.] Wimmera Rye Grass (Lolium subulatum). [See Grasses—Specific.] 31, 78, 470 31, 154 31, 470 [Sec Grasses Windmill Grasses (Chloris, various species). [See Grasses—Specific.] Wine. [See Viticulture]. Wing-cutting. [See Peultry.] AUTHOR A ALLEN, W. J.— Almond Trees as a Vineyard Border Apple Mildew, Notes on Californian Experience with ae ae Growing in New South Wales. “Cheap ”” Banana Suckers are Some- times Costly Eureka Lemon, Two Types of . 31, 194 Lue Gim Gong Orange ... .. 81, 678 Orchard Notes 31, 65, 142, 221, 294, 373, 446, 523, 599, 677, 748, 830, 898 Orchardists Pay Heavy Toll to Starlings 31, 351 Peach Growing in New South Wales. 31, 522 31, 16 31, 201 31, 176 7 31, 127 Table Grapes on Sultana Stock, ‘An Ex- periment with ... of 31, 600 Three saa aris ties of Plums ah $1, 744 ALLEN, W. J., and BARTLETT, REG. G.— Spring Work for the Banana Grower ... 31, 738 ALLEN, W. J., and BRERETON, W. le GAY— Thompson’ s =k ae and Navelencia Oranges 525 ds DLO ALLEN, W. J., and HOGG, 8. ee .-- Cherry Growing i in New South Wales... 31,277 31, 470 | INDEX, 1920. PAGE. Winter School. [See Agricultural Educa- tion. | Wollongbar Experiment Farm. [See Ex- periment Farms.] Wood-boring Beetles (Bosirychus cylindri- cus). [See Insects, Injurious.] Wool— Increased Production of Wool per head of Sheep ~ Sheep a Wool ‘for Farmers—Results of Lamb-raising Trials. [Ill] 31, 761, 846 Sheepskins, Need for ere 28 Methods 31, 688 in Handling .. 31, 94 Worms. [See Parasites, Internal.] bi | Yanco Experiment Farm. [See Experi- ment Farms and Stations. ] | Yellows. [Sec Peach—Diseases.| INDEX B BALLHAUSEN, O. C.— Utilising Waste Heat in Butter Fac- tories. [Ill.] . 31, 709 BARTLETT, H.— Farmers’ Experiment Plots— Maize Experiments, 1919-20 .. 31, 705 Potato Experiments, 1919-20 .. 81, 692 Sorghum Chaff as Feed for Working Horses ... 31, 551 Sudan Grass in the North- west . nat, 538 BARTLETT, REG. G., and ALLEN, Spring Work for the Banana Grower ... 31, 738 BENSLEY, REV. G. N.— Co-operation and Co-partnership 31, 73 BIRMINGHAM, W. A.— Condition resembling American ‘‘ Peach osette,; eA. [UG x. 31, 581 Crown Gall of Fruit Trees (I.] ee ly Root Rot of Fruit Trees due to Armil- laria mellea. {All.) ... 31, 669 BREAKWELL, E.— Bokhara Clover on the Southern Table- ete: .,, dase ore jt) ARGO Te Cleaning of Imported Impure Seed . 81, 831 Grass, Millet and aie hc rials at Prospect 31, 626 f 4 | Supplement to “ Agricultural Gazette,’ February 2, 1921. INDEX, 1920. PAGE. BREAKWELL, E.—continued. Improvement of Sweet Sorghums -. 31,549 Lucerne Seed, A Germination Standard for pee 31, 845 Melilotus spp. asa . Green Manure Crop... 31, 881 More Imported: Rubbish Be 31, 698 Native and Introduced Grasses at Mount George, Manning River. [IIL] 81, 399 Planting out Sudan Grass aA 31, 484 Popular Descriptions of Grasses (Hl. | 31, 24, 309, 507, 789 Remarkable Fodder Plant (Shearman’s Clover). [Tl] “a 31, 245 Trials of Wimmera Rye Grass (Lolium subulatum). [Il.) fea oo. Bh, 107 BRERETON, le GAY— Consider your Working Horses . 31, 234 BRERETON, W. le GAY, and ALLEN, W. J.— Thompson’s pee and Navelencia Oranges ne 31, 519 BRIDGE, LESLIE G. — Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs ... 31, 398 Cheap Petrol gives American Farmers an Advantage ... 31, 472 BROOKS, A.— Construetion of a Concrete Block Silo. ae 31, 171 To Repair Corroded Tanks 31, 471 _ Whitening for Roofs 31, 465 _ BROWN, A, M,— Faults found in Butter .., 81, 490, 591 BRUCE, J. L.— Clean Pasture for Calves 81, 598 Cc COHEN, L.— Control of the Cattle Tiek 31, 654 COLWELL, W. R.— Sudan Grassin Western Districts; Under Irrigation with Bore Water. [Ill:] ... 81, 476 » COWIE, G. A.— Nitrate of Lime ... 31, 589 CRANE, C. C.— Co-operative Sheep Dip... 31, 770 Some Fundamental Principles ‘of Co- operation 31, 843 D DARNELL-SMITH, G. P.— Bunchy Top in Bananas 31, 583 Electrolytic Treatment of Seeds (wal. fryn Process) before Sowing .. 31, 393 Origin of the Name “ Jerusalem Arti- ~ choke” Ree 31, 193 Telegony . oe 31, 184 . Xxi PAGE. DARNELL-SMITH, G. P., amd TREGENNA, C. J.— Sterilisation of Tobacco Seed-beds by Steam. [Ill] . a 31, 285 DODD, SYDNEY St. John’s Wort and its Effect on Live Stock Ae bir Le .. ‘Od, 265 DOWNING, R. G.— Flax-growing in Victoria 31, 636 Sugar-beet Growing in Victoria... 31, 463 E EASTMAN, —. Green Manuring ... 31, 302 F FROGGATT, W. W.— Destroying Starlings with Poisoned Grain .. 1, 64 Insects found on Tobacco Plants i in New South Wales. [Il] . 31, 714 Mole Cricket, To Destroy ‘the tee 31, 518 Notes on the Apple Root Weevil (Lep- tops hopei). {Il.] wee ia 84556 Orchard and Garden Mites. (Il. ] 31, 577 Poison Baits for White Ants 31, 46 Powder-post Beetle and its Parasite. (EB) aioe .. of, 273 Saunders’ Case- moth (Metura “elongata) 31, 438 Three Native Beetles attacking Orchard Trees. [Ill] .. Ps .- ol, 421 Thrips Damaging Tobacco. (D1) 31, 502 To Store Wheat for Seed = 31, 538 FURBY, E. B.— Top-dressing Lucerne with Superphos- phate... 2d, 699 Wheat Experiments fon Hay, 1919 01, 467 G GALLARD, L.— Dicky Rice Weevil (Prosayleus phy- tolymus), Notes onthe. [Ill.] ..s O14, 280 Strawberry Culture around Sydney. a UU eee ; Be 3i, 731, 815 GOLLASCH, J. M.— ° Co-operative Movement at Milbrulong... 81, 905 GOODACRE, W. A.—— Ants in a Bee-hive 31, 406 Apiary Notes for March . 31, 212 Artificial Fertilisation, An Experiment in 31, 826 Bees Superseding their Queens .. 31, 665 Beekeepers’ Prospects for 1920- 21 31, 607 Care of Honey when Stored .. 81, 434 Combined Productive and Queen-raising . Hive. [Ill.] Ko ... 81, 666 Supplement to “ Agricultural Gazette,’ February 2, 1921. Xxil GOODACRE, W. A —continued. Diseases of Bees in New South Wales. {Tl.j Energy and its Relation to the ‘Life of Bees... ze ; Extracting Surplus Honey ; Importance of puperene in the Pack- ing of Honey .. Methods of Extracting \ Wax from the Honeycomb ... : Mice asan Apiary Pest ... Notes on Some Cases of Paralysis i in Bees Bae sc ts Production of Beeswax ... Protection of Honey-yielding Trees Purchasing Queen Bees .. a Queenless ‘Colonies < Refining Beeswax, Two Pr ocesses Stor’, ae Swarming and Hiving Swarms . Temporary Removal of Bees to Better Districts To Rebuild an “Apiary. depleted by Drought Treatment of Extracted Honey. (Ii. Wiring Beehive Frames, Improved Method of. [Ill.] i ee GRIFFITH, E., and HENRY, MAX— Suspected Cases of Poisoning of Stock... GURNEY, W. To Protect Stor na Mate and Wheat from Weevil ... GURNEY, W. B., and PITT, J. M.— Kiln-drying Maize. LIII.] GUTHRIE, F. B.— Basic Super or Superphosphate ... Coal Smoke and Fruit Trees French Potash Salts... Licks for Different Classes of Country . Rotted Manure, A Note on Superphosphate or Basic Super... GUTHRIE, F. B., and NORRIS, G. W.— Note on the Classification of Wheat Varieties Notes on Wheats “entered for the Royal Agricultura! Society’s Show, 1920 . GUTHRIE, F. B., RAMSAY, A. A.., PETRIE, R.M., and STOKES, F. J.— List of Fertilisers in New South Wales, 1920. [Ill] ; it SHE H HADLINGTON,-JAMES— Boiled Wheat for Poultry - Poultry Notes INDEX, 1920. PAGE. 31, 883 31, 295 31, 213 31, 199 31, 471 31, 395 31, 349 31, 823 31, 662 31, 730 31, 893 31, 136 31, 134 | 31, 36 31, 673 81, 435 31, 478 31, 651 31, 387 31, 770 31, 897 31, 91 31,19 31, 713 31, 385 31, 243 31, 627 31, 185 31, 478 31, 61, 137, 217, 291, 369, 442, 520, 596, 674, 746, 827, 895 PAGE. HAMBLIN, C. 0.— Collar Rot of Citrus Trees. [Il.] 31, 439 To Infect Lucerne Seed with Nodule Organisms eer Be . 31, 466 HARRIS, E.— Grading New South Wales Wheats 31, 771 HARVEY, F. H.— Egg-laying Tests at Hawkesbury Agri- cultural College—Eighteenth Year's Results, 1919-20. [Ill.] 31, 353 HAYWOOD, A. H.— Culture of Sugar Cane in New South Wales. [Iil.] 31, 773, 853 Elephant Grass as a Pasture 31, 582 Elephant, Para and Guinea Grasses at Wollongbar : 31, 6 Rice Bean (Phaseolus calearatus) or so- called Jerusalem Pea. [IIll.].. 31, 289 HENRY, MAX— Safeguarding Farm Stock from Disease 314, 339, 427, 513, 572, 726, ge 861 Tick Eradication in U.8.A. 31, 803 HENRY, MAX, and GRIFFITH, E.— Suspected Cases of Poisoning of Stock... 31, 651 HILLSON, J. T.— Land and its Preparation for Growing... 31, 145 HINTON, F. B.— Roscommon we in i peaet a ae Trials 31, 695 HOGG, S. A., Bad ALLEN, W. i — Cherry Growing in New South Wales ... 31, 277 HOUSTON, D. F.— Agricultural Colleges, The Activities of... 31, 184 Essentials to Rural Contentment 31, 200 HOWARD, T. A.— Conservation of Fodder 31, 602 HOWELL, H. G.— Farm Accounts, The Value of ... ... ol, 616 Farm Book-keeping to the Front ... 314, 538 J JENKINS, Dr. E. H.— Modern Farm Practice ... 31, 772 K KELLY, H. J.— Agriculture at Nyngan, .. 31, 685 Planting Sudan Grass. fill.) .. 31, 719 KERLE, W. D.— Farmers’ Experiment Plots— Maize Experiments, 1919-20 .. ... 84, 875 Potato Experiments, 1919-20. {HL jeerS4,-781 Winter Fodders, 1919.. : HVS TT a Supplement to “ Agricultural Gazette,’ February 2, 1921. INDEX, 1920. PAGE. L LAFFER, H. E.— Bordeaux Powder v. Home-made Bor- deaux Mixture . oe : seat pody 595 Pruning of the Vine. [Il.] 34, 47, 121, 655 Recipe for Home-made Vinegar. 31, 303 TE Rachael 2 eh District 31, 337 Vineyard Notes ... oc . 31, 18, 141, 200 LISTON, W. R.— Maintenance of Fertility 31, 220 LITTLE, L. G., and McCAULEY, C.— Ploughing Experiments at Cowra and Nyngan j Me Ac 31, 837 iM MacDOUGALL, A. H.— Fallow or Summer Fallow ies 31, 794 Spraying asa Peventive for Blow- flies .. 31, 617 MacINNES, L. T.— Neutralisation of Cream .. 31, 431 New South Wales Choicest Butter 31, 45 Production of Fourteen Herds Com- pared ... 31, Re-infection of Pastourised Cream fron 649 Dusty Roads. [IIl.] .. 31, 724 Scottish Milk Records ‘Association mr ol, oto Testing of Pure-bred Cows in New South Wales : Bis Bek w. on, 413 MacINNES, L. .., and RANDELL, H. H.— Dairy Produce Factory Premises and Manufacturing Processes. [IIl.] sol, 205, 333, 485, 563 MAIDEN, J. H.— Chats about Prickly Pear. [Ill] 31, 117, 195, 325, 407, 557, 645, 889 Is Stypandra glauca R.Br., a Poison Plant . 31, 461 Plants which Produce Inflammation or Irritation of the Skin . 31, 386 MAKIN, R. N.— Some Recently Introduced Fodder Plants ... re 31, 873 Farmers’ Experiment Plots— Maize Experiments, 1919-20... 31, 795 Potato Experiments, 1919-20.. 31, 623 Winter Fodders, 1919 . 31, 81 Kale for Supplying Green Feed to Poultry .. 31, 430 Lucerne on the Coast: The South Coast 31, 384 MATHEWS, J. W.— Improved Methods in Hous Sheep- skins, The Need for ... 31, 94 Increased Production of Wool per head of Sheep . 81, 688 Sheep and Wool for Farmers—Results of Lamb-raising Trials. [Il.] .. 31, 761, 846 Two Lambings a Year ... we - 31, 874 MEEK, B. C.— Farmers’ Experiment Plots— Maize Experiments, 1919-20 .. Potato Experiments, 1919— 20 ui Wheat and Oat Experiments, 1919 . Lucerne, A Nurse Crop with “é Trials with Peas ... MEREDITH, E. T.— Backing Needed by Farmers Good Investments—Big Returns Profitable iaarin Depends « on Three Things ... McCARTHY, T.— Banana Root Borer (Cosmopolites sor- didus). {[Ill.] ... McCAULEY, C.— Sudan Grass in Western Districts: Cowra Experiment Farm McCAULEY, C., and LITTLE, L. G.— Ploughing Experiments at Cowra and Nyngan : aes At McCORMACK, C. A.— Some Practical Experience with Sheep McDIARMID, R. W.— Farmers’ Experiment Plots— Maize Experiments, 1918-19... Potato Experiments, 1918-19 ee Wheat and Oat Experiments, 1919 ... Grain Sorghums in Northern Districts... McDONALD. A. H. E.— Green Fodder for, Poultry all the Year Round ... : 4 Home-made Rain Gauge Horse Radish as a Crop . How to Store Seed Potatoes Immature Potato Seed . iF New Zealand Flax, A Note on . Saving of Seed Wheat Second Growth in Potatoes, Cau use of . When to Cut for Hay McFADZEAN, J. S.— Business-like Dairying ... McKENZIE, R. T.— Standard of Production in Denmark ... N NOBLE, R. J.— Gumming of Sugar Cane NORRIS, G. W., and GUTHRIE, F. B.— Note on the Classification of Wheat Varieties Notes on Wheats entered for the Royal Agricultural Society's Show, 1920 . Xxili PAGE, 31, 703 - 31, 621 31, 159 31, 120 31, 397 31, 501 31, 626 31, 616 31, 865 31, 473 31, 837 31, 908 31, 102 31, 37 31, 161 31.17 31, 352 31, 166 31, 462 31, 466 31, 688 31, 264 31, 841 31, 16 31, $14 31, 227 31, 351 31, 720 31, 243 31, 627 Supplement to “ Agricultural Gazette,” February 2, 1921. xxiv INDEX, 1920. PAGE. PAGE. Oo RAMSAY, A. A., GUTHRIE, F. B., ; ek PETRIE, R. M., andSTOKES, F. J.— O’GORMAN, CHAS. L.— List of Fertilisers in New South a Trefoil Dermatitis side ate we RA, 43 1920. [Ill] — a <.. 94,185 REW, Sir HENRY— Sociological Problem, A... a ... 31, 589 P g , , PARKER, R.— ROBERTSON, J. A.— Necessary Plant Foods ... 31, 299 Rugging of Dairy Cattle ... ae -- 31, 406 PETRIE, R. M.. GUTHRIE, F. B., ROWNEY, L. F.— RAMSAY, A. A., and STOKES, F. i Trials of Grasses and Fodder Plants ... 34, 799 List of Fertilisers in New South bag RUMBLE, L.— 1920. [Ill]... vee tee w+ 34, 185 Vegetable Growing bee a -» 31, 683 Site ‘Diced econ Bits “Cl eae otor Tractor in Great Britain ... Eee Effect of Coal Smok 7 ion. ... 5 Pitting Potatoes . e ae ote 254 ot Cone ae eae Broduction of Mint for its Oil aoe pag) GahipioO Sea-weed as Manure See we «ne 1, 840 S PITT, J. M— oa ek, E. Go Broom Millet on the Manning. [Tll.]... 31, 637 Principles of Wheat Breeding ... + 81, 454 - Farmers’ Experiment Plots— | SSOLrT, Rk. G.— Lucerne Top-dressing Trials, 1919-20 31, 612 Functions and Requirements of an Maize Experiments, 1918-19 ws 81,99 Apple Tree... se Sf «0. ol, 906 Potato Experiments, 1919-20 ese; PER OO HEPHERD. A. N.— Summer Fodders, 1919-20. [IIL]... Bt a5 | ee ee io s Farmers’ Experiment Plots Winter Green Fodders, 1919. [Ill.]... 31,7 RS To dressing Trials, 1919-20. Lucerne on the Coast : Central Coastal Ill.] . 4 31. 609 ae 4 Districts... 1, 381 Pot Boilers on the Murrumbidgee Irri- PITT, J. M., and GURNEY, W. B. — gation Areas ... at ws, O4,.788 Kiln- drying Maize. [Ill.] ai .. 81, 387 Summer Green Fodder Trials ee .. 81, 554 POTTS, H. W.— eee Growing on the Sa sa ik : Honey Locust Tree (Gleditschia tri- rrigation Areas oe --- 81, 820 asanthos). [Ill.].. 31,85 | SHELTON, E. J.— Score Cord i in Judging Live Stock. Il. 1 31, 567 Profitable Pig Farming ... “9s .. $1,150 PRIDHAM, J. T.— SHUTT, FRANK T.— An Obscure Disease in Wheat. [Ill.] .... 31, 229 Soil Analysis for Farmers ee ... 81, 478 Breeding Cereals at the Experiment SPARKS, G. C.— Herms. ... . .. 81, 697 | " Baiting the Wedge-tailed Eagle 31. 860 Netural Crossing it in Wheat. PUIG sau! “Bly A57 a1 Std nigel AB Selecti P lend, Pl 1° Farmers’ Experiment Plots ao si re 3 oe = Surface in 31, 548 Potato Experiments, 1918-19 31, 41, 251 _akheside rand carga soho Dasara Wheat and Oat Experiments, 1919 ... 31, 153 Two New Canadian Wheat Varieties ... 31, g4 | STOKES, F. J., GUTHRIE, F. B., RAMSAY, A. A., and PETRIE, R.M. List of Fertilisers in New South Wales, R Va ak - wwe, Ody, 185 RAMSAY, A. A.— SYME, J. E.— Composition of Sulpho-arsemate Powder 31, 304 Farmers’ Experiment Plots— ——Various Lead Arsenates ... ies O41, 208 Wheat and Oat Experiments, 1919... 31, 235 Leaded Bordeaux-Spray: An sieivein 31, 288 Winter Fodders; 1919 a wi 8,315 Lime-Sulphur, A Dry Form of . 31, 216 Grain Wheats for Central-western Potassium Cyanide for Trapping Fruit- Districts pa .-. 81, 533 flies. [Ill] 31, 821 Sudan Grasses in Western Districts: In Sorghum as a Possible Source of Indus- a Dry Season at Parkes of 81, 477 trial Alcohol ... ys 31, 479 Wheat Plots at Narromine, 1919 woe - ligt BOD RANDELL, H. H., and acINNES, SYMON, J. A.— pie Useful Turnip Crop, The oy owe. Oh, 348 Dairy Produce Factory Premises and SYMONS, 8. T. D.— | Manufacturing Processes. [IIl.] St, 255; 383, Hay that Contained Stink Grass 2. 88,661 @ 485, 563 Poisonous Properties of Castor-oil Beans 31, 405 | - Supplement to “ Agricultural Gazette,’ February 2, 1921. ae she T TREGENNA, C. J., and DARNELL- SMITH, G. P.— Sterilisation of Tobacco Seed-beds by Steam. [Ill]. TOLMIE, The hones 8. 1 Canada’s Necessity and Ours Ww WARD, E. N.— Cultivation of Flowers for Profit Shade Trees for Towns and Cities WATERHOUSE, W. L.— Over-summering of Wheat Rust in Australia, A Note on the WENHOLZ, H.— Broom Millet Seed as Feed for Stock ... Cuzco Maize ‘ a Fertilisers for Green Winter Fodders . 36e Field Peasas Fodder... Papago: A New aa of Sweet Corn. (LU as vs nea Sydney: PAGH. 31, 31, 31, 31, 31, 31 31 31, 31 31, 552 * 285 | 808 894 680 165 305 | 701 241 167 INDEX, 1920. WENHOLZ, H.—continued. Pigeon Pea (Cajanus indicus) ... Pop Corn Variety Trials, 1919-20 Seed Maize and Birds Size of Core and its Significance to Maize Growers Soil Improvement ae Maize Sunflowers as Silage Sweet Corn Variety Trial Utilisation of Reclaimed ee Land. pny : | WILSON, H. W., Major— Poison Gases for Pest Extermination, The Utility of ... WOOLLETT, C. J.— Some Aspects of the Rabbit Problem ... Y YOUNG, A. R.— Contagious Mammitis, The Spread of ... ae eo -s = ReNT " ied H sionraw. t _foueo ae Sakis (Mo yibes tuseeerin’)} 64% fooxt't Cy eS CAEALEL wlalth waha TE aaqat, | 2008 te. .:. . tay OEE fire cle Ve Base | dake ed cept ail Vag aoe ie i A ean a seo) BALL Us hs arial, 102 aes casa | aes Ma, TC ee a. FOP Ss = a 2 A ‘ ee silt pp RLS CR a Tart lassie 2 Dene 0g .. PRE eee oie tay eee | RARE tn a nae ew eb Ty pc wotariggrsizt! iol iy wnt: @ fy aad ens Baile ASE o at wyUGY Bi ie . ies re ate Oe ey th: hah icmarre Ertetny Pies > eS te : Ba a mor y. a, ey ee t : i bin oe le pt ary) pay he i on Ks piece eit YL raph “ig AB BRIOL : | dot raion Pp beow cant ahi ‘uasielganbines> ii oe if ites, Agar 25 te Patel or aie wh aan tu Speyer i enh Poh ate = ae | -:) ae es eaae i AES: adh - We Per zits Birks. ft 2 ; eee (i, Sew : pe"

/Thewand Huguenot!Sunset and Experimenter. ig Seed per acre.* Fe Varehes! fad Peas. Vetdtiva) /tons ewt.| tons ewt.| tons ewt. tons cwt. Bandon Grove... Bs .. | Vetches, 4 bus. oe a Ae ses! Tet 2 Motilal ke-<3i/ A beo. isbebsay, tt tpg Seeee |, UGS: | coer] 2Ued Salah B Sherwood ... fey ae ...| Vetches, 18 and | 11 7 LST AO 20 |b. Belmore River (R. Lindsay) _.. | Peas, 30 1b. | Be (8) Mount George (Ist sowing, Ist | Vetches and 11 14 cutting). Peas, 30 1b. | Mount George (2nd sowing, June)| Vetches, 301b, 12 10 ig West Kempsey... oe /..|| Wetches,30bs | 17 1 | 14 -4 Dumaresque Island Ai ...| Vetches, 30 lb. 4. GS i ie * The wheat and oats were each sown at the rate of 2 bushels per acre throughout, except in the Dumaresque Island experiment, where 1 bushel was used. SoME RECENT PUBLICATIONS. AmonG the publications recently issued by the Department of Agriculture and obtainable free on application to the Under Secretary and Director, Department of Agriculture, Sydney, the following are of particular interest to the orchardist :— Spray Leaflet, No. 1: Bordeaux Mixture. aS = », 2: The Tobacco Washes. A ne 5, $: Lime-Sulphur. 9 ” », +: Lime and Tobacco Dust. 3 ” », 9: Kerosene Emulsion. ” ” », 6: Arsenate of Lead. 3 9 », 7: Resin and Soda Washes. ” » », %: Iron Sulphide. os s ,, 9: Poison Baits for Fruit Flies, &e. oy ia », 10: The Swabbing of Grape Vines. The Mixing of Sprays. The Double-purpose Spray. Fertiliser Mixtures for the Orchard. Jan. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 13 The Utility of Poison Gases for Pest Extermination. In connection with the general impression that rabbits and otlfer vermin might easily be exterminated by the use of gas, it may be pointed out, in the first place, that though in the last two years of the war at least twenty— an'l usually twice that number—of gas attacks were made per month against the Germans, and that though thousands of gas shells were fired, the enemy’s troops were not exterminated by it. So many factors that tend to neutralise the effects of the gas come into play that enormous quantities of it are required to produce the designed effects. The first consideration in the use of lethal gas in large quantities is the consideration (a) of the operator’s life, and (5) of human, animal, and plant life in the vicinity. The protection of the former is simple, and consists of the respirator ; as to the latter, much care and ingenuity is required. Trees and shrubs do not suffer very much, unless the concentration is very great ; but crops and grass are affected. The grass turns yellow quickly, though only the part above ground is destroyed, unless the concentration is very great, and then the whole plant dies. Light concevtrations blowing once or twice across a field of French beans, for instance, ruins the plants, though they may struggle along for some time. In France, when firing gas shell when the wind was blowing toward us, the artillery instruction was to the effect that the range should not be less than 1,000 to 2,000 yards beyond our front line, the distance depending on the gas used. In some of the cloud gas attacks men were killed at distances varying from 3 to 5 kilometres (about 2 to 3 miles) from the point of emission of the gas, and casualties were caused at distances up to 9 kilometres. With asmall projection of gas, however—say, 200 projectiles, each containing 30 lb. of gas—there would be very little danger to persons 5 kilometres down-wind, especially if they were notified of the danger. If gas were projected against flying foxes, it would have to be taken into account that a great many wild animals in the area would suffer, and especi- ally those living in the low scrub or on the ground. The gases used are heavy, and, unless a fair wind is blowing, they keep low down and run to the lower ground and into trenches much as water would. Character of the Different Gases. The second consideration would be the kind of gas to be used. If it were to be used in cloud form, the number available would be practically limited to two—chlorine and phosgene. The most deadly cloud gas used in the war EOS a > VT RE C1 SE A EE * Compiled from particulars kindly supplied by Major H. W. Wilson, O.B.E., M.C., lately Chemical Adviser 5th Army, and Corps Gas Officer, A.I.F., in reply to an inquiry from the Under Secretary and Director of Agriculture as to the possibility of poison gases being useful for the extermination (in particular) of rabbits and flying foxes. 14 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Jan. 2, 1920. was phosgene. It was used by the British for cylinder attacks, in projectors and in shells. Phosgene is so deadly that if a fairly low concentration (say, 1 in 5,000 to 1 in 10,000) is breathed for about half an hour and the animal moves about much, it is almost certain to drop dead suddenly from 10 to 12 up to 24 hours later. A high concentration causes a spasin in the throat, and the animal dies quickly and suddenly. Gas shells are not worth con- sidering for the purpose of ‘exterminating vermin, as their effective use necessitates a target confined to the area shelled and remaining at a low altitude. The four gases principally used in shells were phosgene and diphosgene, chloropicrin, dichlorethyl sulphide, and diphenyl-chlorarsine. Phosgene (and diphosgene is similar in its action) has been mentioned. Chloropicrin does not vaporise easily, and, though it is a deadly gas, its action is much slower than phosgene. One of its advantages as a weapon is that it is cumulative in action. It has a faint ‘“‘chemical” smell. Dichlorethyl sulphide (called by the Germans “yellow cross gas”) is the “mustard gas” often referred to and is very dangerous to handle. Its not unpleasant smell—like cress or garlic—is very faint, and many men could not smell it at all. The effects from contact with it do not show until about six hours later, and exposure to it leads to blindness for two or three weeks and sore eyes for considerably longer, If the liquid is spilt on the skin, yellow bladdery blisters subsequently develop. Leather saturated with oil is a protection from the liquid; but untreated leather, rubber, and most other materials are quite ineffective. If breathed in high concentrations the inner lining of the lung is destroyed. If a few pints were spilt in a dugout it was rendered dangerous for four or five weeks, and many men lost their lives through sleeping in such dugouts, being unable to detect the presence of the gas. Diphenyl-chlorarsine (or diphenyl-cyanarsine, which is quicker in its action) was called by the Germans “blue cross gas.” It was in the form of a solid, contained in a strong glass bottle which was broken and its contents atomised by the explosion of the shell. The gas is as deadly as phosgene, and is com- posed of such fine particles that in a dense cloud of it protection from it is dificult. If it could be projected as a dense smoke it would be an effective weapon against the flying fox, but the operation would uecessitate the use of a special respirator. The cloud would be dangerous 3,000 to 4,000 yards down-wind (or, say, 2 to 3 miles), and low-lying pools of water would be contaminated, Use of Gases for Killing Rabbits. In considering the use of these gases for the purpose of killing rabbits, the cloud method may be dismissed as impracticable. Even on a dull, still day, sufficient gas to be fatal would not enter the burrows. Other application, however, might be successful. The gas (say phosgene) could be introduced into the burrows from a cylinder by means of pipes, which could be made of such a size that they could be handied by one man. Careful and well-trained men would be essential, otherwise casualties would occur. The use of chloro- picrin to contaminate open burrows would be scarcely feasible, as its chemical Jan. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 15 smell and its lachrymatory effect would frighten the animals out of the burrow before they had breathed sufficient to cause death. If the action of dichlorethyl sulphide were not so insidious, and, therefore, so dangerous to those using it, it might be worth trying in burrows. The simplest way would be to throw a pint into tHe entrances of a hurrow, when the animals would carry it to all parts on their feet and fur. Anybody handling the rabbits or the soil at the entrance of the burrow up to five or six days after, however, would be affected by the gas, and some bad blistering would result. As an illustration of this point, a case might be mentioned where over 200 men were gassed by mustard gas in a system of tunnel dugouts in one night, as a result of men coming in from shelled areas and carrying the material in on the mud on their boots. Application to Flying Foxes. The whole question of killing flying foxes by the use of cloud gas depends upon the height at which they camp and what concentration would kill them in a certain time. No figures relative to the concentrations of gas necessary to kill different animals are available just now, but numerous experiments have proved that men and goats have equal resistance to practically all the gases tested, and that animals vary in their sensibility to certain gases. If the flying foxes wére camped, say, 20 to 30 feet from the ground, the gas might be projected from cylinders well into the air by means of pipes, and provided they could be kept under a concentration of 1 in 3,000 to 1 in 5,000 for half an hour (or a higher concentration for a shorter time), the operator would certainly be quite satisfied with the casualties. The important question arises—would the creatures wait after they smelt the phosgene? The gas has an unpleasant smell—“ like lilac flower,” says the Frenchman, “like bad hay ” the Russian—and most men who get a smell of it spit immediately after. Dr. Lucas, in “ Animals of Australia,” says that the natives light fires under the camping places of the flying foxes to stupefy them with the smoke and then knock them down with sticks, which suggests that they would not shift for the smell of the gas. Smoke might perhaps be used to assist in making the gas rise to them. THe SpreEAD OF ContTAaGious MAMMITIS THE principal means whereby the disease is spread at the present day is undoubtedly through the use of contaminated milking-machines. The milking is in itself in no way to blame ; milking-machines do not cause contagious mammitis ; they only act as a first-class medium for the conveyance of the disease from one cow to another. Next to this comes hand-milking. Con- taminated hands will spread the disease as easily as the machine; but in milking by hand the chances are in favour of the disease being sooner detected, resulting in earlier application of preventive measures.—A. R. Younae, M.R.C.V.S., in the New Zealand Journal of Agriculture. 16 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Jan. 2, 1920. NOTES ON CALIFORNIAN EXPERIENCE WITH APPLE MILDEW. SEVERAL points in an article in the April number of the Californian pub- lication Better Fruit are of particular interest, especially in the light of local experience. : (1) It is claimed that lime-sulphur has proved an effective spray in California for the control of mildew in apples. This Department, however, has not found lime-sulphur consistently effec- tive in controlling apple powdery mildew. (2) Contrary to expectations, powdery mildew of the apple has established itself in the hot, interior, irrigated districts of California. As a few varieties of apples are promising very well in the orchard at Yanco Experiment Farm, and as woolly aphis gives no trouble in that climate, it is quite within the realms of possibility that apple-growing will play a part on the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas. Up to the present, powdery mildew of the apple has not developed in Yanco orchard, but evidently in similar climates in California it gives trouble. Moreover, in our tableland districts mildew often shows as badly in dry seasons as in wet ones, and should apples be planted at al] extensively in our inland districts a careful watch should be kept for this disease. (3) Though lime-sulphur can be used in the spring spraying in California, it cannot be used during the hot summer months, as when it collects on a fruit which is exposed to direct action of the sun, scalding ensues. As up to the present there has been no occasion to use fungicides on apples growing in our inland orchards at Wagga and Yanco, the Department cannot speak from actual experience, but there is no reason to doubt that burning may take place as on citrus fruits in our coasta] districts when fully exposed to the sun.—W. J. ALLEN. AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY AND FARM BOOK-KEEPING. Wir the rapidly extending use of agricultural machinery and other factors which promise to make for economy in the cost of production, profit and loss in particular methods of farming will have to be weighed wore carefully, and in the case of expensive equipment, such as farm tractors, which depreciates rapidly, book-keeping is necessary in order that such loss of capital may be disclosed.—Journal of the Poard of Agriculture, England. CAUSE OF SECOND GrRowrH IN POTATOES. SEcoNnD growth in potatoes is, as a rule, due to rain following on a dry spell; it has for that reason been prevalent in our coastal districts during the last two seasons. Since the defect is a seasonal one, the only remedy is to change to a variety more suitable to the incidence of the rainfall in the district where the rains, for instance. tend to be late in the growing season, either an early variety that will mature before the rains, or a late variety that will not have matured the tubers till afte’ the usual rains have fallen, might be tried. Tubers showing second growth should on no account be used for seed, as they are apt to produce plants constitutionally weak.— A. H. E. McDonatp, Chief Inspector of Agriculture. Jan. 2, 1920. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 17 Grain Sorghums in Northern Districts. R. W. McDIARMID, Inspector of Agriculture. Priors of the grain sorghums were sown by two farmers in conjunction with the Department during last season :— J.T. Maunder, Pallamallawa. J. F. Chick, Tenterfield. The varieties sown were Milo, Feterita and Kaoliang, with Early Amber Cane at Pallamallawa and Planter’s Friend at Tenterfield to enable com- parisons to be made with the fodder sorghums. The plots at Pallamallawa were sown on 23rd September and those at Tenterfield on 20th November. The Pallamallawa plots had to be utilised for grazing purposes owing to the great scarcity of green feed and the fact of their being located in a large cultivation paddock. The seed was sown in drills 3 feet apart, using 4} lb. per acre and no manure. ‘The growth was very satisfactory, and even after being fed off several successive growths were made ; in fact, good feed was obtained from the plots right up until winter time. The object of the experi- ment (the production of grain) was thus missed, but the drought resistance and suitability of the plants for grazing purposes in the dry districts were plainly demonstrated. Their hardiness and the small cost for seed per acre should justify more extensive sowings in the dry districts and help to fill a long-felt want. They were readily eaten by the stock (chiefly sheep), and no ill effects were noticed. Care should be exercised in grazing stock on these sorghums, however, for though cases of poisoning are rare and none has occurred in this State, instances have been recorded in the United States of America, The Tenterfield plots were utilised for green feed when in head, but a portion of each plot was reserved for grain. In both respects the results were highly satisfactory. Cattle, pigs and working horses all ate it readily, especially the Milo and Feterita, and thrived well on the fodder. The pigs preferred the heads, while the horses and cattle ate the complete plant. For green feed, Planter’s Friend gave a much heavier bulk than any of the grain sorghums. After harvesting the grain the cattle were turned into the paddock, and they cleaned up the remaining stacks of Milo and Feterita, but not so readily the Kaoliang. The yields per acre of grain were estimated in May to he about 40 bushels per acre, but suitable methods of harvesting and threshing weré not at hand and the weather was unfavourable, consequently a considerable amount of seed was lost. The amounts actually threshed per acre were :— Kaoliang... a aia .. 28 bushels per acre. Feterita -. eee see eee 17 99 ” Milo ... at ae ve eh gid | ny 18 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Jan. 2, 1920. The Kaoliang variety proved the earliest in heading, followed closely by Milo ; Feterita was much later. The heads were cut off by hand and the seed removed with the broom millet hackler, but the heads are too dense for such a machine for the separation of all the grains. The threshed grain has been reserved for seed purposes and not fed to the stock; but in other countries it has been found more suitable than maize for horses in the hot weather. In feeding value these grains compare very favourably with maize, and when better known they will replace it in many districts. Both experimenters were very pleased with the results and intend making more extensive sowings in the coming season. VINEYARD NOTES FoR JANUARY. Ir is fortunate that the dry weather has broken to the extent that most of the vineyard areas have received beneficial falls of rain. Asa result there has been a considerable improvement in the crop. Table grapes are showing well, and a good crop of fine fruit appears to be assured. Vines in the Riverina are looking well and carry good crops, mostly wine varieties, of course. Reports from the Hunter indicate improved conditions and prospects owing to recent rains, and the yield promises to be fair to good, particularly upon young vineyards. Up to time of writing some black spot and downy mildew have been observed in Cumberland, but most growers are taking no risk and are keeping the vines well sprayed with Bordeaux mixture. In spite of all warnings some growers still persist in neglecting to spray. This attitude it is very difficult to understand. They may get through safely, but the bump will come sooner or later. Others waste their time, labour and money upon proprietary mixtures and powders, many of which are imported. The sooner this practice is discarded the better. Australian-made bluestone, with Australian Jime-water and some energy, are all that are required. Just as a glittering object is not necessarily gold, neither is an agent’s pamphlet gospel. By the time these notes appear early grapes will be gn the market, and mid-season varieties will be ripening. Do not neglect the vines because the crop is off them. Let them retain their leaves as long as possible, even spraying thoroughly after the crop has been harvested. The wood must be matured to prepare for the next year’s crop, and the leaves are the medium for this function. Vines defoliated by disease produce poor crops in the following year. Keep the cultivation up so that the ground will be loose and free from weeds, Under irrigation, or even under conditions where limited watering is possible, every opportunity should be taken of using available water in order to secure high-quality fruit. Water applied as irrigation to table grapes is going to be sold later on at a good price per pound—in the case of wine grapes at per ton. There is every indication of high prices ruling for grapes of all classes in the coming season, and such will continue so long as the market is under-supplied.—H. E. Larrer, Viticultural Expert. Jan. 2, 1920. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 19 Licks for Different Classes of Country. F. B. GUTHRIE. THE substances used in stock licks consist for the most part of substances like calcium phosphate, bonedust or bone-ash, and common salt, which may be regarded as supplying the saline matter absent or deficient in the natural herbage, or else of substances which have a purely medicinal, as apart from a food, value, such as sulphate of iron, sulphur, Epsom salts, gentian, turpentine, &c. The latter do not occur naturally in soil, water, or herbage, and are given as purgatives, tonics, vermifuges, and for other medicinal purposes, to ailing stock. The accompanying list (furnished by the Chief Inspector of Stock) of formule recommended by the Stock Department at different times and for diferent purposes indicates the nature of the substances principally employed :— (1) Stomach Worms and Fluke— (Annual Report, 1895, Mr. S. C. Pottie, M.R.C.V.S.) Liverpool salt... re er sia int Yon PAULO) oy Sulphate of iron ... ate es aA a3 See ke nut as Sulphur ad a: eo é. wae Ons Powdered charcoa 5 a3 ue she gsr) Ores An gentian ine hoe and oa Ag Drist (2) Worms in Lamis— (Agricultural Gazette, April, 1910, Mr. Max Henry, M.R.C.V.S.) Liverpool salt... ie os Ve aes see LOUD Bone-meal ee D5, Sulphate of iron... (3) Worms in Sheep— (Agricultural Ga_ette, August, 1911.) Sulphate of iron... et: ba ae st evn apart. Bone-meal ee Es Wes ae aan s 5 parts. Liverpool salt —... aa a te hfe ia SOM (Agricultural Gazette, February, 1913, Mr. Max Henry, M.R.C.V.S.) Calcium phosphate 2s : Bee aa oO parts. Sulphate of iron nae a3 ae ey at ela panes Liverpool salt ic ior se sine ee ... 40 parts. (Annual Report, 1895.) No quantities given. (a) Salt and sulphur. (6) .,, 5, Sulphate of iron. (c) ,, ,, turpentine. (d) ,, ,, sulphate of iron and turpentine. (e) ,, 5, Sulphur and sulphate of iron. (7) 5, 5, sulphate of iron and Hayward’s Specific. (9) cr) ony lime. 20 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Jan. 2, 1920. (4) Lung Worm in Sheep— (Annual Report, 1891.) (a) Salt. (>) Sulphate of iron “tt Pic 2. ‘s + ewt. Liverpool salt at Wee io '@ ae.) eae lebOne (c) Turpentine 3h me ae see pee pale Liverpool salt... a bf ae ae eAetinay tale) Moy (5) Lick for Defective Bone Derelopment— (Agricultural Gazette, July, 1909, F. B. Guthrie.) A lick of bone-ash mixed with molasses, with a little salt added. (6) Osteomalacia— (Agricultural Gazette, March, 1912.) Bone-meal hoe so ‘ ree at ... 20 parts. Crushed salt vee ie so mae : at Sulphate of iron ae ate nae Tien. Toren (Agricultural Gazette, May, 1912. ») Salt cee wee A oes or ee ... 40 parts. Bone-meal E ae dd os Re. si aLOSee Sulphate of Iron S00 ae =e Boe brs (Science Bulletin No. 12, p. 23.) Bone ash ... as Ss Se nay hc sae licwit: Common salt a ade Ba sit ac : aD) OFFO Lb Sulphate of iron ... 508 we 4b. Molasses. —Sutticient to make the mass 3 coherent and.-to flavour it. (7) Lime for Stock. (Agriculiural Gazette, December, 1911, Mr, I. G. Palgrave, M.R.C.V.S.) Salt ws nee Hh Ba ee ae ... 5 parts. Lime BS abe i. see 2: nee .. Ll part. Sulphur... ae Gi ‘te Ket sold 3 Sulphate of iron.. sit ae Bue a Soh. MAAN Sy (8) Anti-partum Pani in Sheep— (Annual Report, 1910.) Epsom salts ... ae re Ws oe ase Soo gf lly. Sulphate of iron... set ares S08 nc Seen OMasS Coarse salt s08 He ee ore ae OO (9) Licks for ‘‘ New Disease in Sheep.” (Black disease)— (Annual Report, 1895, Mr. 8. C. Pottie, M.R.C.V.S.) Common salt es eet aoe Re se pa OOP ID: Glauber’s salts oF “as io Bia sis CAO ets Sulpbur “3 wig ee ae ee scot (Leis Hyposulphite ‘of soda (uinine sulphate Sc 35 ate ie eae Re Da Charcoal (powdered) oa st Bot wae ss 10-20 Ib. Another lick may be composed of equal parts of Liverpool salt, Epsom or Glauber’s salts, sulphur and ginger ; or Liverpool salt Ay = va ms sol ... 200 1b. Glauber’s or Epsom salts. saa es bat pears dss Nitre sah 4 Mf cart ie bas i ee Sulphur “e Si a8 Ne oe 4 eo Oe Chlorate of potash . it an bi fe a ey Jan. 2, 1929. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Za) It will be seen that only a few of the foregoing contain substances like bone-meal, bone-ash, calcium phosphate or lime, prescribed to supply material deficient in the soil or herbage (see Nos. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7) and which may be regarded as bone-forming salts; the bulk of the ingredients have medicinal action and are not met with in the soils. The cases of defective bone- development and osteomalacia, however, appear to provide a clear-cut issue in connection with the provision of material lacking in the soil. It has been fairly conclusively proved (see Science Bulletin No. 12, “ Notes on Osteomalacia”) that the soils and herbage of country on which this disease is prevalent are deficient in lime-salts and phosphates, and that the bones of animals affected contain less phosphate of lime than those of healthy animals, The addition of these ingredients to the daily ration, and the use of licks containing phosphate of lime, is indicated as a remedy and its application has been found to be of great benefit. Natural Licks. The whole question of the use of licks of varying composition for different classes of country is distinctly interesting and well worth systematic investi- gation. Samples of earth are frequently received for examination which, it is stated, are used as a lick by stock, especially sheep, and which are assumed to contain substances lacking in the soil. In some cases it is stated that such “ natural licks” are a cure for certain diseases. The following notes set down the general results obtained from samples reaching this laboratory from time to time at haphazard, the laboratory numbers being quoted against each one for the sake of reference in case of inquiry. Such a sample was obtained through the Stock Branch from Quidong, Burnimbah Station, Bombala (Lab. No. M 6009). This was credited with certain curative properties. The sheep were said to eat this earth freely, and the station to be free from Black disease. The sample on analysis was found to contain”:— Lime (CaQ)... 0-9 per cent Magnesia (MgO) aa ae es foe OL 33 Sulphates (SO;) ... ee 22 ea nerd i Chlorine (Cl) st Re OG) oe Equivalent to common salt (NaC 1) Ora Lass The amount of saline matter is not very rieront from that in soils, The deposit has an unctuous feel and taste, and is probably attractive to sheep on this account. In this connection it is interesting to note the composition of an artificial lick which according to newspaper paragraphs is “ said to be used with good results against Black disease.” This lick is composed of salt 10 lb., lime 1lb., and sulphur } 1b. Tamrunable to trace the original source of this formula. Even assuming that this lick possesses curative properties, it will be seen that the composition of the natural lick just referred to does not resemble this one at all, as the proportion of lime to salt is almost reversed and the natural lick contains no sulphur. P understand, however, that Dr. Dodd, of the Stock Branch, has stated that these ingredients cannot possibly have any ettect on Black disease. 22 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Jan. 2, 1920. Another sample of earth that was supposed to be similar to that from Quidong, and which was relished as a lick by sheep, was received from Jindabyne. In this case (Lab. No. RII 94) analysis showed the following composition :— Soluble Lime (CaQ) She 5 ... 0°45 per cent. in Potash (K,Q) ... ee Le OL SA ees acid Phosphates (P,0;) an Peeps Ja (3 Ges ees No chlorides or sulphates were present, and the total aqueous extract was only 0-07 per cent. The sample was granite detritus and differs in no respect from what one would expect from a weathered granite containing orthoclase felspar. It is richer in potash and lime than average granite soils and is slightly alkaline. This, ne doubt, makes the taste agreeable to the sheep, and may possibly exert a slightly purgative action. This was also unctuous to feel and taste on moistening. Apart from any reputed curative action, a number of natural licks have been sent for examination from time to time, analysis of which shows that in many cases they do contain saline ingredients which may possibly be lacking in the soil and herbage. Some of these contain fairly large propor- tions of common salt. Two samples of earth from Gunning (Lab. No. 219), which sheep were observed to lick continually, contained considerable quan- tities of common salt, one being apparently impregnated with it. The exact - proportions of salt were, unfortunately, not determined. Another sample from Belltrees Station (Lab. No. M 2867) also contains appreciable quan- tities of common salt. Its full analysis is as follows :— Aqueous extract. Chlorine (Cl) : Pte ae ... 0144 per cent. Sulphuric acid (SOs) oe oF wie. O 226 3 Phosphoric acid (P20) .. 0-04 bs Oxide of iron and alumina (Fe,Os, AlL0s) 0:002 * Lime (Ca0)... an oe naa weed ORONZ £3 Magnesia (M 20) Ror es Se Soe LUPO) A) op Potash ( (K.0) sa sa ee ... 07008 or Soda (Na.0) ies Ae ‘ .. 0°099 a There are ea present in the fallewing odrsentinn: = Common salt . fs .. 0°238 per cent. (16# grains in 1-lb, soil.) Sulphate of magnesia ocie OS 2A 5 (154s, iF DoD} Sulphate of Blawiniae. sa 202008 5 (rates 3 aah), Sulphate of potash .. oe (OSONS - (1 a as ee) Sulphate of lime ie 2 10:08 op ob an Et ” ie) In this case the quantities of common salt and Epsom salts present were suthcient to impart a saline and slightly bitter taste which doubtless made it palatable to the sheep, the Epsom salts (sulphate of magnesia) acting as a mild aperient, Another sample of earth containing some saline matter, which was said to be eaten by horses, was received from Cooma (Lab. No. M 377). This gave a total aqueous extract of 0°37 per cent., of which 0:12 per cent. consisted of common salt, the remainder being alum and lime salts, together with fine clay, which it was difficult to separate ffom the soluble salts. Here also, no doubt, the unctuous nature of the finely divided clay was the attraction rather than the amount of saline matter, which latter is not great. Jan. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 23 The following examples of earth eaten or licked by stock were found to con- tain carbonate of lime, and it is doubtless owing to the lack of this substance in the soils of the neighbourhood that such calcareous earth comes to be used as a lick One sample (Lab. No. M 6203) comes from Mount Nombi, Mullaley. It is reported that sheep take to licking the banks of the creek wherever this earth is found. It was found to contain :— Carbonate of lime (CaCOs)... aie Sila leper Cent. Carbonate of soda (Naz3COy) ... Ae san Ok 2 ss Common salt (NaCl)... Sh . ae IE CO Lanes The remainder consists of sand and clay ; the earth has a weak alkaline reaction and a saline taste. The other anus (Lab. Ne. 1011), taken from “ lickholes” at Carroll, of which a fairly complete analysis was made, was analysed as follows : — Moisture and volatile matter ... nee ... 14°6 per cent. Insoluble matter ... ee ue ; Ope Ss Calcium carbonate he ne sium toe) 4; Sodium chloride ... ‘is zis 8 Say nurace Potash sats ao Aa oa ... trace Magnesia ... ae oe 5 wie xa 1:0 3 Phosphoric acid ... 1 at ... trace Oxides of iron and alumina ia! ake quay mero “ 100°7 With the exception of the last two, which are samples of calcareous earth or impure limestone, the samples are for the most part of a sticky, greasy feel to the tongue, and it is this property that no doubt renders them attractive apart from the small proportion of saline or purgative substances they contain. In connection with this matter, it may be of interest to refer to an analysis of so-called “Edible Earth” from Fiji, (see Journal Royal Society of N.S.W., Vol. 33, p. 224). This earth is eaten by the natives, especially by the women, and on analysis proved to be silicate of alumina (kaolinite) of the composition AlgO3 (SiO,). (H2O)2 with about 7:6 per cent. ferric oxide as mechanical impurity. It, therefore, contains nothing that can exert any medicinal action or feeding value, and it must owe its popularity to the peculiar feel and taste of this unctuous clay. It is to be noted that earth-eaters commonly suffer from intestinal worms, and it would be of interest to observe whether the same effect is produced in the case of stock licking such clayey deposits. The analyses quoted above were carried out by different officers of the Chemist’s Branch, Department of Agriculture. SULPHATE OR CARBONATE ? A CORRESPONDENT who proposed to make up from one of the Department’s formulz a manure mixture for bis passion fruit vines, inquired if he might safely substitute carbonate of lime for the gypsum prescribed. He was advised that if such substitution was made the carbonate of lime wonld be better applied separately, about two to three weeks beforehand. While it had not the same strong action on sulphate of ammonia as slacked lime, it had a decided action, especially if warm. It was on this account that sulphate of lime was recommended for mixing. 24 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Jan. 2, 1920. Popular Descriptions of Grasses. [Coutinued from page 787. ] E. BREAKWELL, B.A., B.Sc., Agrostologist. THE DANTHONIA GRASSES, Tue Danthonia species are probably the most important economic grasses of New South Wales, their importance being due (a) to their abundance in coastal, tableland, and western pastures, and (b) to their highly palatable qualities. The Danthonias are fairly cosmopolitan grasses, being found all over Aus- tralia, in New Zealand, South Africa, and in the warmer parts of America and Europe. In New Zealand they are recommended only for the poorer soils of the South Island; but in,the North Island they are considered very valuable pasture grasses, and are credited with carrying two sheep to the acre. A Danthonia grass is one of the easiest to recognise in the field, but so closely are the numerous species related to each other that they appear to have been ‘‘lumped together ” under the same species rather too much. Now that their economic value is being particularly noticed and their importance emphasised, the correct naming of this group is under investigation. As far as experience goes, there is no useless Danthonia grass, but some are much better than others, and their correct naming is a matter of some importance. Typical Danthonia grasses are represented in the accompanying figures. They are all fine-leafed tussocky grasses, but not by any means tall, the average height being about 1 foot and seldom more than 2 feet. They are characterised by the presence of white hairs on the flowering glumes, which present a glistening and attractive appearance when the flowers open in the spring months. They thus often receive the names Silver-top, White- top or Fluffy-top. The old vernacular name, Wallaby grass, is not now nearly so common. In New South Wales the Danthonia grasses are commonest on the tablelands and slopes, where they easily constitute 90 per cent. of the dominant grasses in well-managed pastures— sometimes, indeed, monopolising the whole situation. In coastal districts they are generally absent from couch and paddock-love grass associations, but are common in newly cleared paddocks, in scrub lands, and very often iu well-worked fallowed paddocks. In the western districts they are just a little less abundant than on the slopes and tablelands. The Danthonia grasses can therefore be termed the commonest and most widely distributed grasses of the State, and without them our pastoral industry would suffer considerably. Habits.—The Danthonias are perennial in character, and provide feed during the greater portion of the year. They are the best winter native grasses we possess, and even in the most elevated portions of New England will stand feeding off in the coldest of seasons. This winter growth, which Jan. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 25 Fig. 1.—Duanthonia longifolia. A typical Danthonia grass in the coastal districts. Note the absence of hairs at the leaf-sheaf orifice, which distinguishes it from the other Danthonias. 26 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Jan. 2, 1920. Fig. 2.—Danthonia bipartita, A typical Danthonia grass of the semi-arid western districts. Note the hairy bulbous root-stock, a drought-resistant characteristic. Jan. 2, 1920. ] Agricuitural Gazette of N.S.W. 27 Fig. 3.— Danthonia pallida, Common on the Tablelands. Note the long curled leaves which distinguish it from other Danthonia species, 28 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Jan. 2, 1920. makes the Danthonias particularly valuable, is remarkablv absent from most of our native grasses. The Panics, the Eragrostis, Setaria and Paspalum (all previously described) are hot weather grasses, and in the interior winter feed has generally to be provided by herbage such as burr, trefoil, barley grass, &c. Such annual short-lived herbage should not be allowed to crowd out the Danthonia grasses, which are a more valuable heritage than the short-lived aliens. The Danthonias are tussocky in habit, but they stool considerably, and will stand a great amount of grazing. The leaves are soft and narrow in character. Some of the Danthonias are rather hairy in type, particularly those of the western plains, but evidently this is no drawback as far as palatability is concerned. During the hot summer months the grass dies off considerably, but can be revived in a wonderful manner by rain. Seeding Habits.—The Danthouia grasses set seed very readily and abundantly from October to December. Unfortunately, the ripening of the seed is irregular, and owing to its fluffy nature it is difficult to harvest and to sow. The flowering glumes completely enclose the seed until it is ripe ; then they burst open and the sed is distributed far and wide by the wind. The fluffy, light nature of the seed has certainly a great deal to do with the wide range of the grass. Palatability.—The value of the Danthonia grasses in this respect, both for cattle and sheep, has been well proved by every pastoralist. The forms that grow akundantly in the coastal districts (Danthonia lonzifolia and D. racemoa types) fatten horses and dairy stock very quickly ; while on the tablelands and slopes and inthe interior some of the best sheep in New South Wales are raised on Danthonia grasses alone. Even when other grasses are com- pletely dried up the Danthonias will produce a fair amount of greenness in the bottom growth, and it is due to such feed that the Riverina can carry excellent sheep during a dry spring and summer. Danthovias under Irrigation.—It has been noticed that Danthonia grasses do particularly well under irriga‘ion, At Yanco Experiment Farm an irrigated pasture of this grass appears to provide more feed than any other grass tried. In New Zealand the Danthonia grasses are recommended both for very dry soils and for very wet soils, and they appear to adapt themselves to both situations as far as this State is concerned. Commercial possibilities.—The Danthonia grasses must, in time, play an important part in areas where paddocks are laid down to grass, particularly in the more closely settled localities. The germination of the seed is very satisfactory, averaging 60 per cent., and it appears a fairly easy grass to raise from seed, if it is sown in early spring or in autumn. Its growth is rapid, even under fairly dry conditions. Plots of Danthonia grasses have been established at the experiment farms without much difficulty. The seed of the New Zealand varieties is already on the market, but experiments have proved that our own varieties are far superior to these, and it therefore seems remarkable that we should have to introduce seed from New Zealand when it grows so abundantly in our own State. Jan. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 29 Soil Improvement for Maize. J—MANURES AND FERTILISERS, H. WENHOLZ, B.Sc. (Agr.), Inspector of Agriculture. THE improvement of the soil for maize-growing is a question that is yearly becoming of more importance. The time has passed in most districts when “the face of Mother Nature can be tickled and she will laugh herself into a bounteous crop,’ and the 100-bushel yields which the early settlers obtained by hoeing the maize in between the stumps on newly-felled scrub lands are less frequently heard of. The maize grower of to-day knows that in order to get heavy yields he has to use the best methods of seed selection and cultivation, but the improve- ment or maintenance of soil fertility is even more iniportant. Every farmer who has handled virgin soil must have observed the change produced in it by continued cultivation. The mellow tilth, the moisture-retaining capacity, and the fertility give place to a soil which becomes heavier, which dries out more quickly, and bakes and cracks more easily, turning over in big hard lumps and clods when ploughed. It is only by a study of the cause for this change and of what materials this virgin soil has lost that any successful attempt can be made to restore it to its former likeness. The first examination reveals that the greatest loss is that of organic matter or humus. The accumulation of vast quantities of leaf mould in the forest or scrub during thousands of years has added large amounts of organic matter to the soil, which begin to disappear when the soil is cultivated. It is now known that the aeration of the soil by cultivation oxidises the organic matter eventually into a form (particularly nitrates) in which it can be made use of by plants as food material, and that at the same time this oxidised organic matter loses its capacity for retaining moisture. Cultivated crops like maize, root crops, &e., which are grown in drills, therefore consume this organic matter more quickly than wheat and broadcast crops which are not cultivated, It is easy to see, then, why the continued cultivation of maize or potatoes, although grown on land which was originally very fertile, depletes the soil of its virgin fertility more quickly than most other crops. It has been calculated that land cultivated for thirty years has lost 30 to 35 per cent. of its organic matter. In addition to the loss of organic matter, a crop of maize removes from the soil larger amounts than most other crops of the chief materials of plant food—nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash. The three chief means of restoring or making good these losses of organic matter and plant food are (1) rotation of crops ; (2) cover cropping and green manuring ; and (3) the application of manures and fertilisers. On some alluvial soils on the banks of streams, a flood deposit ot rich silt makes good this loss naturally ; but in many cases, partly because of efforts made to 30 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Jan. 2, 1920. prevent it, no such benefactor has appeared in recent years, and eventually the means enumerated of restoring lost fertility must be introduced if profitable crops are to be raised. In spite of the fact that the soils of the State generally are poorer as the result of continued cultivation than they were as virgin soils, the value of land has increased, and with the influx of population which is bound to come, they will increase still further. To keep pace with this increase, more attention must be given to methods ensuring bigger and more profitable crops. Of these methods, the basic factor is the scientific improve- ment of the soil’s fertility ; and, whether as renters or as owners of land, those who find themselves unable to make sufficient profits from their labour, or sufficient interest on their capital, will have to make way for those with increased knowledge who can. The issue has been evaded by the old settlers by moving to virgin soil when the ‘ working out” effect of cultivation has become apparent, but new land is rapidly becoming more scarce. National poverty must in the end surely overtake us if no effert is made in the direction indicated. It may be urged that such a day is yet a long way off ; nevertheless, if the present-day farmer is careless of the morrow, the question. must be faced by the coming generation. For that generation the methods of our grandfathers leave a sorry inheritance. The betterment of those methods and the question of soil improvement must not be left until farms and farmers are hopelessly poor. Advantage of Organic Matter in the Soil. The advantages of having a good supply of organic matter in the soil for maize-growing are, in brief, all the advantages of a virgin soil over an old and long cultivated one. © The organic matter—which may consist of any form of animal or vegetable matter—aerates the soil and opens it to the better ingress of rain, enables it to retain that moisture for a long time, largely prevents cracking and baking, and checks the leaching of soluble plant food material—especially nitrates. It also prevents in part the washing of soil on a hill slope, helps to render insoluble plant food material available, and itself supplies this material in a form readily assimilable by plants. Every practical farmer has doubtless seen the rejuvenating effect of several years of grass pasture or a perennial crop such as lucerne, This is chiefly due to the accumulation of a vast quantity of roots which permeate the soil, and which on decaying increase its content of organic matter or humus, Other things being equal, the greater the amount of organic matter in the soil the richer is the soil in nitrogen, which, as will be seen later, is the most expensive element of plant food, and which is removed from the soil by the maize crop in largest quantity. Most of our maize soils contain amounts of potash sufficiently large to grow hundreds of maize crops without seriously depleting the total supply, but much of this potash is held in insoluble compounds which the plants cannot make use of, but of which the potash is made available by the action of decaying organic matter, Hence the addition of organic matter supplies the soil with the two most costly of the important plant food elements in easily available form, Jan. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 31 On many maize farms stable or animal manure is the most valuable form of organic matter which is readily procurable ; it is not made so much use of as it deserves for maize-growing. (The value of green manures in supplying organic matter to the soil wili be discussed later.) In some of the wheat districts of the State where maize is alsdé grown, the application of straw (which is often burnt after being saved for a few years) should also be considered for supplying organic matter to the soil. Compared with animal manure, straw contains about the same amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus and is much richer in potash. Though thie plant food materials are not in soluble form and straw does not give as immediate results as animal manure, it is even more lasting in effect. In districts where it is likely to be available, large quantities should not be used per acre, for it is preferable as a top-dressing, as it saves more moisture when used in this way. In these districts moisture is most often the limiting factor, and much undecomposed vegetable matter in the soil interferes seriously with the plants’ supply of it. For this reason also, the use of straw as a top-dressing might be more advisable in these districts than the growing of green manuring crops unless the land is subsequently fallowed, as such crops make a considerable demand upon the soil’s supply of moisture. The same precautions apply to the application of stable or animal manure in dry districts. In America, straw and manure spreading machines are regularly in use in many States. The method usually employed with straw is a light application or top-dressing on the young wheat crop during the winter, or on the young maize crop during the spring. This also does good service as a mulch for preventing evaporation. In those districts where wheat and maize are grown, the practice of seeding wheat directly after the maize crop without burning or ploughing the maize stalks under, but by simply fitting the land with a disc cultivation and keeping these stalks on the surface, is one that should be given consideration. It the season turns out dry the maize stalks will be of more benefit and do less harm on top of the soil than underneath, where they do not rot and where they create large air spaces which dry out the soil very quickly. Stable or Animal Manure. This term may be taken to include all forms of animal excreta (from horses, cattle, pigs, sheep and poultry). Visitors to a comparatively new country like Australia from some of the older settled countries are surprised as the tremendous waste of animal manure which they see going on here. Of course, we do not winter-house our stock here as is done in colder coun- tries ; but it has to be conceded that these animals are kept during some part of the day in a confined space from which the manure has to be shifted or handled in some way at least, for the sake of cleanliness. It is calculated that on the coast alone, if only 5 per cent. of the total manure produced annually could be recovered, there would be over 300,000 tons which could be used directly! This would enable an application of 8 tons per acre every four years to be given on 150,000 acres—the approximate area cropped to maize in New South Wales. B2 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Jan. 2, 1920. Only about one-tenth of this amount is used in the production of vegetables near the large centres of population, and it is true that on the farm much more of the manure produced could be profitably used in producing vegetables for the farm home. Even so, it is reckoned that there would be a good surplus of ‘manure for the maize crop on most farms, with only ordinary provision for collecting and saving it. On a large scale there is no other field crop but maize (apart from vege- tables) which can readily and profitably make use of this manure. Apart from the organic matter which is supplied in animal manure, it contains appreciable amounts of nitrogen and potash, which are at all times (and especially so at present) the most costly elements purchased in fertilisers. A knowledge of this fact will enable the farmer to effect considerable saving in his fertiliser bill when purchasing any of the commercial plant foods. The average amounts of the three chief fertilising elements in the solid fresh manures of different animals are as follows :— TABLE showing the approximate Amounts of Fertilising Ingredients in | ton of solid fresh manure from different animals, Animal. | Nitrogen. | Sayre Potash. | Mer th. ec aia 2 Horse (without litter) .| 10 6 8 », (with litter)... .| 12 5 12 Cow ... | 8 4 6 Pig 4) 12 9 | 6 Sheep 12 9 | 9 Poultry 15 15 10 TABLE showing the approximate Annual Production of Fertilising Ingredients of different animals. . Manure per Nitrogen per |Phosphoric acid Potash Animal. year. year, per year. per year, Horse Sar 10tons | 100 1b. 60 Ib. 80 Ib. Cow ... aoe eae. Wats 3Omper 5d. ©; EL Oumeen SA 1 ton 12 PA Oh, ae Gules Sheep | 4. Biss 2h a 24°55 100 Poultry... 2 tons 30) ;, 20) ner BO'e a Owing to the conditions obtaining on most farms in the State where maize is grown, it is difficult to obtain readily large amounts of the manure of any stock, owing to their not being winter-housed, but the foregoing figures will give an idea of the value of animal manure if it is in any way procurable. For instance, a weekly gathering of manure from stables, cow-bails, small yards, pig-houses, and small runs on the average farm should result in the collection of $ to 1 ton of animal manure (chiefly from horses, cows and pigs), which could be directly, spread on the land or stored until winter. There is Jan. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 33 an opinion amongst some farmers that cow manure is of little value. True, it is not as rich in the elements of fertility as the manure of other stock, but that fact does not make sufficient excuse for the large amounts which are allowed to go to waste on the average dairy farm, where some cultivation is ‘done. It is readily allowed that soiling fodder crops (especially lucerne) continually on grass paddocks, will build up the fertility of the land on the dairy farm more rapidly than any other means under our conditions, if these paddocks are in turn made into cultivation paddocks by definite rotation. Every cow will produce an average of 9 tons of manure annually, and soiling crops to stock on pasture will restore the humus and fertility much more quickly than pasture alone. The writer has seen crops of 100 to 120 bushels of maize per acre, produced on land which has been built up by pasture, together with the manure of cattle to which lucerne (green or hay) has been fed on the pasture. This land had been previously “ worn out” by continuous maize-growing without dairying, until its production was only 40 bushels per acre. ‘The combination of dairying with maize-growing is generally resorted to as the quickest means of restoring lost fertility on an old maize farm. This change to mixed farming on the Macleay and Clarence Rivers (which are the largest and among the oldest maize districts), is yearly becoming more pronounced. It is evidenced in the diminishing area under maize for grain in those districts, but it may be reckoned as a good sign, in so far that it means an increased average yield of maize per acre, owing to the increased fertility of the soil. The value of lucerne or clover and grass pasture, in combination with animal manure, as a means of rapidly restoring lost soil fertility, will be dealt with more fully later ; it is to the virtues of horse, cow and pig manure— so readily procurable on most dairy farms, because it has to be handled for sanitary reasons—that it is at this point desired to draw attention, and to the part it can be made to play in the production of immediate and lasting increased maize yields. From the figures given it will be seen that it should be possible to obtain, fairly readily, at least 50 tons per year of horse, cow and pig manure on the average maize and dairy farm on the coast, The comparison of the fertility elements in this amount of manure with those in artificial fertilisers may be made thus :— It contains nitrogen equivalent to 1 ton of su)Jphate of ammonia. BS phosphoric acid ,, Pet superphosphate. 56 potash Je 4 ,, sulphate of potash. The total cost of these amounts of commercial fertilisers at the present time would be about £30. Allowing also for the value of the organic matter in the animal manure and the increased crop yields obtained, the value of such manure should be £50 or more. The value of cow manure from purchased foods like bran, pollard, lucerne hay, linseed meal, &¢.— which are, unfortunately, largely fed during droughts and bad winters, instead of conserved fodder and farm-grown concentrates—is even much greater than these figures indicate. During these times and while this system of feeding is continued, it should be remembered that approximately B 34 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Jan. 2, 1920. 75 per cent. of the fertility elements in these foods can be recovered in the manure, which can under careful management be made to considerably reduce the ultimate cost of these high-priced feeds. As already indicated, the large amount of organic matter in animal manure contributes much to its value, particularly for the maize crop. It is now known, too, that maize is one of the few crops which can make use of organic nitrogen and ammonia compounds directly as plant food, without waiting for their entire conversion into nitrates. No definite data can be obtained for the actual increase in yield of maize for the application of animal manure in this State, but almost every farmer has seen the effect in increased growth and yield on land where some manure has been spread— and has noticed also the lasting effect of this manure in the soil. An application of 133 tons manure per acre in the winter of 1900, without any further application, is recorded to have given the following results with maize in Oklahoma*:— Manured Crop. Unmanarel Crop. Year. bus. per acre. Bus. per acre. 1900 ... a 17°27 18-92 19035.. me 31°22 17°48 19067: aac 54-06 42°59 These figures show the lasting effect of farmyard manure. In America farmyard manure is usually applied on clover sod or pastures, just before ploughing under for maize in rotations of three or more years. It is fully recognised there that maize is better than other cereal crops to follow closely the ploughing under of organic matter of any kind, especially if grain is to be harvested. When large amounts of fresh organic matter are present in the soil it has been found that maize, potatoes and peas are considerably better than other crops for making use of the slowly decomposing organic matter. On the dairy or mixed farm it would, therefore, be well to consider the advisability of concreting the cowyard, where the cattle stand for hours waiting their milking turn, instead of allowing them to stand knee-deep in fertility— literally trampling sovereigns into the ground and taxing the patience and endurance of the bail-hands as they slush through the mire to bail the cows. This conereted yard should slope downwards from the bails and end in a shallow gutter for catching the liquid manure, which contains nitrogen and potash in large amounts. When the weather permits of the operation, increased use can be made of cow manure on the dairy farm by feeding stock with purchased foods or soiling crops on cultivation land. There is less loss of manure’s fertility elements by this method than by any other method of applying manure. It has been calculated that there is a Joss of 35 per cent. nitrogen, 22 per cent. phosphoric acid and 51 per cent. potash from fresh manure after three months’ exposure.t On cultivation or pasture this loss does not take place, as these * Oklahoma Expt. Sta. Bull. 87 (1910). + Ohio Agr. Expt. Sta. Mon. Bull., Vol. 1, No. 5 (May, 1916). Jan. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 35 plant food materials are washed into the soil and largely fixed there. To put this system into practice only involves the use of subdivision, or smaller paddocks instead of the one or two large cultivation paddocks that are usually found, and this would also naturally lead to definite rotation systems being adopted. On farms where this system is followed, both farms and farmers have become enriched as a direct result, while the risk of failure of both pasture and crops during drought has been minimised. (To be continued.) SUGGESTED VARIATION IN SPRAY FoRMULA. DesiRiInG to use the resin and oil spray recommended by the Department for citrus scale, and hearing locally that the fish oil might be omitted from the formula without diminishing its value, a Leeton orchardist addressed the following questions to the Under Secretary and Director :—(1) May the oil be omitted; (2) will an addition of resin or coconut oil or tallow make as effective a spray; (3) if so, how much more coconut oil, tallow or resin must be added to take up caustic; and (4) may the wash be a little caustic? The correspondent was replied to as follows :—The oil may be omitted, but recent tests have proved that when the 3 pints of oil (or 4 lb. of common soap in place of the oil) were included more satisfactory results were obtained than in cases where resin and soda only were used. Regarding the addition of tallow or coconut oil, it is thought that this would probably be satis- factory, but such has not been actually tried by this Department. As already indicated, however, the substitution of 4 lb. of soap for 3 pints of fish oil has given equally good results. Two pints and 4 fluid ounces (or 2°54 lb.) of coconut oil, or 3-25 lb. of tallow, would be equivalent to the 3 pints of fish oil prescribed in the original formula. Concerning the final query, it may be pointed out that, as a matter of tact, the wash according to this Department’s formula is caustic, as an excess of soda is allowed for in view of the fact that resins vary in the quantity of soda necessary to emulsify them. Such excess, however, is not sufficient to harm trees, and is probably helpful in dealing with such scales as ** white be) wax. The Fruit Expert states that he has reason to believe that there is a risk in having an excess of resin, as,in trying out a formula lately in which the soda was insufficient to emulsify the resin, severe burning of foliage and wood resulted. When the total amount of oil is so small, probably the free oil would not prove very harmful, though it should be remembered that “free oil”? means “ waste oil.” So far as co-operative methods and principles apply to the marketing of fruit, the major causes of failure are—first, lack of a keen realisation by the members of the need of organisation; second, disloyalty to the association ; and third, the absence of salesmanship ability in the management.— C. W. Baxtsr, Fruit Commissioner, in the Agricultural Gazette of Canada. 36 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Jan. 2, 1920. Temporary Removal of Bees to Better Districts. W. A. GOODACRE, Senior Apiary Inspector. Last season generally was a trying one for the apiarist, and in many cases: there were serious losses during the spring. In other localities, apiarists have made progress in spite of the abnormal drought, and have been able to harvest a good surplus. The prospects for the coming autumn in some localities are not bright, owing to the drought conditions having had their effect on the flora during the budding period. It seems to me that it would be wise, especially with the apiarist working in a commercial way, to consider the prospects of his locality and whether it would be to his advantage to remove the majority of his bees for a time to a locality likely to offer a better honey flow. As far as New South Wales is concerned, in bee-keeping the greatest problem that we have to face is the after-effects of an abnormal drought; and after the past season’s experience, apiarists working in a commercial way will be wise if they make a study of localities to which bees could be removed and carried over a desired period. In most cases it will require more energy than expense, and probably the apiarist will be repaid even during the time that the bees are in a new locality. The grazier has to find fresh fields for his stock at times, but the apiarist is much inclined to trust to chance during somewhat similar times, even though a locality offers no prospects for colonies wintering well. The coastal districts between Fassifern and Hornsby, and on the [lawarra. line, as well as some of the localities near Sydney, are at the present time a ’ , picture with bloom. From personal observation and conversation with apiarists, I find the colonies are progressive, and in the majority of localities there were no losses last season nor during this spring. The coastal districts 5 to) , although not recommended for the production of honey, are considered good for breeding purposes generally, and this is especially noticeable during 5 5 ? 5 abnorinal times inland, For the apiarist who has no prospects in his locality for this autumn, and who desires to minimise the risk of losses, I believe that it would pay to remove bees for a time to localities that are favourable for breeding purposes. Moreover, it would probably pay apiarists to investigate localities in coastal districts when their own localities offer no autumn prospects. They would probably find there are localities similar to their own that are valued for breeding purposes, in which stocks could be carried over a critical period, The § purposes, apiarist would rarely be called upon to remove his bees as mentioned ; but for the bee-keeper and for the bee-keeping industry in genera] a great deal could be done by the investigation of localities that would give relief and offer prospects of building up and wintering successfully. In many cases it would only mean one day’s train journey for the bees, and probably only three visits to the locality by the apiarist. Jan. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 37 Farmers’ Experiment Plots. Potato EXPERIMENTS, 1918-19. New England District. R. W. McDIARMID, Inspector of Agriculture. THE potato experiments established in the New England districts last season were located with the undermentioned farmers :— L. M. Rixon, Uralla. R, A. Bell, Dumaresq. Jas. Piper, junior, Llangothlin. Theo. Farlow, Red Range. J. F, Chick, Tenterfield. The experiments comprised variety trials and manurial trials in each dis- trict. The former were uniformly fertilised with superphosphate at 2 ewt. per acre, while the manurial trials (with the exception of Dumaresq) were put down with the Manhattan variety. At the Dumaresq plots, Queen of the Valley potatoes were used, The season was rather too dry in most New England localities for pota- toes ; this was mostly in evidence at Dumaresq, Uralla, and Llangothlin. At Red Range the season was dry for early sown potatoes, but December sown potatoes responded well to the January and February falls. This was also noticeable at Tenterfield. Indeed, had all the experiments been sown in December they would have yielded probably double the amounts. The Llangothlin district promised exceptionally good potato crops until flowering time when the dry weather beat the crops. Soil and Cultural Details. Uralla.—The plots here were ig granite country, the land having been sown to wheat and oats the previous year. The stubble was ploughed under in January, and re-ploughed in September. Sowing was done on 9th October, and the land harrowed immediately afterwards to conserve the already scanty amount of moisture. The seed used was mostly cut, and, on account of the dry year, the germination was naturally net good. Strictly speaking, the yields are not truly representative of each variety, as the amount of cut seed varied with each. The rows were 3 feet apart, and sets 18 inches apart in the drills. During the growing period the land was well worke1 between the rows, and hilling completed by 12th December. The rainfall from planting until harvesting amounted to 12 inches, but the dry month of December caught the crop at its critical stage and materially reduced the yields. 38 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Jan. 2, 1920. Dumaresg.—The land here was very similar to that at Uralla, being of a granite origin ; it was cropped to oats in the autumn, and these were ploughed under to plant the potatoes. The crop in 1917 was oats for hay, the stubble from which was ploughed under. Sowing took place on 30th November, and the land was immediately harrowed to save moisture. Cut seed was used here also, and an indifferent germination resulted. Thus the results in this case also are not strictly comparable, or the individual yields truly representative of each variety. The drills were 33 inches apart, with the sets 22 inches apart in the drills, and 5 inches deep. The growing crop was well cultivated and hilled abet flowering time. The rainfall was not recorded at the plots, but that at the public school, some 2 miles away, is given as an indication of the dry season experienced in the district. The registration at the school was 6:22 inches from 1st November till 30th March; that at the plots would be about 5 inches for the same period. Llangothlin.—The rich red volcanic soil pasioh predominates in the district was chosen for the plots. It was cropped to potatoes the previous year, but they failed through too much wet weather. The land was ploughed in the autumn and left:thus during the winter. It was worked again just prior to planting the plots. The plots were planted early in November, the ground being then in ideal condition. The rows were 32 inches apart, and the sets 22 inches apart in the drills, and covered 5 inches deep. Cut seed was used, but with bad results. The germination was not good, Manhattan and Surprise being the worst. The rainfall was not recorded near the plots, but was generally deficient and patchy throughout the whole of the growing season. At flowering time good yields were expected everywhere, but the rains did not eventuate—and neither did the potatoes. Red Range.—The land here was cropped to oats for hay in 1917, ploughed in March, and again in July, and cultivated the day prior to planting. Owing to Mr. Farlow’s unaveidable absence from home, the sowing was delayed until the middle of December. The seed then had deteriorated considerably, and only whole seed was used. The rows were 3 feet apart, and the SY) were dropped every 18 inches in the drills and covered 4 to 5 inches deep. Unfortunately, the strike was not good, except with Coronation. The rainfall suited the season of sowing, and had the germination been good record yields would have been harvested. The quality was the best and stated to be equal to anything ever grown in. the district. Tenterfield.—The plots here were on the usual granitic soil, which had been cropped with wheat for hay in 1917 ; it was fertilised with | ewt. super- phosphate per acre when sown to that crop. The stubble was ploughed under in September, harrowed a week later, and cultivated in the middle of October. The potatoes were ploughed in early in November, and were left unharrowed. The seed used was mostly cut seed, and consequently there were plenty of Jan. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. “¢misses” to interfere with the results. 39 The yields are really more in accordance with the germination than the variety. The rainfall here was better than the other districts, but a severe dry spell in January greatly affected the formation of tubers, and the good rains subsequently resulted in a fair amount of second growth. RaINFALL during the Growing Period. 19] October November December 191 January February March ... Total inches | Uralla. Dumaresq. | Tenterfield. 8. | points. points. points. Sol ae edu 655 oe 238 ne 130 123 25 431 9. 354 257 187 158 165 680 192 M75) 455 12°00 6-22 18°83 Proportion of Waste Potatoes of different varieties at Tenterfield. Marketable and ar res Waste, Waste, Variety. seek ea per plot. per acre. cr qs Ibi ¢. qs lb. (he eKeae G5: Llley Surprise... le OO 0 3 0 One yi ez Early Manistee Sale aC) 0 3 0 OF ieee 0) Carman 1On+2; 40 1 Oes0 OFLOS ORO Factor eel O:. O fo 0 OF 25 2G Brownell’s Beauty. : INE (Oy) | iil O12 ao Queen of the Valley ie UN a ZO OTS OMG Manhattan ... ; 9 3 14 Wen OO Li Ze oO Magnum Bonum SRO Ay | 20. 0 1 0) S0R0 Coronation ... 9 0 O 3 0 0 1 LO MORO Resvutts of Variety Trials. Uralla. Dumaresq. | Red Range. Variety. aa a Germina- Yield per || Germina- | Yield per Germina- Yield per | tion. Acre. tion. Acre. | tion. Acre. —_—_——_—_— l f) —————— ; Gs Ce JI Ib. ta Chge Ibe Factor .. ..| Very good | 3 18 3 2 | Fair 25 || Bad oi Onelaznae 0) Queen of the Valley .., Good 3 0 0 0 || Good : VEEN eeaoeoee. I]. aacece Magnum Bonum xa Vierye2O0da|| 2a banste oe |r Ryccwens Very bad..|6 12 0 0O Brownell’s Beauty .. Good Di ee O} 22h) eee i eereecene 419 0 0 Early Manistee Fair TO 3 eh el eon | Failed Failed. Surprise Fair 1 17 3 22] Bad 14 |) Failed -| Failed. Carman .. Fair 1 17 2 20 || Fair 0 || Very bad..) 4 19 0 0 Manhattan Good et 25) | eee Sowasa Ces teh ie Sarda} Dalhousie _ Good Oem |) | crane ahiees: lIicnit«xcoevercy el ne Sussex | Good eo Ou 22 ||). eters sbeben [err sree eee Coronation Bad 1 0 O 10|| Very bad..|1 2 3°18 | Good Litter) (0)1 26 SaUIStACLION ete selhae cieaiemies y “lan Pete's s Good 2d. alG) SOMO PAN Ga pericas lls coeee | 40 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Jan. 2, 1920. Resutts of Variety Trials—continued. TT Llangothlin. Tenterfield. Variety. ; : ; Germination. aa | Germination. ee ! t. cq. Ib. || ic. ge, 1D: Factor .. a -.| Bad .. oP Sete G) 71)" aires: Rei a 8) Queen of the Valley ..| Bad .. | — 2a Om Raine 5 12 2 0O Magnum Bonum ..| Bad .. | 2 o5.0 0 || Fair .. De iat ee eo Brownell’s Beauty ..| Bad .. 277 3.) 0 || Very good’..|; b.10' 0) 10 Early Manistee 2a ead... 1 14 2 O || Good.. Ls Dun 2D Surprise . ..| Very bad 1 4 2 0 || Good bree) oe Carman .. 2% .-| Bad .. 118.0 0O || Fair Wey ey EA Manhattan a ..| Very bad “Dias 2 0 || Good. OT vee He Fe Dalhouwise,§ )52) ae delere 9 Seas Minbar iasane | Ro. soe faba ces ore Sussex Ef 43, RRS aes PeGc.cte soe Ll) oe besresorcle te ee MM om Goethe fat Coronation .. SaeBad ee |) eerie 0) 1) "Good., hE LOle OLN Satisfaction: sop) Set) seis Hep hross6 00 77 | aocctiog fe) s iekciesricic Resutts of Fertiliser Trials. Fertiliser per Acre.* | Uralla. | Dumaresq. Red Range. sais nea Tenterfield. { | tes 10} Ips teucaaeip: | t. cg ibsi|iance age lbaG. veces. IDs No manure be an Salas a kOe OT: | bee Oy s D2 ae 18 Os0 "| 24 ad 2 Basic superphosphate 2 cwt. per | acre a ‘ e2 male LO! DRO M om se rae 3 17s OQ) C22 tects c sc Say Ole G Superphosphate, 2 cwt. per acre} 1 11 1 25|2 18 3 23)4 8 38 26/2 3 2 0)4 6 2 18 PY Mixture;. at.3 icwt. per-acre’.|.2.-6..0. -8-| 291660) 11 |3 14-1 042° °63 0) 52 2 0 Pb Mixture, at 2) cwt. peraere..| 2 5 3° 463) (2500091) 4 3:2 20\|,2) 4 2 0) 6 70070 PS Mixture, at 3 cwt. per acre Zighh2 2; LOU tea! A TSCA eT 0 On Geetha | * The cost of the fertilisers mentioned (with composition indicated in parentheses) is as follows :—Super- phosphate, 5s. per cwt.; basic superphosphate, Gs. 6d. per cwt. ; P5 mixture (superphosphate 4 parts, sulphate of potash 1 part), 7s. 6d. per cwt. ; P7 mixture (superphosphate and bonedust equal parts), 7s. 6d. per cwt. ; P8 mixture (superphosphate 6 parts, sulphate of potash 2 parts, bonedust 2 parts), 10s. per cwt. RELATIVE Value of Different Fertilisers. Bade te Value Cost of |Average Yield arene | of Average Profit per Fertiliser per Acre. Fertiliser per Acre, wacldinsen Increased | Acre due to per Acre. | all Districts. | ee | Yields at £6 | Fertilisers. : | per ton.* B: °d. ts wemga, LO. C. .0b; = "5.0 Gas. HG! No manure i sr --| an ee Oot ae bine, \f) myssatweuter ill Rinetretra ec Basic superphosphate, 2 cwt. per acre.. ne a6 as *b) 13 0 3. YOO Lb 6 2 10 1198.0 19-6..0 Superphosphate, 2 ewt. per acre .. 10 0 ek. Ws as) rele Silks Die) 6 113 6 P7 Mixture, at 3cwt.peracre.. 22 6 3 5 0 20 10 2 15 3.3 =0 2 0 6 P5 Mixture, at 2}cwt. peracre ..| 18 6 3) Gone £9) | 12) Qe 8 315 0 216 6 P8 Mixture, at 3cwt.peracre ..| 30 0 S,UKleel yt | 123" ae 316 6 2 6 6 * The valuation of £6 per ton was taken hypothetically. The potatoes actually sold at from £10 to £20 per ton, so that the profits were really much larger. Conclusions. The results show clearly the value of artificial fertilisers, particularly when moisture was present. They also demonstrate the importance of whole seed for these experiments, as in every case the yields were more in accordance with the germination than the variety or the fertilisers used. The influence of the season is also very marked in regard to the time of planting. Jan. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 4] = Cina GO SRLS EIS aes cneaeaememeamemememmmeeeee te The value of a green manure is also indicated at Dumaresq, where fed-off oats were ploughed under as the potatoes were planted. The rainfall here was very low, but the yields were above Uralla, and Llangothlin with a better rainfall. The planting was later at Dumaresq, so that also must be con- sidered. Arrangements have been made here to precede potatoes with two years to sweet clover and rye grass. South-western Slopes. G. C. SPARKS, Acting Inspector of Agriculture. Iv carrying out last season’s potato experiments in this district, the Depart- ment had the co-operation of Messrs. E. M. Herring, “ Sheen,” Batlow, and H. and R. Heinecke, Tumbarumba. Adverse weather conditions caused total crop failure at Tumbarumba; but while the Batlow plots suffered severely from the sustained dryness, the autumn rain came in time to ensure satisfactory yields. At Batlow the plots were on virgin basalt soil, typical of the soils of the district. The land was ploughed in March, twice cultivated with spading harrow, harrowed, and sets ploughed in on 28th November, the rows being 36 inches apart, and the sets 15 inches apart. The variety trial was manured with 3 cwt. of P7 mixture per acre. The effective rainfall was 12°29 inches. Resutts of Variety Trials at Batlow. | Variety. Marketable. Small. = Seca Lee Gen Gee lb: iD LoD G/M sy Up-to-Date Tees 73), 20 0 14 4 20 90°6 Coronation plas 2) § ele aS 78°03 Factor ... 3 3) INI Teer) ORBAN Sard: 88 18 Brownell’s Beauty ...| 4 17 0 8 De vas 80 9 Carman No, J... ao aoe O24: OMe Sina aes 915 Early Vermont | PaO 3.) A: CO) PL ae (8) 75°4 Early Manistee |LOG OSL ote l6 80°59 | The season was particularly unfavourable for early varieties, as they were compelled to complete their growing period under distinctly hostile condi- tions, whereas the tate maturers were enabled to develop under circumstances much more favourable. The results of previous experiment in this locality would seem to indicate that very early varieties are unlikely to prove successful under normal weather conditions. This experiment tends to increase the claims of Up-to-Date as a main crop variety for Batlow, where it has now been on trial for four seasons, and on each vccasion has compared very favour- ably with Coronation (the local standard). It will be seen that this year Up-to-Date outyielded Coronation by upwards of 29 ewt. per acre,at the same time producing a much greater uniformity of tuber. Factor is another promising variety, also a white skin, and of admirable table quality. 42 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. { Jan. 2, 1920. The six plots used in the manurial trials at Batlow were sown with Coronation and comprised five manured plots and one unmanured. BREULTS oF Manurial Tals at Bao: Manure and Cost per Acre. Yield. | \* Seve. sqe- lib: Pi; 2 ewt. (25s. ) RD elses: os P5, 24 ewt. (21s.) on OOF 4 Superphosphate, 3 cwt. (18s. 7 A Dechy, Basic superphosphate, 3 cwt. (21s. y 4 9 Ll 24 No manure ... : AVE Tamla 20 Superphosphate, 2 ewt, (12s. ) 3.18 0 24 It will be noted that the application of 3 ewt. of P7 gave an increase of 26 cwt. per acre against the unmanured plot, and at the ruling market rates for potatoes showed a profit of £21 per acre. This is a repetition of the 1917-18 success of this mixture, when it increased the yield by 23 ewt. per acre. The P5 mixture has invariably proved effective at Batlow, and on this occasion caused an increase of 21 cwt. per acre. It is very evident that the use of artificial manures can be expected to prove highly profitable in this district. Manurial trials have been in progress since 1912, and upon each occasion the manured plots have yielded much more heavily than the unmanured. Spacine Trial at Batlow. Space between sets in drills. Yield. c. C= some lb: 21 inches ... SMM PI ye te) LS sees DS: Dax 2e Deo 5. O° ae Th. 8: 4 12 +70 12 & A RS a! The results of the spacing experiment—designed to determine the most profitable spacing between the sets in the drills—are this year in direct con- tradiction to those of past seasons. It will be seen that the 21-inch space gave the highest yield; in previous experiments the 12-inch and 15-inch spacings proved most profitable, and this year’s figures are somewhat difficult of explanation. The most obvious reason for the above mentioned variation is that in a dry season like the past the additional root room afforded by the wider spacing might prove beneficial. Apart from this consideration, wide spacing is never to be recommended on account of the pronounced tendency to coarseness that is usually invited by it. “T Have found your Poultry Notes very helpful from time tc time.”—A Marrickville correspondent. Jan. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 43 Trefoil Dermatitis. CHAS. L. O'GORMAN, M.R.C.V.S., Government Veterinary Officer. Tus disease, although known in certain parts of New South Wales for a considerable number of years, may not be recognised by many farmers under the above name. It is manifested by an eruption of the skin, the parts suffering being those that are devoid of pigment. Horses are generally affected about the lips, nostrils, coronet or pasterns when these situations have white or pink markings ; cattle are also affected about the lips, and any other parts where the coat is white. In sheep the lips, nostrils, face and ears are the common sites of the disease ; and in shorn sheep the back and flanks become affected. In slight cases there may be only redness, itching, swelling, and subsequent desquamaticn of the epidermis on the white portions of the skin. In more extreme cases, however, the skin, which is at first red, becomes swollen and covered with vesicles and pustules, which burst and discharge. In such cases the affected parts often become covered with crusts or scabs of dried exudate and blood, and very commonly—as a result of the animal biting, scratching, or rubbing the affected parts—large raw, excoriated sur- faces are produced which may suppurate, or dry and become cracked and fissured. Necrosis and sloughing may follow as a result of infection of these wounds, and the loss of an ear is not an uncommon occurrence in sheep. Of Dietetic Origin. In the absence of any definite knowledge as to its true nature, this disease was generally known as “aphis disease,” the aphis being regarded as the cause, notwithstanding the fact that aphides were never found on the lesions. Light was thrown on the subject by the investigations carried out by Dr. Dodd, D.V.Sc., F.R.C.V.S., a report by whom was published in 1916, which proved conclusively that the disease was not due to aphides, but was dietetic in origin, being caused by feeding mainly or exclusively upon the common trefoil (Medicago deniiculata). It was found that feeding on trefoil rendered the skin very sensitive to the sun’s rays; and when exposed to continual direct sunshine an erythematous dermatitis was produced on the pink or white portions of the skin, 7.¢., on the unpigmented parts. Even in the unpigmented areas lesions do not occur if such areas are protected from the direct rays of the sun. Three factors were found to be necessary for the production of this disease :—(1) The food must consist entirely or mainly of trefoil; (2) the animal must possess unpigmented skin ; (3) such unpigmented skin must be exposed to the direct action of the sun’s rays. 44 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. F Jan. 2, 1920. It is well known that certain plants produce a similar eruption of the skin—as, for instance, buckwheat, alsike clover, and red clover. . Scottish Australian Investment Co., Ltd. DARBALARA STUD of MILKING SHORTHORN CATTLE N.S.W. GUNDAGAI, EMBLEM OF DARBALARA (100). Banker (5) ex Madame (406) Sydney R.A.S. Records :—1st and Champion, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915 and 1916. First in Bull and Progeny, 1918, 1915 and 1916. Unbeaten for 7 successive years. MELBA VII OF DARBALARA (VoL IV) Emblem of Darbalara (100) ex Melba IV of Darbalara (1576). Sydney R.A.S.:—Wiuner of the SYDNEY MAIL Prize in 1917, for highest produc- tion in Govt. Official Tests of all Dairy Breeds for 273 days. MELBA XV OF DARBALARA (Vol. IV) Kitchener of Darbalara (Vol. IV) ex Melba VII of Darbalara. Sydney R.A.S. Record :—Ist as cow, 2 years old, in milk. Govt. Official Test —2 years old, 123 days, 4,319 lb. Milk; 231°54 lb. Butter. KITCHENER OF DARBALARA (Vol. TV) Emblem of Darbalara (100) ex Lily II of Darbalara (1,019). Sydney R.AS. Records :—1st, as yearling, 1914; 1st, 2years old, 1915 ; 1st, 3 years old, 1916; 1st and Champion, 4 years old, 1917; 2nd and Reserve Champion, 1918; and ist in Bull and Progeny. Unbeaten for 5 years, except once by ELECTED OF DARBALARBA, bred by the same Stud. Record :—14,622 lb. Milk and 678 lb. Butter. Official Test in 1918 for 365 days, 17,364 1b. Milk, and 1,021} Ib. Butter—world’s record for a Shorthorn cow. MELBA XI OF DARBALARA (Vol. IV). Union Jack of Darbalara(Vol. IV) ex Melba VII of Darbalara, Sydney R.A.S. Records:—1st and Reserve Champion, 1917 (beaten by her herd mate, CAMELLIA II); Ist and Champion, 1918. Govt, Official Test—1917, 2 years old, for 273 days, 6,492 lb. Milk, and 341 lb. Butter. In 1918 as 8 years old, for 123 days, 4,965 lb. Milk, 263°61 lb. Butter. Bred by and the Property of the Scottish Australian Investment Co., Ltd., Darbalara Estate, Gundagai, N.S,W. Pure-bred Young Bulls for Sale. For full particulars, apply The Manager at Darbalara. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Jan. 2, 1920. Official —Text-books on Musical Theory. 2 se Text-books by Mr. Joseph Bradley, which have been long expected, are now issued and procurable at the book and music sellers. They are adopted by the State Conservatorium as the official publications, and are sanctioned by the Department of Education for use in the Public Schools throughout the State. The material is now to hand by which teachers may follow a definite course which, if faithfully followed, will give results hitherto unattainable. Prices: TEXT-BOOK, cloth, 1/9; paper, 1/3. SOLFEGGIO MANUAL, cloth, 2/6; paper, 1/9. (Postage extra, 21. each.) Obtainable from the GOVERNMENT PRINTER, Sydney. 9 Our REPUTATION has KENWAY’S BLACK ORPINGTONS, be: save ty te ® QUALITY of Stock sold. This is Proved by the fact that in three successive Competitions in this State, Records have been made, and in each case our stock has been used in building up the strains. D. KENWAY, West Pennant Hillis, N.S.W. TEL. EPPING 49. D. & R. KENWAY, Proprietors. Write for Catalogue. H. M. SUTTOR & Co., Difieed MEDAN. Sydney. PASTORAL and AGRICULTURAL AGENTS, GRAIN AND PRODUCE SALESMEN. WHEAT, MAIZE, OATS, &e., CHAFF, LUCERNE, OATEN HAY, POTATOES, &c., RECEIVED FOR SALE DAILY AT ALEXANDRIA. Rel. able Informat on Given re Markets. * TOP PRICES. QUICK RETURNS. The Best Veterinary Remedy is - - ROW’S EMBROCATION. NO STOCKOWNER SHOULD BE WITHOUT IT. SOLD BY ALL CHEMISTS AND STORES. Proprietors: EDW. ROW & Co. Jan. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Che University of Spodnep. Department of Veterinary Science. The Veterinary School, which is well equipped with the most modern appli- ances and apparatus, is under the direction of Professor J. DOUGLAS STEWART, M.R.C.V.S., B.V.Se., late Chief Inspector of Stock and Govern- ment Veterinary Surgeon of the State of New South Wales. The degree granted, viz., Bachelor of Veterinary Science (B.V.Sc.), is recog- nised for all public appointments in the Commonwealth. The course of instruction and training is of a pro- gressive nature, and the standard adopted is that of the best Veterinary Colleges in the British Empire. The Hospitaland Clinic in connection with the School offer exceptional facilities for practical training, The FEES are— SIX GUINEAS per Term, or EIGHTEEN GUINEAS per Year. The Lectures of next Term begin 22nd March, 1920. Veterinary Science undoubtedly offers, particularly to those fond of animals, a remunerative and congenial profession, for which a wide field of employment exists. Full particulars of the curriculum will be forwarded on application. H. E. BARFF, Warden and Registrar. The Chief Inspector of Stock, Government of New South Wales, approves of the use ‘ed this ae BY USING BLACKLEGOIDS TO VACCINATE AGAINST BLACKLEG. Simple. Safe. Effective. No dose to Measure. No liquid to spill. No string to rot Simply a little pill to be mjected under the skia, SBND FOR FREE BOOKLETR For Sale by PARKE, DAVIS & COMPANY. MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS, 125 York-street, Sydney. Box 224 G.P.O. a STUD BERKSHIRE PIGS FOR SALE BRED AT The State Prison Farms: Bathurst, Goulburn, Emu Plains, and The State Penitentiary, Long Bay. At present on hand— YOUNG BOARS YOUNG SOWS Aged Nine to Twelve Months, just fit to breed from. All guaranteed healthy, of high-class breeding, and have been carefully selected from exceptionally good pedigreed stock of thrifty, vigorous, and early maturing strains. Full particulars may be obtained on application to the Super- intendent of the State Penitentiary, Long Bay, or to THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF PRISONS, PHILLIP STREET, SYDNEY. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Jan. 2, 1920. Jaw.) 2, 1920.) Agricultural Gazetie of N.S.W. STUD PIGS FOR SALE AT THE HOSPITAL, CALLAN PARK. No, For further particulars apply to Manager. (The prices quoted hold good for the current. month only.) Description. Sire. Dam of eo rach, 1919. £8 Berkshire Boar ... : Berkshire Boar ... \ er | “as Birdy Aug. 21°) 5 5 Berkshire Boar ...|) “ 2J0F NO 9e0e 0. 520 Berkshire Boar ...| >) Berkshire Boar s.. | ee | Keramburra | OP. Lady Aug. 25| 5 5 Berkshire Sow ... BERNE NO? 0208; Mowiamae Berkshire Sow ... Berkshire Sow ...| J Berkshire Boar ...|\ Koramburra C. P. Patsy Sept. 17 | 4 4 Berkshire Sow { Major No. 520a;| No. 484 Berkshire Boar ...| Borkabire Boar || Koramburra, | Cp. Wave | Sept. 22/4 4 Rernanies Sow... 4 Major No. 520a; No. 421 Berkshire Sow ...|J Berkshire Boar ...|) Berkshire Boar ...| | Berkshire Sow ... { Koramburra C. P. Lassie Oct... 19 | 4 4 Berkshire Sow ... Major No. 520a|_ No. 491 Berkshire Sow ... Berkshire Sow ... J Berkshire Boar ... Koramburra C. P. Dewdrop Oct. s0200 eae Berkshire Sow Berkshire Sow ...| see} Major No. 520a No. 500 Prices quoted include delivery in crates at Darling Harbour or Wharf at Sydney. A full pedigree is furnished with every pig sold. All communications to be addressed to— “Tue Manacer, Mental Hospital, Callan Park, Sydney.” (Please add Exchange for Country Cheques.) llth December, 1919. R. KIRKPATRICK, Manager. vi Agricultural Gazette of N.uS.W. [Jan. 2, 1920. HOUSEHOLD SEPARATOR has no Patties. 9 galls. .. £6/5/- 12 = -- £8/-/- SEAMLESS TINWARE. AUTOMATIC LUBRICATION. SELF BALANCING BOWL. [8 galls. ... £10/10/- 45 galls. ... £19 /10/- Sa EP 65, ... £26 /10/- SD}, fa SIS FIO f-. 105 et e97 10 /- 95 iy he SUB SMG y-) 135, Seen 84375 /- THE SIMPLEST AND MOST SATISFACTORY SEPARATOR WITH A FREE TRIAL. A. W. DOBBIE & Co., Ltd. 379 Kent St., Sydney. Liverpoo! State Hospital MODEL STUD PIGGERY Berkshire and Middle Yorkshire. A choice lot of young Boars and Sows, from two to three months old, from the best New South Wales, Victorian, and British strains. Now available for selection at prices from £2 2s. to £5 5s., f.o.r., Liverpool. ALL ELIGIBLE FOR HERD BOOK. FULL PEDIGREE WITH EVERY PIG SOLD. Inspection invited. Ring Tel. 21 Liverpool, or write for particulars to— August, 1919. THE MANAGER, STATE HospPITAL, LIVERPOOL. Jan. 2, 1920.) Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. vu PRICE LIST OF PURE BRED PIGS FOR SALE AT HOSPITAL, GLADESVILLE. (The prices quoted hold good for the current month only.) No. | Description. Sire. Dam. | ay Date eal pce ul 1919. s. a 2190 Large York. Boar | King Charles ...| Glad’ville Emp. IT} Mar. 30 16 6 2196-97 | Large York. Boars} King Charles _...| Glad’ville Bourne..| May 3 16 6 2206-7-8-9| Berkshire Sows ...| Whitley Waies Short Face Jane III} May 13 6 0 £ 6 6 6 (Imp.) 2217 Berkshire Sow ...| Whitley Wales Thick Haired Jane} May 30] 6 (Imp.) IL. 2218-19 | Berkshire Boars ...| Gladesville Long-| Polly Pry V =s:|puunel L9G fellow (Imp.) 2220 Berkshire Boar ...| Gladesville Long-| Polly Pry VI ...| June 12] 6 fellow II. 2221 Berkshire Sow ...| Gladesville Long-| Polly Pry VI_...| June 12 | 5 fellow II. 2222-3-4 | Berkshire Buars...| Gladesville Flock-| Gladesville Queen | June 25| 6 master IT. 2226-7-8-9] Berkshire Boars ...| Whitley Wales Herrison Queen V | June 25) 6 (Imp. ) 2231-32 | Mid. York. Boars | Sundon Sydney Moredun Maid ...| June 30| 6 (Imp. ) 2233-4-5 | Mid. York. Sows | Sundon Sydney 6 (Imp.) 2236-7-8 | Mid. York. Sows | Sundon Sydney Moredun Maid ...| June 30] 6 6 1 5 5 6 5 6 5 i) 5 5 6 5 5 fo) o Moredun Maid ...| June 30 mp. ) 2239 Berkshire Boar ...| Gladesville Flock-| Gladesville May Aug. 4 master II. 2240 Berkshire Sow ...| Gladesville Flock-| Gladesville May Aug. 4 master II. 2241-42 | Mid. York. Boars | Sundon Sydney Moredun Maid Til) Aug. 22 (Imp. ) 2243-44 | Mid. York. Sows | Sundon Sydney Moredun Maid III} Aug. 22 ; (Imp. ) 2245-6-7 | Berkshire Boars ...| Whitley Wales (Imp. ) 2248-49 | Berkshire Sows ...| Whitley Wales (Imp.) 2250-1-2 | Large York. Sows|Hawkesbury Ferry- man. 2253 Large York. Boar | King Charles II ... 2254-55 | Large York. Sows| King Charles II ... 2256-7-8 | Mid. York. Boars | Sundon Sydney (Imp.) 2259-60 | Mid. York. Sows | Sundon Sydney (Imp. ) 2261-2-3 | Mid. York. Sows | Sundon Sydney (Imp.) or eee (= tind = nine pee = 2) = el — iret <2 Herrison White Aug. 24 Face. Herrison White Aug. 24 Face. Glad’ville Empress V... Aug. 24 — or jon — on oO Glad’ville Empress IV | Aug. 2 Glad’yille Empress 1V | Aug. 2 Gladesville Snow-| Aug. 2 Ooo oO coc: drop. Gladesville Snow-| Aug. 27 drop. Gladesville Snow-| Aug. 27 drop. = an co Any of the above pigs that may be selected under the age of 3 months will be kept until they attain that age. (Prices quoted include delivery in crates on truck or steamer at Sydney.) (A full Pedigree is furnished with every Pig sold.) As the demand for these pigs is far in excess of the supply, it is requested that when making a selection from the price list a second or third choice be made in the event of the first selection being sold before a reply can be received. Orders for pigs cannot be acted upon unless accompanied by remittance. Dec., 1919. W. A. E. LEWIS, Manager, Gladesville Hospital. Please add Exchange for Country Cheques. ‘ ’ All communications should be addressed to ‘* lhe Manager. viii Agricultural Gazette of N.S W. [Jan. 2, 1920. Te a Ds i s ee UE nw, Here’s the Oil Engine you require! It’s a CHALLENGE. You will find a CHALLENGE OIL ENGINE to bea faithful worker—and economical to run, too. Why waste time and energy in doing work about your place that the CHALLENGE will do for you quickly and well ?—for it is efficient, even-running, and reliable. Write to us for particulars. cine. ae emt Oa Me (Det Price. 5 iPS 5a bees Gare... 0400 aio 850 .. Kerosene ae ae .. £60 § Petrol .. Es Se ~- £85 GHP, .- G@. 8 -- 350 + Tb) ++ 1 Kerosene ++ ee we BTHOI- Petrol .. 2 an -» £105 CEP By MS. ee: { Kerosene os AG -. £110 10 oh Sd cain AthLSipniiein ep AO kena iSO An's) +0 OGL OLA ANE Ae oe .. £180 12 HP. wo SR AB) fo 250 eee OOO... Petrol: tt 52 .. £150 a A ee TE SE TE A Send for a copy of our Agricultural Catalogue— gratis and posted free. It will interest you. Anthony Hordern & Sons, Ltd., Brickfield Hill, Sydney. farnec. 1920. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Pgs. E HUNDRED AND EIG 118,500 ONE HUNDR = SEE HTEEMIHIOUSARD 18.500 PETA aT Te ne rare HESE figures arrest your attention and provethne PIG INDUSTRY to bea steadily growing one, also a pay- able one to the hnODUCBR. These hgures represent the total of Pigs sold through the Abattoir Yards last year. NEW ZEALAND LOAN & MERCANTILE AGENCY CO., LTD. 38 BRIDGE STREET - - SYDNEY. This Company, facing these facts, has secured the services of AN EXPERT PIG SALESMAN. Their long and successful experience as Salesmen of Everything Pastoral will ensure Clients that Pigs and Calves consigned to the Company’s care will have expert attention, and fullest market value be realised. A trial consignment will convince you, that what we say we do—we carry out. Liberal Advanges given against consignments. Releptrae - E. R. GRAHAM, JARVIE, Sydney. Manager. es. ae ee a a. rte ww VY vw fe bath 8 a eae ane ‘isa eae b bs aes ay — ped Sere OL. Com Gilg “oo eect coe ct ne ee Nene ore pus A3J0]1,00;9 YIM JMOYSNoIY, pays ose sromMILE;S : : "HAWVALS MAWOS-NIML §.00 ‘N ’S TVHI0CRd ina ts ma 4 Ba a Sa Aa ihe = LS Z ‘ i} ; ; on a ~~ Per biz 4 - ee ee x ‘. ae a — ™ } “NOILVOIlIddW NO S3auv4 ‘SYSONASSVd SSV1ID GYIHL GNW LSYHIA HOA NOILWCOWNODDYV CIONS1dS ‘[euvg Zeng ova ose “VdtIJy WINGS aA purlsug 0} ‘VITVIISNY WOl] UINJOY S19UIVdIS ‘DIJDAZSNp O02 PpuvnjGuy wos SsOUIDAIS SSVDjD-}S4i4 40 S2D/JAMBG ADINBbey ‘GQSLININ ‘ANVWdWOD ONIiddIHS GNV1IVAZ MIN ‘aaLiIWM ‘ANWdWOD NOILVSIAYN WWSLS TWHS0RS ‘SLNSSV ‘aa LIWIT ‘ANYVYdWOO ? LHIa Vol XXX. Part 2. a | i i i! f As Hi i - : face boa | t iii hi egistered at the General Post Office, Sydney, for transmission by Post as a iideplae Price SIXPENCE. Agricultural Gazette. of N.S.W. Feb, 2, 1920. Building a Pig Record by Salesmanship. THE reason why PITT, SON, & BADGERY, Ltd., have built up - “AN UNEQUALLED RECORD,” and their business as Pig Salesmen’ GROWS, is that they give SERVICE plus EXPERT SELLING, combined with LENGTHY EXPERIENCE as STOCK AGENTS. The Test of this is shown by FIGURES THAT TALK, and make a magnificent testimonial to EFFICIENCY. Pitt, Son, and Badgery sold 24,640 pigs last year, making the PREMIER POSITION among all agents out of a total offering of 118,557 pigs. A trial consignment will CONVINCE that YOU can have the BEST SERVICE and RESULTS in the market by consigning PIGS and CALVES to Telegrams: PITT, SON, & BADGERY, Ltd, PITT, BADGERY, SYDNEY. SYDNEY. Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Dac most out # | of your Cows STUDY of the feed given to great producing cows shows that Protein—rich feed must be given in plenty. Even the best cows cannot give satisfactory yields unless they receive adequate rations. It pays to feed— Sunlight Oil Cake to the whole herd, especially in winter time. MANUFACTURED BY LEVER BROTHERS LIMITED SYDNEY ke il Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. To Graziers and Settlers. KINDLY NOTE— If you are changing your Wool Broker— Please think of SCHUTE, BELL & Co., Ltd. They give PERSONAL ATTENTION to YOUR INTERESTS fand area New South Wales Company. Crees — 44 BRIDGE STREET, SYDNEY. Feb. 2, 1920.1 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. iil The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited Kstablished 1834. CapitaAL Paip-up-- «. an + + £2,462,578 2 6 Reserve Funpo -:- + on on . 2,120,000 0 O Reserve Capitar a a + oe 2,500,000 0 O £7,082,578 2 6 Directors: GEORGE J. COHEN, Esq. (Chairman); Hon. H. E. KATER, M.L.C. (Deputy Chairman). Hon. HENRY MOSES, M.L.C.; J. W. MACARTHUR ONSLOW, Esq. ; and Hon. SIR THOMAS HUGHES, M.L.C. Honorary Director: Sir THOMAS A. DIBBS. Auditors: J. J. BRENAN, Esq., and F. W. HIXSON, Esq. General Manager: H. H. MASSIE. F ‘ aed Pd SUERRNEROouER THERM RULE RE, f. MERETE RIE very Head Office: SYDNEY— 343 George Street. Manager: W. R.SAYERS. Secretary: M.S. GRANT. Assistant Manager: L. A. PARKER. Accountant: F.J.L. DUNLOP. Assistant Accountant : E. R. DRYHURST. BRANCHES :—lnspectors: J, N. ROXBURGH, J. R. DRYHURST, F. E: BAYLIS. Branch Accountant: J. CLAYTON. Lonpon Branco: 18 BIRCHIN LANE, E.C. Directors : Hon. H. §. Littleton; N. D. Cohen, Esq MANAGER: F, A. Scrivener. Lonpon BANKERS: The Bank of England ; The London County Westminster and Parr’s Bank Ltd. ; Barclays Bank Ltd. Branches throughout New South Wales and Queensland. Agencies throughout the World. The Bank issues Drafts, Circular Notes, Travelling Letters of Credit available in any part of the world, allows Interest on Fixed Deposits, and transacts all Usual Banking Business. iv Agricultural Gazette of N.S W. [Feb. 2, 1920. Ask the man who uses THE Mitchell Seed The Incomparable Australian-made Drill The Mitchell Seed and Fertilizer Drill is one of the foremost all-Australian productions. It is made in Australia wholely and solely by Mitchell’s, whose achievements are well known. With several distinctive features the Mitchell Drill stands supreme—is recognised as the finest drill in existence. It plants the seed evenly, and at correct depth, therefore the grain gets an even start. Each Mitchell Drill has the exclusive Mitchell Axle Bush, a feature that cannot be had on any other drill. All adjustments made from the rear—simple construction and working parts throughout. Made in 7 hoe (or disc) size for the small area man, and up to 26 hoe (or disc) size for the big farmer who has a large area to drill, and who is out to save time and labour. Fully Guaranteed by Mitchell’s—a perfectly Safe Investment. Do not buy any Mitchell Drill unless you buy it from Mitchell’s or authorised Mitchell representatives. Write for Booklet No. 23 —posted Free. oy "ss Mitchell & Co. Pty. Ltd. ee, Ne Australian Manufacturers for over 25 years PADE 1 AustRAU GOO san Bay Street, SYDNEY. Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Vv >. Orchardist WE specialise in Orchard Goods. Send your order along, and let us show you how to save On— CANVAS PICKING BAGS. SETS OF SIZING RINGS, from 2} to 4 inches. CANNERS and CANNING ACCESSORIES, all sizes and descriptions. SETS OF NUMBERING BLOCKS to stamp the case with the numbers of fruit within. Range covers all standard packs. Our IMPROVED GRADER is now a packing-house necessity, and it is extremely low-priced. Special BOX NAILING HATCHETS, FLAT-HEADED BOX NAILS, WOOD WOOL, ORCHARD HARNESS, SECATEURS, PRUNING SAWS, ORANGE CLIPPERS, BUDDING AND GRAFTING KNIVES, LADDERS, HORSE HOES, SPRAY HOSE, DUST GUNS, and every class of SPRAY PUMP and NOZZLE. Call and inspect these goods at our Show Rooms. Price Lists on application. Buzacotl & © “ Always ask for Buzacott’s Gates and Fencing.” 7-11 Market Street, and 413-415 Adelaide Street, SYDNEY. at BRISBANE. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. The Great “Murrumbidgee” Irrigation Scheme Chea Soils may be chosen suitable for the p Orchardist, Vegetable Grower, Dairyman, Viticulturist, Land Poultryman, Pig Farmer, Fat-lamb Raiser, Bee Farmer, General Farmer. LIBERAL AND PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE TO SETTLERS Fertile ON THE EASIEST OF TERMS. Subject to such conditions as to security and terms of repay- if d ment as the Commission may think fit to impose, Settlers may an obtain an advance or have payment of rent and water rates suspended. Trees and Vines may be purchased from the oe Commission’s Nursery—Specially selected Dairy Stock are obtain- able—Pedigree Sires on liberal terms—Railway Concessions are granted on New South Wales Railways. C h CQ p (Change of poliey may require alteration of terms of Assistance.) Water SPECIAL ADVANTAGES. The whole seheme is administered by the State Government, and the products carried to market on Government-owned railways. 7. Instruction and demonstration in Agricultural and Irrigation methods always available free of cost to the settler by experts A / employed by the State. mM p C The climate of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas is dry and healthy—hot in summer, which makes it suitable for drying fruit. W a ter Water is supplied solely by gravitation (no pumping required) at a remarkably cheap rate. + Butter, Bacon, Cheese, amd Canning Factories and a pulping plant have been established in connection with the scheme. Schools, Churches, Banks, and Stores are established. No Bal- : ; loting Information on every point; special pamphlets on Fruit Growing for la nd and Poultry Farming are obtainable on application. Partieulars regarding Irrigation Farms may be obtained from The WATER CONSERVATION and IRRIGATION COMMISSION, Branch “ C,” 39 Hunter-street, Sydney ; The RESIDENT COMMISSIONER, Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission, Leeton. aT TL Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W, vii BANK OF py CL NEW SOUTH WALES ESTABLISHED 1817. Paid-up Capital wi #. bts .. £4,000,000 Reserve Fund oe A ost .. £3,200,000 Reserve Liability He ae jag .. &£4,000,000 £11,200,000 DIRECTORS. Tue Hon. SR CHARLES K. MACKELLAR, K.C.M.G., M.LC., President. THE Hon. REGINALD J. BLACK, M.LC. THOMAS BUCKLAND, Esa. CHARLES BINNIE, Esq. ROBERT L. FAITHFULL, Esq., M.D. THE Hon. JAMES T. WALKER. F. B. S. FALKINER, Esq., M.H.R. Auditors—A. G. MILSON, Esq., W. H. PALMER, Esq. General Manager—Strr JOHN RUSSELL FRENCH, K.B.E. Chief Inspector—C. G. ALFORD. Inspectors—B. M. MOLINEAUX, L. WHITEHEAD, R. T. HILDER, W. McRAE, W. POTTS. Chief Accountant—W. E. SOUTHERDEN. Secretary—J. A. BRYANT. Solicitors —Mrssrs. ALLEN, ALLEN, & HEMSLEY. Head Office—GEORGE STREET, SYDNEY. W. E. FRAZER, Manager. | W.H. SENDALL, Assistant Manager. MELBOURNE—RoDERICK MURCHISON, Esq., Advisory Direetor; OSCAR LINES, Manager. London Office—29 THREADNEEDLE STREET, E.C. DIRECTORS. Sir FREDERICK GREEN, K.B.E., Chairman. W. S. M. BURNS, Ese. HERBERT L. M. TRITTON, Esq. | H. MELDRUM, Assistant Manager. BANKERS: THE BANK OF ENGLAND. LONDON JOINT CITY AND MJDLAND BANK, LTD. BARCLAY’S BANK, LTD. 342 BRANCHES AND AGENCIES New South Wales more TAS New Zealand Queensland .. ees . 48 Tasmania Victoria cs a Sm terete] Fiji South Australia a3 Aa? 6 Papua... Western Australia sae 10 London | With Agents and Correspondents throughout the World. Cable remittances made to, and Drafts drawn on, Foreign places direct. Foreign Bills negotiated or collected, Letters of Credit and Circular Notes issued, negotiable throughout the world. viii Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. NEW SOUTH WALES. THE PUBLIC TRUSTEE ACTS AS TRUS EEE, EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, ATTORNEY, or AGENT, (STATE GUARANTEE.) LOWEST CHARGES IN AUSTRALASIA, NO PROFITS. Increased Business Means Reduced Charges. T. W. GARRETT, Apply for particulars to— Public Trustee. PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE, Culwulla Chambers, 67 Castlereagh-st.. SYDNEY. Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. ix Get a BALTIC on Thirty Days’ Free Trial | MORE SWEAT THAN CREAM! Cree | Se Sane, he y we); PN) RITZ J SZ Wy ay My - —

meas get a Balhe Separator = se on 30 days free tnal. From £5-5. Srsce—n. THE BALTIC SEPARATOR GI 68 WENTWORTH AVE SYDNEY The Famous BALTIC Reduced in Price. 8 gal. “ Thumb Screw” -- £4/1716 Sgal. “Foot Plate” .. .. £5/2/6 Sd gales? 5: So) ce: OBE 22 gal... es a & -- £11/5/- 80gal.K Model —~ -- «.. £18/5/- 80galDModel = .. «=. £15/-/- 130 gal. -. Write for FREE CATALOGUE giving Details of Our Easy Terms. The Baltic Separator Co., Lid.. 72 Wentworth Avenue - SYDNEY. x Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. State Timber Yards and Building Workshops UHR'S POINT, RHODES. Telephones: Postal Address: U 6601 to U 6606. Box 12, Post Office, Burwood. Cy The Largest Timber Yard and Joinery Works in Australasia. ALL FOREIGN AND AUSTRALIAN TIMBERS IN STOCK. SEND FOR PRIOE LIST AND OATALOGUE Special Prices given for Detail Joinery, Office Furniture, ctc. All Communications to be addressed to THs MANAGER, Mr. Orchardist, Your Fruit is Useless in the open market unless graded and packed like this. Graded fruit catches the buyer’s eye. He appreciates how well it will look in his shop window. You can always stamp the number of fruits the case contains on the outside, © for each grade packs its own number to the case. When the buyer sees this number he can figure out what he can make per dozen, buys accordingly, and rearnuns®: gives more money for this assistance. Do not make any mistake, graded fruit packs easier and saves time. it cuts down your working expenses and saves money. Call and see our little Grader work with the latest improvement. It is strong, quick, and better than the big Graders, and only costs half the money. Whatever the size of your orchard we can give you valuable information. Our fruit expert will promptly answer all inquiries. azacoll & 63 “Always ask for Buzacott’s Gates and Fencing.” 7-11 Market St., SYDNEY; and at 413-15 Adelaide St., BRISBANE. xii Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. ASSETS: JUNE, 1912 £4,514. JUNE, 1919: £65,038,938. HEAD OFFICE : PITT & MOORE STREETS, S¥DNEY. OPEN FOR ALL CLASSES OF General and Savings Bank Business IN THE PRINCIPAL CITIES and TOWNS of Australia, London (2), and Rabaul (New Britain). General Bankings Dept. Cable Remittances made to and Drafts drawn on foreign places direct. Foreign Bills negotiated and collected. Letters of Credit issued to any part of the world. Bills negotiated or forwarded for col- lection. Banking and Exchange Business of every description transacted within the Commonwealth, United King- dom, and abroad. Current accounts opened. Interest paid on fixed deposits. Advances made Securities. against approved PUBLIC SAFE DEPOSIT—SYDNEY. Savings Bank Dept. Conducted at all Branches and at over 2,782 Post Office Agencies in Australia, Papua, New Britain, Solomon Islands, and the Pacific. Minimum deposit, /s. Maximum Interest-bearing Deposit, Rate of interest, 3 per cent. per annum. Deposits or Withdrawals may be made at any Branch or Agency. Withdrawals may be made on demand, by post or by telegraph. Transfers arranged from place to place without loss of interest. Interchangeable facilities with P.O. Savings Banks in United Kingdom and New Zealand. Commonwealth ‘Bank of Anstralta JAMES KELL, DEPUTY GOVERNOR. DENISON MILLER, GOVERNOR. Feb. 2, 1920.) Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. xill INCREASED PROFITS are a foregone conclusion when you place the marketing of your produce in the hands of such an organisation as the P.F.A. You can bank on the most satisfactory returns when you consign your Wool, Fat Stock, Store Stock and Station Produce to the P.F.A. Wide experience, sound knowledge of markets and methods, and long association with the Wool and Stock Industry account for the P.F.A.’s unusual qualifications. Such thorough, scrupulous, and expert service as the P.F.A. offers can have but one big result—better profits for you. Advise, re Consignments, by wire or letter. The Pastoral Finance Association Ltd. Phillip Street SYDNEY xiv Agricultural. Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. TO FARMERS. Are you in need of Farm Hands? Are you in need of Domestic Help? Are you in need of other labour ? IF SO, YOU MAY HAVE THE SERVICES OF A FREE GOVERNMENT AGENCY by communicating with the nearest Government Labour Exchange. The following is a list of the Exchanges :— CENTRAL— Head Office, 76 Elizabeth-street, Sydney. Women’s Employment Agency, 72 Elizabeth-street, Sydney. BALMAIN ... 302 Darling-st. Tel. W1153. BROKEN HILL... Exchange Buildings, Argent-st. GOULBURN .. Montague-st. Tel. Goulburn 413. LISMORE .. Molesworth-st. Tel. Lismore 140. NEWOASTLE ... Inglis’ Buildings, King-st. Tel. Newcastle 98, ORANGE ... .. 10 Lords Place, Tel. Orange 324. TAMWORTH ... 358 Peel-st, Tel. Tamworth 367. WAGGA ... .. Court House. Tel. Wagga 297. WOLLONGONG... Crown-st. F,. 0. GOVERS, Director, Labour Exchanges and Immigration Branch. Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of NS.W. —Aixv C.P.C. CARBONATE OF LIME FERTILIZER The finest ground of all fertilizers, therefore going the farthest. PRICE—on trucks, Portland—36/- per ton (14 bags) In truck lots. In ton lots. FREIGHT—PER TON 4/4 P 6/2 2 = e 5M Ol ” » = 6/5 AL 16/9 ” ” vee ash 8/4 “ 20/6 Bag lots—delivered to house in Sydney and Suburbs, or to any railway platform in the country—6 /6 per bag. The U.S.A. Agricultural Dept. found that fields treated with lime produced an average of 14 tons of hay an acre more than unlimed fields—in tests of Carbonate of Lime, conducted by the farm bureau, through the county agent, in Ohemung County, N.Y. A farmer who used 1 ton of Carbonate of Lime to the acre secured 4,840 Ibs. of cured hay, compared to 1,208 Ibs. on an unlimed acre. Another, who applied 700 lbs. of lime to an acre, obtained 6,292 lbs. against 1,461 lbs. on an unlimed acre. A third farmer used 1 ton to the acre and obtained 8,400 lbs., compared: to 1,040 lbs. on unlimed land. The Commonwealth Portland Cement Co. Ltd. 4 O’CONNELL STREET = - SYDNEY (The makers of ‘ UNION’’ Cement). Xvi Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. FarmersandGraziers’ Co-operative Grain Insurance and Agency Coy. Ltd. WE HAVE EXPERTS of known ability in every department. Our immense outlets enable us to obtain THE BEST POSSIBLE PRICES Wool, Grain, Livestock, Farm and Station Produce, Properties, Insurances handled Country Service Supply DEPARTMENT AVAILABLE TO CLIENTS FOR US TO SECURE SUPPLIES AT BEDROCK RATES THE GUIDING PRINCIPLE of the Farmers and Graziers’ Company is to return to producers the FULL VALUE of their PRODUCTS, less the actual cost of handling. A. K. TRETHOWAN, Circular Quay. Managing Director. Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. xvii “ it \ CSSD aS eas x fa’, aravetat XAPEX KS: BUZACOTT’S “K” Woven Wire Fence—the Ideal General Purpose Fence This is the one fence that is absolutely self regulating—always taut the year round. Un- equalled for strength, durability and usefulness —a fence that is unaffected by changes of climatic conditions. BUZACOTT’S ‘‘K”’ extra heavy Farm Fence is recommended for farm use. BUZACOTT’S ‘“K” Poultry Fence for dividing fences, gardens, poultry runs. BUZACOTT’S “K”’ GATES for sturdiness PAL Y Pos i and simplicity ; ahaa / Send for our 48 page Catalogue. It shows clearly the wonderful variety of fences obtainable—134 illustrations being shown, *¢ Always ask for Buzacott’s Gates and Fencing’”’ 7-11 MARKET STREET, SYDNEY. Also at 413-415 Adelaide St., BRISBANE. XVill Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. ——- French POTASH: Now available to Australian Farmers. FTER years of German domination, Alsace has now been restored to France. The French Government has wasted no time in utilising the rich Potash deposits of Alsace. The Potash mines have for some months been working under their control, and the first shipment of this Alsatian product has now reached Sydney. During the five years of warfare the soil of Australia lacked this essential Fertilizer, but the Farmers of Australia may now obtain regular supplies. Prices and Full Particulars obtainable from: GEORGE SHIRLEY LIMITED, 7 O'CONNELL STREET, SYDNEY. GIBBS, BRIGHT & COMPANY, 37 PITT STREET, SYDNEY. FARMERS’ FERTILIZERS CORPORATION, LTD., 31 HUNTER STREET, SYDNEY. Agricultural Gazette of N.S W. xix Feb. 2, 1920.] NTN Tn THE “SUDDETH'’ RABBIT FUMIGATOR & SMOKER costs little The Benefits are Immense Prices F,O.B. Sydney. 6275) 0 Mr. A. Stewart, ‘‘ Charleyong,” Braidwood. I treated 150 acres with the first drum No. 1 “ Suddeth ’’ Smoker of Carbon Bisulphide (parts fairly rough and rocky) and yery few rabbits are No. 2 a - 4 To 0 showing there since. I can safely say [ (as illustrated) killed 80 or 90 per cent., and ‘outside Patent Smoke Mixture (per 15 6 rabbits are the only ones left. box) The ‘‘ Suddeth ” is far the best method . : of dealing with bunny that I have struck Carbon Bisulphide (per 5 2 7 6 gal. drum). yet. WE WILL SEND BY RETURN CUT OUT THIS COUPON AND MAIL A SPLENDIDLY ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE CONTAINING FULL PARTICULARS Please send me post free your Catalogue on Suddeth Fumigators (NEWELL & Co., 189 King-street, Melbourne. | ELDER, SMITH & Cc., Ltd., Adelaide. FEDERAL TRADING & ENGINEERING Co., Perth. a AGENTS } \BUZACOTT & Co., Ltd., 7 Market-street, Sydney, 102 Sussex-st., Sydney. Patentee and F. S. GREER, Manufacturer, xx Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. ‘Dairy Farming, Tom, is something like going over the top ! ‘‘Tt is easy to hop over, but it’s another thing to gain your objective and dig in! You can only consolidate your position with good support on all sides. Dairy farming is something like that, too. You can reach your objective—-get your farm and good milkers—but to dig yourself in you want the support of a Diabolo Separator or you'll lose a big proportion of your gains, The Diabolo is the sure road to 100 per cent. returns from cows—it absolutely stops all waste of cream—increases your monthly cream cheque. That’s why over one million Diabolos are being used on the most prosperous dairy farms all over the world to-day. Get a Diabolo on 30 Days’ Free Trial —there’s a 10 per cent. discount to all returned soldiers. Take my advice «and dig in with the support of a Diabolo.” No. 00, 10 gallons, £6/15/-; No. 0, 15 gallons, £9; No. I, 27 gallons, £14; No. 14, 30 gallons, £15; No. 2, 50 gallons, £25 /10/-; No.3, 82 gallons, £38; No. 4, 115 gallons, £48 /10/-. Diabolo Separator Co. Ltd. =": Sydney. ~~. Feb. 2, 1920.] ° Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Xxl — > SS a Ss 72 y eal twa Lo, 7 ), ANE ii Power and Flexibility have been combined with Light Weight and Constructional Strength in an ideal manner, granting a resultant Economy, both as regards fuel consumption and tyre mileage, that is remarkable. The service that this “‘junior’’ Studebaker will give, as a quality car, in comfort, durability, and ease of operation, denotes it as the car “ par excellence ”’ for the man who requires a car continuously and for hard work. Call at our Showroom and let us demonstrate this practical “light car” to you. THE STUDEBAKER CORPORATION OF AUSTRALASIA, LTD. Head Office: | 177 ELIZABETH STREET - - - Xxll Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [#eb. 2, 1920. N.S.aG. State Conservatorium of Music Expert Tuition xz, MUSICAL ART, ELOCUTION, and DRAMATIC ART, BY A Highly-qualified Staff of Professors. All information regarding Fees, &c., may be obtained from A. STANLEY WARWIOK, Te: City 6729 Registrar. ‘““THE CONSERVATORIUM MAGAZINE,” —Bright, Instructive, Entertaining—of general interest to all Students, Teachers, and Music lovers, NOW on Sale. PRICE 6d. Heb: 2, 1920.) Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Xxill Lic 700,000 Cases of Leslie Salt Licks were sold in Australia in less than 12 months. Cheaper than Rock Salt, and more wholesome, they mean better health to all animals. 18s. 6d. per case of 12 5-lb, looped blocks. ‘‘ Hang them by the Loop.” All Stores, Produce Merchants, Saddlers and Blacksmiths. Wholesale Distributors— N.S.W. PRODUCE Co., HOLDSWORTH MACPHERSON & Co., WATSON & NOBLE. BUZACOTT & Co., LTD., HARRY SHELLEY. Retail from—NOCK & KIRBY. xxiv Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. 06 AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION At the Government Farm Schools. SPECIAL FACILITIES ARE OFFERED AT THE SCHOOLS AT THE GOVERNMENT EXPERIMENT FARMS FOR INSTRUCTION IN AGRICULTURE. COURSES FROM 6 MONTHS TO 3 YEARS. Low Fees. Comfortable Accommodation. Expert Tultion. HAWKESBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, Richmond. ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY. Agriculture Diploma Course—3 years. Dairy Diploma Course—2 years. Carrying the respective academic distinctions “‘“H.D.A.” and “‘H.D.D.” Short Courses of 12 months on the OROHARD, and 6 months on DAIRY, PIGGERY, and POULTRY. Carrying certificates on examination. Each course gives a well-adjusted combination of Field Practice with Class-room Tuition. Two Sessions per Year, beginning January and July. FEES (INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) All Courses ... ... &14 per Session. WAGGA and BATHURST STUDENT SCHOOLS. SOUND SYSTEMS IN MIXED FARMING. The Student performs the work of each Section of the Farm, including SHEEP, CROPS, DAIRY, ORCHARD, POULTRY, PIGGERY, CARPENTER’S and BLAOKSMITH’S SHOPS, TWO YEARS’ COURSE FOR FARM CERTIFICATE. FEES (INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) First Year... .. &1d Second Year... ... £10 FARM APPRENTICE SCHOOLS at Glen Innes, Wollongbar, and Grafton. A PRACTICAL COURSE FOR TRAINING LADS FOR FARM WORK. The Apprentices are trained in all branches of FARM, DAIRY, or ORCHARD work, and receive Lectures and Demonstrations in OROP GROWING and the Rearing and Management of LIVE STOCK. WOMEN’S TRAINING FARM, COWRA. Women Students are given instruction in all matters relating to WHEAT and SHEEP FARMING, also DAIRYING, FRUIT GROWING, POULTRY KEEPING, APICULTURE, etc. FEES (INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) £5 for Six Months. (Admission at any date.) For further particulars, prospectuses, &c., apply to— GEORGE VALDER, Lands Office Building, Under Secretary and Director, Bridge-st., Sydney. Department of Agriculture. Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. XXV MANU DL KARING WITH THE AID OF NOBEL - GLASGOW HIGH EXPLOSIVES THE ATTENTION OF FARMERS, ORCHARDISTS, and other LANDOWNERS, is directed to THE “ NOBEL-GLASGOW ” SYSTEM Fullest particulars from the Agents : DALGE EL Vgee; COMPANY ,,.Ltd., 15 BENT STREET, SYDNEY, or from local Storekeepers. XXvl Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W [Feb. 2, 1920. Department of Lands, Sydney. CEOSER:> SESTLEMENT-ACTS. CONDOBOLIN Bygalore Estate. LAND DISTRICT. 12 Farms available, areas from 690 to 2,049 aeres. About 40 to 48 miles from Wyalong, adjacent to Bygalorie, Boorabil, and Ingram’s Sidings on the Wyalong-Cargelligo railway. Forest Vale Estate. SR 3 Farms available, areas from 812 to 900 acres. About 64 to 9 miles from Gorman’s Hill Railway Station (proposed), on the Wyalong- Cargelligo railway, and 58 to 59 miles from Wyalong. North Logan Estate. LAND DISTRICT. 2 Farms available, area 9 acres 1 rd. 5 perches, and 9 aeres | rd. 7 perches. About 4 mile from Billimari, and 13 miles from Cowra. Gorman’s Hill West Estate. Dare 3 Farms available, areas from 1,320 acres to 1,720 acres. 15 to 19 miles from Cargelligo-Burgooney Siding, adjacent to 3 miles distant. Nangus Estate. eect. Farm No. 7 of 328% acres. About 14? miles from Gundagai. (Available for Returned Soldiers only.) Farm No. 10 of 520 acres. About 17 miles from Gundagai Boorabil Estate. LAND DISTRICT. 2 Farms available, areas 1542 acres and 1846 acres. 5 to 7 miles from Tullibigeal Siding, 18 to 20 miles from Cargelligo, about 50 miles from Wyalong. Harrington Vale Estate. AA ett Farm No. 4, of 591 acres. Abont 104 miles from Quandialla Railway Station. Book Book Estate. a ee ee Part Farm 2, of 3494 acres. About 17 miles from The Rock. (Available for Returned Soldiers only.) Farm 3, of 822 acres. About 12 miles from Ladysmith, Farm No. 4 of 826 acres. About 12 miles from Jiadysmith. TEMORA CENTRAL Clonmel Estate. — eee (Available for Returned Soldiers only.) Farm No. 2 of 459% acres. About 6 miles from Ardlethan. Glen Lyon Estate. LAND DISTRICT. (Available for Returned Soldiers only.) Farm No. 4 of 214 acres. 34 miles from Maclean. Full particulars obtainable on application from the Information Bureau, Department of Lands, Sydney, or the Crown Land Agents for the district in which the lands are situated. ARTHUR J. HARE, Under Secretary. Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. XXVli @BTAINABLE FROM ALL STORES. Wholesale Proprietors : J. R. Love & Co., Ltd., Sydney. XXVill Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. Over 2000 I.X.L. Windmills Now in Use The steel roller bearing chain gear found only in I.X.L. Improved Windmills is the sim- plest, most efficient Windmill gearing ever desitzned. It is also the most silent running. It makes the I.X.L. Windmill more power- ful and durable—capable of lifting more water than other mills, while the oiling system by which the gear (which is enclosed in a dust proof case) oils itself auto- matically makes the I.xX.L. a ® silent easy running mill. Write for free descriptive booklet and price list. We also make and supply Roone nine eek particulars to- ay. Geo.E. FORTESCUE & SONS, Ltd. Patenteesand Sole Manufa turers Famous for I X.L Poison Carts, etc. ARNCLIFFE, SYDNEY, N.S.W. : | I] |e —=sF We Make and Supply the following “IXL’? Specialties— The great ‘‘IXL’’ Poison Carts, of which 8,000 are in use. For use with this Cart, we sell the celebrated ‘‘ IXL’’ Ready-mixed Rabbit Poison. The “‘ IXL’’ Bosker and Fan Fumigators, both of which are fitted with Patent Grate for using Fumogas (also made and sold by us), the latest and most scientific discovery for fumigating. Charcoal, Sulphur, &c., may be used with these Fumigators. Also the famous ‘‘ IXL’’ Homestead Water Carts of various capacities. Tanks, Stands, Tank Material, Piping, &c. Let us go into details with you. Send us for particulars of your requirements. Geo. E. Fortescue & Sons, Ltd. FAMOUS FOR IXL POISON CARTS, Arncliffe, SYDNEY. Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Xxix FARMERS, SQUATTERS, GRAZIERS, and OTHERS, ARE INVITED TO WRITE ELLIOTT, MACLEAN & CO., 75 MACQUARIE STREET —————— SYDNEY, Concrete Wheat Silos, Concrete Ensilage Silos, Concrete Water Tanks, Concrete Sheep Dips, Concrete Houses. LATEST AND MOST SCIENTIFIC REINFORCEMENT. NEPONSE T oofings and Building’ aE Paroid—Proslate—Challenge. The ROOFINGS which will not crack or perish as they contain only pure asphalt. NO TAR OR PITCH. Water-proofed Wall Boards. Sheets 8 ft. to 12 ft. long, 2ft.to 4 ft. wide. Require neither paint, varnish, size, nor any other decorative finish. SAMPLES, PRICES, AND FULL INFORMATION ON APPLICATION. xxx Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W [Feb. 2, 1920. The Greatest Wonder IN AUSTRALIA TO-DAY IS THE “Little Wonder” Engine and the various combinations built especially for it. Study these Take any point you like—Price, Quality, Strength, Utility, combinations. Compactness—nothing has been overlooked. a e 3. Take the “Little Giant” Pumping Outfit illustrated herewith. Utility and convenience of operation are written in every line of its con- struction. It is practically a house- hold word throughout Australia. From the Northern Territory right around to Western Australia it is found on farms and stations work- ing on windmills, supplying the homestead, irrigating gardens, and pumping water for various purposes —year in and year out. The ‘‘Little Wonder” Engine is con- structed of highest quality materials, is fitted with latest attachments through- out, develops 2 B.H.P., and is a very popular size for pumping water, driving a couple of shearing machines, operating a small sawbench or chaffcutter, and doing various work of that kind about the homestead. The ‘‘ Little Wonder” Engine can also be supplied with Horizontal Force Pumps, Centrifngal Pumps, Orchard Spray Plants, and other machines requiring a 2 H P. Engine. Price of “ Little Giant” 59D / 10 j= Outfit, complete .-- If you have any work requiring a 2 B.H.P. Engine, the Cooper “Little Wonder’ is the Engine for the job. Write us or our nearest Agent. “COOPER ENGINEERING COMPANY, LTD., “sis, Everybody says so. Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Xxxi THE GREAT PROBLEM OF THE DAY is How to Meet the Ever-increasing Cost of Living. The Great Thinkers of the World all tell us that the only way to do so is by GREATER PRODUCTION. Is it any wonder that there is a World Shortage of Food, and that Europe is starving? Think of the vast sum that the Warring Nations have spent during the last five years—£32,000,000,000—add to that the awful loss of life, fixed at eight millions, in the prime of life and of the ‘‘Nations’ Best!’ It therefore behoves every able-bodied citizen of the world to help to make good the dreadful Ravages and Wastage of the War by Producing Systematically more than he produced in Pre-War times. Here are some side lines for the grazier, Wheat Grower, or Orchardist to choose from, according to their tastes, or suitability of their land. TURKEYS and other poultry can be raised to advantage—the demand being greater than the supply for some time past. PIGS are at record values all the world over, and pay well for the attention given them. DAIRYING also gives a good return to anyone who has the necessary labour at hand. Country works dotted all over this State place present-day settlers in a much better position than our pioneers had. Now You can exchange the products of your labour for cash at any of this Company’s Works enumerated below. Freezing Works: BLAYNEY DUBBO MOLONG WARRIGAL BOGGABRI GILGANDRA MILLTHORPE YEOVAL BOOROWA GUNNEDAH ORANGE YOUNG CANOWINDRA HARDEN PARKES CROOKWELL MUSWELLBROOK WELLINGTON Butter Factories: BLAYNEY CANOWINDRA DUBBO PARKES Bacon Factory : ORANGE TE _ THE COUNTRY FREEZING COMPANY, LIMITED. Head Office—70 PITT STREET, SYDNEY. XXXIV Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. RELIABLE ENGINE POWER BETTER WORK AT LESS COST THAN MANUAL LABOR The Farmer’s need is a Plain Steady Engine which will work every day in the year and give No Trouble. fs $ . a is Lhe In the “NEW WAY” Kerosene Engine, the Farmer has an opportunity of securing an engine which embodies the — essential factors of Reliability and Economy in Fuel Con- sumption. PRICES AND FULL PARTICULARS ON APPLICATION Machinery Merchants, JKoffat Virtue td 205 CLARENCE STREET. ba oe SYDNEY. Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Registered under the Copyright Act, 1879. Editors of Agricultural and Country Papers are especially invited to reproduce any of the articles contained in the Agricultural Gazette, in whole or in part, making the usual acknowledgment. Contributions are only accepted upon the terms that the Government may subse- quently publish the same in pamphlet form or otherwise. 2nd February, 1920. CONTENTS: FARMERS’ EXPERIMENT PLors—Winter Fodder Trials, 1919— sis Upper North Coast... Se a bis ee has ano Vivo IDE Aer 17(7/ South Coast ... 7 iB oe Le as i ...R. N. Makin 81 ELEPHANT GRASS IN ELEVATED LOCALITIES _... sae Ba bn sts Se Two New CANADIAN WHEAT VARIETIES re ves ae J.T. Pridham 84 THE Honety Locust TREE (Gleditschia triacanthos) ... eae ;.. H. W: Potts 85 Wuat DEPARTMENTAL HELP STANDS For Sete oh Sab on see sn.) 90: FRENCH PoTASH-SALTS a ke s. Ro me wae F. B. Guthrie 91 Some ReEcENT PUBLICATIONS bios fee ane sae San Be ae ht) ue Tue NECESSITY FOR SOUND BoOK-KEEPING 380 a -. Ee Ao net PAS, Tue NEED FoR ImprRcCVED METHODS IN HANDLING SHEEPSKINS J. W. Mathews’ 94 FaRMERS’ EXPERIMENT PLots—Maize Experiments, 1918-19— Central Coastal District Bek sae ag ae ce de) MepRitt. 999 Northern Districts... i oa sere és ... R. W. McDiarmid 102 APPETITE AS A GUIDE IN FEEDING Darry CALVES ... a3 a: a ee lOS ** BrRicK ” CHEESE-MAKING FOR THE HOUSEHOLD sa aes es ee a L0G TRIALS OF WIMMERA Rykt-cGRAss (Lolium subulatum) ... Re KE. Breakwell 107 Som IMPROVEMENT FoR Maize—I. Manures and Fertilisers (continued) H. Wenholz 111 SUBSTITUTES FOR POLLEN AND NECTAR ... ai oars of ee a eG CHATS ABOUT THE PRICKLY PEAR—No. 1 ia ae ie J. H. Maiden 117 A Nourst Crop WITH LUCERNE ©... ey i ws ey ... B. GC. Meek 120 THE PRUNING OF THE VINE (contenued) ... 500 A <3 ....H. E.. Laffer 121 PEACH GROWING IN NEW SourH WALES R. nS en noo Wivowle YW, 113y/ CorFEE IN New SoutH WALES a3 aay soo 88 SwARMING AND Hivine SwARMs .. aan oe ) 0) eels Blue Field Peas 56 Sool age Seeeeeeee ie 6.0 22> 221 Skinless Barley and Canada Peas SIDE 9) 2]. 21s(t) sane, eral ke oe Black Winter Rie acd (Canada, Peasiie9 12) 10). (8 je keteeeeseet cece e-nee Firbank Wheat ae IQ) Te Ps SB WES Gy 7) Cleveland Wheat Sal: 3 VSs eT OM 220s 4 alee Thew Wheat OENG"* 3S) LAGS ea Ol> 20) Gaal Sse? Warren Wheat Sees. 0" 47 tle eat seasons CS ONS 324. Huguenot Wheat <2. sen 9 ees ese canoe (PA) A Ge XN) TS Clarendon Wheat fea 1 104215 S22 Sel Gertie 1b easter) Florence Wheat 7 NOY oy all Bie oe Leo ad Gp aS eee kos Bomen Wheat Smeal El Gielen el an Black Winter Rye eels) 27 oe AS SSM ese ali =O) alt Alverianr@ate.. Nos. |) >See. on2). s:. LOO ibe ciel Wea cies SunrisevOsts ey on hes 505 Bae ee ose sisi Ore aS. ek 8, Seles Ruakura Oats 2a) sc een esses. = SG 2 ally 6 2 1 14 The manurial trial at The Risk and Coramba gave the following results :— Kyogle. | Coramba. Trial conducted with— Thew wheat. Algerian oats. Date of Sowing — Fertiliser. Superphosphate Superphosphate “ P7 (superphosphate 1, bonedust 1)... P8 (superphosphate 1, blood and bone 1). M5 (superphosphate 2, sulphate of ammonia 1] No manure Al | | April 19, 1919. May 15, 1919. Amount of | Amount of fertiliser Yields per acre. fertiliser | Yields per acre. per acre. per acre. Ib. t? Teriqnalb: cwt. ts Cemgpelb: 65 8. LSet oi 1 1 li, AO yo Rae meses. | | 4. caine tate 2 8 12 2.20 45 8 5 0 14 2 7 16 0 19 45 9 0 38 24 2 85 55 Be 23 30 bo il bp 2a 47 1} CeO 2 ea: Beaes. 8 4 0 20 Seciees 7 14 1 23 Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 79 Cultural Notes and Comments, Burrapine.—Soil, alluvial loam, typical of the district’s river flats; plot sown, 23rd June; germination satisfactory, but stooling poor, owing to subsequent dry weather. When in ear, the Huguenot wheat was 6 feet high; Cleveland, Firbank, and Thew, 4 feet 9 inches; Black Winter rye, 5 feet 3 inches; and the vines of Egyptian field peas, 8 feet, Grey field peas, 7 feet 6 inches, and Canada field peas, 6 feet in length when in flower. Rust did not make its appearance in the crop; black aphis seriously damaged the head of Skinless barley when “ peeping,” but confined its attack solely to that crop. The highest yields were obtained from the plots of Huguenot wheat, with Tick beans and Grey field peas respectively. Although the beans produced a greater weight of greenstuff, they are not so satis- factory as field peas, being comparatively coarse and woody, and not so palatable to stock. The effect of feeding field peas to the dairy herd is an almost instantaneous stimulation of the milk flow; this is not so marked with Tick beans. The varieties of field peas under trial gave particularly good yields. Egyptian—the broad-leafed, luxuriantly growing variety— proved only slightly inferior to the deservedly popular Grey of approximately the same maturity. Canada (a small podded variety, more of a dwarf, but much earlier) gave a very excellent return, particularly as the season favoured late maturing fodders. The wheat varieties gave very satisfactory returns considering the unfavourable season, Firbank providing early feed for the dairy herd, which was thereafter sustained by Thew, Warren, and Bomen, the late maturing Cleveland carrying the feeding into late November. Black Winter rye also yielded well, but it is not relished by stock to nearly the same extent as the rest of the fodders under trial. Coramba.—Soil, alluvial flats of medium fertility and typical of the locality; germination excellent. The heaviest weight of green fodder was obtained from Black Winter rye, which grew to a height of 6 feet 6 inches. This was closely followed by Huguenot wheat and Grey peas, the legume making particularly good growth. This combination is a much more desir- able fodder than rye; it is one that usually gives the highest yield in trials on the coast, and is much favoured by stock. Of the varieties of field peas, Egyptian made the greatest growth, and out-yielded the other three. Clarendon, a comparatively new crossbred wheat that is proving its suit- ability to coastal conditions of soil and climate, gave the best results where wheat was sown alone, followed by Cleveland, the latter several weeks later in maturity. The other wheats also did surprisingly well, though Thew gave a lower yield than is usually expected from that favourite coastal variety. Of the oat varieties, Sunrise provided excellent early feed, and gave the highest yield. Ruakura was disappointing, coming into ear when 18 inches high, and exhibiting a good deal of rnst. The manurial trial with Algerian oats was sown on 15th May, an application of 2 cwt. superphos- phate per acre proving the most beneficial and payable. In sucha dry season applications of fertilisers, particularly of insoluble ones like bonedust, do not show such marked increases, owing toa big percentage being undissolved. 80 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. The Risk.—The alluvial soil in the creek valleys of the upper reaches of the Richmond River is exceedingly fertile and, given a decent rainfall, produces summer and winter fodders of exceptional luxuriance. When the rainfall falls far below the average, the crops are correspondingly light. At The Risk, and in the Kyogle district generally, the past season has been as dry as elsewhere, and the yields of green winter fodder high for such adverse conditions. Heavy frosts also were experienced, three consecutive ones of exceptional severity destroying the plots of field peas and causing a con- siderable check to the cereals. The greatest bulk of fodder was harvested from the oat plots, Algerian heading the list with a yield of 10 tons to the acre, with Sunrise 12 cwt. behind, but over a ton in advance of Ruakura. Thew wheat yielded very well, Cleveland proving the next best, and the remainder showing a decided falling off. In the manurial trial with Thew wheat, sown 19th April, the greatest increase attended the use of P8, which yielded 17 cwt. more than the unmaunured plot. Although all fertilised plots gave increases, the difference was not sufficient to pay for the cost and cartage of the manure applied. It must be remembered, however, that the season was an abnormally dry one, and the soil a fertile alluvial loam, where big increases could not be expected, particularly as it 1s comparatively newly cultivated, and retains much of its virgin fertility. Summary. Trials of winter fodders have been conducted by the Department in co-operation with North Coast farmers for the last ten years, with a view of popularising their cultivation and determining the most suitable crop or combination of crops for the production of winter feed. The results to date have proved beyond doubt that there are a variety of feeds that can be grown successfully and economically, even in an abnormal season such as the one under review. It is extraordinary that despite the oft-repeated recommendations and experimentation of the Department, so few farmers grow winter fodders, or, for that matter, fodder of any kind in sufficient quantity for their dairy stock. The result is inevitable—a dry time comes, the grass paddocks give out, and the herd has to be fed on hay, chaff, &c., at ruinous prices, or—as was the bitter experience of many this season—not at all. In the majority of cases the growth of fodders would have meant the salvation of the herd, and substantial cream cheques instead of big feed bills, for there are very few farms that have not the requisite cultivation to produce at some time of the year some form of fodder that could be conserved in the form of hay or ensilage in sufficient quantity to tide over the period of drought. The rainy period on the North Coast is usually the summer, and it is very seldom that high-yielding crops of maize and sorghum cannot be grown. Where the farmer cannot afford the expense of a silo, it is recommended that he adopt the stack system described in the Agricultural Gazette of November— a system requiring no skill in stack building, and in which the percentage Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 81 of waste is reduced to a minimum. Notwithstanding that a number of the plots 1 in the district failed last season, it is abundantly evident that heavy rains are not necessary to ensure profitable crops of valuable fodders for the winter. All these fodders are relished by stock, whether fed green or as hay or ensilage. The combinations of cereals with legumes have given the best results over a number of years, and are also higher in nutritive value, the addition of the nitrogenous field pea producing a more balanced ration. The wheats particularly recommended for this purpose are Huguenot and Thew, the oats Algerian and Sunrise, with Grey or Egyptian field peas. For the production of early green feed, the quick-growing varieties Firbank and Florence are recommended, and for late feed, Cleveland. It is to be hoped that the cultivation and conservation of these and summer fodders will become general farm practice on the North Coast. It is only thus that droughts such as have been experienced during the last two years (and which are unfortunately becoming more and more prevalent) can be combated, and dairy-farming placed on a sound basis. South Coast. R. N. MAKIN, Inspector of Agriculture. Tue following farmers assisted the Department in conducting the plots :— L. B. Garrad, Milton. J. Chittick, Kangaroo Valley. J. H. Martin, Pambula. J. Timbs, Albion Park. H. Stone, Wollongong. In most places the rainfall at sowing time was adequate for a pioeand germination; the sowing was principally carried out during April. Good rain fellin May, but with this the ground got cold and the growth of the young plants was not as good as desired. From this time on to harvest a very dry spell was experienced; frosts were few in number, but were more severe than have been experienced for many years. Wheat crops matured earlier than the early maturing oats this season. In former years it frequently happened that Sunrise oats ran into ear as soon as, and sometimes earlier than, the early wheats; but this season favoured wheat, and envious eyes were turned on wheat plots in those districts where provident farmers had followed the lead of the experiments demonstrating the value of sowing early maturing varieties of wheat for green feed. The ground in every case had received an early preparation by ploughing and harrowing early in the year, and then another ploughing prior to sowing. On each plot the seed was sown broadcast at the rate of 2 bushels per acre; superphosphate was broadcasted at the rate of 2 cwt. per acre, seed and manure being harrowed in. 82 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. The plots at Albion Park, Pambula, and Kangaroo Valley were situated on rather flat ground, whilst those at Milton and Wollongong were on hillsides ; it is generally found that wheat crops do best on the warmer, drier soils such as gentle slopes on hills, whilst oats do best on the stronger lowland soils, which hold more moisture. Quick-growing varieties of wheat, oats and barley are of much value to the dairy farmer in sustaining the milk yield during the winter months. As a rule, he is able to provide green sorghum until June, but after that until October—unless he makes silage or grows winter cereals—he has to put his hand in his pocket and purchase chaff and bran. There are now quite a number of farmers who regularly sow early maturing varieties of wheat and oats for green feed, and of late years—since Sunrise oats was introduced— many farmers have given up growing wheat and confine themselves to that quick-growing variety of oats. But the practice is not to be commended. Wheat will withstand dry weather conditions better than oats, while under ordinary weather conditions there is not much to choose between the two. Plots of both wheat and oats are recommended. Where farmers mostly make a mistake with wheat for green feed is in letting it get too old before cutting; it then becomes rather hard in the stem and stock do not relish it, whereas if it were fed to the cattle when the ear has shot it would be found more palatable. Another frequent mistake is the sowing of too large an area at a time; it is far better to make sowings at intervals of a fortnight of areas likely to meet the need, so that a succession of palatable crops may be obtained. Wheat Varieties Tested. Of the varieties under test, in the wheat section Thew held its own on all plots; whilst not quite as early as Florence and Firbank, it generally yielded better than either of these varieties. At Pambula an excellent cut of over 8 tons per acre was obtained; and at Albion Park, at a time when the district was suffering on account of the dry weather and crops were backward, Thew returned 6 tons 17 cwt. odd after occupying the ground a little over three months. This wheat has now stood the test for over ten years on the South Coast, and can be recommended to the farmers with every confidence, pro- viding the proper care and preparation is given the ground prior to planting. The old “‘ slap-dash ” style of ploughing just before sowing, throwing the seed on and harrowing it in is of nouse. An early preparation is recommended— in January at the latest. Weed growth must be kept down by cultivation, and another ploughing given in March (not before the middle of that month) ; the seed should then be sown—with the drill for the best results. After germination the crop should be harrowed. Florence and Firbank wheats have also been under test for many years, and have proved of high value for green feed; like Thew, these are varieties which may be purchased on the open market. Bomen (new to the South Coast) did not mature as early as the other varieties, but proved a very good Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. ‘83 green fodder wheat, and in a better season may outyield the other varieties mentioned. Canberra was under test at Pambula, and yielded well; this also requires further test. Oats on Trial, In the oat section the yields were low in comparison with those obtained for many years past. As already indicated, the season was better suited to wheat than oats. The season was also remarkable in that rust was more in evidence than for many years past. For instance, Ruakura in almost every plot rusted badly, and at Wollongong this variety and Algerian were so badly rusted as to be not worth cutting. Even at Milton, where Ruakura yielded highest of all sections, it was very badly affected by rust; the trouble came late in the growth of the plants—otherwise they might have resisted it. Algerian seems to have lost its rust resistance, as It now rusts badly in most of the South Coast districts, and generally exhjbits evidence of the affection early in the season. Sunrise, whilst not rust proof, is generally rust escaping on account of its rapid growth. Some farmers have suffered loss with it through rust, but this is generally brought about by too early sowing ; sowing before the middle of March is to be strongly condemned, as the heat in the ground then forces the plant to throw up a seed head when only a few inches high, and plants of wheat or oats so sown may often be found in ear in April or May. Sunrise is a very valuable oat, and is largely required by South Coast farmers. for sowing for green feed. Unfortunately the supply is not yet up tothe demand. Ruakura is a better stooler than Sunrise, and in some parts is well liked; but the present indications are that when the supply of Sunrise becomes sufficient to meet requirements, Ruakura and Algerian will be little grown. Barley plots were again established in order to test the new variety, Cowra No. 36. This variety is a type of Cape barley. Experiments so far show that the new variety matures earlier than Cape, and in many cases proves better as regards weight of green feed. The past season was not a favourable one for barley, and it is hoped that the coming one will be more favourable for comparative tests. Following are the results of the trials :— Variety. | Milton. auearbo Pambula. Wollongong. | Albion Park. Wetapciqulbstemes. q. lb.| t. ¢.0dgy Ibsjt.ce:%q. Fb.'/ t.-c.eq- Ib. Wheat— Firbank ... Bath a aeceeneeete 1 20) 6+ 5 2 W246 —b- Ze 24s oa Te Florence ... 4 ise Oman eaees. 2° !: 8-|'8- - dD sTR POON Orci acOetGa Gin 0) 0ls0 Bomen 6 5 2°24 4 Fees 2A | eerie 3 12 ,0- 16-15 0 0 0 Thew 250 ah G1 OL GREG bere 24 18 2 S37 2A as, a 4/6 17 0 16 Canberra ... naall.! Parnddgonded oP Sabeceeee 6. Li Os ee Oats— Sunrise... Pal 9) ts) 2) 24e emt. Or 16-|-7, 1293) sl Ses On OreO) eG 4-5 Aayr 4 Ruakura ... SiON 10) OS OReSmetle Lo 20 | acc nceee (Failed.) Atle 20 Algerian ... eo Seeeometae 1 A 7 Bee 2a (Failed). | 4 -2°3 12 Barley— | Cowra 36... ie Te lOmMOMe Oenmliont -20 | 6: - OO) SON KGi 19550 516s (5618552 8 Cape eee 6 ieee faeser Oo! 0 0 | 6: 8 AB Ve de (Ey oh 6 Ex 8 84, Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. ELEPHANT GRASS IN ELEVATED LOCALITIES. Ir is not many years since the Department first discovered for local farmers the qualities of Klephant grass as a fodder, and the months still bring reports of the behaviour of the crop under varying conditions which add to our knowledge of its utility. Mr. J. H. Curran, of Copeland, near Gloucester, lately reported that he raised a crop from a hundred plants obtained from Grafton Experiment Farm on 14th September, 1919. In reference to the remarks in a recent issue of the Agricultural Gazette that the land should be “not too elevated,’ Mr. Curran wrote: “ Well, I am up 2,700 feet and this is the result. So far, in brush land, seventy out of a hundred plants grew. There was no rain until about 12th November, when we got 2 inches. 1 had given the plants about a quart each at planting, and altogether they have had about 4 inches since planting. They have stooled out up to eighteen stools from a plant, the average being about twelve stools and the growth to date 3 feet 1Oinches. Thisland was not manured or cultivated, and the plants were just put in holes made with a mattock, but I have already taken about 400 plants from them (rootlets) and put them out in the creeks, and they are all showing well. I consider that there is no grass to equal it for growing, and I am experimenting with about sixteen different varieties. When I received the plants they had no sign of growth and looked like last year’s maize stalks. I am well satisfied with the results so far, and will let you know further results later regarding growth, &c., as I do not intend to cut it or eat it down until April.” Two New CANADIAN WHEAT VARIETIES. THE attention of the Department was directed a couple of years ago to two new Canadian wheats, Kitchener and Red Bobs, by a reference in a local newspaper. Small packages of seed were kindly supplied by the breeder, Mr. Seager Wheeler, Saskatchewan, Canada, and the past season’s experience has enabled some idea to be formed of their characters. . Kitchener is a selection from Marquis, and is said to have yielded up to 82 bushels per acre in Canada; Red Bobs is also a Canadian wheat, but the pedigree is unknown here. Kitchener comes into head at the same time as Marquis and yields rather better than that variety. It has a beardless white ear (tip-bearded) and purple straw. The grain is red, hard, and apparently of good milling quality. It is doubtful whether it yields sufficiently well for our conditions, and another trial will be made next season. Red Bobs comes into ear six days before Marquis and resembles Bobs a good deal, the ear being open, white, and tapering but bold, and the grain red, hard and of apparently good milling quality. It seems likely to shatter, though this did not occur during the present season. It is quite likely that this wheat will yield about the same as Bobs, but another trial will be made next year comparing it with that variety. These two varieties seem to be superior to Marquis, but further tests are necessary to determine whether they should be tried in farmers’ experiment plots.—J. T. Pripuam, Plant Breeder. Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 85 The Honey Locust Tree (Gleditschia triacanthos Linn.). SHELTER, SHADE, AND Foop FoR PIGS. H. W. POTTS, Principal, Hawkesbury Agricultural College. THERE are many economic phases of pig-raising peculiar to our climate, and the provision of shade and shelter during extremes of heat in a rational manner is an important one. Observations in this direction have been continuous for the past ten years at our stud piggery, and the experience has proved highly satisfactory. Pigs revel in shade during the summer months, when the heat of the sun at midday is at its height, and continually take to shady spots. This is specially observed with white breeds. It has been noticed that where shade is not provided the animals do not thrive so well, the daily increase in weight being reduced, and the object of fattening being defeated by the absence of this common-sense necessity. Similar results are obtained when pigs are not affor- ded shelter during the winter months Protection from pre- vailing cold winds, storms and rain is economically essential. Amongst the numerous trees and shrubs that have been tested, none has proved so useful as the Honey Locust Tree, sometimes known as the Thorny Locust Tree,orthe Triple-thorned Acacia. It is a native of the south-eastern portion of the United States of America, and extends west to Texas. It is deciduous, hardy, long lived, and drought resistant. Young Honey Locust Tree. Mnecauirces grow fas eh height of Pruned and shaped in winter. 140 feet and 6 feet in diameter, but the general average will range from 40 to 50 feet in height and from 2 to 4 feet in diameter. moment. At the present time the shortage of pollard is so acute, however, that. poultry farmers are much concerned to know what to use in its place in the morning feed. Many use wheat, but it will soon be found that dry grain is not appetising to birds that have been used to their morning mash, and they do not take readily to it as an alternative. The result is a falling-off in egg production. The poultry farmer cannot afford to go on the principle that the birds will eat dry grain if sufficiently hungry. That might work with little loss with non-producing animals, but the palatability of a feed is a very important factor to the poultry farmer. Where materials are not available for the morning inash, the most satisfactory substitute is steamed wheat. The best way to make a good appetising meal of wheat is to bring to the boil just as much water as can be absorbed by the right quantity of wheat, pour the wheat into it and then cover with a bag. Do this at night, and a palatable feed will be available next morning. Grow Lucerne. The objection “‘lack of moisture” will be raised, no doubt, but very many, probably the majority of poultry farms, are now served with the city or some town water supply. The question of suitable land presents itself perhaps as another bar to the project, bat in reality, with the aid of water, it is not. It may not be generally known, but it is nevertheless a fact that lucerne can, with the aid of wate: and poultry manure, be successfully grown on some of the poorest land in Central Cumberland. It has been emphasised from time to time in these notes that green lucerne is about the most economical green food that can be fed to poultry—the one class that is most calculated to save the feed bill. Many poultry farmers are finding this out. Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 139 Some good examples of the potentialities of lucerne may be seen at Messrs. R. J. Christie and Son’s and Whilton Brothers’ farms at Eastwood, also at Messrs. Furner and Son’s at Carlingford, while at the soldiers’ settlements at Bankstown and Campbelltown the settlers are being encouraged to plant lucerne, and some have already very large patches of this, the “king of - fodders.” Not only can this crop be fed green, but it is one of the easiest to make into hay. Thus it works out, that if more than is required for green food is grown it can be made into hay and be used in the form of chaff to augment the materials used in the morning mash. This is worth the very serious attention of poultry farmers. The importance of home-grown lucerne to the poultry farmer will be better appreciated when it is stated that some 15,000,000 bushels of pollard and bran are required to feed the poultry in this State, and that at least one-third of this great total could be replaced by lucerne grown on the farms. Even half an acre of lucerne will provide a very considerable amount of poultry food, and every poultry farmer should aim at that area or more. How to Grow Lucerne. Very few poultry farmers will be found on what may be regarded as lucerne land. Taking this fact into consideration and also the poultry farmers’ special conditions, the lucerne is best sown in drills 18 inches to 20 inches apart, so that it can be cultivated between the rows. This method also enables poultry manure to be used as a top-dressing, which will, of course, be worked in shallow by the necessary cultivation. It also enables the cultivator to better keep down weeds. Where some overhead watering system can be arranged, the poultry farmer will be able to cut lucerne almost all the year round. | Some further information in regard to the cultivation of lucerne and the making of it into hay we condense from an article by Mr. A. H. E. McDonald, Chief Inspector of Agriculture, which a few months ago appeared in the Agricultural Gazette. «The actual preparation of the soil for sowing must be directed towards obtaining a very fine surface, together with a firm seed-bed. Where the fallowing has been satisfactory, a deep ploughing before the sowing is not recommended; about 3 inches to 4 inches is quite sufficient, for deeper working simply turns under the sweetened surface soil, brings unger- minated weed seeds to the surface, and makes it difficult to put the seed- bed in the firm condition that is essential. After this ploughing, the land should be thoroughly harrowed and rolled to produce a fine surface, and to consolidate the soil generally. A light harrowing should follow the rolling, except in sandy soils, in which cases the seed may be sown on the rolled surface. If the soil is of a heavy character and inclined to set after rain, the rolled surface must be broken or it will probably become very hard after the first vain, 140 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. When to Sow, “The time of sowing is determined by the climate andthe local weed growth- Generally speaking, autumn sowing gives the most satisfactory results in the west, and is strongly recommended. The autumn sowing produces a crop that becomes well established in the cool winter months, and that stands well the heat and dry winds of the following summer. Spring: sown crops do not become so well established before the summer, and are therefore more likely to suffer. The calm weather that is usual in the autumn favours an even stand, while in. the spring variable weather and strong winds are frequent and dry out the surface soil, preventing satis- factory germination. As the seed must be kept within 13 inches of the surface,. favourable weather after sowing is absolutely essential to a good stand. ‘““Under some circumstances, however, the weed growth in the autumn renders sowing at that time unsatisfactory, and if this trouble cannot be overcome spring sowing should be tried. At the same time autumn sowing: has so much in its favour that it is worth a special effort to make the weeds germinate early in the fall. «Tt is generally considered that lucerne should be well established before frosts occur, but our experience has been that unless the frosts are exception- ally severe the young plants are not injured, even when only just out of the ground. ‘The seeds of barley grass, &c., should be encouraged to germinate as early as possible; then the surface should be stirred to kill the weeds, and the lucerne seed sown while the soil is still warm enough to cause germination, a condition that is common even at the end of May. ‘* Where spring sowing has to be carried out it should be made about the end of August or early in September in most districts. On the colder table- lands it should be a little later. The weather is then favourable to germina- tion, but the plants still have an opportunity of becoming established before very hot weather occurs. The Quality and Quantity of Seed. “The success of the crop depends more upon the quality of the seed than upon any other single factor. Unfortunately, a certain amount of imported seed finds its way into the State, and in every case in which tests have been made with such seed the crop has been very inferior to crops obtained from seed produced by local growers. Farmers should therefore be very careful to obtain seed from reputable seedsmen, and locally-grown seed should be specified even if it costs a little more. Of the varieties grown here, Tam- worth and Hunter River are practically similar in character, while Mudgee lucerne is of a finer type. A good sample of seed should be sound, mature, plump, bright, and reasonably even in size ; it should contain no dodder nor any weed seed. Haymaking, “Lucerne should be mown just after the first Howers are out. If cut at this time the best hay is obtained, and the succeeding growth is stronger. After mowing, care is required in handling to prevent loss of the leaves, which are Feb. 2, 1920.] | Agricultural Gazeite of N.S.W. 141 ee ee the most valuable part of the hay. Generally the raking should be com- menced at midday to get all the hay cut that day into the windrows before dark. “In very hot, dry districts the rake should be following the mower and the cocking done immediately. In milder climates the hay should remain in the windrows a few hours. “Where the weather conditions make it probable that bay is likely to mould in the cocks, they should be gently turned with the fork. «The time the hay remains in the cock depends on the weather. When it is fine and hot two days are sufficient, but when mild or cloudy it may have to remain four or five days, or even more. Only experience teaches at what time lucerne should be put into the stack. The stems are more likely to be the cause of trouble than the leaves, as they take longer to dry. When handled the hay should have a crisp feel rather than a dead, damp one. If the hay is allowed to become too dry, a considerable loss will occur through the leaves falling, while on the other hand there is a danger of hay which is brought in too fresh firing in the stack; but any farmer with a little experience with hay will find that in a short time he is able to cure a fair sample.” VINEYARD NOTES FOR FEBRUARY. SuMMER rains of December have benefited the grape crop to no inconsiderable extent, and reports from various sources indicate a fairly satisfactory return for the coming vintage. Throughout the county of Cumberland there has been a rather serious outbreak of downy mildew and some black spot, but where spraying had been carried out in the earlier part of the season no harm has been done. The disease was mainly confined to the young growth, and toa certain extent to the fruit. In one instance, where the vines had not been sprayed with Bordeaux mixture, a considerable portion of the crop had become affected and destroyed. Although the presence of the disease in the vines is to be regretted it is, in a sense,a good thing,in so far that it has been the means of making growers realise the danger of apathy in respect to spraying. At the same time it has demonstrated the efficacy of recognised sprays. When full realisation of the value of home-made Bordeaux mixture takes place and patent mixtures are avoided, there need be no great fear of either downy mildew or black spot. With the removal of the fruit from the vines, they have still to mature their wood. This depends upon the retention of the leaves; and it must be borne in mind that the success of the next year’s crop is influenced by the manner in which the vines finish their vegetative functions. A thorough spraying after the crop has been gathered will be of great value should showery weather be experienced, with a consequent recurrence of disease. After vintage, continue the general cultivation, loosening the soil and keeping down weeds. Young resistant vines should be “* Yema ” budded, and a pamphlet dealing with this operation can be secured on application to the Department.— H. E. Larrer, Viticultural Expert. Co 142 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. Orchard Notes. FEBRUARY. W. J. ALLEN. LITTLE or no cultivation is necessary during this month, except where irri- gation is practised. The most important work will be the handling of the main crops, and the picking, packing, and marketing ofsame. Attention may be drawn to the fact that many growers fail to realise the importance of picking their fruit early in the morning, when it is cool, gradirg it while it is cool, .nd packing it while it is cool. If growers would adopt this method they would be well recompensed for early rising by increased returns. The great necessity for grading cannot be too strongly emphasised. It may be mentioned that certain Sydnev fruit agents have brought under the Department’s notice the effect which grading has on the prices realised on the market for fruit. In half-cases of certain recent consignments there was large fruit of good quality, mixed with small and indifferent fruit. These half-cases were difficult to sell at 4s. 6d.; on the other hand, there was a big demand for well graded apricots, which realised from 10s. to 12s. per half- case. Zante currants will be ripe at the end of this month. Care should be taken to allow the bunches to ripen thoroughly before picking. Some varieties of pears, such as Williams, will be ready for picking at the beginning of. the month. This pear should be picked when it is green. Work in the Citrus Orchard. While this is considered one of the best months for carrying out fum gation, under no circumstances should it be done if the trees are cut of condition through lack of moisture in the soil. A tree suffering from drought, or want of cultivation, can easily be damaged by either spraying or fumigating. Fumigation should be carried out at night, or during the cool part of the day, always avoiding hot days. During recent years we have carried out fumiga- tion work in March and April, so as to avoid the hot weather of February. This seems to have been satisfactory, and the scale has been killed and the trees kept free from damage. Ip citrus orchards, where good rains have fallen, it is now a good time {o plough. On steep hillsides, and where land is liable to wash, shallow plough- ing (the ground being left in the rough) seems to be the best practice. It has been found in the coastal districts that this month is a suitable time to apply artificial manures to citrus trees, especially where the trees have received a g00d supply of moisture. Feb.'2,-1920.| Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 143 Diseases. San José scale, codlin moth, woolly aphis, and scale insects of citrus trees are the principal insect pests which require attention this month. Growers in doubt as to any disease attacking their trees should either communicate with the district Fruit Inspector or forward specimens to the Department ot Agriculture without delay. Irrigation. Dry seasons occur at intervals in our coastal districts. The result is that very often bearing citrus trees suffer considerably, causing them to drop their fruit. Some experienced growers have installed small pumping plants with a view to supplying the necessary moisture when dry periods prevail. One cannot too highly recommend this procedure, as for a very long time there has been need of overcoming the difficulty of protracted dry weather. Trees or vines which have not had an application of water for some time will, in all probability, require one this month in districts where there has been no recent rain. In applying water, the land should be well soaked to a good depth, and immediately the soil is dry enough, the cultivator should be put at work and the land well stirred by at least two cultivations after each irrigation. Cultivation should be completed five days after irrigating. Cover Crops. Th» sowing of cover crops appears to be a satisfactory means of increasing the organic matter in many of our lighter coastal scils. Arrangements should now be made to procure seed for sowing and to prepare the land. No doubt there will be scme difficulty experienced in obtaining such seed as vetches and other legumes, unless provision be made immediately. Fruitgrowers ate, however, not confined to legumes, as Skinless barley, rye and rape are satisfactory for turning under. THe DEPARTMENT AND ELEPHANT GRASS. ELEPHANT grass (otherwise Napier’s Fodder), a native of Africa, has only in recent years attracted attention as a fodder plant, and it was not till ten years ago that the South Africans commenced to cultivate it for that purpose. When, two or three years later, the reports of the South African trials were published, the New South Wales Department of Agriculture introduced it into this State, and its behaviour at once recommended it to farmers as well as to officers of the Department, a report by Mr. EK. Breakwell, Agrostologist, in the Agricultural Gazette of July, 1917, setting out quite phenomenal results. The reports were evidently perused with profit in the United States of America, for the May issue of the Philadelphia Cowntry Gentleman relates how a farmer in California obtained seed from the New South Wales Department, and describes with enthusiasm the remarkable growth he obtained. The Department has thus not only introduced the grass into New South Wales, but has contributed to its use in other lands. 144 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. Agricultural Bureau of New South Wales. Suggested Subjects for Bureau Meetings. Ir sometimes happens that, owing to some inadvertence, members of branches meet without having any particular subject before them. In such a case, one of the following paragraphs may provoke a useful discussion :— Has your experience of the past two years led you to decide upon any change in your farm practice? Ts it your intention to increase or decrease the number oj live stock youware grazing? Lf you propose to increase, in what airection will it be—sheep, cattle or pigs—and why ? Which have given you the more satisfactory results— early sown wheat crops or late ones? Does your experience warrant sowing early any land you have ready, or do you prefer waiting until the whole area to be sown has been prepared ? What guides your preference? Would you favour using the spring-tooth or the disc cultivator in order to prepare quickly for early sowing a great deal of the land that was sown last year but that carried no crop ? Have you ever sown catch crops of clovers, field peas, rape or vetches among growing maize for stock feed or soil improvement? What effect have you observed on the growth of the current maize crop, or the next crop, whatever it may be ? What value do you attach to a ton of green feed for dairying purposes when natural pastures are bare? Have you any definite idea of the effect on the milk yield of green feed at such a tume? What do you estimate to-be the cast of producing fodder of that kind ? What sort of growth did you have with green manure crops i the orchard last year? Have you ever found any difference between early and late sowing for this purpose? What cla:s of crop gues the biggest yield of greenstuff if somn early ? Notice to Secretaries. Secretaries of branches are informed that material incidental to bee- keeping (including super frames, foundation comb, mailing cage for queens, &c.), together with a leaflet containing directions as to their proper use, may be obtained on application to the Under Secretary and Director, Department of Agriculture, Sydney. The collection is all that is necessary for a sound demonstration of the elementary rules of bee-keeping, and should be widely made use of as a means of helping the intending apiarist to a “‘ straight start ” in the industry. REPORTS AND NOTICES FROM BRANCHES. NOTE.—While gladly publishing in these columns the views of members of the various Branches of the Agricultural Bureau, it is pointed out that the Department does not necessarily endorse the opinions expressed. Clovass. At a well-attended meeting held on 7th October, a paper on the manage- ment of a dairy farm was read by Mr. W. G. Johnston, Dairy Inspector, Casino. Many aspects of the business were touched upon, the value of good clean buildings and the avoidance of anything likely to favour disease being particularly emphasised. Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 145 Cordeaux-Goondarin. A meeting of this branch was held on 4th December, twelve members being present. General business, including the purchase of fertilisers, &c., by mem- bers on co-operative lines, was dealt with during the evening. Two new members were enrolled. Cotta Walla. A meeting of this branch was held on 8th December, when the question of “Bush Week” was discussed, and it was decided to co-operate with Crookwell district in staging an exhibit. It was realised that the task was a difficult one, as the district was passing through the most severe drought ever experienced. Members hoped, nevertheless, to make a creditable showing. Dural. At the last meeting the following answers to questions in the Agricultural Gazette were arrived at :— It has not been found necessary in the Dural district to grow other plums to fertilise the Satsuma. This applies to most varieties of Japanese plums grown here. The plum crop in this district is the lightest for many years. This is attributed to sudden changes of temperature, which occur frequently during that critical time when the fruit is just setting. Cross-pollination is considered necessary for the Jonathan apple, and the following varieties are recommended for that purpose :—King David, McIntosh Red, Thompson’s Seedling and Fanny. Kellyville. A meeting was held on 6th December, when general business was discussed. Sample packets of Saccaline seed were distributed amongst members for ‘trial purposes. Members decided that they would start preparing the exhibit to be staged by the branch at the coming local show. On the resignation of the chairman, Mr. J. Nutter was elected for the ensuing year. Lidcombe. A meeting of this branch was held on Ist December, forty-five members being present. During the evening Mr. W. W. Edwards read a paper on the growing of vegetables. He dealt mainly with the growing of the cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, onions, beetroot, turnips, carrots, beans, tomatoes, kohl rabi, and other vegetables. The following paper was read by Mr. J. T. Hillson :— THE LAND AND ITS PREPARATION FOR GROWING. The whole of our success in gardening depends not so much on what we plant in land when it first comes into our possession, as upon the kind of soil the land is composed of, and also the way in which we prepare it for growing. One could take up the whole of the evening in the discussion of the draining of the land. While all land requires breaking up, draining and sweetening, much depends upon what use we intend to putit to. For instance, while 4 or 5 inches is a quite deep enough ploughing for wheat, it would not be deep enough to grow fruit. Nor can we expect to grow good fruit without it, the reason being that the fruit tree has to occupy the land for many years. Many an orchard for a few years has looked well to the casual observer, but after a time has become diseased and died out, either through lack of drainage or improper prepara- tion. In one such orchard the owner dug deep holes; he then collected leaves and bush scrapings, filled up the holes and planted his trees. But there was no drainage. Consequently, when a spell of wet weather came his trees perished. 146 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. If there is one thing more than any other that the soil of County Cumberland is noted for, it is for its poorness. It is deficient especially in lime and potash, and when the Agricultural Department a few years ago tested some 130 soils from different parts of the county its capacity for water was put down as nil. There are two classes of soil in this county; that lying between Sydney and Penrith east and west, and the Kurrajong and Picton, north and south, rest upon, and are derived from Wianamatta shale. The second division, being the rest of the County of Cumber- land, is derived from the Hawkesbury sandstone. Both these formations are remarkably poor in constituents suitable for plant food. But although this applies generally to the soils of County Cumberland, there are isolated spots, here and there, which contain richer soil, for instance, at Prospect. The whole of that hill rests upon what we call blue- metal and the soil is good. One vein from it runs through part of Dundas. Another crops out at the boundary of Lidcombe and Auburn near Park-road (where stone was obtained some years ago), and then passes through Lidcombe, where it was worked over thirty years ago. This causes the soil to vary in patches. Just across Park-road, within a distance of a few hundred yards from the blue-metal patch, you can see sandstone above the ground. The soil there ispoorand hungry. The timber which grew on the two soils was quite different. Near where I am living immense logs of red and white mahogany used to be cut some fifty or sixty years ago, and a man named Carter had teams, with which he drew them to the river, from whence they were taken to Sydney. The soil in County Cumberland requires humus and plenty of it. A second requirement is an occasional dressing of lime to sweeten it and prepare the humus for the crop, but as our soils are deficient in organic matter, be cautious with the lime. Break your idle land up roughly, and leave it to the sun and air to sweeten. Remember that— Lime and lime, without manure, Makes both farm and farmer poor. So do not forget to keep up the humus in the soil, supplying cow or horse manure, as well as lime; otherwise you will soon find your land burnt out. Now, suppose a mar has come to the district, has purchased a piece of land, and intends: to make a home, with a vegetable and flower garden, and a few fruit trees. The land is not cleared; it has the usual scrub on it, some trees and stumps, and he has to grub out the scrub by the roots and gather it upinto heaps. Then he must grub out the trees to at least 18 inches in depth, and any stumps must also be taken out to the same depth. Having got the trees down and the stumps out, the trees can be cut up and, with the stamps, drawn out of the way and stacked near the house, to be used as firewocd. Unless the scrub is heavy, I would not advise buming it, but would prefer using it for draining, or even burning on top of the land when ready to plant. The next thing is to mark out the site intended forthe garden. Then find out the lowest point of the site and drive in a stake for future guidance, and proceed to mark out the main drain, the position of which depends on the size of the garden. If very large it should run along the centre, and the side drains should run intoit diagonally. If theareais fairly large the main drain can run from the bottom to the top, on the lowest side of the ground. If the garden is only small, the main drain can run across the bottom and the feeders may run straight into it. In clay subsoils the side-drains, or feeders, should be about 15 feet apart, and in lcam they may be 20 feet apart. This will give ample drainage. The drains should be cut V-shape and at least 2 feet 6 inches in depth. The width of the bottom, which should be flat and well graded, will vary according to the material that is used to construct the drain. For field culture the drains may be open, but for gardens—which we are now considering—either pipes, tiles, rubble, or saplings covered with scrub are serviceable. Pipes are the best of all, and the side drairs should be 2-inch agricultural drain pipes; for main drains at least 3-inch pipes. Tiles are the next best material; these should be half-round, and covered with flat tiles. Some use the flat tile on the bottom, but it is not so good, being more likely to get choked. Rubble makes a good drain if covered with gravel or small stones and clay and rammed. The brush drain is the worst, but if a man is not in a position to buy the other material it will last a long time if well made. Special tools are used for draining, but unless one has a lot to do they should nct be purchased as they are expensive. If possible, start on the surface and dig a trench with a slight grade until you reach the depth of the drain. Draining is more important than trenching because it allcws the Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 147 water to pass through the ground, instead of over the top of it. Rain water contains air, ammonia, and carbonic acid gas, and the more that passes through the soil the better. Moreover, draining aerates the soil; when the rain passes through it draws the air after it. We now come to the digging or trenching of the ground. If we decide to trench, it should be done to the depth of 15inchesor18inches. Perhapsit would be best if I described the way I trenched a piece of land in Lidcombe. It may seem very laborious, but if the place is your own it is worth it, as the increased fertility is permanent. In the first place, mark out a width of 4 feet across the lowest part of the ground, dig out the top soil, and wheel to the highest part of the plot. Then mark out 2 feet across the subsoil, dig that out to the depth you intend to trench, and wheel this soil also back to the top. If you have not used the scrub for draining, you can now lay some of it at the bottom, tum the other 2 feet of subsoil cn the top of it, and sprinkle a little fresh slacked lime onit. Then mark out 2 feet of the next piece of land, dig off the top spit, and put it on top of the subsoil. Continue working this way until the whole bed is trenched, and the soil taken off the bottom is filled in at the top end. Should you not wis) to go to this trouble, however, and still wish to trench, mark ofl 2 feet across the bottom of the bed, dig out the top spit and wheel it to the top. Dig up the subsoil, sprinkle a little lime on it, turn the top of the next 2 feet on top of the subsoil, and thus continue through the bed. Having finished the trenching and levelled the land, if you still have the scrub on hand spread it over the land, and put a running fire through it. If the land is on a slope, you are now ready for the planting. If it is flat or swampy, it will most likely be sour, and will require liming, after which you will have to wait three weeks before planting anything in it. Be cautious with the. lime, if the soilis anyway sandy, because 3 lb. lime to the square yard is over 1 ton 14 ewt. to the acre. Lower Portland. A meeting of this branch was held on lst December, when there was a good attendance, and two new members were elected. An interesting paper on the making of wine was read by Mr. R. M. Smith. March. A meeting was held on 15th December, when the following papers were read and discussed :— “ The Starling Pest,” by Mr. Hubert Griffith, and “ Notes on the Starling,” by Mr. J. Swan, Fruit Inspector. A discussion on “* Predominating Timber ” also took place. ; As regards the last, a member of the Stratford branch lately opined that the predominant timber in a locality was the most durable. While members disagreed with the theory, it was also stated that in certain localities the predominating timber was the longest lived. As a general rule, however, members held that such was not the case. Instances were quoted in the locality and from most of the Blue Mountains. Stringybark, though not an extremely common tree on the Blue Mountains, was very much used for fencing purposes, and people had posts carted considerable distances in preference to using the predominating local timbers. Further, timber from ridges was more lasting than that obtained from the lower parts, and posts set in low ground lasted longer than those set on ridges on account of the lower lands being moister. Those on hilly, stony ground always rotted at the ground line. Milbrulong. A meeting was held on lst December, at which sixteen members were present. During the evening a debate took place on the question, ‘‘ Which Pays Best—Wheat for Hay or for Grain?’”’ Mr. F. W. Gollasch was the leader for grain, and Mr. P. J. Lynch the leader for hay. Mr. H. Chapman acted 148 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. as adjudicator. The area under crop debated on was 300 acres, and an average yield of 45 bushels per acre of grain and 7 cwt. per acre of hay was considered reasonable for the present season. Mr. F. W. GoLLason, in opening the debate, said he did not think, taking the present season into consideration, that it was only a question of direet prcfit to the farmer but also a serious question of (1) supplying fodder for stock on hand, (2) supplying seed wheat for the next season, and (3) the profits, if any, due to the sale of surplus wheat or hay. Further, there would be more income derived from the sale of surplus grain than from the sale of surplus hay. The surplus wheat could be graded and sold as seed wheat at 7s. per bushel. There was also the cocky-chaff, which could be collected and fed to the stock. Mr. P. J. Lynow thought there was more profit in cutting for hay, valuing hay at 8s. per cwt. in the stack, and a yield of 3 ton per acre. Mr. J. GARRET, in supporting grain, remarked that after a farmer had cut down 80 acres of hay for hisown use, he would have 220 acres to strip, which, averaging 44 bushels per acre, would yield 990 bushels, of which 300 bushels would have to be retained for seed ; this would result in a profit, due to the sale of 690 bushels. Mr. W. Mackaway, advocating hay, considered that a 7 ewt. crop of hay at 8s. per ewt. was more profitable than 43 bushels at 7s. per bushel. Mr. T. Rocug, for grain, stated he thought it was impossible for a farmer to cut down - the whole of 300 acres of hay. At least 50 per cent. of the crop would be too short to cut for hay, and would have to be stripped for grain. Considering the cost of producing a crop for hay is equal to that of producing a crop for grain, the meeting arrived at the following decision :— 300 acres for grain—- 80 acres to be cut for hay for stock on hand. 220 acres stripped, 43 bushels per acre ip is . at ... 990 bushels. 300 bushels to be retained for seed wheat, leaves a balance of 690 bushels for sale at 7s. he Se Mic oh se SLA MORRO Less grading 690 bushels at 3d. per bushel a6 soe ace 8 12 6 Profit ... Se cee oon a =a te ae EERE oS 300 acres for hay— 150 acres (not fit to cut for hay) stripped for seed, averaging 2 bushels per acre seis ses ies sis . 300 bushels. 100 acres cut for hay for stock on hand. 50 acres cut for hay for sale, yielding 7 cwt. peracreat 8s. percwt. £140 0 0 Income from grain op ... £232 17 6 a » hay Bee te eel4O (On 0 It was considered that 80 acres cut for hay, together with the cocky-chaff gained by stripping, was equal to 100 acres for hay. Miranda. On 1st December Mr. H. G. Smith, Apiarist at the Hawkesbury Agri- cultural College, delivered a lantern lecture to the members of the branch. A large number of members and visitors were present, and many questions were asked. On the following day a demonstration was given in a local apiary in the morning and another at Port Hacking in the afternoon, when the handling of colonies for honey production and the swarming problem were discussed. Penrose-Kareela, A meeting was held on 13th December, when the following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year :—Chairman, Mr. H. Tendt; Vice-Chairman, Mr. O. Clews; Treasurer, Mr. V.S. James; Hon. Secretary, Mr, C. Aye. Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 149 Springside. A meeting was held on 4th November, there being an attendance of twenty- eight members. Mr. Swan, Fruit Inspector, addressed members during the evening, dealing mainly with insect and fungoid pests and their treatment. It was announced that the prize offered in connection with crops which were judged by Mr. B. C. Meek, Assistant Inspector of Agriculture, was won by Mr. Jos. Selwood. During the evening Mr, EH. H. Selwood read a paper on co-operation, in which he strongly advocated that producers of all kinds (including industrialists) should co-operate to eliminate some of the numerous hands through which produce must pass to the loss of all. ‘‘ The imperfections of the present industrial fabric are apparent to all, and that a drastic change is necessary is also quite apparent. From this movement will spring the reorganisation of production, of food supply, banking, finance, education, and many other organisations which are indispensable to the happy pro- gression of a young nation.” Stratford. A successful meeting was held on 6th December, fifteen members being present. It was decided to stage a non-competitive exhibit at the Gloucester show to be held in March next. General discussion took place on several subjects, including the sharpening of hand saws, introduced by Mr. T. Germon. An address was also given by the secretary on diseases of farm stock. Several gentlemen present signified their intention of enrolling in the near future. Wellington. At a meeting on Ist December, Mr. R. G. Harvey presiding, the principal business was an address by Mr. Pedersen, Dairy Instructor of the Department of Agriculture. Mr. Pedersen said that the first principie of dairying was good land and a good supply of clean water. As it came from the cow, milk contained 87 per cent. of water, and if the water which the cow drank was not good it was bound to havea detrimental effect on the milk. Good green grass or other feed of the kind was an essential to good milk, the flavour, taste and smell being largely governed by the food and water consumed by the animal. Cleanliness must be practised in and around the dairy, the udder being rubbed down with a clean wet cloth and then with a dry one before milking was started. The various breeds of cattle favoured in Australia were discussed by the lecturer, who, on the whole, favoured the Milking Shorthorn for the Wellington district on account of the large flow of milk and the good average standard of the cream content. The breed seemed to be on the way to overrun all other breeds in such country, and a type of Short- horn was being produced that put on flesh rapidly as it went dry, and when it came into milk again used up the fat in making the milk, A demonstration in summer pruning was given by Mr. W. le Gay Brereton at Mr. T. Parke’s orchard, Curra Creek, during December, and on the evening of the same day he lectured to a number of members and others on th. subject of fruit-drying. He remarked that drying was a method of disposing of reject fruit in the case of apples and pears, but with stone fruit (particularly peaches, apricots, plums and prunes) only certain varieties should be used for the purpose and then only at a proper stage of ripeness. The method of drying various fruits was carefully described, and many valuable sug- gestions were made concerning the process. D 150 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. Woonona. The monthly meeting was held on 9th December, when nine new members were admitted. Mr. Fowler read an interesting paper to members entitled ** How a Plant Grows.” Yarramalong. A meeting was held on 26th November, and during the evening a lecture on pig-raising was given by Mr. E. J. Shelton. PROFITABLE Pic FARMING. Mr. SHELTON dealt with the subject under three headings, viz., (1) breeds and control, (2) feeding and management, and (3) marketing. The extent to which the industry had developed in other lands, indicated its possibilities, said the speaker. Last year the figures representing the number of live pigs in the different countries were as follows :—- United States of America 67,453,000 United erst -.. 2,998,657 Brazil Ban a voor Liga Ss 20 Argentine . eo cade mle hY 8 837/ Austria-Hungary ... ... 7,580,446 Australia me see ele lalolon There was no country more suited to the production of live stock than Australia, and every pork and bacon buyer in the State would willingly purchase and pay higher prices for at least ten times the number of pigs available. Nor was there any need to fear a y permanent glut in the market. For the next few years they were not likely to see even the occasional glutted markets of the past. There were four common breeds of pigs in Australia, viz., Berkshire, Yorkshire (medium and large types), Poland China, and Tamworth. All had certain special advantages, and all could be handled with profit. The Berkshire was the most popular and most exten- sively bred, but the Middle Yorkshire was a close runner-up. It was rather more prolific than the ‘‘ Berk,’’ but required more attention and must have plenty of shade and pro- tection from both sun and rain. The Large Yorkshire was essentially a bacon pig, and though of great value in the United Kingdom and Canada it had not gained any popu- larity here. The Poland China, so wonderfully popular in America, and a thoroughly reliable and growthy pig, had been in the background for many years, but was now slowly forging ahead. A Poland China boar mated to Berkshire or contmon type sows made a great deal of difference in the annual returns. The Tamworth was distinctly a bacon pig, suited to cross-breeding with Berkshire and similar type pigs for the production of medium to heavy baconers. Where haulage to market was an item, it was well worth considering the production of bacon pigs instead of porkers. In a general way, where the farmer was close to market, porkers paid the best, as returns were more regular and the money was turned over more frequently. As to feeding and management, it was observed that the only way to make money out of pigs was to keep them on the move all the while. Their growth should never be allowed to suffer a check, for they would probably never make the same type of animal once they ceased growing for a while. Skim milk was no more a halanced ration for pigs than porridge for a human being. It was a necessary and appetising addition to the food and of great value, but it necded some concentrated addition. Amongst the most suitable foods for this purpose were pollard, wheat meal, pea meal, maize meal (when cheap enough), biscuit meal, or scme other cereal by-product. These foods were all expensive at the time and likely to continue so, and farmers must therefore add some form of green food such as lucerne, green maize, sorghum, kale, rape and barley, artichokes, pumpkins, melons, &c., These made up the flesh forming portion of the food. The concentrates were the fat formers. The production of the food on the farm and its proper utilisation with attention to all the details of management counted for much. It was useless to expect the stcck to care for themselves. Under these conditions they quickly reverted to the wild state, in which they were entirely unprofitable. Profits would be made only by careful forcing of the animal from birth to maturity. Bacon pigs should weigh 120 lb. dressed in six months from birth. This meant they would weigh alive from 145 to 1501b. In other words, the pig when weaned at, say, eight weeks old weighed 30 to 35 |b. live weight; in the succeeding four months he had to put on over 100 lb. in weight, and as four months was approximately 120 days, he must put on at least 1 lb. per day. This would rise from say } lb. per day at three months to 3 1b. per day at four months, 1 Ib. at five months, and 14}]b. between five and six months. Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 151 Porkers would weigh 80 lb. dressed, at say four and a half or five months. These weights were not by any means uncommon, yet how few there were whose stock reached them as a standard. Anumber of young pigs were lost while still with the mother. This percentage varied from 30 to 50 per cent., but it should not be more than 10 per cent. at the outside, and the loss could to a very large extent be prevented by careful management and proper housing. Diseases such as “‘ scour ’’ in young pigs carried off a large number, as also did “‘ pants ”’ or pleurisy. Many sows suffered from milk fever, often the result of constipation and general anemia. Many young pigs were overlaid at birth, many were born dead, and many lingered on, too weak to last more than three or four days. This loss could be pre- vented to a very large extent, or at least could be partly controlled by a proper knowledge of the business, by giving it untiring care and attention. The farmer who was so careful as to prevent a great number of the losses in his young stock, and who succeeded in raising a large percentage to maturity, often lacked judgment in the selection of the means by which he would market his stock. There were several markets for pork and bacon pigs, in addition to a good local demand for stores. Mr. Shelton’s advice was that farmers should visit the abattoir pig sales and see the way in which stock was handled and sold, see the types that sold best, and note the quality, evenness, grading, and general superiority of a good type animal. Pigs and calves should be properly branded, and the agents advised of the lot beforehand or at the time of despatch. The market was always ready to receive good class porkers, baconers and backfatters. Let them send in gocd quality stock, evenly graded, and properly topped, and a reputation for their pigs and a profitable price would be the result. SUDAN GRASS AND RAPE IN THE CENTRAL WESTERN DISTRICTS. ‘* WILL you please tell me the price of Sudan grass seed and rape seed, and how much is sown to the acre,’ wrote a western correspondent to the Department. ** T have a paddock ready of 772 acres, and want to sow with half of each.” The writer was informed in the following terms :—“‘ Sudan grass is sold by Sydney seedsmen at 3s. 6d. per lb. This increased price is due to the scarcity of seed, and should be much less next year. It is recommended that only a small area be sown this year, from which sufficient seed could be harvested to fulfil requirements next season. Four to six pounds per acre, in drills about 3 feet apart, is sufficient. ‘““ Rape seed is sown at the rate of about 4 lb. per acre, the best practice being to put it in drills 2 feet 6 inches to 3 feet apart. It can be sown either through the grass seed box attached to the wheat drill, or by mixing it with superphosphate or dry earth and sowing through the fertiliser box; the rowa can be spaced by closing up some of the hoppers. The price of the seed ie about 1s. per lb., and the best time for sowing is about the end of February. We are unable to recommend rape for your district, as we have found tha it is only in good seasons that it proves successful; we have found that bette crops for grazing are obtained by sowing oats or wheat.” THE PINE-TREE BORER ACTIVE. SpecimEns of the pine-tree borer (Diadoxus scalaris) reached the Government Entomologist through the Forestry Commission from two separate sources quite lately, suggesting that this beetle is again becoming active. During serious droughts in the west pine trees are very subject to its attacks, while in normal seasons only the small pine seedlings suffer. 152 i tSncanlead Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES’ SHOWS. SECRETARIES are invited to forward for insertion in this page dates of their forthcoming shows ; these should reach the Editor, Department of Agri- culture, Sydney, not later than the 21st of the month previous to issue Alteration of dates should be notified at once. Society. 1920. Secretary. Date. Central Cumberland A. and H. Association. ... vo. HL. A. Best ... Feb. 13, 14 Ulladulla A. and H. Association er ae ae o. R. EF. Cork Ld STATS EG Dapto A. and H. Society ote ee i. Hidames'..: Laises e20) 49 Wyong District A. Association . HES Kee fi CUEN. SWWiall bersieeacu neem lene Alstonville A. Society ... ee th ef ... C.D. McIntyre... ,, 24, 25 Inverell P. and A. Association ... J. T. Dale eespo ped, ALD A26. Southern New England P. and A. Association (Uralla) H. W. Vincent ... ,, 24, 25, 26 Dorrigo and Guy Fawkes A. Association 4am . RoR: Blair sea Myy fRLOgIZO) Gunning P., A., and I. Society Rt ae ... 8. A.-Beer secdihes tcOsncO Newcastle thes en and J, Association , she S25 Ee opDamn sR AS UN2Os 264275 and 28 Yanco Irrigation Area A. Society ae nee i. Re Tribe |... «.. Mar. 2; 3 Tenterfield P., A., and M. Society _... sf. . E. W. Whereat . SOM ae Tumut A. Association ae So DR ANU ohateyilan 4 eS Manning River A. and H. Association (Taree) ... L. Plumer Pi Mahe the dane. Berrima District A., H., and I. Society bee woo) Ocak ViyOne se. ues 47016 Wollongong A., H., ‘and ae Association 58 ee dia Oller ope Sy Nepean District A., H., and I. Society nee .. OC. J. Welch son pp dH Bangalow A. and ie Society : com Vo dale liveeotinyes tae a5 OE IO) Glen Innes and New England P. & A. Association wt GAA Priesty 5) 35.479 7105 11 Mudgee A., P., H., and I. Association see ene Ub dg learner ones ay Eh UO Gundagai P. and A. Society... : ne ves H.W. Simpson... - 5, 20; 12 Moruya A. and P. Society aah 508 Ae apelin lemole tery ay sete speal Oselsl Tumbarumba A. Association ... Wek Hioures\e sc) os, 910s LL Hunter River A. and H. Association (West Maitland) HE. H. Fountain... ,, 10; 11; 12; and 13. Hastings District P., A., and H. Society “f oe PACED A Strters® scenes lalla: Armidale and N.E. P., A., and H. Association Ar MCATGDUD = jess eel Olea and 19. Cobargo A., P., and H. Society .. T. Kennelly ee Je IS Macleay A., H., and I. Association ate .. E. Weeks... je egg ost Lo, Camden A., H., and I. Society ... oe ae .. A: E, Baldock ... ,, 18, 19, 20 Goulburn A., P., and H. Society 7 a4 LNG IDS any woe 95,2 LL Osn Os 20. Campbelltown A. Society 3 ee nee soe LL DY Hari ieaseote, ee conae Taralga A., P., and H. Association : J.J. Kearney ... ,, 24, 25 Upper Hunter Pp, and A. Association (Muswellbrook) R. C. Sawkins .... ,, 24, 25 Walcha P. and A. Association ... é 8. Hargrave .. 24, 25 Royal Agricultural Society of N.S. Ww. as ... H. M. Somer - March 29 to April 7 Batlow A. Society ne site ... C. S. Gregory cael 13; 14 Bathurst A., H., and P. Society ie = Ss Wee ure Seer ee geeel ole Upper Manning A. and H. Association (Wingham)... D. Stewart Roheey ells Ole Dungog A. and H. Association .. ra we WSR CGreen: 07. ch e829 530 Corowa P., A., and H. Society... ehig “ce ... J. D. Fraser ... Aug, 17,18 Parkes P., 1A, and H. Association - wast Gy Wa eaDOM ie < s. Gh Lg Murrumbidgee P. and A. Association (Wagga) he Ae By DE Whiter... ..0 245 cps 20 Lockhart A. and P. Society... soo) Die eArnolde Se.cess and ept. 1 Albury and Border P., A., and H. Society A. G. Young staal? 7, 839 Ganmain A. and P. Association x; ofc ... TIT. 8. Henderson... ,, 14, 15 Northern A. Society (Singleton) ee ae ve Onde WieMelhon®... 955, Loss LGy 17, Temora P., A., H., and I. Association a .. A. D. Ness st RID 22423 Junee P., A., and I. Association aa .. [T.C. Humphreys... ., 28, 29 Holbrook P., A., and H. Society J.S8. Stewart .... 5, » 28, 29 Deniliquin P. and A. Society ... i iv ney Fagan ... Seeunsh ty O Printed and published by WILLIAM APPLEGATE GULLICK, of Sydney, Government Printer, and Publisher, of the State of New South Wales, at Phillip-street, Sydney. Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Se. Scottish Australian Investment Co., Ltd. DARBALARA STUD of MILKING SHORTHORN CATTLE N.S.W. GUNDAGAI, \ EMBLEM OF DARBALARA (100). Banker (5) ex Madame (406). Sypnry R.A.S. Recorps :—1st and Champion, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915 and 1916. First in Bull and Progeny, 1913, 1915 and 1916. Unbeaten for 7 successive years. MELBA VII OF DARBALARA (4,181). Sire— Emblem of Darbalara (100). Dam— Melba IV of Darbalara (1,576). World’s record for a Short- horn Cow, 365 days. MELBA XV OF DARBALARA (4, 188). Sire—Kitchener of Darbalara (419). Dam—Melba VII of Darbalara (4,181). Govr. OrriciAL REcoros:—2 years old, for 273 days, 8,844 lb. Milk, 461 lb. Butter. 3 years old, for 273 days, 18,510 lb. Milk, 707 Ib. Butter, R.A.S. Records :—Ist Prize as 2 year old in Milk, 1918. KITCHENER OF DARBALARA (409). Emblem of Darbalara (100) ex Lily II of Darbalara (1,019). Sypngy R.A.S. RECORDS :—I1st, as yearling, 1914; 1st, 2 years old, 1915 ; 1st, 3 years old, 1916; 1st and Champion, 4 years old, 1917; 2nd and Reserve Champion, 1915 ; and 1st in Bulland Progeny. Unbeaten for 5 years, except once by ELECTED OF DARBALARA, bred by the same Stud. Govt. OFFICIAL RECORDS : 2 years old, for 273 days, 8,077 lb. Milk, 412 Ib. Butter. 4 years old, for 273 days, 14,622 lb. Milk, 678 Ib. Butter. 6 years old, for 273 days, 14,371 Ib. Milk, 836 Ib. Butter. 6 years old, for 365 days, 17,364 Ib. Milk, 1,0214 lb. Butter. MELBA XI OF DARBALARA (4,185) Sire— Union Jack of Darbalara (631). Dam—Melba VII of Darbalara (4,181). Govr. OrriciAL REcorps:—2 years old, for 273 days, 6,492 lb. Milk, 341 Ib. Butter. 3 years old, for 273 days, 9,165 lb. Milk, 481 Ib. Butter. R.A.S. RecorDs:—Ilst Prize as 2 year old in Milk and Reserve Champion to Herd Mate CAMELLIA II, 1917. 1st Prize as 3 year old in Milk and Champion, 1918. Bred by and Property of The Scottish Australian Investment Company, Ltd., Darbalara Estate, Gundagai, N.S.W. HIGH-CLASS PEDIGREED YOUNG BULLS FOR SALE. For full particulars apply -———_—— The MANAGER, Darbalara is easy of access from Sydney or Melbourne by train, Darbalara. ¢ vi Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. The New “FARMERS’ FAVORITE” Grain and Fertilizer Drill. :) “ALWAYS RELIABLE.’’ Straight Spur Gears used in both Fertilizer and Seeding Apparatus, se... Clutterbuck Bros. Ltd. *230v Re. 9 Our REPUTATION has KENWAY'S BLACK ORPINGTONS, fons ® QUALITY of Stock sold. This is Proved by the fact that in three successive Competitions in this State, Records have been made, and in each case our stock has been used in building up the strains. Write for Catalogue. D. KENWAY;, West Pennant Hills, N.S.W. TEL EPPING 49. D. & R. KENWAY, Proprietors. m H. M. SUTTOR & Co., Offiene =e Bandlake Stanty: PASTORAL and AGRICULTURAL AGENTS, GRAIN AND PRODUCE SALESMEN. WHEAT. MAIZE, OATS, &c., CHAFF, LUCERNE OATEN HAY, POTATOES, &c., RECEIVED FOR SALE DAILY AT ALEXANDRIA. Rel able In ormat on Given re Markets * TOP PRICES. QUICK RETURNS. The Best Veterinary Remedy is - = ROW’S EMBROCATION. NO STOCKOWNER SHOULD BE WITHOUT IT. SOLD BY ALL CHEMISTS AND STORES. Proprietors: EDW. ROW & Co. Feb. 2, 1920.1 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. we Che Anibersity of HSpodnep. Department of Veterinary Science. The Veterinary School, which is well nised for all public appointments in equipped with the most modern appli- the Commonwealth. The course of ances and apparatus, is under the instruction and training is of a pro- direction of Professor J. DOUGLAS gressive nature, and the standard STEWART, M.R.C.V.S., B.V.Se,, late adopted is that of the best Veterinary Chief Inspector of Stock and Govern- Colleges in the British Empire. The ment Veterinary Surgeon of the, State Hospitaland Clinic in connection with of New South Wales. é d pee The degree granted, viz., Bachelor of phe School offer exceptional facilities for practical training. Veterinary Science (B.V.Sc.), is recog- The FEES are— SIX GUINEAS per Term, or EIGHTEEN GUINEAS per Year. The Lectures of next Term begin 22nd March, 1920. Veterinary Science undoubtedly offers, particularly to those fond of animals, a remunerative and congenial profession, for which a wide field of employment exists. Full particulars of the curriculum will be forwarded on application. H. E. BARFF, Warden and Registrar. The Chief Inspector of Stock, Government of New South Wales, approves of the use of this aaa BY USING BLACKLEGOIDS TO VACCINATE AGAINST BLACKLEG. Simple. Safe. Effective. No dose to Measure. No liquid to spill. No string te rot. Simply a little pill to be mjected under the skia, SEND FOR FREE BOOKLETS, For Sale by PARKE, DAVIS & COMPANY. MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS, 125 York-street, Sydney. Box 224 G.P.O. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. STUD BERKSHIRE PIGS FOR SALE BRED AT | Phe State Prison Farms: Bathurst, Goulburn, Emu Plains, and The State Penitentiary, Long Bay. At present on hand— YOUNG BOARS YOUNG SOWS Aged Nine to Twelve Months, just fit to breed from. All guaranteed healthy, of high-class breeding, and have been carefully selected from exceptionally good pedigreed stock of thrifty, vigorous, and early maturing strains. Full particulars may be obtained on application te the Super- intendent of the State Penitentiary, Long Bay, or to THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF PRISONS, PHILLIP STREET, SYDNEY. Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W ‘gussindoe Tonic Meals for all Classes of Stock. In response to numerous requests, we have pleasure in introducing our series of a! TONIC MEALS. Kach and every product carrying our Trade Mark will maintain the quality that {I ee signifies for Linseed Oil Meal. ‘ON Parasitic Bcrenbaive and Tonic Meal for Horses will eradicate so-called ‘‘ Blood i Worms,” and will prevent such diseases as Worm Colic, Worm Paralysis, Staring Coat, Anzemia and Emaciation. ie) Tonic and Alterative Meal for Horses will prevent Colic, Gripe, and Impaction. ~< 1M) Pig Tonie prevents Indigestion, Diarrhoea and Liver Disease, and will fortify . your Pigs against the ravages of such diseases as Pneumonia and Swine Fever. AT HIM) Tonic and Alterative Meal for Cattle prevents ‘‘ Dry Bible,” Impaction of the “= third Stomach and Indigestion. (O14) Poultry Tonic Meal, used daily, will improve the health of your stock and = insures a maximum egg yield. a) Sheep Tonie Meal is stimulating and highly nourishing. The services of our Veterinary Surgeon, M.R.C.V.S., are at your disposal, on request. Questions regarding breeding, rearing, housing, and feeding all classes of stock gladly answered. FURTHER PARTICULARS PAMPHLET INSTRUCTING HOW TO USE—DEPARTMENT A.T. boy on the vi Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. i HOUSEHOLD SEPARATOR has no Patties. 9 galls. ... £6/5/- 42.5 .. £S8)-/- SEAMLESS TINWARE. AUTOMATIC LUBRICATION. SELF BALANCING BOWL. 18 galls. ... £10/10/- 45 galls. ... £19/10/- La Wie | oe 65 ., ... £26/10/- 30: Siaetoy: dba |... 937/10): 35. ,,. eI yiaeem 135 ee... £43/5/- THE SIMPLEST AND MOST SATISFACTORY SEPARATOR WITH A FREE TRIAL. A. W. DOBBIE &Co., Ltd. 379 Kent St., Sydney. Liverpool State Hospital MODEL STUD PIGGERY Berkshire and Middle Yorkshire. A choice lot of young Boars and Sows, from two to three months old, from the best New South Wales, Victorian, and British strains. Now available for selection at prices from £2 2s. to £5 5s., f.o.r., Liverpool. ALL ELIGIBLE FOR HERD BOOK. FULL PEDIGREE WITH EVERY PIG SOLD. Inspection invited. Ring Tel. 21 Liverpool, or write for particulars to— THE’ MANAGER, August, 1919. STaTE HospITAL, LIVERPOOL. Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. vu PRICE LIST OF PURE BRED PIGS FOR SALE AT HOSPITAL, GLADESVILLE. (The prices quoted hold good for the current month only.) Bee ate a Dat Pri ; No. Description. Sire. Dam | itacetved: Bach. i po A ee JL ae : all —_ ple a , 1919. ROE 2178 Large York. Boar | Tarban Karl IT Brighton Lady ...| Mar. 16] 8 8 0 2227-8 | Berkshire Boars ...| Whitley Wales Herrison Queen V | June 2 GuillGamG (Imp.) 2237-8 | Mid. York. Sows | Sundon Sydney Moredun Maid ...| June 30] 6 6 O (Imp.) 2240 Berkshire Sow ...} Gladesville Flock-| Gladesville May Nya eh | Gy 5) 2 (0) master IT. 2242 Mid. York. Boar | Sundon Sydney Moredun Maid III} Aug. 22} 6 6 0 (Imp. ) 2243-44 | Mid. York. Sows | Sundon Sydney Moredun Maid III} Aug. 22] 5 15 6 (Imp. ) 2245-6-7 | Berkshire Boars ...| Whitley Wales Herrison White AT 24. |G) 5'6 10 (Imp. ) Face. 2253 Large York. Boar | King Charles II ...| Glad’ville Empress tV | Aug. 27] 5 15 6 2255 Large York. Sow |} King Charles II ...] Glad’ville EmpresstV | Aug. 27] 5 5 0 2256 -7-8 | Mid. York. Boars | Sundon Sydney Gladesville Snow-| Aug. 27] 6 6 O (Imp.) | _ drop. 2259-60 | Mid. York. Sows | Sundon Sydney Gladesville Snow-| Aug. 27] 515 6 (Imp. ) | drop. _ 2261-2-3 | Mid. York. Sows | Sundon Sydney Gladesville Snow-| Aug. 27] 5 15 6 (Imp.) drop. 2267-68 | Berkshire Boars ...| Gladesville Long-| Empire Queen ...| Sept. 18 | 6 6 0 fellow (Imp.) 2269-70-71| Berkshire Sows ...| Gladesville Long-| Empire Queen. ..| Sept. 18 | 5 15 6 fellow (Imp.) 2274 Berkshire Boar ...| Whitley Wales Herrison Queen IV} Sept. 26 GeO) (Imp.) 2275 Berkshire Sow al Whitley Wales Herrison Queen IV} Sept. 26 | 5°15 6 (Imp. ) 2276 Berkshire Boar | Lockhaven Nance O’Neil IV...| Sept. 29] 5 15 6 Didymus 2277 Berkshire Sow 4 Lockhaven Nance O'Neil IV...| Sept. 29] 5 5 O Didymus 2278-79 | Berkshire Bones. Lockhaven Short Face Jane ..| Sept. 30] 5 15 6 Didymus 2280 Berkshire Sow -...| Lockhaven Short Face Jane ...| Sept. 30] 5 5 O Didymus 2282-83 | Mid. York. Boars | Sundon Sydney White Rose Oct. 30] 6 6 0 (Imp. ) 2284-85 | Mid. York. Sows Sinden Sydney White Rose Oct. 30] 515 6 (Imp. ) 2286 Large York. Boar Haw beet Glad’ville Empress} Nov. 5| 515 6 1 Ferryman II # 2287-88 | Large York. Sows} Hawkesbury Glad’ville Empress} Nov. 5| 5 5 0O Ferryman II Any of the above pigs that may be selected under the age of 3 months will be kept wntii they attain that age. (Prices quoted include delivery in crates on truck or steamer at Sydney.) (A full Pedigree is furnished with every Pig sold.) Feb., 1920. W. A. E. LEWIS, Manager, Gladesville Hospital. Please add Exchange for Country Cheques. Ail communications should be addressed to ‘“‘ The Manager,” Mental Hospital, Gladesville, vili Agricultural Gazette of N.S W. [Feb. 2, 1920. ANTHONY HORDERNS’ ale ube SALE. N IN FULL SWING. | LAST DAY: ds Saturday, 14th February, 1920. a ee GENUINE + REDUCTIONS IN EVERY DEPARTMENT. SEND FOR THE SALE CATALOGUE, POST FREE ON REQUEST, AND TAKE. ADVANTAGE OF — ANTHONY HORDERNS’ Famous Sale Prices. Anthony Hordern & Sons, Ltd., ONLY UNIVERSAL PROVIDERS, NEW PALACE EMPORIUM, BRICKFIELD BILL,=——SYDNEY. Feb. 2. 1920. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. F1¢s. ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN THOUSAND NeQG ageiinonca ee HOOD HESE figures arrest your attention and provethe PIG INDUSTRY to bea steadily growing one, also a pay- able one to the PRODUCER. hese figures represent the total of Pigs sold through the Abattoir Yards last year. NEW ZEALAND LOAN & MERCANTILE AGENCY CO,, LTD, 38 BRIDGE STREET - - - - - - SYDNEY This Company, facing these facts, has secured the services of AN EXPERT PIG SALESMAN. experience as Salesmen of Their. long and successful Everything Pastoral will ensure Clients that Pigs and Calves consigned to the Company’s care will have expert attention, and fullest market value be realised. A trial consignment will convince ycu that what we say we do—we carry out. Liberal Advances given against consignments. E. R..GRAHAM, Manager. Telegrams : JARVIE, Sydney. ae ee el = A ae ee ee a = org 5 0 aaah mae gaia 2 Sak a” Fy: Fae = ery arya rs = . fs 6 . 3 : ; PLO ; *"ABNGAS | “g90rg a fe OL "sila MS ‘SIBIHIAVE cs 3% “szequieyo wojstaoid pezssesizjor oaey 3K eke Sai ‘OL “99 R iy ig - “SUWINDUUYd WINs yoy & | 2 PUB ‘AZ]d12;09]0 YIM JNOGINOIG, pesqZy sie srowEs;s > y ; “HAWVELS MOXOS-NIML $00 “N 'S IVHICR Ptr 1 tte cai iene = —, a "MNOILVOIlIdd¥Y NO SauYvd “SUSONESSY¢d SSVY1D GYIHL GNY LSYIsd HOS NOILYCOWWODSY GIGN321dS yewueg ZENS v/a osye ‘eoyW YINOS va purLlsuy o} vpeusny WOlJ UINjey s1sUlve}§ ‘DIFDAZSNp O}2 puvnjbuy wos, SABUIDAIG SSVDjD-}S4/y 40 SadsJAsOgG sDINBey ‘OSLININ ‘ANVdNOD ONIiddIHS GNWIV3SZ MSN ‘QSLINIT ‘ANVdWNOD NOILVSIAYN WW4ELS IWH3033 “SLNSDY ‘GALI ‘ANWAWOS 7 LHID- *. - a Ae OTe a Se ae ee Dares oe IOS Se PE . Be <: ae ee Phe mae Sie Sata gee oe NS ee ESE ea i TE IE poe eee oe Vol. XXXT Part 3. Y p rig Se aR tll Ty Mya od iy mala istered at the General Post Office, Sydney, for transmission by Post as a Newspaper. Price SIXPENCE. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920, Ten Big Reasons By Pitt, Son, & Badgery, Ltd., Why Pig Production should be Fostered . The profits of a farm or station are increased by pigs. . Pigs breed and multiply quickly, and are the most prolific food raiser. . The meat contains the rich flavour and is enjoyed by all classes. . The dainties of the small goods trade are the relish of the supper table. . The preparation of bacon is a staple bye ala of much importarice. . The development of the Export eae in pig products is of national importance. . The closer settlement and repatriation development in many parts of the country can be helped by pig farming. . They enable the farm products to be “‘ walkéd to market,’ and thus save labour and money by send ng the pigs instead of the crops. . The prices obtained justify the production and give handsome returns. . PITT, SON, & BADGERY, LTD., are the expert pig salesmen, and can advise on every phase of marketing. Write to them for information. All stock entrusted to them receive the best attention and realise the highest prices possible. Consign your PIGS and CALVES to— PITT, SON, & BADGERY, LTD., SYDNEY. iPar, 25, 19207] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Get the most out of your Cows STUDY of the feed given to great producing cows shows that Protein—rich feed must be given in plenty. Even the best cows cannot give satisfactory yields unless they receive adequate rations. It pays to feed— Sunlight Oil Cake to the whole herd, especially in winter time. MANUFACTURED BY ' LEVER BROTHERS LIMITED SYDNEY pete il Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. To Graziers and Settlers. KINDLY NOTE— If you are changing your Wool Broker— Please think of | SCHUTE. BELL & Co. Ltd. They give PERSONAL ATTENTION to YOUR INTERESTS, and area New South Wales Company. OFFICES— 44. BRIIGE STR Sam NEY. Mar. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. ili The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited Kstablished 1834. Capita Paip-up -- o. -- a - £2,462,578 2 6 ReserRveE Funp =-- . .- a 2° 2,120,000 0O O Reserve Capitar +. . +. ee 2,500,000 0 O £7,082,578 2 6 Directors: GEORGE J. COHEN, Esq. (Chairman); Hon. H. E. KATER, M.L.C. (Deputy Chairman). Hon. HENRY MOSES, M.L.C.; J. W. MACARTHUR ONSLOW, Esq. ; and Hon. SIR THOMAS HUGHES, M.L.C. Honorary Director: Sir THOMAS A. DIBBS. Auditors: J.J. BRENAN, Esq., and F. W. HIXSON, Esq. General Manager: H. H. MASSIE. Head Office: SYDNEY—343 George Street. Manager: W. R.SAYERS. Secretary: M.S. GRANT. Assistant Manager: L. A. PARKER. Accountant: F¥. J. L. DUNLOP. Assistant Accountant : E. R. DRYHURST. BRANCHES :—Jnspectors: J, N. ROXBURGH, J. R. DRYHURST, F. E. BAYLIS. Branch Accountant: J. CLAYTON. Lonpon Branco: 18 BIRCHIN LANE, E.C. Directors : Hon. H. S. Littleton; N. D. Cohen, Esq MaAnaGerR: F. A. Scrivener. Lonpon BANKpRS: The Bank of England ; The London County Westminster and Parr’s Bank Ltd. ; Barclays Bank Ltd. Branches throughout New South Wales and Queens/and. Agencies throughout the Wor/d. The Bank issues Drafts, Circular Notes, Travelling Letters of Credit available in any part of the world, allows Interest on Fixed Deposits, and transacts all Usual Banking Business. iv Agricultural Gazette of N.S W. [Mar. 2, 1920. FROM MAKER TO USER— ~ MITCHELL PLOUGHS | THE BEST KNOWN AND BEST .. RECOMMENDED | PLOUGHS IN AUSTRALIA. Buy the Australian MITCHELL, and keep your money in the Commonwealth. New Light Ploughs for Orchards MITCHELL Standard Ploughs have the best reputation in the Commonwealth. | They have been used with the greatest satisfaction for a quarter of a century, | and are to be seen everywhere. Now, we are making a special line of light-weight ploughs for orchards, vineyards, market gardens, poisoning, ete,, and these are meeting with very great approval. Designed primarily to save hard labour—to get over the ground quickly and to save money Considerably cheaper than the large standard ploughs ; thoroug chly reliable, as they are made in Australia by Mitchells ; superior in every way to foreign ploughs, which cost a great deal more. Proved, after the most severe service tests, to be incomparable. Write your Name and Address on this announcement and post to us, and we will forward full particulars — Free. Do not patronise the foreigner— \\ Buy an Aus- LIGHT, DURABLE, tralian Plough— DEPENDABLE, A MITCHELL. “2 Mitchell & fs Pty. Ltd. rae Hic Australian Manufacturers for over 25 year; Gare en AUSTRALE») Cou ida Bay Street, SYDNEY. Mar. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Vv {TDI ft This Engine will Make Money for You! One owner of the F. and J. Engine writes to tell us that his neighbours are eager for him to do their threshing. His Engine J is making money for him—and indirectly it is making money in other directions. The Fuller and Johnson All Purpose Engine It supplies reliable power for chaff-cutting, sawing wood, churning, separating, pumping, corn-cracking, &c.—does the Za y NS serge es work cheaper and quicker than any hired help. The F. and J. Engine makes money by cutting down labour costs. Needs no attention once started. No mechanical knowledge required. Uses Kerosene. Enables you to put your men on to ploughing or harrowing and let the F. and J. Engine do the hard work that holds torment. Bea, Write for the Booklet that puts many a man on the road to prosperity. Write To-day. “ Always ask for Buzacott’s Gates and Fencing.” 7-11 Market Street, 413-415 Adelaide Street, SYDNEY. BRISBANE. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. The Great “Murrumbidgee” Irrigation Scheme | | Chea Soils may be ehosen suitable for the p Orehardist, Vegetable Grower, Dairyman, Viticuiturist, Land Peuttryman, Pig Farmer, Fat-lamb Raiser, | Bee Farmer, General Farmer. — LIBERAL AND PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE TO SETTLERS Fertile ON THE EASIEST OF TERMS. Subject to such conditions as to security and terms of repay- ff [ a ment as the Oommission may think fit to impose, Setthrs may an obtain an advance or have payment of rent and water rates suspended. Trees and Vimes may be purchased from the aS Commission ’s Nursery—Specially selected Dairy Stock are obtaim- able—Pedigree Sires on liberal terms—Railway Concessions are granted on New South Wales Railways. & hea Pp (Change of poliey may require alteration of terms of Assistance.) Water SPECIAL ADVANTAGES. The whole seheme is administered by the State Government, and the products carried to market on Government-owned railways. + Instruction and demonstration in Agricultural and Irrigation methods always available free of cost to the settler by experts A / employed by the State. mM Pp C The climate of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas is dry and healthy—hot in summer, which makes it suitable for drying fruit. W, a ter Water is supplied solely by gravitation (no pumping required) at a remarkably cheap rate. + Butter, Bacon, Cheese, amd Canning Factories and a pulping plant have been established in connection with the scheme. Schools, Churches, Banks, and Stores are established. No Bal- — loting Information on every point; special pamphlets on Fruit Growing for Land and Poultry Farming are obtainable on application, Particulars regarding Irrigation Farms may be obtained from The WATER CONSERVATION and IRRIGATION COMMISSION, Branch “ C,” 89 Hunter-street. Sydney ; The RESIDENT COMMISSIONER, Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission, Leeton. Mar. 2,.1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. vii BANK OF NEW SOUTH WALES ESTABLISHED 1817. Paid-up Capital es a vs .. £4,000,000 Reserve Fund ac = uns . £3,200,000 F Reserve Liability ae ie see . £4 £4,000,000 Nore 200,000 DIRECTORS. THE) Hon, Sir CHARLES K. MACKELLAR, K.C.M.G., M.L.C., President. Tue Hon. REGINALD J. BLACK, M.L.C. THOMAS BUCKLAND, Esa. CHARLES BINNIE, Esa. ROBERT L. FAITHFULL, Esa., M.D. THe Hon. JAMES T. WALKER. F. B. S. FALKINER, Esa. Auditurxs—A. G. MILSON, Esq., W. H. PALMER, Esq. General Manager—Sir JOHN RUSSELL FRENCH, K.8.E. Chie? Inspector—C. G. ALFORD. /nspectors—B, M. MOLINEAUX, L. WHITEHEAD, R. T. HILDER, W. McRAE, W. POTTS. Chief Accountant—W. E. SOUTHERDEN. Secretary—J. A. BRYANT. Solicitors —Merssrs. ALLEN, ALLEN, & HEMSLEY. Head Office—GEORGE STREET, SYDNEY. W. E. FRAZER, Manager. H W.H. SENDALL, Assistant Manager. MELBOURNE—RoDERICK MURCHISON, Esg., Advisory Direetor; OSCAR LINES, Manager. London Office—29 THREADNEEDLE STREET, E.C. DIRECTORS. Sir FREDERICK GREEN, K.B.E., Chairman. W. 8S. M. BURNS, Esa. HERBERT L. M. TRITTON, Esa. H. MELDRUM, Assistant Manager. BANKERS. THE BANK OF ENGLAND. LONDON JOINT CITY AND MJDLAND BANK, LTD. BARCLAY’S BANK, LTD. 342 BRANCHES AND AGENCIES New South Wales Bet 7 IAS) New Zealand Mo Ges Queensland .. 2 . 48 Tasmania ..... ses oe ad Victoria = Pee oes 39 Fiji re See ah Ss South Australia ... xii 6 Papua... Aas ies 2 Western Australia es 10 London | 7 With Agents and Correspondents throughout the World. Cable remittances made to, and Drafts drawn on, Foreign places direct. Foreign Bills negotiated or collected, Letters of Credit and Circular Notes issued, negotiable throughout the world, Vill Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. RUNS ON KEROSENE. 13. 3,6, 10 B.H.P. FARM ENGINE © NG... “LZ. and the rest is easy. You can do your Chatftcuttins- in no time. Feedzerinding requires no effort. Your Woodsawing is simplified. Power Pumping assures your water supply. SEPARATING, CHURNING, MILKING, SHEARING, LIGHTING— there’s no end to the jobs a ‘‘Z’’ will do for you. WHY NOT WRITE TO-DAY FOR PARTICULARS. Dangar, Gedye, & Co., Ltd.. 9-13 YOUNG STREET, SYDNEY. Mar. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. ap |Get a BALTIC on Thirty Days’ Free Trial . 0 e a ercnt eS. € i ee K—SAZ He dasant know he can toa get a Baltic Separator any size on 30 days free tnal. Fromt£5-5, SS*teP="* THE BALTIC SEPARATOR GE G8 WENTWORTH AVE. SYDNEY. The Famous BALTIC Reduced in Price. 8 gal. “ Thumb Screw”’ .. £4/1716 Sheal:. sy UL Bf MO)Gal. co, ec meee ee ESD 30gal.K Model .. .. «.. £18/5/- IN REN ee SCR 5 oo So EE EYE/E 30gal.D Model .. ia “=, lb /=/= 130 gal... = = es -- £55/-/- Write for FREE CATALOGUE giving Details of Our Easy Terms. The Baltic Separator Co., Ltd., 72 Wentworth Avenue - SYDNEY. Agricwtural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. a | | S| es lh “ Waratah’ Strength is Greater than Animal Strength Cattle raisers can rest assured that no animal can force a way through a fence of ING” PWIRE = = From the Ore to the Fence Australian. Strain it tight and the ‘“‘ fence breaker’’ meets his Waterloo, In addition to greater Strength, ‘‘ Waratah”’ is proof against weather conditions, costs much less per mile, and needs no re-straining. Fence with ‘‘ WARATAH ” for SAFETY—LESS TROUBLE— SMALLER EXPENSE Every coil has the ‘‘WARATAH” IDENTIFICATION TAG attached. Your Storekeeper can get ‘‘WARATAH ” for you. Hints on Fencing. Booklet Vig Free. AUSTRAL NAIL CO. PTY. LTD., THE Op Manufacturers’ Buildings, 18) . 'o ne Fence 304-316 Flinders Lane - - Melbourne. AuSTRAW Wire Mills at Newcastle, N.S.W. a SRAAR RABE BAST \ \ \ \ \ . \ . \ N SM a fi UTA) AlAs tts Dstt. bd ee Mar. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. NO TIRESOME am TLL | Now for a spell. How often ean you say that as soon as you have finished milking? If you are using a hand separator—not very often! With the Automatic Separator it’s a different tune altogether. As soon ag milking is over, separating is ever. You sea —the ‘‘Automatic’’ ‘keeps on going ail the time you are milking —you don’t have to bother aheut it. You get more cream with the Automatic Separator as well—tfor the evenness of its turning must produce more cream ‘than hand separators. Let us tell you all about it. Send for our Ostalog to-day. RY erat S ry wy eee Fo of eC aa een CORI gin = : 4 = ——_ ‘‘Always ask for Buzacott’s Gates and Fencing.’® 7-11 Market Street, SYDNEY. 413-415 Adelaide Street, BRISRANZ. Be RRR Ree eae Se Tie, ae Pritatis cies Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. } : , te ASSETS: gull HEAD OFFICE : JUNE, 1912 : Se PITT & MOORE ’ . | ~~ % he eh SYDNEY. JUNE, 1919: ay Renee 265,038,938 way fi ar. oe AY edit on ~ ati Pwr 95 OPEN FOR ALL CLASSES OF - General and Savings Bank Business IN THE PRINCIPAL CITIES and TOWNS of ayiseentiae London (2) and Rabaul (New Britain). General Bankings Dept. Cable Remittances made to and Drafts drawn on foreign places direct. Foreign Bills negotiated and collected. Letters of Credit issued to any part of | the world. | Bills negotiated or forwarded for col- lection. Banking and Exchange Business of every description transacted within the Commonwealth, United King- | dom, and abroad. Current accounts opened. | Interest paid on fixed deposits. Advances made approved Securities. against Savings Bank Dept. Conducted at all Branches and at over ,782 Post Office Agencies in Australia, Papua, New Britain, Solomon Islands, and the Pacific. Minimum deposit, /s. Maximum £300 Rate of interest, 3 per cent. per annum. Deposits or Withdrawals may be made at any Branch or Agency. Withdrawals may be made on demand, by post or by telegraph. Transfers arranged from place to place without loss of interest. Interchangeable facilities with P.O. Savings Banks in United Kingdom and New Zealand. Interest-bearing Deposit, PUBLIC SAFE DEPOS/T—SYDNEY. Commonwealth ‘Bank of Australia — JAMES KELL, DEPUTY GOVERNOR. DENISON MILLER, GOVERNOR. Mar. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. xii INCREASED PROFITS are a foregone conclusion when you place the marketing of your produce in the hands of such an organisation as the P.F.A. You can bank on the most satisfactory returns when you consign your Wool, Fat Stock, Store Stock and Station Produce to the P.F.A. Wide experience, sound knowledge of markets and methods, and long association with the Wool and Stock Industry account for the P.F.A.’s_ unusual qualifications. Such thorough, scrupulous, and expert service as the P.F.A. offers can have but one big result—better profits for you. Advise, re Consignments, by wire or letter. The Pastoral Finance Association Ltd. Phillip Street——__—————_-SYDNEY xiv Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. Technical Education Branch Department of Education N. S. Wales Technical Training by Correspondence in Sheep-Classing and Wool-Classing Agriculture Book-keeping (including Station Bookkeeping) Care of Animals, Animal Husbandry, and Stock Inspector’s Course [4 the past people in isolated parts of the State requiring instruction in these subjects have been unable to obtain it unless they could go to comparatively few centres. Now they can bring themselves by Home Study into closest touch with the chief centre of educational activity, and can be specially taught and trained by the leading experts in their particular professions. THE SYDNEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE provides instruction of the highest practical and scientific character by Correspondence in the following subjects also : Architectural Drawing Inspection of Meat and Building Construction Animals Penmanship and Corres- dence Carpeotry and Joinery Shorthand D.umestic Science, Cookery, Printing and Composing and Household Manage- ment Construction Drawing Styles of Architecture Sanitary Engineering and Drainage and Water Fitting Sanitary Law Elementary Art Drawing Trades Calculations First Term of 1920—Session starts March tst. Send for Syllabus “Technical Education Extension by Correspondenee,”’ to GEORGE HOOPER Actiug-Superintendent of Technical Education Sydney Mar. 2, 1920:] Agricultural Guzette of N.S.W. XV > C.P.C. BARBONATE OF LIME FERTILIZER The finest ground of all fertilizers, therefore going the farthest. PRICE—on trucks, Portland—36/- per ton (14 bags) Tn truck lots. In ton lots. 619 118 45 bee sea 18 5 re tons and over BC 48/6 per ton. PRICE F.O.B. Sydney 2 tons and under 6 de 56|- “fs 1 ton lots ie 60/- oe The U.S.A. Agricultural Dept. found that fields treated with lime pxoduced an average of 14 tons of hay an acre more than unlimed fields—in tests of Carbonate of Lime, conducted by the farm bureau, through the county agent, in Chemung County, N.Y. A farmer who used | ton of Carbonate of Lime to the acre secured 4,840 lbs. of cured hay, compared to 1,208 lbs. on an unlimed acre. Another, who applied 700]bs. of lime to an acre, obtained 6,292 lbs. against 1,461 lbs. on an unlimed acre. . o) ONEN. In Bags, mixed with best coarse salt :—70 lb. bag, 9/-; 187 lb. bag, 20/-; 6 bags (1,120 lb.), £5/17/6; 12 bags (2,240 lb.), £11/10/-; 4-ton lots, £11/5/- per ton. In Boxes, mixed with chemically pure extra fine salt :—1 box (28 Jb.) 6/6; 10 boxes (280 lb.), £2/19/-; 20 boxes (460 lb.), £8/10/3; 40 boxes (1,120 lb.) £10/9/9 ; 80 bexes (2,240 lb.), £20/2/6. When lids are removed boxes act as containers, Please add Exchange to Cheques. Other States write for particulars to— NEWELL & CO., 189 King Street, Melbourne. FEDERAL TRADING CO., Perth. F. 5: G R es = R y 102 sudan recanal Xx Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. “Dairy Farming, Tom, is something like going over the top ! ‘‘Tt is easy to hop over, but it’s another thing to gain your objective and dig in! You can only consolidate your position with good support on all sides. Dairy farming is something like that, too. You can reach your objective—get your farm and good milkers—but to dig yourself in you want the support of a Diabolo Separator or you'll lose a big proportion of your gains. The Diabolo is the sure road to 100 per cent. returns from cows—it absolutely stops all waste of cream—increases your monthly cream cheque. That’s why over one million Diabolos are being used on the most prosperous dairy farms all over the world to-day. Get a Diabolo on 30 Days’ Free Trial —there’s a 10 per cent. discount to all returned soldiers. Take my advice and dig in with the support of a Diabolo.” No. 00, 10 gallons, £6/15/-; No. 0, 15 gallons, £9; No. 1, 27 gallons, £14; No. 14, 30 gallons, £15; No. 2, 50 gallons, £25 /10/-; No.3, 82 gallons, £38; No. 4, 115 gallons, £48 /10/-. Corner Diabolo Separator Co. Ltd. sss: Sydney. Mar. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. “xi A 7 —— Zsa Constructional Strength in an ideal manner, granting a resultant Economy, both as regards fuel consumption and tyre mileage, that is remarkable. The service that this “junior” Studebaker will give, as a quality car, in comfort, durability, and ease of operation, denotes it as the car “ par excellence ’’ for the man who requires a car continuously and for hard work. Call at our Showroom and let us demonstrate Power and Flexibility have been combined with Light Weight and this practical ‘‘ light car” to you. re THE STUDEBAKER CORPORATION OF AUSTRALASIA, LTD. Head Office : 177, ELIZABETH SUREET « - pena ey DNEY, a | ee Xxii Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. Worms in Sheep COOPER’S WORM TABLETS ARE A SIMPLE AND CERTAIN REMEDY FOR INTESTINAL AND STOMACH WORMS IN SHEEP AND LAMBS ‘More Reliable and Easier to Administer than Liquid Drenches. DOSE. PRICE. For Lambs, 2 to 6 months ... ay sos) | LeMables 3/3 per tin For Sheep, under 18 months Ste ... 2 Tablets of 200 ‘Tablets. For Sheep, over 18 months... ae ... 3 Tablets Postage Paid. CONVINCING TESTIMONY. Chas. Mackinnon, Derribong Station, Dandaloo, N.S.W., writes, 7/1/1919 :— ‘¢] have used Cooper’s Worm Tablets for stomach worms, and ‘‘found them most effective, and easily administered—far before “drenching. I used them two years ago on a lot of lambs which I ‘bought, and badly infested. In about two to three weeks the ‘‘improvement was very marked, and I had no moretrouble. I ‘‘always keep a stock on hand, and if any sheep show any signs *“ give them a pill with good results. For weaners I think a dose ““does them good even if worms are not suspected.” DOSE EARLY THIS AUTUMN AND PREVENT INFESTATION. SUPPLIES FROM— William Cooper and Nephews, 4 O’Connell Street, Sydney, and from all Agents and Storekepers. Mar. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. xxiii i 'LESLI 700,000 Cases of Leslie Salt Licks were sold in Australia in less than 12 months. Cheaper than Rock Salt, and more wholesome, they mean better health to all animals. 18s. 6d, per case of 12 5-Ib, looped blocks. ~Hanmg them by the Loop.” All Stores, Produce Merchants, Saddlers and Blacksmiths. Wholesale Distributors— N.S.W. PRODUCE Co., HOLDSWORTH MACPHERSON & Co., WATSON & NOBLE. BUZACOTT & Co., LTD., HARRY SHELLEY. Retail from—NOCK & KIRBY Xxiv Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. : FARMERS ! | This TRACTOR will Double | Your Crop—at Half the Cost | ¢ letrac,~ TANK-TYPE TRACTOR P ‘) ‘ i ee # So WORKS IN MUD, SAND, ROUGH GROUND AND UP STEEP HILLS—ALL THE YEAR. - 2O HP. At THE PUELEY, 12 H.P. AT THE DRAWBAR. f[ 5 SS SS A TS + REPLACES 8-10 HORSES. PLOUGHING, CULTIVATING, DRILLING, DAM-SINKING, CHAFF- CUTTING, THRESHING, PUMPING, and LAND CLEARING. Pacific Commercial Co., | Pomeroy House - 16 York Street, | SYDNEY. Mar. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. XXV MANU GLKARING WITH THE AID OF NOBEL - GLASGOW HIGH EXPLOSIVES THE ATTENTION OF FARMERS, ORCHARDISTS, and other LANDOWNERS, is directed to THE “ NOBEL-GLASGOW ” SYSTEM Fullest particulars from the Agents : DALGETY & COMPANY, Ltd., (5 BENT] SrREET, SYDNEY, or from local Storekeepers XXvi Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W | War. 2, 1920. Department of Lands, Sydney. CLOSER SETTLEMENT ACTS. Bygalore Estate. LAND. DISTRICT. 12 Farms available, areas from 690 to 2,049 acres. About 40 to 48 miles from Wyalong, adjacent to Bygalorie, Boorabil, and Ingram’s Sidings on the Wyalong-Oargelligo railway. Forest Vale Estate. Se eer 3 Farms available, areas from 812 to 900 acres. About 64 to 9 miles from Gorman’s Hill Railway Station (proposed), on the Wyalong- Cargelligo railway, and 58 to 59 miles from Wyalong. North Logan Estate. LAND STRICT. 2 Farms available, area 9 acres 1 rd. 5 perches, and 9 acres | rd. 7 perches. About } nrile from Billimari, and 13 miles from Cowra. : CONDOBOLIN Gorman’s Hill West Estate. LAND DISTRICT. 3 Farms available, areas from 1,320 acres to 1,720 acres. 15 to 19 miles from Cargelligo—Burgooney Siding, adjacent to 3 miles distant. GUNDAGAI Nangus Estate. 1 AND DISTRICT. Farm No. 7 of 328% acres. About 14? miles from Gundagai. (Available for Returned Soldiers only.) Farm No. 10 of 620 acres. About 17 miles from Gundagai Boorabil Estate. BS Fe 2 Farms available, areas 1542 acres and 1846 acres: 5 to 7 miles from Tullibigeal Siding, 18 to 20 miles from Cargelligo, about 50 miles from Wyalong. Harrington Vale Estate. tee eee Farm No. 4, of 591 acres. About 104 miles from Quandialla Railway Station. Book Book Estate. LAND DISTRICT. Part Farm 2, of 3493 acres. About 17 miles from The Rock. (Available for Returned Soldiers only.) Farm 3, of 822 acres. About 12 miles from Ladysmith. Farm No. 4 of 826 acres. About 12 miles from Ladysmith. TEMORA CENTRAL Clonmel Estate. — . Oey ponte (Available for Returned Soldiers only.) Farm No. 2 of 459% acres. About 6 miles from Ardlethan. Glen Lyon Estate. (Available for Returned Soldiers only.) Farm No. 4 of 214 acres. 34 miles from Maclean. GRAFTON LAND DISTRICT. Full particulars obtainable on application from the Information Bureau, Department of Lands, Sydney, or the Crown Land Agents for the district in which the lands are situated. ARTHUR J. HARE, Under Secretary. Mar. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. XXvil fet || /// 2 { We pr Si Q@BTAINABLE FROM ALL STORES. Wholesale Proprietors : J.R:--Lowes®’ Co.-htd. Sydney. XXvili Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. THE I.X.L. IMPROVED WIND- MILL IS CHAIN GEARED Illustration on right, shows back view of Steel Roller Adjustable Chain Gear, also grip fastening of the case hardened crank pin which journals in a special improved boss link in the chain... Chain has roller bearings in each link... Made of best steel, case hard- ened—rivets being nickelled to prevent wear similar to Motor Lorry Chain. Our Improved Chain Geared Windmills, easily outclass those in which soft cast iron cog wheels, levers and joint pins are featured; These are often a source of annoyance and complaint, and are not adjustable. Free booklet giving details and price list, sent on request. Geo.E. FORTESSUE & SONS, LTD. Patentees and Sole Manufacturers Famou: for! X.L. Poison Carts, te. ARNCLIFFE, Gee N.S W. » ‘~ We Make and Supply the following ‘IXL”? Specialties— The great ‘“ IXL’’ Poison Carts, of which 9,000 are in use. For use with this Cart we sell the celebrated ‘ IXL’’ Ready-mixed Rabbit Poison. The “ IXL’’ Bosker and Fan Fumigators, both of which are fitted with Patent Grate for using Fumogas (also made and sold by us), the latest and most scientific discovery for fumigating. Charcoal, Sulphur, &c., may be used with these Fumigators Also the famous “ IXL’’ Fire Fighters, “ IXL’’ Homestead Water Carts of various capacities. Tanks, Stands, Tank Material, Piping, &c. Let us go into details with you. Send us particulars of your requirements Geo. E. Fortescue & Sons, Ltd., FAMOUS FOR IXL POISON CARTS, Arncliffe, SYDNEY. Mar. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. XxX1x FARMERS, SQUATTERS, GRAZIERS, and OTHERS, ARE INVITED TO WRITE ELLIOTT, MACLEAN & CO., 75 MACQUARIE STREET —————— SYDNEY, Concrete Wheat Silos, Concrete Ensilage Silos, Concrete Water Tanks, Concrete Sheep Dips, Concrete Houses. LATEST AND MOST SCIENTIFIC REINFORCEMENT. NEPONSE Roofings and Building Products Paroid—Proslate—Challenge. The ROOFINGS which will not crack or perish as they contain only pure asphalt, NO TAR OR PITCH. Water-proofed Wall Boards. Sheets 8 ft. to.12 ft. long, 2ft.to 4 ft. wide, Require neither paint, varnish, size, nor any other decorative finish, SAMPLES, PRICES, AND FULL INFORMATION ON APPLICATION. |} XXX Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W (Mar. 2, 1920. Here are Two Special | Coopen Machines that have provena boon to the Farmers Hundreds are in use throughout Australia, and wherever installed their satisfactory service and unusual economy is a marvel, even to those who knew the superior merits of Cooper Machinery. THE COOPER * LITTLE GIANT * PUMPING OUTFIT is one of the most popular deep-well Pumping Outfits in Australia. Utility and convenience of operation are written in every line of its construction. From six to a dozen are found on some stations, where they have been working for several years supplying the homestead, working on windmills, irrigating the gardens, etc., and giving excellent satisfaction. Strong—Sturdy— Practical. Price £55. THE COOPER “LITTLE WONDER ”” is a standing testimony to the Cooper Motto of High Quality, Satisfactory Service, and Low Price. It is strong, compact. convenient. Requires no special shed or installing. Can big taken from paddock to paddock and used any where. Consists of a high-grade 2-B.H.P. En- gine, 2 complete stands of Shearing Machinery, Power Grinder and all extras ready for work. Price: £84 Portable; £72 Stationary. LSS If you have sheep to shear, crutch or sp water to pump, or require engine power for any purpose, write us for price and full particulars of an outfit to suit your requirements. COOPER ENGINEERING COMPANY, LTD., “.*s%3,%> Mar. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Xxxi THE GREAT PROBLEM OF THE DAY is How to Meet the Ever-increasing Cost of Living. The Great Thinkers of the World all tell us that the only way to do so is by GREATER PRODUCTION. Is it any wonder that there is a World Shortage of Food, and that Europe is starving? Think of the vast sum that the Warring Nations have spent during the last five years—£32,000,000,000—add to that the awful loss of life, fixed at eight millions, in the prime of life and of the ‘‘Nations’ Best!’ It therefore behoves every able-bodied citizen of the world to help to make good the dreadful Ravages and Wastage of the War by Producing Systematically more than he produced in Pre-War times. Here are some side lines for the grazier, Wheat Grower, or Orchardist to choose from, according to their tastes, or suitability of their land. TURKEYS and other poultry can be raised to advantage—the demand being greater than the supply for some time past. PIGS are at record values all the world over, and pay well for the attention given them. DAIRYING also gives a good return to anyone who has the necessary labour at hand. Country works dotted all over this State place present-day settlers in a much better position than our pioneers had. Now You can exchange the products of your labour for cash at any of this Company’s Works enumerated below. Freezing Works: BLAYNEY DUBBO MOLONG WARRIGAL BOGGABRI GILGANDRA MILLTHORPE YEOVAL BOOROWA GUNNEDAH ORANGE YOUNG CANOWINDRA HARDEN PARKES CROOKWELL MUSWELLBROOK WELLINGTON Butter Factories: CANOWINDRA DUBBO Bacon Factory : ORANGE THE COUNTRY FREEZING COMPANY, LIMITED. Head Office—70 PITT STREET, SYDNEY. BLAYNEY PARKES XXXil Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. (Mar. 2, 1920. For Your Wheat Crops Sulphide Super} ——/5 RELIABLE. Highest In New ' Grade. Sacks + + a Free Certain | Running Delivery § Special Manures for all Crops. ' Manufactured in New South Wales by | THE SULPHIDE CORPORATION, Ltd. Works: Cockle Creck, N.S.W. Prices and full particulars from your local Agent or from the Managing Agents: GIBBS, BRIGHT, & CO., SYDNEY. | Vol. XXXI. Pari 3. MARUH 2, 1920. SEE AGRICULIURAL GAEL Vi OF NEW 23 OG WALKS Issued by Direction of THE Hon. W. G. ASHFORD, M.L.A., MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE. W. H. BROWN, Editor. Bv Authority: SYDNEY: W. A. GULLICK, GOVERNMENT PRINTER. 1920. * $1887 -b XXXIV Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Mar. 2, 1920. A Portable Shearing Machine Plant that invites consideration ——-———— Te ** Moffat Virtue’ The ‘* Moffat Virtue’ Portable Shearing Plant comprises two stands Sheep-shearing Machinery, and a ‘New Way’’ The Overhead Frame is solidly constructed of angle steel, thoroughly braced in such a manner Engine ’ that all i vibration is It is strongly Ay eee mounted on ao substantial Transport. machinery. It is true kconomy to invest your first expenditure in Goods that are Good. It saves a great deal of trouble and worry later on. The Moffat Virtue Portable Shearing Plant is absolutely reliable and economical in up-keep. It will work for years at the minimum cost for repair parts, The fact that over 10,000,000 sheep are shorn annually with Moffat Virtue Machines, and that there are more than 10,000 Moffat Virtue Machines at work throughout the Common- wealth, proves that splendid work is done with this make of machinery. The Price is within the reach of Farmers—Write for quote. 4 Machinery Merchants, Noffat Virtue Ftd 205 GLARENCE STREET. = SYDNEY. Mar. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W Registered under the Copyright Act, 1879. Editors of Agricultural and Country Papers are especially invited to reproduce any of the articles contained in the Agricultural Gazette, in whole or in part, making the usual acknowledgment. Contributions are only accepted wpon the terms that the Government may subse- quently publish the same in pamphlet form or otherwise. 2nd March, 1920. CONTENTS. PAGE, Farmers’ ExrERIMENT PLorts—Wheat and Oat Experiments, 1919— Riverina and South-western Slopes 5a bat 36 ...G.C. Sparks 153 Central-western District - baa $5 fe an .. B.C. Meek 159 North-western District tas a . R. W. McDiarmid 161 A Nore ON THE OVER-SUMMERING OF Weuan Pier 1 IN Avsmnatta V.L. Waterhouse 165 A Home-MADE RaIn GAUGE Be : ae i H. E. McDonald 166 FreLtp PrAs as FopvErR—-A Substitute fae Wheat and Oats ... . H. Wenholz 167 JAPANESE BUCKWHEAT AS A Honty Propucer as son AY IMMATURE SUDAN GRASS IS HARMLESS TO STocK a Aye sh for LEA THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CoNCRETE Biock SILo oe #. =. « JAS Brooks? 17} EFFECTS OF A Crop COMPETITION IN VICTORIA 176 WuHueat on Heavy Brack Sorin nd Keg ‘ss Sh eG *“*CHEAP” BANANA SUCKERS ARE Soaimmms Gan ss .. W.J. Allen 176 Soin ImpRovEMENT FoR Maize—I. Manures and Pertiavers (continued) H. Wenholz 177 Tue ‘‘ LEAF-cuTTING ” BEE aa 3 rae as oes oe a. 83 TELEGONY Fe aan aos G. P. Darnell-Smith 184 THE ACTIVITIES OF os Se (Sear wee ee a ab D. F. Houston 184 List oF FERTILISERS IN NEw SoutH WALES—1920 Bee F. B. Guthrie, A. A. Ramsay, R. M. Petrie and F. J. Stokes 185 ORIGIN OF THE NAME ‘‘ JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE” ... G. P. Darnell-Smith 193 Two TypPres oF EuREKA LEMON ... ee a8. aa ... W. J. Allen 194 CHATS ABOUT THE PrickLy PEAR—No. 2 ee : ae J. H. Maiden 195 THE ImportTaNCE OF APPEARANCE IN THE PACKING OF fle W. A. Goodacre 199 VINEYARD Notes ror Marcu ae i aoe Nee wd ... H. E. Laffer 200 ESSENTIALS TO RURAL CONTENTMENT ... in sae aie D. F. Houston 200 AprRicoT GROWING IN NEw SoutH WALES se shi a .. W.J. Allen 201 THE CoMPosITIONS oF VARIOUS LEAD ARSENATES ... ah A. A. Ramsay 208 Apiary Norres ror Marcu ce me: $46 sci x W. A. Goodacre 212 EXTRACTING SuRPLUS HoNEY 5 ies mi 3 Res W. A. Goodacre 213 A Dry Form oF LIME-SULPHUR ... sae 560 er ee A. A. Ramsay 216 Pouttry Norres—March .. sg : i's J. Hadlington 217 ANNUAL Stup Pig SALE AT Etany eee lee eed COLLEGE 220 THE MAINTENANCE OF FERTILITY .. Rs a ; W. R. “Tistan 220 OrcHARD Notes—March ... aah ae oa W. J. Alen and S. A. Hogg 221 A QUERY FROM CALIFORNIA - 222 AGRICULTURAL BurEAU OF NEW Sourn We Eris. oa) Sones fon Branches soe es ane aes ; naa a : 223 BUSINESS-LIKE DAIRYING ... a Sis ¥e5 sh Feettads g. MeFaldedan 227, 228 AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES’ SHOWS ... XXXvl Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. Power Economy for Farmers. For the many operations on a farm requiring power it will be found that they can be most economically and satisfactorily performed by installing JELBART’S SUCTION GAS PLANTS STATIONARY OR PORTABLE, The JELBART is the most economical because it burns wood, shavings, sawdust, or any combustible rubbish as fuel, and does not rely on costly supplies of petrol for its power. Chaff-cutting, pumping for irrigation, wood-sawing, &c., can be effec- tively performed at a lower cost than by any other engine. For general farm work, portable models from 6 to 20 h.-p. are recommended, while for any single purpose stationary models from 6 to 80 h.-p. are also available. Engines are entirely Australian made. Equally strong in construc- tion, and as carefully tested and adjusted as the best imported, and much more moderate in price. Write for illustrated cireular giving detailed particulars of the work they perform, their con- struction, price, &c. State purposes for which you desire an engine. We will advise on the model most suited to your requirements. JELBARTS PROPRIETARY LIMITED, ENG INEERS Makers of Crude Oil Engines, Suction Gas Plants, Hopper —— Cooled Engines, Crude Oil Road Rollers, ete. HEAD OFFICE AND WORKS: SYDNEY OFFICE: Ballarat, Victoria. Challis House, Martin Place, Sydney. AND AT MELBOURNE AND BRISBANE. VoL. XXXI. PART 3. MARCH 2. 1920. Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales. Farmers’ Experiment Plots. WHEAT AND Oat EXPERIMEN'S, 1919. LIBRARY Riverina and South-western Slopes®” YOR BOTANICAL, GARD RR G. C. SPARKS, Acting Inspector of Azriculture. Tue 1919 series of wheat, oat and barley experiments in the Riverina were located as under :— R. H. Thackeray, Woomack, Young. H. M. Hall and Sons, Studbrook, Cunningar. D. and J. Gagie, Spy Hill, West Wyalong. Johns Bros. (R. B. Robb, manager), Wollongough, Ungarie. G. H. Cox, Oakleigh, Ganmain. M. J. Carew, Selbourne, Deniliquin. H. W. Belling, Bexley, Lockhart. Eulenstein Bros., Back Creek, Henty. Jeunings Bros., Urunga, Culeairn. A McDonald, Bright View, Balldale. T. E. Kendall, Mayburn, Ralvona. Results are available from only nine centres, however, owing to the total destruction of the crops at Cunningar by a hailstorm of phenomenal severity, and to a total failure at West Wyalong consequent upon the droughty conditions prevailing there, coupled with the heavy nature of the soil upon which the plots were located. The Season. Dry conditions prevailed throughout the summer of 1918-19. Except at Culcairn and Ralvona, the experiments were on fallow, but as im most cases the initial ploughing was done in September, 1918, the benefit of the August precipitation was very largely lost, end at the commencement of the sowing season the fallow held a very small reserve of moisture. Germination was, however, satisfactory on the whole, and good rain fell during May. The late winter and spring months were extremely dry, but the crops held out fairly well and the rain of early October assured a light harvest. The experiments varied in size from thirteen to eighteen plots, each of ¢ acre, and included, besides the usual variety aud manurial trials, trials of early v, late sowing, crop harrowing, graded v. ungraded seed, acclimatized v. unacclimatized seed, fallowing tests, rates of seeding tests, and also variety trials of oats and barleys. A 154 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. Seeding was in some cases unavoidably later than it should have been, various influences co-operating to delay the operation—notably difticulties of soil preparation owing to the dry conditions prevailing, additional cultivation rendered necessary by weed infestation, and, lastly, the influenza epidemic. As no new varieties were under trial during the past season, details regarding the varieties are unnecessary, but it is interesting to note that at three centres Hard Federation was the highest yielding variety, and it showed a slightly better average than Federation over the whole series. Warden was top yielder at Henty and Lockhart, but it seems unlikely that it will replace the standard varieties at Lockhart, it being rather a late maturer to be profitable there, particularly as a hay variety. The germination of Canberra was very defective and its yield was materially reduced thereby, but, although subjected to the most trying conditions in common with other late sown varieties, it was the highest yielder at two centres. YAINFALL during Fallow. 1918S. 1919. eee | | Total Aug. | Sept> | Oct. Noy. Dec. Jan. | Feb. | March.| April. | 4 | coeietie By aay | Pts. | Pts. | Pts. | Pts | Pts. | Pts. | Pts. | Pts. | Pts. | Pts Young ... Foe eel XS 71 23 21ile ae |@ 2.76 81 59 581 Ungarie ... cle SA OO 7l 5 58 | 27 133 30 67 | 633 Deniliquin coe]. steel Mee 83 é: 5S asea ee SOM 76 51 | 566 Lockhart scaf) OL9E| 164 o4 5 OTF sal 118 45 90 | 728 Henty Ballas ‘cas 43 43 4 Bois aaa 7] 657} 106 | 387 Balldale ... -o:| ae | a See 202 124 120") a Culesirn ... ei) eee : vas Sete ] 97 151 175 RAINFALL during Growing Period. | May. June. | July. | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Novy. | Dec. ae | Pts. | Pfsimecemeeets. | Pts. | Pts. | Pts. | Pts. Pts. Young ie seal. 288° | Zelda 149 135 60 9 | 369 469 Ungarie __... .| 280) = S200 aes 57 54 BLOM oe che 495 Deniliquin ... vse|) !2314) SCR ees 33 68 72 Sine 477 Lockhart... | 163, 90 | 62 72 GOs 020i AGE aa. 505 Henty 555 «| 145 1). 7Ss\eee 63 64 SOM us 4s 555 Balldale _... Se See 39 115 84 51 159 4 496 Culcairn bi ele eG 119 | 7 120 94 134 36 | 420 419 Soil and Cultural Details. Young.—Red loam soil. Ploughed August and September, 1918 ; har- rowed, November; disced, middle of April, 1919 ; cross-harrowed, scarified, and harrowed at end of May. Late cultivation was rendered essential by thistle infestation. Sown 3rd and 4th June; 58 lb. seed, 56 Ib, super- phosphate. Harvested, 15th December. Ame Mar. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of NSW. 155 Ungarie.—Red loam. Ploughed July, 1918; harrowed, 9th September and 20th March. Early sowing 15th April; 42 lb,seed, 56 lb. superphos- phate. Late sowing 10th June ; 551b. seed, 60 lb. superphosphate. ~ Rainfall on late sowing, 188 points. ; Ganmain.—Red loam. Ploughed August, 1918 ; spring-toothed November and March ; harrowed before seeding. Sown 19th May ; 56 lb. seed, 56 Ib. superphosphate. Deniliquin.—Grey loam. Ploughed 21st September, 1918; spring- toothed, 8th March, 1919; rolled, 9th April; spring-toothed, 13th May ; harrowed and sown, 14th May; crop harrowed, Ist August; 55 lb. seed, 56 lb. superphosphate. Harvested, 6th December. Lockhart.—Red loam. Ploughed in August, 1918; disced, February, 1919; harrowed and spring-toothed in April. Sown, 12th May; 55 lb. seed, 56 lb. superphosphate. Harvested, 3rd December. RESULTS of Wheat Variety Trials. (=| | | | 2 =| Pe} | ite . . | 3 12 = = | =z 2 a Variety. = z a = 4 pela be Set oint S Bi) es ament G9 1(7i/8 al Melee ages lee A eS & a iS S el ad | bus. Ib. | bus. Ib. | bus. Ib. | bus. Ib. | bus. Ib. | bus. Ib. bus. Ib. | bus. Jb. | bus. 1b. Hard Federation acl 42) 56) 2 48h mrs2) |) 8° 932) | 9 12 Pe failed, Pee i. fee Federation .. ate ca lieeoe 48\\|| 24 5S Sh ome 557 | 6 49 | Lets Bi 85258 149 is) AL Marshall’s No. 3 +7 ep OPe Zane a ote ee cen, |, 9) .23%\| (Seo SGieeavors male le |ptatena Warden He He ft | an es DF 23) 0 19 47a lee 27s tailed: ¥ a Bomen .. ; ae ye ar i 3) 4 (pe alt ise oi lis al etre t | 11:21 Dret20) 6 28 Zor se Yandilla King ri eAlneatson 29) | 2 Lis \ec6ma4 2). 3\||\.8! W6n ero sas 6 39 6 51 | failed. TES craig aes Name ee ue a ea .. | 8 59| 9 40| 9 46| failed. | 4 41 | failed. Canberra A fs Ja\) etek) yom Feelin ope ake} 3 20) 5 41) 3 89-) failed: 7 36 | failed. Improved Steinwedel % 1 57) 5 b6| 6 24. oem | , a 6 53 | failed. Bunyip... a Ll. 40 eee | eve oe | ers at | a Golden Drop .. 1 39 | . aS zal o|h, imeem: | somes Florence a nf Me pat ei. Ae aan Thew .. = : AB tee a fee | 2 48 Se) (ie eterna oes Firbank i a an : we eo | Se aye - | . | Cleveland a aa aan Ge. 43 | | failed. | Currawa ee ov by, E | 4. se Pd se | "6: 220: Zealand bic be rk gu ete este. Ps vc Selle, SHAT | | | | Henty —Red loam. Ploughed early in September, 1918; spring-toothed November and in April, 1919. Early sowing, 22nd April; 45 lb. seed, 56 lb. superphosphate. Late sowing, [4th June; 60 Ib. seed, 45 lb. superphosphate. Harvested, 2nd December. Culecairn.—Red loam ; stubble land. Ploughed early in May, 1919, and harrowed. Harrowed and sown, 7th June; 57 lb. seed, 60 Ib. super- phosphate. Balldale.—Red loam. Ploughed August, 1918; harrowed in September ; disced early in May and spring-toothed and harrowed three times; a heavy infestation of black oats rendered sustained cultivation necessary. Sown 5th June; 56 1b. seed, 56 Ib. superphosphate. Harvested, 7th and 12th December. Ralvona.—Grey loam, alluvial; stubble land. Ploughed end of April, 1919 ; narrowed twice; sown 12th June, 60 lb. seed, 60 1b. superpho-phate. Harvested, 10th December. Rainfall not available, but conditions extremely y 156 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Mar. 2, 1920. dry. The seed-ced was slightly moist and a little rough. Seeding was followed by a prolonged period of unusually severe frost, alternating with bright, warm days, which completely dried out the seed-bed and formed surface incrustation. A large amount of seed malted, and the residue of most varieties was apparently unable to penetrate the crust except in the shade of green timber, where germination was satisfactory in all varieties. The stand of all plots except Federation, Hard Federation and Bomen and of the oat plots was a total failure, and re-secding was necessary. The Manurial Trials, Manurial trials were carried through at seven centres. It might have been anticipated that in such a season the unmanured plots would have suffered severely, and it will be noticed that almost every application of manure brought about a substantial increase in yield, the } cwt. superphos- phate giving an addition of 3 bushels 34 lb. on the average against the unmanured plot, or upwards of 101 percent. ‘The 70 1b. dressing of superphos- phate, while a failure at Deniliquin and Lockhart, was the highest yielder at Young, Ganmain and Balldale. At Lockhart the lighter dressing of 42 Ib. and no manuring failed, and crops were fed off. Basic superphosphate was tried at Henty, and while giving an increase of 67 per cent. against the unmanured plot, did not compare at all favourably with superphosphate, being outyielded by the 56 Ib. application by 34 bushels. ReEsutts of Wheat Manurial Trials. , = L = - g ; Manure per acre. z | gs ES x A = E } eile | 2 Weare si eet lp aac De bus. Ib. | bus Ib. | bus. Ib. | bus. lb. | bus. lb. | bus. 1b | bus. lb. | bus, Ib. Superphosphate, 56 lb. sei MOMASUNEAMESS)| 5 11) 5 57 | 16) Sou 919") 95) 40) V7 eens 3 28 Ib. eee |i 4 43 | roe oe 10 5 Sta 6 61 5 70 Ib. Sr oe: | 10> SS alice 20: (fh 2 57 3 56/10 36 8. 9 6 36 = 42 Ib. Presi] 4 49). Sede atledes|i10n cb) je Te Sn | mOnNaS Basic Superphosphate, 56 Ib. |) a i |e a SD w * No manure sh oo 6 16Hmeoee6 | 2 45} (5 D1) | failed >| 4 479|" giv4raiess 31 { | Varieties used. —at Balldale, Yandilla King; all other plots—Federation. Karly v. Late Sowing. Early versus late sown plots were included in the Ungarie and Henty experiments, the results being :— Henty. Early sown (22nd April, 1919)— = Late sown (14th June, 1919)— Bomen... ... 11 bus2iab: Bomen... ... 3 bus, 55 Ib, Federation ... 11 ,, 194; Federation *.,.'"o"? 7 oy Ungarie. larly sown (15th April, 1919)— = Late sown (10th June, 1919)— Federation ... 4 bus, 53 Ib. Federation .... 2 bus, 12 Ib. These figures indicate an advantage of 2} bushels per acre upwards in favour of early sowing —a result that might have been anticipated, the season being particularly unfavourable to late sown crops, or Mar. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 157 Crop-harrowing Experiment. This was carried out at Deniliquin. Two plots of Federation were sown under precisely similar conditions on 14th May, one of which was harrowed on Ist August, the other being untouched. The yields were as follow :— Crop harrowed _... tis ... 5 bus, 57 Ib, Crop not harrowed ai -iitt ORd EED yy Equivalent to an increase of 6 per cent. Graded v. Ungraded Seed. These trials were located at Balldale and Lockhart, and voth resulted substantially in favour of graded seed. Balldale. Lockhart. bus. lb. bus. Ib. Graded a bee pee) 49 6 49 Ungraded ... a3 eo 1S Gr ii®) Approximate increase, 12 per cent. Acclimatized v. Unacclimatized Seed. At Deniliquin and Young plots of locally-grown Federation were included to compare with that supplied by this Department. In both cases, however, the local seed was from the 1918 plots. The figures are :— Deniliquin. Young. bus. lb. bus. lb. Local seed Et aro 6 Ome 24: Introduced seed eae '7 9 48 Experience indicates that better results are likely to follow the use of acclimatized seed, other things being equal, especially in drier districts. Fallowing Experiments. These were carried out at Ungarie, and included fallowed versus non- fallowed plots and also worked fallow versus unworked fallow. As the non- fallowed plot was not available until late in the season, this section of the experiment was seeded along with the late sown varieties, and was subjected to particularly unfavourable conditions. The worked versus unworked fallow plots were sown early. In any case the yields are only approximate, as the whole of the fallowing experiment was more or less damaged by sheep breaking through the fence. The yields were :— Fallowed (sown 10th June, 1919) 2 bus. 12 Ib Non-fallowed a Sch See, Worked fallow (sown 16th April, 1919)... 4 ,, 53 ,, Unworked fallow 3 00, ; OR N, Rate of Seeding, ‘These experiments were located at Ungarie and Balldale and were under different conditions. The Ungarie plots were sown early (10th April), and in accordance with past experience they showed a substantial margin in favour of the medium rate of seeding. 45 |b. of seed per acre ... ... 4 bus. 53 Ib. 60 Ib. = Pe ee >< 3 eee 158 clgricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Mar. 2, 1920. At Balldale a late sown plot (5th June) seeded at the rate of 40 lb. per acre was included at the request of Mr. McDonald to test a local custom of light late-seeding, the results being :— 40 lb. seed per acre vi 6) bus249: 1b. 5D lb! ay Fs 77 . Bowegrrkoae, It must be.observed, however, that these yields were secured under decidedly abnormal conditions, and are therefore of little value. While a thin stand may be expected to be most effective under drought conditions, the practice of late seeding at materially increased rates is so firmly estab-° lished that it does not admit of question, Oat Experiments, Experiments with oats were included with the wheat experiments at Young, Ganmain and Ralvona under conditions identical with those mentioned above. The rate of seeding at Young was 51 lb. per acre, at Ganmain 43 lb., and at Ralvona 55 lb. > Variety. ; Young. Ganmain. Ralvona. | | bus. Ib bus. lb bus. Ib Algerian... eeeeeeeeeerlO! LO) Wy) Seis 6 20 Guyra | Ni ly) || ae Ne oly Lachlan Mes 25 «| hinge dhetalboretek., Rnakurai? vs)" (ee eM ey Sao idee Sunrise | Lie 23 Cut for hay. 12eals At Ganmain the Sunrise plot ‘went down” before ripening and was cut: for hay. Barley Experiments. Trials were conducted at Young and Henty with the following results :— Variety. Young. Henty. Cowra 36. Site a 9. 2 ee re Goldthorpe ... Nic sé 923 Litied Kinver a “i sill lige 2B ro 20 11 Pryor Ace me RID ge 19 40 At Henty the barleys (sown early and grown under identical conditions) compared most favourably with’ the wheat plots, the heaviest yielding wheat plot (Warden) making 11} bushels, and the averages for barley being 19 bushels, and for wheat 103 bushels. At Young the seeding was a late one, and the barleys were outyielded by several of the wheat plots. Mar. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 159 Central-western District. Bb. C. MEEK, Assistant Inspector of Agriculture. Grain Trials, THe past season has been the worst yet experienced by the wheat growers in this district ; consequently, results must be studied in their right perspective. As was to be expected in a dry season, the quick-maturing Varieties generally did better than the long season ones. Canberra seed was badly bluestoned or it would have given better results. Most of the plots received the bulk of their rainfall in the month after planting, and when the rain held off the plants withered away and looked like failure in August. The plots were eaten off by sheep at this stage, as it was considered the root systems would have a better chance of keeping the plants alive if they did not have too much top to support. At Gulgong and Coclah the plots were complete failures. In oats, the wonderful success of the Departmental varieties at Lyndhurst deserves special attention, as in very few localities is anything but Algerian grown. Resuts of Grain Trials. SyEten | | idle - | A \J. Montgomery § J. Welsh, | A. R. Hall, | H, Leabeater, Tea | Coonabarabran, | eee Mudgee. Grenfell. Lyndhurst, Altitude .. ..| 1,640 feet. 1,669 feet. | 984 feet. | 1,536 feet. 760 feet. | 2,204 feet. Se ee i a Le, | Ee Se — oer Average Rainfall. .| 25°84 inches. | 29°18 inches. | 22°58 inches. 25°31 inches |20°64 inches. 26°68 inches. Rainfall during | Feeagl | | growing period .| 6°30 inches. | 7°63 inches. | 7°54 inches. | 2°82 inches.| 2°57 inches.) 9°51 inches. | Wheat. bus. Ib. | bus. Ib. { bus, Ib. bus. lb. | bus. Ib. bus. Ib. Hard Federation. . iS 16 44 4 19 6 37" | a Canberra .. ao 7 40 asa 2 40 6 48 1 38 Federation scl 1S 3 3 19 oS bon6 Yandilla King ..| OmaO) | sats | * Bide ae Florence .. fall SSrake 13 40 Peter act | 3 30 Marquis... a ae 2 i | 344 «| 386 Majors i | cP ad '0 ae | ae ee | aa Rymer.. a 12 19 ae | ae ae * Warren .. BG 9 9 eiist : Bomen a 8 16 Bee | ae | = Marshall’s No. 3 .. Bet oe | * re : Cleveland .. sia\| Roe = dee | * aoe } Je Currawa Eaih % Oats. Sunrise De oi 3 30 Lachlan =| | 7 10 10 Guyra~ -: Sa]| | 6 22 74 #20 Ruakura .. =| Bane ieee | eek 8 24 ack 68 0 Algerian .. Ae meres aehne | aris ea ars 54 30 | * Failure. Hay Trials. Results were only obtained on the Central Tableland in the hay experiments the plot at Coonabarabran failing. Oats gave the heaviest yields, and the Department’s varieties, Sunrise, Lachlan and Guyra, were ahead of all others. 160 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. The plots at Carcoar and Hobby’s Yards were eaten off by sheep during August, and yet gave satisfactory results eventually. Patches of take-all and bunt were noticed in the wheat crops at Carcoar, and loose smut in White 'Tartarian oats at that place and Hobby’s Yards ; otherwise very little disease was present. tain came early at inopportune times on the tableland, but late rains just saved the situation. Resutts of Hay Trials. W. Burns, N.S. Meek, H. Leaheater, a Carcoar. | Hobby’s Yards. Lyndhurst. Altibude nse. nes ...| 2,673 feet. 3,177 feet. 2,204 feet. Average Rainfall... ...| 29°44 inches. | 30°15 inches. | 26°6€ inches Rainfall during growing period... a 9-20 inches. 10°11 inches. | 9°51 inches. Oats ieee Coy Cle eee CE WE i ES GI Sunrise ioe 0 i 0) 20 Guyra eS lO EZ ile @) Lachlan | bie TPPPNO) eo Dep NG Algerian oa | ny Wig i we0: 1 5 (Farmers)... veal eo «(Oe ae een eaeertert ie Ruakura_... |). Sa Usalay i RES) ae White Tartarian Heat 0 Lt) al oe ARRU BEC Wheat. Zealand a3 ie ae il, SQM Re Wee ee) he ia ee Florence... na Sool). -coceanee EO Se Oeent teri ate fee Marshall’s No. 3 is, 0 OG Sie ll werencs asec Bomen ae ae eee > i ORS ee FO ee eaten sl Cleveland ... eS ts 10" Ss Ola did Ge 2calmm ty hacia ne (Farmers) Hee): «Decree Oo Yinckeaeae Marquis Ons” | OPT On TP: Biieae- Spring Wheat Trials. Farmers in the colder ‘listricts are often delayed in their planting owing to wet weather, or to the previous crop (such as potatoes) not being ready to: harvest before the usual planting time. Under such circumstances it would be far preferable to plant at the end of August or early in September than in July, when the soil is often beaten down and perhaps waterlogged. Planting late like this, good payable grain crops will be obtained instead of very inferior hay yields. The grain in the varieties under trial was clean and plump, and compared more than favourably with{early sown plots. Sunset was the first to mature, with Hard Federation next in order. Marquis and Cleveland (very late: maturers) received th» benefit at’a critical stage of 131 points of rain more- than varieties which had already ripened off. Mar. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 161 Resutts of Spring Wheat Trials. ee N.S. Meek, J. S. Singer, Hobby’s Yards. Coonabarabran. Altitude wah a Malesia teet: | 1,669 feet. Average Rainfall os ...| 30°15 inches. | 29°18 inches. Rainfall during growing | period ae 2. ...| 4°37 inches. 1-28 inches. | bus. lb. | bus. Ib. Firbank “ee SZ | * Hard Federation L219 | 1 30 Clarendon ay: ; 10 59 3 Florence sae Be | 9 30 i Sunset ... nf seh Si) 6 0 Cleveland i, st x Thew 6 20 * Marquis 5 38 s * Failure. North-western District. R. W. McDIARMID, Inspector of Agriculture. THE wheat experiments conducted during the past year in the north-west were located on the properties of the undermentioned farmers :— W. H. Lye, Loomberah, Tamworth. J.T. Maunder, The Wilgas, Pallamallawa, EK. Bower, Hampton Valley, Warialda. W. Palmer, Pine View, Narrabri. J. Carroll, Oak View, Narrabri. Jas. Cherry, The Willows, Wee Waa. W. Lennox, Claremont, Baan Baa, Y. C. Ormiston, Glenfenzie, Gunnedah. J. Perry, senior, Killara, Quirindi. Bignall Bros., Arlington, Manilla. The experiments comprised variety trials, manurial trials, and a fallowing test. Unfortunately the season was very unfavourable, and no grain was harvested except at the three first-mentioned centres. The remaining districts produced nothing ; and when it could be seen that a payable crop was impos- sible, the plots, like crops in general, had to be fed to starving stock. The plots harvested were also fed off early in the season, which proved, under the circumstances, a disadvantage. The Season. The rainfall during the year was extremely low at each centre, and as the previous year was a dry one there was such a scarcity of moisture in the land as to make failure inevitable. The autumn was very unfavourable, and the 162 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Mar. 2, 1920. seed-bed could only be prepared with difficulty and not satisfactorily. The sowings were all Jate, and there was no opportunity of cleaning the land before performing the operation. A good year being expected after the 1918 drought, and the crops showing excessive growth, they were practically all fed off during the winter months. Good rains did not eventuate, however, and many of the crops never grew again. Crops not fed off yielded the best. The rainfall at the centres where some grain was harvested was as follows :— Locality. April. | May. | June, July. August. Re saee see October. Total. | (ame “""*% Pts. Pts. Pts: Pts: |) wPtsyes) sees Pts. Pts. Tamworth .... 87 211 65 50 97 | 66 217 792 Pallamallawa 46 351. — |i a fe Mellie KTS) | 10 101 610: Warialda ...|... 350 /mmeae | 30 2 8 121 584 The May rainfall was utilised for preparing the seed-bed, and the October rainfall was too late to benefit the crops very much. Tn ordinary seasons the October rainfall would have benefited the crops considerably, but they matured very rapidly during the spring and winter months, and the early varieties were within a few days of stripping when the October fall occurred. Late varieties which were not too near maturity did benefit considerably by the October falls. Results at Various Centres. Tamworth.—The following table shows the yields obtained at Tamworth, where the plots included long and short fallowed land and land prepared only with the spring-tooth cuitivator, Resutts of Variety Trials at Tamworth. Long v. Short Fallow. | Preparation with Spring-tooth Cultivator, Bushel | | ee | Bushel Weights by | panne ae | Long iort Weights by pa trees = Chondro- | Variety. | Fallow. | Fallow. | Chondro-. | Variety. Yield, meter. | | meter. Ib. /bus. Ib. | bus. Ib. lb. | | bus. Ib. 624 Marshall’s No. 3 Es 836 | 4 25 62 | Currawa ae - 9 29 62} Yandilla King... fej ek |) 57 | Bomen.. 3 xe] LO) ee 58} Cleveland i rheipempaee), 9325 604 | Federation .. sm) LO 45 61 Marquis. . a «a Lean 3 43 62 | Cowra No. 15 =f JOS 4% 63 Clarendon oe ed ea Ge tt] 3 66 60 | Comeback .. Ba 8 8 634 Hard Federation Fae ogee 18] 2 45 58 | Cumberland.. PT EOP AO 64 Rattling Jack .. ae fete pao! 6 32 56 Huron 42 a 3 42 59 Rymer .. 4 =i AD 6 10 564 Avoca. ef 9.6 61} Zealand ., aie P| baat bi Ee 4 55 57 Thew .. .S a 6 53 58 Penny .. fs ae 7,20 3 45 59) Cedar... Eye f: (Peay 9 64 Canberra i <5] JL Oram if 22 564 Huguenot .. cs 5 4 624 Florence x. ci] 12s 5 24 57 Medeah - 106 oe 603 Sunset .. Bo -.-| 18 20 4 20 61 Bunyip .. Se Pr fa a ij 4 45 62 Pusa No. 4 - ‘ ne!) 4 20 60 American No, 8 By eae dekh! 3 44 61 Red Wings ae » «| ee ED) | 5» 50 62 Currawa o +o) LL eeUmaiee & 25 | The varieties were sown in their respective seasons, the slow-growing varieties being sown in May and the quick-growing ones on ist July. All Mar. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 163 plots were fed off heavily with sheep late in July and early in August, after which they were harrowed. ‘The preparation of the land in the case of the long fallow consisted of a ploughing in September, cultivation with spring- tooth in November, and sowing to maize, which failed to germinate. The short fallow section was ploughed in December and harrowed. down in March. Both sections were spring-tooth cultivated in April and sown May—July. In order to test a cultivation method that is occasionally practised, certain land which had been sown in May of the previous year and the crop on which had been fed off with sheep, was prepared for a second crop by working with the spring-tooth cultivator in May, 1919, and again in June after the good May rains. Sowing took place on the 5th and 12th June on an ideal seed-bed. The sections that were treated differently soon showed marked differences, more so than in normal years.. In some instances the variation in yield was as much as 50 per cent. in favour of properly long-fallowed land. The good results obtained from the use of the spring-tooth cultivator on the non-fallowed land demonstrate the value of that implement for quick and cheap methods, and agree with those of - previous years in the Quirindi district. The comparative increase over the December-ploughed land is due to the better seed-bed produced. The December-ploughed land was ploughed dry and turned up rough, and it never compacted properly. The samples of grain were mostly good ones. The bushel weight of each variety is shown, the best being Canberra and Rattling Jack, with Huron at - the bottom. ZesuLts of Manurial Trial at Tamworth. Variety —Canberra. Manure per acre. Long Fallow. | Short Fallow. bus. 1b. | bus. “Ib. INN Se ia 15 40 Ties 25 Ib. Superphosphate Alia lo. 2 OOS 50 ;, 5 mi 15 626 7 50 Warialda.—The varieties grown at Warialda, with their respective yields, are as follow :— Resutts of Variety Trials at Warialda. Variety. Yield. Variety. | Yield, | | | bus. Ib. *|| | bus. lo Bunyip se ..| 6 1 || Federation | 2 24 Canberra see itl meee | Bomen i ea linge trees 13) Steinwedel ol Seale | Rymer sealed 2 Sunset... UL oe 46 Marshalls Noo S01) 0° 52 Hard Federation P| 3 54 | Currawa Ser ...| eaten out. 164 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Mar. 2, 1920. The land at Warialda was prepared with the spring-tooth cultivator in February, and again in May for the late sown varieties. The late wheats were sown on 20th May, and the quick growers on J2th June. The final figures were very much reduced by an unusually heavy visitation of parrots. Pallamallawa.—Yhe early maturing varieties here would have returned up to four bags per acre had not the parrots caused so much damage. The wheat had to be harvested before being properly matured to get any grain at all. Sunset, Florence, Bunyip and Canberra proved the best, and about two bags per acre were harvested from each. ‘The rainfall here was extremely low, and Sunset matured a fair crop on 112 points of rain from the date of sowing. It was sown on 10th June and harvested early in October. All the varieties were fed off with sheep, for they made very rapid growth in June and promised well. They would have yielded fair returns had this been omitted. The land was ploughed for the plots early in January and disc-cultivated early in May. Sowing took place on 8th May with all varieties, excepting Sunset. All the other plots sown were fed to starving stock when it was seen the prospects were hopeless. Conclusions, Valvable conclusions can be drawn from the results from those plots harvested, and especially those in the Tamworth district. In every instance where it was adopted, the working of the land after the rain gave growth and returns superior to that worked only prior to the rain and while the land was dry. The value of a properly compacted seed-bed was again very plainly demonstrated in the Jong and short fallowing plots at Tamworth, and the May preparation with the spring-toothed cultivator only. The use of superphosphate with a quick maturing variety on the long and_ short fallowed land is unnecessary. The good yields on the long fallow at Tamworth plainly demonstrate the value of that system in the north-west, and should be sufficient to induce more farmers to adopt it. The results at Tamworth explain why good crops ean be, and were, grown side by side with failures under the same rainfall. When farmers appreciate the reason more fully, and adopt more thorough methods, superior yields will be harvested, and the idea that some farmers are “very lucky” will be exploded. PossiBLy others besides a recent Port Macquarie correspondent have medi- tated the possibilities of a large galvanized-iron tank for the making of silage. The capacity of that of the correspondent was 1,000 gallons, and the crops to be ensiled Sudan grass, saccaline sorghum and broom millet. The tank mentioned would be quite useless for making silage, as crops cannot be ensiled satisfactorily unless in fairly large quantities—say from 70 to 100 tons. Under such circumstances, we would advise cutting the crop and endeavouring to cure it for hay.—A. H. E. McDownat.p, Chief Inspector of Agriculture, Mar. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. A Note on the Ovet-summering of Wheat Rust in Australia. W. L. WATERHOUSE, B.Se. (Agr.), Walter and Eliza Hall Agriculture Research Fellow, University of Sydney. THE question how rust of wheat survives through the hot Australian summer and successfully infects the next year’s crop is of the utmost importance, and the answer should be found if the disease is to be satisfactorily dealt with. Various solutions of the problem have been offered. In his “ Rusts of Australia,” p. 69, McAlpine suggests that the self-sown or “ volunteer ”’ wheat growing in the paddocks or on headlands may be responsible rather than the black oats and other grasses. In the course of some work at Sydney University dealing with the rust problem an effort was made to secure evidence bearing on the point. Thanks to the courtesy of Mr. G. Valder, Under Secretary for Agriculture, and his officers, visits were paid to certain of the Government experiment farms where wheat is an important crop, and from, time to time observations were made in the field. The period that was covered extended from June, 1918, till March, 1919. The summer of 1918-1919 was one of the driest recorded in the parts visited; drought conditions were general and no rust apidemic was reported anywhere in the State. It should be remembered that the destructive rust of the wheat crop in Australia is the Summer Rust or Black Stem Rust (Puccinia gramums). A second form, known as the Spring Rust (Puccinia triticina), oceurs, but it is usually stated that this does little damage. The Yellow Stripe Rust (Puccinia glumarum), which does so much harm in Europe, has not yet been reported from Australia. In June, 1918, abundance of self-sown (from shed grain) and second-growth wheat was found in heavily stocked stubble paddocks, growing in the shelter of thistles and other coarse plants, in crops of rape, on headlands under fences, and more especially round haystacks. It was also present in quantity along some of the railway tracks. On the leaves, stems and ears of this volunteer wheat a large amount of summer rust in the uredo and teleuto stage was found, as well as the uredo stage of the spring rust. Uredospores were tested and proved viable. At this time the growing erop was about 6 inches high, and in many places was only a few yards away from the badly-infected volunteer wheat. On this sown crop, how- ever, no sign of summer rust was discovered, although pustules of the spring rust were plentiful on the seedling leaves. 166 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Mar. 2, 1920. At the end of August, 1918, a similar state of affairs prevailed. Rusty volunteer wheat was plentiful, but on the leaves of the sown crops, now 15 to 18 inches high, only uredo pustules of spring rust were found. One paddock that had previously been observed to carry much rusty volunteer wheat had been ploughed, but growing up between the furrow slices were many of the wheat plants with both forms of rust on them. Towards the end of November, when the harvest was in progress, these districts were again visited. On the green parts of plants in the crop, viable uredospores of both rusts were found, though practically no damage had . been done to the crop. Volunteer wheat, particularly round haystacks, was red with summer rust on all above-ground parts of the plants. The field noted as having been ploughed had been reploughed and cultivated, but straggling volunteer wheat plants carrying viable uredospores of both rusts were still to be found. It was not until the end of March, 1919, that the next Inspection was made. The summer had been exceptionally dry and very hot; no second growth had occurred, the stubble having been killed out by the dry weather in most places. A light rain in February had germinated much of the shed grain, but on these seedlings no rust was discovered. Only in one place was rusted wheat found; this wasin a paddock which had been fallow for nearly a year, ploughed a couple of months previously, and at the time of the visit was being cross-ploughed and harrowed in preparation of a seed-bed for wheat. Here, in the centre of several much-grazed tufts of wheat that had assumed a somewhat perennial nature, were found uredo pustules on leaves, inner surface of sheaths and stems. In the cases examined the rust proved to be the spring rust, but it is by no means impossible for the summer rust to have also been present in some of the tufts. In an adjoining paddock the early sown crop of wheat was through the ground, but no rust pustules were found in it. Numerous pale patches were observed on many of the seedling leaves. While these observations are far from complete, they do go to show the importance of volunteer wheat as an agency for the spread of rust by means of the uredospores. It 1s hoped that other observers will pay atten- tion to this matter in order to try and complete a chain of evidence. A HoME-MADE RAIN GAUGE. A HOME-MADE rain gauge can be made of a kerosene or any straight-sided tin, the open end being carefully cut in order that the aperture may retain the shape of the bottom of the tin and the sides remain unbulged. This should be set in a cleared spot on a flat surface. To ascertain the amount of rain that has fallen, it is only necessary to use the ordinary rule. An eighth of an inch represents about 124 points; 4-inch 25 points; and so on. This is not strictly accurate, but sufficiently so for farmers’ purposes.— A. H. E. McDonatcp, Chief Inspector of Agriculture. Mar. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W 167 Field Peas as Fodder. A SUBSTITUTE FOR WHEAY AND OATS. H. WENHOLZ, B.Sc. (Agr.), Inspector of Agriculture. WirH the present extreme scarcity of suitable varieties of seed wheat and oats in New South Wales, many farmers will naturally look for some sub- stitute fodder crop. The claims of field peas as an efficient crop for the purpose might well be taken account of just now. Field peas have been for many years the most popular crop with orchardists in many districts (especially in citrus orchards) as a green manure and cover crop. On maize land on the coast which has been continuously cropped for many years and which is showing signs of ‘‘ wearing out” (indicated by deticiency in humus and poor physical condition), field peas are being increasingly used as a means of restoring the land to its former tilth On the Macleay River they are being more and more extensively sown for the combined purposes of soil improvement and stock feeding. The seed is usually sown after the early maize crop is off in February, March or April, and the growth is generally fed off by dairy cows during July or August, when there is a shortage of winter feed. Farther north on the coast, where maize is sown later, the best farmers are sowing field peas among the maize at the last cultivation (usually during February), and they find the legume not only improves the soil but provides a substantial bulk of nutritious feed for dairy cows when turned on to the cornstalks after the maize is harvested. The system is usually highly successful because of the good autumn rainfall on the upper North Coast and the frequent dry winter and spring months, which favour late plantings of maize and also make feed ot the kind scarce in winter and spring. On the Northern Tableland and in the wheat districts where there is a good winter rainfall (such as the Riverina and Central-western Slopes) field peas are coming to the front as a fodder crop for sheep ; and though they have not yet entered into the regular rotation to any extent in those districts, their value in this direction has been partially proved by experiments. In South Australia and Victoria the use of field peas in the rotation has been definitely established, and has taken its place in an improved system of mixed farming. In these cases field peas are used alone, and where wheat and oats are unprocurable for seed this season, farmers in those wheat districts that have been mentioned might well consider the advisability of sowing this substitute on at least part of their land. The result will, perhaps, lead them to realise its advantages as a fodder crop and for soil improvement, 168 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Mar. 2, 1920. Mr. H. Ross, Manager of Wagga Experiment Farm, supplies the following figures for wheat after various fodder crops at that farm :— | Yield of Wheat. Previous Crop. i——___—- ' i = 1916 eol7. | | 1918. 1919. | Average Pa Ib. en Ib. | bus. Ib. | bus. Ib. Rape ... ea aera SS 2amele 7 | 38 30 4 46 | OF 2 ‘Peas 5: Sco fe eis: 6” 2G 640 Oo =O 1) vee ell 14 20 Barley.. ac, Wael We: bape 33 13. Uae 7. 6 6 i 8 50 °| 11 ¥58 Vetches sai le alas 835) ye LOR, 47 8 23 6 47 | 12 46 i | i In other cases where wheat and oats are used exclusively for winter fodder on the coast and tablelands, and for hay for farm use in some of the wheat districts, there is room for the inclusion of field peas in cultivation with these cereals to the extent of saving at least a quarter or a half of the cereal seed, and at the same time securing a heavier growth of better balanced and more nutritious fodder or hay. On many parts of the coast and tablelands there are numerous soils not naturally fertile which are being cropped with summer and winter fodders alternately without any legumes—a system which must inevitably lead to soil exhaustion very quickly, and render the profitable growth of such crops absolutely dependent on a good rainfall and the use of increasing quantities of fertilisers. The present shortage of wheat and oats will really be a boon to these farmers if they will replace the cereals wholly or in part by field peas and utilise the growth for feeding off as much as possible. Varieties. Very few varieties of field peas have been tested in New South Wales ; and there is room for improvement on the varieties known here, according to the use made of the crop—whether for green fodder, hay, or green manuring —in different districts. By the courtesy of the United States Department of Agriculture, over fifty varieties are now under trial on the experiment farms in this State, and the Department here hopes to establish the best in the most suitable localities. There is a wide difference in fodder-producing capacity and also in time of maturity; and varieties will be found to suit the maturity of different wheats and oats which are grown for green fodder, so that the peas can be used in combination with the cereal—both reaching the right stage for fodder together. It seems as if the varieties with small seeds will be the most desirable, provided they produce the growth of fodder, because they considerably cheapen the cost of seeding—less seed being required of them to sow an acre. Several of the new varieties are more promising in this respect than the kinds we already know. The chief varieties recently tried in New South Wales are Grey, Blue, Canada, and Egyptian or Dun. These may be considered to be broad classifications based on colour of seed more than anything else. Grey and Blue are practically ‘tae only ones obtainable from seedsmen, Mar. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 169 . The Grey field pea is a late variety, with fairly large grey seeds mottled ‘with brown. It matures with Huguenot wheat and with Algerian oats, and tis the favourite variety for green fodder or green manuriuvg on the coast. It produces :nore forage than the Blue variety, and is also usually quoted at about half the price of the latter, being at present at about 10s. per bushel. The Blue variety is earlier and not such a good fedder sort, but matures with earlier grains like Thew wheat or Sunrise vats. The Canada variety is a small white-seeded kind which matures about the same period as the Blue, and is a heavier yielder of fodder. Egyptian or Dun is a large dun-coloured seed, producing a good growth of fodder and is sshghtly earlier than Grey. Sowing, The best results have been obtained from sowing sutticiently early in autumn to get a good growth before winter. During very cold weather in the colder districts little growth is made, but although the crop remains practically stationary (except in the warmer climates) it resumes growth in ‘early spring. As a fodder crop it does not seem to have been very ‘successtul if the sowing is delayed till spring. In the warmer districts such as the coast it makes good growth asa rule if sown during April or May, ‘wherees in the tablelands districts it sbould either be sown ir February or March, or left till early spring. High temperatures and frost are both injurious to field peas, not so much in the younger stage as at the flowering ‘and early podding stages. The rate of seeding depends on the size of the seed and the fertility of the soil. For broadcasting on moderately fertile soil, from 13 to 24 bushels are required—the smaller quantity being used with a small seeded vanety. On fertile alluvial soil these amounts may be reduced by half a ‘bushel, while if sown in the growing maize crop, or with a combination crop like wheat or oats, from $ to 1 bushel only will be necessary—the amount of grain being reduced accordingly. If sown in drills these quantities may he still further reduced. Peas may be sown fairly deeply compared with most other seeds (except ‘on heavy clay soils), even ploughing in 4 or 5 inches deep on sandy loams or light soils-—-following with a shallow drilling or broadcasting of the cereal if used in combination. N> fertiliser has given such good results with peas as superphosphate ‘lone—from } to 1 ewt. being recommended, the smaller quantity in the day districts, and the larger amount on the coast. There is every reason tO Yieve that better yields of maize and summer crops on the coast will follOV om fertilising the pea crop than from directly manuring these crops. Harvesting, Utilisation and Yields. Field P. sown alone are seldom harvested for hay in this State, partly owing t0 Uh omewhat greater difficulty in curing the crops, but probably more becauste the trouble experienced in mowing such a tangled mass of fodder with io mower. Many of the machinery firms in Sydney, 170 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Mar. 2, 1920. however, now stock a pea harvesting attachment, consisting of guards which protrude forward from the entter bar of the mower, and lift the vines from the ground, enabling the mower to pass underneath without obstruction. Peas are quite a suitable crop for grazing off with cattle, pigs or sheep. The best way to avoid loss by trampling and spoilage is to stock heavily on a small area at a time, using temporary fencing. They have the disadvantage of not being able to “come again” after grazing like rape, but this defect is overcome by making successive sowings and grazing as suggested. The yields obtained from the subsequent wheat crops at Wagga show that field peas cannot be ignored in the rotation in similar districts. From the yields obtained there is little doubt of the advantages of the substitution (either in part or wholly) of field peas for green fodder on the coast. Experiments during the last five or six years on farmers’ experiment plots have shown that with this substitution the yield from the combination crop or from field peas alone may be relied on to average from 2 to 3 tons more green fodder than from the best wheat or oats. Tt is not intended to deprecate the praiseworthy efforts of those who have grown good cereal winter fodders on good land, but to show that there is room for still further improvement by the inclusion of field peas as one of the farm crops. JAPANESE BUCKWHEAT AS A HONEY PRODUCER. XEPLYING to an inquiry as to the virtue of Japanese buckwheat as a honey- producer, the Senior Apiary Inspector wrote: “When flowering, Japanese huckwheat is valuable for bees, but at the present time it is not ‘extensively grown in New South Wales. I do not consider that much benefit would be derived from individual apiarists growing the buckwheat for stimulating the bees in dry seasons, but if farmers could be induced to grow it as a. profitable crop as well, a good deal would be done for bee-keeping. This buckwheat is grown fairly extensively in America, where its cultivation has been found profitable by both the farmer and the apiarist. It is a fairly sure honey producer every season, and an endeavour will be made to, encourage its introduction into our own bee-keeping localities.” IMMATURE SUDAN GRASS 1s HARMLESS TO STOCK. ““T HAVE sown Sudan grass, Feterita and Hungarian millet, but they hay germinated poorly and are at present wilting for want ofrain. Do any of th? generate poison or is it safe to turn the stock on te them ?” The foregoing inquiry, which reached the Department recently f'" # Trundle correspondent, was replied to by the Chief Inspector of Hey ltate as follows: We have known stock to be fed on immature Sud! 8tss and Hungarian millet in a large number of cases, and no cases op soning have occurred. The Department has not heard of poisonin?°C¥ring through stock eating Feterita sorghum, but cases have been EO ted in America, and we therefore consider there would’ be some rif'@ “lowing: horses to feed on it.” Mar. 2, 1920. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 171 The Construction of a Concrete Block Silo. A. BROOKS, Works Overseer. THERE are several classes of material that can be used for the construction of overground silos; they are principally stone, brick, wood, or concrete. Each of these has its own recommendations, and the choice depends in a considerable degree on which is the nearest to the farm, and its cost compared with the others. In the opinion of a good many farmers the wood silo turns out the best silage, and concrete the next best, but the point is not one about which ther. is entire unanimi;y. Both stone and brick—unless plastered with cement mortar—absorb a good deal of the moisture in the vegetable material ensiled, and the “ cure ”’ is, therefore, not so satisfactory nor the fodder so palatable when ultimately fed to stock. Blocks 61 8x8" 16°49 Outside face PLAN OF SILO Concrete Block Silo. ‘The ‘sapest form of concrete silo is that built of concrete blocks or large concrete sicks. These are most expeditiously made with a block-making machine, ba home-made mould may be constructed with wood and plain ator Which» ough slower in turning out the blocks or bricks, will be found quite satis “yy. especially to the farmer who makes up his mind to make 172 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. { Mar. 2, 1920. | Leb ah [te oS a7 ele Ab] 62a = | Me a se SE i, Ht fs ea i oe | ik Nae Mb See? 45k NSO Ss a SS WR a pLL LT Lt fT eaa4 tT TTT (an. Ree ees ELEVATION © 3 4 a 4 ee ae tee Conerete Block Silo. 5 as, ‘¥ Mar. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. P73 A\ , S44 Airzia/ Ne Fr 2 Strvk a fo FE Oe | A7aea/ i 8x3 Sits i v tS Mesled7te Heads \b Sie SN o |_| S — ‘ : j2x2 Ore F) hi EDOM? \& “ | é RS * } 4g Found Iron Dowels & ; IN v Q WML Ground leve 7; yy , ¥ Floor L ye cor Levehy tye, | ae) A UY; Z, Uf UW : 16285 8 Blocks Wp L 2 "Sard a Sail oa HALF SEGTION DOORS on LINE B.B eye are. a oh Gonere‘e Bilo_k Sils. 174 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Mar. 2, 1920: TrumumerAatters 4 Groove to take Wire Bonaing 8x 2° SI1/5 is “6% 3 "Heads &Jambs 3" Zi. Found tron 43/2 fillers % PLAN or DOOR S Concrete Block Silo. Mar. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 175. the blocks a few at a time on otherwise slack days. Working quietly on these lines, it is possible for a farmer to collect, at a minimum of expense, the necessary material for a structure that will be a valuable asset on his farm, and a cheap insurance against periods of scarcity. The machine for making the blocks at present costs £60 at least, but with a man and a boy, a hundred blocks can be turned out in a day. The best type of machine is that which turns out the block face downwards; this allows for a better class of material being used on the face for weathering purposes. With a home-made mould not more than twenty blocks per day can be finished. The shape of the block referred to is shown on page 174 (plan of block). and the mould may be simply a four-sided box, with the necessary cores to form the two holes. These holes in the blocks not only economise in concrete material, but form a cavity in the walls, which acts as an insulation. SPECIFICATION. Concrete Block Silo. Height 25 feet, diameter 16 feet. Material.—The mixture used may be sand and cement for the face (3 uf sand to 1 of cement) tamped into a mould about ? inch thick; ‘or the remainder, 5 of gravel and sand to 1 of cement. About sixty to sixty-seven blocks are made from a cubic yard, and 1,676 blocks, including eighteen halves, are required to build a silo. This allows for footings, which may be of blocks laid as shown in section; or the lower course may be of concrete, laid in the trench 24 inches by 8 inches deep, in which case 1,553 blocks will be sufficient. Excavation.—The lower 4 fect 3 inches of the silo is set into the ground; this reduces the labour of elevating when filling and strengthens the silo. If the ground is firm, such as hard clay, no other floor requires to be provided, but if it is soft, a concrete floor about 6 inches thick should be put in. No drainage from the floor is necessary. Walls.—On the footings, set the blocks in cement mortar, gauged 3 to 1, and with 3 inch thick Joists. At 3 feet from the floor and to each course upwards, bed at 1 inch from the outer face, either a 2 inch round iron rod or two strands of No. 8 fencing wire twisted together. A groove should be made in the top bed of the blocks to receive this, but if wire is: used and it is carefully set, it may be laid in the bed-joint mortar. The outer face joints are struck jointed, and the inner face pointed up, and the whole of the inner face of the silo is bagged over with cement wash. Doors.—The first door frame is set on at 9 inches over the ground line, and spaced as shown. Frames are made of sawn hardwood, the sills 8 inches by 3 inches weathered, and the remainder 6 inches by 3 inches, square, and each fitted with two ? inch iron dowels top and bottom. The dowels are set about 4 inches into the cement blocks, which are made- solid for the purpose of receiving them. Over the inner face of the frames, and on one side of the openings, is fixed a vertical hardwood batten to form a groove to take the ends of the door planks. This serves to hold the latter in position when the silo is empty. The door planks are of dressed 12 inches by 2 inchvs oregon, jointed at the edges, and when set into the frames they are covered over at the inner face with 2-ply roofing material, extending about 6 inches beyond the frame to better exclude the air. Roof —The top plates are formed into an octagon and secured at the top course of blocks by means of 4 inch bolts, bedded into the blocks, and a roof is built as indicated on the plan, boarded and covered with either plain galvanized iron, or flexible roofing material with 14 inch rolls in the angles. tuttering is unnecessary on the eaves, unless the water is required. A dormer opening is formed, as shown, for entrance of the head of the elevator or blower. No door is required on this. A cheaper roof of open gable ends may be substituted for that on the plan; it serves equally well, but does not look so well. 176 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. | Mar. 2,11920. EFFECTS OF A Crop COMPETITION IN VICTORIA. Exrract from the report of the judge (Mr. A. H. Mullet, B.Ag.Sc., Chief Field Officer, Victorian Department of Agriculture) on the Nhill Crop and Fallow Competition, 1919 :— “ Except for a break of one year during the 1914 dnbogitl this competition has been held annually for twenty successive years, and it now ranks as one of the established agricultural institutions of the State. The benefits that have been conferred by it locally are widely recognised, and the view is -generally accepted that such competitions are most valuable in encouraging the spread of the best farming practices. “ At Nhill the competition fen developed much Farther than a mere contest for a prize. It takes the form of an annual public investigation on the spot into the methods by which the best crops of the year in the district have been grown. It even goes further than that. Prior to the war, in one section of the competition the whole of the farm—home, garden, buildings -and their arrangement, subdivision, fencing, water supply, plant and imple- ments, horses, sheep and cattle—were judged as well. ‘The effect has been most noteworthy, and to-day on the average there is no district in the wheat ‘belt where the farms are so well improved or better managed than at Nhill.” WHEAT oN HeEAvy BLACK SOIL. “ T HAVE a 140-acre paddock of very heavy black and chocolate soil. Wheat has failed on it three out of five years, and I am advised to plant oats. I want to plough and sow early, and I think oats can be sown earlier than wheat. Whatcan youadvise ? What about broadcasting and ploughing in?” Replying to this question from the Merrygoen district, the Chief Inspector of Agriculture recently wrote as follows :—*‘ Crops are only grown success- fully on this class of land when the rainfall is fairly favourable. From the results which we have obtained from similar soil, we consider that wheat is just as likely to succeed as oats—as a matter of fact, some of the early wheats -give a better return than oats, as they reach maturity at an earlier stage, and are not affected by drought to the same extent. “ With this class of land, broadcasting the seed gives excellent results, and is apparently quite as good as drilling the seed in. We recommend early planting, say about April, as the crop then comes to maturity before the hot weather of the following spring, w hich’ is a most critical time with crops when grown on black soil.” ‘‘CHeAP’’ BANANA SUCKERS ARE SOMETIMES COSTLY. Ir is pointed out by the Assistant Fruit Expert stationed at Murwillumbah, that in the cultivation of bananas much depends upon the selection of the young suckers. He lays great stress on the necessity of obtaining these from healthy plants, and especially warns new growers not to purchase their slips simply because they are cheap. It would be to the advantage of such growers to have the suckers examined and selected by the Depart- ment.—W. J. ALLEN. Mar. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N S.W. 177 Soil Improvement for Maize. I.—MANURES AND FERTILISERS. [Continued from page 116.] H. WENHOLZ, B.Sc. (Agr.), Inspector of Agriculture. Nitrogen from Fertilisers and from Leguminous Crops. Tue chief fertilisers supplying the element nitrogen are sulphate of ammonia. (20 per cent.), nitrate of soda (15 per cent.), dried blood (13 per cent.) and bonedust (4 per cent.) ; of these, nitrate of soda and sulphate of ammonia. are water soluble, or can supply their nitrogen in a readily available form ;. dried blood and bonedust are slower acting. From the tables on page 114 of last month’s issue it will be seen that a 50-bushel crop of maize removes at least 50 lb. nitrogen per acre from the: soil, while the usual applications of nitrogenous fertilisers supply only 10 or 11 Ib. of nitrogen per acre. These fertilisers can only then be considered to have a stimulating effect, such as to increase the early root development. Heavier applications are at present precluded on account of the cost of these fertilisers—especially in the case of nitrate of soda and sulphate of ammonia. The latest prices of commercial fertilisers show that every pound of nitrogen costs from 103d. to 1s., each pound of phosphoric acid 2}d. to 3d., and each pound of potash about 4d. ; nitrogen is therefore by far the most costly element to purchase in commercial fertilisers. As the loss of this element is also the greatest in systems of continuous maize: growing, it is apparent that the situation would be at once serious but for the simple fact that the atmosphere consists of four-fifths of nitrogen, and that leguminous plants (peas, beans, vetches, cowpeas, lucerne, clovers and trefoils, &c.) have the power of extracting nitrogen from the air and of utilising it by means of organisms which are contained in the nodules to be: seen on the roots of these plants. It is calculated that there is sufficient nitrogen in the air above an acre of ground to produce 100-bushel -maize- crops for 500,000 years! In view of these facts, it is no wonder that atten_. tion has been turned tu obtaining nitrogen from this cheap source by means of legumes, to provide for the loss of this element from the soil which heavy crops of maize entail. ‘The majority of farmers do not sufficiently realise the: imp tance of legumes in this respect—though the value of ploughing in green leguminous crops was known to the cultivators of the soil in the years B.C. Every farmer who has grown peas, vetches, cowpeas, or velvet beans. (which only occupy the ground a comparatively short time), or lucerne and red clover (perennial or biennial legumes), has observed the beneficial effect on the following crops, even when the top growth is removed, as compared with land where no legumes have been grown. Farmers should not, however, be deluded into the belief that such a system of growing legumes and such, 178 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Mar. 2, 1920. treatment of them (that is, their removal instead of ploughing in or feeding off), especially in the case of short season annual leguminous crops, will increase the nitrogen in the soil. Better results may be seen in a crop like maize following annual legumes like peas or vetches which have been cut for fodder or hay as compared with maize following no legume, but this merely serves to emphasise how fast the land is being depleted of nitrogen without a leguminous crop. Asa rule, the nitrogen in the roots and stubble of leguminous plants about equals the amount of this element taken from the soil ; and when the tops are removed the nitrogen is just barely maintained in the soil, but not increased. There seems to be an impression amongst some farmers that the nitrogen obtained from the air by the bacteria is all present in the nodules or tubercles on the roots. Usually only about one-third or less of the total nitrogen in leguminous plants is contained in the roots and stubble, and this is reckoned to be also about the same as that taken by such plants from the soil, the other two-thirds being taken from the air. It will he seen, therefore, that when the top growth of legumes is entirely removed from the soil (instead of being ploughed under or fed off) there is no actual gain in nitrogen—no more than there would be if any non-leguminous crop were grown and ploughed under entirely as green manure. As regards feeding off in comparison with ploughing under the whole crop as green manure, it may be reckoned that a quarter of the nitrogen in the feed consumed is retained by the animal, the remaining three-quarters being voided in the manure, Thus, if the nitrogen is just barely maintained in the soil by ploughing in only the roots and stubble of a leguminous crop—and even this method has been observed by farmers to be beneficial to the following crop — how much more so will be the system of feeding off or ploughing in the whole crop? In the case of lucerne and clover crops which are cut for hay several times in a season, there is at each haying an appreciable loss of leaves which are rich in nitrogen, which with the roots and stubble adds to the soil more than sufticient for maintenance of this element, so that the net result is an increase in nitrogen for the subsequent crop. If it were not for the continual loss of the leaves and the deep rooting, the lucerne crop would do no more than maintain the nitrogen in the soil, and would therefore not have such an excellent reputation for rebuilding the fertility of the soil. The question is often raised as to whether the nitrogen of the soil can be maintained by green manuring with non-leguminous crops which are suitable for the production of organic matter (such as rye, rape, barley, &c.) as catch crops or cover crops. It is true that nitrogen is part of the organic matter, and it might be thought that if the organic matter of the soil is increased by green manuring with non-legumes that the nitrogen will be correspondingly increased, This cannot be possible, as ali the nitrogen of non-legumes comes frow the soil and not mostly from the air as in the case of Jegumes. The practice of green manuring with non-legumes, therefore, may save nitrates from being leached from the soil as would happen on fallow land during heavy rainfall, and would in many cases be better than no crop at all (except in dry districts), but it would not actually increase the nitrogen in Mar. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 17% the soil, though it would increase the organic matter and to some extent the easily available nitrogen. At Rothamsted it was found that in land under legumes for twenty years the gain of nitrogen per acre was 6 ewt. This is. equal to an average gain of 33 1b. nitrogen per year, equivalent to an annual dressing of about 2 cwt. nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia per acre (which would be at a cost of about 40s.). Another question of interest is how much nitrogen is added to: the soil from a leguminous crop which is grown for seed? An average crop of cow- peas will contein 120 lb. nitrogen per acre in the whole plant including the roots, and of this amount about 60 lb. will be contained in the seed. As. two-thirds of the total nitrogen is obtained from the air, 80 lb. will therefore be added to the soil from this source and there will be a balance of 20 lb. nitrogen per acre to the credit of the soil if the straw is returned to it and only the seed is removed. The nitrogen added to the soil per acre by different methods of dealing with an average annual leguminous crop like cowpeas or field peas, may be- therefore roughly expressed as follows :— Ploughing in whole crop as green manure __... ... 80]b. Feeding off (or soiling and returning animal manure ‘to the ‘soil) ..- 60 Ib. Growing crop for seed (returning straw to soil) ee B80 msi 20s lb: Removing crop (ploughing in only roots and stubble) ah Ni It was once thought that legumes obtained practically all the nitrogen for their growth from the atmosphere, but it will be seen that until the nodules form on the roots no nitrogen can be taken from this source. Easily avail- able or soluble fertilisers containing nitrogen may be therefore of value in giving these legumes a good start until the nodules form. There isa danger, however, in providing these plants with too much nitrogen in this form, as they will take the available nitrogen from the soil in preference to fixing this element from the air. The object of growing the legumes would thus be lost, as all efforts should be directed towards making this transfer from the air to the soil as large as possible for the benefit of following crops like maize, which consume such large quantities of nitrogen. Inoculation of seed or soil with soil containing the organisms (from an old field) is now largely used with success in America to take the place of these nitrogenous fertilisers for legumes, to give them the quick start required and to save drawing on the soil’s supply of nitrogen. It has been found that where inoculation in this way has been properly done, the increase of nitrogen in the plant, and consequently in the soil, is much greater than would take place without inoculation. Another reason why it is better to rely on legumes rather than on soluble fertilisers for adding the bulk of the nitrogen necessary for maize growing is. that in the case of the latter, which are either in the form of soluble nitrates or which are soon oxidised to that form, up to one-third or more of the nitrogen may be lost through leaching. This loss takes place most in a sandy or sandy loam soil. The nitrogen from Jegumes ploughed into the soil as gree manure is in an organic form and is converted slowly into soluble nitrates (nitrification) with rising soil temperatures, so that no great loss of this element can occur in this method of application. 180 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. —— —__—___ The following results have been obtained from experiments with sulphate of ammonia applied at planting :— Resutts of Tests with Sulphate of Ammonia applied at Planting. | Yield per Acre. Effect on yield of | } ewt. of Sulphate ais Be ant. ath cal of Ammonia Superphosphate.| M5 Mixture.* | added. | bus. lb. | bus, Ib. bus. lb. orth Coast— Average of 14 tests aii 54 51 51 49 3 2 decrease orthern Tableland—Average of 2 tests 26 49 | 28 51 2 2 increase ‘Tumut District—Average of 3 tests ... SY LOOP 4gaeas 5 26 T * M5 mixture consists of 1 ewt. Superphosphate and 4 ewt. Sulphate of Ammonia. 7 On the North Coast 1t may be assumed that, owing to the long hot summer, nitrates are formed in the soil sufficiently rapidly for the crop’s requirements, and that when soluble nitrogenous fertilisers are applied they have the effect of inducing a too fast and soft, sappy growth which cannot stand the extreme heat, and which dry weather and fungus diseases more easily affect, to the detriment of the yield. In colder districts such as the Northern Tableland and Tumut, the conditions are decidedly cool in spring, and the young maize plants probably find a deficiency of available nitrogen at that time (due to slow nitrification), and soluble nitrogenous fertilisers like sulphate of ammonia or nitrate of soda give the crop a quick start, which is reflected in a profitable increase. For this purpose 5 to ? cwt. per acre of these fertilisers is quite sufficient to apply, larger amounts being too costly to apply at the present prices. Experiments to determine the value of nitrate of soda as a top dressing or side dressing applied to maize six or eight weeks after planting have been carried out in this State with the following results :— Resutts of Tests with Nitrate of Soda as a top-dressing. Yield per acre. Locality. Season. ) Top Dressing Ree G as Nitrate of a | Soda per acre.) | bus. lb. | bus. lb. Yorklea .... 1917-18 67 38 62 48 Coramba ...| 1917-18 58~ Lies 44 5] Milton ... ...| 1917-18 64 52 (its ys} Tenterfield ..., 1917-18 PA 0) 25° 10 Tinonee ...| 1917-18 7657 10} 87 28 Inverell ... 1917-18 39 54 33 13 Dorrigo ...| 1918-19 47) (2352 36 28 Lawrence ...| 1918-19 57 42 61° 0 Comboyne ..| 1918-19 61 41 59 27 Dungog ...| 1918-19 (pe AU i399 Average (10 tests) a 57 16 5b 27 There thus appears to be little hope of a profitable increase from the top- dressing with nitrate of soda for maize on most soils. Mar. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 181 Phosphatic Fertilisers. ‘The chief fertilisers supplying phosphorus are superphosphate (17 per cent. phosphoric acid, water soluble) and bonedust (22 per cent., not water soluble). The water solubility of superphosphate ensures the immediate availability ‘of part of the phosphorus, and is evidenced by the stimulus (especially to root development) given to the young maize seedlings in almost every case where this fertiliser is applied with the seed. Much of this soluble phosphate soon becomes reverted to an insoluble form in the soil, but in such a fine ‘state of mechanical division that it is still considered readily available for the use of the plant. Bonedust is, however, quite insoluble until decomposed, and is likely to be of most value as a fertiliser for maize where decomposition takes place most readily, that is, in the presence of heat and moisture (for example, chiefly in the coastal districts). Striking success has followed the application of a mixture of equal parts of superphosphate and bonedust for maize (and for potatoes) on the coastal alluvial and volcanic soils. It may be that the superphosphate supplies the essential phosphorus to the young plant, and that part of the plant food of the bonedust is available to the plant at its later and more critical stages of growth, and during the filling of the cob. Perhaps, too, superphosphate acts on the bonedust in some way, and renders its phosphorus more quickly available. Whatever the cause, no fertiliser mixture yet tried has given such almost unexpectedly successful results as those obtained by this simple mixture on the coast during the last few years. It has been said that phosphorus is the limiting element in the production of crops in Australia, because of the natural deficiency in most soils and also ‘on account of the fact that in systems of grain farming this element is most largely removed in the grain, while the only source of replenishment is the artificial fertiliser. This is just as true in relation to maize-growing on our soils, except that the loss from the farm of the phosphorus may be minimised to a greater extent on account of maize being such an excellent food for stock of all kinds and of the greater profits generally obtainable from the use of the crop in this way. Even so, it has already been shown that animal manure is deficient in phosphorus as compared with nitrogen and potash, and the utilisation of grain for feeding stock on the farm can only defer somewhat the need for this element from outside sources, such as fertilisers. It is withal the cheapest element to buy, and one which usually yields a high percentage return on the investment. In systems of green manuring—especially on less fertile soil—it usually causes a greatly increased growth of legumes, such as cow- peas, peas, vetches, lucerne or clover, and thereby largely augments the supply of organic matter, which may be the limiting factor in crop yields on such soils. Indeed, the lack of nitrogen and organic matter in the soil may easily render the application of phosphatic fertilisers unprofitable—a state of things often leading to their wrongful condemnation. 182 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Mar. 2, 1920.. Superphosphate and Rock Phosphate. Following the discovery of a rock phosphate a few years ago in New South Wales, there has been much inquiry as to its effectiveness on different crops as compared with superphosphate, and some experiments have been carried out to determine its value as a fertiliser for maize in this State. Rock phosphate is the material from which superphosphate is manufactured by treatment with sulphuric acid. Different grades of it occur, but none contain any water soluble phosphate. Ground to a fine state of division (in which form it is sold as fertiliser) it contains about 20 to 30 per cent. phosphoric acid soluble in strong acid, which is considered to be only slowly available to plants. The late Dr. C. G. Hopkins, of the [linois Agricultural Experiment Station.. has been the champion of this fertiliser in the United States, and has aroused there a good deal of criticism because of his contention that ground raw rock phosphate is the only fertiliser many farmers need buy. As the result of many years’ experiments at Illinois, he claimed that organic matter, such as. green manure, crop residue, and animal manure, need only be added to the soil to make the phosphate from the insoluble ground rock available to plants as food, the carbonic and other organic acids set free by the decay of the organic matter taking the place of the sulphuric acid used by the manu- facturers. He gives* the following points in favour of the use of raw rock phosphate as compared with superphosphate :— 1. Lower price per pound of phosphorus. 2. Low grades of phosphate containing iron and alumina require larger use of sulphuric acid and also make an unsatisfactory product. . It is free from acidity and has no tendency to injure the soil. . It is present in all natural soil material, the phosphate being liberated for plant use by farmyard or animal manures and green manures before the manufacture of superphosphate was ever thought of. H © A comparison of the prices of raw rock phosphate and superphosphate in Americat shows the former in 1917 to have been less than half the price of the latter (rock phosphate 30s. per ton, superphosphate 70s. per ton), though a little more than half the price in 1914. Even with this disparity in price, the results of twelve years’ experiments on maize show a larger net gain from superphosphate, with but very little increased gain when animal manure was also added. In our own State, while superphosphate was quoted at £5 per ton, rock phosphate commanded £6 per ton. There seems no reason why the latter should be dearer than superphosphate, considering the extra cost of treatment and the high price of sulphuric acid at present. It certainly seems a less valuable fertiliser for our conditions, and while it remains at this price, or until it falls to somewhere near half the cost of super- phosphate, it can scarcely be thought of. * “ Soil Fertility and Permanent Agriculture,” p. 242. + Ohio Men. Bull. 2, No. 12 (Decamber, 1917). Mar. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 1 83 It is apparently a fact that it is in any case unwise to apply rock phosphate to soil which is lacking in organic matter, but Truog* has put forward an interesting theory that the solubility of phosphates is not the only factor that determines the growth of the plant on different phosphates. He states that plants containing a relatively high lime content have a relatively high feeding power for raw rock phosphate, and that for plants containing a relatively low lime content the converse of this is true. A lime content of less than 1 per cent. may be considered relatively low. In this class are millet, wheat, oats, rye, maize, barley (ranging from 0-46 per cent. to 0-90 per cent.). A lime content of over 1 per cent. may be considered relatively high. This class includes rape, peas, lucerne, lupines, buckwheat, tobacco, turnips (ranging from 1-78 per cent. to 3-83 per cent.). As would be expected from the above, experiments carried out in New South Wales with wheat and maize to compare the immediate effects of superphosphate and rock phosphate on yield have shown decidedly in favour of superphosphate. The residual effect of rock phosphate has not, however, been tested; and if it can be obtained at a reasonable price in Australia or from the island deposits in close proximity to Australia, its value in this respect (for the question of permanent fertility must be considered) and for the plants of high lime content mentioned above is at least worth testing. Following are the results of experiments carried out with maize in New South Wales with rock phosphate (Wellington) in comparison with super- phosphate :— Yield per acre. Locality. Season. No Manure. | = = 2 ewt. 2 cwt. | ‘Rock phosphate. /Superphosphate. | bus. lb. | bus. Ib. | bus. lb. Gratton Experiment Farm _... ...| 1915-16 | 42 50 AG 455 “P> zo24%"O ae = sie SSN Geka > 52°06 54 45 63 28 Hawkesbury Agricultural College — ...| 1915-16 LS Abie ay Sati Cierra iat yA 3 ‘4 | 1QIG-17.| 52 6 | 54545 63 28 Tinonee ... ms Re co.” ees | 75 Ot ees i550 { Average yield mee |t 47) 14 ee en 54 20 (To be continued.) Tue ‘ LEAF-cuTTING”’ BEE. REPORTING on a species of fly, said to be eating tops of Acacia pycnantha in the neighbourhood of Narrabri, the Government Entomologist wrote :— The insect is a native bee belonging to the genus Megachile; it is known as the ** leaf-cutting bee” because it cuts off bits of leaves and carries them into the cavity where it constructs its nest, and wherein it makes them into oval cells. This bee often attacks rose bushes in gardens. The damage it does is not likely to be serious to the trees it visits. * Wisconsin Univ. Agr. Expt. Sta. Research Bull. 41 (1916). / 184 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Mar. 2, 1920. LELEGONY. THERE is a widespread belief amongst breeders that the male with which a- female is first mated has an influence upon the progeny of the female by a different sire at a later period. Nowhere is this belief more strongly held. than among breeders of dogs, and a pure-bred bitch which has been mated with a dog of another breed is usually regarded as quite worthless for the- purpose of breeding pure-bred stock at any subsequent period. When sifted, however, the evidence offered in support of this theory as to the influence of the first sire generally proves to be unreliable. The doctrine of the infection of the germ, now known as telegony, was- more or less firmly believed in by men of science, as well as breeders, up to the end of the nineteenth century. Beecher, writing at the close of the seventeenth century, says: ‘When a mare has had a mule by an ass and. afterwards a foal by a horse there are evidently marks on the foal of the mother having retained some ideas of her former paramour, the ass.” Agassiz= held that the ovary was so modified by the first act of fecundation that “later impregnations do not efface the first impressions.” In 1895 Professor Cossar Ewart initiated some experiments. to test the- truth or otherwise of the d:ctrine of the infection of the germ. The classical experiment, which is frequently quoted in connection with telegony, was that conducted many years ago by Lord Montagu, when a male quagga and a seven-eighths Arabian mare were mated. For this reason Professor Cossar Ewart decided to repeat the experiments as closely as possible. The quagga,_ however, had become extinct. A Burchell’s zebra was therefore mated with Arab and other mares belonging to difierent breeds and strains, and the mares, after producing one or more hybrids, were mated with Arab and other- stallions. Professor Ewart published an account of his experiments in the “Transactions of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland” in 1902. Here he stated that, although he started with the belief that there- was sucha thing as telegony, he eventually came to the conclusion that “there never has been an undoubted instance of infection in either dogs, rabbits, or horses.” Professor Ewart recently pointed out that this view is supported by a statement of Jordan and Kellog, in America, who ‘think it. probable that the phenomena called telegony have no real existence.” It seems, then, that the views so long held in regard to telegony will have- to be discarded, and that it is quite unnecessary to regard as wor hless for breeding pure-bred animals those females which have not been in tue first. instance mated to pure stock.—G,. P. Daryett-Smita, D.Se.,. F.LC., F.CS. THE ACYTIVILIES OF AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES. [ KEENLY recognise that the Agricultural Colleges of the States, like the- Federal Department itself, are now confronted with unusual difficulties and. are labouring under serious embarrassments; and yet in the midst of these: they are called upon to render even more urgent service: I have long had an exalted opinion of the value of these institutions to our democracy. tecent events have caused me even more highly to prize them and more: clearly to recognise their need. They have made it singularly clear that: agricultural institutions must omit no step to add, through research and. experiment, to the sum of our scientific knowledge.—D,. F. Houstroy,. Secre-- tary of Agriculture, Washington, U.S.A. Mar. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 185 ‘List. of Fertilisers in New South Wales: F. B. GUTHRIE, A. A. RAMSAY, R. M. PETRIE, ano F. J. STOKES. 192) List. THE accompanying list of manures obtainable in New South Wales, together with their composition, as guaranteed by the vendors, is the result, of the revision of the list issued in March, 1919. The list is published in the interests of the farmers, and it is hoped that it may serve as a guide to those requiring any particular class of manure. It must be clearly understood that the figures given are not those obtained by analysis of the sample by the Department. They represent the guarantees given by the vendors in accordance with the provisions of the Fertilisers Act. Where possible, samples have been taken from bulk by one of the officers of the Department, and only those manures are inserted in the list which have been found on analysis to be up to the guarantee. On account of the unsettled conditions obtaining at present, the market value of these manures may alter. An attempt has, however, been made to “assign a “unit value” to the fertilising ingredients, viz., nitrogen, phosphorie acid, and potash, as in pre-war years, The recent arrival of consignments of potash salts from Alsace permits of a unit value being assigned to potash. A note dealing with the Irench potash salts appeared in the Agricultural Gazette last month. A word is necessary in explanation of the column giving the “manurial value” of the manures. These figures are calculated from the composition of the manures as represented by analysis, a definite unit-value being assigned to each of the fertilising ingredients, The units on which the values given are computed are as follows :— Uyir-V auuss of fertilising ingredients in different manures for 1920. Per es Ss. . Nitrogen in nitrate... : soe = SS BER sce setae eer, 44s ft in ammonium salts .. : is Be as. Sr bode Ala 4 i in blood, bones, offal, &e. —fine a. ao ae = tee SOE AO Phosphoric acid in bones, offal, &c.—fine ... Me a6 aes 5 E Phosphoric acid (water soluble) in superphosphates ron a $5 6 8 Potash in muriate of potash .. ei ; et 0 saa DEG. Price per 1b. of fertilising ingredients in different manures for 1920, Pence per Ib. Nitrogen in nitrate... us re se - ee a as 17-9 — ln ammonium salts ... ; ai Te # eS ae 10°8 as in blood, bones, otfal, &e. —fine ; AC on BAe isis 13°4 Phosphorie acid i in bones, offal, &c.—fine ... Sie 00 a 2°7 Phosphoric acid (water soluble) i in superphosphates one 36 Potash in muriate of potash ... ¥ 6:2 R 186 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Mar. 2, 1920. To determine the value of any manure the percentage of each ingredient is multiplied by the unit-value assigned above to that ingredient, the result being the value per ton of that substance in the manure. For example, a bone-dust contains 4 per cent. nitrogen and 20 per cent. phosphoric acid :— 4 x 25s. Od. = £5 Os. Od. = value of the nitrogen per ton. 20° *x "bs: id) =)" Eb) 1sisane— x phosphoric acid per ton. £10 1s. 8d. = value of manure per ton. It must be clearly understood that the value thus assigned, depending solely upon the chemical composition of the manure, does not represent in all cases the actual money value of the manure, which depends upon a variety of causes other than the composition, and is affected by local conditions ; neither does it represent the costs incurred by the manufacturer in the preparation, such as cost of mixing, bagging, labelling, &c. It is simply intended as a standard by which different products may be compared. At the same time, it has been attempted to make the standard indicate as nearly as possible the fair retail price of the manure, and the fact that in the majority of cases the price asked and the value assigned are fairly close shows that the valuation is a reasonable one. These figures have been checked by analyses of samples collected by an oflicer of the Department. _ It by no means follows, however, that the par- ticular product analysed and here published will be in stock for any length of time. Some agents guarantee two figures—for instance, “from 16 to 18 per cent. phosphoric acid.” In these cases the lower one is shown in the list, as it will certainly be the one the vendors will rely upon in cases of dispute. Now that the Fertiliser Adulteration Act is in force, the purchaser has only himself to blame if he pays for an inferior article. Every vendor is obliged to furnish a guarantee with every delivery of fertiliser, setting forth its actual composition as determnined by analysis. If the purchaser has any reason to suspect the genuineness of the guarantee, all he has to do is to notify the vendor of his intention to take samples for analysis, in sufficient time to enable the vendor or some person appointed by him to be present. The samples must be taken before the consignment is finally in the purchaser’s possession ; for example, if the fertiliser is sent by rail, the sample should be taken at the railway station or siding. Three samples must be taken, one being given to the vendor or his representative, the second kept by the purchaser and submitted to an analyst, and the third forwarded to the Department of Agriculture for future reference, in case of divergence in the analyses of the other two. All three samples must be sealed up. In the case of bonedust, blood and bone manures, &c., the valuation has been made irrespective of the fineness of division, and is based on the amounts of fertilising ingredients only ; but it must be borne in mind that finely ground bonedust acts more rapidly than coarse, and that unground fragments of bone only become available as fertiliser very slowly. Mar. 2, 1920. | Ag gn icultural Gazette of N.S.W 187 In the fourth table are a number of waste products which may in many cases be economically utilised. When purchasing a manure, always insist on a guarantee of its eomposition as determined by the analysis. Never add lime to a manure containing sulphate of ammonia or blood and bone manures, as in these cases loss of nitrogen results: and when lime has been applied to the land, do not use such manures until about three weeks afterwards. The accompanying fertiliser diagram, which represents ina graphic manner the points to be taken into consideration in the mixing of different manures, is reproduced in the hope that it will be found useful to farmers who make up, their own mixtu res. SUPERPHOSPHATE SULPHATE FARMYARD tT) MANURE OF : / AmMmoNIA ee SL oh GUANO ‘ . Le tC) KAINIT NITRATE OF Sopa Substances connected by thick line must not be mixed together. Substances connected by double line must only be mixed ‘immediately before use. Substances connected by single thin line may be mixed together at any time. TasLte I.—SimMpPLe FERTILISERS, Guaranteed Composition, = log | : = ME “a Manure. Where obtainable. Sm Re fs deh eo ee = as| 3 2 ae Value. 2 |Se/ 4 1 ¢ | 8< Fi | = per | per per { per { per cent. | cent. } cent. | cent.|cent.| £ s. d. Sulphate of ammonia, Geo. Shirley, Ltd., 7 O’Connell-st. = PE2O508 24529) easter. sé eye 20 ie 4: Nitrate of soda a - me ta) 1520) 18591 Wee Sf) nes 2 pr Napa Muriate of potash .. 3 e thees fe 2918 © i = * a ; aS Ss | 58 | VER ye Sulphate of ammonia Australian Gaslight Co., Parker-st., 20-0 | 24°29 Fras | 20 4 Haymarket. | | Bp is Farmers’ Fertilisers Corporation, 31) 20°5 | 2489] .. | 2013. 5 Hunter-st ; a Muriate of potash .. e FS - es Boe ma 4h EE, 30 9 6 . 3 ae * a - BY) | tee Me | 59 23.18 6 Agricultural lime. pe e5 - wees Se 5c Bee ts (Burnt lime — air slaked). | | Gypsum ra S51 - * “ oa ase oe iss ly See ree | Cryst. | CasO, Sulphate of amnionia) Paton, Burns, & Co., 74 York-st. ju: ZOE EAC TIAI xe Ac | 20:11 5 Muriate of potash. .| 3 a = cox | eye na oa ea De 2918 OG # - Sx fea lee = i amiieesah - Sas e58 BA SES Gee Nitrate of soda ae ‘i a - x pry LUA So GN ee Oo. Loa [ Mar. 2, 1920. SW. JS cultural Gazette of N grt Ag 188 G St OL 9 6 LI Seow Ut Ost ee Ol = SO iD ooo7wom is) = or) -_= mg TOM HOM A E- eee ‘anyeA [eauey oO + ic 2) Yo) GF-EP 8&-8% IL-L¢ 0-SF $6.96 SL: 1F 8§-86 Il-48 | S0-8b *qua0 190d ‘ayeydsoyg | dow, | 0} jenbsy | nr reper re 8L.9% C8-€ LL-€ ak b9-91 OL-€1 8:0 | It-8 89.9 86-14 00-4 62-€ OF- ii CE-8 68-9 1P- FG 98-4 10-F PL-€1 00-L 91-¢ OG-FS GL-F 6-€ APO 9&- ET 0-11 11.60 ides Lak OT | -L09 0-¢ 0-8 | IL-6 0-8 L-0% [0-F €-€ GI-GG | =6F-F L-€ GIL-Go | ~S «GF L-& ae FI-9t 64-€1 68-61 OL-9 G0-¢ 0-€I LO-9 0.¢ 0-LT L0-9 0-G 86-12 C.F L& 6-1T L0-9 0-G FL-61 9P-9 CE-G 0-81 LO.9 0-¢ 0-LT L0-9 0.¢ 0-66 OP-F L& ‘queo god | ‘qyua0 aed | -qua0 aad Sanaa eee *BLUOLULL aren daont ist aba “we3019 IN | Aa RS rere te ee re ene “uorpIsodmoy pasjuBieny “ee ia 9 “cc ee “* QUOSIOATYT “pyT ‘suog pure spaeyory “g | rc gE Avg ysnqauop ‘satoqyeq Vy 99849 “AA ‘SN "goose ‘peor Luvyog p[gQ ‘suog puv uLeex “PT "eqqeUleleg ‘SH1O\A UMOpURG “pyyT ‘Adorg “0g W ayY00D “¢ soe wee “ce “ec “ce ee ce «ec elapuexe[y “98- wepIoNy, oO“ PYI ‘s1O8TTI}10 WI 103800 A, wee eee ce “48-yMOX GL ‘0D » ‘suing “Uoyeg ee ‘se «ec “OTFSVOMIAN “pavog TLOFIVQGY Jolgs(qd 28[FSBOMIN ce ce ee ‘4s-quoy coe “*pyy ‘suog pur ueyoqry elIpuvxe[y ‘4S-UBp1Oly.¢Q “suog pue Ueps0Iy.C “IX see *q8- MOBSIIIU? GE “op F query] “Ss "YJ “4s-deqyunyy 1g pa ‘di09 SIS Ae (SAOWLIE ce 48-T[9U009,0 £ “pry ‘Aeparyg ‘oax ne ee ae | ‘a]qvuyTyqo are. ec ‘SAU ANY aoorg aNv aNogy— Tl | } qsnpauog > L POOL JOSI[I419} 9ANg Be qsNpsu0g IOIS[eOxX |" ““TOSI[I9.194 eM PU Poojq UAOpULS qsnpauog Mey—c “ON ysupauog pue poojq—eE ‘ON Ope palineis aIngd—Z “ON G I $e rtern en reg ee poorq peu ae 4 ayeydsoyd auog gd se “e “g aes emoq pue poold : ‘d 7 e e ‘ ‘a’ ; ‘d'd = ‘ysnpouog poo pat Aoi ]¥po pure su0g aINUBUL “G pue “_ BIPXG “" eInUeul “gq pus ‘¢| ea ysupouog “cc ce 24 et poojq pus euog eee ee a “oO N poojq pue euog [ ‘ON “+ qsnpauog —— a ee ee “aanuvyy 189 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Mar. 2, 1920. ] gt oOo oe) — DAAFNAOSASDIWMSDO - Loe! ies Lom nNnooootxre Ko) i=) ee ID I~S WI OO M1910 Dig Or- OOS Or-S = ONIeA [elunuey : e198 nQEwWSoOWA OHS OOO . ‘queo sed i *yseqod | - | | teens 0:06 O-LI ‘quo0 ged | ‘qua aed “poy omoydsoyud 1e}0L ‘uorpisodm ‘PPV owoydsoyg a]qnyjos 1998 AA OD peequvieny 1D 3 of N 10S SHAMAMRSA se ORONO —i—) “ques aad "UdSOIGIN, oe ce see on . ce se a ane . . ce “cc . ce ee tae tee a ee te eee . . wee . “ ec . eee tee .. a ee “< tee . ee “ec - o . “ce “ec Jews . 99148-9914 LE COD W I4SIIg ‘sqqHy |” “é “eé tee eee “ce *eLIpuexe LV | *900398- URpPIOIY.CQ “pT ‘SAOST[IQIey aysoo AQ |*** : si “48- WIOR GL “09 ® ‘suing ‘uoyeg |'"°. 000 ‘qs-dayuny Te “pry ‘dion sszostpyaeq sdouey |**” oe ves se qc | oan} XU eee aes oe ce toe eee eee ere oe oe see eee eee ce oe tee tee eee “oe ce oe ee ce | . oe [a4 . eee . “ss <¢ . see eee 6s ce - aanueul paegoro tewedg : “* snourluinsaT 009 doa 400xy doao JOppoy pure ozTeyy g cS) pavyorg oNUeU 04%}0q ce Ce %B ‘ON «pur suog [ ON ns Ol9TN, aqyeqdsoydaodng apryding ‘dost[tqaey o1geydsoyg 0 ‘ON IOSI[I4AOF aja]du10y f “ON " aqgeydsoydaedng ayeydsoydaodny [ ‘oN eyeydsoydaedng pue euog TT ‘ON ot a “ALON ; Sis = g oN Pe i “9 “ON Se uae “ @-ON tas ae is r ‘ON so 2 ON aqyeydsoyduedng o1seg ‘4s-[]auN0),Q £ “py ‘AapaTyg “oey * aqeydsoqdasedng parpurys “| GVUILAGO O10 AA | “OANUBIY ‘SHASITILYD | GALYOAN] GNV ‘SUASITILUA AT GAXITY ‘SaLVHdSOHdYaanAQG—' e [Mar. 2, 1920. cultural Gazette of N.S.W. Agri 190 ooo €9.¢ 86.F GG. $9.81 99-6 09-06 $9.01 Fl. 12.8 08-6 80-16 60.€ 61-4 00.9 9L-€ 08.¢ 99. OL- LL¥ 60.6 €¢-T G6.¢ 6L-P 1g. co. PP. £8- 10- Ge. $0. SL. 06. OUuON *9UONT 88. Pl. gl. *4u90 rad *Pryy omoydsoyug *queo sad “OUT | see wees 69-18 19-8 98-F GP £8 “(qsv) 68-01 $0-9% Se. 86:6 80-91 SF-1Z BGT 19-8 $6.8 89 09 *yue0 aod $9. “quao wad “quad wed quao sed eee eee ee waee . ae ree ava Sayqaey MG Voy UOYRSWAT YQIOMIUO AA youvig 49098 ste eet eee eee we 9UBd JBALY VOUAIe[D Jaye pvo.ig ‘s[[il-auep Ce eee ee a ** quomuftg ‘yoo ‘Ss a1BA S8Ot ‘10581, H Ce er sae ee ee ee “ sie §, {ey mts) ‘solauuRy, 7 ac . 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Arouury WOdJ SSULYSALT ae oP oF “+ ggnjaa UBL, > ome a asnjaa pave {-URy, a aH ally, pu Ivey pesodmooag pe ‘> sqjod pow taoay “* yo nog SYIOM SULIMOS-[OOM WO] JUaTPas s19yvoig WoIy yIsodeq “+9 “+ % }syuvg Surmmoos-fooa woay qisodacy ‘arqnyosuy | | | ‘LAMAV YY HHL NO LON “oy ‘SaHSy ‘sLoaaoUg- nS MQ— AI { | “UdTOAQIN | ‘araysng “mo pue anon “TOYEM *9DINOS [BULSIIQ 191 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. , 1920. ] Mar. _ o1oydsoydg ATIVIOA €8.FL GG.% GT.99 Z9.66 i ae a ey o- * oe “oe “ . seen g9. ee ee tee G6-.LL FG. 98.21 $G.1 * . quaged §,U0lIg,O ‘peeqs[ery “UN o. . * “ce ae AN ae 6§. 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OT Ge. 16.61 €9-19 Ty Bs jounog jediorunyy Aoupdg | °° ae ‘quod aed “quad aed *quoo aed ‘guoo sod 16. 69- are 8. 69- v6.1 1. 0%. | &F ‘gu09 aod “‘quoo aad { : | “9qigsng *ysv}0g | on cuatpan d OUT ‘arqnyjosuy | ‘uaZoaqyiny | -mop pure 1090 *90ANOG [VULSIIO aoe | STFBIOA | *“panuyuoo—aMuV, AHL NO LON “OW ‘saHsy ‘sLOndoUg-aLsv\\ —' AT souog a1eU AA = I9uea[O Yay Woy asnyjay ** Sy[eS pu SaAva] ‘Uvaq BS10]T ck quyjd ajoym ‘Moyer Yysaeyy “ia oh ~-quejd ajoya ‘sarey, 32 yc queid apoyas ‘ved preny ae sis “* sysny aly Se si ae ‘+ ayo uveg Se ot 57 “+ 9yto tag See ae ae “+ ayo 1038") a re “* _ axBd [10 NUDED ‘SeAtva_ puv yAtq ‘pooar pofvoog ‘Soave pue yavq ‘poom pafvooq a4 4snparg “" gfoytgVa Woy payea Yon NOaTasod SYOMIVZeM WOIF YOUN "3 eiooaiq auc, ie qe ** GABO MOAT JISOde | ry a3 “f ourns punoiy ae .. .- oe “ ie oS ¥ glsodap ourny +. - .* a. gisodap qeg ee o- e. o. “ “5 ae ae “- ourns geg - -- - qa0ys ae an a “+ Suoy ‘trey giqqey © 5 +: SANUBUL YSly cf: Se “* FOST[G4oy FAVYS ‘ ; JOST[IFA9F USL *QINUBUL XOJ-DuA[ * — gANWBUT asNyay “* * +. sep dooyg Ss ‘ £3 amurut daayg ‘G “s ~* QMAVUT pavATMO WT “s és “s eMUBU [MOT “ — = OINUBU IIqGVIg x Py ** QINUBUL prvAULIB % rig “* sHudoams yoayg “OINUB IT Mar. 2, 1920. | Aaricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 123 Origin of the Name “Jerusalem Artichoke.” G. P. DARNELL-SMITH, D.8c., F.1.C., F.C.S8. One would naturally expect that the Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuber- osus) came originally from, or had at least some connection with, the ancient city. The evidence—which provides quaint and interesting reading—is nevertheless to the contrary. In the Gardener's Chronicle for 23rd March, 1918, there appeared a paragraph offering prizes for a new English name for the vegetable, in which it was stated that ** the name is considered a corruption of the Italian Girasole artiocco or sunflower artichoké, under which name it is said to have been originally distributed from the Farnese Gardens at Rome in 1617.” This prompted C. C. Lacaita to investigate the history of the Jeru- salem artichoke. The results of his researches were published in Kew Bulletin No. 9, 1919, and from that article the following brief notes are taken :— Lacaita’s investigations establish three points—that (1) the Jerusalem artichoke was not originally distributed from the Farnese Gardens; (2) it was not called Girasole articiocco* im those gardens; and (3) it has never been known in Italy under that name. As far as can be traced, the Jerusalem artichoke was first noticed by Europeans during Champlain's second voyage (1604-7), who, while visiting the habitations of the natives at Nauset Harbour, on the coast of Massachusetts, on 21st July, 1605, saw it in cultivation. Its country of origin was ascertained in 1883, when Asa Gray named its birthplace as Canada, a determination confirmed and now generally accepted, The earliest account of H. tuberosus is by Colonna in 1616, written after seeing it in the splendid garden of Cardinal Farnese in Rome; and to the fact that Colonna was the first botanist to speak of this artichoke must be traced the fallacy that the tubers were distributed throughout Europe from this source. In support of this theory there is not a tittle of evidence, says Lacaita. By 1616 the artichokes were already well known in Paris, and had probably been introduced there some nine years earlier. It seems likely that they were taken from Canada to France by Lescarbot in 1607. Probably intreduced into England in 1617, the tubers were by that date well known in Paris and had acquired the name topinambour—their popular name throughout France to-day, and originally the French appellation of a Brazilian tribe, some natives of which happened to be a source of interest and amusement to Parisians at the time. ; * Artiocco is an obvious misprint. 194 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. Although there is evidence from correspondence that artichokes reached England from France in 1617, the first published reference to them is in 1622, when Venner refers to them in the following quaint passage :—‘‘ Artichoks of Jerusalem is a roote usually eaten with butter, vinegar, and pepper, by itselfe, or together with other meates. It is in nature somewhat answerable to the former (i.e., artichoks), but not so pleasant in taste, nor of so commendable nourishment. It breedeth melancholy and is somewhat nauseous or fulsome to the stomache, and therefore very hurtful to the melancholick, and them that have weak stomackes.” Concerning the theory that “‘ Jerusalem” is a corruption of the Italian girasole (according to Max Miiller, from the Latin gyrus, turning to, and sol, the sun), which is now a popular as well as a book term in Italy for the sunflower Helianthus annuus, Lacaita contends that the statement that the artichoke was called girasole in Italy is incorrect, He states that every effort has failed to discover that the Italians called either the plant or its tubers by that name at or before the date when the vegetable came into use in England. He finds that the term girasole seems to have been first em- ployed botanically for the castor oil plant, and that from evidence of literature of the day it seems as if the transference of the name from that plant to the sunflower may have taken place in England earlier than in Italy. The word girasole might easily have been applied by some scholarly gardener to the tuberous Helianthus when it made its appearance in England, and any unlettered hearer might most easily repeat the ill-caught sound as ** Jerusalem.” Two TYPES OF EUREKA LEMON. Some years ago Mr. Harold Moore, Pennant Hills, visited California, and was so taken with the Eureka lemons there that he purchased some trees and had them forwarded to this State. A number of these trees were planted at the orchard of his brother; Mr. Bert Moore, ‘‘ Sunnyside,” Somersby. The latter now reports that they have proved a failure. The two original trees bear very little fruit, and what they bear is large and coarse. The Department also obtained two trees, and the experience with them at Yanco Experiment Farm was practically the same as at Somersby, namely, that the trees did not crop well, and the fruit was in every way inferior to the variety Sweet Rind. There is a variety of lemon in this State which, though called Eureka, is very similar to Sweet Rind; in fact, I think it is synonymous with it. The Sweet Rind type can certainly be recommended, being even and smooth in texture ; but growers cannot be recommended to plant the imported Eureka referred to above, notwithstanding that in California the variety so named carries good crops of summer fruit, and is being very largely planted in that State.—W. J. ALLEN. Mar. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 195 Chats about the Prickly Pear. No. 2. J. H. MAIDEN, 1.8.0., F.R.S., F.LS., Government Botanist and Director, Botanic Gardens, Sydney. Its Minor Uses. in order that the way may be cleared for the consideration of the major use of prickly pear—that is, as stock feed—the minor uses of the pest may first be indicated. The uses of prickly pear by various peoples are summarised by Dr. D. Griffiths, at p. 41 of Bulletin No. 74, U.S. Department of Agriculture, as follows :— 1. The fruits of not less than a dozen Mexican species are delicious, and would form a valuable addition to our fruit supply. 2. Very palatable jellies are manufactured from the fruits of some species, and could doubtless, under proper commercial methods, be put upon the market as choice delicacies, if the plants can be successfully grown in sufficient numbers. 3. The young joints are boiled for food as greens by the Mexican people. 4. The young joints are manufactured into pickles. 5. The young joints are chopped into small pieces and dried for future use. 6. The expressed juices are used by the Mexicans for mixing with whitewash for exterior work. 7. Many species are used for hedges, borders, fences, and other useful or ornamental plantings. 8. The pulp of the group of cacti known to the Mexicans by the name of visnaza [plants allied to the prickly pear —J.H.M.], is boiled with sugar in the manufacture of cactus candy. 9. The soft, pulpy tissues of cacti, being very retentive of moisture, are admirably adapted and extensively used for poultices. 10. Some species yield valuable [?—J.H.M.] drugs. 11. Before the development of the coal-tar dyes some of the species were largely used as hosts for the cochineal insect. 12, The peculiar reticulations of the vascular system of many species are taken advantage of in the manufacture of an endless variety of art goods. The following minor uses may be briefly touched upon :—(1) The fruit as human food; (2) alcohol; (3) fibre; (4) mucilage (as a component of whitewash); (5) dye; (6) miscellaneous. 1._-The Fruit as Human Food. We have two publications of an exhaustive character which deal with this subject, and show how important the fruits of some (not our pest pear) are in the dietary of the Mexicans. They are “ The Tuna as a food for man,” being Bulletin No. 64, New Mexico (U.S.) College of Agriculture, &c., by R. F. Hare and D. Griffiths (April, 1907), and “ The Tuna as food for man,” Bulletin No. 116, Bureau of Plant Industry, U.S. Department of Agriculture, by D. Griffiths (December, 1907). 196 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. These two works (particularly the latter) give a list of the fruits most esteemed for eating. In some cases the botanical name is uncertain. Tuna Camuesa (Opuntia Larreyi) is one of the best, and it is a member of the Opuntia ficus-indica group (see one of my previous articles, p. 50, Gazette of January, 1913). Dr. Griffiths says: “‘ When the rind is removed, leaving the pulp intact, the latter has a distinct orange cast. When broken open it is mottled yellow and red, but. becomes deeper red with full maturity.” A coloured plate of Tuna Camuesa will be found facing page 56 of the American Bulletin No. 64, already referred to. There is a less exhaustive account of the use of the fruit as human food in Bulletin No. 78 of the New Mexico Agricultural College (EK. O. Wootton, 1911). If my article on Opuntia ficus-indica in this Gazette (January, 1913) be perused, it will be found that I give a good deal of information on edible: fruits of prickly pear (some of them almost non-prickly). ‘he fruit of the Velvety prickly pear (O. tsmentosa)—see p. 1028 of my article of December, 1912—is also esteemed by some. I have known other naturalised species. to have their fruits used for food in Australia; but those mentioned are the. most important, and the ficus-indica is very much the more important. Yet it is only on rare occasions that it is seen in the shops. In 1899 Mr. J. B. Brown, of Windsor, told me that it was cultivated at South Kurrajong, and that the fruit brought half-a-crown a dozen in the market. Some years. ago, however, the late Mr. T. Jessep, M.L.A., a well-known fruit-broker, told me that he had not seen it in the Sydney markets for many years. Occasionally I have seen it in the windows of the King-street (Sydney) shops, in common with other rare fruits, making a mute appeal to the con- noisseur, but it could be supplied in great abundance if the public taste (which it is very difficult to control or direct) set in for it. Speaking of prickly pear fruit in general, Dr. G. V. Perez, a well-known physician, wrote to me in 1913: “ There is a prevalent belief in these islands. (Canary Islands) on which the peasants lay great stress, and that is you must not drink wine when partaking largely of prickly pear, because it causes rectal obstruction; I have so many cases brought before my notice that I am inclined to think there is something in it. Our peasants, of course, partake very largely of them.” This statement may be compared with that quoted as Mexican experience: in regard to O. robusta. 2.—Alcohol. In Mexico, calonche, an intoxicating drink similar in taste to hard cider, is made from the fruit of several species of Opuntia by pressing out the juice, passing it through straw sieves, and heating it by fire or the sun, when it: soon begins to ferment. (See Havard, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, vol. xxiii, p. 33, and ** Drink Plants of the North American Indians ”’ in Sargent’s: ** Silva of North America,” vol. xiv.) Mar. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural: Gazette of N.S.W. 197 In Press Bulletin No. 121 of the New Mexico (a pear State) College of Agriculture. Mr. R. F. Hare, a well-known authority, writes (under date 24th December, 1906) on ‘* Cactus as a source of industrial alcohol.’ He concludes with the following paragraphs :— It may be that the fruits of the prickly pear will be found better suited to the manufacture of alcohol than the stems, if the yield per acre be found sufficiently large to warrant their production. We have fourd that some varieties of this fruit contain 10 to 12 per cent. sugar, all of which is easily and readily converted into alcohol, without the previous malt or acid treatment necessary to produce alcohol from starchy substances. It would therefore seem to us that, from our present knowledge of the subject, the manufacture of industrial alcohol from cactus can reasonably be considered within the range of possibilities. Next in order of date in the papers before me is a paper circulated in the Australian press, purporting to record the work of Mr. K. M. Gibson, B.Sc., a Brisbane chemist; the Sydney Daily Telegraph, for example, has half a column in its issue of 11th February, 1908. This nebulous gentleman “ sees in this despised plant commercial possibilities quite alluring, and calculated. rather to encourage its cultivation rather than its ruthless destruction.” Mr. E. Harris (this Gazette, March, 1909, p. 237), in a thoughtful article urging that the uses of this plant be further inculeated, at p. 245 says: “ The Brisbane chemist was unknown to the Department (of Agriculture, Queens- land), and the Postal Department also failed to locate him.” This is by no means the only occasion n which an untraceable person under an alias, or assuming a University degree, has amused himself by posing as a scientific man. Following are some of * Mr. Gibson's” statements :— ** From experiments that I have carried out I have obtained from the prickly pear @ white spirit in quality equal to the best obtainable in the Commonwealth, and sold in Brisbane at 32s. 6d. per gallon. The cost of production would not exceed 3s. 6d. per gallon.” A by-product of the spirit manufacture is ‘‘a most nutritious feed-cake for horses and cattle, at a cost not exceeding £3 10s. perton. The present cost of feed-cake in this State is £7 10s. per ton. ”’ “Tn the manufacture of paper an excellent strawboard can be obtained,” and other statements are made concerning the valuable fibre to be obtained from prickly pear. “ Last, but not least, it makes an excellent sugar, equal to any sugar-cane grown in Queensland. The sugar properties contained under treatment of 2 tons of prickly pear are equal to 3 tons of sugar-cane.”’ This is the biggest practical joke, purporting to be scientific, that I remember in regard to plants in Australia for many years. We hear of pseudo-scientific reports as regards mines more frequently, but the mischiet of this report is that it unsettled our people, while it found its way into journals in various parts of the world as sober fact, based on Australian experience. The prickly pear pest is quite serious enough without the complications that arise from the vagaries of the practical joker. The British South African Export Gazette of 2nd October, 1908, propagated this statement of the alleged Brisbane chemist in regard to the fibre paragraphs. 198 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W, | Mar. 2, 1920. Next in order of date we come to Bulletin No. 72 (August, 1909), New Mexico College of Agriculture, entitled ‘* Denatured Alcohol from Tunas and other sources,’ by Messrs. Hare, Mitchell and Bjerregoard. This is a specially valuable bulletin, andthe most important contribution to the subject so far. The conclusions will be found at p. 51, and are only partly favourable to the enterprise in the United States (the home of prickly pears) of making alcohol from the fruits on a commercial scale. 1 could quote other work and alleged work, but so far I cannot see much hope of prickly pear fruits being economically valuable as a source of indus- trial alcohol in Australia at the present time. 3.—Fibre. The Transvaal Agricultural Journal for October, 1909, p. 67, refers to * Mr. Gibson’s ”’ statement in regard to the fibre, but information had been sought from the Imperial Institute which stated that the value of the fibre had been greatly overrated. In the bulletin of the Institute for 1910, p. 43, is a report on “Prickly Pear and its Utilization.” At p. 44 the report of the supposed Brisbane chemist is referred to, and his exaggerated state- ments are mentioned under the further heads of alcohol and sugar. Regarding the proposed utilization of the fibre it contains for paper making the results are discounted, partly because of the inherent inferiority of the fibre, and partly because of the high percentage of non-fibrous matter in the plant. Under the headings “‘ The Utilization of the Prickly Pear,” Agricultural News, West Indies, 23rd July, 1910, p. 235, and ** The Cactus Discounted,” Hawaiian Forester and Agriculturist, Sept., 1910, p. 243, the discussion is continued. These are prickly pear countries. Further information (“ Report of the Queensland Prickly Pear Com- mission, 1914’’) has been acquired, and it supports the conclusion that prickly pear fibre cannot compete with other fibres in the market at present. 4.—Mucilage as a Component of Whitewash. The use of prickly pear in making whitewash is frequently met with in the West Indies. In regard to this matter, a note contained in The Colonizer for November, 1910, drawing attention to a similar employment of the prickly pear in Uruguay, is of some interest. It is stated that the white colour of the farm buildings in that State serves for special attraction, even during the wet season. The mode of employing the “* leaves”’ is stated to be to slice them, macerate them in water for twenty-four hours, and then to add the lime and mix well. The endurance of whitewash thus made forms a matter for particular comment. (West Indian Agricultural News, 6th January, 1912, p- 8.) The West Indian and Uruguayan practice is more or less followed in tropical countries where prickly pear is abundant. Mar. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 199 5.—Dye. Many of the species yield purplish fruits, the flesh being more or less intensely of that colour; the pest pear is a case in point. Although a good many authors refer to this colour, it. has not, in these days of synthetic dyes, been found to have any commercial value. At the same time, it has some local or domestic use in the countries in which the species are indigenous. 6.—Miscellaneous. In C. 8. Sargent’s ‘‘ Silva of North America,” vol. xiv, p. 13, will be found references to a local use of prickly-pear “‘ leaves” for hardening tallow, for use as a poultice, &c. I have known the cool succulent substance to be used in New South Wales as a cooling agent in the treatment of whitlows, &c., also for black eyes. * In some countries, particularly India, prickly pears have been cultivated for hedges (in India even for fortifications), but this is a use which will appeal to no one in Australia. At this place a paper “ The Destructive Distillation of Prickly Pear” by F. H. Campbell (‘‘ Rep. Aust. Assoc. Adv. Science,” vol. x v, p. 104, 1913) should be consulted, although the products, tar, charcoal, &c., cannot be produced at a profit at present. Although I am not too optimistic in regard to most of the minor uses enumerated, I am of opinion that some of the various products may help to reduce the cost of clearing pear-infested land, which should always be our aim. THE IMPORTANCE OF APPEARANCE IN THE PACKING OF HONEY. ; THE nature of the bee-keeper’s occupation, and his daily association with a régime unparalleled in nature for its perfect and delicate order, should make him, particularly sensible of the importance of what are sometimes dismissed as “small things.” One of these is the appearance of his honey containers. It is very essential that the apiarist should study the outside appearance of his containers when preparing honey for market. Many aplarists use benzine tins, and these are satisfactory if they are carefully selected, properly cleaned with hot water and a small quantity of carbonate of soda, and then rinsed with cold water. Only the best and brightest tins should be used, and it is imperative, of course, that no slightest odour of benzine should be left in the tin. é When sending honey a distance by rail it is advisable to put the tins in crates. Where it is desired to consign uncrated, then personal attention should be given to the loading of the truck, so that the tins may be packed oarefully, and in such a manner that no other produce is dumped roughly on top of them. Marketing with a poor appearance reduces both profits and sales—W. A. Goopacre, Senior Apiary Inspector. 200 sadisa bos Gazette & Ses [ Mar. 2, 1920. VINEYARD Nores FoR MARCH. Tue full extent of the damage to vines and consequent loss of crop due to mildew is now apparent in ‘he County of Cumberland, and it can safely be said that it has cost growers many thousands of pounds. ‘The regrettable feature of the whole thing is that proved remedial treatments were not availed of. There has been too great a tendency, despite all warnings, to treat the disease lightly and trust to luck. There is probably no place in Cumberland where vines are so subject to mildew as the, Viticultural Nursery at Narara, and if proof of the efficacy of Bordeaux mixture is needed this nursery amply affords it. Not only have the young nursery beds been successfully protected since early in December (when downy mildew first became apparent), but the collection of European varieties has retained luxuriant foliage and matured fine clean bunches of fruit. It is to be hoped that the experience of growers will have a salutary effect upon future operations, and that the advice of the Department of Agriculture will henceforth be accepted as conclusive. Although much good work has been done by the growers who sprayed their vines, there is probably not one who sprayed often enough to achieve immunity from injury. Such results as were obtained will, however, form an excellent guide for future action. Vintage operations will be occupying the attention of vignerons in the wine areas, and it is gratifying to know that there has been an excellent recovery of the vines from the drought of the early summer. Aithough the yield w ill not be particulary heavy, it will be good under existing conditions, and the wines should be of a high order. High prices ruling for wines and grapes should constitute a sound inducement for extension. There is every indication that demands will more than absorb the output of resistant grafts, aud to any who desire to plant but cannot secure grafts, the question of planting rootlings for field grafting should be favourably considered. If growers would realise that this system of propagation, through the agency of the “ Yema” bud graft, is superior to the bench graft, it would be to their alvantage. If ‘two vines, a graft and a rootling, are planted at the same time, and if the latter is budded in the following autumn, it will beat the graft both in growth and fruit bearing. The pre- judice against the old method of field grafting is unfortunately levelled against this simpler and more effective practice. All assistance will be rendered by Departmental officers to any grower who would care to follow out this plan of re-establishing his vineyard. Pamphlets dealing with the method of procedure can be secured on pplication to the Department of Agriculture.—H. EK. Larrer, Viticultural Expert. ESSENTIALS TO RURAL CONTENTMENT. ‘THe farmer as well as the industrial worker is entitled to a living wage and a reasonable profit on his investment. He is entitled also to satisfactory educational opportunities for his children and to the benefits of mod:rn medical science and sanitation. When these requirements are met there will be no dithculty in retaining in the rural districts a sufficient number of contented and efticient people. What we need is not back-to-the- land propaganda, but an acceleration of the work for the improvement of the countryside which will render the abandonment of farins unnecessary and the expansion of farming inevitable.—D. F. Housron, Secretary of Agri- culture, Washington, U.S.A. Mar. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 201 Apricot Growing in New South Wales. W. J. ALLEN. Tue apricot (Armeniaca vulgaris) 18 a native of Armenia, Arabia, and the higher regions of Central Asia. Its date of introduction into England is uncertain; but Parkinson, an old writer on fruit, mentions the introduction of the Algier apricot by John Trandescante, from Algiers, in 1620, thus showing that the fruit has been known in England for a considerable time. In England, however, the cultivation of the apricot is restricted to favourable localities; and though fruit of very high merit is grown, it is only on south walls and where it can be protected from spring frosts, as, on account of its early blossoming, it is very apt to be injured in exposed situations. The uses of the apricot are many and varied; both in a fresh and preserved state, it is largely used as an article of diet, and a valuable oil is obtained from the kernels. As a fresh fruit for dessert it is decidedly the pest of its season. ‘ It makes an excellent jam, cans well, and dries or evaporates well, keeping its flavour without deterioration, and, when properly cooked, coming out nearly equal in quality to newly-gathered fruit. Of late years the apricot has to a great extent gone out of favour. This is not attributed to lack of popularity of the fruit, but more to the fact that, ripening about Christmas time, the fruit is very inconvenient to handle, as at that particular time labour is scarce and, if obtainable, very costly. It is advisable under these circumstances that a grower should not plant apricots in extensive areas, but should confine himself to a few select varieties and an.area not larger than he can handle without depending too much on outside labour. Suitable Districts and Soils. Except in the coldest parts of the State, the north-eastern seaboard, and parts of the arid interior where there is no water available for irrigation, the apricot grows well, but if the best results are to be obtained then suitable localities must be chosen. The first essential in the soil is drainage, and if this is good, then apricots will grow in most soils, provided the trees are worked on suitable stocks. Though apricots will grow in a variety of soils, still they do very much better in some than others, and the soils that seem best suited for this fruit are fairly rich loams of medium texture—deep, friable, and possessing good natural drainage. They may be black, red, or chocolate in colour—varying according to districts. Sandy, loamy land or alluvial soils are not so good for apricots, as, though the trees planted in rich soils make a very heavy growth, they are usually not such good bearers, nor is the fruit of as good quality or as firm in texture as that grown on soils such as those described. 202 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. Very poor soils are also unsuitable for apricots, as trees grown under favourable conditions are heavy bearers and strong growers, and make a fairly heavy demand on the soil for potash, phosphoric acid and nitrogen, that for nitrogen being especially heavy. Propagation and Stocks. Apricots are easily raised from the stone (pit) or by budding or grafting the desired variety on to a suitable stock. Either of these methods of propagation answers well, the wood of the apricot being by no means difficult to work. For budding, always choose plump, well-matured buds, see that they are cut thin, and that the stock is in good working order, viz., that the bark runs freely and does not require forcing. For working over old trees, budding is preferable to grafting; cut the head hard back, and bud on to the young shoots. The question of stocks for the apricot is one of considerable importance, as the success of the tree depends in no slight measure on the suitability of the stock as well as the soil. It has also been found that when peach has been used as a stock for the apricot, the tree becomes liable to the attacks of aphis. It is not at all advisable to use any variety of plum as a stock for the apricot. This stock was for a ‘ime used to some extent in America, but in latter years it has been completely discarded. ; Generally speaking, the most suitable stock is the seedling apricot. It is advisable in working young stock to only select vigorous plants. Of course, there are exceptions with regard to the selection of stocks, and it has been found in the County of Cumberland that the peach, which is generally used there, is fairly satisfactory. Site for the Orchard. This is really a controversial question- a question of frost versus high winds. For instance, if an easterly aspect is selected, the north-westerly winds, which are the most prevalent, are certainly avoided, but, on the other hand, the rays of the sun are met directly it appears on the horizon. The damage attributed to frost is not actually caused by intense cold, but by the rapidity of thawing. Looking at the matter from this point of view, an easterly aspect is certainly a great disadvantage. With a westerly aspect, the sun’s rays will not strike the site until late in the morning, thus minimising the damaging effects of a sudden thaw, but as. against this advantage, the site would be immediately exposed to our pre- valent winds. The same objections apply in a greater measure to a north- westerly aspect. Taking everything into consideration, and having selected a site above the frost zone, an easterly aspect should be chosen; if, on the other hand, the site is in the frost zone, a westerly aspect should be selected. The land should not be very steep, as owing to the high state of cultivation in which it is necessary to maintain it in order to retain the moisture, the soil ;8 apt to wash badly during heavy rains; as there are often thunder showers Mar. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 203 an the best apricot districts, it is also desirable to select land that will not wash to any extent. At the same time, the land should possess good moisture- retaining properties. Drainage. As previously stated, thorough drainage is of the utmost importance in the culture of the apricot, and its absence is the cause of many of the diseases to which this fruit is subject. If the subsoil is of a heavy retentive nature that will prevent the free circulation of air or moisture round the roots of the tree, or if water lies on or stagnates in the soil, causing it to be sour and cold, or if there is a surplus of water in the soil from any other cause, then it is absolutely necessary to drain the soil before it is fit for apricot culture. Apricot Orchard in Blossom at Wagga Experiment Farm. Too many young orchards are set in undrained land. This class of land does not admit of proper tillage and plant food is not available; the soil is too cold in the spring, and bakes and is too warm in the summer, and it does not allow of proper air circulation. Preparation of the Land. Clear the land well, taking out all stumps and roots to at least 20 inches from the surface. Plough as deep as you have soil, but do not bring the sub- soil to the suraface. Plough the land well, turning it right over, and leave it as rough as possible, so that it is well exposed to the action of the sun, air and rain, as this will tend to sweeten the soil and make it more friable, and consequently easier to work. Plough the land some months before planting 204 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. the trees, and let it remain in a rough state; and if the subsoil is of a clayey, retentive nature, or if there is a hard-pan that will cause water to stagnate round the roots and prevent the roots from going down into the soil, then it is advisable to subsoil to as great a depth as the available power will enable and the roots in the soil will allow. Subsoiling will tend greatly to sweeten and aerate the land, and—what is of equal importance—will increase the- natural capacity of the soil for retaining moisture during a dry time. Do not hurry your land |.y planting the trees before it is ina fit state to. receive them—rather lose a season. You cannot get the land into too good order for apricots, for, if thoroughly sweetened and friable andif there is no- impervious subsoil to retain stagnant water, the trees will be healthy and free. from ‘“gum,” which is often a cause of serious loss to apricot growers. There is thus every reason why care should be taken to prepare the land properly if the apricot orchard is to be a financial success. Selection of Trees and Planting. In selecting trees, care should be taken to see that they are well grown and free from all disease; they should not be more than one year old. The hole for planting should have a depth of about 12 inches and a diameter of about 18 inches. In removing the soil care should be taken to put the surface soil on one side of the hole and the subsoil on the other; a small quantity of subsoil is then replaced so that it forms a pyramid in the centre of the hole. The roots of the young tree are next shortened back to within about 3 inches of the stock and all damaged roots removed, the tree being placed on the iop of the pyramid and its roots spread evenly in all directions. All vigorous roots should be planted in the direction of the prevailing winds ; this acts as an anchor to the tree. The remainder of the subsoil is finally filled in compactly and pressed down with the feet, the filling being continued with the ‘surface soil until all the earth has been replaced. Tie trees should always be planted very firmly so as to exclude all air and the tops cut back to a height of about 18 inckes from the ground. Cultivation, Thorough cultivation is the only means by which apricot growing can be made a financial success in the districts best suited for the growth of th> choice canning and drying varieties. The quality and size of the fruit and the amount of the crop depend more on it than on anything else—in brief, it is the one great essential, as it is only by means of it that we can conserve moisture in the soil during dry weather—a cons» vation on which the quality and quantity of the crop may depend. You cannot over-cultivate in a dry time, as the finer you get the soil the more perfect mulch it makes, and the longer it will retain moisture. Do not turn the soil; stir it, and stir it deeply. If you havea small orchard use a Planet Jr. with narrow teeth not more than 12 inches wide, and let them well down; but if you have a larger orchard with a loamy soil, then use a spring-tooth cultivator; for heavy soils use a fixed tine cultivator. After every rain cultivate the orchard as soon as you Mar. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 205 can get on to the land, and get the cultivating done as rapidly as possible, as the sooner you get over the land and break the crust the more moisture you will save; land on which a crust is allowed to remain for any length of time loses moisture very rapidly by surface evaporation. Plough the orchard in the autumn after the removal of the fruit, even if the soil turns up inlumps and costs a considerable amount in shares; there is the advantage (in dry districts) of retaining the winter rains. Cultivate during the summer, always have your land in order, and never be caught napping, as a week’s neglect at a critical time will sometimes mean the loss of a crop. Always keep the land free from weeds and in good tilth ; it will then absorb any rain that falls, and this again is retained by cultivation, whereas on unworked land, a large part of the rain that falls is usually lost by running off the surface, and the little that does happen to soak in is rapidly dried.out again by the sun and wind. Irrigating. Owing to the paucity and uncertainty of the rainfall, irrigation is essential for the growth of apricots in the dry western country. Irrigation does not mean an unlimited supply of water whenever it pleases the fancy of the grower to turn it on, but a judicious supply of a moderate quantity of water at the right time. The mere watering of the land is of little value by itself; it is from the combination of irrigation and cultivation that the best results are obtained—too much water is often as bad as too little. Before irrigating the land be sure that the surplus water has a get-away—that is to say, see that the land has very good sub-drainage, as if this is deficient the water is. very apt to lodge round the roots of the trees and do more harm than good. If there is no winter rainfall, then a thorough irrigation equal to a rainfall of 2 to 3 inches is essential, and this irrigation should be given before the buds burst or just when the sap begins to move, which is fully a month before the buds burst. A good watering then will carry the trees on to the time the stones are forming, when a second watering should be given; this watering will generally be sufficient to mature the crop, but if not, a third irrigation may be given. After each irrigation the land should be cultivated as soon as horses can be brought on to the land without any danger of their packing the soil, as this cultivation will tend to prevent surface evaporation, and if continued as described under the heading of ‘‘ Cultivation,” will retain the moisture in the soil till the next watering is required. Irrigation is best carried out by means of furrows, which are easily made with a furrowing plough or cultivator, and these furrows should be broken up after each irriga- tion. Have the furrows on each side of the row of trees, and, if the land is good irrigating land, at about 2 to 3 feet from the trees on either side, as the water will saturate the soil on each side of the furrow and thus cover he whole of the land. If the water will not soak so far then make the furrows nearer together. The number of furrows will depend on the soil, the age of the trees, and the distance between the trees. Flooding must be avoided. 206 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. Varieties. The varieties to be used for the purpose of canning, jam-making, or drying should be freestone, firm in texture, yellow in colour, evenly ripened on both sides, and with flesh juicy and sweet. Some of the French varieties (such as Luizet) are attractive, being large and having a red cheek, but these are generally shy bearers and lack the qualities mentioned above. The qualities desired are mostly found in the old English and American, and in some seedlings from those varieties. . One of the varieties known in Australia as Trevatt has proved itself of great value. This variety, although not of the highest quality, may be safely recommended to our growers as being a consistent bearer, vigorous, and immune to a great extent from disease. It is suitable for canning, jam-making and dessert, and is of fair quality when dried. The following are English varieties arranged in order of ripening :— Name. | Size. Quality. Newcastle ... ae .... Small Sa se ...| Indifferent. Oullin’s Early me ---| Medium ... ir ...| Medium. Trevatt ... ae ---|, Medium... as ...| Medium. Kaisha aa at ...| Medium ... sia ...| Good. Alsace ee fe ... Large me 3 ...| Good. Hemskirke ... =ts ...| Large ae ce ...| Good. Moorpark ... : aevledium ... eat ...| Good. Mansfield Seedling... ...| Large ae sa ...| Good. French varieties :-— Large Early.. So ...| Large (very shy bearer) ...| Medium. Luizet § ...| Medium (shy bearer) i Medium. Alherge de Montgamet ...| Medium ,, 4c aaa Medium. St. Ambroise was ...| Medium .. Indifferent. The Effect of Frost on Blossoming. During blossoming and just after the fruit is set is a very critical period with most fruit trees, and with the apricot in particular. With a view to gathering data concerning the sensibilities of the apricot at these stages, collections of the fruit (many varieties growing under similar and under different conditions) have been tested on the Government orchards for many years. There is no doubt that frost is responsible for heavy losses to fruitgrowers generally. Many methods have been attempted to cope with its effect, but up to the present nothing has proved satisfactory. We learn from California that the ravages of frost are greatly minimised there by the use of fire pots. Thinning Apricots. There are two ways by which the fruit can be thinned. The first is to prune the tree in such a manner that no more fruit-wood is left than is sufficient to produce the quantity of fruit that the tree is able to grow to perfection. The second way is to thin by hand as soon as the last drop is Mar. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 207 over—that is, after the drop which occurs when the stone is forming. Some- times this drop is sufficient thinning in itself, in which case it is not necessary to thin further; but if too large a quantity of fruit has set, then it must be thinned. No hard-and-fast rules can be laid down for thinning apricots, the quantity to be left depending on the soil, climate, and the vigour of the tree. In some cases at least three-quarters of the fruit must be removed, and even then the tree will have as many fruits left as it can mature properly ; whereas in other cases only a very slight thinning, or none at all, is necessary. The more vigorous the tree and the better the soil, the more fruit it is able to. mature. The fruit-grower must use his own judgment in the matter, and if he is an observant man he will soon learn how much fruit the tree is capable of producing properly, and when and how much a tree requires to be thinned. In thinning, gather the fruit; do not knock it off with poles. Pull off all the smallest fruit, and thin evenly all over the tree, not all on one side and none on the other. The strain on the tree’s energies is very much reduced by thinning, and the quantity of plant-food removed from the soil by the crop is very much lessened. It takes much more out of the land to form the stone than it does to form the fleshy portion of the fruit, because the kernel of stone-fruits always makes a heavy call on the soil for phosphoric acid and nitrogen—the two principal plant-foods that have to be kept up in the soil by manuring. The extra prices obtained will more than pay for the expense of thinning. Gathering the Fruit. The purpose to which the fruit is to be devoted determines the stage of ripeness at which it should be gathered. When required for drying it should be allowed to become thoroughly ripe, but not dead ripe or mushy, as then it will not keep its shape when cut; on the other hand, if gathered too green the fruit will dry light and be acid, as the sugar is not fully developed. For canning, the fruit must be gathered whilst still firm, just before the softening takes place, or it will not keep its shape whilst cooking ; and for shipping long distances or for pulping it must be gathered even sooner. Gather the fruit carefully and do not bruise it any more than you can help; use step- ladders and do not get into the tree if you can avoid it, as if you do you destroy numbers of fruit-spurs along the main branches or just where the tree can bear most fruit without injury. Some Californian fruit-growers advocate shaking the fruit off into large sheets in a similar manner to prunes, but it bruises the fruit too much. It works well with prunes, which have a tough skin, but it spoils a number of apricots, and the extra expense of picking is made good by the extra value of the fruit. When gathered for drying, the fruit should be carried in the picking boxes direct to the cutting tables, so that there is as little handling as possible; and where the cannery is close to the orchard, the same method should be adopted. For sending long distances, or even to the local markets, the fruit should always be evenly graded and packed. 208 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. ; Mar. 2, 1920. The Compositions of Various Lead Arsenates. A. A. RAMSAY, Principal Assistant Chemist. AN examination has been made of such brands of arsenate of lead as were procurable on the market in September, 1919, and the results are set forth in the accompanying table. Nine samples in all were examined, four of these being in “ paste”? form, and five as “dry powder.” Of the paste forms examined, it will be noted that the moisture content ranged from 34:7 to 47-1, the arsenic acid content from 13-9 to 19-6, and the lead oxide content from 33-9 to 39-5 per cent. Of the dry powder forms examined, the moisture content ranged from 0-2 to 0-8, the arsenic acid from 26 to 29-5, and the lead oxide from 60-5 to 65:3 per cent. This range in the amounts of lead oxide and arsenic acid present is due to the different forms and combination of the lead oxide and the arsenie acid ; that is to say, to the different amounts of diplumbic arsenate and triplumbic arsenate present. Arsenate of lead, as sold, consists essentially of diplumbic arsenate, tri- plumbic arsenate, or a mixture of both. The compound diplumbic arsenate consists of two molecules or parts of lead oxide (the weight of which is represented by 445) united with one molecule or part of arsenic acid (the weight of which is represented by 230), and united with one molecule or part of water (the weight of which is represented by 18). This compound, therefore, contains in every 100 parts 64:21 parts lead oxide and 33-19 parts arsenic acid. Ii this compound were made into a paste formed from 50 parts powder and 50 parts water, the paste would contain 32-11 parts lead oxide and 16-59 parts arsenic acid in every 100 parts of the paste. This compound is sometimes called “ acid arsenate of lead,” and the term used indicates in chemical nomenclature the type of compound. The term “neutral arsenate of lead” is applied to that compound which contains three parts of lead oxide united to one part arsenic acid, since this is the maximum amount of lead oxide possible in the combination. The compound triplumbic arsenate consists, as stated above, of three parts lead oxide (the weight of which is represented by 667-5) united to o e part arsenic acid (the weight of which is represented by 230). This compound, therefore, contains in every 100 parts 74:37 parts lead oxide and 25-63 parts arsenic oxide. If pure triplumbic arsenate were formed into a paste, using equal parts of the powder and water, the paste would contain 37-19 parts lead oxide and 12-81 parts arsenic acid per cent. Mar. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 209 Perhaps the nature of these two compounds will be better understood if the analogy existing between phosphates and arsenates is referred to. In the former the calcium phosphates are widely known. There are three of them, viz. :— (a) 1 part calciwm oxide with 1 part phosphoric acid, torming mono-calcium dihydrogen phosphate, acid calcium phosphate, or superphosphate. (b) 2 parts calcium oxide with 1 part phosphoric acid, forming dicalcic phosphate or dicalcium monohydrogen phosphate, or basic calcium phosphate. (c) 3 parts calcium oxide with 1 part phosphoric acid, forming tricalcic phosphate, neutral phosphate, or rock phosphate. ‘ Referring now to arsenates, and with special reference to lead arsenates, the compound analogous to (a) is not known to exist. Diplumbic arsenate, however, exists, and corresponds to (6), while tri- plumbic arsenate corresponds to (¢). The amounts of di- and triplumbic arsenates present in the various samples are given in the attached table. It was considered that the fineness of division of the particles in the samples of lead arsenate purchased might have a bearing on the rate of settling out when suspended, as in applying them for spraying. An attempt has been made to separate the particles into two sizes ‘impalpable,’ or those of about -005 mm. diameter, approximating “clay” particles in size; and “‘ not impalpable,” or particles over -005 mm. diameter and under -Ol mm. On referring to the table under the heading ‘mechanical analysis,” it will be noted that although in three cases out of four the arsenates in paste form contain the largest proportion of their particles in an impalpable form, this is not so in all cases, because we have one case (No. 5, dry powder) where the percentage of impalpable matter is higher than it is in one of the paste forms (No. 3). Arranged in the order of greatest amount of impalpable matter, or smallest amount of coarser particles, we would have :—No. 6 (paste), No. 9 (paste), No. 4 (paste), No. 5 (dry), No. 3 (paste), No. 1 (dry) No. 8 (dry), No. 2 (dry), No. 7 (dry). It will be noted that those brands of lead arsenate examined naturally group themselves under three classes, viz. :— (a) Those in which the diplumbic salt predominates, viz., Nos. 9, 2, 1, 3, arranged in the order of largest content of diplumbic arsenate. The ratios of diplumbie arsenate to triplumbic arsenate in the above are respectively 7-9 to 1, 5:7 to 1, 4°6 to 1, and 3-5 to 1. (B) Those in which there is nearly an equal quantity of di- and tri- plumbic arsenate, viz., Nos. 7 and 8. The ratio of diplumbic arsenate to triplumbic arsenate is 1-0 to 1 in No. 7, and 1:3 to 1 in No. 8. (c) Those in which the triplumbic arsenate present is greater than the diplumbic arsenate, viz., Nos. 6, 5, and 4. The ratio of diplumbic arsenate to triplumbic arsenate in Nos. 6, 5, and 4 is 0-9 to 1, 0°8 to 1, and 0-5 to 1 respectively. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. 210 The difference which appears to exist in the physical condition of the lead arsenates examined is shown not only by a variation in the size of the par- ticles, but also by the weight of a given volume of the lead arsenate, or, in other words, by the apparent specific gravity, which is recorded in the table under the heading ‘“‘ weight per 100 c.c.” The variation in weight ranges from 36 in No. 8 to 123in No.7. Nos. 8 and 5 are the lightest (36 and 47), Nos. 7 and 4 are the heaviest (123 and 119), whilst Nos. 2, 6, 1, 3, and 9 are intermediate, being 83, 88, 91, 97, and 112 respectively. The time that a lead arsenate will remain in suspension is a point worthy of consideration. Other things being equal, any lead arsenate that separated out immediately would be inferior for spraying to one in which the lead arsenate remai.ed in suspension. of Various Lead Arsenates obtainable in Sydney, September, 1919. EXAMINATION ) | chanical | Percentage \| “analy sis. || sa ape of Di- & Tri- % || Chemical Analysis of | Annan ates Arsenates 3 ‘| Sample as received. a present eames 23 Weight | particles, | (caleulated).| “Tresent. | = 3 | | ; | |Z of - | Le] ors> | D Brand, Real | e 2 —~|S& 3 g| 3 g | E* 100 c.c. Be ee) lee 2 2° S* | 24 e783] erm. }2 || 3 g | Zz rs ee || Sle te ste ae spel | Pee y |< Ze see 2 Se = la | eae } | | | | l l ; | || per | per | per | per || per | per per | per || per | per cent. | cent. | cent. | cent. || cent. | cent. || cent. | cent. || cent. | cent. || Ib. Electro 1 0°82 | 60°77 | 29°30 | 9°11 || 90°64 | 9°36 || 75°56 | 16°47 || 82°10 | 17°90 || 92°03 90°9 Lewis Berger pail oe 0°65 | 60°46 | 29°49 | 9:40} 84°16 | 15°84 | 78°25 | 13°73 | 85°07 | 14°93 || 91°98 82°32 Blyth’s Blue Bell 3 || 45°44 | 34°39 | 16 30] 3°87 || 91°01] 8°99 || 40°22 | 11°51 || 77°75 | 22°25 || 51°73 97° (dry powder). Swift’s 4 || 45°59 | 34°66 | 13°85 | 5:90) 97-91) 209 |/ 17°24 | 81°72 | 35-21 | 64-79 || 48-96 118°5 (dry powder). “Orchard 5 (| 0°36 62°67 | 25°98 | 10°99 || 94°80 | 5°20 || 38°87 | 50°03 || 43°72 | 56°28 || 88°90 47°4 Vallo 6 || 47°08 | 33°90 | 14°19 | 4°83 || 99°44 | 0°56 || 22°69 | 25°99 || 46°61 | 53°39 || 48-68 88°3 | | (dry powder). Green Cross 7 || 0°21 | 65:29 | 27°77 | 6°73 || 83°60 | 16-40 || 47-67 | 46°63 | 50" 55 | 49°45 || 94:30] 198-1 Rodgers 8 0°81 | 64°19 | 27°88} 7°12 || 84°73 | 15°27 || 52°09 | 41°33 55° 76 | 44°24 || 93°43 35°9 Carlton 9 |] 34°65 | 39°53 | 19°56 | 6°26 || 98°48) 1°52 || 53°69] 6°79 11°23 || 60°48 112°0 | | | (dry powder). In the accompanying diagram the rate and amount of the settlement which takes place is represented graphically. The various lead arsenates were used at the strength recommended in Farmers’ Bulletin, No. 72, viz., “18 oz. dry lead arsenate to 50 gallons water.” The procedure was as follows :— The lead arsenate under examination was accurately weighed off, and intimately mix:d with a small quantity of water, and afterwards diluted with water to the above standard. The whole was well shaken and poured into a vessel with sloping sides, and the time and the volume of the lead arsenate which fell in that interval of time recorded. From the data obtained the graph has been constructed. Mar. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 214 1 actin ise) PREcIPIT 2 TED 212 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. ~~ (Mar. 2, 1920. On inspecting the graph it is at once seen that Nos. 6 and 8 separate out with great rapidity, and that the arsenate has fallen out of suspension im less than two minutes. The superiority of No. 4 is also immediately noted, and it will be observed that over a period of fifteen or seventeen minutes very little arsenate has settled out. The line of No. 9 indicates that it is very slightly inferior to No. 4, but that both are superior to all the others. The graph further indicates that up to three or three and a half minutes there is very little difference in the rate of settlement of the others, viz., Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7, and consequently little to choose between them. At four minutes, however, No. 7 has practically settled, at five minutes Nos. 2 and 3 have practically settled, and at five and a half or six minutes-Nos. 1 and 5 have practically settled. The graph, therefore, conclusively proves the superiority of No. 4 and No. 9 over all other preparations so far as rate of settlement is concerned. APpIARY Notes FoR MARCH. Tuere has been a gradual improvement during the past month in the eondi- tions for bees, and apiarists generally have been enabled to build up their weaker colonies and in many cases to extract some surplus. Every endeavour should now be made to have the colonies prepared so that they will go into winter in the best and most populous state; this month is generally favourable for brood raising, and every encouragement should be given to the queen, so as to make the best of the remaining time. The brood nest should contain select worker combs suitable for breeding purposes, while the queen should be a good layer, and any old queens should be replaced by young ones. It pays to-replace any queen that has completed her second season, for a good young queen in the spring will make a wonderful difference to the colony. The spring is the time the apiarist will now be looking forward to, for the losses caused by the recent abnormal conditions have to be made up again. ‘The best way to prepare to do this is by wintering the colonies in good order, hived in good sound hives, with ample stores; then, with favourable spring conditions, the apiarist may be enabled to go in for artificial increase. Care should be taken this month when extracting to leave sufficient stores to carry the colonies over winter, and to allow for extensive brood-raising in the spring. One full super and what is naturally contained in the brood chamber can be taken as an estimate as to what quantity is required. The bees usually give an indication when a honey flow is going off by raiding any combs left out of a hive for a minute or so, or endeavouring to raid the extracting house during mild weather. Be careful and do not be mean during these times.— W. A. Goopacre, Senior Apiary Inspector. Durine December, 1919, the plant Ecehium plantayineum (Paterson’s Curse) was declared by the Upper Hunter Shire Council to be noxious within its area. Mar. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 213 Extracting Surplus Honey. W. A. GOODACRE, Senior Apiary Inspector, ‘THE term “ extracting ” is generally used to cover the combined jrocesses of (1) removing combs from, the hive, (2) uncapping the combs, and (3) extracting the honey by means of the honey extractor. There is no set period for extracting; there may be a honey flow fairly early in the season, while at times the apiarist will not extract any surplus until the autumn. Again, there are seasons in which the flow may last all through. A safe plan for the becinner who desires to know when to extract is, when the colonies are progressive and the super or supers nearly full of sealed stores, to place over the brood nest and under the supers a fresh super, the frames of which contain comb foundation or empty combs. When good progress has been made in this super, the apiarist can consider it is time to extract surplus from, the sealed stores above. The beginner should always keep in mind the fact that bees require a fair surplus of stores during early spring if they are to be progressive in brood raising ; while in the late autumn ample stores should be left with the colonies to carry them safely over winter. Until experience is gained in regulating these matters, it is best for the beginner to keep a little on the safe side. The bees usually give an indication as to the supply of available nectar. For instance, if they are inclined to rush any combs left out of a hive for a minute or so, or endeavour to raid the extracting house to any extent during mil | weather, the apiarist can be assured that there is a scarcity of nectar, The same can be said as regards a pollen shortage, when the bees endeavour to obtam a substitute by raiding the bran, pollard, or flour bins; but in this case the substitute is useless. I would advise the beginner to take notice of these indications, for even a practical apiarist is usually guided by them, especially in a new locality. Do not stint your bees during a dearth of nectar. Material for Extracting. The materials desirable for the purpose of carrying out extracting operations in the yard are—a smoker, a hive tool, a bee-brush, and a wheel- barrow or small hand-cart, to the bottom of which a tin tray should be fitted to catch any drips from the combs. The plant necessary in the extracting room for a small apiary consists of the following :—One simple cappings reducer, one oil stove or primus stove, two uncapping knives, one two-framed reversible honey extractor, and one or two 500-lb. capacity honey tanks. 214 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Mar. 2, 1920:. Of course, when working on extensive lines the plant may be enlarged’ and added to. For instance, a Beuhne cappings reducer or a Geue reducer may be used; also larger honey tanks, a four or six frame extractor, and.. if desired, a honey heater (used for the purpose of saving time—the honey, being artificially ripened, can be tinned off a few hours after extraction).. All combs selected for extracting should be well sealed, for honey is not. properly ripened until the bees have sealed it up in the combs. Inland, where the honey is dense, the apiarist can extract when the combs are about three parts sealed; but the beginner, especially in coastal districts, where the climate is damp, should have the honey well ripened by the bees. themselves. Removing Surplus Honey from the Hive. When about to remove the combs, the apiarist should have a number of super bodies that are interchangeable with the supers on the hives. As the frames are removed from the supers, shake the bees near the entrance and’ brush the remainder from the combs. There should be some convenience by which the young bees can crawl from the ground tothe entrance. Some apiarists prefer to remove the supers in the first instance, and place over the brood nest an empty super, in which the bees are brushed from the combs Combs when being brushed or shaken should not be held too high from the ground or super. In cases where several supers have been removed, an empty super should be put on the hive to allow accommodation for the bees. When sufficient. supers containing combs to make up a load for the barrow or cart h:ve been removed they can be taken to the extracting house. A number of colonies can be relieved of their stores before starting operations in the extracting: room, if desired. 5 There are dozens of methods used in removing bees from the combs; for instance, in using the Bolton hive some prefer to. remove the bees by dumping the super containing the frames on the ground. Others use a bee- escape board which is left on overnight. The bees get down below the — supers and are thus prevented from getting back. When using a bee-escape, care should be taken to see that no brood is left in the supers above; other- wise it will be chilled. Many prefer to have supers containing empty combs ready to put on the hive immediately the full ones are removed. This is a good method and very convenient, providing the apiarist is sure of freedom from brood disease; but the beginner should not practise interchanging combs when extracting. Work in the Extracting Room. Hot water must first be poured into the reducer, the lamp (or primus stove) started, and the uncapping knives (which should be fairly sharp) put in their place in the reducer. Place the frame to be uncapped “end on” and resting on the board which is across the reducer. In using the knife work carefully; do not proceed with a cut when a comb begins to tear, and Mar. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 215 for a start do not be afraid of using a fresh knife. After uncapping, the combs are placed in the extractor baskets—the beginner will learn by practice to regulate the pace when turning, so as to get the honey out without -damage to the combs: New combs should be turned slower than older ones. Often in the supers, combs will be found which. contain patches of sealed brood. These can be extracted, provided the cappirg on the brood has not been interfered with, but any comb containing much larve should be left in the hive in the first instance. After the combs are extracted they should be inspected, and the best breeding combs placed toward the centre of each super, for of late years aplarists generally favour the principle of allowing the queen to have the full run of the hive. It is found that by so doing and by having good combs in the supers, the queen will lay in some of the combs just after extraction, and then, as the brood emerges, and if that room is desired for storing purposes, the bees will force the queen down by filling the cells with honey. Replacing Supers after Extracting. After having covered the supers to prevent robbing, they are taken to their respective hives. Remove the empty super from the colony and place it alongside the entrance. It will probably contain a good number of bees. Then put on the hive the extracted supers. The bees in the empty super can be carefully dumped near the entrance. In the case where a few combs containing larve are left in the super, the aplarist can sufficiently dislodge the bees with a brush to allow the replacing of the full complement of combs without dumping the super, apart from the bees that adhere to the cover. Working with a System. Where a fair number of colonies are kept, the apiarist should have matters regulated so that when one portion of the apiary is extracted the other colonies have a fair supply of stores. Where out apiaries are worked, the apiarist will be able to regulate his work so that each apiary will be ready for extracting in the convenient order. To enable this ta be carried out, a good supply of prepared hives should be on hand. A practical apiarist with a good knowledge of his locality, can at times remove practically all the stores from the colonies at one time without a feeling of doubt, but such type of management is better left in the hands of the very competent. Inspection During Extraction. When working under full pressure, the apiarist should make the best use of his time during extracting to put in order any colony that requires attention. A supply of frames containing foundation should always be on hand, so that unfavourable combs can be replaced by them. Supers should be put on any colony requiring extra accommodation, especially at out apiaries where swarming may not be noticed. In examination during extracting time the apiarist will get a good idea as to the state of his colonies. 216 Agricuitural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Mar. 2, 1920. Hints on Extracting. 1. Leave one frame short in the supers, and space the remainder evenly. so that you will get well-filled combs that are easy to uncap, This, when- the combs are cut down to normal, will give fair wax production. 2. Have the material .in the extracting room placed conveniently. If possible, have the extractor elevated so that the honey will gravitate to the tank direct; if the ground is on the incline, this can easily be carried out. 3. Do not interchange combs during extracting until you feel you are a competent judge of brood disease. Do not induce robbing by extracting in the open or leaving honey accessible to the bees, for disease is often spread in this manner. 4. Lengthen the life of your combs by careful handling, uncapping, and extracting. Learn to work quickly and yet do things right. A Dry lorm or LIME-SULPHUR. AN interesting preparation under the name of “B.T.S.” has been manu- factured and sold as a dry form of lime-sulphur to be used in all cases. where lime-sulphur spraying is desired. On examination the preparation appears to be barium tetra sulphide, and of about 88 per cent. purity. It is recommended by the manufacturers that the powder be used at the rate of 12 to 14 lb. per 50 gallons water for spraying dormant trees, and at the rate of 1 to 4 lb. per 50 gallons water for trees in foliage. The former strength corresponds to 23:94 to 27°94 grams per 1,000 ¢.c., and the latter strength corresponds to 2:00 to 7:98 grams per 1,000 c.c. Mixtures were made in the laboratory containing 26 grams per 1,000 e.c., and also 5 grams per 1,000 ¢.c. After shaking for the prescribed time with water, a chemical analy sis was made of the two mixtures, and the following figures represent the results obtained, expressed as grams per 1,000 c.c.:— 26 grams to 5 grams to 1,000 c.c. 1,000 c.c. Monosulphide sulphur ... oe se 4°046 0-432 Thiosulphate ¥ Mf 0°732 O-313 Sulphate and sulphite sulphur A: 0-068 0-025 Polysulphide sulphur... 160 shi 6°409 1-424 Total Sulphur Scr i ae i "255, 2-194 That decomposition has taken eee i in the more dilute solution is shown by the above figures, for had no decomposition taken place other than occurs in the 26 grams to 1,000 c.c. strength then the 5 grams to 1,000 c.c. mixture should have given the following figures :—- Monosulphide sulphur .. is Sor es 0°578 Thiosulphate i ; = 2595 ve 0141 Sulphate and sulphite sulphur .. in a are 0-013 Polysulphide sulphur _... 3 Se oe sae 1:233 Total Sulphur Fad aa : we 2°164 There is evidently greater decomposition in the weaker strength than in the higher strength, and it is also probable tuat the length of time the solutions are left standing might also affect the results obiained in spraying in the field.—A, A. Ramsay, Principal Assistant Chemist. Mar. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 217 Poultry Notes. MARCH. JAMES HADLINGTON, Poultry Expert. NotwiITHSTANDING the cloud under which the poultry industry is temporarily labouring, and the severe testing time to which the poultry farmer is being subjected, we must still make plans for the immediate future. Stock may have to be reduced to a very low level, and many pullets and hens that might have been prospective paying units with feed at a medium or low price, may now become unprofitable. This will make severe thinning down an absolute necessity. Therefore, the main work of the poultry farmer for the present will be rigid culling of the non-producers. Unfor- tunately we have reached the time of the year when many potentially good producers will not be laying, but unless under stress of absolute necessity, these should not be sacrificed. This, of course, refers to hens that have completed, or are completing their first year’s laying. In regard to those completing their second year’s laying, that is, birds thirty months old, it is questionable if 10 per cent. of these will pay for their keep from this time onward. Tn regard to the disposal of such hens, it is fortunate that a good many appear to be going into cold storage. Should this continue it will assist in staving off the slump that would otherwise occur for this class on the market. Light weight sorts must, however, be expected to suffer in price. It is only the heavier sorts that can make satisfactory prices, weight being a prime factor in hens to be stored. Culling Pullets. This is one of the most difficult problems for even the experienced poultry farmer, because, notwithstanding all the rule-of-thumb systems that have from time to time been promulgated, experience proves that no uniform success in culling pullets can be attained until they have come well into lay. This fact accentuates the difficulty in regard to culling late-hatched pullets. Almost every poultry farmer of any standing has his own experience in respect to how his latest hatched pullets come on to lay, but the almost general experience is that the great bulk of pullets hatched and reared under ordinary poultry farm conditions after the middle of September do not lay many eggs before the following July. There are, of course, exceptions to this rule, but where that is so it will mostly be found due to having secured development that is above the average for this class. Another fact the poultry farmer will do well to keep in mind is that these pullets are generally 25 per cent. worse layers during the whole of their lives than earlier hatched birds, even from the same parent stock. Here, then, is where culling is fairly safe at the present time. c 218 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. It is evident that to carry stock with a prospective productiveness 25 per cent. lower than normal under present conditions will be to court failure. Unfortunately there are always too many birds of this class on our farms. It is useless to blame the writer for stating facts to which it is positively necessary that attention be called in the interests of the farmers and of the industry generally, If ever there was a time when it was necessary to stress this point, it is now. The existence of hundreds of persons in the industry depends upon the sound judgment brought to bear in handling their stock at this critical period. Mere numbers may lead to disaster, while judicious thinning out of low grade birds may enable many to see the difficult times through. New Stock. It will readily be understood that at the present time breeders will neither have money to burn, nor an inclination to launch out freely in the purchase of new stock, but where such are necessary and it can be done, the introduction of birds that will keep up stamina and productiveness should not be neglected, and the time to get them is during the next few weeks. HOW TO POISON FOXES. The depredations caused by the fox pest have become a very serious menace to poultry keeping, no less than to sheep farming. The Hawkesbury Agricultural College has not been exempt from this trouble, and of late years it has assumed rather serious proportions. At this institution the trouble has been almost exclusively confined to the large colony enclosures used for the growing stock. These are situated on the bush side of the poultry section. Strange to say, the foxes have not troubled the new competition pens, doubtless owing to their small size, and perhaps to some extent because they have the appearance to them of so many traps. The constant tramping around these sections would also act to a certain extent as a deterrent. However, recognising the danger to the valuable stock kept at the College, and with a view to solving the problem for the farmer, Principal H. W. Potts has always been active in attempts to protect the live stock of the institution and to discover any more efficient method than those commonly in use. Almost every known method (in- cluding poisoning), and some new ones, have been tried, but with only limited success. Up to recently nothing had given such uniformly good results as dogs, chained to fencing wire stretched from one end of the ground to the other on each of three sides of the section of colony enclosures. Comparative immunity was obtained in this way for some time until some of the dogs became ineffective, and before they could be replaced by more suitable animals the foxes (having learnt to climb or otherwise negotiate the fences) reasserted themselves and losses again occurred amongst the young stock quartered in that portion of the farm, Mar. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 219 A New Method. The Principal instructed Mr. Lawrence, the Poultry Instructor, to again resort to poisoning. In the use of the poison every precaution was taken to avoid contact with the bait, it being well known that the scent of the human being is easily detected by foxes. Working upon this basis, the Instructor Fiz, 1.—One night’s kill of Foxes at the College. Fig. 2.—Sticks are used to place the poison in the bait Fig. 3.—Throwing the bait off the trail. conceived the idea of carrying the principle farther, and he endeavoured to put as much distance as possible between the baits and the tracks of the persons manipulating them. This he did by pointing a stout stick, inserting it into the poisoned bait and throwing it as far away as possible. 220 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Mar. 2, 1920. The result was highly successful. The first night seven baits were laid in this way, at a distance of some three hundred yards from the fences, birds killed on the previous nights being used as baits. The next morning nine foxes, as shown in Fig. 1 of the illustrations, were found dead in close proximity to the poisoned baits. Fig. 2 shows the method by which the poison was inserted into the bait. The poison used was white soluble strychnine. This was inserted in an incision made in the neck of the birds just below the crop, and in the manner shown in the illustration. Two pointed sticks were used to place the poison in the incision. Fig. 3 shows the operator throwing the bait away from the end of the pointed stick already mentioned. In addition to the nine foxes shown in Fig. 1, three others were poisoned on the following night in exactly the same way, making, in all, a dozen in two nights. Apparently the whole pack that was visiting the yards was thus wiped out. ANNUAL Stup Pie SALE aT HAWKESBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. THe Annual Stud Pig Sale at Hawkesbury Agricultural College will be held on Wednesday, 24th March, at 12°30 p.m., when fifty specially selected pedigreed pigs (including Berkshires, Tamworths, Middle Yorkshires and Poland Chinas) will be offered at auction. A train is timed to leave Central Station, Sydney, for Richmond at 855 a.m., and vehicles will meet the train and convey buyers to the sale. Luncheon will be provided at the College, and buyers can return to the city by 6 p.m. on the same day. Arrangements can be made for crating and despatching the animals, and the vendors will feed and attend to same pending despatch, Catalogues and further particulars can be obtained from Messrs. Badgery Bros. (auctioneers), the Principal of the College, or the Under Secretary and Director, Department of Agriculture, Sydney. THe MAINTENANCE OF FERTILITY. A crop of 30 bushels of wheat removes from the acre on which it is grown 33 lb. of nitrogen, 14 lb. of phosphoric acid, and 9} lb. of potash; whilst a crop of 22 tons of mangolds removes 87 |b. of nitrogen, 34 lb. of phosphoric acid, and 223 lb. of potash. If, then, mangolds were sold, what a huge loss in fertility the farm in general would sustain. Potatoes, again, are a crop that are invariably sold off the farm. Now, 6 tons of potatoes, an average yield of an acre, remove 47 lb. of nitrogen, 214 lb. of phosphoric acid, and 764 lb. of potash. These examples show plainly enough that a crop is exhaustive or not, according as it is or is not sold off the farm.—W. R. Lisron, in the Agricultwral Gazette (England). Mar. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 221 Orchard Notes. MARCH. W. J. ALLEN and S. A. HOGG. Preparing Land for Planting. Ir intending planters have not already prepared their land, no time should be lost in doing so, It is always advisable to have the land ready some considerable time before planting. Such work as clearing, grubbing, ploughing and subsoiling should be carried out very thoroughly. In some districts, particularly near the coast, the fungus disease known as Armillaria mellea attacks many of the roots of our native trees, and if allowed to remain in the soil young citrus trees which may be planted subsequently are likely to suffer. Autumn has been found very suitable for planting citrus trees. in our coastal districts, but in the case of low-lying frosty situations it has been found that spring is preferable. Harvesting. During this month the picking, packing and marketing of fruit wil be general. Such fruits as raisin grapes and sultanas should be ripe at the end of the month, but care must be taken not to pick them until the berries have obtained their full maximum of sugar. Prunes also will be ready for picking and processing, and in many places apples and pears should be picked and despatched to market or for cold storage. In the case of apples and pears —particularly the former—a certain proportion of fruit will be unsuitable for market but may be profitably utilised if converted into pulp. ‘This requires an outfit, which, it is understood, can be procured at a small cost from some of the leading merchants in Sydney. Where pulping is not practicable, the fruit may be dried, but in this case a small evaporator will be required. Grading and Packing Fruit. The necessity of grading and packing fresh fruit as well as dried fruit cannot be emphasised too frequently, The fresh fruit should be picked early in the morning, if possible, when the fruit is cool but dry ; should it be damp it must be allowed to dry before packing. ‘The cases should be lined with clean paper, and in the case of high grade apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, lemons, or oranges it is preferable to wrap them individually. The cases should be packed to their utmost capacity, care being taken to: avoid putting more in a case than will allow of the lid being firmly pressed down to keep in contact with the fruit and so prevent it moving during transit. In packing grapes at least 24 lb. should be packed in a grape case (half bushel). The attention of the Department was lately drawn to an instance where such packing to capacity was neglected. A certain grower forwarded 222 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. | Mar. 2, 1920. a number of half cases only containing about 12 1b. of grapes each. These arrived in very bad condition and proved dithcult to dispose of at barely 3s. On the other hand, another consignment received at the same time, but well packed and in good condition, was easily disposed of at 12s. 6d. per case (half bushel). Strawberries. Strawberry culture has not advanced in this State to the position it deserves. Under favourable conditions strawberry growing is very profitable, and an activity in which juvenile labour can be used to advantage. It has been found that planting in the autumn in our coastal districts has its advantages. Before planting, the runners should be removed and the roots shortened to at least one-third of their length. Cultivation of Orchards. In the drier districts it is strongly recommended that ploughing should be commenced as early as possible. The land should be left in a rough state so as to absorb the winter rains. During August and September the land should be well cultivated, and if it becomes consolidated by traffic should be ploughed to a depth of several inches and kept thoroughly cultivated during the growing months. Cover Crops. Where the rainfall is sufficient it may be found a good practice to grow a cover crop between the rows of trees fur the purpose of being ploughed under. The most suitable crops for this purpose are peas, rape, vetches, rye, and barley. It is advisable when sowing to also apply a dressing of superphosphate at the rate of about 60 lb. per acre. These crops should be ploughed in before they blossom. They should never be allowed to mature, as by doing so they rob the soil of the moisture which may be required for the development of the fruit, and thus defeat one of the purposes of using green manures. A QUERY FROM CALIFORNIA. “*Can you tell me where I can get what is called ‘ Australian bees,’” ran a query hastily pencilled in California and lightly addressed ‘“ Postmaster, Sydney, Australia,” but which the “ Postmaster” genially referred to the Department of Agriculture. ‘‘It is put into a jar with water and sugar or molasses, and ferments.” The Biologist confessed a casual acquaintance with the subject :—“ Thada specimen with the above appellation forwarded to me for examination from America some time ago. It was stated that it was used for making a beverage by placing some in a jar of dilute sugar solution, that the beverage was ready after a few days, and that on drinking it a feeling of warmth and satisfaction resulted. The examination of the specimen proved it to be a fairly pure culture of yeast.” Apparently Uncle Sam is already seeking consolations, but why connect the fair name of Australia with them ? Mar. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 223 Agricultural Bureau of New South Wales. Suggested Subjects for Bureau Meetings. Ir sometimes happens that, owing to some inadvertence, members of branches meet without having any particular subject before them. In such a case, one of the following paragraphs may provoke a useful discussion :— What was the most profitable undertaking on your farm the past year—not necessarily the undertaking that brought in the most money, but the one that, for the money invested and the labour involved, gave the best returns? Will you make this a permanent feature on your farm ? Have you observed any substantial difference as a result of treating seed wheat with bluestone solution? Many successful farmers have become convinced by their experience of the value of the treatment. Have you tried the wethod recommended by the Department, and how does it compare with any other method you have ever adopted ? The area affected by take-all is steadily increasing. Have you noticed whether rotation, fallowing or methods of cultwation have any influence upon its occur- rence? Do they tend to limit its spread ? Do you practise autumn ploughing in the orchard? In districts of small rainfall it is likely to be useful in conserving the autumn and winter rains. Hane you had any confirmation of this in your experierce ? In coastal districts fre- quent showers in the latter part of the summer prevent the control of weed growth. Have you tried autumn ploughing as a means of making use of these weeds to increase the humus content of the soil ? Have you ever sown crops of winter stock feed on maize land after the early crop is off? What effect have you noticed these crops (wheat, oats, rye, field peas, rape or vetches) to have on the subsequent crop ? REPORTS AND NOTICES FROM BRANCHES. NOTE.—While gladly publishing in these columns the views of members of the various Branches of the Agricultural Bureau, it is pointed out that the Department does not necessarily endorse the opinions expressed. Bimbaya. A meeting was held on 18th December. General business was discussed, and the Inland Fisheries Officer gave valuable information regarding the acclimatisation of trout, &c., in local rivers. At a meeting on 7th January a discussion took place on the roads of the district, and it was agreed to mention several of them to the local shire councils. The secretary was instructed to procure a copy of “ Australia Unlimited” for addition to the library, A useful discussion followed on the means by which the prosperity of the district could be best promoted. Better roads, sounder methods of agri- culture, a larger public spirit, and a heartier support of local institutions all had their partisans in the matter. 224 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Mar. 2, 1920. Blacktown. The annual meeting was held on 14th December. It was agreed to co-operate with the Tingha branch in an endeavour to secure sufficient supplies of sugar for jam-making and fruit-preserving, and also to co-operate with the Cordeaux branch in endeavouring to secure from the Government ammunition for the purpose of destroying flying-foxes. The second annual exhibition of the branch has been fixed for 7th and 8th May. A district exhibit will also be staged at the Hawkesbury Annual] Show this year. Cotta Walla. The annual meeting was held on 12th January, twenty-two members being present. The election of officers resulted as follows :—Chairman, Mr. T. J. Kennedy ; Vice-chairmen, Messrs. O. A. Storrier and J. C. Weatherspoon ; Treasurer, Mr. J. Plumb; Hon, Secretary, Mr. T. A. Howard; Auditors, Messrs. W. Howard and C. Howard. During the evening a paper was read by Mr. W. Howard on the subject of pig-raising. It was urged that every dairyman who keeps ten or twelve cows should keep a breeding sow. The paper raised one or two issues that led to useful discussion. Dural. At the last meeting the following questions, which appeared in the January issue of the Agricultural Gazette, were discussed :— 1. What class of crop do you prefer for green manuring ?—Members considered that in the Dural district Grey peas were preferable for green manuring. Rye and rape were not used. The best months for sowing were considered to be February and March. It was further thought that the rainfall in the district was generally so consistent that it was quite the exception to experience any difficulties from lack of moisture. 2. Have you been successful in the control of peach tip moth ?—Members stated that so far their district had been comparatively free from peach tip moth, and that no material damage had resulted this season. Garra-Pinecliffe. A meeting was held at Mr. H. Robard’s residence on 8th February, Mr. Forrester in the chair. After the usual business had been dealt with, the chairman and secretary were called upon to investigate the contents of the question box. The first piece of paper drawn was a clipping from a newspaper on the working of the divining rod, which was read by the secretary. The next was the question, ‘‘ Which are the best varieties of wheat to grow in our district for wheat and hay?” The varieties yoted as good were Yandilla King, Marshall’s No. 3, and Cleveland. Another question asked was ‘*‘ Which is the best implement to use for working the land?” Members considered that for the present season the spring-tooth was the best implement, as the land had not settled down owing to the spring having been so dry. Glenorie. A meeting was held¥on 27th December. General business was discussed, and a visit to Hawkesbury Agricultural College was projected. At a subsequent meeting on 10th January, further business was transacted., Mar. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 225 Lidcombe. This branch shows much activity, the meetings being well attended. On 15th and 29th December meetings were held at which show business was transacted. On 10th January the members visited Mr. H. J. Rumsey’s property at Dundas, and had an instructive time. On 12th January a well- attended meeting was held, when a paper was read by Mr. Lawrence on vegetable culture. Hints were given on a formidable number of vegetables, special mention being made of the necessity for good methods of manuring, rotation of crops, and the preparation of the seed-beds, Lisarow. A meeting was held on 6th December, twelve members being present. During the evening it was decided to compete at the Gosford Show for the district prizes. On 3rd January a further meeting was held, when ten members were present, and arrangements were made for staging the exhibit. Discussion also took place on various railway and postal facilities that were required by the district. Lower Portland. A meeting was held on 5th January, the attendance being somewhat restricted owing to inclement weather. The flying-fox pest was discussed. March. A meeting was held on 19th January, eight members being present. After the general business had been dealt with, a useful and helpful paper on fruit packing by Mr. H. V. Howarth was read and discussed. Middle Dural. A meeting was held on 9th January. The question of pool-buying was considered, and a discussion also took place on the experimental work being carried out in the district by the Department. Milbrulong. A meeting was held on 5th January, when the sugar shortage and its effect on jam-making and fruit-preserving were discussed. It was decided to take steps to secure a sufficient quantity for local requirements. A plot of 4 acres was offered by Messrs. Lynch Brothers, for the purpose of establishing experimental grass plots and accepted. A debate took place on the subject of wool or mutton for the farmer. A library has now been formed in connection with the branch, Miranda. A ta meeting held on 17th November Mr. R. N. Makin, Inspector of Agriculture, gave an interesting and instructive lecture on the growing of legumes and other plants for the feeding of stock. The lecturer spoke at some length on the growing of lucerne, and showed the advantages derived from soil inoculation, explaining that if a patch of lucerne was not doing well, it might be greatly improved by spreading a small quantity of soil from a patch that was giving satisfaction, and harrowing it well in. D 226 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Mar. 2, 1920. Moss Vale. The monthly meeting was held on 9th January, a good attendance being recorded. The programme for the coming year was fixed and arrangements were made for the branch making an exhibit at the Moss Vale Show. Quaker’s Hill. The members of this branch, at a meeting on 10th January, discussed several methods of creating increased interest amongst farmers. It was decided that, in addition to a vigorous canvass for new members, a series of competitions be held—one each meeting—and a general exhibition of produce, combined with a social evening, at a comparatively early date. Samples of maize seed supplied by the Department have been divided amongst ten members, each of whom (on a ]Ye-arranged date) will sow a small area, according to his own ideas of cultivation and manuring. Keen competition is expected. Small parcels of wheat and oats supplied by the Department last year were sown by members. All report indifferent results with the wheat, but in every case Sunrise oats did excellently. A challenge is issued by the branch to any centre within the Blacktown shire to a competitive exhibit of preduce at the first show to be held by the newly-formed Blacktown Agzicultural Society. Stratford. A meeting was held on 10th January, when fourteen members were present. General business was followed by discussion of the question (taken from the Agri- cultural Gazette): ‘‘ What method do you adopt in keeping your cream cool in order to produce choicest grade butter ?” Mr. WENHAM expressed the opinion that cream should always be allowed to cool thoroughly before being mixed with other cream, and it should always be kept covered with mosquito net and covered around with wet bags. Mr. T. Germon favoured keeping cows away from stagnant water-holes, and the addition of a little coarse salt to the cream to keep down fermentation. Mr. H. PERRIN considered that each quantity of cream separated should be cooled separately and stood in tubs of water. He also believed in strict cleanliness throughout. By adoption of this method Mr. Perrin said he was able to produce all superfine butter for the year 1919. Mr. E. GresHAm said he cooled all cream by standing it in water and then mixing it in the can and stirring regularly. He favoured cows having access to running water, and thought that a large percentage of second-grade cream was due to cows grazing on swampy lands. Mr. P. H. Dearps believed in mixing cream in the can after it had cooled. Cans should always be wrapped in wet bags and all parts of the separator perfectly cleaned. By this method less than 3 per cent. of second-grade cream was produced. Toronto, The annual meeting of this branch was held on 2nd December, when the retiring office-bearers were re-elected for the ensuing year. The report showed that the past year had been one of useful activity, several valuable papers baving been read and officers of the Department having given lectwes and demonstrations of most helpful kinds. Visits had been made to the properties of several members with profit. The balance-sheet showed a healthy credit balance to carry forward. Mar. 2, 1920.’ Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 227 At the monthly meeting on 6th January Mr. Cockburn read a paper on woolly aphis, which he denominated the worst pest that orchardists have to contend with. Woonona, The monthly meeting was held on 13th January, when there was a good attendance of members. Twenty-three new members were enrolled, making 139 members for four months, The fourth annual show of the branch was held on 17th January, when an extensive collection of fruit and vegetables of the district, jams and preserves, flowers and pot plants, poultry and eggs, fancy and art work, and school work of all kinds was staged and attracted a large number of visitors. The exhibition was opened by Mr, W. Davies, M.L.A., who warmly con- gratulated the organisers on the completeness of the collection and the high standard of the exhibits. Mr. Davies’ commendation was unanimously and heartily approved by all who attended, and the branch cannot but be strevgthened by the success of the event. A gardens competition, judged a few days before, created a great deal of interest and was a valuable feature. Yarramalong. The annual meeting was held on 21st January, fifteen members being present. It was decided to communicate with the Department of Agriculture in regard to a supply of wheat suitable for the growing of green fodder, and arrangements were made for a supply of Algerian oats. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows :— Chairman, Mr. J. L. Ellis; Treasurer, Mr. J. Bailey ; Hon. Secretary, Mr, E. Hodges. A meeting was held on 5th February, when business in connection with the postal facilities in the neighbourhood was dealt with and arrangements were made in connection with the supply of seed wheat and oats for the coming season. It was also unanimously decided that the branch should compete in the village exhibit at the forthcoming local show. BUSINESS-LIKE DAIRYING. THE city business man will leave nothing undone to get the most from his business. He will work at his account books late in the night and early in the morning, and he will spend large sums in advertising in order to bring in greater returns; but there are very few farmers who will use a Babcock tester after dark to see what each cow is worth to them, or realise that to pay a reasonable price for a first-class dairy bull with which to breed better heifers is an investment that comparatively few farmers undertake. Plain business methods applied to dairy-farming is all that is required to make the returns therefrom fully satisfactory—J. 8. McFapzran, in The Journal of Agriculture of Victoria. 228 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES’ SHOWS. SECRETARIES are invited to forward for insertion in this page dates of their forthcoming shows ; culture, Sydney, not later than the Society. Bellinger River A. Association . Tumut A. Association Manning River A. and Pave. (Taree) Berrima District A., H., and I. Society Wollongong A., H., ‘and I. Association Nepean District A., H., and I. Society Bangalow A. and 1. Society Glen Innes and New England P. & A. Association Mudgee A., P., H., and I. Association Gundagai P. and A. Society : Moruya A. and P. Society. ‘Lumbarumba and Upper Murray P. and A. Society... Hunter River A. and H. Association (West Maitland) Hastings District P., A., and H. Society Queanbeyan P. and ‘A. Association Armidale and N.E. P., A., and H. Association Cobargo A., P., and H. Society Richmond River A., H., and P. Society Macleay A., H., and I. Association Camden A., H., and I. Society .. Goulburn re P., and H. Society Campbelltown A. Society Cooma P. and A. Association ... Taralga A., P., and H. Association Upper Hunter P. and A. Association (Muswellbrook) Walcha P. and A. Association . Royal Agricultural Society of N.S.W. Batlow A. Society Bathurst A., H., and P. Society. Upper Manning "A. and lai ‘Apion a (W ingham)... Orange A. and P. Association ... Wellington P., A., and H. Society Dungog A, and H. Association ... Corowa P., A., and H. Society... Parkes P.. A., and H Association Murrumbidgee P. and A. Association (Wages) Lockhart A. and P. Society Albury and Border P., A., and H. Society Ganmain A. and P, ‘Association a Northern A. Society (Singleton) Narrandera P. and A. Association Temora P., A., H.. and I. Association Junee P., A., and I. Association Holbrook P,A, and H. Society Deniliquin P. and A. Society 1920. ahs ne Sigh oes meee Secretary. ... J. F. Reynolds ... T. E. Wilkinson... . L. Plumer 2. OSH. Wyner, ess ... W. J. Cochrane .., . C. J. Welch ay .. W. H. Reading ... ,.. G. A. Priest sep te A las = ay ... H. W. Simpson ... . H. P. Jeffery E. C. Cunningham E. H. Fountain .. . A. D. Suters . J. G. Harris A. McArthur ... T. Kennelly .. G. W. Raft .. E. Weeks... . A. E. Baldock 5} aeo jan £ acl Bs . J. Kearney . C. Sawkins H . S. Gregory . V. Turrell Ss) . E. Rotton . H. Green ca Fraser . W. Seaborn . D. Arnold .G. Young . H. Canton : Bit Ness a ... T.C, Humpnreys.. . J. 8. Stewart P . Fagan ... Walmsley 2 _L. Williams ... _F. D. White .. . 8. Henderson... . T. McMahon ... these should reach the Editor, Department of Agri- 21st of the month previous to issue. Alteration of dates should be notified at once. Date. 2 Marivs, 4 ” 3, 4 Boat, ay: Yas) 9 4B 55/6 9911 AyD G 9 5, 6 5 9, 10 33 D0, U1: ae OO - 1d lO aT , eos Oo 557 LOSAMLS 12, and 13 fT 12 53. Oka, se lGr17 18; and 19 »» 17,18 » 17,18 eres! ye 24. D5 Sees Haga ” 24, 25 sie 24, 25 ac March 29 to April 7. ‘capes 13, 14 cy. 14,15 es Mol aee eae 22523 ” 27, 28 », 28, 29, 30 .. Aug. 17, 18 3 1819 iy 24: 25,26 55) Slivand Sept. 1 Sept. 7, 8,9 ae el U3 VISTA wo ZL, 22 ca SOI NODE 2S ., 28, 29 ty 2829 29 ” Printed and published by WILLIAM APPLEGATE GULLICK, of Sydney, Government Printer, and Publisher, of the State of New South Wales, at Phillip-street, Sydney. =. Mar. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Scottish Australian Investment Co., Ltd. DARBALARA STUD of MILKING SHORTHORN CATTLE GUNDAGAI, N.S.W. xy EMBLEM OF DARBALARA (100). Banker (5) ex Madame (406). Sypnry R.A.S. Recorps :—1st and Champion, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915 and 1916. First in Bull and Progeny, 1913, 1915 and 1916. Unbeaten for 7 successive years. Emblem of Darbalara (100) ex Lily II of Darbalara (1,019). SYDNEY R.A.S. RECURDS :—Ist, as yearling, 1914; 1st, 2 years old, 1915 ; 1st, 3 years old, 1916; Ist and Champion, 4 years old, 1917; 2nd and Reserve Champion, 1918; and Ist in Bulland Progeny. Unbeaten for 5 years, except once hy ELECTED OF DARBALARA, bred by the same Stud. MELBA VII Govt. OrrictaL Recorps : OF DARBALARA 2 years old, for 273 days, 8,077 lb. Milk, 412 1b. Butter. pester 4 years old, for 273 days, 14,622 Ib. Milk, 678 Ib. Butter. 6 years old, for 273 days, 14,371 Ib. Milk, 836 lb. Butter. 6 years old, for 365 days, 17,364 lb. Milk, 1,021} Ib. Butter. Sire— Emblem of Darbalara (100). Dam— Melba IV of Darbalara 2076). World’s record for a Short- horn Cow, 365 days. MELBA XI OF DARBALARA (4,185). MELBA XV OF DARBALARA (4,188). Sire—Union Jack of Darbalara (631). Sire—Kitchener of Darbalara (419). Dam—Melba VII of Darbalara (4,181). Dam—Melba VII of Darbalara (4,181). Govt. OFFICIAL RECORDS:—2 years old, for 273 days, Govt. OrriciaL REecorus:—2 years old, for 273 days, Sites dh: ME a ei antler 3 years old, for 273 days, ate a ee ee Pe eee R.A.S. Recorps:—Ist Prize as 2 year old in Milk and - Mi Butter : : F pad i aie eee ¢ > Reserve Champion to Herd Mate CAMELLIA II, 1917. R.A.S. Recorps :—I1st Prize as 2 year old in Milk, 1918. Ist Prize as 3 year old in Milk and Champion, 1918. Bred by and Property of The Scottish Australian Investment Company, Ltd., Darbalara Estate, Gundagai, N.S.W. HIGH-CLASS PEDIGREED YOUNG BULLS FOR SALE. For full particulars apply ——-—__——_The MANAGER, Darbalara.: Darbalara is easy of access from Sydney or Melbourne by train. it Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. HOUSEHOLD SEPARATOR has no Patties. 9 egalis. ... £6/5/- 12 ss SEAMLESS TINWARE. AUTOMATIC LUBRICATION. SELF BALANCING BOWL. 18 galls. ... £10/10/- 45 galls. ... £19 /10/- “Aran eae 4 ba hE 65. ees 5 20 /10/- S07 SIS 10-105; “See £37 /10)- Boks giwnss bt /15/=<0 -1obdeeemee £43 /5./- THE SIMPLEST AND MOST SATISFACTORY SEPARATOR WITH A FREE TRIAL. A. W. DOBBIE & Co., Ltd. 379 Kent St., Sydney. KENWAY'S BLACK ORPINGTONS, sta‘uiscetsy’ ss This is Proved by the fact that in three successive Competitions in this State, Records have been made, and in each case our stock has been used in building up the strains. D. KENWAY, West Pennant Hills, N.S.W. TEL EPPING 49. D. & R. KENWAY, Proprietors. Write for Catalogue. H. M. SUTTOR & CO, osices!2.bond-st, syiney. PASTORAL and AGRICULTURAL AGENTS, GRAIN AND PRODUCE SALESMEN. WHEAT, MAIZE, OATS, &e., CHAFF. LUCERNE OATEN HAY, POTATOES, &c., RECEIVED FOR SALE DAILY AT ALEXANDRIA. Rel able In ormat on Given re Markets. * TOP PRICES. QUICK RETURNS. The Best Veterinary Remedy is - - ROW’S EMBROCATION. NO STOCKOWNER SHOULD BE WITHOUT IT. SOLD BY ALL CHEMISTS AND STORES. Proprietors: EDW. ROW & Co. Mar. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. The University of Sponep. Department of Veterinary Science. The Veterinary School, which is well equipped with the most modern appli- ances and apparatus, is under the direction of Professor J. DOUGLAS STEWART, M.R.C.V.S., B.V.Sc., late Chiei Inspector of Stock and Govern- ment Veterinary Surgeon of the State of New South Wales. The degree granted, viz., Bachelor of Veterinary Science (B.V.Sc.), is recog- nised for all public appointments in the Commonwealth. The course of instruction and training is of a pro- gressive nature, and the standard adopted is that of the best Veterinary Colleges in the British Empire. The Hospitaland Clinic in connection with the School offer exceptional facilities for practical training. The FEES are— SIX GUINEAS per Term, or EIGHTEEN GUINEAS per Year. The Lectures of next Term begin 22nd March, 1920. Veterinary Science undoubtedly offers, particularly to those fond of animals, a remunerative and congenial profession, for which a wide field of employment ex'sts. Full particulars of the curriculum will be forwarded on application. H. E. BARFF, Warden and Registrar. The Chief Inspector of Stock, Government of New South Wales, approves of the use of this preparation. BY USING BLACKLEGOIDS TO VACCINATE AGAINST BLACKLEG. Simple. Safe. Effective. No dose to Measure. No liquid to spill. No string to rot Simply a little pill to be mjected under the skins SEND FOR FREE BOOKLETS, For Sale by PARKE, DAVIS & COMPANY. MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS, 125 York-street, Sydney. Box 224 G.P.O. Agricultural Ga. tte of N.S.W. | Mar. STUD BERKSHIRE PIGS FOR SALE BRED AT The State Prison Farms: Bathurst, Goulburn, Emu Plains, and The State Penitentiary, Long Bay. At present on hand— YOUNG BOARS YOUNG SOWS Aged Nine to Twelve Months, just fit to breed from. All guaranteed healthy, of high-class breeding, and have been carefully selected from exceptionally good pedigreed stock of thrifty, vigorous, and early maturing strains. Full particulars may be obtained on application to the Super- intendent of the State Penitentiary, Long Bay, or to THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF PRISONS, PHILLIP STREET, SYDNEY. 2, 1920, Mar. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W v SPECIALISED STOCK FOODS practically all stock foods offering, we have pleasure in introducing our series of SPECIALISED FOODS for all classes of stock. Kach and every product will carry our (os) Trade Mark, and maintain the @) STANDARD OF QUALITY (8 Our (an) TONIC MEAL for all classes of stock (an) will reduce your food bill. . Xe - IN response to numerous requests, and in view of the very inferior quality of @®) has been successfully used by numerous stock-holders who have achieved highly beneficial > : results. " PIGS fatten quickly. no) pads sane cone They say 1 Tonic Meals give results. ey . POULTRY.—Egg production, = health and (on) Stock Foods will maintain stamina at less plumage greatly improved by ( CALVES thrive on Maximum results at a “ (on) minimum expenditure, SHEEP relish (an) Sooo aa COWS produce milk from (on) better and richer HORSES look, feel, and work better when | in solids and fats. Ly is fed regularly. J The services of our Veterinary Surgeon, M.R.C.V.S., are at your disposal on request. Questions regarding breeaing, rearing, housing, and feeding all classes of stock gladly answered. FURTHER PARTICULARS—DEPARTMENT A.T. on gets eerie HEAD OFFICE 2G KING ST F SYDNEY (Works: Parramatta) TYhe boy on the (Gusnintoes thay ity” Grantee Sie vi Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, N.S.W. STUD; DAIRY .CASETEE. Always Available Young Bulls from Tested Stock. Watch for Yearly Annual Sales at the Farms and Royal Agricultural Show of Females of Best Milking Strains. MILKING SHORTHORN BULL. Melba’s Emblem of Darbalara (461, M.S.H.B.). Sire, Emblem of Darbalara (100 M.S.H.B.): Dam, Melba III] ot Darbalara (1058 M.S.H.B.): Yield of Dam, 15,239 lb. milk and’ 653°65 lb. butter in 365 days. OTHER SIRES IN USE: RuTLAND OF DARBALARA (575 M.S.II.B.), by Emblem of Darbalara (100). Yield of Dam, 12,324 lb. milk andi 579 lb. butter in 365 days. COMRADE OF DARBALARA (Vol. V, M.S.H.B.),. by Silver Mine of Darbalara (592). Yield of Dam, 8,436 1b. milk and 398 lb. butter in 273 days asa 2-year old. NEWHAVEN oF DARBALARA (Vol. V, M.S.H.B.), by Lily’s Cupid of Darbalara (431) (half-brother of Emblem of Darbalara). Yield of Dam, 9,163 lb. milk and 419 lb. butter in 365 days when 16 years old. MILKING SHORTHORN COW. Gibson Girl (1,465, imp.). Yield, 10,702 lb. milk and 494-79 lb. butter in 365 days. G. VALDER, Under Secretary and Director, Department of Agriculture, Sydney. Mar. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. vu DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, N.S.W. 2. UD DAR Y CATTLE . Representatives of the Government Herds. GUERNSEY BULL. George III (15 A.G.H.B.) Sire, King of the Roses (28 A.G.H.B.) Dam, Calm II (23 A.G.H.B.) Yield ef Dam, 7,548 lb. milk and 503 lb. butter in 287 days. OTHER SrirRES IN USE: FaiTHFuL Fripo (81) by Hayes’ Fido (imp), (24). Yield of Hope (280), full sister to Faith- ful Fido, 7,539 lb. milk and 496-9 lb. i butter in 243 days (test incomplete). Rose CHIEF OF WOLLONGBAR (130), by Godolphin Moses (imp.), Dam, Parson’s Red Rose I (imp.) (138). Yield of Dam, 6,999 lb. milk and 452 ib. butter in milking period. GUERNSEY COW. Parson’s Red Rose II (imp.) (139 A.G.H.B.) Yield, 8,865 lb. milk and 655-65 lb. butter in 365 days. Sire, Gil Blas (1,679 P.S., R.G.A.S.) Dam, Parson’s Red Rose (2,813 FS., R.G.A.S.) GUERNSEY COW. Beatrice of Berry (8 A.G.H.B.). Yield, 5,566 lb. milk and 362 lb. butter in milking period on first calf. Sire, Royal Blood VI. Dam, Beatrix XIV (imp.). PURE-BRED YOUNG BULLS of the following breeds—MILKING SHORTHORN, JERSEY, GUERNSEY, AYRSHIRE, and RED POLL—always available for Sale. APPLICATION SHOULD BE MADE TO The UNDER SECRETARY and DIRECTOR, Department of Agriculture, Sydney viii Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, N.S.W. STUD DAIRY CATTLE. Representatives of the Government Herds. JERSEY BULL. Xmas Fox (imp.) (947.) Sire, Silver Fox (10,097, E.H.B.) Dam, Malvoisie (Vol. XX, E.J.H.B.) Butter record of Dam, Royal Counties Show, England, 2 lb. 6} oz. from 49 lb. milk in 24 hours, 165 days after calving. OTHER SrRES IN USE: Goppincton NosLtE XV (948) (imp.) Yield of Dam, 8,150 1b. milk; butter yield, rlb. 11 oz. from 32 lb. milk in 24 hours as 3-year old. ReETFORD WINks (yield of Dam, 6,595 1b. milk and gor lb. butter in 273 days as 2-year-old.) JANET QUEEN 4TH’S BRIGHTON of Coolan- gatta, by Brighton King of Coolangatta. Lorp SILvERMINE II of Banyule (yield of Dam, 7,592 lb. milk and 461 lb. butter in 273 days.) JERSEY COW. Glory Quayle (4,822) Yield, 8,592 lb. milk and 495-48 lb, butter in 273 days (second calf). Sire, Xmas Fox (947) (imp.) Dam, Egypt’s Glory (383). Yield of Dam, 6,154 lb. milk and 399 Ib. butter in 365 days as 3-year-old. JERSEY COW. Wagga Jasmine (2,779). Yield, 11,864 lb. milk and 894-94 lb. butter in 365 days. Sire, Kaid of Khartoum (949). Dam, Wagga Larkspur. PURE-BRED YOUNG BULLS of the following breeds—MILKING SHORTHORN, JERSEY, GUERNSEY, AYRSHIRE, and RED POLL—aiways available for Sale. APPLICATION SHOULD BE MADE TO The UNDER SECRETARY and DIRECTOR, Department of Agriculture, Sydney. Mar. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W 1x DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, N.S.W. STUD DAIRY CATTLE. Representatives of the Government Herds. AYRSHIRE BULL. Isabel’s Majestic (861 A.A.H.B.). Sire, Majestic of Oakbank (326 A.A.H.B.) Dam, Isabel of Gleneira (1,036 A.A.H.B.) 1st Prize and Reserve Champion, Mel- bourne, 1913. rst Prize and Reserve Champion, Sydney, ror4. OTHER SIRES IN USE: RovERICK OF WILLOWVALE (Vol. X, A.A.H.B.), by Lancer of Willowvale (757). SPORTSMAN OF KaABIBINOKKA (Vol. X, A.A.H.B.), by Jamie of Kabibinokka. Yield of Dam, 8,563 lb. milk and 351 lb. butter in 273 days. Sir Rosert oF KasisinokKA (2,602), by Robin of Glengarnock (899), Dam, Mona of Kabibinokka (4,535). Yield of Dam, 10,324 Ib. milk and 487°56 lb. butter in 273 days. y, AYRSHIRE COW. Black Cap III (Vol. X,A.A.H.B.). Yield, 7,155 lb. milk and 362-04 lb. butter in 259 days. Sire, Punch of Glen Innes (Vol. X, A.A.H.B.) Dam, Black Cap II. RED POLL COW. Melody II. Yield, 11,240 lb. milk and 530-04 lb. butter in 365 days. Sire, Acton Ajax (imp.) (9,655). Dam, Melody by Antic (imp.) (7,799). PURE-BRED YOUNG BULLS of the following breeds—MILKING SHORTHORN, JERSEY, GUERNSEY, AYRSHIRE, and RED POLL—always available for Sale APPLICATION SHOULD BE MADE TO The UNDER SECRETARY and DIRECTOR, Department of Agriculture, Sydney. x Agricultural Gazetie of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. STUD PIGS FOR SALE AT THE HOSPITAL, CALLAN PARK. For further particulars apply to Manager. (The prices quoted hold good for the current month only.) No. Description. Sire. Dam. of Tes > Bese 1919. £8 d 556 Berkshire Boar ... Koramburra C. P. Birdy Aug. 21/6 6 © 557 Berkshire Boar .. Major No. 520a| No. 520b 562 Berkshire Boar ... 563 Berkshire Boar .. Koramburra C. P. Lady Aug. 25) 6 6 0 564 Berkshire Sow Major No. 520a| No. 520c 565 Berkshire Sow 569 Berkshire Sow Koramburra C. P. Patsy Sept. 17| 6 6 O Major No. 520a No. 484 570 Berkshire Boar ... 571 Berkshire Boar ... Koramburra C. P. Wave Sept. 22 | 5 5 O 573 Berkshire Sow Major No. 520a| No. 421 574 Berkshire Sow 575 Berkshire Boar ...|) 576 Berkshire Boar ...| | 77 Berkshire Sow ...| | Koramburra C. P. Lassie Oct. 19] 5 5 QO 578 Berkshire Sow ... fr Major No. 520a| No. 491 579 | Berkshire Sow ...| | 580 Berkshire Sow ... J 582 Berkshire Sow Koramburra C. P. Dewdrop Oct. 20) 5 & O Major No. 520a No. 500 Prices quoted include delivery in crates at Darling Harbour or Wharf at Sydney. A full pedigree is furnished with every pig sold. All communications to be addressed to— «Tur ManaGEr, Mental Hospital, Callan Park, Sydney.” {Please add Exchange for Country Cheques.) 15th February, 1920 Manager. Mar. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. State Timber Yards and Building Workshops UHR'S POINT, RHODES. Telephones: Postal Address: U 6601 to U 6606. Box 12, Post Office, Burwood. The Largest Timber Yard and Joinery Works in Australasia. ALL FOREIGN AND AUSTRALIAN TIMBERS IN STOCK. SEND FOR PRICE LIST AND OATALOGUE. Special Prices given for Detail Joinery, Office Furniture, ctc. All Communications to be addressed to Toe Manaaen. xt Lil Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION At the Government Farm Schools. SPECIAL FACILITIES ARE OFFERED AT THE SCHOOLS AT THE GOVERNMENT EXPERIMENT FARMS FOR INSTRUCTION IN AGRICULTURE. COURSES FROM 6 MONTHS TO 3 YEARS. Low Fees. Comfortable Accommodation. Expert Tultion. HAWKESBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, Richmond. ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY. Agrieulture Diploma Course—3 years. Dairy Diploma Course—2 years. Carrying the respective academic distinctions ‘‘H.D.A.” and ‘‘H.D.D.” Short Courses of 12 months on the ORCHARD, and 6 nionths on DAIRY, PIGGERY, and POULTRY. Carrying certificates on examination. Each course gives a well-adjusted combination of Field Practice with Class-room Tuition. Two Sessions per Year, beginning January and July. FEES (INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) All Courses _... ... £14 per Session. WAGGA and BATHURST STUDENT SCHOOLS. SOUND SYSTEMS IN MIXED FARMING. The Student performs the work of each Section of the Farm, including SHEEP, CROPS, DAIRY, ORCHARD, POULTRY, PIGGERY, CARPENTER’S and BLACKSMITH’S SHOPS, TWO YEARS’ COURSE FOR FARM CERTIFICATE. FEES (INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) First Year... eke Second Year... ... £10 FARM APPRENTICE SCHOOLS at Glen Innes, Wollongbar, and Grafton. A PRACTICAL COURSE FOR TRAINING LADS FOR FARM WORK. The Apprentices are trained in all branches of FARM, DAIRY, or ORCHARD work, and receive Lectures and Demonstrations in CROP GROWING and the Rearing and Management of LIVE STOCK. WOMEN’S TRAINING FARM, COWRA. Women Students are given instruction in all matters relating to WHEAT and SHEEP FARMING, also DAIRYING, FRUIT GROWING, POULTRY KEEPING, APICULTURE, ete. FeES (INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) £5 for Six Months. (Admission at any date.) For further particulars, prospectuses, &c., apply to— GEORGE VALDER, Lands Office Building, Under Secretary and Director, Bridge-st., Sydney. Department of Agriculture. ———————_S S™-™-°™'-nNnDnDnD==]==]==[" Mar. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. ri TO FARMERS. Are you in need of Farm Hands? Are you in need of Domestic Help? Are you in need of other labour? IF SO, YOU MAY HAVE THE SERVICES OF A FREE GOVERNMENT AGENCY by communicating with the nearest Government Labour Exchange. The following is a list of the Exchanges :— CENTRAL— Head Office, 76 Elizabeth-street, Sydney. Women’s Employment Agency, 72 Elizabeth-street, Sydney. BALMAIN ... 802 Darling-st. Tel. W1153. BROKEN HILL... Exchange Buildings, Argent-st. GOULBURN .. Montague-st. Tel. Goulburn 413. LISMORE .. Molesworth-st. Tel. Lismore 140. NEWCASTLE ... Inglis’ Buildings, King-st. Tel. Newcastle 98, ORANGE ... ... 10 Lords Place, Tel. Orange 324. TAMWORTH .... 358 Peel-st, Tel. Tamworth 367. WAGGA ... ... Court House. Tel. Wagga 297. WOLLONGONG... Crown-st. F. ©. GOVERS, Director, Labour Exchanges and Immigration Branch. xr Agricultural Gazette of N.S W. [Mar. 2, 1920: MAPS and PUBLICATIONS FOR SALE at Lands Department. LARGE STATE MAP. Scale, 8 miles to r inch. Nine sheets. Price, £1/11/G6 complete, or 4/«= per sheet. STATE MAPS. Size, 4ft. 4in. x 3ft. 8in. Scale, 16 miles to tr inch. Four sheets, STATE MAPS showing: . STATE ELECTORATES (coler’d), 1919. 5. LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISTRICTS 2. POLICE DISTRICTS (coloured), rgrt. (coloured), 1918. 3. PASTURES PROTECTION DISTRICTS 6. COUNTIES (uncoloured), rgr5. (coloured), 1908. 7. LAND BOARD DISTRICTS - WHEAT DISTRICTS (coloured), rgr4. (coloured), 1915. Price, 10/= unmounted. Complete Map, mounted. £1/5/= SMALL STATE MAPS. Size, 2 ft. 2in. x 2ft. 6in. Scale, 29 miles to 1 inch Showing RAILWAY SYSTEM (1918 edition). Price, 2/6 unmounted. STATE ELECTORAL MAPS, showing Electoral Boundaries (191g edition). Price, 5/= and 7/6 each. FEDERAL TERRITORY MAP. In two sheets, Price, 2/6 unmounted. WESTERN DIVISION. t. Map in six sheets. Scale, 6 miles to 1 inch. Price, 214/=, or 5S/= per sheet. 2. Map in one sheet. Scale, 16miles to rinch. Price, 5/= CITY OF SYDNEY AND ENVIRONS. Map in six sheets. Scale, 20 chains to 1 inch. Price, £3/3/= complete, or 10/6 per sheet. Mounted, varnished, and on rollers, 4&5 (coloured or plain). CITY OF SYDNEY. Size, 3 ft. 6in.x 3ft.6in. Scale, 8 chains to 1 inch. In two sheets. t. Plain—black and white. 2. Showing MUNICIPAL BOUNDARIES (coloured). Price, 5/= unmounted. SHIRE MAPS. Showing RIDINGS ete, Scale, 2 miles and 1 mile to 1 inch. Price, 2/6 MUNICIPALITIES. Maps in one sheet, showing WARD BOUNDARIES, STREETS, PARKS, and RECREATION RESERVES, etc. Scale, to chains to 1 inch. Price, 2/6 1. Lane Cove. 2. Mosman, 3. North Sydney. 4. Willoughby. SYDNEY HARBOUR AND RESERVES ON FORESHORES, with access thereto. Price, 1/= TOURIST MAP. Showing SOUTH-EASTERN DISTRICTS OF THE STATE. Scale, ro miles to r inch. Price, 1/= NATIONAL PARK. Map in one sheet. Scale, 40 chains to r inch, Price, 1/6 Also, Tables of NATURAL SINES AND COSINES TO EVERY TEN SECONDS. Price, 4/= DRAFTSMEN’S CALCULATION BOOKS. Price, 2/= CARDBOARD PROTRACTORS, 12in. Price, 4/«# Obtainable from Map Sales Branch, Information Bureau, of this Department. Postage extra. Mar. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. LU PRICE LIST OF PURE BRED PIGS FOR SALE AT HOSPITAL, GLADESVILLE. (The prices quoted hold good for the current month only.) No. 2255 2256 -7-8 2259-60 226 1-2-3 2267-68 2270-71 2274 2275 2276 2279 2282-83 2284-85 2286 2288 2290-91 2292-3-4 Description. Berkshire Sows ... Berkshire Boar ... Mid. York. Sow Mid. York. Boar Mid. York. Sow Large York. Sow Mid. York. Boars Mid. York. Sows Mid. York. Sows Berkshire Boars ... Berkshire Sows ... Berkshire Boar ... Berkshire Sow Berkshire Boar ... Berkshire Boar ... Mid. York. Boars Mid. York. Sows Large York. Boar Large York. Sow Large York. Boars Large York. Sows sn noe | aaa | 1919. Sn 8: Whitley Wales Short Face JaneIII/ May 13} 7 7 (Imp.) Gladesville Flock-| Gladesville Queen | June 25 | 7 7 master IT. Sundon Sydney Moredun Maid ...| June 30} 7 7 (Imp. ) Sundon Sydney Moredun Maid IfI| Aug. 22] 7 7 (Imp. ) Sundon Sydney Moredun Maid III} Aug. 22 | 6 16 (Imp.) King Charles II ...| Glad’ville Empress TV | Aug. 27 6 6 Sundon Sydney Gladesville Snow-| Aug. 27 | 6 16 (Imp.) drop. Sundon Sydney Gladesville Snow-| Aug. 27 6356 (Imp. ) drop. Sundon Sydney Gladesville Snow-| Aug. 27 | 6 6 (Imp.) drop. Gladesville Long-| Empire Queen Sept. 18 | 6 16 fellow (Imp.) Gladesville Long-| Empire Queen Sept. 18; 6 6 fellow (Imp.) Whitley Wales Herrison Queen IV} Sept. 26 | 6 16 (Imp.) Whitley Wales Herrison Queen IV} Sept. 26 | 6 6 (Imp. ) Lockhaven Nance O’Neil IV...| Sept. 29 | 5 15 Didymus Lockhaven Short Face Jane ...| Sept. 30 | 5 15 Didymus Sundon Sydney White Rose Oct. 30| 6 6 (Imp. ) Sundon Sydney White Rose Oct. 30] 5 15 (Imp. ) Hawkesbury Glad’ville Empress} Nov. 5 | 5 15 Ferryman II Hawkesbury Glad’ville Empress} Nov. 5| 5 5 Ferryman II Gladesville Emp’r’r| Brighton Lady Nov. 12/ 515 Gladesville Emp’r’r| Brighton Lady ...| Nov. 12| 5 5 SO OS Oe OO. AO IO hi Ou is el On OOM or nOmuoumouno: > Any of the above pigs that may be selected under the age of 3 months will be kept until they attain that age. Mar., 1920. (Prices quoted include delivery in crates on truck or steamer at Sydney.) (A full Pedigree is furnished with every Pig sold.) W. A. E. LEWIS, Manager, Gladesville Hospital. Please add Exchange for Country Cheques. All communications should be addressed to ‘* The Manager,” Mental Hospital, Gladesville. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Mar. 2, 1920. Splendid Value at Anthony Horderns’ if it were possible to make better Ploughs — they would still carry Anthony Horderns’ price ticket. When Anthony Horderns’ took up the Plough question, they took it up with the whole-hearted thoroughness that has characterised their every effort towards a Perfect Shopping Service to the people of Australia. The “ Wiard’’ is the result. In the flawless quality of the tested metals, the accurate machining, the hardening, finishing, and specially improved design, the ‘“‘ Wiard’’ stands for the supreme attainment in modern Plough construction. The Plough as I[Ilustrated. Wiards’ Patented Steel Beam 2-Horse Plough, No. 100, weighs 106lb. It cuts from 6 to 9 in. deep and 10 to 14 in. wide, and is the easiest of draught of the Wiard Series... ae — . £&5/10/=9 Another Good Value. The Wiard Sub-soil Plough is strong and serviceable. Will loosen the soil in the bottom of a furrow from 3 to 6 in. deep. For ditching purposes it is unequalled ; weight, 106 lb. ee a . 60/= Send for Quotations. Anthony Hordern @ Sons, Ltd., Brickfield Hill, Sydney. Mar. 2,:1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Pigs. 118,500 ONE See THOUSAND 118,500 DCRR AL PREIS ROAEL a APE AB OTNUTCEATA “HESE figures arrest your attention and prove the PIG INDUSTRY to be a steadily growing one, also a pay- able one to the PRODUCER. These figures represent the total of Pigs sold through the Abattoir Yards last year. NEW ZEALAND LOAN & MERCANTILE AGENCY CO, LTD, 38 BRIDGE STREET - - - -.- - SYDNEY. This Company, facing these facts, has secured the services of AN EXPERT PIG SALESMAN. Their long and successful experience as Salesmen of Everything Pastoral will ensure Clients that Pigs and . Calves consigned to the Company’s care will have expert attention, and fullest market value be realised. A trial consignment will convince you that what we say we do—we carry out. Liberal Advances siven against consignments. Telegrams : Ek: GRAHAM, JARVIE, Sydney. Manager. ‘AZNGAS ‘“Laauls 300INg POL] ba 94 LYIg OL BLUM "DQ 'SLEIHIWVd 2 % “Siequivys wolsjaoad peyeseZjsjor eaeq = So “SYVINIDILEVd TINA 4¥Od pus ‘A3]9]1390]9 YzTm JMOYINOIG) pezqs}; ore sieMIEMS "HHNVELS MAHOS-NIML $00 ‘NS IVHAdaH rt eters Cr 5 ie Ss es PR Gi ie Ch ahame mae: Op as s i, BHA SichiNatidae a6 eau. eanonuwavu SSV19 GQHIHL wae LSuld YOS NOILYGOWWODSYV GIGN3a ids ‘]vuB) ZENS 7a Ose “Vd YING oa puL[sUA 0} Vy[eIsny Wolly UINJoY SioUlve}s ‘pIjD4zSNp O02 punjbuyz wosy SABDUIDAIG SSV/D-}S4]4 JO SOIALVS dnjnbey ‘ALIWIT ‘ANWdWNOD ONIiddIHS GNW1IW3Z MSN ‘GaLIWNIT'ANVdWOD NOILVSIAVN WV3LS IWH3A03a4 ‘SLNSSV ‘AGS LIAIIT ‘ANWdWOO *? LoHISa Vol XXXI Part A. ESSSSsess Wh a Sy fod Sa SSS sll . ve Di so . | ristered at the General Post Office, Sydney, for transmission by Post as a Newspaper. ’cortwyvy PAA GR Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Apl.3, 1920. Ten Big Reasons By Pitt, Son, & Badgery, Ltd., Why Pig Production should he Fostered . The profits of a farm cr station are increased by pigs. . Pigs breed and mult'p!y quickly, and are the most prolific food raiser. . The meat contains the rich flavour and is enjoyed by all classes. . The dainties of the small goods trade are the relish of the supper table. . The preparation of bacon is a staple industry of much importance. . The development of the Export Trade in pig products is of national importance. . The closer settlement and repatriation Sielgctens in many parts of the country can be helped by pig farming. . They enable the farm products to be “‘ walked to market,’ and thus save labour and money by send ng the pigs instead of the crops. . The prices obtained justify the production and give handsome returns. . PITT, SON, & BADGERY, LTD., are the expert pig salesmen, and can advise on every phase of marketing. Write to them for information. All stock entrusted to them receive the best attention and realise the highest prices possible. Consign your PIGS and CALVES to— PITT, SON, & BADGERY, LTD., SYDNEY. ‘April 3, 1920.] Agricultural Gazeite of N.S.W. Get the most out | : of your Cows STUDY of the feed given to great producing cows shows that Protein—rich feed must be given in plenty. Even the best cows cannot give satisfactory yields unless they receive adequate rations. It pays to feed— Sunlight Oil Cake to the whole herd, especially in winter time. MANUFACTURED BY LEVER BROTHERS LIMITED SYDNEY SST ny ireren z yoshi iv Agricultural Gazette of N.S W. [April 3, 1920. FROM MAKER TO USER— MITCHELL PLOUGHS THE BEST KNOWN AND BEST ... RECOMMENDED PLOUGHS IN AUSTRALIA. Buy the Australian MITCHELL, and keep your money in the Commonwealth. New Light Ploughs for Orchards MITCHELL Standard Ploughs have the best reputation in the Commonwealth. They have been used with the greatest satisfaction for a quarter of a century, and are to be seen everywhere. Now, we are making a special line of light-weight ploughs for orchards, vineyards, market gardens, poisoning, ete,, and these are meeting with very great approval. Designed primarily to save hard labour—to get over the ground quickly and to save money. Considerably cheaper than the large standard ploughs ; thoroughly reliable, as they are made in Australia by Mitchells; superior in every way to foreign ploughs, which cost a great deal more. Proved, after the most severe service tests, to be incomparable. ‘= Write your Name and Address on this announcement and post to us, and we will forward full particulars— Frea. Do not patronise the foreigner— Buy an Aus- B ‘a LIGHT, q DURABLE, — Ai tralian Plough— | DEPENDABLE. “ee, «SOY A MITCHELL. (om Mitchell & Co. Pty. Ltd es Australian Manufacturers for over 25 yeers nS) —"~_- 14a Bay Street, SYDNEY. April 3, 1920.1} Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. = \ ) Sa. {—} K5—II——4 VRE Buzacott’s “‘K’’ Wire Fencing used all over Australia. Here is an impregnable fence, absolutely impervious to all weather conditions, flexible enough to “give” under sudden strain, but maintaining its rigidity because of the special interweaving of line and mesh wires, not one of which can slip. The patent exclusive Buzacott “ Crimp” or curve in the horizontal wires permits contraction in Winter and expansion in Summer. ‘* K” Fencing is, in the fullest sense, self-regulating, economical to erect, permanent, and impenetrable. This fencing is made in Australia specially to provide for Australian requirements. Let us send you illustrated Catalogues showing its many uses and advantages. qzac off & © 7-11 Market Street, SYDNEY. and 413-415 Adelaide Street, BRISBANE. ‘Always ask for Buzacott's Gates and Fencing.” Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. ¥ | | | <= —= = in PEACE. FIRST in WAR. FIRST in the HEARTS of the N.S.W. FARMERS. QUALITY IMPLEMENTS LONTED S TORONTO CANADA mr, f Hipelt TED CL] THE LARGEST MAKERs (DOPLEMENES } We semsyewe® g hs he call to-day is for “QUALITY” The matter of price does not carry so much weight with the careful buyer as es the “QUALITY” of the goods--the Qual- ity is remembered long after the Price is forgotten. The Massey-Harris Trademark stands for meoaALiTyY” Massey-Harris Im- plements are famous for Efficiency, Dur- ability, Simplicity, Reliability and Economy. Reaper Threshers Binders Mowers, Rakes Cultivators, Seeders Fertiliser Drills (Hoe or Disc) Fertiliser Sowers Disc Harrows Drag Harrows Harrow Carts Corn Planters Corn Shellers Plows, Scufflers Land Rollers Packers Binder Twine Machinery Oi Look for the MASSEY-HARRIS Trademark when buying your Farm Implements. [April 3, 1920. MASSEY-HARRIS GO. LID. 35 BROADWAY, SYDNEY. April 3, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. vil | PANS OF NEW SOUTH WALES ESTABLISHED 1817. Paid-up Capital = aS Se .. £4,000,000 Reserve Fund AF eae eee .. £3,200,000 Reserve Liability A a see .. £4,000,000 £11,200,000 DIRECTORS. THE Hon. Str CHARLES K. MACKELLAR, K.C.M.G., M.L.C., President. THe Hon. REGINALD J. BLACK, M.LC. THOMAS BUCKLAND, Esa. CHARLES BINNIE, Esq. ROBERT L. FAITHFULL, Esq., M.D. Tue Hon. JAMES T. WALKER. F. B. S. FALKINER, Esa. Auditurs—A. G. MILSON, Esq., W. H. PALMER, Esq. General Manager—Sitr JOHN RUSSELL FRENCH, K.B.E. Chief Inspector—C. G. ALFORD. Jnspectors—B. M. MOLINEAUX, L. WHITEHEAD, R. T. HILDER, W. McRAE, W. POTTS. Chief Accountant—W. E. SOUTHERDEN. Secretary—J. A. BRYANT. Solicitors—Mrssrs. ALLEN, ALLEN, & HEMSLEY. Head Office—GEORGE STREET, SYDNEY. W. E. FRAZER, Manager. H W.H. SENDALL, Assistant Manager. MELBOURNE—RoODERICK MURCHISON, Esg., Advisory Director; OSCAR LINES, Manager. London Office—29 THREADNEEDLE STREET, E.C. DIRECTORS. Sir PREDERICK GREEN, K.B.E., Chairman. W. 8S. M. BURNS, Ese. HERBERT L. M. TRITTON, Esq. | H. MELDRUM, Assistant Manager. BANKERS: THE BANK OF ENGLAND. LONDON JOINT CITY AND MJDLAND BANK, LTD. BARCLAY’S BANK, LTD. 342 BRANCHES AND AGENCIES New South Wales sae ZS New Zealand 55 Queensland .. tee . 48 Tasmania _... 555 S00) Victoria ; a Se ee Fiji ‘ et South Australia nee we 6 Papua .. ome, Western Australia zi 10 London | 7 With Agents and Correspondents throughout the World. Cable remittances made to, and Drafts drawn on, Foreign places direct. Foreign Bills negotiated or collected, Letters of Credit and Circular Notes issued, neqotiable throughout the world. viii Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. Oil Once a Month and Have you ever had to poke round an engine with an oil-can ? Have you ever had to peer through a smeared glass and fiddle with the regulator of a drip-feed oiler? Have you ever forgotten to turn off your oiler at night, and next morning found that the oil had all run into the engine? Have you wished that you could get an engine that wouldn’t need this bother every time you used it? And it’s here all the time— BRITISH: BUI oils herself. All you do is fill the reservoir about once in six weeks or a month, and she does the rest for you. You can’t over-lubricate and you can’t under-lubricate. One of our enthusiastic customers christened the Lister the ‘“ Fool-proof”’ Engine, and the name has been approved by hundreds of other users. Whether you are an expert mechanic, or handling your first engine, you must see what a big thing this automatic Lubrication is. You can start up your Lister on a job and leave her running all night. And you'll sleep soundly because you know she'll be running just as sweetly in the morning. The other features of the Lister are equally satisfactory. We can tell you about them free, on request. Dangar, Gedye, & Co., Ltd.., 9-13 YOUNG STREET, SYDNEY. April 3, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 1X the laugh on you! Don’t make separating a toilsome drudgery! Get in line with other up-to-date dairymen—save time, labour, and cream by using one of the dependable BALITIC SEPARATORS You take no risk in ordering a “ Baltic.” If you like you can use it for thirty days free of charge. The “ Baltic” separates every particle of cream from the milk—nothing is wasted. Prices range from £4/17/6 to £56. Easy Terms if desired. Baltic Separator Co., Ltd.., 68-72 Wentworth-avenue, Sydney Selling Agents Everywhere. x Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. 2S | Yi) Ye = ai << FENCING WIRE From the Ore to the Fence Australian. Has been proved by stock-owners and farmers ./ -to strain tighter and guarantee stronger fences. Waratah Wire is not affected by weather changes —is uniform in thickness, and costs far less than imported wires. All Storekeepers can supply Waratah. Write for descriptive Booklet V. 19. AUSTRAL NAIL CO. PTY. LTD., MELBOURNE. Wire Mills, Newcastle, New South Wales, April 3, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. xi The Separator with ‘a big heart.” The “ New Era” is a consistent servant. It loves work. It never tires. In the inaccessible Dairies outback where it is difficult to secure the services of a skilled mechanic the “ New Era” is winning fresh laurels every day. It has no intricate parts. There is nothing to get out of order. And it is because of its simplicity of construction that the “ New Era” has won to its pre-eminent position in the Dairying world. The “New Era” Separator makes a close friend of the person appointed to operate it. It cannot get out of order. It is easy to clean and easily kept clean. Kept in 5 sizes with capacities from 15 to 91 salons per hour, Particulars freely given and prompt deliveries promised. 0 | Bazacotts C “‘ Always ask. for Buzacott’s Gates and Fencing.” 7=11 Market Street = = = Sydney; and at 413-415 Adelaide Street, Brisbane. xi Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. | L ASSETS: JUNE, 1912 £4,514. JUNE, 1919: £65,038,938 Commonwealth Bank o OPEN FOR ALL CLASSES OF HEAD OFFICE : PITT & MOORE STREETS, SYDNEY. | Australia General and Savings Bank Business IN THE PRINCIPAL CITIES and TOWNS of Australia, London (2), and Rabaul (New Britain). General Banking Dept. Cable Remittances made to and Drafts drawn on foreign places direct. Foreign Bills negotiated and collected. Letters of Credit issued to any part of the world. Bills negotiated or forwarded for col- lection. Banking and Exchange Business of every description transacted within the Commonwealth, United King- dom, and abroad. Current accounts opened. Interest paid on fixed deposits. approved Advances made _ against Securities. PUBLIC SAFE DEPOSIT—SYDNEY. JAMES KELL, DEPUTY GOVERNOR Savings Bank Dept. Conducted at all Brawches and at over 2,782 Post Office Agencies in Australia, Papua, New Britain, Solomon Islands, and the Pacific. Minimum deposit, /s. Maximum _Interest-bearing £300. Rate of interest, 3 per cent. per annum. Deposits or Withdrawals may be made at any Branch or Agency. Withdrawals may be made on demand, by post or by telegraph. Transfers arranged from place to place without loss of interest. Interchangeable facilities with P.O. Savings Banks in United Kingdom and New Zealand. Deposit, DENISON MILLER, GOVERNOR. [April 3, 1920. April 3, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. xiil Market Values have changed, but not the value of such service as the P.F.A. offers in the disposal of the wool consigned to its care. Backed by wide experience, sound methods, and a thorough knowledge of the reins, The PFA. Wool Service will always be of incalculable value to the-keen pastoralist. Through all changes of sales regulations, the scrupulous and strict attention given by the P.F.A. to the interests of its clients cannot fail to secure the best possible results. The P.F.A. Wool Floor is the best lighted in the Common- wealth. Why not secure such perfect display for YOUR wool-clip ? Prompt returns are a special feature of the P.F.A.’s business policy. The Pastoral Finance Association Ltd. Phillip Street——————_SYDNEY xiv Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. ee | “AUTO.” MILKING MACHINES. We have much pleasure in introducing the “AUTO” Milking Machine to Dairy Farmers in N.5S.W. The « AUTO” has been on the market in New Zealand for several years, where it is giving the | | GREATEST SATISFACTION. The “AUTO” is the result of YEARS OF PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE by one of the greatest Milking Machine Experts in Australasia, and embodies the LATEST IMPROVEMENTS in Machine Milking, which are _ fully patented. See demonstration R.A.S. Show, STAND m4, Wheat Road (near Pigs’ Pavilion). THE FARMERS’ FERTILIZERS CORPORATION, Lto, REGISTERED OFFICE— 31 HUNTER STREET - =- = SYDNEY. [anno ne ——— ee IO O_—e—e——————eeeooooooooeeeeeeeEe=eEee——ee ee — Re _—ne—_—v—vV3nnrnr April 3, 1920.) — Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. ~~ “" -xv Ca. C, CARBONATE OF LIME FERTILIZER The finest ground of all fertilizers, therefore going the farthest. PRICE—on trucks, Portland—36/- per ton (14 bags) In truck lots. In ton lots. Riy, FREIGHT—PER TON ... 4/4 338 619 bP) ” ” 5/7 Set 118 6/5 ere 18 5 8/4 a. BQ)T 6 tons and over ce 48/6 per ton. PRICE F.0.B. Sydney { 2 tons and under 6 56 = 1 ton lots He 60/- 3 The U.S.A. Agricultural Dept. found that fields treated with lime produced an average of 14 tons of hay an acre more than unlimed fields—in tests of Carbonate of Lime, conducted by the farm bureau, through the county agent, in Chemung County, N.Y. Seri 31 45 April)". . A 46 31 Ebi 46 CTR sl 46 39 Rie aclt da hodirzatisis gig 0... FIBY Vo. buaeant Ree’ eteertes Total - ...| 976 606 | 718 | 1,040 452 728 316 Amount of Rainfall on Growing Crops. S 5 | | " a = eer haga pM) iegeyslis et laa Ae el ed ee ed 2 Be Late Early — = & = FA 2a) =a Wheats. | Wheats. p = o Zz fo) 1919. Pts. | Pts. | Pts. Pts. | Pts..| Pts. | Pts. Pts. Pts. April ay eh lr ee pee 46. els wie Ree xe Pred ito aa bie Rin oi OPS DO Tag | mee Oto” | PE 5 55 Uk tale 444 207 | 3825 June... la ith 80 57 52. 52 63 use 26 | ' 106 July ... ¥" = 26 ar thaal 47 47 40 | 34 55 2 123 August Pais ..| 149 1400 127 127 159 134 79 82 208: September... ...|. 132 | 90! 37 37( || 1123s) 0 (601 useelun eloee27 October i oa 2a ee BT. | aa SEF ses 10 |: "82,| 58 November ... ee Oh 11 136 * | * Sls biet: Oe 30 iste} [iowa ats Total... so| 609 : 298 758 436 804 | 248 | 647 323 | 1,047 April 3, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 237 The Season. The season was a very bad oné for wheat-growing, starting from the time fallowing was commenced, as the rainfall in the beginning of 1918 was so light that at fallowing time the moisture had practically dried out to a great depth. From September, 1918, to February, 1919, there was very little rain, distributed in such small falls that it soon evaporated. In February, 1919,-some heavy falls (mostly thunderstorms) put moisture into the soil, but not to any great depth, and as the subsoil was so dry this moisture did not last. From February on to planting time the soil, with a very few exceptions, was almost bone-dry, and the seed had either to be planted in a dry seed-bed or held over for later planting when rain came in May. In that month every district had fair storm rains, which germinated the seed, but - these were not followed by others, and consequently had little other effect. As a result, the crops lacked sufficient moisture to keep them going when maturing, and the bigger part of them burned off. As an example, the plots at Gilgandra may be quoted: 444 points out of the total 647 points on the growing crop fell here immediately the crop was sown, there being only 203 points for the following five months. To make matters worse, there was no reservoir of moisture in the underlying soil to supplement that at the surface. The light rainfall had another ill eftect; it did not consolidate the seed-bed— oneof themain requirements forsuccessful wheat-growing. The heavysorts were the first to burn off, the lighter sandy loams holding the moisture much better. ‘ Resutts of Wheat Variety Trials. | elle gi ai | § 2 é Variety. | 3 2 3 E 5 | = E Bs s Be E S 3 = 5 e =< GS a = S A | bus. lb. | bus. lb. | bus. Ib. | bus. lb. | bus. lb. | bus. Ib. | bus. Ib. Canberra SAE mel doe ol) RP ome MOR EO—T 28" | 18. 14 4-15 | 1030") 6 Major ... eS aoe ee OO) : it Biel) anos Payee re Penny .... Ase cael Qe elects 5 45 + i pou Ut his Sceris ed [om BOahcee Cowra No. 15 ... =o fea ee yk Obl eres a OL 8 coo arc 6. 40%) 13° 2 Warden aaa Serle Ommaca DAG MM Meh, |... o.0is.09'5) 25 oecraen tes Le og * Currawa... ae foal lo behall einnasce 1). 2 Sc Gren enn PARR dreee ali osongdod atl. Baoan Federation as Sool Wb Dale ce + 14 (455) 7S 156 |e On |e eo Hard Federation aes Ge OnelOmras | 19° 548-1 S107 | 107 20 % improved,Steinwedel,.{.)- Qi S44) | Sides cers: | wc. cee cI aaeete 7 29110 36 Clarendon a Fie lta) Wrria Gualh rea Ole 9- | 16: 1 -Galeeenees Jee Turvey (local) ... Sales) et Pls Merooeeg“ || iadadke eibeey/ Cucinadevagemne sacs, | ae ae | 13 92 | 20 5 | 64ae3 The yield at Eurimbla was again very satisfactory, considering the rainfall was only 804 points on the growing crop, while at Nymagee, with a rainfall of 323 points on the growing crop, Sunrise oats produced 26 bushels 29 Ib. 240 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. - Wheat and Oats Variety Trials for Hay. These trials were conducted on the property of Mr. M. F. Dalton, at . Orange, without fallow, 1 bushel of wheat and 1 bushel of oats being sown with 56 lb. of babar phosphate per acre. — Resutts of Hay Trials. Varieties. Yield per acre. Oats— CACO YE | bs = Ruakura My epla i aO Lachlan Limo. 2535 Guyra a od Bt IG Sunrise 1, A »-2 438 Wheat— , Warden Pr ax @ Jal eal ec tO pe TE Marquis mee Rymer 1 Pe (aes daar Cleveland ... Deets 1. #25 Marshall’s No. 3 Lisrao2atks Thew.. Ll eo 4 Manurial Tests for Hay. Manuria] experiments were conducted with Warden. The growth of the different plots was proportionate to the amount of manure used, the un- manured plot being very backward in growth. Resvts of Wheaten Hay Manurial Trials. - Manure. Yields, Lx fee op atta a lb. Saperph ae. Le Oe + ete et Be if 53 Ox 16.41.28 te No manure Oma Sons These tests show conclusively that in this district—even in the dry season experienced—the heaviest amount of manure is the best. Barley Tests. Barley tests were conducted at Gilgandra and Alectown West, but at the latter place no results were obtained. At Gilgandra, Goldthorpe barley was sown at the rate of 1} bushels, with 28 lb. of superphosphate per acre. The barley came away well, and formed a nice even crop, but failed to form much grain, the yield being only 2 bushels 24 Ib. “THE Gazette has been a source of great help to me and should be in the hands of every agriculturist.”—A Coolamon Reader. April 3, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 241 Fertilisers for Green Winter Fodders. H. WENHOLZ, B.Sc. (Agr.), Inspector of Agriculture. Wirs the approach of the season for sowing wheat and oats for green winter feed on the coast and tablelands, the experience gained by the Department in fertiliser trials on experiment farms and farmers’ experiment plots will be of interest. Farmers are advised to take the results given hereunder as being more thoroughly reliable and representative than individual results obtained even on their own farms, the figures given being an average of several tests, extending over many varied seasons. Individual records are not always quite reliable owing to seasonal differences and to experimental errors not being entirely eliminated on farmers’ plots. Most of the figures obtained for coastal plots are from alluvial soils, for which many farmers are still of the opinion that no fertilisers are needed. In all cases where recommendations are made, care has been taken to consider the cost of the fertiliser and to determine the profitableness or otherwise of the application, based on the value of the increased fodder produced. For this purpose the green winter fodder has been valued at 15s. per ton, which is considered an average figure for this produce on the farm, though possibly lower than recent values when comparisons are made with other foodstuffs. Coastal Districts. In an average of nine tests, 1 cwt. superphosphate per acre has given an increase of 5 cwt. green fodder over the application of 2 ewt. superphosphate per acre, so that the larger amount appears to be unnecessary. Likewise, 1 ewt. superphosphate produced an increase of 4 cwt. per acre of green fodder above that obtained from 2 ewt. P7 mixture (equal parts of superphosphate and bonedust) which has done so well for maize on the coast. The addition of 28 lb. of sulphate of potash to 1 ewt. superphosphate has produced an average increase of 6 ewt. of green fodder per acre, but the value of this increase is more than counterbalanced by the cost of potash fertiliser at Spe sae so that it cannot be recommended for this crop. The application of 2 ewt. Thomas’ phosphate has given a greater increase than | cwt. super- phosphate, and also a higher net profit per acre (taking pre-war cost of fertiliser), but unfortunately this fertiliser is not quoted on the market just now. The addition of 4 cwt. sulphate of ammonia to 1 cwt. superphosphate has meant an increase of 1 ton 6 cwt. per acre of green fodder, valued at 19s. 6d. With a cost of 13s. for the extra nitrogenous fertiliser, a profit of 6s, 6d. per acre has been made from its use. Owing to the small number of tests made so far with sulphate of ammonia (for which nitrate of soda could also be substituted), the Department is disinclined to recommend the use of these 242 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. | April 3, 1920. fertilisers in all cases. On land that is less fertile than the average, or that is lacking in organic matter, these nitrogenous fertilisers could, perhaps, be used with profit. On such lands, however, good crops of maize cannot be expected to immediatély follow, as the éetéal crops have a-rather exhausting effect on the soil. A crop of cowpeas for green manuring or for grazing with pigs would add nitrogen more cheaply and more profitably, and would ensure a better maize or sorghum crop the following season. The writer has in mind many of the upland soils of the South Coast, which. are used for growing winter and summer fodder crops alternately and which are not as fertile as the alluvial soils. A good rotation, which would maintain or improve the soil fertility and enable heavier fodder crops to be grown, would be as follows :— Wheat, or wheat and peas... ... Sown in April. Cowpeas ~ se EF ... Sown in November. - Maize, sorghum or Sudan grass ... Sown in October. This would give three fodder crops in two years and could be worked in two paddocks, so that summer and winter fodders are grown each season. On°the whole then, 1 cwt. superphosphate per acre can be thoroughly recommended for winter green todder crops on the coast. In an average’ of sixteen tests it has given an increase of | ton 1 cwt. per acre over the unmanured plots. Thus, with an increase of 15s. 6d. in the value of the crop as against a cost of 5s. 6d. for superphosphate, a net profit of 10s. per acre has been made from the fertiliser. Southern Tablelands. Not many tests have yet been made with fertilisers for green winter fodders on the Southern Tablelands, but the few that have been conducted indicate that 2 cwt. superphosphate per acre is the best fertiliser. An average increase of 3 tons 8 ewt. fodder per acre has been made, giving a net profit of 40s. per acre. EFFECT OF SUBSOILING AND Derr TILLAGE. Reportine the results of extensive subsoiling experiments at twelve stations in the Great Plains area of the United States over an average of five and a half years, Messrs, E. C. Chilcott and J. S. Cole, in the Journal of Agricultural Research, Vol. xiv, No. 11, show that subsoiling and deep tilling have been of no value in overcoming drought. The effect, on the contrary, apparently has been to reduce the yields in those seasons that are below the average in production. Experiments have been conducted with the subsoil plough, a deep tillage machine and dynamite, but the effect of deep tillage appears to be essentially the same, irrespective of the means by which it is accomplished. “The quite normal popular belief in the efticiency of deep tillage as a means of overcoming drought or of increasing yields has little foundation of fact, but is based on misconceptions and lack of know- ledge of the form and extent of the root systems of plants, and of the behaviour and movement of water in the soil.” April 3, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 243 Note on. the Classification of Wheat 3 Varieties. F. B. GUTHRIE anp G. W. NORRIS. THE commercial value of any sample of wheat, though not, perhaps, so important to the farmer as its acre-yield or drought and disease-resisting qualities, is nevertheless of considerable importance, and if it were possible to assign a money-value to the different varieties this factor, taken in conjunction with the yield, would be a most valuable one to the wheat-grower. It is not possible, however, to do this with any accuracy. The nearest approach to such a valuation is an attempt to classify-the different varieties with reference to their behaviour in the mill, as the milling-quality of a sample, the proportion and quality of flour and offals obtainable from it, determines its monetary value to the miller. Such a classification is also of importance to exhibitors of wheat samples at the agricultural shows, as most show schedules include prizes for different classes of wheat. It was with the object of assisting competitors in this direction that the Department has for years published in its schedule of exhibits at the Royal Agricultural Society’s Show a rough classification of wheat varieties, revising it from year to year. As the question is one of interest to wheat-growers generally, as well as to wheat-breeders, buyers and sellers, a table giving such a classification is published herewith. The table was compiled by Mr. G. W. Norris, who has acted for many years past as one of the judges in the wheat section at the show, and who has been responsible for the milling of the samples competing for prizes. The figures represent the average results obtained over a series of years, and include not only the show-wheats mentioned above, but samples obtained from wheat-growers and from farms and experimental plots under the direction of the Department. All samples included are true to name. It must, however, be borne in mind that such a classification is not an exact one, and is liable to modification from time to time —even from season to. season. This is particularly the case with those wheats classed as “weak flour” and some of those in the “ medium strong” class. This is due partly to the influence of the season and partly to-the fact that some of the varieties are undoubtedly changing their characteristics under continued cultivation. With the above reservation, the table affords a fairly reliable guide as to the results to be expected on milling the varieties mentioned, 244 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. Mitiinc VatLueE of some of the Principal Wheats. Weight Percentage | Strength | Percentage Colour Variety. per of of of of bushel. Flour. | Flour. Dry Gluten, Flour. N.S.W. Strong White Wheats— | a. Comeback ... =.| @0Gz2h 127 53°0 13°3__ |. Excellent. Bobs.. 65°7 72-0 50°5 | 12°3 Very good. Strong Red Wheats— | Cedar ee at Ao eee 71°0 53°3 | 12°9 Excellent. Marquis ...| 66:4 70°4 49°3 | Ws | 35 Medium Strong Wheats— Haynes’ Blue Stem =seiin WOeD 69°8 48:2 13°8 ‘9 Florence... sah oy 66:0 72°6 48°1 13°8 A Hard Federation ... I) 63°9 71°6 48°6 11°8 A Rymer dire ae a 63°0 70:0 47°5 12°2 4: Bunyip age 2 64°1 71°8 459 11°9 as Marshall's No. 3... Br eee f | ) 71-0 46°8 11-6 Good Cleveland .... rr, ose fe (Geen 72:1 47°] 10°5. 55 Sunset we ee «s-|.» Gago 69-0 48°3 14°] ds Thew “te =i ae meal 1, 70°0 46°5 11°0 5 Zealand: ~.... ef os 61-0 70:0 46°6 118 aS Yandilla King ee wcole ODEO 72°3 45°5 10:2 ey Improved Steinwedel ...; 61°5 70°0 45°6 10°6 x Firbank _..... tke so! 16350 72:2 45°6 12°7 s Canberra _... 3 sale \Ode0) 71:0 45°2 11:2 5 Weak Flour Wheats— Bomen ‘5 is} 33.| 3F GSe 72°0 44:8 12°3 Excellent. Warren ae - seal \OOnes 71°4 45:0 116 Good. Federation ... + es 65-4 Thi healt 44°7 9°8 55 Macaroni Wheats— Hnguenot ... sor sel, 410039 66°8 53°5 20°3 Low. FuRTHER REPORTS ON ELEPHANT GRASS. THE continued success of Elephant grass as a fodder yielder is indicated by the appended reports received by the Agrostologist. Mr. R. N. Makin, Inspector of Agricu!ture, writes: “The Elephant grass roots were planted in rows 4 feet 9 inches apart each way on 27th October, 1919, on Mr. J. H. Martin’s farm at Pambula. The growth has been dense and strong. The rainfall from lst October to 31st January totalled 18-39 inches, of which 728 points fell in January. The crop has now been cut, the yield being 49 tons 18 ewt. 1 qr. of greenstuff per acre. The ground on which the plot was situated benefited last year from the silt left by the flood-waters. The return is very satisfactory ; this new fodder plant and Sudan grass are attracting a good deal of attention in the district.” Mr. E. A. Lamotte, Moor Creek, Tamworth: “I planted the six roots you sent me, and five grew. Four I put in sandy loam, and one in red soil at the end of the wash-house drain. The four plants grew to a height of 3 feet, then the stock ate them down twice, and they are now 2 feet in height. The one root in the red soil was also eaten down twice, and is now 5 feet high. No water was given to the four roots once they were established, and only 7 inches of rain fell during the growing period of six months. I intend to continue transplanting from these roots until I have sufficient plants for an acre, as I am satisfied that this grass will grow well in sandy loam. under dry conditions, and in red basaltic soil under irrigation.” April 3, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 245 Ai calaticabie “Fodden Fiene SHEARMAN’S CLover (Trifolium fragiferum vavr.). E. BREAKWELL, B.A., B.Sc., Agrostologist. _ A ctover that will hold its own with paspalum, that will carry four to five head of stock per acre during its growing season, that 1s eaten so greedily as . to cause bloating in half an hour, that will outstrip any clover yet known in vigour of growth on wet soils, that appears to be equally palatable at any stage of its growth—such is a description which may fairly be applied to a new fodder plant recently brought to light. This clover is now well established on the low-lying situations at Fullerton Cove, near Newcastle. It was originally observed and was first fostered by Mr. J. H. Shearman, a dairyman in that locality. The story of that development may well be told in Mr. Shearman’s own words :— The first time I noticed it, as far as I can recollect, was about twenty-two years ago (1897). It was then a small plant, running for a distance of about 6 inches on the edge of a small drain or gutter that required cleansing at intervals. This drain ran through the lucerne that was growing there at the time, and, the land not being worked, the young plant, which would otherwise have been destroyed, was allowed to spread. When I noticed how the plant grew so vigorously, my curiosity became aroused, and I often inspected the plant. It soon grew along the drain for a distance of 20 feet, and blocked the water from running. The clover had then to be shovelled out, and I put it in a grazing paddock, where I fully expected that the cattle, by continuously eating it down, would kill it. To my surprise, however, it grew and spread, killing out most of the other grasses as it ran over the ground. This process took about ten years before I discovered that I had a clover really worth caring for. I then began to plant it as fast as possible, and at present have about 12 acres fully covered and growing beautifully. I am now able to make a fine lot of hay each year of exceptionally good quality. The clover grows so vigorously when the land is dry that, without any exaggeration whatever, it is capable of grazing four to five head of cattle per acre during the summer months. Of course, I am only referring to land similar to my own, which was originally a salt marsh and has been considerably enhanced in value by the clover, which appears to grow almost as well in water as out. So far I have found no seed. A Comparison with Strawberry Clover. At first sight, and before it has flowered, this clover would pass for Strawberry clover. The two plants have, however, been side by side for _ some time on the property of Mr. Alan Smith, Fullerton Cove, and also during the past twelve months at the Botanic Gardens. An examination of the two plants during their growing period reveals some striking comparisons and certain points of difference. Under similar conditions Shearman’s clover spreads three times as quickly as Strawberry clover and produces fully six times the quantity of feed. The leaves of Shearman’s clover are long, distinctly elliptical, and in the young stages are marked by brown dots irregularly distributed over the surface ; the leaves of Strawberry clover are smaller; rounder, and in their young stages are marked by dots regularly distributed, generally forming a shape something like a horseshoe. Although .the flowers in these plants are very similar, those of Shearman’s clover have 246 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ April 3, 1920. inn NN) ae CT, ce cs i RY Shearman’s Clover (Trifolium fragiferum var.) Mt G Note the vigorous creeping root system, and also that the leaves are much larger (especially longer) than in Strawberry Clover. April 3, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 247 not been known to mature seed. As is well known, the flower head of Straw- berry clover, when about to mature seed, changes considerably in appearance, the seeds becoming enclosed in inflated husks, giving the flower head the straw- berry-like appearance which first suggested its name. In Shearman’s clover, however, a close investigation shows that the flowers do not change their appearance, but gradually wilt, shrivel and die. In one or two cases only has there been a tendency in a few of the bottom flowers of the seed-head to set seed, but such “ seed ” has remained empty and proved valueless. It is just possible that by close attention a few seeds may be discovered, and if a seeding strain can be thus developed the value of this fodder plant would be considerably enhanced. Shearman’s Clover (on the left) and Strawberry Clover (on the right), as grown at the Botanic Gardens, Sydney. Note the similarity in habit ; Shearman’s Clover, however, is much more vigorous. Shearman’s clover, therefore, may be said to be closely allied to Strawberry clover, but it is certainly sufficiently individual to be classified as a distinct variety. Its habits of growth, such as barrenness. in seed-setting and aggressiveness in growth, and its original discovery and development from a single plant, suggest that it has resulted from a cross between two clovers—perhaps Strawberry and White, or Strawberry and Red, or even White and Red. A close study of the available literature of the world’s clovers, together with an examination of the numerous different clover plants in the herbarium of the Botanic Gardens, has revealed no similar clover, and, for the present, it has been decided to name it Shearman’s clover (Trifolium fragiferum var.) after its discoverer, to whom much credit is due for developing the plant as he has done. 248 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. ]) Mf 2&2 Wy / PAN: UND CDE > Y mp, nT BW & Dan ma Strawberry Clover Plart, tcgether with the flowers and leaves of Strawberry and Shearman’s compared. The left-hand leaf and upper flower are Shearman’s, and the other parts are those of Strawberry. April 3, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 249 Soils Suitable for Shearman’s Clover. Many of the Fullerton Cove soils on which this clover thrives are marshy and slightly saline. There is a good area of such soil along the coast of New South Wales, and for these the clover is highly recommended, particularly as under such conditions it is generally very difficult to get any other fodder plant to grow. At Fullerton Cove it does not entirely monopolise the situation, as water couch grass (Paspalum distichum) grows well with it, providing a well-balanced ration. Further trials will probably show that the clover will grow on other than marshy saline soils. On the light sandy soils of the Botanic Gardens it has also done very well, but it is noticeable that a good supply of moisture is essential to keep it growing vigorously. Many of the river flats on the coast should have sufficient moisture for its development. The clover is partial to heat if grown under moist conditions ; on the other hand, it is not killed by frosts, though in winter it is dormant. Mr. J. H. Shearman’s 12-acre Paddock of Clover at Fullerton Cove. Palatability and Nutritive Quality. The palatability and nutritive quality of this clover are of the highest order ; Mr. Shearman feeds practically all his stock on it alone, and their condition is all that can be desired. As already indicated, the greediness with which dairy stock eat the clover is likely to cause bloating, and precautions have ‘to be exercised in pasturing them, so that they do not remain on it for any length of time. Eloquent testimony to the palatability of the clover is afforded by the disinclination of stock to eat anything else on being taken from the paddock ; instead, they eagerly await the hour of repasturing. In its best growing period (the summer) hardly any impression appears to be 250 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. made on the clover under heavy stocking, so vigorously does it recover. Any surplus growth can be utilised for hay, and the quality of this is really excellent it appears to retain its leaf betterythan that of most clovers. The milk-producing quality of the clover appears to be much higher than that of an ordinary grass pasture. The following analysis by Mr. F. B. Guthrie, Chemist, will give an idea of the nutritive qualities of the clover :— CuEmIcAL ANALYSES of Shearman’s Clover and Strawberry Clover compared, | | ual Se ’sClover| SI : Straw Cloven| 4, Shenrman’s ,/'Gimmatare, | Clover (instars), | Botanic Gardens. | Botanic Gardens. Rallerton Clavie mullerton Cove. Moisture ... ai bale 78°73 80°48 - 74°45 74:87 Albuminoids ... | 4°19 3°84 6°48 5°50 Ether Extract... ee 0°50 0°47 0°84 1°60 Ash ate set sa] 3°66 3°43 . 4°44 3°38 Fibre a ae feel 4:2] 3°84 4°73 4°79 Carbohydrates ... es 871 7°94 ~~ 9:06 9°86 100-60 100-00 10000 =——«100°00 Albuminoid ratio =e 1-to 2°3 1 to 2°3 | Ss Matos? 1 to 2°4 Nutritive value ... “ 14 12'8 17°4 18°9 VALUES calculated to dry matter. Albuminoids a ail - 19°69 19°69 95°37 21°87 Ether Extract ... sc 2°35 2°42 3°29 6°36 Ash an: ree < 17°23 17°56 ps7 le 13°47 ‘Fibre ae i ae 19°80 19°16 18°51 19°06 Carbohydrates> ... ae 40°93 40°67 35°46 39°24 100700 ~=———«:100-00 10000 =| ~—-100°00 It will be noticed that there is very little difference in the nutritive values of the two clovers as grown at the Botanic Gardens ; both are very satisfactory. The feeding value of Shearman’s clover in its green state, as grown at Fullerton Cove, varies very little in the mature oe immature stages. In its dry (hay) state, however, there appears to be a distinct advantage in cutting at the mature stage, that is, when the clover is in flower. Method of Planting. As this clover has not up to the present produced seed, root planting has to be resorted to. The growth is so vigorous, however, that no difficulty whatever is encountered in establishing it. From-a dozen small roots planted at the Botanic Gardens ten months ago there has spread a plot 30 square yards in extent, forming a dense mat. Spring appears to be the best time for planting. Only a limited number of roots are yet obtainable from the Department, but Mr. Shearman has kindly offered to supply small quantities to applicants who will call for them. April 3, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 251 —— Farmers’ Experiment Plots. : Potato EXPERIMENTS, 1918-19. North Coast District. G. C. SPARKS, Acting Inspector of Agriculture. Tue farmers’ potato experiments on the North Coast for the past season were located as follows :— F. T. Johnston, Condong, Tweed River. G. A. Forrest, Coraki, Richmond River. C. Oliver, ‘‘ Laureldale,” Yorklea. Albert Eggins, ‘“ Bromley,” Grafton. John Wilson, Coramba. Frank Allard, ‘‘Glenrose,” Brooklana. Henry Short, ‘‘ Warrawee,” Dorrigo. The season under review was an extremely unfavourable one for potato culture. Following a severe winter, very dry conditions prevailed through- out the spring, these being particularly marked in districts north of the Orara ; of the experiments located within this area Coraki was the only one to come to harvest, and even that harvest was a meagre one. At Coramba, however, although the precipitation was much below normal, the careful preparation of the soil and the skilful after-cultivation practised carried the crop safely through, yields approaching 7 tons per acre being secured. The Dorrigo experiment, although subjected to dry conditions, received sufficient moisture for satisfactory development. There was a total absence of fungoid disease ; the resultant yields werethe heaviest of the series and the greatest that have yet been secured over the three seasons of experimental work on the plateau. At Brooklana, which has invariably proved itself a safe district, results were practieally uniform with other years. Soil and Cultural Details. Brooklana.—Basalt soil, fairly heavy, yellow, typical of eastern Dorrigo. Planted 26th November, 1918. Effective rainfall 11-88 inches. Dorrigo.—Basalt, red, deep, friable. Planted 10th September, 1918. Effective rainfall 10°68 inches. - Coramba.—Alluvial soil, medium heavy, dark. Planted 27th August, 1918. Effective rainfall 4:20 inches. Coraki.—TypicaljRichmond River swamp land. Drained and under culti- vation seven years, Planted 14th August, 1918. Rainfall not available. In each case the land had been under maize during the previous summer, and the preparation of the soil for these trials was practically identical, the 252 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ April 3, 1920. deep initial ploughing being given as early as circumstances permitted after the harvesting of the maize crop. As every attention was paid to. the further preparations, the seed-beds were in very good order at planting. At Coraki and Dorrigo the sets were ploughed in; and at Brooklana and Coramba, drills were opened and the sets covered by hand-hoe and harrow respectively. In each case the drills were 3 feet apart and the sets 15 to 18 inches apart in the drills. Varieties. While it is not suggested that any variety under trial this season should replace Manhattan as the standard for the North Coast, there are several which a perusal of the results will show to be worthy of consideration. For the first time Up-to-Date has outyielded all others at Coramba. There seems to have been a steady improvement in uniformity in size of tuber, and on this occasion the product was beyond reproach. Its table qualities are very good. Up-to-Date is a white-skinned, oval-shaped potato, with few and shallow eyes. Its vegetative growth is tall and spreading ; it is a dull green colour and bears heliotrope flowers. Factor has been under tria] on the North Coast for two seasons and promises to become a “main cropper.” It is regarded as being a selection from Up-to-Date and much resembles that variety in habit of growth, the only striking difference above ground being that the flower petals of Factor have (on one season’s observations) cream coloured tips. Samples of this variety were distributed for trial over the North Coast last season with most gratifying results, the consensus of opinion amongst the growers being that it was the heaviest yielder and finest quality tuber that they had ever grown. The result of previous seasons’ work indicated that the real value of Carman No, | on the North Coast was as a potato for home supply only, its comparatively low yielding power being more than compensated for by its high table qualities. This season, however, a marked improvement is shown, and it seems possible that it may come into more general use. The tubers of this variety are white-skinned, smooth and oblong; and the haulms tall and erect, dark green, and with deep cream coloured flowers. Coronation has received extensive trial in this district, and although it can be relied upon to yield well at Dorrigo it has been discarded in the more truly coastal areas. It is very subject to second growth, and matures too late to be of value in the early districts of the coast. It is a blue-skinned variety, very similar in appearance to Manhattan, but of a stronger and more erect habit of growth and bearing white flowers, Satisfaction is a well established variety on the North Coast and has been a consistent yielder throughout these experiments. It is an early red- skinned variety of very good shape, with shallow eyes. Its haulm growth is similar to, although slightly heavier than Manhattan, and bears purple flowers. It holds the record of highest yield in the variety trials at Coramba. - ie 6s April 3, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 253 Langworthy is a white-skinned variety that yielded very heavily at Dorrigo in this season’s experiment. The seed was introduced to the plateau in the 1917-18 experiments, but owing to the ravages of Irish blight. no comparisons were possible. Its performance during the coming season will be watched with keen interest. Resutts of Variety Trials. Variety. Brooklana. Dorrigo. Coramba. Coraki. £:") 'G,.Qarip: |st.; eq. Tb. tye. qua Ib Ce. ie dae ae Up-to-Date ae] a OWED? aidor20}22) 9.4. 6)..19) 4.06.22) n2) eel. dulpe iO Satisfaction Gil AoE 2 1.4°570)-0. .O) 5 <> b +2. 4.) 2. 16imgmned Coronation oe Fe Ae ema JEL DN i Welt See tee oe. tI yee eel? areconiee Queen of the Valley oe, ae ceeeO. | LOT LOD. he ORS ge coca a) ol eee norton Surprise ... £7 Milkiket 10. =< Sem | 7 \ OL ed MAUI ON 5c ade nce eb bal Reet sted Brownell’s Beauty s|fo LL GUOTR 225 29 eG MNO So 23) IDA alts 20 Factor . a6 aco. 0 omelOcnlic 1620 20/06 13-92 tS: |Loe eo tome Le Manhattan lee DORM SLs FO M246 — “2A OL Pel Ome e224 Early Manistee ... Sele eet nee Or Romer sO Tons Lo 24h er Lo. eZ Carman No.1 ... Melee as tins « see LP 152. 24 "6 be 2S Odie. Omioaelt Langworthy sas elm ans ee AD A eB eet. de ono Pe ‘Premier: =: sits itl er ere Ce Sx. SHwtOlh feccktarse id St waaeteners New Era... Ad ar Blois. wee heG oti eto Olyeda is: Bo. F: Werle tris? ae Plunkett ... eas te eet crnee as Ora es alts fatescter hice We Saha dle bos Magnum Bonum... Seater re ag aoe 1 Pee Bako St a(R ar eee Gan: ere es eee Manurial Trials. Manurial trials were included in each experiment. The manures used, cost of application per acre (less freight), and the results achieved are shown in the appended table. Conditions at Coraki were so unfavourable that it was scarcely to have: been anticipated that any material increase would have been brought about. by the manure, but it is somewhat surprising that better results were not shown at Dorrigo, where, while P8 increased the yield by 15} ewt. per acre—which in itself shows a handsome profit—actual reductions of yield) attended the applications of P5 and P7. Previous experiments have been overwhelmingly in favour of artificial manures, but it will be readily under- stood that without an elaborate system of check plots these discrepancies are always to be expected. Results at Coramba are uniform with past experiments. A profit of £35: per acre is shown on the 2 cwt. superphosphate dressing ; while at Brooklana, although one grows accustomed to phenomenal yields from manures on this. country, this season’s trials show results surpassing any previously obtained so far as actual profit following application of fertiliser is concerned. It. will be seen that the P5 dressing gave an increased yield of 64 tons per acre. After allowing £16. per ton for the potatoes (at which nett rate the crop. was actually sold by Mr. Allard), and deducting the cost of the manure, a profit of £103 per acre is shown, while increases valued at approximately’ £80 and £60 per acre are given by the P7 and P8 plots respectively. 254 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. The fertiliser mixtures were dusted along the drills immediately prior to the dropping of the sets. |The composition of the mixtures is as follows :— P7, equal parts of superphosphate and bonedust; P8, equal parts of superphosphate and blood and bone; P5, 4 parts of superphosphate and 1 part sulphate of potash. Resvtts of Manurial Trials. 5 Manure. Brooklana. | Dorrigo. | Coramba. Coraki. | { : feecaad-aclb:| t:.c0.nq, SIDt Gichaqsalbaiite. (cage aabe Superphosphate, 2 cwt. per acre (10s.).. DaivamOn. ©: 10, Ut 2a eanOree oer ono. atO) nee: P5, 24 ewt. per aere (18s. 9d.) .. 33 awe, «2, SULA Se Sib 20 ABAE2 SOF a ee P7, 3 ewt. per acre (22s. 6d.) Greserst <2") 10) “502005 6-00) Sano 18 28. 30 P8, 3 cwt. per acre (21s. 9d.) Webs DO) 25) 12 BB) 426.15 11.03. “2a eeiseeaas Nomanure .. +. i. Oe19e 2: 16 | 10, 8. 1426 | 3 17.2 10r oes Oy AO The varieties used in these tests were—NSatisfaction at Brooklana, Queen of the Valley at Dorrigo, and Manhattan at Coramba and Coraki. PirTiInG POTATOES. THE usual method of pitting potatoes for winter storage is to select a level piece of land, which should be so situated as to ensure drainage. Two poles or saplings are placed on the surface, parallel to one another and 4 feet apart, and the potatoes are emptied ke in between these so as to form a hide Wy ; well-ridged heap. The potatoes are then covered with a thatch of straw pomrors or other suitable material, and this again is covered with sods of earth. It is important that the sodding should be done from the ground upwards (as in shingling a roof). SAPLINGS When completed, the whole is beaten well down with the back of a spade, and a drain is cut round the pit to run off the water in case of rain. If weather permits, it is well to let a fortnight or so elapse before earthing up—that is, to leave the potates with only their straw covering so that sweated moisture may be carried out. For a small pit (say a ton) the best shape is a cone.—A. J. Pinn, Inspector of Agriculture. GROUND LEVEL UY SERREEES\ y Ug aia Gi, ABO Pala 2-00 2S MOLASSES FOR CALF FEEDING. Repiyinc to a correspondent who had been impressed by the benefit apparently derived from a ration of skim milk and molasses by his neigh- bour’s calves, the Herdmaster wrote: ‘The food value of molasses is in the nature of carbohydrates, and does not replace the fats removed from milk during separating. It is, however, successfully used in calf feeding, but must not be given in excess, especially at the start, as it tends to scour the calves. About one teaspoonful to the quart is sufficient to give in the early stages, and the amount may be increased or decreased at the feeder’s discretion.” ! April 3, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 255 Dairy Produce Factory Premises and Manufacturing Processes: THe APPLICATION OF SCIENTIFIC METHODS TO THEIR EXAMINATION. L. T. MacINNES, Dairy Expert, and H. H. RANDELL, Assistant to the Biologist. THE manufacturer of dairy produce has always some trouble to contend with, for milk and its products lend themselves to rapid deterioration, especially through bacterial agencies. It was with a view to minimising such troubles—by presenting to those engaged in the industry such information as might be gained from scientific and practical investigations on the spot—that the scheme of examining butter factories and the manufac- turing processes carried out therein was initiated and approval obtained for the services of an ofticer of the Biological Branch of the Department of Agriculture to be placed at the disposal of the Dairy Branch. Apart from the ordinary every-day things that are always awaiting solution, we have what might be classed as seasonal epidemics, such, for instance, as the mould infection with which a great many factory managers had to contend some two summers ago, and the effects now being felt of an extremely dry season, These influences need special inquiry as they arise. The present series of investigations, however, does not specially deal with these epidemic troubles, but is confined to those that form part of the daily routine of certain factories inspected. In the first case to be dealt with we have effects, arisimg out of old and faulty premises badly situated from a sanitary point of view ; in other cases it had been noted that the choicest brand of butter marketed showed deterioration, more or less marked, whenever it was held in cold storage for any considerable length of time. The causes of this deterioration in quality have been traced by means of our investigations, and satisfactory remedial measures taken. As it is intended to commence this series of articles with the results obtained from an old bacterially contaminated factory, it is considered advisable to end it by way of contrast with those from one of the most modern—a factory built on the latest sanitary lines, where fresh air and sunlight have been recognised as the greatest of germicides and freely admitted accordingly. Some ten years ago the Alstonville Co-operative Dairy Company had trouble with the quality of the butter then being manufactured, and an officer of the Dairy Branch investigated the matter and successfully used atmospherically exposed plates to trace the origin of the infection causing é ¢ 256 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. the deterioration, thereby enabling the company to remedy the matter, Knowing the value of arriving at and locating causes of deterioration by means of bacteriology, a scheme was worked out early last year whereby whatever came.in contact with the dairy produce after its arrival at the factory until it was placed on the market, could be systematically examined and the results compared. The general adoption by the New South Wales dairy companies of the practice of pasteurising cream made the initiation of such investigations the more opportune. The object aimed at was twofold : (a) 'To demonstrate the efficiency of pasteurisation as carried out at certain factories. (6) To demonstrate whether or not the product was recontaminated after pasteurisation, and if so, how the infection took place. The methods followed were very similar in all cases and were carried out as follows :— : eae were taken of the cream on arrival at the factory, after blending in ulk. 2. The same lot of cream, after being neutralised and pasteurised by either the ‘‘flash” or the ‘‘ holding ” system as. it came from the outlet pipe of the ‘*flash ” or (in the case of the holding system) direct from the tank, was again sampled. In both cases these samples were obtained before the cooling process commenced. 3. In the case of the flash pasteurisation, the plates were exposed 24 minutes, and in one case (Example !) five minutes to the air over the pipe cooler used first to reduce the temperature of the cream. 4. Plates were atmospherically exposed for tifteen minutes over the cream-receiving and neutralising vat in the case of Example 1 to demonstrate the extent of infection from the water spray tower ; in other cases this was not done. . Where vats were used for holding cream (after passing over pipe coolers) pending churning, the tops of such vats being open, another series of plates were exposed to the atmosphere—for 2} minutes in one case (Example 2) and five minutes in another (Example 1). 6. The same cream was again sampled as it came from the holding vats to enter the churns, 7. A sample was taken of the water used for cleansing and rinsing the churns and utensils. 8. A sample was taken of the water used to bring butter to the breaking point and thereafter used to wash the butter. : 9. A sample was taken of the butter. made from the aforementioned cream as :t came from the churn. 10. Plates were generally atmospherically exposed in the churn room 24 minutes, but in one case (Example 1) for five minutes, in all cases where the butter (or cream as it gravitated along the fluming from vat to churn) was exposed to the air. 11. A sample of the surface of the butter was taken from a box when packed and ready to be lidded. In conjunction with making these bacteriological examinations, -the cr produce was graded for quality at all stayes, thus :— (a) Cream on arrival at factory. (b) Cream after treatment when ready to churn. (c) Butter soon after being manufactured. Some delay occurred in the earlier stages of the work, but eventually with the co-operation of the Biologist, Dr. G. P. Darnell-Smith, another start was made early in October, 1919, and the results of the first portions of the investigation are now available. April 3, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 257 The Dairy and Biological Branches of the Department have approached the work in a spirit of co-operation for the benefit of the dairy industry. The Biological Branch was responsible for the bacteriological results, making the plates, isolating, identifying and counting the various colonies. The Dairy. Branch, apart from initiating the scheme, supervised its operations up to the laboratory stage, correlating each step taken so that a comparison of the results might be jointly made and the information applied to the manufacture of dairy produce in a practical manner. De- ductions will be made from the data brought to light, and recommendations given as to how the dairy companies can best use them to retain and further enhance the reputation already achieved for the output of their factories. Example 1. This factory was built of wood many years ago, renovated to a certain extent about 1910 or 1911, and situated on the bank of a river witha lagoon at the back ; the water in the lagoon contained vegetation, was stagnant and heavily charged with germ life. This water was used to pump over the condenser of the refrigerating plant, and gave off a very apparent musty, swampy smell, The surroundings of the factory generally were unsatisfactory, and the inside premises were in a state of disrepair, floors, drains and walls needing attention, Leading from the front verandah (connected with the churn room by large double doors) were two underground earthenware 6-inch drains ; these pipes were straight, no bend or sanitary trap being inserted at the factory end. They emptied into a concrete well or sump and carried off all the washings of the churns and factory generally ; at the time of our visit a most offensive smell was arising from them and penetrating to all parts of the factory. When the sump was half empty the outlets of the pipes were exposed and a draught of foul air blew right through them into the churn room, As was to be expected, butter made under such conditions was of inferior quality and showed further rapid deterioration when kept. It was arranged to make an inspection of the premises by bacteriological means, in addition to the outward examination of the premises and surroundings. Samples were taken of the cream, butter and water during the different processes of manufacture, and atmospheric exposures were made as already outlined. A room was given for use as a temporary laboratory, and in five days after our arrival the company’s directors and manager were called in and shown the plates. These were explained and the company’s representatives then taken through the premises and shown where the infections came from. As far as we know, this is the first time that dairy factory buildings have been scientifically inspected in this manner, and the result has been, from the Department’s point of view, satisfactory. There is no disputing the results when obtained in such a manner—the ocular evidence is irrefutable and the Inspector’s position vastly strengthened. Moreover, the directors of a company are able to prove to their shareholders how the deterioration in the quality of their factory’s produce and the financial loss thus brought’ about takes place. 258 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ April 3, 1920. Such a loss would be cut out and recovered by the building of a new factory, situated in a more convenient and sanitary position, on up-to-date lines. The cost of building and equipping at the present time may seem hard to bear, but the ultimate cost is less than the loss, year in and year out, of several shillings per ewt. on the selling price of the butter manufactured. Lifting the quality of the butter by a few points means obtaining bigger returns. Take, for instance, a factory with an output of 35 tons of butter per week. If an extra 3s. per cwt. is obtained, it means over £100 per week extra revenue, and it does not take many years at that rate to pay for a modern, well-equipped factory. This lesson has been proved and demonstrated by the Manning River Co-operative Dairy Company. The quality of the butter now put on the market by that company is so improved as to be incomparable with that manufactured under the old conditions. It was proved at the same time that a saving of some £14 per week in labour was effected. In the modern, well-equipped factory nine men, working ‘ordinary time, handled a much greater output than was done under the old conditions with thirteen men, often earning oyertime rates of pay. The manufacture of butter may be described as a fermentative industry, the flavour being due co the absorption by the fat of certain aromatic substances produced during the acid fermentation of the lactose of the milk or cream by Bacterium lactis acidi and related organisms. Most of the abnormal flavours are due to the replacement of the desirable acid-forming bacteria with other types of micro-organisms. Hence, to control the flavour of the butter the butter-maker must control the bacteria in the cream that cause the ripening. As it is freshly drawn from the normal udder of the healthy cow, milk contains bacteria in greater-or lesser numbers, the initial contamination taking place in the milk cistern and larger milk ducts of the udder. These organisms appear to cause no change in the market value of the milk, or in the persons drinking the milk. If, however, the cow is suffering from disease in the udder, such as tuberculosis, mammitis or other inflammatory trouble, the milk may contain many millions of the specific bacteria at the time when it is drawn. The extent of all subsequent contamination is dependent upon. the manner and care with which the milk is produced and handled. The atmosphere, utensils, milking machines, and the milkers themselves add many bacteria; their future development is largely dependent upon the temperature at which the milk is kept. Most micro-organisms find in milk an ideal culture medium for their growth. The food elements such as protein and milk sugar, being in liquid form, are most easily attacked, and it is the breaking down of these, by bacterial enzymes formed, which cause most of the undesirable changes. The cream of milk, whether separated by gravity or by means of the separator, will contain considerably more bacteria per unit volume than the milk, The tiny fat globules passing through the milk serum carry mechanically many bacteria of the milk into the cream, which on arrival at the butter factory and often only a few hours old, is in many cases April 3, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 259 " badly contaminated with bacteria, Experience teaches that such con- tamination can be avoided by efficient pasteurisation (and, if necessary, by neutralisation of excessive acidity) combined with the after-use of a pure culture starter. At the several butter factories visited, all samples were collected with sterile instruments and placed in sterile vessels, and the plating was carried out within half an hour of collecting the samples. In the case of example No, 1, an upstairs room in the factory was selected as the most suitable of those available, and although the conditions were not comparable with those of the laboratory, every precaution was taken to prevent undue contamination. The poured plates, with suitable dilutions of the various samples, were kept at 30 deg. Cent. for four days, when counting of the bacterial colonies was commenced, and the organisms were isolated in pure culture and classified according to their action on litmus milk, gelatin, glucose and lactose broth. Smear preparations from the different colonies were stained by Gram’s method for microscopic examination. The media used for plating were ordinary agar, glucose agar, litmus lactose agar, an acid agar specially suitable for the develop- ment of moulds, yeast, ec. Samples were also inoculated into peptone water containing bile, salt and glucose, for the ready determination of gas formers. All media were prepared at the Biological Laboratory, Sydney, by Mr. W. J. Reay. Assistance was also given by Mr. W. A. Birmingham in determining mould growths. TasLe I.—Showing Numbers and Kinds of Micro-organisms found in 1 Gram (1 c.c.) of the following samples. (H2) Cream before pas (J1) Cream immediately | ) (K1) Cream twenty (L) Butter in ~ churn (M1) Butter in box after | (O1) General service | Total Hes po. Acid and Acidand_ Alkaline | | ~ Micro- het Casein |4cid Coagu- Gas | and Yeasts.| Oidium | Moulds. | organisms. | i cestars lating. Formers. | Inert. 5 rds | | | | | | i 770,000 | 160,250,000 1,840,000 | 50,000, 3,000} 6,000 10,000 teurising .. ..| 162,749,000 after pasteurising 24,700 200 24,400 | acini 100 | hours after pasteur- ising .. .| 1,296,500 543,500 380,000 | | before salting fe 443,900 100,000 310,000 | { 1,000 | 367,000 | 3,000} 2,000 600 | 32,000 300 | 1,000 | packing 2,244,000 724,000 1,330,000 | Nh F | 1,000 150,090 10,000 10,000 | 20,000 (N) Butter-waskh water.. 329 27 JO Meee era % ae ¢ | 280 3) 5 | 1,230 44 eae 10 water (town supply) 2,409 730 | 300 Sample H2—Cream before Pastewrising.—Before pasteurising, and after thorough mixing in the 300-gallon- cream-receiving vat, the cream was collected by means of a sterile pipette; it was received at the butter factory in cans from the surrounding dairy farms, and its acidity was determined at 0:6 per cent. of lactic acid. The plates showed the presence of a total of 162,749,000 micro-organisms; of these, 1,840,000 were organisms of the Bact. Coli group, or undesirable lactose fermenters, of which three varieties were isolated, viz., Bact. Coli communis, Bact. acidi lactict and Bact. laxtis 260 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. erojenes. Their presence in cream is evidence also of a proportion of volatile acids (acetic and formic), so the 160,250,000 true lactose fermenters, Bact. lactis acidi type, were not entirely responsible for the acidity of the cream. Amongst the 770,000 gelatin liquefiers and casein digesters, were Bact. prodigious, a species of the proteus group, and sarcina lutea, a liquefying micrococcus and cladothrix sp. ; 19,000 micro-organisms, comprising species of moulds, oidium and yeasts, were counted, while the 50,000 bacteria causing alkalinity or no apparent change in litmus milk were both bacillary and coceal forms. Sample J1\—Cream after Pasteurrsing.—The cream was collected by means of a sterile pipette immediately after being discharged from the outlet pipe of the pasteuriser at a temperature of 180 deg. Fah. The sample was neutralised to 0-2 per cent acidity with lime, and pasteurised by means of the flash system, then cooled to 54 deg. Fah. by passing over pipe-coolers. It has been seen from the figures in Table I that 162,749,000 micro- organisms in | c¢.c. of the cream were reduced by pasteurisation to 24,700. Of these there were 200 per c.c. gelatin liquefiers of the B. Mycoides type of spore-forming organisms. The remainder, 24,500 per c.c., were insignificant, inasmuch as only slight acidity, without noticeable taste or odour, was produced by them in litmus milk in three weeks. Sample K1—Cream immediately prior to Churning.—After being pas- teurised and pumped over the pipe-coolers the cream was gravitated into circular holding vats, each about 6 feet in diameter and 43 feet deep, provided with semi-rotary pipe brine coolers. These vats were placed in a room about. 12 feet wide by some 40 feet inlength. The walls, which were of fibro-cement, were cracked, and broken, and dirty. The floor, also greasy and dirty, was of hardwood, badly jointed, and in places leaked through to the basement underneath. The beading round the bottom of the walls was loose and rotting, and the room was ill-ventilated and lighted, and generally in a state of disrepair and uncleanliness. The vats had open tops and the contents were exposed to contamination from the above conditions. No ‘starter ” was added to the cream, which, pending churning, was held over-night (twenty hours) at 57 deg. Fah. Here the plates show that 1 c.c, of cream contained 1,291,500 micro-organisms ; 180,000 of these were found to be desirable lactose fermenters or organisms of Bact. lactis acidi type and 1,000 were acid and gas formers of the coliform group, viz., Fact. lactis erojencs. Amongst the 543,500 gelatin liquefiers and casein digesters were Bact. proteus mirabilis, Ba t. fluorescens liquefaciens, sarcina lutea, and a gram-positive bacterium. The 367,000 producing alkalinity or no change in litmus milk were both rod-shaped and spherical forms, somé” being _chromogenic. Two thousand colonies, comprising two species of oidium and 3,000 yeasts, were also counted ; 200,000 micrococci were found to produce acid in litmus milk, but failed to coagulate it in ten days, Sample L—Bw'ter in Churn beforeSaltiny.—The cream from the attemperator or holding vats after cooling to 50 deg. Fah. was churned in a box churn for about thirty-five minutes, and the sample of butter for plating was collected Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., April 3, 1920. Agar Plate Culture of Cream before pasteurising (dilution 1 to 1,000), showing the extent of infection at the farm dairy. Total micro-organisms 162,749,000 per c.c, (Original.) Agar Plate Culture of Cream immediately after pasteurising (dilution 1 to 100), showing beneficial effect of pasteurisation. Total count shows a reduction of organisms from 162,749,000 to 24,700. (Original.) Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., April 3, 1920. Agar Plate Culture of Cream before churning, tweuty hours after pasteurising (dilution 1 to 1,000). Note the enormous increase of undesirable organisms, the result of contamination by factory conditions, which have nullified the benefits of pasteurisation. (Original, ) Agar Plate Culture, obtained from surface of butter in box after packing (dilution 1 to 1,000). Total count representing 2,244,000 micro-organisms per gram, (Original ,) Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., April 3, 1920. Plates exposed to atmosphere inside factory for five minutes, showing growth of colonies of moulds, yeasts and bacteria, demonstrating the exteat of infection from the interior of an old badly-planned factory. (Original.) ,. B—Cream Attemperator Room. Media used, acid agar. D2—Butter-working and Packing Room Media used, litmus lactose agar, F—Butter Cold-storeroom, adjoining Butter-working and Packing Room. Media used, ordinary agar. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., April 3, 1920, Plate Culture of general service water from town supply used in the factory Total micro-organisms per c.c., 2,409, (Original.) Plate Culture of water used for washing butter. (Town supply, chilled to 40 deg. Fahr.). Total micro-organisms per c.c., 329. (Original,) April 3, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 261 by means of a sterile measure before the addition of salt or preservative. From the plates it was ascertained that one gram of butter contained 443,000 micro-organisms. The majority of these, but considerably reduced in numbers, were similar varieties to those found in sample K1, From the figures in Table I it is seen that nearly two-thirds of the total micro-organisms in the cream before churning, were carried away with the buttermilk. The additional organisms appearing on the plates were Bact. flucrescens non laguefaciens, Bac. fuluum and a streptococcus, the probable source of all of which was the butter-wash water. Sample M1—Butter in bor after Packing. After washing, the butter was removed from the churn to another room to be salted and worked on an ordinary 6-foot diameter butter worker (a circular table on which revolved corrugated or fluted rollers). The churn used, as already stated, was of the wooden box type, and of about 1,000 lb. butter capacity. The butter was handled from churn to barrow, from barrow to worker, and from worker to package by wooden shovels, and was packed into the latter by means of a wooden rammer. ‘This is mentioned in view of these instruments being possible means of contamination. The sample for plating was taken with a sterile measure from (and near the surface of) the butter in the box. From these plates it was shown that one gram of butter contained 2,244,000 micro- organisms. Of these 1,330,000 coagulated milk with production of lactic acid, 1,000,000 were of the Bact. lactis acidi type and 10,000 a lactic bacillus of Bact. bulgaricus type and may be classed as desirable lactose fermenters, while 320,000 were streptococci, varieties of which are often associated with disease conditions. Amongst the 724,000 gelatin liquetiers and casein digesters, were present proteus mirabilis, Bact. fluorescens liquefaciens, staphlo- cocscus aureus, micrococcus flavus. Bact. Zopfii, a variety of proteus which does not liquefy gelatin, was also present. One thousand undesirable lactose fermenters, Bact. lactis wrogenes, were found. The 150,000 making litmus milk alkaline were of both spherical and rod forms. The yeasts and oidium lactis numbered 20,000, while the 20,000 mould growths were Cladosporium herbarum and two species of Penicillium. Sample N—Butter Wash Water.—The water used for washing the butter was obtained from the ordinary town supply, and was delivered into a large tank where it was snbjected to a process of chilling before using. The sample for plating was collected into a sterile vessel from the delivery pipe in the churn room. From the counts it was found that 1 c.c. of water contained 329 micro-organisms ; of these, twenty-seven, comprising Bact. fluorescens: liquefaciens, Bact. mycoides, Micrococcus flavus, were able to liquefy gelatin and digest the casein of milk. There were five colonies of a micrococcus. which produced acid in litmus milk but failed to coagulate it in three weeks, while six streptococci readily produced both acid and clot. Two hundred and eighty of the total bacteria in the water were inert or caused slight alkalinity when inoculated into litmus milk. There were present two colonies of pink yeast or torula, while the nine mould growths were species of Clado- sporitum, Phoma, Penicillium, and Mucor. B 262 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. Sample O\—General Service Water.—The source of this water, as in the case of sample J’, was the head waters of a coastal river. The water was dis- tributed from a conveniently positioned reservoir by means of the ordinary system of mains and smaller pipes. The sample for plating was collected into a sterile vessel from a tap on the cream-receiving platform, From the counts, 1 cc. of water contained 2,409 micro-organisms. Of these 730 were classified as gelatin Jliquefiers and casein digesters. They included Bact. mycoides, Bact.-pyocyanzous, Bact. fluorescens liquefaciens, Bact. proeus vulgaris, and a large celled micrococcus. Of the undesirable lactose fermenters five colonies of Bact. lactis @royenes were counted, There were 300 bacteria producing acid in litmus milk, while 100 of them were also able to coagulate it ; 1,230 were determined as inert, causing no change, or only slight alkalinity in litmus milk in three weeks. Forty-four colonies of yeasts were -counted, and there were also present 100 mould growths, comprising species of Penicillium Fusarium, Cladosporium, and Papulospora. As noted, both waters were from the same source of supply. The difference in bacterial counts might be accounted for by the fact (a) that in still waters as in the case of sample WV (butter wash water), suspended matter and bacteria having weight naturally gravitate to the bottom ; (b) that a low temperature is injurious to many kinds of bacteria, even polluted waters showing a marked decrease of intestinal organisms if the sample is kept cold. Piate (A) DemonstratinGc AIR INFECTION ARISING FROM SPRAY OF PoLLuTeD WATER, A.—Poured plates of ordinaity agar, Jitmus lactose agar and acid agar were placed on the edge of the cream-receiving vat; the lids were removed for fifteen minutes, After four days incubation, counting of the colonies was commenced, Yhe total bacterial colonies appearing on the agar plate was 4,800. Pure cultures were made of Proteus mirabilis, Bact. fluorescens liquefaciens, Bact. lactis wrogenes, Ovdium lactis, Bact. awrantiacus, and several chromogenic micrococci. The colonies were too thick to enable the numbers of varieties to be counted. The acid agar plate showed a total of 161 micro-organisms ; fifty-four were mould growths as follows: Cladosporium sp. 29; Fusarium sp. 8 ; Aspergillus sp. 2; Penicillium sp. 8; Epicoceum sp. 4; Alternaria sp. 3, There were also counted 102 colonies of yeast and 5 B, subtilis. It will be noted that in this case the cream-receiving vats were adjacent to the condenser tower (about 25 feet distant), the water flowing over which was pumped from a shallow stagnant lagoon adjacent to the factory premises. A favourable breeze would carry a fine spray of this polluted water through the factory. Then, since the diameter of the culture plate is 34 inches, into which at least 4,961 micro-organisms had fallen in fifteen minutes, some idea might be gained as to the extent to which cream and butter is subject to contamination with undesirable organisms from such a source. April 3, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 263 Prates (B, C, D, E, ann F) Exposed TO. ATMOSPHERE TO SHOW EXTENT OF Moutp INFECTION WITHIN THE Factory. B.—An acid agar plate exposed to the atmosphere in the cream attemperator room for five minutes, and after incubation for four days, developed a total of thirty-six colonies of micro-organisms. Of these, twelve were yeasts, three Micrococcus rosens T., one colony was of a sporing bacillus, while the twenty mould growths were as follows :—Cladosporium sp. 9; Aspergillus sp. 2; Fusarius sp. 1; Spicaria sp. 6; Cephalosporium sp. 2. C.—An acid agar plate exposed to the atmosphere in the churning room for five minutes developed thirty-nine mould growths and four colonies of yeast. Following are the moulds :—Cladosporium sp. 23; Penicillium sp. 12 ; Epicoccum sp. 2; Aspergillus sp, 2. D.—Ordinary agar plate exposed to the atmosphere in the butter-working room for five minutes developed a total of thirty-two colonies of micro- organisms. Seven of these were mould growths comprising species of Cladosporium and Epicoccum. Eleven were yeasts, while the fourteen bacterial colonies were Sarcina aurentiaca, Micrococcus rosens, a sporing bacillus and Cladothrix sp. E.—Glueose agar plate exposed for five minutes to the atmosphere in the storeroom for empty boxes, butter-paper, salt, ke. The total count of micro-organisms was thirty-four. ‘Twenty-one of these were mould growths comprising species of : Cladosporium, Alternaria, Penicillium and Epicoceum. Three colonies of yeast were counted, while amongst the bacterial colonies were Staphlococcus albus, Sarcina and Oladothrix sp. F.—Ordinary agar plate exposed five minutes to the atmosphere in the cold room. The total count of micro-organisms was forty-eight. Thirty- eight of these were mould growths comprising species of Penicillium, Alternaria and Cladosporium. Two colonies of yeast appeared, one Cladothrix sp., three Bact, subtilis, and three yellowish slimy colonies of a gram-positive bacterium which rapidly liquefies gelatin, Summary of Results. The large numbers of undesirable organisms found in the cream before pasteurising suggests unsatisfactory and unclean conditions on at least some of the dairy farms. Pasteurisation effectively destroyed all vegetative forms of undesirable organisms. The holding of the pasteurised cream in open vats, exposed to the air and dust of an old factory with insanitary surround- ings is disastrous, seeing that from the plates over half a milkon per c.c. of undesirable organisms were added in twenty hours. These would be sure to exert their deteriorating influence upon the good-keeping qualities of the butter. The system of working and salting butter on an open worker facilitates the inclusion of many bacteria, moulds, oidium, and yeasts. The plates, poured with the waters used at the factory, suggests that bacteria are reduced in numbers by chilling to 40 deg. Fah. The atmospherie 264 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. exposure plates indicate plainly the amount of re-contamination that took place from exposure of the cream and butter to the conditions and surround- ings of these old and (in a hygienic sense) badly constructed rooms. They also point to the advisability of doing away with all overhead obstructions (beams, pipes, belting, flat ceilings, &c.) that collect or distribute dust. The presence of such large numbers of undesirable water bacteria as those shown in the plate exposed over the cream-receiving vat (adjacent to the water-spray tower), and in subsequent plates of cream and butter, indicates the danger incurred in exposing cream and butter to outside influences—in this case arising from the infection constantly being carried into the factory by the spray of the condenser water tower, the source of supply for which came from the stagnant lagoons described above, The necessity of draining all such stagnant pools and lagoons cannot be too strongly emphasised. SALES OF PURE-BRED DalIRy CATTLE. Aw auction sale of stud dairy cattle is to be conducted at Hawkesbury Agricultural College, Richmond, on Tuesday, 20th April, commencing at 1 p.m., when the thirty-four lots offered will include twenty pure-bred Jersey cows, five heifers, two bulls, and two pure-bred Red Poll cows, two heifers, and three bulls. A train is timed to leave the Central Station, Sydney, for Richmond at 8.56 a.m. on the day of sale, and buyers will find city-bound trains timed conveniently for their return the same afternoon. Prospective buyers wishing to inspect stock before the sale will be afforded every facility. The same auctioneers will also offer for auction a number of pure-bred Milking Shorthorn stud cattle at Berry Experiment Farm at 1 p.m. on Friday, 16th April. Trains will leave Sydney for Berry as follows :— Thursday, 15th April, 4.45 p.m.; Friday, 16th April, 8.20 am. Kentish. Eagle Seedling fistere ch Noble Bedford’s Prolific Napoleon Following is a list of selected cherries arranged according to their order of ripening :—Early Purple Guigne, Early Japonlay, Early Lyons, Black Republican, Bowyer’s Early Heart, Black Tartarian, Governor Wood, Bigar- reau de Mezel, Blackpost Bigarreau, Black Eagle, Florence, St. Margaret. ° Canning.. Cherries are largely used for canning ; the varieties selected for this purpose should be firm, light in colour, and large. Florence is one of the best canning cherries. Although most of the Kentish varieties of cherries are small, they are sometimes preferred for canning because of their aromatic and sub-acid flavour. Cherries are also used for making jams, jellies, and liqueurs. 278 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. Pruning. Except to form a head, the cherry is not generally pruned; when necessary to shape or balance a tree, it is found that the best plan is to pinch back the young shoots. © In the cool districts, if trees in bearing are pruned in the winter, little or no bad effect takes place; but in the warmer districts, winter pruning is apt to cause gumming, from the effects of which the trees die in a- few years, Fertilisers. Generally speaking, the cherry requires as little fertiliser as any fruit grown. An occasional crop of black tares, grown in the winter and ploughed under in the spring, will be found beneficial. ‘The mineral constituents of the cherry are: potash, 51-85 per cent.; soda, 1-12; magnesia, 5-46; lime, 7-74; phosphoric acid, 14-21; sulphuric acid, 5-09; and silicic acid, 9-04. Phosphoric acid, potash and lime are the chief ingredients taken from the ground, «und are therefore those that need to be restored. Several useful fertiliser mixtures for cherries will be found in the leaflet “ Fertiliser Mixtures for the Orchard,” copies of which are obtainable free on applica- tion to the Department. ; Cultivation. The cherry is not a very long-lived tree (the hardy varieties living from thirty to forty years) excepting under very favourable conditions. It is advisable to subsoil the land before planting. The trees should be planted from 20 to 24 feet apart, according to the richness of the soil. Trees on rich soil grow vigorously and to a good size, and therefore require extra space to accommodate their branches. The land should be ploughed at least once a year, cultivating from time to time so as to conserve moisture and prevent the growth of weeds. Picking and Marketing. Many varieties of the cherry are most delicate and very susceptible to injury, . and the fruit must therefore be handled carefully; it should be gathered with the stalk intact, separating it carefully from the spurs or branches, as it keeps much better with the full stalk. The fruit should be gathered when dry and cool, and under rather than over ripe, and the bloom should be preserved on varieties which show any. The proper way to handle the fruit is by the stems. Varieties which bruise easily should be picked into shallow baskets holding about 10 lb. ; kerosene tins which have been cut in halves for the purpose have also been found suitable. Care should be taken to see that the fruit spurs are not broken off at the time of picking. The case which finds most favour with both growers and buyers is the 12lb, case. At the time of packing, all stemless cherries should be rejected, and the top layer of fruit faced in rows with the stems hidden. This work can be done best by women and girls, who lay the cherries on the bottom of April 3, 1920.) . Agricultural Gazette ap NGS. W.. 279 tthe box in rows, fruit side down; then fill the box, nail on the bottom, and either turn over and mark the faced side as top, or stencil the case so that the properly-faced side will be opened, showing the cherries neatly rowed and presenting a very attractive appearance. Diseases of the Cherry. Cherry Tree Borer (Cryptophaga unipunctata, Don).-—When a tree is found to be attacked by these grubs, remove all the felted web, and insert a bit of copper-wire into the burrow so as to injure the grub; if this cannot be managed, ‘squirt a little kerosene oil into the hole and then plug it up. Some growers have found that dipping a wooden plug in kerosene and then driving it into the hole kills the grub. San José Scale.—For this, spray (after the fruit is harvested) with resin, -soda and fish oil in the summer, and lime-sulphur solution in the winter. Rutherglen Bug.—As this bug attacks the ripe fruit, we have been unable ‘to find anything to keep the trees free from it without at the same time damaging the fruit. Pear Slug —Spray with arsenate of lead (2 lb. to 50 gallons of water). Where the slug is found to be very destructive to the foliage, it is advisable +o disturb the soil round the trunks of the trees, or apply lime so as to destroy the cocoons in the ground. Brown Rot.—For brown rot spray with Bordeaux mixture or lime-sulphur (winter strength) when the buds are swelling, and again with Berdeaux mixture (summer strength) when the fruit has set. | Shot-hole Fungus.—This disease attacks the leaves, showing first as brown dots and later as small, round, dry patches, which fall out leaving a round hole. Spraying with Bordeaux mixture or lime-sulphur in the winter is recommended, Gumming.—Gumming may result from either excess of, or want of, water in the soil; also from intense heat or heavy pruning. It is therefore not in itself considered a disease, but rather an indication of conditions unfavourable tothe thrifty growth ofthetree. The presence of gum is usually the beginning ~ of the end, but some check may be given by opening the bark in the spring, inserting the blade of the knife lightly under it and making the incision frem the base to where the first limbs branch out. “* Wi you kindly forward me your book on the cultivation of maize. As I go about I see better crops than J can raise and I am anxious to discover the reason.” The foregoing reachéd the Department in a recent mail—surely the spirit of the New Agriculture ! 280 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. Notes on the Dicky Rice Weevil (Prosayleus phytolymus Olliff). L. GALLARD, Fruit Inspector. Dicky Ricrt Weevil (Prosayleus phytolymus) has been a serious pest in our orchards and nurseries for the last fifteen years, but so far it has baffled allattempts to finditslarve. As the weevil, although only about one-twelfth the size, is very much like Leptops hopei in form and habits (see ‘“ Notes on the Apple Root Weevil,” by W. W. Froggatt, F.L.S., in the January Gazette), the idea occurred to me that probably the larve would also be similar. On 30th October, 1919, Mr. F. Spurway, of Ermington, gave me permission to search for larve in an old discarded bed in his nursery. I[ tried digging round the young trees and examining the soil carefully, but failed to find any larve. However, I collected a number of adult weevils and took them home. These I put away in a tube in which I had placed some soil, to try and get them to lay eggs, with the hope of securing the larve in that way. After about four days they laid quite a number of eggs on the side of the tube under the soil. The eggs were cylindrical and slightly oval in shape, and of a darkish- amber colour. They were so small that it was almost impossible to discern them with the naked eye in the free soil, but as most of them were laid on the side of the tube, they adhered to the glass, and it was possible to detect them easily. On lst December two young larve could be seen crawling about the tube. They were small, white, hairy, legless grubs about 1 mm. in length. Although void of legs they could move along freely by means of their mouths and muscular contractions, aided by a sucker-like anal appendage. After they had grown a little I compared them with a full-fed larva which I had found at the same place in September, 1919, and which I thought at that time was a dickyrice. This had a row of reddish bristles, forming a round crown, on the dorsal surface of the anal segment. which proved a very marked characteristic. When very small I could not notice this on the larve hatched from the eggs, but as they grew it became apparent, under the microscope, that some of the hairs were turned backward on that particular segment. On 9th December I collected over 100 adult weevils off some young trees ; they were at that time eating the leaves vigorously and pairing freely. These yielded another lot of eggs from which more larve were bred. On 14th December I took more larve out of the original tube. These were larger, and the hairy crown on the anal segment referred to above could be more easily observed. On 2nd January, 1920, I decided to try the soil again for larvae and to go deeper for them. I dug up some stocks, and then dug down immediately April 3, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 281 under where I had taken them from. At about 9 inches deep I found one supa, and from that to a foot deep, I got ten pupeand eight larve. These lat'vee were full-fed, and they showed the hairy crown distinctly, like the one procured in September. Some of the pup were well developed, and showed the complete form of the adult, but the elytra were soft, and the markings faint. One, however, had matured sufficiently to enable him to walk about. freely. I put some of these away and allowed them to develop. On 27th January another search resulted in six more larve being secured, and four more pupe. One of these pupz could move its legs about freely. Although some of these pups had now assumed the adult form and were able Roots of young Apple Trees damaged by Dicky Rice (Prosayleus phytolymus). to move about in the soil, their appearance suggested that they would not emerge until the end of February. It appears to be one of the laws of nature that these insects (which live chiefly on young shoots and foliage), should emerge in conjunction with the starting of the two main growths in the year, viz., the spring and the February growth. They attack the young shoots, and in many cases eat the crown right out, and in others so damage the young shoot that its growth is stunted and deformed. The young tender leaves. are eaten half away, all round the edges, and the outer surface is chafed in patches almost all over the leaf. The older leaves when attacked, are eaten all round the edges, leaving them irregular and scalloped. The young fruit is also attacked, and the outer surface nibbled off in irregular patches and’ 282 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. ‘lines. These develep into brown, rusty looking disfigurements that some- times make the fruit almost unsaleable, though it is not damaged at all internally. Young trees which have been eaten badly never make much => Foliage of Apple Tree damaged by Dicky Rice (Prosayleus phytolymus). -rowth, and will often stand in the nursery for two years without making more than a foot of young wood. This used to puzzle us at one time, but now that we know that the larve are damaging the roots we are better able to April 3, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 283 — =: \ \ We \\\\ WN NN ai, \\ > Life History of the Dicky Rice Weevil (Prosayleus phytolymus). 1. Larva of weevil. 2. Spined process on tip of abdomen of larva. 3. Tip of abdomen. 4, Pupa. 5. Dorsal view of perfect beetle. 6. Side view of same. 7. Eggs. 8 and 9, Fore-legs of male and female beetles. 284 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ April 3, 1920. understand it. After washing the roots of the plants I dug up I could notice the cha°ng on the bark, and in many cases could follow the distinct corrugations along the roots caused by the nibbling of the well-developed larve. .In this respect these larve are almost identical with the apple root borer, but as they are so small it is much more difficult to detect their work. There are evidently two broods in the year, and the months in which emer- gence chiefly takes place seem to be October and November for the first, and February and March for the second. ‘hese dates may vary a little according to the season, but anyone wishing to operate should watch for the very first appearance of the adults, and then start immediately. Mr. Spurway, to whom we are greatly indebted for his hearty co-operation by permission to dig up young plants where necessary, has adopted a very good plan to keep his young stuff free from this pest. He has secured a large area of land, which enables him to keep on shifting his beds as the weevils appear in any quantity, and at present he has one of the finest plots of young citrus trees I have seen for a good while, almost free from any trace of dicky rice. Now that we have located the habitat and have learned more about the habits of the larve I have recommended that he surround the discarded beds with low wire-netting, and place two or three clutches of chickens in each during the emerging periods, leaving a few low plants in each area to attract the weevils. Where there is other nursery work going on close by it will be necessary to enclose the hens in coops, and the coops should then be placed close to some of the young plants, to enable the mothers to teach the chicks to scratch for the pupe, as well as to eat the adult weevils when they emerge. During my investigation I visited two citrus orchards in a district that used to be very badly infected a few years ago. I examined the trees but could only find a few isolated specimens. In both cases I noticed these plots had been enclosed and used as poultry runs, and then it occurred to me that, perhaps, the fowls had learned more about the habits of the dicky rice than we had, and that they had made good use of their knowledge. Some nurserymen claim tohave made good kills with arsenate of lead sprays. I know many who claim that it is not at all satisfactory, but I feel confident that if done judiciously it would prove a good remedy. Although the pest is a serious one and can be found in almost any part of Cumberland, it is not nearly so bad here as it was fifteen years ago. Possibly this may be due to the fact that other predaceous insects have been operating freely on the weevil. In searching for the larve, I found quite a number of ‘small carab beetles and Therevid fly larve, which are both very carnivorous. This will provide material for further study, as will other modes of treatment that may suggest themselves, now we know more about the life history and habits of the weevil. April 3, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette lle Te, 285 The Sterilization of Tobacco Seed-beds by Steam. G. P. DARNELL-SMITG, D.Sc., F.1.C., F-C.S., Biologist, and C. J. TREGENNA, Tobacco Expert. THE most dreaded disease in tobacco seed-beds in New South Wales is: ‘blue mould” due to the fungus Peronospora hyoscyami. It usually makes its first appearance when the seedlings have five or six leaves, blotching these - with irregular yellow patches or giving the whole leaf a pale shade of the same colour. On turning over the leaf and examining the under side, the region of the discoloration is found to be covered with a fluff of a pale violet: tinge—hence the name “blue mould.” his fluff, when examined under the microscope, is found to consist of vast numbers of branched fungus threads, each branch bearing at its extremity a pale lemon-shaped spore. The spores are produced in countless millions and serve to spread the disease with extraordinary rapidity when once it has made its appearance. The complete life history of the fungus is not known ; but on account of the success which is claimed from the treatment of seed-beds in general by the use of steam, it was thought worth while to give the method a trial on tobacco seed-beds— more particularly as it has been tried for similar purposes in America. The apparatus used by the writers was made to a specification drawn up by Mr. A. Brooks, Works Overseer, its main details being taken from an American publication. Design of the Steaming Apparatus. The apparatus consisted of a heavy frame of wood 12 feet by 6 feet. The: outer framework was of 4 inch x 2 inch spotted gum and it was cover+d on one side only with {-inch tongued and grooved beech boards. Nailed to the inside of the frame was a 6 inch x 3 inch blade of spotted gurn, bevelled on the lower edge. All joints were made steam-tight, and when earth was banked over this blade the whole apparatus was steam-tight. Fixed through the frame at about 12 inches from each corner were 3 inch x 2 inch ring bolts, with nuts and washers on the lower ends. Stout poles passed into these enabled four men to shift the frame from place to place when necessary. In the centre of one end of the frame, fixed with back-nuts and gaskets, was a #-inch steam connection about 7 inches long and projecting on the outer end sufficiently to connect with the steam hose union. Its Application. To make effective use of this apparatus one requires an engine capable of maintaining a pressure of 70 lb. per square inch ; such engines are possessed by many tobacco growers, being used for purposes of irrigation. The remaining requirements are a cock for regulating the steam, several lengths of steam pipe, and about 25 feet of steam hose ?-inch diameter, The piping [April 3, 1920. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 286 - ‘L0G SUIWee}s 10; posn otIBIgG JO Ue v JO STItIeg $1 alvos Proce Wie atm GTS AUNLINDINOw 40 ja3q AdibweaLg yo I te oe sae Sa ee NOlLDSNNOD JO TIPLSG Savuisg NB'Id L108 vow, 379Nb NON] dOOH O'S) ¥ 5 April 3, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 287 having been connected to the engine and the frame placed over the seed-bed_, the steam is turned on and allowed to pass into the frame for half an hour. The frame is then lifted to another portion of the seed-bed and placed so that one edge overlaps the portion of the ground previously treated, and the operation of steaming is repeated. As the frame is shifted to each new patch. the portion from which it has been removed is covered with hessian so that it may retain its heat as long as possible, and the whole operation is repeated. until a sufficient area for the purposes of the grower has been dealt with. In our experiments it was found that after about a quarter of an hour the- frame began to lift slightly and there was a tendency for some of the steam. to escape at the sides. This was easily overcome by putting two heavy logs on the top of the frame and shovelling earth around the edges so as to bank them up. The heat given out by the steam penetrates very deeply into the earth, and by use of the hessian the heat is retained for a considerable time. In one experiment, before commencing, three potatoes were placed 3 inches,. 4 inches, and 6 inches below the surface of the ground. When the frame was removed after half-an-hour’s steaming, the two potatoes nearest the surface were completely cooked, and the deeper one nearly so, It is hardly likely that any fungus spores would survive a temperature capable of producing this result. Effect of the Treatment. The beds were sown a few days after the steaming operation had been completed ; the subsequent growth of the seedlings was good. The out- standing feature of the treated beds was their absolute freedom from every kind of weed. The very tedious operation of weeding tobacco seed-beds— one which must be performed over and over again—is thus entirely elim- inated. On the major portion of the treated beds the plants were strong and healthy ; on one small spot, however, the seedlings failed to grow. The reason for this is not obvious, but we hazard the conjecture that it was due to want of sufficient water, for it has been found that steamed soil requires a larger amount of water than unsteamed. Tt is reasonable to suppose that soil steamed as described is sterile, but plants grown upon it enjoy no immunity if an infectious disease breaks out in their vicinity. As a matter of fact, ‘blue mould ” did break out in some tobacco seed-beds not far removed from the treated beds, and a few days, afterwards the plants here also became affected. As already pointed out, the spores of “biue mould” are produced in countless millions and are likely, therefore, to be carried from one place to another by the wind or by workmen, on their person or on their implements. Conclusions. In agriculture it is not permissible to draw definite conclusions from: one season’s results, but our inferences from this year’s experiment are as follows :— 1. Steam sterilization may easily be practised by those who have the necessary power to maintain steam at a pressure of 70 lb. per square inch. 288 sdudoicctieai Gazette chee SW. ee 3, 1920. 2. The treated beds are entirely free from w bigsripe and presumably from fungus spores. 3. The operation is a lengthy one, but the subsequent freedom from weeds is a consideration. 4. No absolute immunity from “ blue mould” can be expected unless the whole of the seed-beds and those on adjacent lands are treated, and unless workmen from infected areas are prevented from visiting the beds. ‘LEADED BORDEAUX” SPRAY: AN ANALYSIS. AN analysis of Leaded Bordeaux shows the following composition : — Per cent. Lead oxide ... Ka cen Bek Ha ad i. ne 38°47 Arsenic acid .. hie ints =. wil aa saa as 15°95 Lime .. of 17°31 Copper (4° 32), ‘expressed ai as ery stallised copper sulphate oh 16°96 Carbonic acid ae 2°05 Oxides of iron and aluminium _ ... ae att nO 6 1:26 Not determined _... 3 i. sok ¥ ses a 8°00 100-00 The lead arsenate present probably exists in combination as 30°67 triplumbic arsenate with 24°37 diplumbic arsenate ; or, expressed in another way, 55°72 per cent. of the lead arsenate present exists as triplumbic arsenate and 44:28 per cent. as diplumbic arsenate. The preparation therefore consists essentially of 55 per cent. of lead arsenate, 16°96 per cent. crystallised copper sulphate, and 147 per cent. of lime, excluding what is present as carbonate and useless for the preparation of Bordeaux mixture. According to the formula for preparing Bordeaux mixture recommended by this Department in Farmers’ Bulletin No. 72, page 31, namely, 6 lb. bluestone with 4 lb. lime, the above amount of bluestone (16°96) should require 11°3 lb. lime, whereas 14:7 is present. This slight excess of lime may possibly be introduced to compensate for any change in the lime from oxide or hydroxide to carbonate. According to instructions issued with the preparation, 2, 3 or 4 lb. should be used to each 50 gallons of water ; 32°7 oz. of Leaded Bordeaux would contain 18 oz. of lead arsenate (which is the strength for lead arsenate spraying recommended by the Department). This amount (32:7 oz.) of the preparation would at the same time contain 5:55 oz. bluestone, the equivalent of which would be contained in 50 gallons spray. The Departmental Bordeaux mixture, 6—4-50, would contain the equivalent of 96 oz. bluestone per 50 gallons, so that the Bordeaux produced by the preparation under notice would be in this case about 17 times too weak. If 4 lb. Leaded Bordeaux be used per 50 gallons, the strength of the lead arsenate would be twice that recommended by. this Department, and the strength of the Bordeaux would be about 81 times too weak.—A. A. Ramsay, Principal Assistant Chemist. April 3, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 289 The Rice Bean (Phaseolus calearatus) ' or so-called Jerusalem Pea (P. trinervis). A. H. HAYWOOD, Manager, Wollongbar Experiment Farm. ATTENTION was directed to the Jerusalem pea by the work of W. Fawcett on ‘ The Banana, its Cultivation and Distribution,” in which its use as a green mulch in banana plantations was strongly recommended. In 1916 I obtained, through the courtesy of Mr. Edwin Cheel, of the Botanic Gardens, Sydney, a dozen seeds of the rice bean (which is identical with the The Rice Bean (Phaseolus calcaratus) in a Banana Plantation. The density of the growth is worth noting. Jerusalem pea) and planted them at Wollongbar Experiment Farm in December of that year. The first crop of seed from these was destroyed by field mice, but a second crop was produced the following November, and this provided seed enough for further trials and distribution. A Richmond River banana grower to whom seed was sent, reported on it as follows :— “T planted the rice bean seed in rows, between bananas, in virgin, rocky ground, at the same time as the suckers last Jahuary. The vines quickly ~ 290 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920.. covered the space between the rows, and grew toa height of 2 feet. The crop produced a large quantity of seed by April, and was again flowering in. December. - Where the beans were sown no chipping whatever was required from the time of planting, whereas the chipping of weeds on the other- untreated portions of the plantation cost £5 per acre.” Whilst this legume chokes down objectionable weed growth, its presence- means the constant enrichment of the soil by the accumulation of nitrogen: and by the formation of humus. The only obvious objection to this green. mulch system lies in the fact that the banana plants are to some extent robbed of moisture. The loss, however, is not as great as it at first appears, as the- dense quantity of falling dead leaves completely covers the surface soil, and so conserves moisture. The alternative crop of weeds would take up far more: moisture than the legume, would add nothing to the soil, and would cost money to get rid of. Unlike other legumes generally recommended for green mulching, the rice- bean vines are easily kept within bounds, and last longer; hence they serve: as a more permanent mulch. On the North Coast, where torrential rains: prevail every year, a lot of surface soil may be saved by the use of this valuable: leoume. Following is an extract concerning the crop from “‘ The Peas and Beans of Commerce,” an article which appeared in the Bulletin of the Imperial Institute, Vol. xv, No. 4, October-December, 1917. The characteristics described, it may be remarked, tally exactly with those observed during the: crop’s growth at Wollongbar, where the seeds produced were maroon in colour when matured :— The rice bean (Phaseolus calcaratus Roxb.) is found wild in India, and is alse. cultivated throughout the tropical zone from the Himalayas to Ceylon, and toa limited extent in Japan, China, Mauritius, Java, and the Philippines. It may be grown at a. higher elevation than most other pulses, being found at an elevation of 6,500 feet in the North-west Province, and of 5,000 feet in the Khasia Hills. The plant is an erect or sub-erect annual, from 1 foot to 2 feet 6 inches high, with. twining branches several feet in length furnished with trifoliate leaves resembling those of the dwarf French bean. The young vegetative parts are clothed with short, fine white- hairs that are deciduous. The flowers are yellow, produced in short racemes comprised -of from five to twenty flowers; the pods are slender, nearly cylindrical, .3 to 4 inches long, curved, with a pointed tip, and each pod contains from eight to twelve seeds. According to the variety and state of maturity, the seeds vary in colour from straw- yellow to greenish-yellow, brown, maroon, or black. The prominent white hilum raised above the surface and crinkled at the margin readily distinguishes this species from the other small seeded kinds. After three years’ careful tests and observation, I can strongly endorse: the recommendation by Barclay (W. Fawcett) of the rice bean as a greem mulch. The recommendation applies particularly to North Coast’ banana growers who have (or intend to establish) plantations on steep, stony ground. The beans should be sown as soon as the bananas are planted; two rows, 3 feet apart between the rows of bananas, is sufficient. In this way a small quantity of seed (about 4 Ib.) will plant an acre. April 3, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 291 Poultry Notes. APRIL. JAMES HADLINGTON, Poultry Expert, THE principal work on the commercial poultry farm for this month will be the getting together of the breeding stock. It is most desirable that this work be completed by the lst May; therefore, where new stock has to be introduced, no time should be lost in making purchases. The main portion of the work, however, is with the hens and pullets that are to be bred from ; the male birds need not be put in the pens quite so early, though it is desirable that they be in the pens by the middle of next month. Of course, it may not be possible in every case to make up all the breeding pens required so early, particularly the second-year-hens portion of the matings. Many of these might be still fairly heavy in the moult, and if they are on a good extensive run and are being kept under better conditions than would obtain in the breeding pens, it might be advisable to leave them till a little later. But it ‘does not follow that because hens have not quite completed their moult they should not be put into the breeding pens to settle down before the time when they are required for breeding from. That is a matter where the discretion of the breeder should be exercised. One of the most fatal mistakes made by poultry breeders is to leave the mating of their breeding birds until too late in the season. A Common Error. One of ‘the errors made by poultry keepers with limited experience is to accept advice whereby they are induced to make an attempt to hatch only heavy breeds at first, say during the months of June and July, and to leave the hatching of light breeds, such as Leghorns, until August and September. This practice is responsible for many thousands of late and unprofitable chickens being hatchea. The facts are that while, if a discrimination is to be made, it is, of course, better that way than the reverse, it is far preferable to have some early chickens of both breeds. Unless this is done, the light breeds will very soon deteriorate just by reason of the fact of being continually hatched too late, and the impossibility of securing well-matured stock to breed from the following year. Thus the effects of late hatchings are cumulative, to the detriment of the breed. Then again, there are but comparatively few poultry keepers who can ensure suflicient eggs of one breed (if they keep two breeds) to enable them to keep their incubators full so early in the season. This will be better understood when it is stated that the highest average egg-laying made in one year in the competitions at Hawkesbury Agricultural College was seventeen eggs per pullet for the month of June for first-year hens, and six eggs per hen for the same month in the case of second-year hens ; seeing that these are all selected hens representing the best that their owners could bring up, it is not likely that the average farm pullet or hen will come up to this record, although, as 292 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. in the competitions, individual pens will, of course, put up higher tallies. Probably the June average for birds penned for breeding purposes would be nearer eight and three respectively. However, the fact remains that the average poultry farmer finds it difficult to secure sufficient eggs from his breeding pens in June to enable him to set all that are desirable, and he has- generally to be content with what he can get. This is all the more reason why he should set all the suitabie eggs available, whether from heavy or light breeds, because whatever may be said against early hatching of light breeds one thing is certain, as many are now being brought to realise,. namely—early hatching is preferable to late hatching in any breed. Another Mistake. Another error that is creeping into the poultry industry is the idea of attempting to hatch all the chickens in the space of a month or six weeks. Such notions have followed the introduction of mammoth incubators and certain classes of brooders, and while mammoth machines have their legitimate place in the industry, in the case of the smaller farmer big” facilities for hatching often prove his undoing. It appears tempting to the- beginner, and, I fear, to many others whose experience should have taught them differently, to hatch out practically all the chickens in one or two lots. in what they consider the best month, put them through, and have done with the rearing season, instead of spreading it over double the time. The great drawbacks to this idea are, firstly, that to secure efficient working it involves. a great expenditure on brooder equipment, whieh is the most expensive item in equipping a poultry farm; and, secondly, that the attendant himself, as. well as well as the equipment, is usually unable to cope with the number of chickens to be handled in so limited a time. Nor does the troubie stop here. The whole rearing equipment for the later stages becomes congested, too many growing stock have to be put together, with the attendant con- sequences—poor development, sickness and often enormous losses, followed,. finally, by the breakdown of the farm. On the other hand, if the hatching is started as soon as eggs are obtainable in June, the eggs being set as they become available, and one incubator after another filled in consecutive order until the whole capacity is occupied,, the chickens will, of course, be hatching in the same order, be easier to handle, and can be given better conditions during the six weeks in the brooders and right through all the rearing stages. than would be possible if too large a number were brought out at once. A poultry farmer desiring to rear 1,000 chickens between. the lst June and the middle of September should be able to obtain these by the use of two 120 to 140-eggs and one 240 or 360-eggs capaeity incubators, and eight brooder units of 100-chicks capacity (day olds} thinning the number in each brooder down first to seventy-five, and then to fifty, as they progress in age and size, as previously advocated in these notes. On the other hand, if a large: number of eggs are to be put down at one time it usually means waiting until well onin July before they become available,and if good hatches are secured. the number of brooder units mentioned is inadequate to. allow of thinning. ~ April 3, 1920.] - Agricultural Gazette of NOSE: 293 out after the first three weeks. The pian advocated here allows of the first batches of chickens being pushed forward out of the way of the progressive hatchings, and a smaller brooder capacity can handle them with more facility than would be the case where too many were hatched at one time, even were eggs available—and they generally are not until some of the most valuable weeks are lost. ‘This advice will probably be regarded as “out-of-date” by people perhaps not wholly disinterested, but the tragedy of failure, and the abnormal wastage of chicken life that took place during the past rearing season (the result of “get chickens-quick” methods) is cause for sounding a note of warning. If the loss of chickens was the only result the case would be less serious, but, unfortunately, it is not. ‘The conditions that cause such great mortality result also in loss of physique and stamina in the survivors. The moral is that poultry farmers should aim at rearing only the number of chickens that can be safely put through their equipment, and should extend the hatching over a sufficient length of time (within the season, of course) to enable them to rear thrifty stock, which alone will pay, particularly in these times of high cost of feeding. This is the season of the year when all these considerations should come into focus, and when complete plans can be made that may prevent much cf the loss referred to above. SoME CAUSES OF PREMATURE STALENESS IN EGe@s. Exeracts from a correspondent’s letter, with the opinion expressed by the Poultry Expert on the issue raised :— “ My surplus of eggs is sold every Saturday to a grocer. No egg is more than seven days old when it reaches him, yet he complains that some of them are bad. . . . The nests are on the ground and in wet weather the eggs are very often muddy when gathered, and have to be soaked in cold water and the mud rubbed off when it is soft enough. . . . The eggs are placed each night in a butter box with a lid on—without packing, just piled on top of one another. While waiting to be sold at the grocer’s they are kept in an open butter box under the counter.” ‘““Eges kept for seven days after being washed would be most likely to go bad—they would certainly be stale. Again, when eggs are being washed, especially if large numbers are put into a quantity of water, many are likely to become fractured, and would deteriorate rapidly. Washing removes the natural protection from the egg and gives access to bacteria. Soiled eggs are better left unwashed until the day on which they are to be packed ; in the meantime they should be kept quite dry. “Concerning the method of storing mentioned, it must be pointed out that if the butter boxes used were in the slightest degree tainted the odour would be conveyed to the eggs. Seven days is rather a long time to keep eggs before marketing—particularly in summer time. It is conceivable that the grocer to whom those in question were sold might have kept them another week exposed to the air and perhaps draughts. In such event they would certainly not be fresh.” Cc 234 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. Orchard Notes. APRIL. W. J. ALLEN and W. le GAY BRERETON. Harvesting. In the tableland districts the harvesting of late apples and pears will still be in progress, Often when the market is not good, these are not rushed away, but kept either in ordinary or cool storage. Those intending to operate in this way should keep in mind that care in picking and the subsequent handling of fruit are big factors in its keeping qualities, and, as has been pointed out more than once of late in these notes, the fruit should only be picked while it is cool and then kept as cool as possible. The stems should not be broken out of the fruit when picking, for when this is done the flesh of the fruit is exposed, and decay is likely to set in earlier than if the stalk is kept intact. If for any reason picking during the warmer part of the day is unavoidable, the fruit should be exposed to the cool air of the night before being cased up. Green Manuring and Cultivation. In districts where the rainfall is usually sufficient to permit this practice, crops for ploughing under later can still be sown this month, but as a rule it is better-to get them in earlier. In districts where the rainfall is limited, it is a good practice to plough early in the autumn so that all the rain that falls heey een the time of ploughing and the spring is stored for the trees oe the following season. Planting. In the coastal districts where the autumn is mild and frost is not likely to occur, planting of citrus trees can be continued this month, provided the soil is in moist enough condition. Care should be taken that the roots are not exposed and allowed to dry during transplanting from nursery to orchard. If dry weather sets in after planting it may be necessary to water newly- planted trees. Orders should now be lodged with nurserymen for deciduous trees required for planting this winter. If anything has hitherto prevented the ploughing and subsoiling of land intended for planting this season, it should be done as soon as possible. The advantage of having this done some months before planting is that any rains that fall during the interval are absorbed and retained for the trees, and one can make more certain of the soil being in right condition for planting when that season arrives. More- over, the soil is sweetened, and stiff soils are more effectively and cheaply brought into crumbly condition by the weather than can be done by any implement. Where any refills are to be made in the orchard, a large hole should be excavated where the tree is to stand and filled with fresh soil ; this gives the new tree a better chance to make fair headway. If manure is also used, it should be well mixed with the soil. It must be remembered = April 3, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N. S.W. 295 that a “ refill” amongst old established trees has an unequal chance against the older trees, and it therefore requires special attention at planting and for several seasons afterwards, to enable it to make satisfactory headway. Liming and Manuring. The autumn is a good time to carry out limiug. If quicklime is used it should be distributed in heaps over the land and covered with soil. When the lime is slaked it should be spread evenly over the surface and cultivated in. If crushed quicklime is ysed, it can be spread direct and cultivated in. A bulletin on liming, which deals fully with this subject and explains the action of various forms of lime, can be obtained on application to the Under Secretary and Director, Department of Agriculture, Sydney. Growers would be wise to study this publication before purchasing any form of lime. This is also a good time, provided the soil is not too wet, to cart out and spread amongst the trees any farmyard manure that has accumulated ; this will then be ploughed under in the regular ploughing of the orchard. These remarks also apply to the application of fresh soil or bush scrapings. Citrus Scale. Provided the trees are,in strong enough condition it is net too late to fumigate to rid them of red, brown olive, or wax scale or of white lice, In fact one of the advantages fumigation has over spraying is that it can be left until the eggs have completed hatching, without danger of those that have hatched earlier becoming too old to kill. ENERGY AND ITs RELATION TO THE LIFE OF BEES. TuHE answer to the question ‘‘ What is the average life of the worker bee?” is of great importance to the apiarist, for when the conditions that govern the period of existence are understood something might be done toward making it (at a desired time) considerably longer. The length of life of the worker bees is governed by the energy they put into their work, For instance, during a honey flow, when the condition of the colony is normal, with young bees hatching freely, the bees put so much energy into their work that they become quite aged and usually succumb in six or seven weeks. Again, if any abnormal condition (such as the loss of the queen): takes place, then to some extent the bees will reserve their energy so that their lengthened life will give the colony a chance to recover. The period at which this conservation of energy is most desirable is during the winter, and it is at this season that the apiarist himself may help. If wintered in a good hive with ample stores under favourable conditions, the young bees of a populous colony will come into spring with comparatively undiminished energy, So great is their power at this period of conserving their vitality. The case of a colony in a low-class hive, which has excessive space or insufficient stores, or which allows a draught through the cluster, is very ditferert ; the draughty state of the hive necessitates considerable activity on the part of the bees in order that the temperature may be maintained, and the extra energy proportionally shortens their lives. Insufficient stores, on the other hand, cause the bees to economise and so to lower their vitality —W. A. Goopacre, Senior Apiary Inspector. 296 | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 8, 1920. Agricultural Bureau of New South Wales. Its Usefulness to Primary Producers. THe war, the influenza and the drought have greatly reduced the activity of the Bureau throughout the State. But the war is over, repatriation is practically completed, and the prospects of more prosperous days appear. Old conditions no longer prevail—perhaps never wi!l—and a vigorous pro- gramme of putting more men on the land, and of inviting agricultural immigration is in full swing. While awaiting repatriation many young farmers have had invaluable, insight into the principles of co-operative buying and selling, the management of stud farms, and the working of intensive cultivation areas. On the other hand, many of the men who are obeying the advice “ Go on the land, young man,” have done so without experience of actual farming. The problem of to-day is greater production, and the development of the means of primary production is the aim of this Department, and the definite object of every one of its officers. The Department is anxious to provide a much more vigorous and extensive organisation of the Bureau than in the past, with a view to bringing these increasing intevests together. No locality should be without its branch in days like these. Branches of the Bureau should aim at—- 1. Increasing the number of Farmers’ Experiment Plots. 2. Encouraging community spirit and enterprise, with a view to the development of rural industries. 3. Promoting a feeling of confidence .and co-operation between the Department and producers, so that correct data of all branches of production may be quickly gathered and as quickly disseminated. 4. Becoming centres of agricultural intelligence at which old hands may freely and quickly learn the methods and appliances that the returned men have seen successfully used elsewhere, and at which new settlers may expect to profit by the experience of older farmers in the district. Establishing systems of co-operation that will allow of wholesale buying of raw materials, reduction of freights and commissions, the establishment of control grades, standards for packing, &ec., and that will also control distribution, supply, capital and labour, and gene- rally simplify the supply of the farmer’s innumerable requirements. To assist the development of the Bureav, the Department has appointed Mr. C. C, Crane, B.A., to the position of Organising Inspector of the Bureau. Mr. Crane made a special study of agricultural organisation and development in Great Britain under the auspices of the A.I.F. Educational Service. Or April 3, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 297 Suggested Subjects for Bureau Meetings. It sometimes happens that, owing to some inadvertence, members of branches meet without having any particular subject before them. In such a case, one of the following paragraphs may provoke a useful discussion :— What quantity of seed is sown for wheat, oats and barley in your district ? What differences do you make in quantity of seed as between one variety and another, and as between early and late sowings? Under your special con- ditions, do you find it advisable to give a heavy sowing or a light one, remembering, of course, that a heavy sowing in one district is a different matter from a heavy sowing in another district ? Do you practise selection of seed maize in the field? If so, what characters do you select for, and what advantages have you observed attend the practice ? Have you tried ploughing the orchard immediately after the removal of the fruit? The ground is hard and breaks up lumpy, but some growers have fount that it retains the winter rains better and that the extra cost for plough- shares is fully covered by the extra moisture conserved. Do you think this would apply wnder your conditions ¢ Have you tried fumigating citrus as against spraying for scale insects? If so, which did you find the more effective and the cheaper ? Which do you prefer—to run the herd bull with the cows or to paddock him separately? If the bull is run with the cows, how do you regulate the flow of milk to the season? It is generally considered that ihe spread of disease is limited by paddocking the bull; have you had any experience that supports that view ? REPORTS AND NOTICES FROM BRANCHES. NOTE.—While gladly publishing in these columns the views of members of the various Branches of the Agricultural Bureau, it is pointed out that the Department does not necessarily endorse the opinions expressed. Bimbaya. At a meeting held on 23rd February, the subject set down for discussion was “The work of the Bureau and how best to extend its sphere of useful- ness.” The subject was keenly discussed, the majority of members taking part. Members were generally agreed that the branch bad done much good work and had fully justified its existence. The Lending Library was a splendid thing, and the majority of the members made use of it as a means of extending their knowledge. By bringing road requirements, &c., under the notice of the shire councils much useful work was being done. Besides forwarding weed and insect pests to the Department for identification, the branch attended to the acclimatisation of fish in local streams, and did all in its power otherwise to assist its members. One speaker stated that the knowledge he had gained from the Bureau in connection with the remedies for the cure of scours, &c., in calves satisfied him as to the value of the institution, and every farmer in the district should be an active member. It was thought that if the branch could impress upon its members the necessity for regular attendance at meetings, much more good work might 298 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. be done, Each individual member could assist in some way, and if all did so the Bureau would eventually become an institution of which its members might be proud. The subject chosen for discussion at next meeting is “Should the average . number of live stock on the farm be increased or decreased, and why ?” Coraki. A well attended meeting of this branch was held on 21st January. The principal matter under discussion was the preparation of the exhibit for the annual show which is to be held in May. It is anticipated that the exhibit will be a record one, Great enthusiasm was shown by members to this end. Cordeaux-Goondarin. A meeting of this branch was held on 29th January, when ten members were present, After the general business of the evening had been dealt with, the apple trophy at Wollongong show and the question of sugar supplies for jam making were discussed. The usual monthly meeting of the members was held on 26th February. The attendance numbered eighteen. The branch staged the usual apple trophy at the Wollongong show early in March ; the exhibit received much favourable comment. The trophy is on the same principle as that at the Sydney Royal Show, consisting of about thirty cases, and comprising some twenty-tive varieties. Some twenty growers contributed fruit. The fruit was afterwards disposed of at good prices. Cotta Walla. : This branch held the usual monthly meéting on 2nd February ; eleven members were present. Mr. T, J. Kennedy read a very helpful paper entitled “ How to fill in your State Income Tax Return.” Preliminary arrangements were made for staging the non-competitive exhibits at local shows. Dural, Considerable activity is being shown by this branch. At the last meeting held on 20th February, twelve new members were enrolled. A discussion took place on the questions asked in the February issue of the Gazette, and it was agreed that early sowing is preferable, especially for Grey field peas, which are planted as early as February, and that Grey field peas give the biggest yield of greenstuff if sown early. ! Glenorie. A meeting of this branch was held on 31st January, when nine new members were enrolled. The Vice-chairman, Mr. E. King, gave a report on the motor trip to the Hawkesbury Agricultural College. ‘lwenty-eight of the members, together with their wives, visited the College, and after lunch visited the orchard in company with Principal H. W. Potts, who explained the different varieties of fruit trees and their growth. The party then divided into two sections. One half—the members interested in poultry—were taken in charge by Mr. Lawrence, who showed them the competition pens, College stock, incubation and brooding houses, and gave them a good idea of the way “we April 3, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 299 young stock were handled, and any other information required. The feed room was also visited and feeding and mixing processes discussed. The remainder of the party, under the guidance of the Principal, visited the piggeries, and finally the cattle sections, where a good view of the cattle and of milking by machines was afforded. Afternoon tea marked the conclusion of a very interesting and instructive day. A vote of thanks was accorded the Principal and Mr. Lawrence. Kellyville. A meeting was held on 6th March when four new members were elected. It was stated that the branch won the first prize, £3 3s., at the Castle Hill show. The exhibit was afterwards sold at auction and realised £8 8s. 6d., Which sum was donated to the Parramatta District Hospital. Inverell. The annual meeting of the branch was held on 5th March, Mr. C, Lenthal presiding. The secretary’s report showed that the year had been one of useful activity, valuable lectures, papers, and demonstrations having been given. The balance-sheet disclosed a debit of £1 7s. 9d., which would be covered when the subsidy was paid. The election of officers resulted thus :— Chairman, Mr. C. Ditzell; Vice-chairmen, Messrs. C. Lenthal and W. R. Fry; Hon. Secretary, and Treasurer, Mr. W. Kook; Auditor, Mr. T. Knapton. ; Lidcombe. At the monthly meeting held on 9th February, Mr. Finch gave a short lecture on the arrangement and judging of flowers, explaining the different points taken into consideration by the judge. There was a good display of flowers for the monthly competition, and by using them for illustration Mr. Finch was able to point out many mistakes which, once corrected, are rarely repeated. A hearty vote of thanks was passed by acclamation. Lower Portland. At the meeting of members on 3rd February, a paper on pruning was read by Mr. G. M. Blundell. The paper was much appreciated by those present as setting forth practical experience, and it provoked a useful discussion. ; March. A meeting ofthis branch was held on 16th February. During the evening a paper on simple tests for soils and also dealing with necessary plant foods was réad- by the secretary, Mr. R. Parker. The following extracts are taken from it. NeEcEssARY Prant Foops. There are thirteen essential elements of plant food, and, of these, three —nitrogen, phosphorus and potash—are often deficient. Water supplies oxygen and hydrogen, while carbon comes from the air. Nitrogen is the most important element, and this the farmer can add to his soil by supplying humus. It comprises part of all green and woody parts of plants. If in- sufficient nitrogen is present, provided the water is sufficient, plants tend to be dwarfed and to lack vitality, while. too much nitrogen (the water content being the same) is shown by excessive growth—note any old sheep camps. Hence all crops that are pro- duced for their leaves—as cabbage, lettuce, spinach, rape, &c.—require a lot of nitrogen, but in the case of turnips, beatis, peas and other legumes, too much nitrogen produces leaves and stalks at the expense of roots or fruits. S : 300 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920, Humus adds nitrogen to the soil. Humus is insoluble, but in the soil it is acted upon y certain bacteria, which make it available as a plant food. The air consists of about four-fifths nitrogen, but this is not available to most plants. Certain of them, legumes (beans, peas, clover, &c.) have the power of drawing the nitrogen from the air, and storing it in root nodules—hence the value of leguminous crops. The crops can be fed off, and then ploughed in, the ground being enriched both by the manure and by the nitrogen on these nodules. Nitrogenous manures must not be applied to leguminous crops. Phosphorus does not occur in nature in the free state, but usually in the form of phosphates. Phosphoric acid is next in importance: to nitrogen, and is contained in all soils, though in variable quantities ; it forms the stiffening matter in the stalks of plants, such as cereals, and is necessary to produce strength and vigour in young plants. When humus decays it makes phosphoric acid available, hence deficiency in humus means less phosphoric acid. Bones and phosphatic rocks (among the chief sources of phosphor‘c acil) are not soluble in water, and they are chemically treated to change the various phosphates into superphosphate, sulphide super, and Thomas’ phosphate. Other sources of phosphatic manures are guanos, or manures of birds, which are found on the islands in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Potash is the most important mineral plant food, and is necessary to procuce wocdy tissues and starch. It is specially beneficial to fruit plants, root crops and potatoes. Like phosphoric acid, potash becomes available through the decay of humus. Moreover, farmyard manures contain potash in soluble form, and wood ashes also supply it, though in comparatively small quantities. This is the reason why new lands which have been cleared by burning off respond so well to potatoes, as the potash the tree absorbed from the soil remains in the ashes. Certain soils (wet and boggy soils, for example) are wanting in certain materials necessary to plant life, being sour or acid, In many cases this is noticeable by the reeds, sedges, &c., that flourish to the exclusion of all else. The usual test for acidity in soils is blue litmus paper. If acid, the litmus turns red. As there are other factors which also act on litmus in the same way, this is not always a reliable test. Even cultivated soils nearly always possess an acid reaction. The remedy in such cases is drainage with the application of lime, say 1 ton per acre, or 8 oz. per square yard. Some growers apply as much as 3 tons per acre. DrePARTMENTAL Note.—The Chemist points out that the paper does not refer to lime —an important requirement of soils, which has often to be artificially supplied. Middle Dural. At a meeting of this branch on 20th February, the questions asked in the January Agricultural Gazette were discussed. As to the topping of maize, members considered it worth doing; it decidedly improved the size of the cob and grain, and it provided green fodder for stock. The best time to top was just after the flower or tassell had‘ become dry. For green manuring, barley and green peas were regarded as about the best, the legumes being well sown with the cereal. If sown early they got the winter rains and did not rob the trees of moisture. The best way to deal with peach tip moth, it was stated, was to pinch off the tips as soon as they wilted, as at that time the grubs would be about half grown and would be easily destroyed, and the tree would shoot again quickly. The tips should not be left until quite dead as the grub would then have escaped. Bandaging had not been tried, as it involved more work. DEPARTMENTAL Note.—The Chief Inspector remarks that his experience is that the yield of maize is reduced by topping when done early enough to yield tops of good feeding value. If done later so as not to affect the yield, the operation has not been warranted on account of the cost and the smaller amount of fodder of lower feeding value obtained. The Government Entomologist remarks that if everyone pinched the tips infested with peach tip moth as soon as they showed signs of wilting, it would be all right, but very few do this and when the tips are dead it is too late. Attention to the young shoots with bandaging will certainly much reduce the damage to the peaches the pest do later on. April 3, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 301 Milbrulong, The monthly meeting was held on 2nd February, when forty-two members attended. The membership fee was raised to 2s. 6d. to provide a fund for the purchase of library books. At the close of the usual business an interesting lecture was given by Mr. G. C. Sparks, Inspector of Agriculture, his subject being “ Dry Farming.” The lecture was most instructive and at its close many questions were asked, and answered to the entire Satisfaction of all present. On the following day Mr. Sparks inspected the area of ground provided by Messrs. Lynch Bros. for the purpose of conducting grass plots. Springside, Respecting a parcel of seed wheat of different varieties sent for trial some months ago, the secretary reports that Bomen and Yandilla King proved the best for grain, but as this is not a wheat-growing district in the ordinary sense further trials are not contemplated in this direction. Cleve- land is suitable for both hay and grain and is therefore a good all-round wheat for the district. Zealand is the best hay wheat for local conditions, but Major is very unsuitable though an average grain yielder. The manure tests with 100 lb. and 50 lb. superphosphate per acre showed little difference, the rainfall being insufficient. Both plots, however, showed a better body of hay than there was where no manure was used. St. John’s Park. Mr. Laffer, Viticultural Expert, visited this district on 26th February, and gave a budding and grafting demonstration in the afternoon, and a lecture at night, both of which were much appreciated. Arrangements have been made for Mr. C. Pedersen to lecture at St. John’s Park on dairying at an early date. Tingha. The usual monthly meeting was held on 6th March, fifteen members being ‘present. The branch’s coming exhibition was discussed. The decision was arrived at not to support the Kellyville branch in protesting against the proposed orchard tax. A programme was arranged for the next six moaths, several members promising to read papers on various subjects. Windsor. A lantern lecture was delivered to the members of this branch by Mr. H. G. Smith, Apiarist at Hawkesbury Agricultural College, on 10th February. About forty members and visitors were present. The subjects chiefly dealt with were: Modern methods of apiculture, hives and their construction, handling of colonies, swarming, selection of breeding stock, production and marketing of honey and beeswax, and diseases—brood and adult. A keen interest was displayed throughout, and at the close of the lecture a number of questions were asked and methods of introducing queens were discussed at some length. The annual meeting was held on 5th March, when the report showed that the year had been one of useful work. A cash balance of £12 17s. 5d. was reported, The election of officers resulted thus :—Chairman, Mr. C. W. D 302 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. Farlow ; Vice-chairmen, Messrs. C. A. Jeffreys, G. Davis, J. W. Mitchell and A. C. Hannabus; Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. W. H. Spinks ; Auditors, Messrs. A. J. Berkleman and W. J. Ross. A number of subjects were discussed, including that of co-operative disposal of produce. In this connection arrangements were made to supply the Kenthurst branch of the National Utility Poultry Breeders’ Association with maize, and to divide the profits of the commission agents between producers and consumers. W oonona. The usual monthly meeting of the members of this branch was held on 10th February, a good number of members being present. Six new members were enrolled. The 17th April was fixed for the flower show. Mr. Eastman read a paper on green manuring, which provoked a lengthy and useful discussion. A summary follows :— ; GREEN MANURING. Green manure is very valuable for orchards and for vegetable growing, leguminous crops being the best to enrich the soil. Cowpeas, tares or vetches and beans are about the best for the purpose; these have on their roots nodules or excrescences— white bunchy growths, which are formed and inhabited by colonies of bacteria. Some people when they pull up a bean or pea and see the white bunches on the roots think they are some disease, but without these nodules the crop would not be a success, These bacteria apparently live on the nitrogen of the air that permeates the soil, con- verting it into such a form that the plant can absorb it into its system. It is now an undisputed fact that when a plant has plenty of these nodules on its roots it thrives best. It is sometimes found that the nitrogen-gathering bacteria are not present in sufficient quantity to fertilise a crop the first time. Some people say ‘‘ My garden won’t grow peas or beans, but just up the street they grow fine. Whatis the reason?” Well, in such cases if the first man were to get a load of soil from where legumes thrive and spread it about, he would introduce the nitrogen-gathering bacteria into the soil, and in most cases would not have any trouble in growing peas or beans afterwards. A quaint custom was once in vogue in France, It used to be said that a crop of clover would not grow unless it was blessed by the priest, but to prevent bothering him every time they wanted to sow, they used to get a load of soil from where it had been blessed, and spread it over the field for a blessing. Thus they were practising soil inoculation without knowing it. Some people think that green manuring is all right for a large farm, but it cannot be of much use in a garden; but that is a mistake, as there are not many gardens that have not got some part of it lying idle for two or three months from now on, and such spots could be planted any time now, as the crops come off, until April. It is not necessary for the legume to mature before turning it in, if the land is required for cropping, although the best results are obtained if it can. The value of these crops is not only in adding nitrogen to the soil; their deep roots bring ur phosphoric acid and potash from the subsoil, and then by the decay of the plants a complete plant-food in a most assimil- able condition is left ready for the next crop. It is not always advisable to turn in a heavy crop of greenstuff late in the spring in the hot weather, as it is likely to ferment and turn the soil sour, and leave it so badly compacted that capillary action is established in the soil and the moisture dries out quickly, in which case a good dressing of lime would be required to sweeten it. Rye, rape and barley can also be used for green manure. I have seen good results from barley. I have not found rye much of a success for manuring, as it seems * to take nearly as miuch out of the soil in growing as it puts in. Rape is good for field manuring, but it is not much use for a citrus orchard, as it competes too much with the trees for the moisture. J have had a lot of experience in fruit and vegetable’ growing, both here and in the Old Country, and I think if there was more green manure used we would have a better quality of fruit and vegetables than we have now. DepPartMENTAL Nore,—The Chief Inspector commends the clear understanding and expression of this paper. In addition to the plant food provided by green manuring, better tilth and increased moisture-holding capacity are obtained. As regards the actual crop, legumes like field peas and vetches have nearly always given better results than rape, barley or rye. _: ies April 3, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 303 Yarramalong, Mr. E. Hodges has reported, concerning the potato plots carried out by him, as follows :— The land was ploughed deep in February, harrowed in February, and again in March, and disc-harrowed at the end of March; ploughed and harrowed in May, harrowed in July, and ploughed again at the end of that month ; harrowed in September, planted by ploughing in on 21st September ; harrowed 15th October, as the plants were nicely through the ground ; cultivated 3rd November, and hilled with cultivator on 21st November. Harvested 15th to 20th January. The yields were as follows :— Variety. Fertiliser. Yield. } : | Aen C5) alloy Brownell’s Beauty 2 ewt. of P7 to acre ... OO Or fe Manhattan Alem =f a4 SU Se LOM od HKureka .. Be Oak eee x $3 ui 3. <3 08 Of Queen of the Valley Dee of a \/:) ae vee ae CarmaneNo: I> 2: lezen ss ss a 6) Sa Onnod 5 Ph tee ...| Unmanured ... st PEMA KG) Coronation a2 Cwta Otma) toO-acre ... ye Bi) ot Langworthy sug ot DE" see “5 ats ellie coheed (0) fe | In respect to rainfall, which totalled 63 inches from the time of planting, Mr. Hodges states over 4 inches fell in November in a few days, the result of severe storms, doing a considerable amount more harm than good. The plot throughout was absolutely free from disease, the sample of tubers dug being very good, and considerably better than the previous year. The price realised was £18 per ton. A RECIPE FOR HOME-MADE VINEGAR. A ReEcIeE which has been found satisfactory for vinegar-making under domestic conditions is as follows :—Crush the grapes, separate the juice from the skins and set the liquid to ferment in a wooden tuborcask. If the grapes are over-ripe it may be necessary to add some water, as acetic or vinegar ferment will not work upon a wine which contains too high a percentage of alcohol. When fermentation is complete, allow to settle for a week or so, in order that the wine may throw down the greater part of its deposit (or lees). Put into the clean cask about a pint of good vinegar witha gallon or so of the wine, shake well and allow to stand in the sun with the bung open except for a protecting piece of cloth, and after a few daysadd the balance of the wine to about four-fifths of the cask. Protect the bung to prevent flies or other insects entering and allow to stand in the sun or ina room with a temperature of 80 deg. Fahr. i The acetic ferment forms a dull greyish film on the surface of the liquid and this should not be broken. In about two months the alcohol of the wine will be transformed into acetic acid and the result will be vinegar. Allow to stand until clear znd then draw off the liquid into either a clean cask or a bottle. In order to hasten clarification the contents of the cask may be put through a filter of closely woven cloth which has been well washed out with washing soda and rinsed in several lots of fresh water. If the vinegar is not quite bright, repeat the filtration ; once acetification is complete, it should be kept in a cool place——H. E, Larrer, Viticultural Expert. 304 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES’ SHOWS. SECRETARIES are invited to forward for insertion in this page dates of their forthcoming shows ; these should reach the Editor, Department of Agri- culture, Sydney, not later than the 21st of the month previous to issue. Alteration of dates should be notified at once. Society. 1920. Secretary. Date. Batlow A. Society Se Sb .. C.S. Gregory ... April 13, 14 Bathurst A., H., and P. ‘Society SV. Durrell’? 3.5 lao Upper Manning "A. and H. Association n (Wingham)... D. Stewart Seon oa eee Orange A. and P, Association ... OG, GL. Walliams’... 55 222i Wellington P., A., and H. Society... oa wr wAs WH. Rotton sy ots ss ses ee Dungog A. and H. Association ... on ges Bean \iteeg ls la (Cr geceranin See 28, 29, 30 Nimbin A. and I. Society 50 xe sho ... B. R. Southwell.. ~- May 12, 13° Corowa P., A., and H. Society... aa ove ... J. D. Fraser Aug. 68 18 Parkes P., A., and:H. Association ..., a ~a iG, W, Seaborn 34. %),, 18, 19 Forbes P., A., and H. Association ... var. cA SAUSteD © We s.ids Eco see: Murrumbidgee P. and A. Association (Wagga) poets UBD. WihttOveses cpa neeesncOseo Lockhart A. and P. Scciety s oes PA DNL he te cacusts au ang ept. Albury and Border P., A., and H. Society ... AG. Young ~..:Sept.- 7, 8,.9 Cowra P., A., and H. Association .., dee ... E. P. Todhunter, i ty 4, 1S Ganmain A. and P. Association ; ane ... L-. 8. Henderson... ,, 14,15 Northern A. Society (Singleton) ae ies soo (Os, DeeveNahon..... 5; 2p) Loyal 7 Narrandera P. and A. Association ... acs ave Vic JEL MORAGOM See, ogy Lee Temora P., A., H., and I. Association ne .. A. D. Ness cent Bl WRT, 2o78. Junee P., A., and I. Association er ae « LC. Humphreys... ~>., 28,29 Holbrook P., A, and H. Society ae 0 .. de Sa stewart ase 95 28, 29 Deniliquin P. and A. Society ... ae .. P. Fagan... a tera VD CoMPOSITION OF “* SULPHO-ARSENATE POWDER.”’ Aw analysis of the preparation known as Sulpho-arsenate Powder shows it to have the following composition :— Moisture at 100 deg. Cent. ... i: yaa 3°07 Lead oxide AG An pet bad san 32°10 Arsenic acid... nee Aa Rs es 13°66 Sulphur eck ae oo dec cc 23°83 Wai ss ae ABE APD aes ate 12°25 ‘Insoluble matter aa x Be ahs 0:32 Not determined Eee be ik an 14:77 100-00 If the lead and arsenic acid found existed as lead arsenate, then we would have 23:46 grams diplumbic arsenate and 22°87 grams triplumbic arsenate present. The sulpho-arsenate powder appears to consist of 464 per cent, lead arsenate, 24 per cent. sulphur, diluted with lime compounds (oxide hydrate and carbonate). It will be noted that the preparation is to be used as a dry powder for dusting —A. A. Ramsay, Principal Assistant Chemist. Printed and published by WILLIAM APPLEGATE GULLICK, of Sydney, Government Printer, and Publisher, of the State of New South Wales, at Phillip-street, Sydney, pril 3, 1920. | - Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. a Scottish Australian Investment Co., Ltd. DARBALARA. STUD of MILKING SHORTHORN CATTLE GUNDAGAI, N.S.W. EX EMBLEM OF sy Fup ers (100). KITCHENER OF DARBALARA (409). G Banker (5) ex Madame (406). Emblem of Darbalara (100) ex Lily II of Darbalara (1,019). —1st and Ch 1910, 1911, SYDNEY R.A.S. RECORDS :—Ist, as yearling, 1914; 1st, 2 years Dany isis, Pruner First eal and Progeny 2 coe Ist, 3 years old, 1916; Ist and Champion, 4 years ; 2nd and Reserve Champion, 1918; and Ist in J , ’ 1915 and 1916. Unbeaten for 7 successive years. Bulland Progeny. Unbeaten for 5 years, except once by ELECTED OF DARBALARA, bred by the same Stud. Govt. OFFICIAL RECORDS : MELBA VII OF DARBALARA 2 years old, for 273 days, (4 181) 8,077 lb. Milk, 412 lb. Butter. 9 4 years old, for 273 days, 14,622 lb. Milk, 678 Ib. Butter. 6 years old, for 273 days, 14,371 lb. Milk, 836 Ib. Butter. 6 years old, for 365 days, 17,364 lb. Milk, 1,0213 1b. Butter. he Sire— | Emblem of Darbalara (100). Dam— Melba IV of Darbalara _ (1,576). World’s record for a Short- horn Cow, 365 days. MELBA XI OF DARBALARA (4,185). MELBA XV OF DARBALARA (4,188). Sire—Union Jack of Darbalara (631). Sire—Kitehener of Darbalara (419). Dam—Melba VII of Darbalara (4,181), Dam—Melba VII of Darbalara (4,181). Govt. OrriciaL Recorps:—2 years old, for 273 days, q q 9) _Govr. OrriciaL Recornvs:—2 years old, for 273 days, ° fee Ms ond ren ne Sey prreaurald, tor 278 days; 44 lb. Milk, 461 Ib. Butter. 3 years old, for 273 days, R.A.S. Recorps:—Ist Prize as 2 year old in Milk and 4510 Ib. Milk, 707 Ib. Butter. RAS. Reconps :—Ist Prize aa 2 year old in Mil, 1918. Beer ye Coa Oe A Mt wdeiaehe eas ae a Bred by and Property of The Scottish Australian Investment Company, Ltd., Darbalara Estate, Gundagei, N.S.W. | HIGH-CLASS PEDIGREED YOUNG BULLS FOR SALE. For full particulars apply —_—__—__The MANAGER, Darbalara. Darbalara is easy of access from Sydney or Melbourne by train. D Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. HOUSEHOLD SEPARATOR has no Patties. 9 galis..... £6/5/- 12 7 -- &S/-/= SEAMLESS TINWARE. AUTOMATIC LUBRICATION. SELF BALANCING BOWL. 18 galls. ... £10/10/- 45 galls. ... £19/10/- YS nee 86... £26 71D 20 Anse S13 /10/ cela ... S37 107 a5 3S Sverp ise eager”... £4315 ]= THE SIMPLEST AND MOST SATISFACTORY SEPARATOR WITH A FREE TRIAL. A. W. DOBBIE &Co., Ltd. 379 Kent St., Sydney. KENWAY'S BLACK ORPINGTONS, ss. sa0e ts This is Proved by the fact that in three successive Competitions i in this State, Records have been made, and in each case our stock has been used in building up the strains. DBD. KENWAY, West Pennant Hills, N.S.W. D. & R. KENWAY, Proprietors. 2 Write for Catalogue. TEL EPPING 49. H. M. SUTTOR & CO, ofices: 2bond-st,, sydney. PASTORAL and AGRICULTURAL AGENTS, GRAIN AND PRODUCE SALESMEN. WHEAT. MAIZE OATS. &c., CHAFF LUCERNE OATEN HAY. POTATOES, &o., RECEIVED FOR SALE DAILY AT ALEXANDRIA. Rel able In ormat on G ‘ en re Markets * TOP PRICES. QUICK RETURNS. The Best Veierinary Remedy is = = ROW’S EMBROCATION. NO STOCKOWNER SHOULD BE WITHOUT IT. SOLD BY ALL OHEMISTS AND STORES. Proprietors: EDW. ROW & Co. April 3, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. The University of Spouey. Department of Veterinary Science. The Veterinary School, which is well equipped with the most modern appli- ances and apparatus, is under the direction of Professor J. DOUGLAS STEWART, M.R.C.V.S., B.V.Sc., late Chief Inspector of Stock and Govern- ment Veterinary Surgeon of the State of New South Wales. The degree granted, viz., Bachelor of Veterinary Science (B.V.Sc.), is recog- nised for all public appointments in the Commonwealth. The course of instruction and training is of a pro- gressive nature, and the standard adopted is that of the best Veterinary Colleges in the British Empire. The Hospitaland Clinic in connection with the School offer exceptional facilities for practical training. The FEES ave— SIX GUINEAS per Term, or EIGHTEEN GUINEAS per Year. The Lectures of next Term begin 22nd March, 1920. Veterinary Science undoubtedly offers, particularly to those fond of animals, a remunerative and congenial profession, for which a wide field of employment exists. Full particulars of the curriculum will be forwarded on application. H. E. BARFF, Warden and Registrar. The Chief Inspector of Stock, Government of New South Wales, approves of the use of this preparation. BY USING SBLACKLEGOIDS TO VACCINATE AGAINST BLACKLEG. Simple. Safe. Effective. Ne dose to Measure. No liquid to spill. No string te rot Simply a little pill to be Mjected under the skia, SEND FOR FREE BOOKLETS, For Sale by PARKE, DAVIS & COMPANY. MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS, 125 York-street, Sydney. Box 224 G.P.O. iw Agricultural Gazette of NSW. ‘April 3, 1920. STUD BERKSHIRE PIGS FOR SALE BRED AT The State Prison Farms: Bathurst, Goulburn, Emu Plains, and The State Penitentiary, Long Bay. At present on hand— YOUNG BOARS YOUNG SOWS, Aged Nine to Twelve Months, just fit to breed from. All guaranteed healthy, of high-class breeding, and have been carefully selected from exceptionally good pedigreed stock of thrifty, vigorous, and early maturing strains. Full particulars may be obtained on application to the Super intendent of the State Penitentiary, Long Bay, or to THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF PRISONS, PHILLIP STREET, SYDNEY. | April 3, 1920. | Ag Gazette of N.S.W v Tonic Meals for ali Classes of Stock. IN response to numerous requests, we have pleasure in introducing our series of (on) TONIC MEALS. Each and every product carrying our Trade Mark will maintain the quality that HM) signifies for Linseed Oil Meal. Ay Parasitic Preventative and Tonic Meal for Horses will eradicate so-called ‘‘ Blood Worms,” and will prevent such diseases as Worm Colic, Worm Paralysis, Staring s Coat, Anemia and Emaciation. a) M) Tonic and Alterative Meal for Horses will prevent Colic, Gripe, and Impaction. (IN) Pig Tonic prevents Indigestion, Diarrhoea and Liver Disease, and will fortify ti) your Pigs against the ravages of such diseases as Pneumonia and Swine Fever. (IN) Tonic and Alterative Meal for Cattle prevents ‘‘ Dry Bible,” Impaction of the “= third Stomach and Indigestion. wie) Poultry Tonic Meal, used daily, will improve the health of your stock and = insures a Maximum egg yield. ) Sheep Tonie Meal is stimulating and highly nourishing. The services of our Veterinary Surgeon, M.R.C.V.S., are at your disposal, on request. Questions regarding breeding, rearing, housing, and feeding all classes of stock gladly answered. FURTHER PARTICULARS— PAMPHLET INSTRUCTING HOW TO USE—DEPARTMENT A.T. Megs pitt - nt Agriculiural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. The Great “Murrumbidgee” Irrigation Scheme Chea Soils may be chosen suitable for the p Orchardist, Vegetable Grower, Dairyman, Viticulturist, Land Pouliryman, Pig Farmer, Fat-lamb Raiser, Bee Farmer, General Farmer. LIBERAL AND PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE TO SETTLERS = ON THE EASIEST OF TERMS. Fertile e : Subject to such conditions as to security and terms of repay- s d/ ment as the Commission may think fit to impose, Settlers may an obtain an advance or have payment of rent and water rates suspended. Trees and Vines may be purchased trom the + Commission’s Nursery—Specially selected Dairy Stock are obtain- able—Pedigree Sires on liberal terms—Railway Concessions are granted on New South Wales Railways. Cheap (Change of policy may require alteration of terms of Assistance.) Water SPECIAL ADVANTAGES. The whole scheme is administered by the State Government, and the products carried to market on Government-owned railways. + Instruction and demonstration in Agricultural and Irrigation methods always available free of cost to the settler by experts Am / employed by the State. p eC The climate of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas is dry and healthy—hot in summer, which makes it suitable for drying fruit. Water Water is supplied solely by gravitation (no pumping required) at a remarkably cheap rate. + Butter, Bacon, Cheese, and Canning Factories and a pulping plant have been established in connection with the scheme, Schools, Churches, Banks, and Stores are established. No Bal- loting Information on every point; special pamphlets on Fruit Growing for Land and Poultry Farming are obtainable on application, Particulars regarding Irrigation Farms may be obtained from | The WATER CONSERVATION and IRRIGATION COMMISSION, Branch ‘“‘ C.” 39 Hunter-street. Sydney ; The RESIDENT COMMISSIONER, Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission, Leeton, April 3, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. vu The New “FARMERS’ FAVORITE” Grain and Fertilizer Drill. “ALWAYS RELIABLE.”’ . Straight Spur Gears used in both Fertilizer and Seeding Apparatus. sue Clutterbuck Bros. Ltd. ®23 ct" Liverpool State Hospital MODEL STUD PIGGERY Berkshire and Middle Yorkshire. A choice lot of young Boars and Sows, from two to three months old, from the best New South Wales, Victorian, and British strains. Now available for selection at prices from £2 2s. to £5 5s., f.o.r., Liverpool. ALL ELIGIBLE FOR HERD BOOK. FULL PEDIGREE WITH EVERY PIG SOLD. Inspection invited. Ring Tel. 24 Liverpool, or write for particulars to— THE MANAGER, August, 1919. StaTE HospiTaL, LIVERPOOL. viii Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, N.S.W. Representatives of the Government Herds. JERSEY BULL. Xmas Fox (imp.) (947.) Sire, Silver Fox (10,097, E.H.B.) Dam, Malvoisie (Vol. XX, E.J.H.B.) Butter record of Dam, Royal Counties Show, England, 2 lb. 6} oz. from 49 lb. milk in 24 hours, 165 days after calving. OTHER StrES IN USE: Goppincton NositeE XV (948) (imp.) Yield of Dam, 8,150 1b. milk; butter ? yield, rlb. 11 oz. from 32 lb. milk in 24 hours as 3-year old. RetrForp Winks (yield of Dam, 6,595 Ib. milk and 4o1 lb. butter in 273 days as 2-year-old.) JANET QUEEN 4TH’s BricHTon vf Coolan- gatta, by Brighton King of Coolangatta. Lorp SILVERMINE II of Banyule (yield of Dam, 7,592 lb. milk and 461 lb. butter in 273 days.) - JERSEY COW. Glory Quayle (4,822) Yield, 8,592 lb. milk and 495-48 lb, butter in 273 days (second calf). Sire, Xmas Fox (947) (imp.) Dam, Egypt’s Glory (383). 7 Yield of Dam, 6,154 lb. milk and 399 Ib. butter in 365 days as 3-year-old. | ; : JERSEY COW. Wagga Jasmine (2,779). Yield, 11,864 lb. milk and 894-94 lb. butter in 365 days. Sire, Kaid of Khartoum (949). Dam, Wagga Larkspur. PURE-BRED YOUNG BULLS of the following breeds—MILKING SHORTHORN, JERSEY, GUERNSEY, AYRSHIRE, and RED POLL—always available for Sale. APPLICATION SHOULD BE MADE TO The UNDER SECRETARY and DIRECTOR, Department of Apsara: Sydney. April 3, 1920.1] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W ix DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, N.S.W. STUD DAIRY CATTLE. Representatives of the Government Herds. AYRSHIRE BULL. Isabel’s Majestic (861 A.A.H.B.). Sire, Majestic of Oakbank (326 A.A.H.B.) Dam, Isabel of Gleneira (1,036 A.A.H.B.) 1st Prize and Reserve Champion, Mel- bourne, 1913. ist Prize and Reserve Champion, Sydney, ror4. OTHER SIRES IN USE: RovErRIcK oF WILLOWVALE (Vol. X, A.A.H.B.), by Lancer of Willowvale (757). SporTSMAN OF KaApiBINOKKA (Vol. X, A.A.H.B.), by Jamie of Kabibinokka. Yield of Dam, 8,563 Ib. milk and 351 lb. butter in 273 days. Sir Rospert oF KaABIBINOKKA (2,602), by Robin of Glengarnock (899), Dam, Mona of Kabibinokka (4,535). Yield of Dam, 10,324 lb. milk and 487°56 lb. butter in 273 days. “AYRSHIRE COW. Black Cap III (Vol. X,A.A.H.B.). Yield, 7,155 lb. milk and 362-04 lb. butter in 259 days. Sire, Punch of Glen Innes (Vol. X, A.A.H.B.) Dam, Black Cap II, 7 RED POLL COW. “Melody II. Yield, 11,240 lb. milk and 530-04 he: butter in 365 days. Sire, Acton Ajax (imp.) (9,655). Dam, Melody by Antic (imp.) (7,799). PURE-BRED YOUNG BULLS of the following breeds—MILKING SHORTHORN, JERSEY, GUERNSEY, AYRSHIRE, and RED: POLL—always available for Sale. APPLICATION SHOULD BE MADE TO The UNDER SECRETARY and DIRECTOR, Department of Agriculture, Sydney. Agricultural Gazetie of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. STUD PIGS FOR SALE AT THE HOSPITAL, CALLAN PARK. For further particulars apply to Manager. (The prices quoted hold good for the current month only.) No Deseription. | Sire. Dam. of ate Sete | | | 1919. £84 556 Berkshire Boar ... Koramburra Callan Park Birdy | Aug. 21] 6 6 0 557 Berkshire Boar ...| § Major No. 520a! No. 520b ARO ele oh ar, hap oo aiken aa ee l foe sf Cae Lady | Aug. 25| 6 6 O 565 | Berkshire Sow ...|\ “~“J0OF *O- ae tee 570 | Berkshire Boar ...| ) 571 | Berkshire Boar oul Koramburra | Callan Park Wave | Sept, 22} 6 6 0 573 Berkshire Sow ...|( Major No. 520a; No. 421 574 | Berkshire Sow ... \ 57d Berkshire Boar ...|)} 576 | Berkshire Boar ...| | 577 Berkshire Sow ...| ! Koramburra Callan Park Lassie | Oct. 19] 6 6 O 578 Berkshire Sow ...|/ Major No. 520a No. 491 579 Berkshire Sow ... | a 580 | Berkshire Sow ...| J 582. | Berkshire Sow Koramburra Callan Park Dew- | Oct. 20|*5 5 O Major No. 520a drop No. 500 3 ‘ 1920 584 Berkshire Boar ...; Royal Lad No. 401 | Callan Park Pop- | Jan. 18 | 4 4 0 corn No. 410 585 Berkshire Boar ...|) 586 Berkshire Boar ... | 587 Berkshire Boar .. : ee ; ASS Berkshire Boar ...| } Bek ey iit k Lady | Jan. 29] 4 4 0 589 Berkshire Sow ... O: NO Oa 590 Berkshire Sow | 5 59] Berkshire Sow J 592 Berkshire Boar ... > | 593 Berkshire Boar ...) 594 Berkshire Boar .. 595 Berkshire Boar ... Koramburra | Callan Park Dew- | Feb. 9] 4 4 O 596 Berkshire Boar ...| | Major No. 520a) drop No, 500 597 Berkshire Boar .. 598 | Berkshire Sow 599 Berkshire Sow ... 600 Berkshire Sow ...| J Prices quoted include delivery in crates at Darling Harbour or Wharf at Sydney. A full pedigree is furnished with every pig sold. All communications to be addressed to— ‘“*Tue Manacer, Mental Hospital, Callan Park, Sydney.” (Please add Exchange for Country Cheques.) 17th March, 1920 R. KIRKPATRICK, Manager. April 3, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. State Timber Yards and Building Workshops - UHR’S POINT, RHODES. Telephones: Postal Address: U 6601 to U 6606. Box 12, Post Office. Burwood. The Largest Timber Yard and Joinery Works in Australasia. ALL FOREICN AND AUSTRALIAN TIMBERS IN STOCK. SEND FOR PRICE LIST AND OATALOGUE Special Prices given for Detail Joinery, Office Furniture, ctc. All Communications to be addressed to Toe Manaasn. rin Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION At the Government Farm Schools. SPECIAL FACILITIES ARE OFFERED AT THE SCHOOLS AT THE GOVERNMENT EXPERIMENT FARMS FOR INSTRUCTION IN AGRICULTURE. COURSES FROM 6 MONTHS TO 3 YEARS. Low Fees. Comfortable Accommodation. Expert Tultion. HAWKESBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, Richmond. ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY. Agriculture Diploma Course—3 years. Dairy Diploma Course—2 years. Carrying the respective academic distinctions ‘‘H.D.A.” and “‘H.D.D." Short Courses of 12 months on the ORCHARD, and 6 months on DAIRY, PIGGERY, and POULTRY. Carrying certificates on examination. Each course gives a well-adjusted combination of Field Practice with Class-room Tuitien. Two Sessions per Year, beginning January and July. FEES (INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) All Courses _... ... £14 per Session. WAGGA and BATHURST STUDENT SCHOOLS. SOUND SYSTEMS IN MIXED FARMING. The Student performs the work of each Section of the Farm, including SHEEP, CROPS, DAIRY, ORCHARD, POULTRY, PIGGERY, CARPENTER’S and BLACKSMITH’S SHOPS, TWO YEARS’ COURSE FOR FARM CERTIFICATE. FEES (INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) First Year... ... &lbd Second Year... ... £10 FARM APPRENTICE SCHOOLS at Glen Innes, Wollongbar, and Grafton. A PRACTICAL COURSE FOR TRAINING LADS FOR FARM WORK. The Apprentices are trained in all branches of FARM, DAIRY, or ORCHARD work, and receive Lectures and Demonstrations in CROP GROWING and the Rearing and Management of LIVE STOCK. WOMEN’S TRAINING FARM, COWRA. Women Students are given instruction in all matters relating to WHEAT and SHEEP FARMING, also DAIRYING, FRUIT GROWING, POULTRY KEEPING, APICULTURE, eto. FeES (INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) £5 for Six Months. (Admission at any date.) For further particulars, prospectuses, &c., apply to— GEORGE VALDER, Lands Office Building, Under Secretary and Director, Bridge-st., Sydney. Department of Agriculture. SSS SSS SF —, April 3, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. ri TO FARMERS. Are you in need of Farm Hands? Are you in need of Domestic Help? Are you in need of other labour? IF SO, YOU MAY HAVE THE SERVICES OF A FREE GOVERNMENT AGENCY by communicating with the nearest Government Labour Exchange. The following is a list of the Exchanges :— CENTRAL— Head Office, 76 Elizabeth-street, Sydney. Women’s Employment Agency, 72 Elizabeth-street, Sydney. BALMAIN ... 802 Darling-st. Tel. W1153. BROKEN HILL... Exchange Buildings, Argent-st. GOULBURN ....._Montague-st. Tel. Goulburn 413. LISMORE .. Molesworth-st. Tel. Lismore 140. NEWOASTLE ... Inglis’ Buildings, King-st. Tel. Newcastle 98, ORANGE ... ... 10 Lords Place. Tel. Orange 324. TAMWORTH .... 358 Peel-st, Tel. Tamworth 367, WAGGA ... .. Oourt House. Tel. Wagga 297. WOLLONGONG... Crown-st. F. C. GOVERS, Director, Labour Exchanges and Immigration Branch. xi Agricultural Gazette of N.S W. [April 3, 1920. MAPS and PUBLICATIONS FOR SALE at Lands Department. LARGE STATE MAP. Scale, 8 miles to tr inch Nine sheets. Price, &1/1%1/6 complete, or 4/= per sheet. STATE MAPS. Size, 4 ft. 4in. x 3 ft. 8in. Scale, 16miles to rinch. Four sheets, STATE MAPS showing: . STATE ELECTORATES (color’d), rorg. 5. LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISTRICTS 2. POLICE DISTRICTS (coloured), rorr. (coloured), 1918. - PASTURES PROTECTION DISTRICTS 6. COUNTIES (uncoloured), r9r5. (coloured), 1908. 7. LAND BOARD DISTRICTS - WHEAT DISTRICTS (coloured), rgr4. (coloured), 1915. Price, 10/= unmounted. Complete Map, mounted, £1/5/= SMALL STATE MAPS. Size, 2ft. 2in. x 2ft. 6in. Scale, 29 miles to 1 inch, Showing RAILWAY SYSTEM (1918 edition). Price, 2/6 unmounted. STATE ELECTORAL MAPS, showing Electoral Boundaries (191g edition). Price, 5/= and V7/6 each. FEDERAL TERRITORY MAP. In two sheets. Price, 2/G unmounted. WESTERN DIVISION. 1. Map in six sheets. Scale, 6 miles to 1 inch. Price, 24/=, or 5/= per sheet, 2. Map in one sheet. Scale, 16 miles to 1 inch. Price, 5/= CITY OF SYDNEY AND ENVIRONS. Map in six sheets. Scale, 20 chains to r inch. Price, £3/3/= complete, or 10/6 per sheet. Mounted, varnished, and on rollers, &5 (coloured or plain). CITY OF SYDNEY. Size, 3 ft. 6in.x 3ft.6in. Scale, 8 chains to r inch, In two sheets, 1. Plain—black and white. 2. Showing MUNICIPAL BOUNDARIES (coloured). Price, 5/= unmounted. SHIRE MAPS. Showing RIDINGS etc, Scale, 2 miles and 1 mile to 1 inch. Price, 2/6 MUNICIPALITIES. Maps in one sheet, showing WARD BOUNDARIES, STREETS, PARKS, and RECREATION RESERVES, etc. Scale, 10 chains to 1 inch. Price, 2/6 1. Lane Cove. 2. Mosman. 3. North Sydney. 4. Willoughby. SYDNEY HARBOUR AND RESERVES ON FORESHORES, with access thereto. Price, 41/= TOURIST MAP. Showing SOUTH-EASTERN DISTRICTS OF THE STATE. Scale, ro miles to r inch. Price, 1/= NATIONAL PARK. Map in one sheet. Scale, 40 chains to 1 inch. Price, 1/6 Also, Tables of NATURAL SINES AND COSINES TO EVERY TEN SECONDS. Price, 4/= DRAFTSMEN’S CALCULATION’ BOOKS. Price, 2/= CARDBOARD PROTRACTORS, 12in. Price, 1/= Obtainable from Map Sales Branch, Information Bureau, of this Department. Postage extra. April 3, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. xD PRICE LIST OF PURE BRED PIGS FOR SALE AT HOSPITAL, GLADESVILLE. (The prices quoted hold good for the current month only.) No. | Description. Sire. Dam | anes ) ace ‘ bat i E ida. foo 2238 Mid. York. Sow | Sundon Sydney Moredun Maid ...| June 30} 9 9 O : (Imp.) | | 2255 Large York. Sow | King Charles 11 ...) Giad’vilie EmpresstV | Aug. 27} 8 8 0 9261-62-63) Mid. York. Sows | Sundon Sydney Gladesville Snow-) Aug. 27 SeliSee6 (Imp.) | (olay oy 2282-83 | Mid. York. Boars| Sundon Sydney | White Rose | Oct; SOR 7) ian O (Imp. ) | | 2284-85 | Mid. York. Sows | Sundon Sydney White Rose | Oct. -30:) “6 166m (Imp.) } 2294 Large York. Sow | Gladesville Emp’r’r) Brighton Lady .... Nov. 12| 5 15 6 2302-3 Mid. York. Boars | Gladesville Grand | Gladesville Lille | Dee. 17 GeaGoeO Boy. | | 2304-5-6-7| Mid. York. Sows | Gladesville Grand | Gladesville Lille | Dec. 17|-5 15 6 Boy. | 2308-9 Berkshire Boars... Whitley Wales Gladesville Pretty | Dec. 26 6.46550 (Imp. 2310-11-12) Berkshire Sows ...) W ene Wales Gladesville Pretty | Dec. 26| 515 6 ‘ (Imp. ) | 1920. 2313-14-15) Large York. Sows} Hawkesbury Gladesville Bourne| Jan. 1! 5 5 O Ferryman Til. 2316-17 | Berkshire Boars...| Gladesville Flock-) Primrose IIL Boal inhale Meee 5) ys ey master II. | | 2318-19 | Berkshire Sows ...| Gladesville Flock. Primrose II a.) Jane) eligbio: coe master IT. 2320 Berkshire Boar ...| Whitley Wales Gladesville Jan. 3| 6 6 @ (Imp.) | Duchess III. | 2321-22-23) Berkshire Sows ...| Whitley Wales Gladesville Jan. ~* 31S. lee (Imp.) Duchess ITI. 2324-25 | Berkshire Sows ...| Whitley Wales — Gladesville Jan. 3) 515 6G (Imp. ) | Duchess IIT. 2326-27 | Berkshire Boars...; Gladesville Flock- Tarban Jane I] .... Jan. 4/ 515 6 master IT. | 2328-29 | Berkshire Sows ...] Gladesville Flock-| Tarban JaneII ..., Jan. 4/ 5 5 O master IT. 2330-1-2-3) Berkshire Boars...| Herrison King 4 ShortFace Jane III) Jan. 4{ 515 6 2334 Berkshire Sow ...| Herrison King...) Short Face JaneIll) Jan 4/| 5 5 O 2335 Berkshire Boar ...| Gladesville Long-| Tarban Jane II1 ... | Jan. syle Coe (hd fellow (Imp.) | : | 2336-37-38] Berkshire Sows ...| Gladesville Long-| Tarban Jane TIL...) Jan. 5 | 555 6 ° fellow (Imp.) 2339-40-41; Berkshire Boars...} Gladesville Flock-| Gladesville | Jan.’ 9] 515 G master IT. | Duchess IT. | | 2342-43 | Berkshire Sows ...| Gladesville Flock-| Gladesyille | Jans 9b) so one master IT. | Duchess II. 2344-45-46) Mid. York. Boars} Sundon Sydney = Moredun Maid .... Jan. 12) 6 6 O (Imp.) | 2347-48 | Mid. York. Sows Sinden Sydney | Moredun Maid...) Jan. 12) 5°15 6 (Imp.) | Any of aie above pigs that may be selected under the uye of 3 months will be kept untii they attain that age. (Prices quoted include delivery in crates on truck or steamer at Sydney.) (A full Pedigree is furnished with every Pig sold.) April, 1920. W. A. E. LEWIS, Manager, Gladesville Hospital. Please add Exchange for Country Cheques. Ail communications should be addressed to ‘‘ The Manager,” Mental Hospital, Gladesville. xvi Agricultural Gazette of NS.W. [April 3, 1920. . Anthony Horderns’ for Dependable Pioughs. You cannot expect good returns from the soil unless you use a dependable plough, such as the P. and O. Canton Disc Plough illustrated above. Up-to-date farmers throughout the State pin their faith on these dependable ploughs. Are you one of them? If not, look up someone in your district who is using one and get first-hand information with reference toits undoubted merits P.andO. Canton Disc Pioughs are made by an old-established firm, which knows how a good plough should be made— and makes them, too. The P. and O Canton Disc Plough gives good results in heavy, sticky soils, or in very hard, dry soil. Strongly made of the best materials. The discs are 26in in diameter, and each will turn a furrow from 3 to 12 inches deep and from Io to 12 inches wide PRICES. 1-Furrow, weight 672 lb. ... ae aa - ; PATENTED, «>created great interest amongst Dairy Farmers at the R.A.S. Show. The “AUTO” Variable Pulsator. gives to each individual cow Proper Milking Treatment. It is a well-known fact that some cows are ‘‘ hard ” and some are ‘‘easy”’ milkers. Hitherto no provision has been made for this variation. With the ‘‘ AUTO” there is a separate Pulsator in each bail, and by simply moving a lever, and without stopping the plant, the Pulsation is Instantly Altered to give a short pull or long pull on the teats. The Pulsators in each bail are independent of one another, and each Pulsator can be individually altered at will To Suit each Cow Miilked. The ‘‘AUTO” Cups are simple, easy on the cows, and easily and quickly taken apart for cleaning purposes. The removable rubber lip is a big improvement on metal rings. , FULL PARTICULARS, PRICES, &¢, FROM THE FARMERS’ FERTILIZERS CORPORATION, ro, 31 HUNTER STREET - = = SYDNEY. 9 ya eae Cae OF re i fined ic la 4 sii ih Ue ea ite stata Te Oh ay . Hs May: Ef 1920.] yet Agricultural Gazette of N. 8. Ww. / CE.C. CARBONATE OF LIME FERTILIZER The finest ground of all fertilizers, therefore going the farthest. PRICE—on trucks, Portland—36/- per ton (14 bags) In truck lots, In ton lots, seat) GS - a 5/7 wae 11°8 ges 6/5 “ 18,5 8/4 . aa 6 tons and over se 48/6 per ton. PRICE F.O.B. Sydney {2 tons and under 6 Ges 56/- sy 1 ton lots sey 60/- The U.S.A. Agricultural Dept. found that fields treated with Hime produced an average of 1} tons of hay an acre more than wnlimed fields—in tests of Carbonate of Lime, conducted by the farm bureau, through the county agent, in Chemung Oounty, N.Y. A farmer who used 1 ton of Carbonate of Lime to the acre secured 4,840 Ibs. of cured hay, compared to 1,208 lbs. on an unlimed acre. Another, who applied 700lbs. of lime to an acre, obtained 6,292 lbs. against 1,461 lbs. on an unlimed eore. A third farmer used 1 ton to the acre and obtained 8,400 Ibs., compared to 1,040 Ibs. on unlimed land. The Commonwealth Portland Cement Co. Ltd. 4 O’CONNELL STREET - = SYDNEY (The makers of “ UNION’’ Cement). xv XVi wT tA eee Ce ee Fee mA a OUR eG ON ae or sO oy 5 ei ig « Pe Rg fake “ety. eae oman em a “F Ve hee Agricultural Gazette of 'N ee W. FarmersandGraziers Co-operative Grain Insurance and Agency Coy. Ltd. WE HAVE EXPERTS of known ability in every department. Our immense outlets enable us to obtain THE BEST POSSIBLE PRICES Wool, Grain, Livestock, Farm and Station Produce, Properties, Insurances handled | Country Service Surety DepartMent AVAILABLE TO CLIENTS FOR US TO SECURE SUPPLIES AT BEDROCK RATES THE GUIDING PRINCIPLE of the Farmers and Graziers’ Company is to return to producers the FULL VALUE of their PRODUCTS, less the actual cost of handling. A. K. TRETHOWAN, Circular Quay. Managing Director. ~ Agricultural ¢ A “ Mechanical hired-maae that almost runs the farm. Overwork, long continued, wrecks the health. Why do all the hard work yourself? Don’t de an engine—buy one! The ‘‘ Fuller and Johnston” Farm Pump Engine will do most of the work, quicker, easier, and better than men can doit. It will pump water for the stock and household, replace unsatisfactory windmills, supply steady pressure for washing the waggons, stables, &c.; runs every power tool, and provides constant fire protection. It starts easily, and once it gets busy there’s certainly something doing. It has enough surplus power to run several light machines while doing the pumping—and it is guaranteed. This is the one Engine you need more than any other. Let us send you _ interesting descriptive literature. Bazacoil gC 7-11 Market Street, Sydney; and at 413-415 Adelaide Street, Brisbane. “ Always ask for Buzacott Gates and Fences.” FFULL supplies of Potash from Alsace have now reached Australia. For five years the ‘soil has starved for Potash, which is essential to practically all crops. Alsatian Potash is superior to the pre-war German Potash, and Farmers should avail themselves of this opportunity of increasing the yield of their land. | Prices and Full Particulars obtainable from: GEORGE SHIRLEY LIMITED, 7 O'CONNELL STREET, SYDNEY. GIBBS, BRIGHT & COMPANY, 37 PITT STREET, SYDNEY. FARMERS’ FERTILIZERS CORPORATION, LTD., 31 HUNTER STREET, SYDNEY. fs y RC Lee Se Tee Pie Pg ae, LEG Or eee hc « ) Pony es se Y ise Agricultural Gazette of N.S W. i xix Have YOU tried ‘“‘DEADLUKE” SPECIFIC. SALT— The original loose, ready-mixed, medicated salt, which for three years has given such widespread satisfaction throughout Australia. In dry or wet seasons it keeps your stock in wonderful nick. 20/- per bag; £5/14/- 6 bags (4 ton); £11/10/- 12.bags (1 ton). £11/5/- per ton in 4-ton lots. “DEADLUKE” DRENCH— In powder form—1 packet makes 5 gallons of drench. Proved cure for Fluke, Worms, or Black Disease. Often used as a condition drench. 10/- packet, 11/3 posted; £5/14/- case of 12 packets. “ DEADLUKE” LICK— In powder form—1 packet contains the quantity to mix with 1 bag of coarse salt. A great constitution builder—used by thousands. 6/- per packet, 7/6 posted ; £3/8/- case of 12 packets. ‘6 DEADLUKE” PREPARATIONS DO NOT CONTAIN ANY ARSENIC OR STOMACH-IRRITATING POISONS. “ SUDDETH”’ RABBIT FUMIGATOR AND SMOKER. You are doing good work by poisoning, &c., why not complete the good work by killing all the small ones left. No. 2 Suddeth and Smoker es ze aes, dh ORAD Smoke Mixture ... PGS ae .. 015 6 per box. Carbon Bisulphide gan ued ges ss, he » 6 per drum. Other States please write for particulars to— NEWELL & Co., 189 King-street, Melbourne. ELDER, SMITH & Co., Ltd., Adelaide. FEDERAL TRADING Co., Perth. F.S. GREER, 102 sussexst., sydney. xx saree ah N S We How many cows are you milking ? No matter how big your herd may be there is a ‘DIABOLO Separator to handle your separating. Diabolo’s range in capacity from 10 to 115 gallons, Each type, from the wonderful Baby Diabolo.to the big Motor Diabolo, is built to give lasting service by the world’s biggest separator manufacturers. The Diabolo runs easier and cleans easier than any other separator and gets all the butter-fat—skims to a mere trace. Test the Diabolo at our expense, with no obligation to yourself. Write to-day for Booklet and particulars of 30 Days’ Free Trial Offer. Diabolo Separator Co, Ltd. Cr. Market & Kent Sts. SYDNEY. UR iC eon ie i ARR ees 2) Uae 3:9 i aoracultural: Gaeetie of N.S:-Way 2. xxa + sea tone | PUMP the Water | where you want it. Whatever the job we have an Outfit to suit. THE “ECLIPSE” IS THE MOST POPULAR PUMPING OUTFIT. You will find more Eclipse Pumping Sets giving big service throughout the dry areas than any other outfit on the market. This is because the Eclipse never fails. The well may be 250 feet deep, or the tank a mile away, but the Eclipse will do the job without a tremor. When the wind fails, hitch up your Eclipse to the windmill pump rod, and your tanks are soon full. And then you can use your Eclipse for lots of other important jobs—two minutes’ work separates the engine from pump jack. The Eclipse is a famous Fairbanks- Morse vertical 4-cycle engine, with Magneto Ignition. LHasy to start and runs smoothly — without attention. ECLIPSE No. ! will pump up to 1,000 galls, per hour against an 80-ft. head. ' ECLIPSE No. 2 will pump up to 2,000 galls. per hour against an 80-ft. head. Large Stocks—Prompt Delivery. ALSTON WINDMILLS. The last word in harnessing the air. Made in Australia to suit Australian conditions. Alston’s lead in simplicity, strength, perfect balance and long life. All working parts enclosed, running in oil, Write for prices. Wire or ’phone if your needs are urgent. Dangar, Gedye, & Co., Ltd.. 9-13 YOUNG STREET, SYDNEY. v of N.S.W. “DOMO" The Separator without a fault. The ‘‘ Domo” is specially constructed to conserve every particle of cream—it separates all the butter-fat from the milk. The result is more and better butter, and a bigger returns cheque. Dairy. farming is becoming more and more a science, and the ‘‘Domo’”” satisfies the greatest dairy experts. It not only saves cream, but Saves all that drudgery that marked the era of old separating methods. It leaves more time to devote to other interests about the farm and home- stead. It is quick and easy to use, light running, and - so simply constructed as to ~ eliminate repair costs. Seamless Tinware, Auto- 4 matic Lubrication, and Self- balancing Bowl. Why not try it yourself? The manufacturers offer a Month’s Free Trial. Prices from £6 /5/= to £47, The Domo Separator Co. Lid., ZO Wentworth-avenue, Sydney. ahh r bo, bh ‘yp om wre Ys \ mt odie bab hi 4 Leslee Ji AMY Pate pear eT VE . Nr ea Hers i hy: 2 a ‘A eS ae Ny ‘ sl of tap an - Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. xxi . ee es ~Y ® Ss f : : iC . : ~ vz —\ Ys or, FOR ALL ANIMALS >> FR tT Ve ee ee Ae eg Aire ee “er xxiy Aarostr 6 Gazette of N. s. Ww. FARMERS ! This TRACTOR will Double Your Crop—at Half the Cost WORKS IN MUD, SAND, ROUGH GROUND AND UP STEEP HILLS—ALL THE YEAR. 20 H.P. AT THE PULLEY. 12 H.P. AT THE DRAWBAR. I EF REPLACES 8-10 HORSES. PLOUGHING, CULTIVATING, DRILLING, DAM-SINKING, CHAFF- CUTTING, THRESHING, PUMPING, and LAND CLEARING. . Py Pacific Commercial Co., 9% Pomeroy House. - 16 York Street, SYDNEY. “as Saag i feds WIS MAT Si ae a ah Koo Mba ceasais)| ) aR OL EAR CORONA Sie em ey bas tigs Pan ime) Gy r Ping Pi PN degel oa Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. exe WITH THE AID OF NOBEL-GLASGOW | HIGH EXPLOSIVES THE ATTENTION OF FARMERS, ORCHARDISTS, and other LANDOWNERS, is directed to THE “ NOBEL-GLASGOW ” SYSTEM Fullest particulars from the Agents : DALGETY & COMPANY, Ltd., 15 BENT STREET, SYDNEY, or from focal Storekeepers. iy ba RS eet ae (PO tea Xvi Agricultural Gazette of N.S. Bo hs 7 Surpasses all others in Efficiency, Simplicity, and Durability. SHARPEST SKIMMING ASSURED. THIS MEANS MONEY TO YOU. Write for full particulars to Gunnersen, Crockett, Ltd., Sole Agents for N.S.W.., +379 Kent Street - - - Sydney. A : "i i i } bak I : ity 4 eb %j oc Z iT Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. SXVIL We Ze ayaa es ms i a OBTAINABLE FROM ALL STORES, 2 . Wholesale Proprietors : ; J. R. Love & Co., Ltd., ; Sydney. “MMMM cata ee a A ac eM ake a ye Lg MAL ee 1 q 4 2 * tag Prat ; f Neary ett amie by". oi Ei Appolinial Badia er NSW.) THE I.X.L. IMPROVED WIND- MILL IS CHAIN GEARED Illustration on right, shows back view of Steel Roller Adjustable Chain Gear, also grip fastening of the case hardened crank pin which journals in a special improved boss link in the chain... Chain has roller bearings in each link... Made of best steel, case hard- ened—rivets being nickelled to prevent wear similar to Motor Lorry Chain. eS Our Improved Chain Geared Windmills, YH easily outclass those in which soft cast iron JRA cog wheels, levers and joint pins are featured; ¢ These are often a source of annoyance and complaint, and are not adjustable. Free booklet giving details and price list, sent on request. Geo. E, FORTESCUE & SONS, LTD. Patentees and Sole Manufacturers Famous for I.X.L. Poison Carts, industry will be fully dealt with, and moreover, the students will be given an opportunity of studying such subjects in the general course as are likely to be of vaiue to them. Farmers or their sons, oyer 16 years of age, who have been engaged in rural work for at least one year, will Le eligible for admission to the general course, and admission to the poultry course will be granted to persons of both sexes over the age named who are engaged in poultry farming, Applications for both schools will close on 31st May, 1920, The fee for either course, inclusive of board and lodging, will be £3 3s Prospectus and full information may be obtained on application to the Under Secretary and Director, Department of Agriculture, Sydney. HELPING ORANGE TREES TO SET THEIR FRUIT <‘Our navel oranges and late Valencias bloom well, but most of the young fruit drops off,” wrote a correspondent recently. ‘‘One Valencia was a mass of blossom last spring, but only two oranges have remained on the tree.” “The best way to get citrus trees to set their fruit,’ replied the Fruit Expert, “is to keep the soil in good condition; even then they will not always hold the fruit. Some varieties of navel oranges are worse in this respect than others, but Valencia Late usually holds its fruit well.” 318 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. | May 3, 1920. Soil Improvement for Maize. I.—MANURES AND FERTILISERS. [Continued from page 183.] H. WENHOLZ, B.Sc. (Agr.), Inspector of Agriculture. Potash. As has been shown, the demand of the maize crop on the potash of the soil is not particularly heavy, as most of this ingredient taken up by the plant is returned to the soil in the stalks and leaves when ploughed in or burnt. It is also a noteworthy fact that the subsoil generally contains a higher percentage of potash than the surface soil. By the decay of deep-rooting> legumes or the manure from stock grazing such crops, this supply of potash can in part be brought to the surface soil, where it can be made use of by shallower rooting crops like maize. Most things considered, it seems that it is not essential to purchase potash in the form of chemical fertilisers for - maize or for most maize soils, though in the case of some sandy loams markedly deficient in easily available potash this ingredient may require to be bought in small amounts for the maize crop. On reclaimed peaty swamp lands (excellent for maize-growing as a rule) the application of potash fertiliser is oft n necessary and highly profitable. The truth of this statement has been supported by both soil analysis and field experiments in Illinois,+ where, it is stated, potash has increased the yield of maize from 10 or 20 bushels - per acre to 50 or 60 bushels on thousands of acres of reclaimed swamp land. As the carbonic and organic acids which are set free on the decay of organic matter have the power-of releasing potash from its insoluble compounds in the soil, it is thought that on most maize soils sufficient available potash for the maize crop can be maintained by keeping up the supply of decaying organic matter in the soil. When this organic matter is allowed to be depleted, potash fertilisers may stimulate the growth of maize. The following results with potash fertilisers on maize have been obtained in New South Wales :— | mieldiper'ncre, Increase or decrease = from 28 lb. Sulphate 1 ewt. | 1} cwt. of Potash. (Superphosphate. | P5 Mixture.* ; | | bus.» Lb: bus.) lb. puss lb: North Coast... ... Average of 22 tests!) 55 49 60 ll 4 18 increase. South Coast... AN iJ Meet. lee 7 6h 2b a6 oe1s8 if Northern Tableland... » 4°35 26 22 25, 10 1 12 decrease. North-West ... ay a ona Be ty SOM 2 1 49 * * PS mixture consists of 1 cwt, Superphosphate and } cwt, Sulphate of Potash. T Illinois Farmers’ Institute Report, 1911. May 3, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 319 In spite of the favourable results on the coast, the writer maintains that ‘farmers growing maize on the alluvial soils here can render the purchase of potash unnecessary for some time yet, if the supply of decaying organic matter in the soil is kept up by green manuring—preferably with legumes, ‘for ‘on soils where the yield is limited by a shortage of available nitrogen, potash fertilisers may stimulate leaf development and growth sufficiently to give a profitable increase. This is borne out by the fact that on soils in which decaying organic matter was definitely known to be present in sufficient quantities, potash manures have not given any increase in yield. This is directly shown at Coramba, where fertiliser experiments have been carried out for five years, and where no increase was recorded from potash ‘fertilisers during the first two years, but where increases have been obtained from these fertilisers in later years—probably owing to the deficiency of decaying organic matter in the soil which naturally ensues with continued cultivation if no measures are taken to replace it. With the high prices ruling for potash at present, it is recommended that no purchase be made of fertilisers for maize supplying this ingredient until ‘the need for it is shown by actual experiment; even then, the soil should contain an abundance of decaying organic matter before any defini conclusions can be drawn as to whether potash fertilisers are required. Lime. Lime is not strictly a fertiliser, though it may in some cases act as a stimulant in producing larger crop yields. It should be regarded more as a means of improving the texture of soils—particularly heavy clay soils. By promoting conditions favourable to nitrifying bacteria and thus ‘rendering nitrogen in organic matter more readily available, lime hastens to some extent the decomposition of vegetable matter ploughed under and by chemical action sets free some potash from insoluble compounds. It also has some action in preventing the formation of insoluble (iron and alumina) phosphates where it is present in sufficient quantity in the soil to which -superphosphate has been added. In very acid soils it promotes the growth of legumes, and thereby is a means of increasing the yield of the following maize crop on account of the greater amount of nitrogen and organic matter added to the soil when these legumes precede maize. In Alabama* an increase of nearly 3 bushels per acre of maize was obtained from an application of lime to velvet beans (for ploughing under) due to their increased growth. As a direct application alone to the soil for maize, lime has not met with much success. The following results were obtained from the application of lime for maize on red soils in Rhodesia,+ found to be distinctly acid :— , Yield per acre. Unburnt lime, 1 ton per acre ee ... 49 bushels 10 lb. Quicklime, } ton per acre nes ne hae 3 kaa Untreated ae ae a wi ae tr OO i HOPS; * Aabama Agr. Expt. sta. Bull. 111. + Rhodesia Agr. Jour., December, 1918. 320 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [May 3, 1920. Nothing will exhaust the soil more quickly than lime if used alone. Bear and Salter* found that the use of quicklime in excess of the needs of the soil caused a loss of nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter from the surface soil considerably larger than the increased yields produced would justify. When the organic matter is maintained and the supply of plant food material is kept up, the application of lime may be profitable. In America the cost of ground limestone (which is most largely used) is only about 5s. or 6s. per ton, while here this substance is quoted at about 30s. per ton, with agricultural (or air-slaked) lime at nearly double this price. This precludes the application of lime on a large scale in this State; but experiments are in progress to determine the value of lime on maize soils in those districts where the rainfall is high and where. much loss of this substance from the soil may be: expected on account of leaching. Do Commercial Fertilisers Impoverish the Soil? In many districts the cry is heard from farmers that commercial fertilisers: impoverish the soil. Such farmers argue that it has been their experience: that once they start to use commercial fertilisers (especially superphosphate): they are compelled to continue the practice, for if they leave off, they find. the yields poorer than on land to which no fertiliser had been applied. This is undoubtedly in many cases the truth, but its full significance has not been realised—it certainly does not constitute an argument in favour of no- fertiliser ; the fact that increased and profitable yields have been realised seems to have been lost sight of. As has been shown, fertilisers add to the soil only a portion of the plant food removed by the crops, with the inevitable result that the total plant food in the soil gradually decreases and the land itself is steadily impoverished under continuous culture or one-crop farming. But fertilisers supply this plant food in an easily available form, whereas there is a limit to the use which can be made of the plant food in the soil because of the large amount of it which is highly insoluble. This is mainly the reason why fertilisers give increased yields, and explains to some extent why fertilisers must be continued. The increased crops obtained from the use of fertilisers take more plant food from the soil than poorer crops grown without fertiliser; and it is the first business of every farmer (and an economically sound practice) to rob the soil of its fertility by making the land produce its utmost in crops. The farmer should recognise, however, that he cannot have his cake and eat it too. If he does not wish his land to become poorer, he should be content with poor crops. Successive good crops of maize or other crops in continuous culture without rotation (whether due to good seasons, good cultivation or fertilisers) must make the soil poorer in available plant food, and this is what makes fertilisers necessary (especially phosphatic fertilisers, like superphosphate, bonedust, &c., because there is no other means of supplying the element phosphorus), and all the more necessary on soil to which fertilisers have been previously added. There can be no room for complaint so long as fertilisers give a * West Virginia Aer. Expt. Sta. pull. 160 (1916). May 3, 1920.] : Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 321 profitable increase in crop yields. The fertiliser merchant cannot be blamed for the poor yields obtained when fertilisers are discontinued, any more than Providence can be censured for sending good seasons which help to produce: good crops and incidentally to make the land poorer. There is the further complaint that superphosphate has the effect of “hardening ” the soil, making it run together after rain and bake quickly,, and thus accentuating the reduction in crop yield. This condition is explained by the same cause—that is, the more rapid exhaustion by the: heavier crops of the soil’s organic matter (of which nitrogen is a part), whereas poorer crops grown without fertiliser deplete this organic matter more gradually. In any case, the greater the moisture-holding power of the soil the more the fertiliser is likely to be made use of. The intelligent. farmer will see to it that the soil retains its imoisture-holding capacity by enriching it with organic matter from animal and green manures and crop: residues. The land is thus kept in good tilth and full use is made of the: fertiliser. Strange as it may seem, the writer has met landlords who, on the above: fallacious grounds, have absolutely forbidden their tenant farmers to use commercial fertilisers. Tenant farmers on short leases are in some cases loth to use fertilisers because they get no compensation for their residual! values. Such farmers have no excuse for this attitude, even on the shortest. lease, when they can be assured that the application of fertiliser results in a profitable increase in crop yields. Effect of Fertilisers on Maturity of Maize Crops. The use of phosphatic fertilisers (particularly superphosphate) as an aid’ to the early maturing of the crop is a factor which has not previously been given the importance it deserves ; in the Tableland districts the application of 3 to 1 ewt. superphosphate alone at planting has been observed to hasten the maturity of the maize crop by as much as ten days or a fortnight. In view of the fact that it is never known when extra early autumn frosts will occur, this is a big consideration. The damage done by these unseason- ably early frosts depends on the amount of moisture in the grain at the time it is caught ; not only do they reduce the yield because the grain does not fill, but the feeding value of the grain is also lessened. The action of phosphates is to hasten the formation and filling of the grain ; and the use of superphosphate in cold climates at planting (which has the direct effect also of increasing the root development of the young seedlings, thus giving them a quick start) will do much to lessen the risk of damage which may be caused by early frost. Bonedust does not appear to have this power of inducing early maturity in the same degree as superphosphate, and even a mixture of bonedust and superphosphate does not give as marked. results in this direction as super- phosphate alone. Nitrogenous fertilisers, like nitrate of soda and sulphate of ammonia, have, on the other hand, the effect of delaying maturity ; and it. is probably due to the small amount of nitrog-n in bonedu-t that sometimes 322 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [May 3, 1920. . a slightly later maturity is observed in the maize fertilised with it. When a later planting than usual takes place in cold districts, then it would be advisable to apply superphosphate alone at seeding, in spite of ali other considerations. Residual Effect of Fertilisers. Although the amount of fertiliser usually applied to maize contains less plant food than is removed from the soil by the average crop, there is reason to believe that there is some residual effect from the fertilisers applied. In other words, we may expect some increase in the second or third years after application (though by no means as great as the increase during the first year), The establishment of this fact is the basis of the complaint by tenant farmers already referred to. Nitrogen is the chief element lost from the soil by leaching, and though soils have the power of fixing ammonia salts to some extent, even these are converted fairly rapidly into nitrates during favourable summer conditions, and the soil then has no power over their retention, except when growing crops are making use of them. The loss from leaching is, of course, greater in districts of heavy rainfall and from sandy soils ; and when these conditious are heightened it will be seen that a cover crop of some kind is an economical method of saving nitrogen. It will be apparent, therefore, that nitrogenous fertilisers like sulphate of ammonia and nitrate of soda are not likely to have any residual effect. | Phosphatic and potash fertilisers lose but little of their plant food from the soil by leaching under ordinary conditions, though potash is lost to some extent from sandy soils under heavy rainfall. Fairly large quantities of lime are also removed from the soil in drainage or seepage waters. It is, however, chiefly from phosphatic fertilisers and organic nitrogenous manures like blood, bone, &e., that we can expect some residual ~ yalue —even though the amounts of plant food supplied by these fertilisers is less than that removed by the crops from the soil, for the crops depend more or less on the plant food which is naturally contained in the soil and what part of this is made available. Experiments are now in progress in this State to determine the residual effect of superphosphate on maize soils, but in the meantime the experience of other countries is worth quoting. In Ohio* it was found that 51 per cent. of the increase from chemical fertilisers was realised in the crop to which the fertiliser was applied and 49 per cent. in the crops which followed, the increased yields extending for four years afterwards from a single application. In Rhodesia,y on red soils, an increase of 46 bushels per acre was obtained as an aggregate of three seasons from one dressing of fertiliser costing 20s., practically no increase over the unmanured plot being obtained beyond the third year. * Ohio Mon, Bull., vol. 2, No. 2 (February, 1917). + Rhodesia Agr. Jour., August, 1917. May 3, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 323° Methods and Time of Applying Fertiliser. Fertiliser attachments are fitted to most of the modern maize drills, and. with regulators can be made to sow from } to 3 or 4 cwt, fertiliser per acre. Very few definite tests have been made to determine whether the application . of fertiliser at seeding time is better than at any other time, but nearly all the increases for fertilisers quoted here have been obtained by such an appli - cation. It has been shown that top dressing maize with nitrate of soda has been tried unsuccessfully for the most part on the coast, but the experiment is being continued on the tablelands, where it may meet with success. On the western slopes, where the question of soil moisture is the most important one in maize growing, it may be found that fertilisers applied to - maize at planting have an undesirable effect in producing a vigorous growth of stalk which will be less able to withstand the dry weather it may experience later in the season, and thus the yield may be actually reduced by the fertiliser. Especially will this apply to soluble nitrogenous fertilisers, . but it may also happen with superphosphate. For this reason the quantity of fertiliser applied to maize in these districts should be much smaller than that recommended for the coast, except, perhaps, in the case of fodder maize, . where a heavy stalk growth is desired. Some experiments to determine whether broadcasting the fertiliser or distributing it with a wheat drill before planting maize is any better than’ sowing in the maize drill in the ordinary way, have given negligible results in New South Wales, the yields being about the same from either method. In North Carolina* an average of 2:1 bushels per acre increase was obtained in favour of fertiJising in the maize drill as compared to broadcasting, It may be that when heavy dressings of fertiliser are given it would be prefer- able to distribute it evenly by the wheat drill, but in those districts in this State where there is likely to be a wheat drill on the farm (that is, the tablelands and western slopes) it has been found that light applications of fertiliser give the best results. Owing to absorption by the soil particles, very little downward movement of plant food like phosphates and potash takes place, and if these fertilisers are applied to the surface soil at a shallow depth a good part of them must be out of action 1m the cultivated surface soil mulch, except in a wet season when the maize roots, especially in the later stages of growth, approach nearer the surface. By putting these fertilisers in deeply better results might naturally be expected, for not only would they then be down where the plant roots feed, but they would stand more chance of being in moister soil and being thus made more available. That there is something in the deep application of fertilisers has been proved in North Carolina,} where fertiliser applied three times as deep (4 to 5 inches beneath the seed) as is ordinarily applied just before planting maize gave an average profit of 8 per cent. greater than applying the fertiliser in the drill at the ordinary * North Carolina Agr. Expt. Sta., Cire. 8 (1913). + North Carolina Agr. Expt. Sta., Bull. 229 (1915). 324 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [May 3, 1920. depth at planting. This is presumably done by setting the maize drill very deep and sowing the fertiliser alone first. Experiments are now in progress to determine the value of this method in New South Wales. In some parts of America the fertiliser practice which has given the best results is that of applying the fertiliser to the crop that is grown especially for soil improvement. The application of 200 to 300 lb. super- phosphate to the fodder crop or green manure crop preceding the maize crop has given much better returns than the same amount applied directly to the maize crop. ‘This practice has not yet been tried in this State as far as maize is concerned, but should be worth testing. It may be men- tioned that this method of fertilising has not proved a success here with wheat, but wheat is a crop for which soil improvement crops are not usually grown as they are for maize. The writer has observed the undoubted stimulating effect fertilisers have had on the growth of peas, vetches, &c., which have been grown for soil improvement on the coast ; this, with the results of the fertiliser tests with superphosphate on lucerne during the past few years on the alluvial flats of the coast, may point to a new and efficient method of fertilising land for maize. The increased growth of the leguminous fodder crop adds more organic matter and nitrogen to the soil, and the maize crop depends for phosphates largely on the residual value of the phosphatic fertiliser applied to the fodder crop. VARY THE RATION WHEN HaAND-FEEDING SHEEP. « Wuicu of the feeds I have on hand would you advise me to use to hand-feed to Merino ewes due to lamb early in April, and to Merino lambs dropped in April and May of last year?” asked a Walla Walla pastoralist recently. “T have prime green wheaten hay with good grain in some sheaves, prime oaten hay cut fairly ripe with plenty of grain in it, and Algerian oats. The sheep have hay stubble and other cultivation with a little dry grass to run on, and plenty of good water and salt. To keep up their strength and condition for lambing, I commenced to feed on the wheaten hay (about } lb. hay per head) a fortnight ago, but neither ewes nor lambs are doing well. Their bellies appear full, and they are weak in their limbs, fall easily, and have difficulty in getting up. A few ewes and lambs have died during the last week.” “The ewes should have done fairly well on the food supply mentioned, provided the hay was of good quality,” replied the Sheep and Wool Expert. “I would advise bringing the ration up to 141b. of chaff per head per day and adding 4 |b. bran; the ewes may be suff-1ing from impaction from being on dry feed so long. You might add 6 per cent. Epsom salt to the salt lick. In the event of it being necessary to continue hand-feeding, a ration consisting of 14 lb. chaff (wheaten or oaten) and 1 lb. lucerne hay may be supplied as a change of feed, “It would be better to have the hay chaffed than to feed it whole to the sheep. The secret in hand-feeding is to change the ration as frequently as possible. Sheep seem to sicken if left too long on the same class of food, and by alternating the lucerne with the bran and chaff they may be carried along in good health for a longer period.” May 3, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 325 Chats about the Prickly Pear. IN@s-3. J. H. MAIDEN, LS.0O., F.R.S., F.L.S., Government Botanist and Director, Botanic Gardens, Sydney. Prickly Pear as Stock Food. THIs is pear’s major use, beside which all others sink into insignificance. J repeat the advice that, while we are searching out some insect or fungus antagonist which may help us to cope with this dreadful weed, we should be careful that we do not lose valuable time for the sake of what may turn out to be a will-o’-the-wisp. Synopsis. Absolute Destruction only an Ideal. Select Bibliography. Burning off the Spines and Spinules. (1) Singeing with Brush. (2) Singeing with a Torch. Handling the Pear, a Fork. Chopping the Pear. Steaming Pear. Pear as Ensilage. Absolute Destruction only an Ideal. With most people in Australia absolute destruction of prickly pear is’ an ideal. If the matter came into poiitics, the candidate who could promise elimination of the plant would receive an almost unanimous Australian vote ; not quite unanimous, however, for I have found, particularly during the present drought, that some laudowners who were severely antag- onistic to it during the drought of 190? have become more tolerant of it during the drought of 1919. A number have told me they could not carry through a drought without pear, although most say they have too much, Following is the opinion of a high American authority, Dr. D. Griffiths, in U.S. Bulletin 74, p. 36, referring to his own country :~- It has heen but a few years since the ranchers in the pear sections of Texas were inquiring anxiously for some method which could be successfully employed in ridding the native pastures of what was considered an absolutely worthless and injurious weed—the prickly pear. It was asserted that the pear, like the mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and guajilla (Acacia Berlandieri), was spreading rapidly and would soon overrun and greatly injure, if not destroy, large areas of pasture land. But this was before the combination of pear and cotton-seed meal as a stuck feed was appreciated. To-day the occasion for the destruction of the pear does not exist, and an absolute destruction would be a calamity indeed. The foregoing notwithstanding, there is hardly anyone who would not welcome any means by which the pest might be cleared out of the land, and who indeed would not admit that that would be a desirable termination 326 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. | May 3, 1920. of the difficulty. No one, [ suppose, would contemplate the toleration in: Australia of the weed if any method, sound economically, could be found for: its destruction. Select Bibliography. The following pamphlets bear on prickly pear as a forage plant :— 1894. “* Projet d’Enquéte sur le Cactus, considéré comme plante four- ragere.” (Revue Tunisienne.) By Paul Bourde. 1896. ‘ Plan of an enquiry into the merits of Prickly Pear as a forage- plant.” Ayricultwral Gazette, October, 1896, p. 651. A translation by J. H. Maiden of the preceding. 1905. “ The Prickly Pear and other Cacti as food for Stock.” Bulletin No. 74, Bureau of Plant Industry, U.S. Department of Agriculture. By David Griffiths. 1906. “ Feeding Prickly Pear to Stock in Texas.” Bulletin No. 91,. Bureau of Animal Industry, U.S. Department of Agriculture. By David Griftths. 1906. ‘* Prickly Pear and other Cacti as food for Stock (2).” Bulletin No. 60, New Mexico College of Agriculture, &e. By David Griffiths and R. F. Hare. 1907. “Summary of Recent Investigations of the Value of Cacti as Stock Food.” One of the “ Miscellaneous Papers ” comprised in Bulletin No, 102, Bureau of Plant Industry, U.S. Department of Agriculture By David Griffiths and R. F. Hare. 1908. “The Prickly Pear as a Farm Crop.” Bulletin No. 124, Bureau of Plant Industry, U.S. -pepamaent of Agriculture. By David Griffiths. 1915. “ Yields of Native Prickly Pear in Southern Texas.” Bulletin No. 208 of the U.S. Department of Agric ulture. By David Grittiths. Burning off the Spines and Spinules. For particulars, with two illustrations, see U.S. Bulletin No. 74 (1905). These are reproduced at Plate XI of the Queensland Agricultural Journal for August, 1908, (1) Singeing with Brush.—This is the natural and primitive method, where scrub and timber are burnt, and by means of the fire thus created the spines, &e., are burnt off the pear. A pear-fork is used for handling the mass. Obviously this method depends on the care and skill of the operator. I have no doubt, however, that this method will always be in use more or less where fuel is plentiful. In the Sydney Daily Telegraph of lst August, 1913, is shown a small furnace burning pear at Riversleigh, Pallamallawa, New South Wales. The apparatus is cylindrical, hand-propelled, and mounted on wheels. The: cylindrical furnace has a revolving fan at the back to create a draught, and the fuel is wood, > +-| 2,614 | .14°5 4,740 15'8 253 14:11 | 626 14°9 June, ome. 200 14°3 5,192 17°3 227 12°6 | 702 16-7 July, a ee 66 16°5 | 5,774 19-2 299 UG Ory crea 18°3 August, Ae pel eRsae 19-7 1) 6,395 | 23 334 18:6"). ~ 920), | 2270 September, ,, ...| 3,733 20'7 | 6,010 20°3 347 193, 861 20°5 October, so) fae 900 21-7 | 5,448 |; 18:1 876 20:9) 763" \> 18:2 November, ,, ...| 3,789 21 4,947 16°5 363 2071 \"2738 17°6 December, ~,, ...| 3,546 1977 |) 4,612 | 15-4 355 LO Oden GeO January, 1920...) 3,231 | 17°9 | 4,131 137 321 NES ee OOSan eels 2 February, ,, ...| 2,914 | 162 | 3,968 | 13-2 966 | 14:8 | 544 | 13-0 March, aD Y56."| Nd “1. 3,938) (1371 187 10°4 | 492 11-7 EEE SS OS oe - SS Totals ...| 36,635 | 203-0 | 58,212 | 190-4 | 3,518 | 518 | 195-4 | 8,055 | 191°8 * Only 294 birds mrnciol in Section Bin April, 1919. 358 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [May 3, 1920. Scores of Leading Birds. The highest individual record was 303 for Mr. A. Drayton’s Black Orping- ton, No. 50, and Mr. H. J. Durrington’s Langshan hen, No. 233, was a close runner up with a score of 302. Mr. W. Hilliard’s Langshau, No. 534 (Standard Section), occupied third place with a score of 294. Although in Three of Mr. E. T. Rhodes’ group of White Leghorns. Winner of second prize in Eighteenth Annual Competition (1,436 eggs) in Light Breeds Section. the general average the light breeds laid better than the heavy breeds, in the individual scores the light breeds did not attain to higher than tenth place (Mr. J. J. Vaughan’s White Leghorn, No. 439, laid 281 eggs), the next best score in this section being 280 eggs for Mr. G. A. Baxter’s White Leghorn, No. 520. May 3, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 359 The following table shows the monthly records of the ten leading birds in light and heavy breeds. eeu S| | : 3 Fa ee Owner and Breed. Na 2 i/8| 3 YB | Bath aie, Tee e(ele/S lS S/S erslelele | z : 3 : |< ails <|s|S|/zl\aléleals |e Light Breeds J. J. Vaughan: White Leghorn or --( 19 | 16 | 23.) 26 | 26 | 27.) 25 | 26 | 26 | 26) 21; 20) 281 ax A. Baxter: White Leghorn ate --| 21} 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 -) 25 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 24) 99 280 A. Messervy * White Leghorn. . ae --| 18 | 20 | 20} 18 | 24 | 23 }-26 | 23 | 24 | 25.| 93 | a1 268 J. J. Vaughan : White Leghorn Ss ea 20) 24 120) 120°) 25.) 21 | 25 | 29°} 25 | 18) 15 | 21 | 265 E. T. Rhodes : White Leghoru “i --| 12 21 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 92 | 964 N. J. McAppion : White ‘Leghorn He -.| 14 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 21; 21 | 9269 L. K. Pettit: White Leghorn o -.| 19 | 22] 17 | 19 | 20} 23 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 91 | 93 | 969 A. Gliddon : White Leghorn .. Ae - 5. 23 | 18 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 25'| 21 262 E. T, Rhodes : White Leghorn - .-| 14,, 22 | 21 | 2: | 25 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 96.) 24 | 21116] 960 L. K, Pettit: White Leghorn a .-| 7 | 24 | 22) 21 | 22 | 19 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 90!) 9258* J.J. Vaughan ; White Leghorn 121 | 22 1 19 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 21 | 19 | 91 | 958 deavy Breeds. A. Drayton: Black Orpington a -.( 25 | 24 | 24 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 21 ( 25) 25 | 26 | 24 | 24) 303 H. J. Durrington : Langshan .. a «-| 22 | 29 | 23 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24) 802 W. Hilliard: Langshan. . ae ig ..| 24 | 30 | 27 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 21 | 26 | 18 | 29 | 96} 18] 294 A. E, Brown: Langshan 50 fe --| 9 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 298% W. H. Whittorn : Black Orpington .. --| 26 | 27 | 28 | 31 | 27 | 25 | 24.| 21 | 21 | 20 | 20] 19 | 280+ W. Hilliard: Langshan. ae --| 4 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 29 | 96 | 28 | 98 |-23} 298 A. R. Kennedy : Black Orpington ar -.| 18 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 27 | 29 | 26 | 27 | 290 | 22 | 93) 988 F, M. Weierter : Silver Wyandotte .. --| 13 | 19 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 29 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 298 W. H. Whittorn: Black Orpington .. -.| 25 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 22 | 23} 15.) 18 | 15 | 26 | 282% J, Waterhouse: Rhode Island Red .. bee 2s ee at 21 | 22 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 29] 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 979 * ielipiiie for individual prize, eggs pee Sane eight. Weights of Winning Birds. Details of the weights of the winning birds at the beginning and end of the competition should be of interest. ‘They are as follows :— Weight at | Weight at | No. of Eggs April, 1919. | March, 1920. Laid, COR IDES cl Individual Hens, el Disgoze Ib. 0z. Light Breeds— J. J. Vaughan’s White Leghorn, No. 439 sik) Sep nena a ee 281 Heavy Breeds— | A. Drayton’s Black Orpington, No. 50 Jn By ed dn nO 303 Groups. | ASO fi BLS de, 281 Light Breeds— 4405. | 3) 8 3.48 201 ‘ 2 J.J. Vaughan’s White Leghorns, Nos. : sine | j 2 | 3 0 ee ' Wade 8) OB. ie Mele 265 (444 | ea 4 0 194 | puis 5°12 een 209 Heavy Breeds— | 50 5D, (6 eave a0 303 Aes TN RAEMN IG, Black (OER Nog Do Oe: oe eee 22 A. Drayton’s Black Orpingtons, 08.4 52 Bil 38 vieey 957 : 53 5 18 6 10 219 L 540 5 4 Dead 168 | | | | 360 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [May 3, 1920. T The Financial Aspect. The prices obtained for the eggs from the competition, and the Sydney wholesale prices of new laid eggs, as supplied by the Government Statistician , were as follows :— Hawkesbury | Sydney Agricultural Wholesale Menthe: College Price. | Price. Per dozen. Per dozen. Sweat | ge ouGe April, 1919 2/710 24 ease) 3) May, iz 239 Pes) June, ae syle W Zo July, Ad 2.6 O86 August, - Len6 lea Vor September, ,, Nowil Leet October, ,, 1s 55 bate! November, ,, erto eerie December, ,, We v7 erry January, 1920 2 2 0 February, ,, Dee Pye hee, March, re 2 10 2. 66 Less charges— £1 4 3 £1 3 1°85 Freights, cartage, commission, per 12 dozen is a Pi ie Fi No ae el Dias agit Ah [9 Net price per dozen ... 1 11 | 1 10 The cost of feeding the 540 competition birds was £249 11s. 9d., made up of :— ST eel, Wiheritl secs ctaenae a 3 so faa aes, Maize 58 6 112 Pollard 45 & 10 Bran 18 8 5k Lucerne dust 1 4 Meat meal V3 os Sundries ... i moe ek £249 11 9 Equal to 9s. 5d. per hen. The total market value of the eggs laid in the year was £764 4s. Id., so that the profit over cost of feed was £514 12s. 4d., equal to 19s. Id. per hen. In computing the market value of eggs laid in the competition, the: Government Statistician’s figure has been taken each month, in accordance with the practice which has prevailed in past years, although a somewhat more. favourable result would have been shown on taking the actual prices realised by the College. May 3, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 361 ANNUAL COMPETITION, ’ Full details of the financial and other results since the inception of the competitions are given in the Econine spare table :— | Ist 2nd 3rd | 4th 5th 6th 7th | 8th ... 9th . 40th ...| PVth ic 1th ts,.% 13th vee 14th wea) 15th 1B 16th { f| Lith { al (3 B} 1 J | 8th C1 RCZ 7 |: 1,336 | 955 KIGHTEENTH Section A. 168 White Leghorns 6 Brown ‘ee 6 Anconas Section B. 210 Black Orpingtons ... 48 Langshans ... 12 Plymouth Rocks 6 Rhode Island Reds... 24 Silver Wyandottes.. Section Cl, 18 White Leghorns Section C2. l | No. of | Winnin Bee Highest |Average| Gp eatest | Average | [ESD A Total. a | Total. rd Hen. Value. | of Eggs. | | 38 | 1,113 | 459 137 130 140] Lan be Seal Ua Uses) as 160 163 150/- 1/32 SH LOO} | NR 224e bs 154 152 | - 114/ ie ep LOO: ih Asa 635 168 166 125 -{1123 ---| 100 1,481 721 162 171 |- 137]- 1/03 , 60 1,474 | 665 161 173 | 149]- 1/24 SO ele no a Go6 159 180 | 146/- 1/34 60 | 1,394 | 739 158 181 173] 1/54 40 | 1,321 658 151 168 134/5 ae 50 |’ 1,389 | 687 146 184 141/9 1/24 BOM e461 603 156 178 164|7 1'34 50S) 13608724 152 177 145/3 1124 63 ; 1,541 705 162 181 152/9 1/2 70 1,449 | 506 165 192 | 172|7 1/43 40 1,526 | 924 162 216} 171/11} 1/32 30 | 1,479; 749 165 192 171/3 1/32 40 1,525 | 923 157 209 | 166/24 1/4 BO GIS eR 170 202 | 172/134 1/4 40 | 1,448 | 860 153 199 | 168/3 1/54 OMe ale 17: 815 151 189 183/67 1/53 30 1,438 | 988 148 203 | 207/6 1/10 50 1,428 | 745 151 190 | 210/7 1/19 3 1,304 | 977 138 195 | 185)8 1/10 150 19! 190) 1/10 Average | Net Price Value per | Feed per | lovenieed: Hen Hen. Cost of | Balance 15/6 17/9 12/9 13/3 14/10 17/2 19/2 21/9 16/34 18/54 19/44 17/7 17/84 22/2 23/82 21/74 21/98 21/2 22/04 21/114 28/10 28/1 27/8 28/5 ANNUAL ComPETITION—Analysed. Eggs per Hen. | Average Weight of eggs per doz. Value per Hen. 18 Rhode Island Reds... 18 Langshans oat 6 Silver Wyandottes f pred fe ee feed i) 1 ~ 10 = ah oO 362 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [| May 3, 1920. AWARDS OF PRIZES AND CERTIFICATES. GRAND CHAMPION PRIZE. Grand Champion Prize of £5 5s. (or trophy to that value), for greatest number of eggs laid by group of six birds during the twelve months without replacement of a bird— * J. J. Vaughan, White Leghorns, 1,438 eggs. Sections A and Cl. Greatest number of eggs laid during twelve months (individual hens). Five prizes, £3, £2 10s., £2, £1 10s., and £1.—J. J. Vaughan, White Leghorn (No. 439),, 281 eggs (1); G. A. Baxter, White Leghorn (No. 320), 280 eggs (2); A. Messervy, White Leghorn (No. 489), 265 eggs, and J. J. Vaughan, White Leghorn (No. 443), 265 eggs, divide 3rd and 4th prizes ; KE. T. Rhodes, White Leghorn (No. 426), 264 eggs (5). Greatest number of eggs laid during twelve months (groups of six birds). Four prizes, £2 10s., £2, £1 10s., and £1.—J. J. Vaughan, White Leghorns, 1,438 eggs (1); E. I. Rhodes, White Leghorns, 1,436 eggs (2); G. A. Baxter, White Leghorns, 1,359 eggs (3); lL. K. Pettit, White Leghorns, 1,318 eggs (4). Quarterly prizes (groups of six birds) :— Winter test (lst April to 30th June, 1919). Prizes, £2 and £1 10s.—G. A. Baxter, 331 eggs (1); J. J. Vaughan, 291 eggs (2). Spring test (Ist July to 30th September, 1919), Prizes, £1 10s. and £1.—G. A. Baxter, 386 eggs (1) ; A. Gliddon, 385 eggs (2). Summer test (Ist October to 31st December, 1919). Prizes, £1 10s. and £1.—E. T. Rhodes, 437 eggs (1); J. J. Vaughan, 431 eggs (2). Autumn test (Ist January to 3lst March, 1920). Prizes, £2 and £1 10s.—E. T, Rhodes, 372 eggs (1); T. Partridge, 347 eggs (2). Highest average for twelve months (groups of six or five birds). Four prizes, £3, £2 10s., £2, and £1 10s,—G. A. Baxter, White Leghorns, 1,208 eggs (five birds) (1) ; J. J. Vaughan, White Leghorns, 1,435 eggs (six birds) (2); E. I. Rhodes, White enn, 1,436 eggs (six birds) (3); R. Whitelaw, White Leghorns, 1,180 eggs (five irds) (4). Sections B and C2. Greatest number of eggs laid during twelve months (individual hens). Five prizes, £3, £2 10s., £2, £1 10s., and £1:—A. Drayton, Black Orpington (No. 50), 303 eggs (1) ; ' H. J. Durrington, Langshan (No, 233), 302 eggs (2); W. Hilliard, Langshan (No. 534), 294 eggs (3); W. Hilliard, Langshan (No. 533), A. R. Kennedy, Black Orpington (No. 124), and F. M. Weierter, Silver Wyandotte (No. 540), each laid 285 eggs and divided 4th and 5th prizes. Greatest number of eggs laid during twelve months (groups of six birds). Four prizes, £2 10s., £2, £1 10s., and £1.—A. Drayton, Black Orpingtons, 1,428 eggs (1); H.S. Lewis, Black Orpingtons, 1,415 eggs (2); C. Judson, Black Orpiogtons, 1,353 eggs (3) ; A. E. Brown, Langshans, 1,345 eggs (4). Quarterly Prizes (groups of six birds) :— Winter test (Ist April to 30th June, 1919). Prizes, £2and £110s.—W. H. Whittorn, Black Orpingtons, 385 eggs (1); A Drayton, Black Orpingtons, 371 eggs (2). Spring test (lst July to 30th September, 1919). Prizes, £1 10s. and £1.—A. Drayton, Black Orpingtons, 436 eggs (1); D. Rees, Langshans, 435 eggs (2). Summer test (Ist October to 31st December, 1919). Prizes, £1 10s. and £1.—H. 8. Lewis, Black Orpingtons, 393 eggs (1); A. R. Kennedy, Black Orpingtons, 386 eggs (2). Autumn test (Ist January to 3lst March, 1920). Prizes, £2 and £1 10s.—-D. Frew, junr., Langshans, 316 eggs (1); G. E. Holmes, Black Orpingtons, 314 eggs (2). Highest average for twelve months (groups of six or five birds). Four prizes: £3, £2 10s., £2, and £1 10s.—A. Drayton, Black Orpingtons, 1,428 eggs (six birds) (1); H. S. Lewis, Black Orpingtons, 1,415 eggs (six birds) (2); H. J. Dur- rington, Langshans, 1,140 eggs (five birds) (3); F. M. Weierter, Silver Wyan- dottes, 1,131 eggs (five birds) (4). May}3, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 363 Quality Prizes. Twelve groups conforming most closely to type were selected in each of Sections A and B for prizes of £5 and £2 10s., provided the winners laid 1,150 eggs or more in twelve months. The winners were :— Section A.—J. J. Vaughan, 1,488 eggs, White Leghorns (1); A. Gliddon, 1316 eggs, White Leghorns (2). Section B.—A. E. Brown, 1,345 eggs, Langshans (1); D. Frew, junr., 1,292 eggs, Langshans (2). Three of Mr. H. S. Lewis’s group of Black Orpingtons. Winner of second prize in Eighteenth Annual Competition (1,415 eggs) in Heavy Breeds Section. he he Be begs 4 Prizes of £2 and £1 were awarded in each of Sections Cl and C2 for the greatest number of eggs laid by groups of six birds, subject to 1,000 eggs or more being laid. Section Cl.—A. Messervy, 1,304 eggs, White Leghorns (1); C. McKendry, 1,287 eggs, White Leghorns (2). Section C2.—F. M. Weierter, 1,336 eggs, Silver Wyandottes (1); J. Waterhouse, * 1,314 eggs, Rhode Island Reds (2). 364 Agriultural Gazette of N.S.W. [May 3, 1920. Certificates. For groups of six pens laying 1,300 eggs or more during the twelve months :— J. J. Vaughan (White Leghorns), 1,438 eggs ; E. T. Rhodes (White Leghorns), 1,436 eggs; A. Dray ton (Black Orpingtons), 1,428 eggs ; HS. Lewis (Black Orpingtons), 1, 415 eggs; G. A. Baxter (White Leghorns), 1,359 eggs ; C. Judson (Black Orpingtons), 1,353 eggs; A. E. Brown (Langshans), 1,345 eggs ; -A. R. Kennedy (Black Orpingtons), 1,334 eggs; W. H. Whittorn (Black Orpingtons), 1,331 eggs; L. K. Pettit (White Leghorns), 1,318 eggs; P. C. McDonnell (Black Orpingtons), 1,317 eggs; A. Gliddon (White Leghorns), 1,316 eggs; J. Waterhouse (Rhode Island Reds), 1,314 eggs; A. Messervy (White Leghorns), 1,304 eggs. THE POULTRY EXPERT’S REVIEW. In the competition just concluded there is a notable absence of any outstanding record, either in groups, single hens, or general averages, Asa matter of fact, the general average has slipped back to very close to that of 1916. It should be remembered, however, that in that year a big advance had been made from 184, the previous highest (made in 1910), to 192 eggs per hen, the improvement having succeeded upon the minimum weight regulation. This average was followed by 205 in 1917 and 206 in 1918; last year (1919), notwithstanding some high records in the different sections, the general average slipped back to 195, and this year it has recovered a little to 197. Although retrogression has taken place to that extent, we are still above the point where the improvement took place in 1916 and onwards for the following three years. However, the large number of rejections made at the incoming of the birds at the commencement of last competition did not augur well for the success of the 1919-20 test, nor did the incidence: of so much disturbance in the penning help matters. During the closing days of the competition more than ordinary interest was aroused owing ‘to the close running of the leading groups and single hens for first place in practically each ‘section. In the case of the light section, this continued right up to the morning of the last day of the test, when Messrs, Rhodes and Vaughan’s groups were tieing for first place. During the day the position was determined in favour of Mr. V aughan’s pen by his birds laying five eggs and Mr. Rhodes’ only three, leaving a win by two eggs for the former. Much the same position was occupied in the single hen test between Messrs. Vaughan’s and Baxter’s hens. In the heavy breed group section, the position was sufficiently determined some days before to make it plain that Mr. Drayton would beat his opponent. But in the single hens a close finish for first prize took place between Mr. Drayton’s and Mr. Durrington’s birds, ending in favour of the former by one egg. During the whole test Mr. Messervy’s group in the standard section (light breeds) was running between third and fourth place. Remarking in my last report on the quality, it was pointed out that it was only to be feared that the lack of quality as indicated by so many rejections was possibly a reflex of what was taking place on some of our farms. This is a feature which should occupy the very serious attention of competitors, because if the retrogression continues we shall soon fall back to the average preceding the high tallies that have been made in recent years. The most notable falling off in recent tests is in the Black Orpingtons, and the question arises has this breed passed its zenith like so many other breeds have done, or is the decline due to instability of type and character? However, judging from the birds just passed into the 1920-21 test, T am hopeful that next year’s results will show some recovery in all sections. May 3, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. The Size of Eggs. There has been some criticism in respect of the alleged falling off in the size of eggs, and the number of disqualifications in recent tests on that account. The following table of average weights of eggs during the last eight tests will be of interest to competitors and onlookers in this connection, Thre® of Mr. A. Messervy’s group of White Leghorns. Leading pen in Light Breeds Standard Section (1,304 eggs). Starting at a point from where the retrogression is alleged to have manifested itself, we find :— Weicuts of Eggs per dozen. oz. | OZ. 1913 Eleventh Annual Test .. 244) 1917 Fifteenth Annual Test «262 1914 Twelfth ,, in .. 242 | 1918 Sixteenth ,, is 243 )F_1 1915 Thirteenth ,, es ... 242 | 1919 Seventeenth ,, gt ie ae 1916 Fourteenth ,, 35 ... 26% | 1920 Eighteeath ,, Ae a) 1252 366 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. | May 3, 1920. It will be observed that, as might be expected, fluctuations have occurred, but on the eight -years cited it will be seen that no retrogression—on the contrary, progress—has been made, and it is noteworthy that the highest average weight of eggs followed upon the introduction of the miniuum weight regulation, as did also the highest tallies made in the whole series of tests. Viewing the criticism referred to, it would appear that the critics have overlooked the significance of the change from group competitions to single hens. Under the group system, the light weight of one or perhaps Three of Mr. F. M. Weierter’s group of Silver Wyandottes. Leading pen in Heavy Breeds Standard Section (1,336 eggs). more hens was made up by the heavier ones in the same group. In the single pen system, of course, there can be no such compensating factor. Every individual hen must lay an egg at least 2 0z. in weight, and eggs from eich group must weigh at least 24 0z. per dozen to qualify for a prize. Another point upon which critics of the competition have stumbled is the significance of the extension of time for taking the weights from four to May 3, 1920.] | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 367 six months. This has been regarded as a sign that eggs were getting smaller, and that more time was allowed on that account ; as a matter of fact it had no such significance. The extension of time arises out of the necessities brought about by the change to single-hen penning. Under the group system it was comparatively easy to obtain the weights within the four months stipulated, but experience with the single-hen test has proved it to be most difficult to obtain eggs for the purpose cf weighing from every individual hen within the four months, hence the extension of the time to six mouths. k Standard Section. The performances of the birds in the standard section has amply justified the innovation, and the result will serve to disabuse many poultry keepers of the fallacy, which has become only too prevalent, that standard bred birds are all poor layers. Again, it was only common justice to a deserving class of breeders who spend both money and time in the production of high class birds that they should have some representation in these competitions. _ Here again the Hawkesbury Agricultural College Competition Committee has set a precedent which we find others quick to follow. It has lately come under notice that the egg-laying competition being conducted at the Harper Adams College in England has decided to follow our lead this year, not only by making a section for standard bred birds in their competitions, but also by adopting the single pen system. Detailed Returns. EaGo-yIELps oF Eacu Birp AND GROUP IN THE EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL CoMPETITION. | | | Total | bei teal Total Owner and Breed. | Totals of Individual Birds. Oe Oe Bee:| Market Groups.! gozen. | Value. Section A—(Light Breeds). OZs0 so Sens J. J. Vaughan : White Leghorns ie Bey eceyl 201 258 239 265 194 1,438 CHE AKT! Maly 3: E. T. Rhodes: White Leghorns ae ..| 260 213 228 228 243 264 1,486; | 2a Omari 16 G. A. Baxter: White Leghorns = bel Zot 280 253 16If. 217 204 | 1,359 25 1918 0 L. K. Pettit: White Leghorns i sane 2oon 211 262 212 205 170 1,318 25°5 910 0 A Gliddon: White Leghorns .. Ae ..| 236 1i7 180* 247 214 262 | 1,316 25°77 9-8. 9 C. Leach: White Leghorns... Js tieif aes 188 165 239 246 223 1,295 DET OL Gass J M. Brooke: White ueghorns we cailkgee LO 230 247 220 224 162 1,298 2575 uel Oe eno H. A. Gradwell : White Leghorns... semen 239 166 229 187 251 12983 9265 | Or ORS J. R. Stewart : White Leghorns ig <-|- 213 245 196 224 188 214 | 1,280 DAP ARUN ep pues T. Partridge : White Leghorns of Seen ek POE 220 187 229 204 12082 Qo eerie KR. Whitelaw : White Leghorns ae ..| 248 747 246 241 214 231°) 1,254 | 25:2 | 8 15 11 A. H. burwood: Brown Leghorns .. ye EB 199 210 192 216 230 1,230). |'2 24:5 |} 813 4 F. L. Parker: White Leghorns re eZ0se 206 243 240 148 TST 1296s |) 20-bh | Sal aaO Willow Grange Poultry Farm: White | Leghorns aA we i Ba Hap woe. \ 222 212 181 149 240 1,226 24°77 | 8 16 11 W. Maskell: White Leghorns .. Ps | 200 244 199 186 192 189 | 1,210 26 810 6 C. Kennett: White Lezhorns .. =e < 165 220 192 196 220 215 1,208 262 | 8 6 3 F. S. Longley : White Leghorns He 200 198 242 157 205 201) 182038 262,;8 8 4 A. H. Jones: White Leghorns Re -.| 23838 252$ 252 294* 215 64 | 1,200 | 242 /)/8°9 8 T. E. Jarman: White Leghorns s Pleseot., 199 DUE y 9205 178 175) |) 1,195 26:2 | 8 6 10 J. W. McKendry: White Leghorns .. _—..| 163 165 177t 222 228* 235 | 1,190 24-7.) 8 7 5 T. V. Gardner : White Leghorns sn .-| 187 249 Wf; 212 224 204 | 1,187 25 810 0 L. Bulluss: White Leghorns .. wg saleeae 172 256 190 216 127 1,184 25 8 9 10 - Elliott Bros. : White Leghorns Ss Fallen 4s3 167 204 158 181 239 1,177 26 8 4 10 W. I. Baker: White Leghorns. . set i 173 231 159 262 135 203 1,163 25°5 aD iF 4. C. Bailey : White Leghorns a Srihee pales 907 201 223 244 179 1,151 26°7 $16.3 Mrs. M. Barrett: White Leghorns — .. celeeeOGh cau 223 120 241 221 1,136 257 #1 +8) 92") 0 A. G. Noldart.: White Leghorns aS pel be ACA) 195 146 219 171 229 1,130 | 26°5 716.4 F. M. Lambert: Anconas ue @ Ppa 271 149 151 PPR alee 1,058 25 1% 8d J. Gillies: White Leghorns .. = alienate DEA. 176 174 140 219 O00" 4 2675: See ..02.0 J, Rayner: White Leghorns .. Me Prd |» Sie tha 180 ini 170 1007 156 988 | 26°5 6 14 11 } * Signifies bird replaced, score struck out. + Signifies bird dead, not replaced. f Disqualified for prizes, eggs being under weight. ’ 368 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. | May 3, 1920. EcG-y1ELps oF Eaca Birp AND GROUP IN THE CoMPETITION—continued. EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL | Weight | Section Cl—Standard Section A. Messervy: White Leghorns me 5 ‘| ‘©. MeKendry ; White Leghorns fa N. J. McAppion: White Leghorns .. Ast Section C2—~Standard Section ir. M. Weierter: Silver Wyandottes .. Ary | -J. Waterhouse: Rhode Island Reds .. D. Rees: Langshans vs “é W. Hilliard: Langshans oy ~ as) hk. M. Griffiths : Rhode Island Reds .. eS, J. F. Dalrymple: Rhode Island Reds ae Standard Poultry Yards: Langshans Pit * Signifies bird replaced, score struck out. 195 236 207 234 216 221} 186 173 176 204 230 187 99 “2 205+ 133 260 59t 237t 164 137 t Disqualified for prizes, eggs being under weight. = © (Light Breeds). 265 27t 143 244 | 1,804 | 255 (9 5 210 240 158 211 | 1,287 | 262 | 814 194 262 = Q0* 18 977} 266 | 617 ‘ (Heavy Breeds). 181 231 197 288 ( 1,386 { 245 110 3 279 «245212229 | 1314 | 267 | 910 216 198 298° i54¢/| 1,277 | 24 9 5 169¢ 162t 288 294 | L158t| 235 |8 6 164 143¢ 126 181 | 1,024 25 7 6 129 188 178 4143 | 978 ) 25-2 | 614 76 218 165-185 | 985 24 «61615 Total Ot Reee Total Owner and Breed. Totals of Individual Birds. of 88* | Market Groups. Havent Value. Section b—( Heavy Breeds). ' 0z Ee iG A. Dray ton: Black Orpingtons 209 303 272 257 219 1687 | 1,428 26°2 |1010 7 H. 8. Lewis: Black Orpingtons 257 265 208 231 258t 196 1,415 26°56 4/10: 6°11 . Judson: Black Orpingtons 184 236 191 241¢ 2338 268 1,353 24°9 9 14 10 A. E, Brown: Langshans i At, 213 213 239 293t 260 127 1,345 26 LO eal A. R. Kennedy : Black Orpingtons .. 174 222 195 288 239 216 1,334 2bvb ea eOnl aie D W. H. Whittorn : Black Orpingtons. . 2s0t 45t «(282t «278 «= 226 «= «| «18B1t| 28-5 110 0 3 P. C. McDonnell: Black Orpingtons 260 213 214 218* 209 203 1,317 26 958: HT: &. J. Morison: Black Orpingtons 209 239 225 229 161 232, 1,295 265° |'9) 9° 9 D. Frew, junr.: Langshans 211 180 953 9295 ° 945 178 1,292 ;° 247 | 9 14 0 A. J. Nolan : Silver Wyandottes 169t 239 222 203 203 921 1,257 24°2 OP 2 1 A. Campbell : Langshans te 217 223 247 218¢ 187 160 13252 g 9M6K2 _ V. H. Dariel : Black Orpingtons 218 230 188 225 274 164 1,249 252 |}819 2 F, R. Rooke: Black Orpingtons 171 229 247 235¢ 156 208 1,246 24 81S, 2 H. J. Durrington : angshans 147 101#¢ 273 175 302 243 1,241 2a 120) 13) 1h A, B, Laverack: Langshans .. oe 194 243¢ 185 203 230 181 1,236 25°77 |9 0 0 ‘O. H. Walton : Silver Wyandottes .. 173 180 235 208 - 202 238 1,236 242 )9 1 4 Paika Poultry Farm: Langshans 257 190¢ 231 174f 173 204 1,229f 23°77 |819 2 ‘D. Kenway : Black Orpingtons Lee OS 271 216 172 231 223 1,216 25 819 0 aMrs W. V. Hopkins : Black Orpingtons ... 208¢ 217 187 196 186 221F | 1,215 24 814 2 J. H. Madrers: Black Orpingtons «4 287 202 248 184 199 145 1,215 26 816 2 E. J. Kinney : Silver Wyandottes 190 240 185f 16lf 209f 228 1,213} 22, 819 8 'G. E. Holmes: Black Orpingtons 201 252 198* 180 197 171 1,199 28 Sie J. Wheller: Black Orpingtons 219 252 209 212, 185 121t | 1,198 25 8 16 2 C. E. Banks : Langshans 261 165 207 108f 184 272% | 1,197 245 | 812 9 R, P. Manton : Black Orpingtons 140 178 185 245 247 195t¢ | 1,190 24°55 | 812 4 J. Roberts: Black Orpingtons. . a 163. 227, 198:. 201) ,238f., 145 1,167 245 18 6 2 Hambly and Wales : Black Orpington 132 202 227 229 169 203 1,162 26°52) N68 98 A. Benson ; Black Grpingtons , 248 163 176 207 132 235 1,161 24°2 |810-8 J. King: Black Orpingtons .. 223 124 212f 209 189 193 1,150 25 § 5-0 G, Hopping : Black Orpingtons 207 146 199 ~°182 190 224 1,148 245 18 7 5 A, Chick: Black Orpingtons .. 189 181 28t 204 151* - 165t 1,108} 23°7 fel bepenay P. G. Heath: Black Orpingtons 248t 193 100 202 192 157 1,092 255 |710 3 Fetherston Bros. : Black Orpingtons 194¢ 201 99 234 143 216 1,087 24 8) 4.58 W. E. Webster : Black Orpingtons .. DIG. 18h e222.) LBOSe 22S N02 1,087 25 i Ona A. A Leal: Black Orpingtons ef aos, 197 222 163 147 192 1,079 25 ToS Grasemere Poultry Farm: Black Orpingtons| 161 207 194 141 170 200 1,073 25 8 311 C. Bloomfield: Black Orpingtons wel eae 217 155 123 200 138 1,062 27 711.6 F. Fuggle: Langshans .. ‘ a ..| 199 246$ 223 SGGemlOiy wa 2a 1,661 20:7 alii oe W. H. Hampton and Son: Black Orpingtons| 258 144* 94 131 189 239 1,055 25°5 714 VU W. H. Forsyth : Silver Wyandottes .. sellewtay 217* ~ 159 112* 182 212* | 1,053 24°5 | 714 6 J.T. Brett: Rhode Island Reds 209 192 174 117¢ = 168 190 1,050 24°2 '1'7 19 0 L. J. Fereday : Black Orpingtons 204 127 171 87t = 218 248 1,050 242 |8 0 5 D. Dryburgh : Black Orpingtons 209* 153t 159* 161 231 127 1,040 25°65 | 710 6 H. Jobling : Black Orpingtons DOD "245" SatbG* . G3) | 144 207 1,037 25°5 |7 4 4 B. A. Maher: Black Orpingtons 117 190 175 154 171 218 1,025 AA Ol iClear FP. J. Shanley; Black Orpingtons .. 201 «4287t 99 8208 22% (177 989 25:2 |7 8 2 J. D. Martin: Plymouth Rocks Be wala aco 135 166 168 130 144 956 252 |617 9 Bella Vista Poultry Farm: Black Orpingtons| 76 134¢ 196 203 141 194 944 2555 | 612 4 Cimbria Poultry Farm: Plymouth Rocks .| 157 142 112) TAIGS) 2168 ae 126; 868 245 16 7 8 ‘Christie and Son: Black Orpingtons 145 87t 86 197 219 llf{ 745 25 15 6 2 SH en-t-31O t Signifies bird dead, not replaced. a Hen competing as from the Ist May only. May 3, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of .NS.W. 369 Poultry Notes. May. JAMES HADLINGTON, Poultry Expert. In the space of a few weeks the hatching season will again be upon us, and as mentioned last month, the sooner the breeding stock is in the pens now, the better. With the high prices that will be ruling for eggs during the winter, there will be a disinclination on the part of poultry-farmers to set eggs as early as they should be set, and if the temptation to sell eggs rather than set them is not resisted to the point of sacrifice, next rearing season will witness a crop of late chickens and only a sinall number of early ones. I fear that, no matter what may be advised, a curtailment of hatching during this coming winter is inevitable, but this very fact should encourage breeders who are able to do so to make the necessary temporary sacrifice, because of the high prices for eggs and table poultry that may be looked for next spring and summer. The position will be something like this during the winter months :— Eggs will probably be worth Id. each over what they would command in normal times. If we base our calculation-on two eggs to hatch one chicken, it will mean 3d. per chicken, or 6d. per pair, above the cost for eggs in normal times. It is fairly safe to forecast a substantial increase in the prices received for both eggs and table poultry, and it is therefore reasonable to assume that it will pay just as well, and probably better, to set eggs this winter, dear as they probably will be, than under normal conditions. In furnishing this advice I am not overlooking the high cost of feeding, but it is safe to assume from past experience that, by the time the factors we are examining are operative, the levelling up process between the higher cost of food and higher prices for our products will have taken effect, and the poultry-farmer who has been able to carry on through the autumn and winter will be in a stronger position. Our motto this season should be “Set eggs as usual.” Start putting available eggs down from Ist June, no matter whether heavy or light breeds, and get a succession of eggs down one week after the other from that date. Farmers who have followed the advice given in these notes on this subject are more than satisfied with the result. Hatching with Incubators. Points on artificial incubation have appeared in these notes as late as 1918, but, as the subject is one of vital interest to beginners at this season of the year, a reminder on how to operate an incubator is again given with some references to matters not previously dealt with. 1. A Sanitary Incubator —See that the incubator is in good sanitary condition. c 370 Agricultural Gazette of N SW. | May 3, 1920. . Lhermometers.—Test all thermometers before starting the season, and again later on. 3, Starting the Hatch.—When starting an incubator, the temperature should be got up to, and maintained at, 103 degrees for at least twelve hours before the eggs are put in. When the eggs are put in, the temperature will fall, and it is best to allow about another twelve hours for the heat to rise to 102, at which point the incubator should be regulated to run steady. It is a mistake to raise the temperature too fast. If a lamp machine is in use, the lamp should be kept quite clean and the wick free from incrustation, . Lggs.—Fresh eggs, under a week old, and from physically strong stock, are necessary to ensure successful hatching. . Operating.—Before starting the incubator see that the regulating device is in perfect working order. . Temperature—Bring the temperature in the incubator up to 102 degrees; this should be raised another degree as the hatch progresses. Between 102 and 103 degrees is the best temperature to run at, leaning to the high side towards the end of the hatch, When the first egg is seen to be chipped, which may occur on the nineteenth day if the eggs be fresh, let the temperature run up to 104 to 105 degrees until the hatch is finished. For these temperatures the bulb of the thermometer should stand just clear of” the eggs ; half an inch above is a good position. . Turning.—Commence to turn the eggs after they have been in the machine thirty-six hours, and turn them at least twice daily up to the ninth day; once per day afterwards is all that is absolutely © necessary. Stop turning when the first egg is seen to be chipped. 8. Testing.—The eggs should be tested about the sixth or seventh day ; at that time even a novice can generally pick out the infertile eggs with a good tester. 9. Cooling.—Commence cooling the eggs for a few minutes once per day after the sixth day, and gradually increase the time of cooling as the hatch progresses—first to ten minutes, then to fifteen, and up to twenty or even thirty minutes, according to the temperature of the room. But eggs should not be cooled for thirty minutes as a regular thing nor too often. Cooling should be stopped when the first egg is chipped. 10. Ventilation.—Little, if any, ventilation is required up to the time of commencing to cool, about the sixth day.. A graduated amount of ventilation may then be allowed up to the time the first egg is chipped, when the ventilators are better nearly closed. Most incubators are over-ventilated. Experience proves that applied moisture is unnecessary and in many cases harmful, and most large operators dispense with it altogether. May 3, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.SW. 371 Temperatures of Eggs and Incubator. It may not be generally known that there is a difference between the temperature of the eggs under incubation and that of the incubator in which they are contained. The temperature of the egg itself in the early stages is generally about 2 degrees Fah. below that registered by the ther- mometer in the incubator. Thus.if 102 degrees is shown in the drawer at } inch above the eggs, that of the egg itself is about 100 degrees. After the ninth day the temperature of the eggs will rise to 101 degrees and the incubator to 103 degrees, at which it should be allowed to remain. After about the thirteenth day an- —=- other degree is gained by the An Tnfortiler Bee: eggs, while the temperature in the incubator still remains the same. _ About the nineteenth day 104 degrees should be allowed in the incubator, and that of the eggs will rise to 103 degrees. The temperature in the incubator should thereafter stand at 104 degrees to 105 degrees until the conclusion of the hatch. This is a critical stage and the temperature of the incubator should be kept as steady as possible and on the high side rather than lower. The effect of allowing the temperature supplied by the incubator to fall down to, or below, that of the eggs is to cause a reverse radiation from the eggs. It acts in this way: Instead of radiation from the incubator supplying heat to the eggs, there is an emanation of animal heat from them, In other words, the embryos are giving off heat and are main- taining the registration on the thermometer at a false stand- ard. The effect, of course, is that instead of a progressive development of the strength of the embryos, they are being | weakened by the loss of their own heat. Many cases of ‘‘dead | in the shell” result from this | condition. A Fertile Egg, showing embryonic development Testing Eggs for Fertility, Se en aye. Testing eggs for fertility, while perhaps one of the most simple operations that the novice poultry-keeper must learn, is yet of some importance, and many cases come under notice where mistakes are made in testing-out the infertile eggs, so much so that many, rather than run the risk of throwing out valuable eggs, refrain from testing altogether, with the 372 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [| May 3, 1920. result that incubator or hen space is crowded throughout the hatch. Not only so, but in regard to incubators the fact of a number of infertile eggs being left in the machine is more or less prejudicial to the best results being obtained from the fertilised ones, owing to the fact that the infertile eggs lack the animal heat that is present in those eggs in which embryonic development is progressing. The ill effects Embryonic development at fourteen days. Nearly all opaque. of this will be in proportion to the number of infertiles left in the machines, on account of these eggs losing heat more rapidly during turning and cooling operations, and taking much longer to regain any- thing approaching the nor- mal heat required after being returned to the incubator. Skilled operators can test their eggs at from four to five days with a good tester (par- ticulayly in the case of white- Embryonic development as seen at nineteen days, quite shelled ones), but the novice opaque except for the air space marked 1 to 19 days. , : ) will do well to leave his testing until the seventh day, but not later, because at that time it is much easier to test than either before or after. In order to assist the novice in the testing of eggs under incubation, illustrations have been prepared of eggs both fresh and in different stages of development, as they are seen in the ordinary egg-tester be- fore a strong light. In a medium or poor light the em- bryo is seen only as a dark or opaque substance occupying portion of the space of the egg, the remainder being clear Egg showing a broken yolk. This will not produce a living chicken even though some embryonic Ooo? development may have taken place in the early stages. May 3, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 373 Orchard Notes. May. W. J. ALLEN and S. A. HOGG. Ir the land intended for planting this season is not already ploughed and subsoiled, the work should be done at once, so that the planting of deciduous trees may be completed during the month of June. The roots of young deciduous trees, if examined, will be found to be making growth during June and July, and if planting is carried out early in the winter this root growth enables the trees to obtain a good hold of the soil, and they make a strong top growth right from the time they commence to grow in the spring. The selection of varieties to be planted should be made at once, and the order placed with the nursery without delay, if that has not already been done. In selecting, ascertain which varieties sell most readily on the markets, and then select those most suitable for the soil and climate. Fencing. The orchard should be securely fenced in order to protect it from damage by stock. Where rabbits and hares are prevalent, wire netting will be necessary. This should be sunk in the ground to a depth of 6 inches, it should not be less than three feet high, and the mesh should not be larger than 1{ inch, All gates should shut closely. Even with these precautions a constant watch should be kept for any rabbits or hares that may get inside the fences, so that they can be destroyed before they damage the trees. Pruning. If this work is pushed through early, the winter ploughing can be pro- ceeded with in good time, and it will be possible to pay full attention to the early spring spraying. When pruning the peach it should be remembered that it chiefly crops on the previous year’s laterals, and not on old spurs; thus it is necessary to keep up a yearly supply of young laterals. This can be done if the old laterals are taken out regularly each winter pruning ; young laterals will then start from the dormant buds at their bases. Care should be taken when cutting out the old laterals not to cut close enough to damage the dormant buds. In a season when there is a bad showing of fruit buds, it will .be necessary to leave some of the two-year-old laterals that are carrying sub-laterals, or tem- porary spurs showing such buds, but this is to be avoided as much as possible, for the longer the laterals are allowed to remain after the second year the harder it is for the dormant buds at the base to start into growth. If the trees have been topped the previous pruning, it will probably be necessary for a number of leaders to be thinned out this season, for if the top is allowed to become too thick the trees will not readily furnish fresh laterals along the 374 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. | May 3, 1920. main branches. It has also been found that in very vigorous trees that have their shape well established, it is well only to thin the leaders out and not to ~ top them back for a season. This non-topping also encourages the furnishing of laterals below. The apricot crops both on the previous year’s laterals and on older spurs, but on most varieties the tendency is for these spurs to die out after two or three seasons, starting from the base of the lateral ; consequently the laterals soon only produce fruit towards their tips. This may be avoided by following a system of renewal very similar to that described for the peach. Plums, on the other hand, mostly develop permanent fruiting spurs, These can generally be obtained by leaving the laterals long in the trees, and shortening them back in later years when the spurs are established and the trees are making less growth. In older trees where spurs have multi- plied too numerously they should be thinned out in order to prevent over- setting and consequent small fruit ; exhausted spurs should also be removed to encourage the growth of new spurs or laterals which will subsequently form fresh spurs. Wraps on buds, either in nursery stock or old trees, may now be removed. The Control of Pests. Woolly aphis generally gets ahead of the orchardist during the busy part of the fruit season, when it is almost impossible to attend to it. In these cases the trees should be sprayed as soon as the crop is gathered. A high pressure spray should be used and the nozzle held very close to the affected parts of the tree. When spraying in this manner a large quantity of spray is used, and on big trees quite a pool of mixture will accumulate at the base of the tree by the time the spraying is completed. For this reason it is safer at this time of the year to use a tobacco wash, rather than an oil spray, to deal with this pest. Although the apple and pear crop may be harvested, the codlin moth bandages should be kept on the trees. Many grubs will be found sheltering in the bandages, having been driven out of other hiding places by the cold weather and winter rains. In citrus orchards situated in localities where fruit fly has been bad during the summer, kerosene traps should be hung on the sunny sides of the trees. T'wo-pound jam tins cut down to a depth of 24 inches, and fitted with wire handles, make good traps, and do not spill as readily as flat tins like sardine tins. All fallen fruit should be regularly picked up and destroyed by either burning or boiling. Harvesting. In the tableland districts there will still be late varieties of apples, such as Yates and Granny Smith, to harvest. The winter crop of passion fruit will be coming in this month, The fruit should be regularly picked as it reaches a uniform black colour. May 3, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 375 Agricultural Bureau of New South Wales. Suggested Subjects for Bureau Meetings. Ir sometimes happens that, owing to some inadvertence, members of branches meet without having any particular subject before them. In such a case, one of the following paragraphs may provoke a useful discussion :— Do you think you could improve your potato crop by selecting the best yielding roots before digging, with a view to sowing a stud plot to provide seed of better strain for the future ?—What characters would you select for, or would you only consider the yield ? Is the rugging of cows in winter a practice that commends itself to you ? If you have had any experience with vt, what advantage has i in relation to (1) the general condition of the animal and (2) the maintenance of milk production 2? Do you remove the rugs in the daytime, and do you think the results are any better where that is done ? What methods do you find most successful for storing maize ? When do you start preparations for the planting of young trees, and why ? What month do you prefer for planting out deciduous trees ? When do you apply lime in the orchard, and how much per acre do you use? What do you find theminimum quantity that gives the best results? Is there any local co-operative movement in your district ? If not, is there any chance of starting one, and what line could be taken with greatest advantage 2 What capital would be required and how could it be raised ? Have you ever considered the formation of a small credit or financing institution ? REPORTS AND NOTICES FROM BRANCHES. NOTE.—While gladly publishing in these columns the views of members of the various Branches of the Agricultural Bureau, it is pointed out that the Department does not necessarily endorse the opinions expressed. Bimbaya. “Should the number of live stock on the farm be increased or decreased, and in what direction—sheep or cattle or pigs, and why ” was the subject for discussion at the monthly meeting of this branch held on 25th March, Several members contended that the district was ‘cow sick” and required a change. It was thought that if sheep were put on for a time the change would be beneficial. Others thought that fewer and better cows, combined with a larger number of pigs, would be more remunerative. Smaller paddocks, so that the sheep or cattle could be shifted frequently from one to another, found much favour. Systematic testing and culling of the dairy herds was advocated as a means of obtaining greater returns from a smaller number of €OWS, 376 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [May 3, 1920. Blacktown. The annual meeting of the members of this branch was held on 23rd March, when the following gentlemen were appointed office-bearers for the ensuing year :—Chairman, Mr. Frederick LL. Parker ; Vice-chairman, Mr. Charles R. Webb; Treasurer, Mr. William G. Harper; Hon. Secretary, Mr. Robert H. Lalor. Twe new members were elected. Messrs. Frederick L. Parker and R. H, Lalor were elected delegates to the Royal Agricultural Society’s Conference, and to the Flying Fox Conference. Regarding the circular issued by the Kellyville branch in connection with the orchard tax, it was decided to let the matter stand over until further information was available. It was decided to apply to the Agricultural Department, for lectures on grapes, clearing by explosives, and the horse. Cordeaux-Goondarin, The monthly meeting of the members of this branch was held on 25th March, when fifteen members were present. After the general business had been disposed of, an address was given by Mr. A. Boot, Secretary of the New South Wales Fruitgrowers’ Association, outlining the aims of the Association, and pointing out the benefits to be derived from it. Mr, Boot was subjected to a good deal of questioning. The subject of forming a branch was left for a future meeting. The proposed Flying Fox Conference was also discussed. Glenorie. A meeting of the members of this branch was held on 28th February, when six new members were nominated. A discussion took place on the honey locust tree for shade and food for pigs—a subject suggested by an article by the Principal of Hawkesbury Agricultural College in the February “ Gazette,” and the receipt from the author of seeds of the tree for distribu- tion among members. The discussion provoked a profitable exchange of opinions. Sit Kellyville. A very interesting debate took place at the meeting of this branch held on 10th April, twenty-five members being present. he subject discussed was whether it is more beneficial to work a summer fruit orchard in the fall of the season, or to leave it till the early spring. Lidcombe. _A well-attended meeting of this branch was held on 8th March, when Mr. E. N. Ward, Superintendent, Botanic Gardens, Sydney, delivered an interesting lecture on the use of fertilisers in the garden. Mr. Ward stated that before the application of artificial manures the ground should be thoroughly worked, either by trenching or by subsoiling with the plough, thus creating a better water table. The best manuring of all was the adding of humus to the soil in some form or other, the most popular being thoroughly decomposed farmyard manure—not to be confused with the dry street sweepings of a big city. The next best method of applying humus was through decomposed vegetable matter. He advocated the use of a humus pit in every garden. A further method was the digging or ploughing in of some green crop—the method known as green manuring. May 3, 1920.| Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 377 Mr. Ward then described the use of artificial manures, explaining that in their use there was a danger of feeding the soil and not the crop. The proper use of chemical manures was then explained, particularly the correct time to apply them, that is, when the crop or plant mostly required this class of food or stimulant. The feeding of sweet peas, from sowing to the exhibition table, was discussed, also the proper feeding of dahlias, chrysanthemums, roses, bouvardias, tomatoes, legumes, and the Brassica family. The lecturer finally outlined the administration of a well conducted flower show. The usual monthly meeting of the members of this branch was held on 23rd March, when, after the disposal of the general business, arrangements for the show were discussed. Twenty-four members were present. A meeting was held on 6th April, when twenty-eight members attended. After the general business had been disposed of a discussion took place on cauliflowers, The autumn annual show of the branch was held on 10th April, and was in every way a success. The exhibit staged by the Department was described as an excellent one and very much appreciated. A district exhibit from Fairfield West, with some other non-competitive features, and the competition sections, made a fine display. Lisarow, At the meeting held on 7th February, a discussion took place in regard to obtaining improved railway facilities and the collection of orders for sugar for jam making. The Lisarow district exhibit secured second place at Gosford show, scoring 226 points to 231 by the winner, and obtaining highest points in the fruit section—66 out of a possible 70, The meeting held on 6th March was devoted to a discussion of co-operative buying. It was decided to deal further with the matter. . Lower Portland. A meeting of this branch was held on Ist March, when twenty-two members and a number of visitors listened to a valuable lecture by Mr. C. L. O’Gorman, a veterinary officer of the Stock Branch. Dealing with the subject of the farm horse, Mr. O’Gorman discussed its various common affections. He impressed upon members the importance of not breeding from unsound stallions, as many of the troubles were hereditary. It was the intention of the Government not only to enforce the regula- tions dealing with unsound stallions but, if necessary, to increase their stringency. In discussing the different ailments, the lecturer considerably assisted his hearers’ appreciation of his points by diagrams drawn on a blackboard. He finally answered a number of questions, A hearty vote of thanks was accorded him, March. An interesting lecture was delivered by Mr. W. W. Froggatt, Government Entomologist, on insect pests in the orchard, on 24th F ebruary, under the _auspices of this branch, ! The usual monthly meeting of the members of the branch was held on 22nd March, when the evening was devoted to the discussion of general business, D 378 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. {May 3, 1920. Matcham., Members of this branch met on 28th February, when a discussion on woolly aphis and its remedies was introduced by Mr. Auldridge. Mr. J. Anderson opened the discussion. As an apple grower for a number of years, he expressed the opinion that with care and attention much could be done to protect and clear the trees of the trouble by spraying with red oil at leaf fall, and then a little later with a concentrated tobacco extract. Pruning was also a help; the old wood and knots and matter carrying the aphis should be removed where possible without injury to the tree. At times kerosene emulsion was effective. Mr. Crossland endorsed the previous speaker’s remarks and said he had seen good results from this treatment. Mr. Mills said he had treated his trees with half kerosene and half castor oil and had got good results but, being a slow process, this would only apply to small areas, though it was worth a trial. Mr. Macinante, a successful apple grower of this district, said he had found cultivation as well as spraying a great help to trees affected by this trouble- some pest. He found that if tobacco stems were soaked and a little soap powder mixed with kerosene were added, the mixture had a good effect ; but regretted that, while the real orchardist was doing his bést to combat these pests, careless persons who did not depend upon fruit-growing for a living were allowing their trees to breed aphis by millions, This created much trouble and caused extra expense for spray material, labour and loss of fruit, which meant reduced profit to the grower. DEPARTMENTAL NotrE.—The Department prefers to clean the trees with a strong concentrated tobacco extract and then later to use miscible oilif necessary. It should be clearly pointed out that the mixture of kerosene and castor oil should not be used as 2 spray but just painted on affected parts. It should not be allowed to run down the ark. Middle Dural. A meeting of the members of this branch was held on 5th March, when Mr. C. W. Roughley submitted a report of an analysis conducted by the Chemist of the Department of Agriculture on various brands of lime-sulphur. A lengthy discussion followed on the unsatisfactory results shown by the analyses, and it was unanimously agreed that, providing the Department’s formula was used, together with a Baumé hydrometer, a very much more satisfactory article than some of the lines on the market could be made by growers themselves. Milbrulong. A meeting of forty-five members of this branch was held on 8th March, when a discussion took place on co-operative buying, and it was unanimously decided to move in the matter. An executive committee of nine members was elected to carry out the co-operative business of the branch. Members intend to carry out the business on a strictly cash basis, and an order for goods valued at £400 was sent away. There is now a membership of this branch of 108, May 3, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 379 Nimbin. The annual meeting of this branch was presided over by the chairman, Mr. R. Gall. The report submitted reflected an active and satisfactory year. The helpful co-operation of the Department in the activities of the branch — was appreciatively mentioned, A slight increase in membership over the previous year was shown and a credit balance reported by the treasurer. Quaker’s Hill. The monthly meeting of the members of this branch was held on 3rd April, when a fair number of members were present. The main business of the meeting consisted in reading the literature on stinkwort forwarded by the Department. It was decided to ask the Shire Council to proclaim it a noxious weed. The branch has already requested the Council to proclaim blackthorn a noxious shrub, as this was the means of maintaining many citrus pests. A protest against the imposition of the orchard tax was raised. Stratford. A meeting of this branch was held on 6th March. The evening was taken up in making final arrangements for the staging of the branch’s exhibit at the Gloucester show. Tingha, The event of greatest interest to members during the last few weeks was the second annual exhibition, held under the auspices of the branch. ‘Two years of drought have utterly failed to bring Tingha to its knees,” remarked a local paper enthusiastically commenting on the exhibits. Certainly the fruit, vegetable and other sections seemed to belie the fact of the prolonged dry spell suffered by the district, All members worked well for the success of the show, which was officially opened by Mr. Ditzell, chairman of the Inverell branch. Toronto. At the monthly meeting of this branch held on 3rd February eight new members were enrolled. It was announced that the recent show was a success, and it was decided to write a letter of thanks to the judges and to the Department of Agriculture for their assistance, At the meeting held on 3rd March it was stated that the membership roll had now reached fifty. Mr. Filmer gave a demonstration of citrus budding, showing several modes on nursery stock and advanced trees. Wellington. A valuable paper by Mr. E. G. Salter on the subject of wheat-breeding was read at the March meeting of this branch. Parallels were drawn with a number of other plants and many interesting points were explained. A summary of the paper will appear next month. Wetherill Park. A lecture on fodder crops was delivered by Mr. B. C. Meek, Assistant Inspector of Agriculture, under the auspices of this branch, on 22nd March. Members were given many useful points on the preparation and manuring of the soil for different crops, lucerne and Sudan grass being particularly interestingly dealt with. There were some forty farmers present and many questions were put to Mr. Meek and fully answered. 380 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [May 3, 1920. Yarramalong. : The meeting of this branch held on 3rd March and attended by ten members was devoted to a general discussion on the report of the potato experiment plots. It was stated that over 4 inches of rain fell in November in a few days, doing a considerable amount more harm than good. The plots throughout were absolutely free from disease, the sample of tubers dug being very good—considerably better than in the previous year. The price realised was £18 per ton. Yarrunga and Avoca. A general meeting of this branch was held on 10th April. After the general business had been transacted, it was decided to ask the Department for an expert to give a demonstration and lantern lecture on the common diseases of dairy cattle at an early date. A programme was drawn up for the meetings of the branch for the year. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES’ SHOWS. SECRETARIES are invited to forward for insertion in this page dates of their forthcoming shows; these should reach the Editor, Department of Agri- culture, Sydney, not later than the 21st of the month previous to issue. Alteration of dates should be notified at once. Society. 1920. Secretary. Date. Nimbin A. and I. Society eee F .. B. R. Southwell... May 12, 15 Corowa P., A., and H. Society... eas .. J. D. Fraser . Aug 17, 18 Parkes P., AS "and H. Association Fe .. G, W. Seaborn ... ,, 18, 19 Forbes P., A., and H. Association ... . E. A. Austen ee Roe ee Murrumbidgee P. and A. Association (Wagga) . A. F. D. White... .,, 24, 25, 26 Lockhart A. and P. Society . E. D. Arnold + 1, and ept. 1 Albury and Border P., A., and H. ae = .. A. G. Young Sept. 7, 8,9 Young P. and A. Association ; oo DeAy Tester © father Fonsi 9 Cowra P., A., and H. Association a : Agricultural ‘Gazette Liverpool State Hospital MODEL STUD PIGGERY Berkshire and Middle Yorkshire. A choice lot of young Boars and Sows, from two to three months old, from the best New South Wales, Victorian, and British strains. Now available for selection at prices from £2 2s. to £5 5s., f.o.r., Liverpool. ALL ELIGIBLE FOR HERD BOOK. FULL PEDIGREE WITH EVERY PIG SOLD. Inspection invited. Ring Tel. 21 Liverpool, or write for particulars to— THE MANAGER, STATE HospPiTAL, LIVERPOOL. * 9 Our REPUTATION has ® QUALITY of Stock sold. This is Proved by the fact that in three successive Competitions in this State, Records have been made, and in each case our stock has been used in building up the strains. Write for Catalogue. DB. KENWAY, } West Pennant Hills, N.S.W. TEL. EPPING 49. D, & R. KENWAY, Proprietors. H. M. SUTTOR & CO., osices!2 Bond-st, syaney. PASTORAL and AGRICULTURAL AGENTS, GRAIN AND PRODUCE SALESMEN. WHEAT, MAIZE, OATS, &s., CHAFF, LUCERNE, OATEN HAY, POTATOES, &c., RECEIVED FOR SALE DAILY AT ALEXANDRIA. ; Reliable In ormat on Given re Markets. * TOP PRICES. QUICK RETURNS. A MERCIFUL MAN’ is merciful to his beast, and studies economy by using ROW’S EMBROCATION for cuts, sprains, bruises, and all external horse and cattle troubles. EstTaBlisHep 50 YEARS. Sole Makers: EDWARD ROW & Co., Sydney. . The Bniversity of Sponev. Department of Veterinary Science. The Veterinary School, which is well equipped with the most modern appli- ances and apparatus, is under the direction of Professor J. DOUGLAS STEWART, M.R.O.V.S., B.V.Sc., late Chief Inspector of Stock and Govern- ment Veterinary Surgeon of the State of New South Wales. The degree granted, viz., Bachelor of nised for all public appointments in the Commonwealth. The course of instruction and training is of a pro- gressive nature, and the standard adopted is that of the best Veterinary Colleges in the British Empire. The Hospitaland Clinic in connection with the School offer exceptional facilities for practical training. Veterinary Science (B.V.Sc.), is recog- The FEES are— SIX GUINEAS per Term, or EIGHTEEN GUINEAS per Year. The Lectures of next Term begin 22nd March, 1920.’ Veterinary Science undoubtedly offers, particularly to those fond of animals, a remunerative and congenial profession, for which a wide field of employment — exists. Full particulars of the curriculum will be forwarded on application. H. E. BARFF, Warden and Registrar. The Chief Inspector of Stock, Government of New South Wales, approves of the use of this preparation. BY USING BLACKLEGOIDS TO VACCINATE AGAINST BLACKLEG. Simple. Safe. Effective. No dose to Measure. No liquid to spill. No string te ret Simply a little pill to be injected under the skia, 8BND FOR FREE BOOKLETS. For Sale by PARKE, DAVIS & COMPANY. MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS, 125 York-street, Sydney. Box 224 G.P.O. ve yl) ae SS ae e MUS aatig api iis iv Agricultural oe tte of N 8. we STUD BERKSHIRE PIGS FOR SALE BRED AT The State Prison Farms: Bathurst, Goulburn, Emu Plains, and The State Penitentiary, Long Bay. At present on hand— YOUNG BOARS YOUNG SOWS Aged Nine to Twelve Months, just fit to breed from. All guaranteed healthy, of high-class breeding, and have been carefully selected from exceptionally good pedigreed stock of thrifty, vigorous, and early maturing strains. Full particulars may be obtained on application to the Super. intendent of the State Penitentiary, Long Bay, or to THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF PRISONS, PHILLIP STREET, SYDNEY. SPECIALISED STOCK FOODS Even when natural pastures are available, concentrates are essential for maximum production. The best results are obtained from our concentrated foods, containing the proper proportions of protein, carbohydrates, and fats. By feeding (1 Stock Foods—the ideal concentrate— as directed, greater results will accrue. INCREASE PRODUCTION. BY RESULTS (fl) IS CHEAPER, FURTHER PARTICULARS FROM (ay) STOCK FOODS DEPARTMENT—A.T. Yhe boy on he Las qeaanetees quali vi eRe af AC ogy eres Son ilies i Mi Rg eae a Re RR a ea REAM VSR ARNG? UIA ae ae aegis : PEAS CENT) eG ata ol Oe ea Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [May 3, 1920. — i ke NEW SOUTH WALES. THE PUBLIC TRUSTEE ACTS AS ZERUSTEE, EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, ATTORNEY, or AGENT, (STATE GUARANTEE.) LOWEST CHARGES IN AUSTRALASIA, NO PROFITS. Increased Business Means Reduced Charges. T. W. GARRETT, Apply for particulars to— Public Trustee. PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE, Culwulla Chambers, 67 Castlereagh-st.. SYDNEY. * ty ‘Agric r ter ultural ‘ Department of Lands, Sydney. CLOSER SETTLEMENT ACTS. Bygalore Estate. LAND DISTRICT. 12 Farms available, areas from 690 to 2,049 acres. About 40 to 48 miles from Wyalong, adjacent to Bygalorie, Boorabil, and Ingram’s Sidings on the Wyalong-Cargelligo railway. Forest Vale Estate. LAND DISTRICT, [| 2 Farms available, areas 812 and 838 acres. About 6} to 9 miles from Gorman’s Hill Railway Station (proposed), on the Wyalong- hs Hy Cargelligo railway, and 58 to 59 miles from Wyalong. hi i North Logan Estate. LAN ee 2 Farms available, area 9 acres 1 rd, 5 perches, and 9 acres 1 rd. 7 perches. About 4 mile from Billimari, and 13 miles from Cowra. Gorman’s Hill West Estate. UA eee ; 2 Farms available, areas 1,320 acres and 1,654 acres. 15 to 19 miles from Cargelligo—-Burgooney Siding, adjacent to 3 miles distant. Peel River Estate. LAND DISTRICT, — (Available for Returned Soldiers only.) } Farm No! 287 of 10 acres 2 roods 11 perehes. About 4 miles from Tamworth. Boorabil Estate. LAND DISLRICT. iy 2 Farms available, areas 1,542 acres and 1,846 acres. 5 to 7 miles from Tullibigeal Siding, 18 to 20 miles from Cargelligo, about 50 miles from Wyalong. Clonmel Estate. TE AND Dist res Farm No. 1 of 400 acres, and Farm No. 2 of 4592 acres. i About 6 miles from Ardlethan. Glen Lyon Estate. LAND DISTRICT, Farm No. 4 of 214 acres. 3% miles from Maclean. : : Moonabba Estate. LAND Oe (Available for Returned Soldiers only.) Farm No. 4 of 563} acres. About 54 miles from Bribaree. Clandis Estate. TAND DISEMICE (Available for Returned Soldiers only.) Farm No. 1, of 320 acres. About 64 miles from Ladysmith. Full particulars obtainable on application from the Information Bureau, Department of Lands, Sydney, or the Crown Land Agents for the district in which the lands are situated. ARTHUR J. HARE, Under Secretary. i * ip Sea PAS i De ae tae ae: yi Age pe pitt Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. May 3. 5 hen A. eo \ \ DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, N.S.W. —e STUD DAIRY CATTLE. ee Always Available é q Young Bulls from Tested Stock. Watch for Yearly Annual Sales q at the Farms and Royal Agricultural Show of Females of Best Milking Strains. ; MILKING SHORTHORN BULL. Melba’s Emblem of Darbalara (461, M.S.H.B.). Sire, Emblem of Darbalara (100 M.S.H.B.) Dam, Melba III ot Darbalara (1058 M.S.H.B.) Yield. of Dam, 15,239 lb. milk and 653°65 lb. butter in 365 days. OTHER SIRES IN ‘USE: RUTLAND OF DaARBALARA (575 M.S.H.B.), by Emblem of Darbalara (100). Yield of Dam, 12,324 lb. milk and 579 lb. butter in 365 days. ComRADE or DARBALARA (Vol. V, M.S.H.B.), by. Silver Mine of Darbalara (592). Yield of Dam, 8,436 lb. milk and 398 Ib. butter in 273 days as a 2-year old. NEWHAVEN or DarRBALARA (Vol. V, M.S.H.B.), by Lily’s Cupid of Darbalara (431) (half-brother of Emblem of Darbalara). Yield of Dam, 9,163 lb. milk and 419 lb. butter in 365 days when 16 years old. ae ee ee ae la a by goes i EX Sd ’ MILKING SHORTHORN COW. Gibson Girl (1,465, imp.). Yield, 10,702 lb. milk and 494-79 lb. butter in 365 days. G. VALDER, Under Secretary and Director, Department of Agriculture, Sydney. ee ee re ee ee ee He _ Agricultural Gazette of NSW ae DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, N.S.W. _ STUD DAIRY CATTLE. | Representatives of the Government Herds. GUERNSEY BULL. ; George III (15 A.G.H.B.) \ Sire, King of the Roses (28 A.G.H.B.) Dam, Calm II (23 A.G.H.B.) Yield of Dam, 7,548 lb. milk and 503 lb. butter in 287 days. : OTHER SIRES IN USE: FaiTHFut Fipo (81) by Hayes’ Fido (imp), (24). Yield of Hope (280), full sister to Faith= ful Fido, 7,539 lb. milk and 496-9 1b, ms butter in 243 days (test incomplete). Rose Cuier oF WoLLONGBAR (130), by Godolphin Moses (imp.), Dam, Parson’s Red Rose I (imp.) (138). Yield of Dam, 6,999 lb. milk and 452 lb. butter in milking period. GUERNSEY COW. Parson’s Red Rose II (imp.) (139 A.G.H.B.) Yield, 8,865 lb. milk and 655-65 lb. butter in 365 days. Sire, Gil Blas (1,679 P.S., R.G.A.S.) Dam, Parson’s Red Rose (2,813 F.S., R.G.A.S.) GUERNSEY COW. Beatrice of Berry (8 A.G.H.B.). Yield, 5,566 lb. milk and 362 lb. butter ig milking period on first calf. Sire, Royal Blood VI. Dam, Beatrix XIV (imp.). PURE-BRED YOUNG BULLS of the following breeds—MILKING SHORTHORN, .JERSEY, GUERNSEY, AYRSHIRE, and RED POLL—always available for Sale, APPLICATION SHOULD BE MADE TO The UNDER SECRETARY and DIRECTOR, Department of Agriculture, Sydney : Se OATES. OMT 2 eon, Ncriams a eee : t ‘ } w ; why 7 ae, x. Agricultural Gazetie of N.S.W.° [May 3, 1920. 4 STUD PIGS FOR SALE AT THE HOSPITAL, CALLAN PARK. For further particulars apply to Manager. (The prices quoted hold good for the current month only.) No. Description. P Sire. ot ein price 1919. £ soa 557 Berkshire Boar ...| Koramburra Callan Park Birdy | Aug. 21! 6 6 0 Major No. 520a No. 520b 570 Berkshire Boar ... Koramburra Callan Park Lady | Aug. 25] 6 6 0 571 Berkshire Boar ... Maior No. 520 No. 520 574 Berkshire Sow BIg Py a We +4 575 Berkshire Boar ... Koramburra Callan Park Lassie | Oct. 19! 6 6 O 576 Berkshire Boar ... Maior No. 520 No. 491 580 |°Berkshire Sow . Pandata. Hier Sia 1920, 584 Berkshire Boar ...| Royal Lad No. 401 | Callan Park Pop- | Jan. 18} 5 5 O corn No. 410 585 Berkshire Boar ... 586 Berkshire Boar ... 587 Berkshire Boar . 488 Berkshire Boar .., 589 Berkshire Sow ... 590 Berkshire Sow .. | _ 591 Berkshire Sow ...|J Royal Lad Callan Park Lady | Jan. 29] 5 5 O No. 401 No, 520c 592 Berkshire Boar ... } 594 Berkshire Boar ... 595 Berkshire Boar .. | 596 Berkshire Boar ...! { Koramburra Callan Park Dew- | Feb. 9] 4 4 O 597 Berkshire Boar ... f Major No. 520a; drop No. 500 598 Berkshire Sow ... 599 Berkshire Sow ... | 600 Berkshire Sow ... | Prices quoted include delivery in crates at Darling Harbour or Wharf at Sydney. A full pedigree is furnished with every pig sold. All communications to be addressed to— ‘* THe MANAGER, Mental Hospital, Callan Park, Sydney.” (Please add Exchange for Country Cheques. ) 20th April, 1920 R. KIRKPATRICK, Manager. State Timber Yards" and Building Workshops UHR’'S POINT, RHODES. Telephones: Postal Address: VU 6601 to U 6606. Box 12, Post Office, Burwood. The Largest Timber Yard and Joinery Works in Australasia, ALL FOREIGN AND AUSTRALIAN TIMBERS IN STOCK. BEND FOR PRIOE LIST AND OATALOGUE Special Prices given for Detail Joinery, Office Furniture, ctc. All Communications to be addressed to THz MaAwnaaen, ~~ eae > ie { oe | - . P a > Lid Agricultural Gasete “of N.S Ww. : [May 8 3, a AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION At the Government Farm Schools. SPECIAL FACILITIES ARE OFFERED AT THE SCHOOLS AT THE GOVERNMENT EXPERIMENT FARMS FOR INSTRUCTION IN AGRICULTURE. COURSES FROM © MONTHS TO 3 YEARS. Low Fees. Comfortable Accommodation. Expert Tultion. HAWKESBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, Richmond, ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY. Agriculture Diploma Course—3 years. Dairy Diploma Course—2 years. Carrying the respective academic distinctions “‘H.D.A.” and “*H.D.D Short Courses of 12 months on the ORCHARD, and 6 months on DAIRY, PIGGERY, and POULTRY. Carrying certificates on examination. Each course gives a well-adjusted combination of Field Practice with Class-room Tuition. Two Sessions per Year, beginning January and July. FEES (INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) All Courses £14 per Session. WAGGA and BATHURST STUDENT SCHOOLS. SOUND SYSTEMS IN MIXED FARMING. The Student performs the. work of each Section of the Farm, including SHEEP, CROPS, DAIRY, ORCHARD, POULTRY, PIGGERY, OARPENTER’S and BLACKSMITHPS SHOPS. TWO YEARS’ COURSE FOR FARM CERTIFICATE. FEES (INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) First Year... ... &15 Second Year... ... £10 FARM APPRENTICE SCHOOLS at Glen Innes, Wollongbar, and’ Grafton. A PRACTICAL COURSE FOR TRAINING LADS FOR FARM WORK. The Apprentices are trained in all branches of FARM, DAIRY, or ORCHARD work, and receive Lectures and Demonstrations in oROP GROWING and the Rearing and Management of LIVE ST WOMEN’S TRAINING FARM, COWRA. Women Students are given instruction in all matters relating to WHEAT and SHEEP FARMING, also DAIRYING, FRUIT GROWING, POULTRY KEEPING, APICULTURE, etc. - FeES (INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) £5 for Six Months. (Admission at any date.) For farther particulars, prospectuses, &c., apply to— GEORGE VALDER, Lands Office Building, Under Secretary and Director, Bridge-st., Sydney. Department of Agriculture. oe I? if ae Oe Si ie Simeon: G Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. To Employers. ay Coe HE RETURNED SOLDIERS AND SAILORS’ EMPLOYMENT ACT compels, with few exceptions :— (1) Reinstatement of Returned Sdldiers, Sailors, and Nurses in original positions ; (2) Absolute Preference of Employment to Returned Soldiers, Sailors, and Nurses ; (3) Application to the State Labour Exchanges for all labour (men and women) required. STATE LABOUR EXCHANGES have been established in the undermentioned country towns: BROKEN HILL, GOULBURN, LISMORE, NEWCASTLE, ORANGE, TAMWORTH, WAGGA WAGGA, WOLLONGONG. |e Or GOVERS. Director, Labour Exchanges and Immigration Branch, 76 Elizabeth Street, Sydney. x10 , ak ADD Lik Aube) Shad orem, ae Yes i AS) € ‘¥ esis H a ae * t° Gaaey Oa i ee f Reh a UNE: Lhe ae > L ahs * MAPS and PUBLICATIONS FOR SALE at Lands Department. LARGE STATE MAP. Scale, 8 miles to r inch. Nine sheets. Price, 14/11/G complete, or 4/= per sheet. STATE MAPS. Size, 4ft. 4in. x 3ft.8in. Scale, 16 miles to rinch. Four sheets, STATE MAPS showing: STATE ELECTORATES (color’d), rorg. 5. LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISTRICTS POLICE DISTRICTS (coloured), rorr. (coloured), 1918. PASTURES PROTECTION DISTRICTS 6. COUNTIES (uncoloured), r9r5. (coloured), 1908. y. LAND BOARD DISTRICTS WHEAT DISTRICTS (coloured), ror4. (coloured), 1915. Price, 1Q/= unmounted. Complete Map, mounted 41/S/= SMALL ‘STATE MAPS. Size, 2ft. 2in. x 2ft. 6in. Scale, 2g miles to I inch. Showing RAILWAY SYSTEM (1918 edition), Price, 2/@ unmounted, STATE ELECTORAL MAPS, showing Electoral Boundaries (1919 edition). Price, 5/= and 7/G each. FEDERAL TERRITORY MAP. In two sheets, Price, 2/6 unmounted. WESTERN DIVISION. 1. Map in six sheets. /Scale, 6 miles to rinch. Price, 24/=, or G/= per sheet, 2. Map in one sheet. Scale, 16miles to rinch. Price, &/= CITY OF SYDNEY AND ENVIRONS. Map in six sheets. Scale, 20 chains to r inch. Price, £3/3/= complete, or 10/G per sheet. Mounted, varnished, and on rollers, 5 (coloured or plain). CITY OF SYDNEY. Size, 3 ft. 6in. x 3ft.6in. Scale, 8 chains to r inch, » In two sheets, s\ Plain—biack and white. 2. Showing MUNICIPAL BOUNDARIES (coloured). Price, 5/= unmounted. SHIRE MAPS. Showing RIDINGS etc. Scale, 2 miles and 1 mile to x inch. Price, 2/6 MUNICIPALITIES. Maps in one sheet, showing WARD BOUNDARIES, STREETS, PARKS, and RECREATION RESERVES, etc. Scale, ro chains to r inch. Price, 2/6 1. Lane Cove. 2. Mosman, 3. North Sydney. 4. Willoughby. SYDNEY HARBOUR AND RESERVES ON FORESHORES, with access thereto. Price, 1/= TOURIST MAP. ‘Showing NORTH-EASTERN DISTRICTS OF THE State Scale, ro miles to 1 inch. Price, 1/6. Folded in covers, 2/=. NATIONAL PARK. Map in one sheet. Scale, 40 chains to 1 inch, , Price, 1/6 Also, Tables of NATURAL SINES AND COSINES TO EVERY TEN SECONDS. Price, 1/= DRAFTSMEN’S CALCULATION BOOKS, Price, 2/# CARDBOARD PROTRACTORS, 12in. Price, 41/=# Obtainable from Map Sales Branch, Information Bureau, of this Department. Postage extra. at oat a May’, Aw 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. AT HOSPITAL, GLADESVILLE. © (The prices quoted hold good for the current month only.) No. Description, Dam be :) Rashi 1919. £ sarge 2255 Large York. Sow | King Charles II ...| Glad’ville EmpressIV | Aug. 27| 8 18 6 2261-62-63} Mid. York. Sows | Sundon Sydney Gladesville Snow-| Aug. 27| 9 9 O (Imp.) drop. 2283 Mid. York. Boar ree Sydney White Rose Oct. 30 | 7 Tie (Imp. ) 2285 Mid. York. Sow | Sundon Sydney White Rose Oct... 30) | 7.7 (Imp.) 2302-3 | Mid. York. Boars | Gladesville Grand | Gladesville Lille Dec. 17 | 616 6 Boy. 2304-5-6-7| Mid. York. Sows | Gladesville Grand | Gladesville Lille Dec... 17. |) 6 Gat Boy. 2310-11-12) Berkshire Sows ...| Whitley Wales Gladesville Pretty | Dec. 26} 6 6 O (Imp. ) 5 1920. 2314-15 | Large York. Sows| Hawkesbury Gladesville Bourne Jan. 1] 5 5 O Biel Ferryman. . ; | 2316-17 | Berkshire Boars...| Gladesville Flock-| Primrose II |i euTs, yee 6 6 0 : master II. 9318-19 | Berkshire Sows ...| Gladesville Flock-| Primrose II Jaman 5» 1OWR8 master IT. 2320 Berkshire Boar ...| Whitley Wales Gladesville Jan. 3/ 616 6 (Imp.) Duchess ITI. 9321-22-23) Berkshire Sows ...| Whitley Wales Gladesville Jan: |).3) | 6G (Imp.) Duchess IIT. 2324-25 | Berkshire Sows ...| Whitley Wales Gladesville Jan. 3) 6 VGanG@ (Imp. ) Duchess III. 9326-27 | Berkshire Boars...| Gladesville Flock-| Tarban Jane II ...) Jan. 4] 6 6 O master II. 2328-29 | Berkshire Sows ...| Gladesville Flock-| Tarban Jane II ...) Jan. 4{ 5 15 6 : master IT. a ib 2330-1-2-3)| Berkshire Boars...| Herrison King | ShortFace JaneIII| Jan. 4 6 6 0 h Poot Berkshire Sow Herrison King ...| Short Face JaneIIl| Jan. 4] 515 6 ; 2325 Berkshire Boar ...| Gladesville Long-| Tarban Jane .| Jan. 5 616 6 " fellow (Imp.) 2336-37-38) Berkshire Sows ...| Gladesville Long-| Tarban Jane RMA EY ora! 9/5) 6. 60 fellow (Imp.) ; 2339-40-41) Berkshire Boars ...}| Gladesville Flock-| Gladesville Janes 6 6 0 : master IT. Duchess II. 2342-43 | Berkshire Sows ...| Gladesville Flock-| Gladesville Jane ae 5 Louie master II. Duchess II. 2314-45-46] Mid. York. Boars | Sundon Sydney Moredun Maid ...| Jan. 12] 616 6 (Imp. ) : 2347-48 | Mid. York. Sows Susdoa Sydney Moredun Maid ...| Jan. 12) 6 6 O (Imp. 2349-50 | Berkshire Boars... Whitley Wales Thick Haired Jane| Jan. 12] 616 6 (Imp.) 1 ; 9351-52 | Berkshire Sows ... Whitley Wales | Thick Haired Jane) Jan. 12) 6 6 O . (Imp.) Il. E 2355-56 | Berkshire Boars ... Whitley Wales Herrison Queen V | Jan. 12] 616 6 % (Imp. ) Any of the above pigs that may be selected wnder the age of 3 months will be kept until they : attain that age. ey (Prices quoted include delivery in crates on truck or steamer at Sydney.) | (A full Pedigree is furnished with every Pig sold.) ‘ May, 1920. W. A. E. LEWIS, Manager, Gladesville Hospital. f Please add Exchange for Country Cheques. . Ail communications should be addressed to ‘‘ The Manager,” Mental Hospital, Gladesville, LV PRICE LIST OF PURE BRED PIGS FOR SALE Helpful and Instructive Books FOR THE MAN ON THE LAND. These books have a helpful and lasting value that cannot be measured in terms of shillings and pence—they are worth far more to the farmer, or the farmer's wife, than their purchase price, for they convey that most priceless of all commodities knowledge, and it is the very cream of authoritative and expert knowledge too. . BOOKS FOR THE HOME. The Australian Household Guide. Edited by Lady Hackett. Cloth bound, over 1,100 pages, numerous illustrations. Price,-7s.; by post, 7s. 5d. ‘This new book on Australian Household Management is the most complete work of its kind yet published in Australia. It contains over 3,000 well-tried recipes for cooking all varieties. of foods, contributed by housewives from all over the Commonwealth. In addition it is full of information on a variety of subjects that interest mothers and housekeepers, such as:—The Australian Baby, Home Nursing, Personal Appearance, Care of the Hands, Home Garden, Backyard Poultry Keeping, The Laundry, Domestic Animals, Bread Baking, How to Set Table, and general advice on many other matters of domestic interest. The Illustrated Australian Medical Guide. By the late Dr. Philip Muskett. The best Medical Advice book for Australian homes. Two volumes. Strong cloth binding, 130 drawings, several coloured plates, a manne- uin, &c. Price per set, 47s. 6d.; by post, 48s. 4d. Henley’s Twentieth Century Book of Formulas, Recipes, and Processes. Ten thousand selected household and work- shop formulas, recipes, processes, and mofey- saving methods. Edited by Gardner D. Hiseox, M.E. 1919 edition. Cloth, 19s. 6d.; by post, 20s. The Everyman Encyclopedia. ' The complete work contains about six million words. This total exceeds that of any other encyclopedia published at double the price. It contains the largest number of articles, as well written and well printed from clear black type, yet it is the cheapest and most compre- hensive encyclopedia yet published. Twelve neat foolscap 800 volumes, strongly bound in green cloth. 35s. the set; by post, 87s. BOOKS FOR THE FARM. Captain Hayes’ Veterinary Notes for Horseowners. A Manual of Horse Medicine and Surgery, written in popular language. Cloth, 276 illus- trations, 19s.; by post, 19s. 10d. The Farmer’s Handbook. Issued by Direction of the Minister of Agri- culture. A complete reference book which every man on the land should possess. Paper pers profusely illustrated, 5s.; by post, S. Waterman’s Practical Stock Doctor. A reliable, commonsense ready reference book for the farmer and stockowner. It is practical in every sense of the word. It deals with all the diseases which afflict Horses, Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, Poultry, and Dogs, and describes their symptoms and remedies in plain, simple language. Strong cloth binding, 213 illus- trations, 19s. 6d.; by post, 20s. 3d. Pigs and Their Management. By W. H. Potts, Principal, Hawkesbury Agri- cultural College. The book also contains some chapters on Construction of Sties, by A. Brooks, Works Overseer, and Diseases of the Pig, by Veterinary Officers of the Stock Branch, Department of Agriculture. Paper boards, illustrated, 4s. 9d.; by post, 4s. Ild. : Jack’s Self-Educator. A guide to a liberal education. Edited by H. C. O.Neill. The aim of this book is to provide a home tutor for those who have not the advantage of a University education. Each course has been carefully prepared by experts on each particular subject. Cloth, 902 pages, 9s. 6d.; by post, 10s. Id. Anthony Hordern & Sons, Ltd., ONLY UNIVERSAL PROVIDERS, NEW PALACE EMPORIUM, Brickfield Hill Sydney. Agneultural Gazette of NS.W. ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN THOUS 20 aes «UD HESE figures arrest your attention and provethe PIG INDUSTRY to bea steadily growing one, also a pay- able one tothe PRODUCER. These figures represent the total of Pigs sold through the Abattoir Yards last year. NEW ZEALAND LOAN & MERCANTILE AGENCY 6O,, LID, 38 BRIOGE STREET - SYDNEY. This Company, facing these facts, has secured the services of AN EXPERT PIG SALESMAN. Their long and successful experience as Salesmen of Everything Pastoral will ensure Clients that Pigs and Calves .consigned to the Company’s care will have expert attention, and fullest market value be realised. A trial consignment will convince you that what we say we do—we carry out. Liberal Advances given against consignments. Telegrams : E. R. G RAHAM, JARVIE, Sydney. Manager. A % “siequeyo uoystaoad peyeiesszjor eaey ea PUB ‘AZJOf1300]9 YT JMOYFNOIY; pays ore sroMeHS “ABNGAS ‘13auls ‘gDaig v G14 *@) ” LYIG ot 2ee “oe ‘suathewva & ‘SUVINDILYVd WWNA yoy ta "HSNVELS MAXOS-NIML 800 ‘N ‘§ 1VHdq0qL SS je a ae aL at ae 2 Loment « dace I ter, mi oe | ; : rf “NOILVOliddY NO S3SuY¥V4 ‘SUSON3SSVd SSV1D GHYIHL ONY LSuId YO4 NOILYQGOWNODSDYV GIGN31dS "]BUBD ZING oa OS[e ‘VOY YINOG o/s puvjsUuy o} vipesny Woy UINIeyH si0UIea}S ‘DIDARSNY OF punjHuyz usos4s SADUIDSIG SSVID-]SiJ4 40 SaDIAIOS aDsInbey 5 “QSLIWID CANVdWOD ONiddIHS GNVIV3EZ MAN ‘GA3ALINII ANYd NOD NOILYSIAVN WV3SLS IVHSO0S34 'SLNIOV ‘CS LIHAT ‘ANWdAOS * LHI Vol XXX] Registered at the General Post Office, Sydney, for transmission by Post as a Newspaper. NM Si ESS 5 ‘ vs Sse. SSS Aw. NS SS \¥ My | f Price SIXPENCE. ¥ Part O. uf a > Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. ‘June 2, 1920. THE GREATEST THINKERS OF THE WORLD URGE INCREASED FRODUCEION, and a step in this direction is to GROW PIGS AND MAKE MONEY by turning them into the highest value by consigning to PITT, SON, and BADGERY, Ltd., SHEEP,. CATTLE, WOOL; PRODUCE, PROPERTY, AND PIG SALESMEN, SYDNEY. Telegrams: PITT, BADGERY, is sufficient. June 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. i i! Lom Hull Hii i l a UNLIGHT OIL CAKE is rich in Albuminoids and low in Moisture. The general cause of shortage in eggs is either too high feeding or too low. For laying hens, Sunlight Oil Cake will quickly give a return which will astonish the owner. For chickens at any time after the age of 6 weeks it is unequalled. Sunlight Oil Cake will impart the glossy sheen to the birds’ appearance so prized by the fancier, and is specially valuable for this reason alone to all exhibitors of show poultry. It puts on solid flesh in an extremely short space of time, and experiments have proved that young, scraggy birds fed almost entirely on it have become covered with good plump meat in a few weeks, thus doubling their value to the market poulterer. A 32-Page Booklet—‘‘ Poultry Profits’? — sent free on application to— Lever Brothers Limited, Sydney. Rae ii Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [June 2, 1920. To Graziers and Settlers. KINDLY NOTE— If you are changing your Wool Broker— Please think of SCHUTE, BELL & Co., Ltd. They give PERSONAL ATTENTION to YOUR INTERESTS, and area New South Wales Company. OFFICES— a4 BRIDGE STREET, SYDNEY. June 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. iii The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited Established 1834. CapiTaL Paip-uP -- oe + o. -- £2,462,578 2 6 RESERVE FunD -:- - + . + 2,120,000 O O Reserve Capita oo oo o- o. 2,500,000 0 O £7,082,578 2 6 Directors: GEORGE J. COHEN, Esq. (Chairman); Hon. H: E. KATER, M.L.C. (Deputy Chairman). Hon. HENRY MOSES, M.L.C.; J. W. MACARTHUR ONSLOW, Esa. ; and Hon. SIR THOMAS HUGHES, M.L.C. Honorary Director: Sir THOMAS A. DIBBS. Auditors: J. J. BRENAN, Esq., and F. W. HIXSON, Esq. General Manager: H. H. MASSIE. Head Office: SYDNEY—343 George Street. Manager: W. R.SAYERS. Secretary: M.S.GRANT. Assistant Manager: L. A. PARKER. Accountant: F. J. L. DUNLOP. Assistant Accountant : E. R. DRYHURST. BRANCHES :—ZInspectors: J, N. ROXBURGH, J. R. DRYHURST, F. E. BAYLIS. Branch Accountant: J. CLAYTON. Lonpon Brancn: 18 BIRCHIN LANE, E.C. Directors : Hon. H. S. Littleton; H. S. H. Guinness, Esq. ; Lewis Butler, Esq. MAna@ER: F. A. Scrivener. LonDON BANKERS: The Bank of England ; The London County Westminster and Parr’s Bank Ltd. ; Barclays Bank Ltd. Branches throughout New South Wales and Oeeeasléna: Agencies throughout the World. The Bank issues Drafts, Circular Notes, Travelling Letters of Credit available in any part of the world, allows Interest on Fixed Deposits, arid transacts all Usual Banking Business. iv Agricultural Gazette of N.S W. [June 2, 1920. MITCHELL’S LIGHT WEIGHT PLOUGHS. FROM MAKER TO USER. FOR ORCHARDS, GARDENS, VINEYARDS, POISCNING, AND ALL SMALL WORK. No NEED to WORK a HEAVY STANDARD PLOUGH NOW THAT YOU CAN BUY A NEW LIGHT-WEIGHT MITCHELL. ust as MITCHELL STANDARD PLOUGHS have gained the HIGHEST REPUTATION IN E COMMONWEALTH 50 are the Mitchell new Light-weight Ploughs proving satisfactory. Buy a Mitchell Plough and keep your money in Australia. You get a letter plough—You foster an Important Australian Industry. Small Farmers, Market Gardeners, Orchardists, and all in need of a light plough for small work will find thes: labour-caving ploughs absolutely unmatchable. They get over the ground easily and quickly—save time, labour, and money. They are thoroughly reliable, being made to meet Australian conditions by Mitchell’s, in Australia. And, after tests, they have been proved superior to foreign ploughs—yet they cost a great deal less. Let us send you further important plough facts. Write your Name and Address on this announcement and post to us, and we will forward full particulars—free. Do not patronise MW KR the foreigner— LIGHT, a a \) Buy an Aus- DURABLE, - i GS) tralian Plough— DEPENDABLE. —-, “GY A MITCHELL. i. “ox Mitchell & Co. Pty. Ltd. T Pe Soi Australian Manufacturers for over 25 years CADE im AUSTRALE 14a Bay Street, SYDNEY. June 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Buzacott’s “AUTOMATIC” —the Separator that Saves The experience of Mr. C. A. Reeves of Fairy Hillis typical —and convincing. Comparing his factory returns for one week he found that the yield from 19 cows was as follows: Hand Machine ... .-. 19 cows, 146 lb. butter. « AUTOMATIC” .-- 19 cows, 165 lb. butter. —equal to a gain of 988 lb. of butter per year. The gain out of the cream saved in one year practically paid for cost of machine and the cost of running it. The ‘‘ Automatic” is a simple - sepa- rator, structurally perfect. It will run day after day all the year round without any attention other than cleaning and lubricating. HR i i) \veee ; | , ha (Ip ~ i | LP mil S. a o i ann | 1 ae BS a | yl igscceni vd 2 Z } J) 7-11 Market Street, Sydney; and at 413-415 Adelaide Street, Brisbane. “Always ask for Buzacott Gates and Fences.” Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [June 2, 1920. Pennie FIRST in PEACE. FIRST in WAR. FIRST in the HEARTS of the N.S.W. FARMERS. QUALITY IMPLEMENTS T he call to-day | Reaper Threshers jet => “ > Binders e aHAlp, Qh 13 for “QUALITY Mowers, Rakes a7 The matter of price | Guitivators, Seeders lintreD “@Q does not carry so pie ta) : Fertiliser Drills TORONTO much weight with (Hoe or Disc) CANADA the ae Byes as | Fertiliser Sowers ; oes the | Disc Harrows f QUALITY” of Drag Harrows Ps the goods--the Qual- erarinie (Gers Beet ity is remembered Gorn Pinuiors i a ae, oie aids Ser ae ee Lat iT pam oo mee Plows, Scufflers Unga Tim iy The Massey-Harris Land Rollers ELARGESTHAKERS | Trademarkstands for | Packers OF HIGH CLASS QUALITY clea Binder Twine Massey-Harris_ Im- Machinery Oil FARM (MPLEMENIIS plements are famous Look for the y for Efficiency, Dur- Whe aarisn te SZ ability, | Simplicity, Reliability and Economy. MIASSEY-HARRIS CO. LID. Melbourne, Sydney, South Brisbane, Perth, Christchurch. Trademark when buying your Farm Implements. MASSEY-HARRIS | June 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. vii NEW SOUTH WALES ESTABLISHED 1817. Paid-up Capital Ee ae sé . £4,765,700 Reserve Fund ‘ : Nes .. £3,200,000 Reserve Liability _... = it ».. £4, 765,700 £12,731,400 ; DIRECTORS. Ture Hon. Sirk CHARLES K. MACKELLAR, K.C,M.G., M.L.C., President. THE Hon. REGINALD J. BLACK, M.L.C. THOMAS BUCKLAND, Esq. CHARLES BINNIE, Esa. ROBERT L. FAITHFULL, Ksq., M.D. THE Hon. JAMES T. WALKER. ¥. B. S. FALKINER, Esa. Auditurs—A. G. MILSON, Esq., W. H. PALMER, Esq. General Manager—Sir JOHN RUSSELL FRENCH, K.B.E. Chief Inspectors—C. G. ALFORD, OSCAR LINES, Inspectors—B. M. MOLINEAUX, L. WHITEHEAD, R. T. HILDER, W, POTTS. Chief Accountant—W. K. SOUTHERDEN. Secretary—J. A. BRYANT. Solicitors —Mrssrs. ALLEN, ALLEN, & HEMSLEY. Head Office—GEORGE STREET, SYDNEY. W.McRAE, Manager. | W.H. SENDALL, Assistant Manager. MELBOURNE—RODERICK MURCHISON, Ese., Advisory Direetor. London Office—29 THREADNEEDLE STREET, E.C. DIRECTORS. Sir FREDERICK GREEN, K.B.E., Chaarman. W. 8S. M. BURNS, Esq. HERBERT L. M. TRITTON, Esq. | H. MELDRUM, Aeting Manager. BANKERS. THE BANK OF ENGLAND. LONDON JOINT CITY AND MJDLAND BANK, LTD. BARCLAY’S BAN&, LTD. 350 BRANCHES AND AGENCIES New South Wales .. 178 New Zealand Queensland .. ea si 51 Tasmania Victoria 4 i eae & | Fiji South Australia Fe a 6 Papua .. Western Australia a 10 London | With Agents and Correspondents throughout the World. Cable remittances made to, and Drafts drawn on, Foreign places direct. Foreign Bills negotiated or collected, Letters of Credit and Circular Notes issued, negotiable throughout the world. viii Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [June 2, 1920. Dont be a slave to your work / — THE— Cooper ‘Little Wonder’ WILL DO THE WORK IN HALF THE TIME, with HALF THE EFFORT, at HALF THE COST! It will cut two tons of chaff daily, pump water, shear sheep, and cut enough wood ina day to last six months. THE GREATEST UTILITY OUTFIT IN AUSTRALIA. THE COOPER | “LITTLE WONDER” ENGINE as fitted with all “ Little Wonder” Outfits has estab- lished a wonderful repu- tation throughout Aus- tralia during the past . 20 years. It has been A built for hard work and Mis found on thousands @ of Australian farms and stations shearing sheep, working on windmills, cutting chaff, sawing wood, and doing all kinds of work where a 2 b.h.p. engine is required, THE “LITTLE WONDER” CHAFFCUTTER is a standing testimony to the Cooper motto of high quality, satisfactory service, and low price. Price, £55 /10 /=- If you have Sheep to Shear, Wood or Chaff to Cut, Water to Pump, or any other work requiring power, the Cooper Outfit will ensure unusual economy, long years of service and thorough satisfaction in every way. Write to-day. COOPER ENGINEERING COMPANY, LTD., ™suss5°* June 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. ix cessful dairying is to extract every particle of cream from the milk. The BALTIC ¢ SEPARATOR Prices from £4/17/6 upwards. Easy terms tf desired. = You can have the ‘‘ Baltic ’’ on a 30 Days’ Free Trial. Why not start increasing your profits at once > Get a ‘‘ Baltic’’ to-day! THE BALTIC SEPARATOR CO. LTD., 72 Wentworth-avenue = ” =“ SYDNEY. x Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [June 2, 1920. Falling Timber Means Falling Fences. BUG iieeee: Independent and official tests, conducted by farmers, station owners, &c., have proved that FENCING WIRE = From the Ore to the Fence Australian resists severe shocks and will not “snap ”’ as quickly as imported wire. The breaking strain of “ Waratah” IS GREATER, Waratah Fencing Wire also costs much less, is less liable te sag, strains tighter, and is guaranteed to be of even thickness and full length in every coil. Look for the WARATAH DISC on the wire you buy. All Storekeepers sell Waratah Fencing Wire. Write for Free Fencing Book, V. 19. AUSTRAL NAIL CO. PTY., LTD., 310 Flinders Street, Melbourne. Wire Mills at Newcastle, New South Wales. Be aah WON: ; ‘ h Oren f Li a i ae" 394 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. "ham 2, 1920. wean he 2, 1920.] i Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. germination. Apparently in some cases the electrified seed made the better start. At Wye the young plants from the electrified seeds, both of oats and barley, at first showed greater vigour than those from untreated seed, but the superiority soon vanished. This, however, is not unusual: at Rothamsted no such difference was seen; in Professor Stapledon’s germination tests, the treated seeds were not quite so good as were the untreated. Nevertheless, the occasional help to germination derived from one or other parts of the treatment may prove of value in certain field operations, and thus lead to a better crop than would otherwise ensue. It is’ impossible to prove a negative proposition ; a few unexceptional positive results outweigh any amount of negative evidence, and woulda show that the tieatment had some merit. “The failure, however, of electrified seed to give any increase in yield under the carefully-controlled conditions of the experimental station trials, shows that the process lacks certainty. It cannot be compared in effectiveness with manuring, which succeeds nearly every time if properly done. ‘The writer is not prepared on present evidence to say that the process never succeeds, but the risk of failure seems so great that the farmer should look upon it as an adventure which may or may not prove protitable.” MICE AS AN AsTARY PEst. Mice are inclined to bea pest to the apiarist in some localities during” the winter ; not only do they damage surplus combs left accessible to them, but they even dare to enter the hive and do some damage there. In the coastal districts and in other warm localities during summer aplarists generally favour the full inch entrance, and though this ¢ entrance is in some cases somewhat contracted in preparation for the cold weather the depth is not altered. During winter the bees will form their cluster and leave a portion of the comb near the entrance unprotected, and late in the winter they are often in the super, thus leaving the whole lower body unprotected. During night time the mice go into the hive and damage the unprotected combs, often to the extent of making large holes through the breeding combs. The first sign that mice aré about is an unusual quantity of wax pieces about the entrance ; if it is a bad case the wax pieces will be on the ground as well, and the bottom board and entrance will be covered. If there is evidence of the hives having been entered by mice the body should be prized up and the bottom boards cleaned ; then, if the day is warm enough and it can be done without materially disturbing the cluster. of bees, an examina- tion should be made to ascertain that no mice are camped in the hive. This? being done a piece of queen excluder should be put at the entrance. A 2-inch entrance will usually prevent the entry of mice without the excluder, but where the mice have got a start the excluder is necessary. Sometimes damage to the combs goes on and the apiarist is unaware of the trouble, for in the spring the bees rebuild ‘the damaged comb. The common result in such cases is that an undesirable quantity of drone comb is built in, and the wax scraps left on the bottom board offer inducement and protection for wax moths. Apart from this, the work of the bees during spring is considerably hindered.—W. A. Goopacre, Senior Apiary Inspectov. \ ~. We’ < ees » 396 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. . [June 2, 1920. ” THe Propucrion oF Mint’ For ITs OIL. ; PeprerRMINT grows most profitably on non-acid peaty soils, but if the moisture is good little trouble will be experienced even on upland soils. There is a large market in this State for both oil and dried leaves, but the crop has néver been cultivated to any extent except for supplying mint for the vegetable market. The crop is propagated from roots and runners from old plantations, and set in rows 34 feet apart and 4 to 5 inches deep. The roots are carried in a sack over the shoulder, and are dropped into the furrow and covered by scraping the soil with the foot.. One acre of old bed will provide sufficient plants for 10 to 20 acres. Harvesting is done about the time the plant comes into bloom and before the lower leaves drop. The yield of oil is always greatest in hot, dry weather, and heavy rains at harvest time reduce the yield. On large areas the harvesting and curing are somewhat similar to haymaking. The mint may be cut with a mowing machine and allowed-to lie in the swath for about a day or longer according to the weather, to allow of the evaporation of excess moisture and wilting of the leaves. The crop is placed in windrows, cocked, and then taken to the still, If the hay is fairly dry, a charge of the still (steam process) should not take longer than thirty to forty. minutes, but a damp sample may require two hours. In the United States, where the crop is extensively grown, two crops are obtained annually, though the second crop is only about half the quantity of the first cut. The conditions under which this crop is usually grown in America are cooler than ours and we should therefore produce more crops. The yield varies from 25 to 80 lb. of peppermint oil. per acre, averaging about 40 lb., and about 20 lb. from the second cut. The amount of hay averages 1 to 1} tons per acre, and if dried after distilling can be fed to farm stock. The plantations are profitable for eight or ten years. The prevailing prices are 20s, per lb, for spearmint oil and 15s. to 18s. for peppermint. The market for the dried leaves also offers inducements to the prospective peppermint-grower, Leaves at present fetch 2s, 6d. per Ib. and the normal pre-war figure ranged round 1s, 3d. The existing supply (as of other dried herbs) is considerably smaller than the demand.—A, J, Piny, Inspector of Agriculture, THRIFT GARDENING. OnE way of reducing the cost of living is open to every man, woman and child who can get the use of an idle plot of ground. That way lies through the planting and cultivation of a home garden—a thrift garden, War gardens played their part in the great mobilization of resources in war time—thrift gardens now have their own big job in helping households to teed themselyes,— Weekly News Letter, U.S. Department of Agriculture. June 2920.5. Agricultural Gazeite of N.S.Wr--. 397 Trials with Peas. B. C. MEEK, Assistant Inspector of Agriculture. A seRIEs of tests with peas was carried out on the farm of Mr. W. P. Searr, Springside, in the Orange district. Considerable interest was displayed by members of the Springside branch of the Agricultural Bureau and other local farmers, and several visitors from other parts of the district also inspected the piots. While it is not advisable to rely too much on the results of one season, in ~ this case the yields are so marked that considerable benefit should be chen by a study of the figures given. The soil was a grey loam, one which generally gives good results from the application of fertilisers. It was fallowed over winter and worked up with cultivator and harrow to a good tilth. The seed was sown along the plough furrows by hand at the rate of 14 bushels per acre, this method being better than drilling on account of the support the plants give one another as they spread across the furrows. When in a straight line, a strong wind will blow the whole row over to one side. As ploughed in, the rows were 2 feet 6 inches apart. _ The rainfall was as follows :--November, 20 points } December, 434 points ; January, 135 points ; total, 589 points. THE results are given in this table. Variety Test. Variety. Maturity. Yield per acre. days. bushels. i Yorkshire Hero .., oe §. 68 203 American Wonder a she 68 1624 William Hirst. ... nat we 68 134 Hundredfold .... as Pai 61 | 129 Nottingham Defiance ... bk 71 1084 Daisy ... a iy 71 | 825 Stratagem ne By 5H 71 | 80 Tke varieties were manured with 2 cwt. per acre of P7 (bonedust and super- phosphate in equal parts), sown in the furrows by hand. The three later maturing varieties had the worst of the weather, as there was no rainfall after 4th January. Nottingham Defiance showed up well nevertheless. On account of its quick maturity, Hundredfold should be especially good for garden purposes. Loca versus Introduced Seed. Seed Grown, | Manure. Yield per aere. e bushels. Local... xa | 2ewt. P? oe a 64 New Zealand i aaa ml 227 aE nas 44 9, % z 2) 3 Pa gr vosEneke 64 eo This experiment with the local and introduced seed was planted because it | generally accepted that locally saved seed is not worth putting in the und. ; Vhile it may hold good for the warmer districts of the State, the test under ew shows that seed saved on Mr. Scarr’s farm the previous season easily ielded the introduced. ‘ he soil in this case was not as good as in the variety and manuriai plots. Manoriau Test with Yorkshire Hero. : , y Manure per Acre. Maturity. Yield per acre, ee days. - bushels. iperphosphate. 2 cwt. tA th i Ee. aes 68 2214 P7 (superphosphate 1 cwt. and bonedust 1 ewt.), 2 ewt. 68 202 P8 (superphosphate 1 cwt. and blood and bone 1 ewt.), 2 ewt. 71 | +» 1884 P5 (superphosphate | cwt. and potash } cwt.), I} ewt. ..., 71 179 manure lg a Bu 1e i Sree ae 68 | 894 this trial the results show that the cheapest manure (superphosphate) e easily the best yields, and as the cost of the manure increased the d diminished, though even P5 gave twice as much as the no-manure Tue Boys anpd Girus’ CLUBS. uf ys and girls’ clubs are recruited from the pupils attending the State thools, and are fostered by the Federal authorities through the county ts. ‘The children are given elementary inatanetion and demonstrations the work of pig-raising, maize-growing, &c. ‘Competitions are held in mnection with local agricultural shows. Prizes are provided by local idents and are distributed into several classes, in order that a number of ntestants may bave a chance to win a prize. Honor and recognition metimes count for more than money. Badges, certificates and diplomas en to the club members are often appreciated as much as, if not more than, ney and other expensive premiums. When liberal amounts are given for zes in a county, it is thought well to give prizes to the winners of the trict clubs that make the highest records with five to a team, this premium ng divided into several awards, depending upon the rank. These prizes metimes consist of a trip to one or other of the great agricultural shows, a sit to Washington, scholarships in agricultural schools, expenses necessary _a short course at an agricultural college, pure-bred pigs, pure-bred kens, farm tools, books on live stock, &c., as well as cash prizes.— tract from a report by Mr, Lestiz G. Brive. June 2, 1920.] | Pa gronbrdll Gucett oe Nags W. 399 Native and Introduced Grasses at Mount George, Manning River. E, BREAKWELL, B.A., B.Sc., Agrostologist. Mr. Duncan Cameron, Mount George, has provided some very interesting and useful data in connection with the results obtained from native and introduced grasses, grown in co-operation with the Department. Amongst the native grasses tried the most successful have been Coolah grass (Panicum prolutum), Native or Australian millet (Panicum decom- | positum), Warrego summer grass (Panicum flividum), Queensland Blue grass (Andvopogon sericeus), Rare Blue grass (Aidropogon intermedius), and Brown Top or Sugar grass (Hrianthus fulvus). Grass Plots at Mr. D. Cameron’s, Mount George, Manning River. Native or Australian Millet (Paniewm decompositum) in the foreground, Coolah grass has won the admiration of visiting farmers on account of its drought-resistance and the remarkable rapidity of its growth. The yield of dried fodder from the plot was approximately at the rate of 8 tons per acre. Warrego summer grass germinated well, but made much slower growth than Coolah grass. It is, however, extremely succulent and palatable, and should do well in a mixed pasture. Native or Australian millet grows nearly as rapidly as Coolah grass, and yielded nearly as much per acre. Its wide succulent leaves make an excellent fodder and first-class hay. > Ay ka de | oi ; apie S? F Aer eON ee on Red 400 Agricultural Gazette of N SW. We une 221 920. ; Of the two blue grasses, Rare Blue grass was easily the quicker grower, but it proved inferior in palatability and succulence to Queensland Blue grass. The latter yielded approximately at the rate of 3 tons of dry fodder per acre. A satisfactory feature in connection with the native grasses was the good germination of the seed;Warrego summer grass ands Native millet tae best in this respect. The most successful of the introduced grasses were Phalaris bulbosa, Giant Feseue (Festuca arundinacea), Texas grass (Panicum bulbosum), Para grass (Paiacum muticum), Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) Kikuyu grass (Penis. tum longistylum), and Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum). Phalaris bulbosa has proved the best winter grass that has ever been grown on the Manning, producing excellent succulent feed right throughout the cold months of the year. Kikuyu grass has made wonderful growth since the roots were first planted, and is smothering everything with which it comes in contact. It possesses long spreading runners, which readily root at the joints. Somewhat like ‘Rhodes grass in its spreading habit, its leaves are of a much softer texture, and will probably be preferred by farmers to the well-known Rhodes. Para grass also spreads rapidly, some of the runners being over 12 feet long. Amongst the clovers tried, Chilean clover has produced excellent results, growing to a height of 3 feet and seeding heavily. Shearman’s clover is also proving promising, and is spreading through the other herbage. Some difficulty was encountered in obtaining a germination with Bokhara clover, but the plants which have grown are fully 5 feet in diameter and 4 feet high. Nearly all the grasses and clovers grown are new to this district, and Mr. Cameron has been instrumental in arousing the interest of a number of neighbouring farmers in the plots grown on his property. ELEPHANT AND PARA GRASS ON THE MANNING RIVER. Mr. Joun A. Savuzier, Bohnock, Manning River, writes :—The Elephant grass purchased from your Department two years ago gave half an acre of plants -for planting on Ist September, 1919; and during this terrible drought they grew as if they were in the best of showery weather, and had attained a height of 74 feet in January, 1920.’ The fodder was then cut and, in combination with maize and sorghum, was made into stack silage. The 2s. worth of Para grass purchased from your Department gave enough plants and cuttings for planting half an acre on Ist October, 1919. It has now covered the ground with runners 8 feet long. Had I known the nature of the grass I would have planted an acre with the same quantity. I planted it 4 feet apart, whereas it would have sufficed at 15 feet apart. It has not yet given upright shoots, but is still running. June 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N SW. 401 Fe Utilisation of Reclaimed Swamp Land, H. WENHOLZ, B.Sc. (Agr.), Inspector of Agriculture. Many areas of swamp land on the North Coast have now been drained and reclaimed for dairying and agriculture, and as such lands require somewhat different treatment from other soils in the vicinity for the best results, a discussion of methods will be of interest to many who have this class of land to deal with. In general character the soil on this swamp land is of a peaty nature, varying in depth from 6 inches to a foot or more, underlain usually by asour clay subsoil. The peaty soil is of a light spongy type, dark in colour, and con- taining abundant nitrogen (sometimes 1 or more per cent.), but comparatively poor in lime, phosphoric acid, and potash. The soil gives a very strongly acid reaction, has a very high water-holding capacity, and an_ excellent capillary power. The subsoil, though usually stiff bluish clay, weathers down fairly well when ploughed up a little at a time, and in this way also renders the peaty surface soil of better mechanical composition, especially after the addition of lime. On the fringe of the swamp proper is usually a belt of. tea-trees, and above this is rising ground, with soil of sandstone formation of moderate depth, which can in many cases be well utilised for some cultivation provided care is exercised in the system of cropping. Vegetation on Swamp Land. Before drainage, the swamp land is covered with a growth of rushes and sedges, with coarse grasses, clearly indicating the intense sourness of the land. After the main drain has been constructed through the area,a good — deal of this growth disappears, and couch and paspalum readily extend over the land if encouraged, and make good growth. For many years after draining, however, there is practically no sign of clover under natural conditions, and it is very doubtful whether it would make any stand if attempted at that early stage. This is chiefly due to the still too sour state of the land, which some individual attempt must be made on the farm to remove or alleviate. ’ Without improvement, the pastures on this swamp land, though abundant, are by no means satisfactory for milk production. It is known that for dry cows or for beef cattle this pasture is better, at least serving to keep such stock in fair condition. Dairy cows in milk, however, will be unproductive on such land unless fed some concentrates, such as bran, linseed meal, or oil cake, and probably also bone meal to supply lime and phosphates, which are particularly lacking in the soil, as evidenced by the bone-chewing habits of the cattle. . ) a Improvement of the Swamp Land Pasture. The first step in the improvement of the pasture on such swamp land is the encouragement of sweet grasses and of clovers. There does not seem any doubt that Paspalum dilatatum cannot be improved on as a summer pasture on this soil. This grass will stand the wet conditions that obtain, and thrives luxuriantly. It should, therefore, be seeded and encouraged without much delay on practically the whole area after the cutting of the main drain. During the first few years the land is best utilised for keeping dry cattle, _ Steers, or bullocks in condition. Dairying is hardly worth attempting until the land has sweetened considerably. To effect this sweetening more quickly it is essential that an application of lime should be made at once. Freshly slaked lime or agricultural lime at the rate of 1 to 2 tons per acre should be used for this purpose. This application will require repeating every few years until the sourness has almost disappeared. When the paspalum pasture has become thoroughly established the Sweetening effect may be hastened by ploughing every few years. This ploughing should be carried out with a view to bringing up a little of the subsoil for aeration and admixture with the surface peat soil, and also for renovation of the pasture. The subsequent limings can be conveniently made after these plonghings for the best effect. Except under such treatment the land cannot but be expected to remain in a sour state for many years. The encouragement of clovers is particularly desirable, and ‘so far the ordinary white clover has been found to be the best for inclusion in paspalum pastures. Without the sweetening of the soil by liming, however, it is useless to attempt clovers. Alsike clover is reported to be largely grown on and very suitable for muck and peat lands on drained swamps in America— being more resistant to acid conditions than any other clover. Comparatively little success has been obtained from this clover in this State under any conditions, but it is certainly worth a trial on the class of land under consideration. Shearman’s clove: (described in the Agricultural Gazette for April), which is particularly suited to the low-lying salt-marsh soils at Fullerton Cove (near Newcastle), may prove a valuable acquisition on these drained swamps. Red clover in any of its forms (including cowgrass) is more intolerant of an acid or sour soil than any of the clovers. For winter or early spring pasture, a small paddock of perennial rye grass, cocksfoot, prairie grass, and alsike clover is worth trial, to see if it will withstand the conditions, but in a pasture separate from the paspalum. When! depending on pasture so much, more care should be exercised in its treatment, such as the periodical resting or shutting up of the paddocks, This can only be accomplished by the employment of smaller subdivision paddocks, cheap rough fencing for which can be made from the tea-tree saplings usually found on the edge of the swamp. The upland pasture mainly consists of couch grass, with which white clover should also be encouraged by artificial distribution if necessary. It is only with the sweetening of the swamp land pasture and the encouragement of clovers that the milk-failing and bone-chewing habits of the dairy cows can be expected to disappear. ‘ ' i‘) 7 LW he SEE SN i a Soe EG \" 0 ES wy aS SU RMA: Ei his ae ores Bi ele ait iter eee Be ye Ms a bdo ry ai ‘ Eo VR oa Bat ta ee ne Tie yan mea otdAn Wy ghee 402 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [June 2, 1920. M4 5 ws Y ie hie yas i Wee Nan Re eet a B June 2, 1920.} Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. : 403 Improving the Drainage. It must not be supposed that the main drain through the swamp areas is. to effect all the drainage necessary. Much assistance must be given, in most cases, on the individual farms by the cutting of headland drains and shaliow open drains across paddocks at intervals of about a chain on the swamp land —all in a system connected with laterals which pour into the main drain. In many cases these lands are still subject to a little overflow from the surrounding high land after heavy rains, and where this is the case con- sideration should be given to its prevention by the construction of small drains round the edge of the swamp. The accompanying sketch shows the type of drain suggested. UPLAND SWAMP It should be made about 8 feet wide and 2 or 3 feet deep with a mound built up (with the earth removed) on the swamp side of the drain. The construction of the drain in this form renders its fencing off from stock unnecessary, and it will be found to be very efficient in preventing overflow from the hill lands, Such a drain should be constructed, for best results, by co-operation between the individual farmers on the subdivision areas, or by the company or person owning the land, so as to get the required fall and outlet. It is important to facilitate the drainage on the individual farm for the benefit of cultivation, for with the comparatively high prices of such land, (due, in many cases, to the cost of the drainage scheme) and with its possibilities under proper treatment, its use for pasturage alone cannot be considered highly profitable, and special efforts should be made to use the land for the growth of such cultivated fodder crops as it may be particularly suitable for. Cultivation on Swamp Land, Still further sweetening of the land and assistance to drainage is required for cultivation, and to effect these conditions special methods are advisable. Some difficulty is usually experienced in properly ploughing this land, and the type of plough recommended is one with a long mouldboard, which will be more effective in turning the furrow-slice owing to the very loose nature of the peaty surface soil. Where stiff clay subsoil underlies the peat within reach of the plough it is desirable to bring up a little at each ploughing. The application of quicklime while the soil is still bare is to be recommended, rather than agricultural lime or slaked lime, for although the quicklime has a caustic action which is extremely harmful in burning out the organic matter on ordinary soils, this loss can be easily sustained. on peat soils which are so rich in this constituent. The quicklime has an advantage over agricultural lime in this case, because of its quicker action in sweetening the mass of sour organic matter, and in weathering down any sour subsoil which is turned up by the plough. From 5 to 10 ewt. quicklime per acre will be sutticient. *- ¥ ; + WF os d a sp eared Pa Wath \ eek 404 —- Agricultwral Gazette of NSW. [June 2, 1920. Where this stiff clay subsoil exists near the surface, subsoiling may be expected to prove a profitable operation. This can be done roughly and cheaply by removing the mouldboard from the ordinary plough. For still further assisting the drainage on the swamp land, ridge ploughing can be thoroughly recommended. ‘This consists in ploughing (always in the same direction), in narrow “lands” or widths of 12 to 24 feet, leaving the *“ clean outs” or dead furrows to act as open drains. Crops and Fertilisers for Swamp Land. Even in cases where it is recognised that the swamp land is still subject to overflow, it is possible that comparatively long periods may elapse between ‘such occurrences, and the land is so well provided with nitrogen that it is too rich an asset to neglect, and in many cases the fear of overflow should not be allowed to deter the.farmer from cultivation. Summer fodders, such as maize, sorghum, Sudan grass, or Japanese millet will be found to be the most suitable, and the latter two crops may be regarded as the best to stand the wet conditions that must prevail at some time or other during growth. Other minor crops that are worth trial as being most likely to be suited to this class of soil are celery, onions, rice, and mint. In these cases much depends on close proximity to market. Where the land is well drained potatoes and cabbages would probably do well. Although rich in nitrogen, the soil is extremely ill-balanced and will usually respond readily to phosphates and potash. At least 2 cwt. super- phosphate per acre should be applied with every crop sown, and tests should be made of the most profitable amounts of potash to apply. On some similar soils it has been found that the application of about 100 1b. of a high-grade potash fertiliser has increased the yields up to 400 per cent. Tt is likely that the pastures on the swamp land will also show a profitable increase from the application of superphosphate (and perhaps of potash), in addition to lime. Crops and Fertilisers for Upland Soils. Usually the upland soil is of sandstone formation, and cannot be relied on to produce good crops. continually without careful treatment. No application of lime is necessary on this soil, and the most reliable crops are winter fodders—particularly wheat or rye. Neither of these are considered quite as good feed for dairy cows as barley or oats, but they will produce the better crops on the Jand in question. The summer fodders recommended for the swamp land should hardly be attempted here except, perhaps, a crop of sorghum occasionally. The rye should be utilised for grazing at interyals, and should never be allowed to grow to any height if it is intended to use _it to the best advantage. The wheat or rye should be followed by cowpeas (sown in November or December), which can be. utilised for grazing and still have some value for soil improvement. If this system is followed, with an occasional crop of sorghum, the fertility of these upland soils will be maintained with just the-application of 1 cwt, superphosphate with each crop at sowing. » June 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 405 Feeds for Dairy Cows. Dairymen who are attempting to make a living on these soils before they have been properly sweetened and whose cows have developed bone-chewing habits, will find some additional feeds necessary to the maintenance of the stock and of milk production until the pastures have developed sufticiently, with time and treatment, to render them more sutflicing, Mr. J. A. Robertson, herdmaster to the Department, makes the following recommendations in such cases :—“ If the cows are good average dairy cows it will pay to buy feed for them at the present prices. Lucerne chaff, bran or pollard, and linseed meal or coconut meal are the best concentrated feeds to purchase according to price. The best results would probably be obtained by drying off, in the autumn, all cows at all forward in calf and turning them out where grazing is reasonably good, supplying them, in addition, with bone and bran mixture. All newly calved cows could then be profitably hand-ted, and it would also be an advantage to rug them during the winter. Salt is also required and will greatly assist in keeping the cows in health and in ”? preventing the bone-chewing. Conclusion, With the long wait required on this class of land before it properly b e é 5 , sweetens up, and the somewhat expensive treatment required—lime and fertilisers being essential—these reclaimed swamp lands cannot be regarded as equal to alluvial, although some owners are asking somewhat equivalent prices. With sutticient areas, however, these lands seem worth consideration as a proposition for dairying (with pig-raising as a side line on a small scale), _ provided they can be obtained at a reasonable price. THe Potsonous’ PROPERTIES OF C'ASTOR-OIL BEANS. _THERE recently appeared in the daily Press notices of a severe mortality amongst horses, due to the ingestion of castor-oil beans with imported chaff. Through the courtesy of the owner and the veterinarian in charge, an oppor- tunity was given to a veterinary officer of the Stock Branch to examine the feed. It was found that some sacks of chaff contained, amongst other refuse, large numbers of different varieties of castor-oil beans. In order to put farmers and horse-owners on their guard it may be useful to point out that these beans are roughly oval, one-third to three-quarters of an inch long, and about half as broad, flattened on one side and marked with peculiar mottlings of red, brown, or black and grey. The poisonous effect of the beans, in addition to their purgative action, is due to the presence of a toxin ricin, which is found not only in the whole beans but in the residue after the oil is extracted ; consequently neither the beans nor the residue are safe to feed, though the latter may be treated so as to destroy the toxin. - Chaff containing these beans should on no account be fed. If by chance horses get them and show poisonous symptoms a veterinarian should be called in at once, as the cases are usually very serious.—S. T. D, Symons, Chief Inspector of Stock. 406 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [June 2, 1920. — THE RuGGING OF DatrRy CATTLE. Tue practice of rugging dairy cattle during the winter time has long been followed by a few farmers on the South Coast, but latterly there has been a considerable extension in the number of those who do it, more particularly on the tablelands where, without it, the milking season is limited te six or seven months of the year. Those who do it consistently are unanimous in testifying that it improves the general condition of the animals and main- tains the milk flow in a very important degree. Ina season like the present, when the winter has come in early and prices for feed are so high that it is imperative to adopt every expedient that will make the maximum use of every ton of fodder, the question of the use of rugs is one that is worth consideration. One wasteful practice in particular arrests attention in this connection— that of putting a rug on a cow at the beginning of winter and allowing it to remain there for several months, The cow derives no advantage from rugging under such conditions. She swelters under it during the warm hours of the day, and her natural resistence to cold is reduced, so that she is more liable to its effects at night. Under the cover her coat becomes finer and her skin unhealthy and itchy, and sometimes even harbours lice. She is actually ‘penalised by her rug during the day, and she derives little or no advantage from it at night. The life of the rug, too, suffers by this treatment, for it is continually in use, and oe irritated animal, rubbing herself in it, soon wears it out. On the other hand, if ‘the cover is removed during the day, the coat thickens up under the cooler temperatures of the winter weather, and the cow feels the full advantage of it when it is put on in the evening. The skin, too, is kept clean, for the cow is able to scratch and lick herself during the day, and the rug, being hung up for a few hours, dries off and sweetens, and any _ necessary repairs can be effected before the damage becomes too extensive. Rugging is a practice of solid value, but, like many other things, it requires to be done ages to yield its full profit. aa A. Roperrson, Herdmaster. ANTS IN A BEE-HIVE. ArHoucGH the little black ants rarely disturb a colony of bees to any extent, it would be as well to have them removed if they are inside the hive. The ants should be brushed out, the hive set up on pegs, and a tarred rag wound _round each peg to prevent their re-entry. For the destruction of these ants in their nests when on the ground, mix 1 oz. of borax and } lb. sugar boiled fer three minutes in sufficient water to produce the consistency of thin honey. This mixture can be placed anywhere in the track of the ants and they will generally disappear, as it-acts as a poison to the young. The bees will not take the mixture, owing to it being repellent to their taste.— iW. A. Goovacre, Senior Apiary Inspector. A Norru Coast correspondent writes: “I wish to thank the Department for their valuable Gazette. I have derived great benefit in a hundred different ways by reading and practising what the Gazette teaches, and I look forward to it every month.” June 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 407 Chats eae the Prickly Pear. No. 4. J. H. MAIDEN, 1.S.0., F.R.S., F.LS., Government Botanist and Director, Botanic Gardens, Sydney, Prickly Pear as Stock Food—(continwed). A FEw extracts from reports by stock-owners as to the value or otherwise of pear for feed may be of interest at this stage. They were mostly addressed to myself, and were written during, or within the recollection of, droughty times. They are the opinions of experienced men, but while they were valid at the time they were written, it does not follow that they would express the opinion of the writers to-day. Some of the reports in regard to pest pear are unfavourable and some are favourable, Perhaps I might explain that at one time I could see but very little or no good in pear ; now, I find more good. Ido not say it is a first-class fodder by any means, but I do say that it possesses certain properties in this direction which should encourage us to combine pear-feeding and_pear- clearing in the same operation, We have a good deal to learn yet as to the best apphances to use in handling pear—chopping it, burning, &c.—and how to wisely feed it to stock. We do not even know the breeds of cattle which will flourish best on pear, though in Southern Italy they have found a Holstein cross do well on it. i 1. Scone, N.S.W.—During the 1902 drought we were feeding between 1,000 and 1,200 cattle, out of which we lost 500 or 600 head. We do not think much of it as a food for cattle, and if we had not discontinued using it we would have lost the lot. Re treating of the pears—first, we cut all the tender leaves only and carted same to a large dam where we had four 400-gallon ship tanks cut in halves, which we used as boilers. We put the leaves of the pears into these tanks, together with a little rock salt, and boiled same for four hours. After that time we took out and let cool ; when cool we carted and spread out in paddock for cattle to eat. They soon got tired of these and we then tried them mixed with molasses, but it did not have the desired eftect. The majority of cattle that died, when opened, contained a big ball of the pear fibres.—BAKEWELL Bros. 2. Municipality of Muswellbrook.—In reply to your inquiry re the value of the prickly pear as a cattle food, I have to state that a prominent local dairyman, Mr. Jas. Wilkins, writes that he has been using prickly pear as fodder at different times during the past fifteen years, and prepared it in three ways, viz., by roasting, boiling and steaming, and is convinced that if dairy stock be fed on pears so treated before they get into low condition, they will not only live but milk fairly well. The best results are obtained by ‘‘ chaffing,” or cutting the pears into’ very small pieces. Stock will not fatten on this food, but after being sustained on it they will quickly improve in condition when supplied with more nutritious fodder. The Mayor (Mr. Alex. Weidmann), who has also had experience with the pears as cattle food, states that good results are obtained by mixing the pears with hay, lucerne, chaff or pollard. The greatest objection to the pears when not cut small is the fact that cattle thus fed experience much difficulty in chewing the cud, on account of the fibrous nature of the plants. This drawback may, however, be obviated by chafing the pears. The Council did not clear the common of pears by the residents using them for fodder some three years ago, as the demand was not equal to the supply, but for some weeks 408 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [June 2, 1920. past have had a man engaged in cutting and roasting pears for the horned cattle on the common, there being little or no grass thereon, owing to the dry weather ; and the said cattle by being thus fed have kept in fair condition. Experience accordingly shows that prickly pears make a useful but inferior fodder, even when prepared as described, but can be used with advantage in time of drought as a substitute for better food, cattle, like mankind, being able to, to some extent, adapt. themselves to circumstances in the matter of sustenance. —PieRce Hraty, Council Clerk, 8th January, 1906. 3. 1 find that this plant was much used as fodder during the drought of 1902, and is . now being used by many, owing to prevailing dry weather and absence of natural grasses and herbage. On inquiring from those who are using it, I find that it is a last resource ; in itself it has little or no value as a fodder plant. Cattle will eat when compelled to by hunger, but, being of a greasy nature, it cannot be properly masticated by horned cattle. A local dairyman, by boiling, then chopping and mixing with lucerne or oaten chaff, is using a considerable quantity daily, approximately 12 cwt., and with this mixture is feeding a small dairy herd for the supply of fresh milk locally. I interviewed three graziers, Mr. J. C. White, of Edenglassie, Mr. C. E. Doyle, of Dartmouth, and Mr. Parbury, of Satur. _ These men used the pear rather extensively during the disastrous drought of 1902, and are unanimous that as a fodder plant it has a very low value, and is used as a last resource. It helps to keep stock alive, but if they are weak their digestive organs will not allow of this food being used with good results.—O. G. Norron, District Assistant Engineer, Muswellbrook, 19th January, 1906. The attitude of the Hunter River stockowners, who “have had more ex- perience of prickly pear than the graziers of any other part of Australia,” is recounted in an article by the late Mr. R. T. Keys, of Muswellbrook, in the Sydney Stock and Station Journal (reference mislaid) and reproduced in the Queensland Agricultural Journal for August, 1908, page 61. It is con- demnatory of the use of the pear as fodder, The foliowing two reports are, however, more favourable :— ~ 1. Inthe Agricultural Gazette for June, 1897, Mr. J. O’Shea, of Singleton, protested against the Government ordering the destruction of the prickly pear, and stated how valuable a supply would bé during the then droughty time. 2. I fed eighty-five cows for three months this summer on prickly pear and a very little bran and they did well on it. I was peremptorily ordered by Government to destroy my prickly pear. I boiled it all down-for my cows and it was my most valuable fodder. I had three 400-gallon tanks for boiling it, and besides my cows had seventy pigs which had nothing else for that time, and they did famously on it. My bulls kept in show order—with a little bran mixed, The two pests, prickly pear and Aristida ramosa [a coarse grass, J.H.M.], carried my - stock through the worst of the drought, and [ don’t know what I should have done without them. I must say a good word for them,—SyivEstrR Brownz, Minembah, Whittingham, Jst January, 1908. _ Mr. Browne was the introducer of Rhodes grass and other grasses to Australia, and one of the most distinguished of our experimenters with fodder plants. 2 Further accounts of prickly pear as a fodder are available from two farmers in the Campbelltown-Camden district. 1. In 1895, Mr. J. F. Gorus, of Eschol Park, Minto, near Campbelltown, used the prickly pear on the property, boiled with meat and refuse, for pigs, combining this with pear-clearing operations. (See this Gazette for October, 1896, page 658.) Pear was used as an auxiliary food for nearly 200 pigs for several months, Mr. Gorus speaks favourably of his experiments—he fed his pigs and exterminated the pear, / June 2, 1920] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 409 2. In February, 1908, I visited, by invitation, the dairy farm of a well known gentleman in the Camden district (the late Mr. F. W. Downes, M.L.A.) who had been utilising the local pest pear for twelve months previously. So far as I know, the food value of this pear is much the same as that of the Indian fig pear (Opuntia fi-us-indica), To convey the pear he used slides 5 feet 6 inches long and 4 feet 6 inches wide. ne slide filled half a 400-gallon tank, these vesseis being cut into two for the purpose of preparing the pear, These half tanks stand on bricks, with a fire underneath, and the pear becomes more or less cooked, a little water being used. Three bran bags loosely packed with lucerne hay, and also 8 bushels of bran are provided for each two half tanks, At feeding time the cows were yarded, and a heaped-up kerosene tin of the above pear was put into each cow’s trough. The cows were then admitted into the stable. There was no confusion, Each cow deliberately walked to her own particular trough, ate every particle of pear, &c,, and then licked her lips for more. There is no doubt that this pear mixture is palatable to the cows; to what extent the pear alone is nutritious it is impossible to say, from the above experiments. I asked the enterprising owner some time afterwards: “The pear is a food ; do you like it on your property, or would you rather be without it?’ He replied at once, ‘‘ I would rather be without it,” One other testimony may be quoted, that of a farmer nearly 300 miles west of Sydney :-— I have cultivated Opuntia ficus-indica for pears as feed for stock, and find that cattle keep it eaten down till it dies if allowed unrestricted access to it, and I consider it a useful fodder plant.—JouHn ALLIison, ‘f Fresno,” Dubbo, 11th March, 1914. A Texan Method. The following account of the experience of Mr. J. C. Glass, a Texan stock- owner, as recorded in U.S. Bulletin No. 74, p. 39, may be usefully compared with the experience of one or two of the farmers and pastoralists quoted © above, Except in certain districts, we in Australia probably do not know how to feed prickly pear to stock :— 1. The feeding was begun after cattle had begun to die. 2, Feeding was practised to keep cattle alive, not to fatten them. 3. The pastures were worked continually, and a watch was kept for weak cattle. 4. The stronger cattle in the feed pens were constantly being replaced by weaker ones from the pastures, 5. From 1 Ib. to 14 lb. of cotton-seed meal was fed to each animal, in addition to all the chopped pear it would eat. 6. All except the very weak cattle were allowed the run of the pastures. It will be seen from these statements that the stock obtained some feed in addition to the pear and meal, even from the brush pastures where they were dying before the feeding began. No attempt was made to do anything but keep the animals alive until the drought was broken. An effort was made, however, to give the cattle all the pear they would eat. As nearly as can be estimated, therefore, 80 acres of excellent pear furnished a full ration for an average of 800 heal of cattle for a period of six months, 410 Agricultural Gazeite of N.S.W. [June 2, 1920. Queensland Experience.*— In the Sydney Mail of 9th August, 1902, is a picture of cattle from Womblebank Station (Queensland) fattened on prickly pear, It is stated that “these bullocks settled down on the prickly pear country about two years ago, when the drought was beginning to be felt very severely, and have existed entirely on the pear in its raw state ever since, and with hundreds of others have done remarkably well upon the fodder.” The Womblebank cattle are a credit to their owner, but I must be excused if I decline to believe that they got their fine bony framework (not to speak of their muscular tissue) from prickly pear. Noanalysis that I have ever seen shows phosphates in these plants sufficient for the building up of afat bullock. Water, of course, they can do without, for prickly pear contains about 90 per cent. of that useful beverage. The late Mr. Dowling, the editor of the Mail, brought Mr. W. J. King, the manager of Womblebank, to my office for a chat. Mr. King had brought these bullocks from Roma to Sydney. He informed me that the bullocks got pickings of grass, saltbush and scrub, both on Womble- bank and on the way down to Sydney. There arose a furious controversy, some of which will be found in the Sydney Stock and Station Journal at the time, about these Womblebank _bullocks and prickly pear. Mr. R. 8. Archer, the Manager of Gracemere, near Rockhampton, cele- brated for its dairy farm, wrote under date 25th November, 1902 :— The dairyman [1.e., certain dairymen who had spoken disparagingly of prickly pear. — J.H.M.]| must have struck a bad sort of pear or cannot have treated it properly, as we must have used 1,500 tons at least this season, and by its use kept 500 milkers alive and our business together, as, without it, we couldn’t have faced buying chaff at £10a ton. The pear has on an average cost us 7s. 6d. per ton to cut, prepare and feed—say 1,500 tons, £562 10s. Fifteen hundred tons of pear equals 500 tons of chaff at £10 —£5,000 ; say, a saving of £4,437 10s. * Since the above was written I have seen for the first time (10th May, 1920) a valuable bulletin for stock owners, dated Ist May, 1918, and issued by the Prickly Pear Board of the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Stock. The Board, consisted of Messrs. Cory, Brunnich, Graham and Quodling. Had I seen this bulletin before I would ‘have referred to it in its place. It is based on experiments made by Mr. Frank Smith, B.Se., formerly Assistant Chemist to the Department, and the bulletin itself is described as a practical one, as setting out clearly and concisely, and in a non-technical manner, the results of trials conducted at Wallumbilla, Maranoa district, Queensland, of prickly pear as stock feed, and as touching the existent value of the plant and its possible utility for feeding purposes. Inter alia, the writer says :— “In revising the question of applying data secured in stall-feeding to the case of beasts running at large in pear country, it may be pointed out that where the elemental conditions are the same the results will be parallel and variant only in degree, also the possible superior benefit to animals through individual selection of feed was the subject of trial, and is estimated. The directions given for the preparation of prickly pear for farm stock are recommended, as the rations embodying it—prescribed for various purposes—were based upon experiments conducted with an adequate number of animals and over considerable periods. ‘** More especially would attention be drawn to the value of the plant as a standby for stock in drought. Its use, in conjunction with other foods, intelligently fed to stock, with appreciation of deficiencies of pear as a fodder, should assist in diminishing the disastrous losses hitherto sustained by stock-owners.” There is a valuable summary at page 21, and there are illustrations of the effect of pear-feeding on both cattle and sheep. I believe it to be the most valuable publication of its kind that has appeared in Australia so far.—J,H.M. sa June 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. aig Our ration is $51b. to 40 1b. chaffed and steamed pear, and 3 1b. bran, per cow, and on that they keep in good condition and average 6 lb. milk a day, a little over 2 quarts, which we now retail at 6d. per quart. Unfortunately, we cannot sell all we have. The other milkmen are mostly feeding as we are. Atonedairy we are boiling the pear and slashing it up with knives in the troughs, and they eat it all right that way. Unfortunately there is no pear at the 15- mile, so that we can only cut oaks and vines along the creeks, on which the stock do not do ‘well. They held out well till this month, but the last three weeks we have lost a good many breeding cows. We have now cut all the pear this side of the river, and are getting it from North Rockhampton at 4s. per ton delivered on trucks. [This was mostly pest pear !—J.H.M. | Mr. G. L. Archer, then Pastoral Inspector of the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney, informed me, on 6th December, 1906, that Mr. Walter Horwood, of Daandine, Macalister, Queensland, fed prickly pear throughout the drought from April to December, 1902, to 1,400 cattle. For four months they had prickly pear entirely, and thenceforward 1 1b. bran per day per beast. He described it as spinescent inermis (pest pear), which gets more spinescent in shelter of brigalow scrub. [Note this.—J.H.M.]} An article, ‘Prickly Pear and the Spineless Cactus for Stock Food,” ty Joseph Burtt-Davy, Transvaal Agricultural Journal, October, 1909, page 19, is worthy of reference, because Mr. Dayy, a competent botanist and agri- culturist, has had great experience both in California and South Africa, and — he compares American and South African conditions and experience with pear. He quotes U.S, Bulletin 74 freely. Prickly Pear as Fodder in India. The utilisation of pear as fodder in India is discussed at length at page 21 of the report of the Queensland Travelling Commission, but the labour and other conditions of India very. widely differ from those on our pear areas. The very latest ofticial pronouncement on the subject is worthy of reference. There is an article entitled “Cactus as a Fodder Substitute” which will be found in the Tropical Agricultwrist for February of the present year, page 91, taken from the Agricultural Journal, vol. xiv, part v. The locality referred to is the Ahmednagar district in the Bombay Presidency in India,and the reference is made by the Hon. Mr. L. J. Mountford, Commissioner of the Central Division. He relates that he has been touring through certain areas and inspecting cattle camps and villages where cattle are fed on cactus, that being the name that prickly pear goes under in India, He is of opinion that the villagers have a very valuable fodder adjunct for their kadbi (sorghum stalks) in cactus properly prepared. The local method consists in roasting the cactus over a village forge and chopping it fine, . Sometimes, as a substitute for kadbi, they add 2 1b. of cotton seed and occasionally | Ib, of chuni (gram and lentil husks) to the 24 Ib. full seed. He states that in the camps and kitchens he visited he found cattle eating the stuff greedily. Some cattle and buffalo will eat the prepared leaves whole, but chopped fodder is best. The people are quite enthusiastic, and from reports received some villages have taken to this fodder almost in a body. Cactus operations are not new to Ahmednagar, as they were carried out in 1912 ; but the village busy-body was not absent. Various rumours were started which at first somewhat impeded the campaign, such as that compulsory payment would be insisted >" ” 412 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. \ [June 2, 1920. on when the cactus campaign was closed ; that the animals would die, and when it was found that animals did not die, that they would die offin the rains. This prophecy still obtains among cactus opponents. Villagers visit the camps and kitchens with their cattle, or ask to be allowed to take some rations away to their villages ; where possible, choppers, bellows and prongs are given them. Many come to Mr. Beytz’s bungalow for instruction, and while I was there two very fine cattle in splendid condition were brought by their owner to be taught to eat cactus. Ihave seen cattle brought in by their owners eat their ration for the first time straight away. : Cattle which had not the strength to raise themselves from the ground two months ago in some of the camps are now able to do light work at the mhote and to pull the cactus carts. Mr. Beytz purchased many miserable animals in the last stage of exhaustion from the butchers for a few rupees, and after feeding them on cactus preparation has sold them to the ryots for three times the purchase money. Mortality was very heavy before the cactus campaign started. One owner told me he lost seven of his cattle that he had fed on grass purchased for Rs. 2,000, and that he had lest none since he took to cactus. The mortality in the cactus camps has been slight. At present there are over 34,000 cattle feeding on cactus, and it would have been utterly impossible to find grass or kadbi to feed these cattle. They would require ‘at lgast eight pounds of grass or kadbi a day (a low all-over daily average for cattle and young stock); some 272,000 pounds, or over 80 lakhs per month. This amount of grass could not be obtained. ° At the Commissioner’s request a report from Lieutenant-Colonel G. K. Walker, the Superintendent of the Civil Veterinary Department of ‘the Bombay Presidency, was made and is attached to Mr, Mountford’s report. This is what he says :— I have visited cattle camps in the Ahmednagar and Poona districts where cattle are being fed on prickly pear, and recently I made a detailed inspection in the Ahmednagar district in this connection. I paid surprise visits to a number of. villages in various directions where the fodder was being used, and visited certain camps. I also visited the charitable camp at Ahmednagar where the cattle were being fed on dried grass and kadbi, no prickly pear being used. I can bear out the Hon. Mr. Mountford’s statements in every particular. There can be no doubt that cattle can be maintained on prickly pear when necessary without harm. It is not claimed that it ranks as a good fodder, and it should be supplemented with a certain amount of dried grass if possible, in addition to some proportion of concentrate. Cattle require a proportion of green fodder to keep in good health, and the dry grass that passes as hay in this country is frequently so inferior and innutritious that it causes ‘internal disorders, especially in debilitated cattle. Animals have their idiosyncrasies, and there may be cases where prickly pear causes indigestion, especially if it is improperly prepared. It is essential that all the prickles should be removed. Like all green fodders it produces some looseness in the bowels, which is considered normal to cattle in countries where green fodder is common. Any excessive looseness can be remedied usually by supplying fodder in intelligent proportions, Diarrhcea in cattle in the rains is common from various causes. i beg to say that in my opinion the cactus fodder campaign, particularly in the Ahmednagar district, has been a great success, and that by the aid of this fodder a very large number of cattle that would otherwise have died have been saved. The work in the Poona district has also been effectual, A very pleasing feature in this Ahmednagar district is the obvious satisfaction of the cattle-owners when once they have been persuaded to take up the method. They have learned to appreciate its advantages, and im many places their own arrangements are well devised and working well. ** A soi in good tilth is almost invariably a productive one, provided seasonal conditions are favourable.’—Frank T, Suurt, D.Sc., Dominion Chemist, Canadian Department of Agriculture. “ “Tue Gazette is a great help. It is often of real service to the man on the land.”— An Ingleburn correspondent. Coes 3 page ! The Testing of Pure-bred Cowl New South Wales.’ L. T. MacINNKS, Dairy Expert. THE year commenced with 373 privately-owned cows, representing forty-three a herds, under test. Government-owned stock numbered eighty, making a total under test of 453. There was then every indication that next report © would show that both the stud herds and the number of cows entered had been very considerably increased ; but these anticipations were not realised : June 2, 1920.] E . Aarveultwrat Gazette of N.S.W. on = 413 : to the full extent anticipated, although the expansion has been appreciable, — and under the circumstances satisfactory. The unexpected severity and duration of both the influenza epidemic and the drought proved a great Mes hindrance to this movement. It was only at the beginning of 1920 that rain came to relieve the coastal districts north of Sydney, the tablelands, and the central-western areas. The effect of these adverse conditions is shown by the number of privately-owned cows withdrawn from testing before the completion of their official period. These numbered no less than 268, more than double those completing tests during the previous year. The full records show that in spite of the bad season and the high price ae fodder (which in some instances was almost unprocurable), the average yields compare not unfavourably with the standards of last vear—undoubtedly under better conditions previous averages would have been reached or exceeded. . . . - +, The value of hereditary production has again and again been stressed at these annual meetings, and is coming to be recognised as the keystone to the breeding of good utility dairy stock. It is therefore pleasing to’be able to record that recent purchases of imported pure-bred stud stock have been made to a great extent on these lines. This course should materially help in advancing the productiveness of our herds. A noteworthy. feature in this connection is that according to recent English news files to hand, English and Scottish breeders are now taking steps to ascertain the fat production of their stud cows, in addition to keeping their records of milk weights. | This is evidently in response to the general | demand from all parts of the world for full production records, and ib indicates that a record giving the weight of milk alone does not meet the requirements of buyers. It is a hint that many stud breeders of dairy stock in this State might give attention to with advantage to their future sales. The testing movement is slowly and surely coming to the front, and the future is for the breeder who indisputably demonstrates that the strains he handles have high hereditary production to support type and general appearance. * Extracted from the official report for presentation to “the annual meeting of the United Pure Bred Dairy Cattle Breeders’ Association of New South Wales, covering the year ended 28th February, 1920. 414 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [June 2, 1920. Progress made during the Year. The actual progress made during the past year in the testing of the stud dairy stock of this State is shown in the following tables :— PRIVATELY-OWNED Cows completing tests of 273 days. ] | Princ te Year ended 28 February. Increase at. 1920 over 1919. Breed 30 June, |— a 1017. 1918. | 1919. | 1920. | Number.| Percentage. Milking Shorthorn ... 147 44 48 120 72 150 Illawarra ... 2] A a8 6.08 97 Sixteen-fold. Jersey se a 579 19 28 59 31 110 Guernsey .. Ss 37 7 3 18 a 100 Ayrshire Ee a 34 h «14 20} 44 24 120 Friesian me by +h BY 13 21 Fieas be 61 Metal ~ ... Ae 797--| 84 194 e215 dbo. 241 194 The total number of privately-owned cows tested to lst March, 1920, was 1,370. That the number of all privately-owned cows completing a 273 days’ test has been trebled under such adverse circumstances as obtained during the year is a matter for congratulation. The Illawarra breeders are especially worthy of commendation for the manner in which they are now submitting their herds to testing. ’ The number of Government cows completing the official period was sixty- four. This makes a total of 429 for the year, as against a total of 170 for the previous twelve months. SummAry of all Cows tested for 273 days or submitted for test during the year. Test Completed. No. on Test at 1 March, 1920. Total No. with- Ee L LA aT | drawn during Breed. : ia Private. | Government Total. | Private. | Government, | Total. the year. . | Milking Shorthorn... 120 1] 131 | 142 20 162 | 103 Illawarra ... Pe LOS, oe 103 | 131 eee | 13] | 60 Jersey iS wl} SOO 27 86 39 27 «66 78 Guernsey ... Sf potas 2 14 a2 3° 24 57 5 Ayshire... ah Pa 8 52 41 2 43 16 Friesian... TS oD | A 2] 13 pe 13 10 Red Poll... seliveeers 4 4 ks ] ] i Total '.. we 365 64 429 899 74 | -473 | 273 | | | The total number of cows undergoing test on Ist March, 1920, was twenty more than the previous year’s figures. The number of cows submitted for test in the twelve months but for various reasons (principally sickness, influenza epidemic and drought) withdrawn before completing the official testing period, was more than double the total number of privately-owned stock tested last year. _ since the inception of thes ‘scheme i in 1913 is as follows :— | | Number of completed tests to 1917 ee oe eae oy Bi uw ant 1 ORE TS 3 en ‘dae goee ks aes igi os. Sa ag PENIS | ; ” 5 Me 1919-20 use Ke Be ; Total completed tests to Ist March, 1920... 2,145 Nomser of Privately-owned Herds undergoing Test. * _ Breed. | 1918. | 1919. 1920. Bees Milking Shorthorn 4 i3 18 ah ' Illawarra 4 2 10 | 19 ai Jersey Ji 4 10 14 : Guernsey . .., ] 5 7 Ayrshire AB Is 3 ij 5° Friesian .., wie 1 2 3 ‘a Total 1... is 18 43 | 68 - districts, is even more satisfactory than the increase already commented on it the total number of cattle tested, because it shows that the influence of Association’s testing scheme is widening, ‘and becoming a greater factor spreading the benefits of the testing movement. Each additional breeder w _. takes up testing creates in his district an atmosphere appreciative of the val of records and of hereditary a Thus the value of the ee DR ee 5 oO ° ph no) ae ee = ° = ° 5 iv) at Lar J ro) eee as io” fo) fe) °o B 7) nM om ro) or four io) AR =A 5 ° = 5 2 _ jon} @° OQ. 5 o a) ot @ Ler} [oF = S =} spi Sax oo x created for him over a sre area. | . Average Tests of all Standard Cows Recorded. _ The average butter-fat percentages for this and the last two years are set out in the following table according to the different standard ae 3 a ‘ 2 3 Fat per cent. Age Standard. = ; 1917-18. ° | 1918-19. _ 1919-20. ea Fey ea. yy ; ; 4 years and over soe 4:5 418 4°11 = A hia - under4 ©... mH ea 4°37 4°06 ~ Under 3 years ... He 4°45 | 4°48 431 , § * - ‘The averages for all cows tested since 1915 are as follows :— WOR UE ys... Aad RENE 1 QOS, ik aaa 1917-18... 45 TOUS 220 ©) wee 416 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [June.2, 1920. ——— These tests are given for the information of buyers of pure-bred stock, sspecially in distant countries, in order that they may have! an indication af the average fat-content of the milk of the stock being tested in New South Wales. They also serve to show that the fat-content as worked out: on the averages of a number of animals does not vary to any great extent. at the different ages cited. AverRAGE Yields of Privately-owned Cows, 4 years old and over. Official Standard, 249 lb. butter-fat in 273 days. Average Yields. tAbove Standard. Yield, Breed. ny | ea ee Te - Milk Average | No. of | Average Lowest Highest ae | Test, Cows. Fat. § | Butter-fat. | Butter-fat. lb. Ib. per cent. lb. lb. lb. Milking Shorthorn | 7,158°5|} 276-4 3°86 40 27°4 1522 490°8 Illawarra ... ..| 6,899°8 276°4 4:00 46 27:4 132°9 490°6 Jersey : .. | 5,848°3 | | 260°4 4°87 21 DUA) is D4 7 440°7 Guernsey ... 2.1 63546:27)2896°9) | "4:53 7 47°9 182-4 469°7 Ayrshire ... ...| 6,817°3 274°7 4:03 15 25°7 202-0 433°4 Friesian .., 9,329 4 307°1 3°29 9 58°1 2165: | +4100 All Breeds ,..} 7,014°9 282°0 4°02 138 33° 132°9 490°8 \ In this class 75 failed to reach the standard; in other words, 66 per cent. reached or exceeded the minimum of 249 Ib. fat set for mature cows, as against 84 per cent. last year. Compared with that year, too, it will be seen that the averagé yield for all breeds is some 41 lb. less in butter-fat and 714 lb. less in milk, The Government-owned Jersey cow, Wagga Jasmine, gave this ‘year 9,534 lb. milk, 600 lb. butter-fat, with an average test of 6-3 per cent. This. record is very thuch ahead of any other of her breed, and exceeds that of all other breeds for this year for fat. = AveraGe Yields of Privately-owned Cows, 3 years and under 4. Official Standard, 207 lb. fat in 273 days. Average Yields, Above Standard. | Yields in Fat. Bread: as Bos MS St a at Mf . | ta £0 Milk, | Butter-tat. | Average -| No. of Averaze | Lowest, | Highest. Kady She of lb. | per cent.) | Ibe carey Ib. Milking Shorthorn ... 6,818°4 276°7 4°05 14. |. 69°7 1789 587'1 Illawarra me ...| 6,841°8 | ~269°8 3°94 14 | 62°8 142°7 4 415°9 Jersey ... Sites v4sl a, Ode 229°4 490 |, 8 22:4 147°4 | 3528 Guernsey oe /..| 6;027°8| 272:4 4°52 4 | 65:4 243'3 | 294°6 Ayrshire oy ...| 6,040°3| 2420 | 4:00 8 35°0 114°7 | 288°3 Friesian a si \8 475°6 |) 2752 | 3°25 5 48°2 | 250°4 | 301°6 All Breeds id 6. 479°3.; 260:9 4:03 53, 539 114°7| 587°1 June 2, 1920.) Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 417 Here, 13 failed to reach the standard out of 66 tested, the percentage attaining or exceeding the minimum of 207 lb. fat being 80°3. Compared with last year’s figures: the average yield of all breeds is practically the same in butter-fat, viz., 260-9 Ib. as against 260°26 lb., while the average milk yield for the last twelve months was 561-9 lb. greater. Taking the individual breeds of this class, the present records demonstrate that in milk and butter-fat the Milking Shorthorns, Guernseys, and Frie- sians made a big average /advancement ; on the other hand, [llawarras, Jerseys, and Ayrshires averaged less in both milk and fat than they did for the year 1918-19. ‘ % AvERAGE Yields of Privately-owned Cows, under 3 years. Official Standard, 166 lb. fat in 273 days. Average Yields. Above Standard. Yields in Fat. Breed. a a Tc , Milk. | Butter-fat.| Average | No. of} Average | Lowest. | Highest.’ lb. lb. per cent.| lb. lb. lb. lb. Milking Shorthorn ...| 6,015'8| €268°3 4°46 26 102°3 181-1 325:1 Illawarra ae ...| 5,628°8 220°3 3°91 16 54°3 160°8 353°7, » Jersey .., pepe ter seated hac. ay 5974 Bs) 225°7 4°99 5 59°7 1532 3030 Guernsey a: ...| 4,976°3 244-0 4°90 2 78:0 | 218:0 | 270-0 Ayrshire Att .-+| 5,563°0 228°4 4-10 14 62°4 181°3 31371 Friesian ie ..-| 9,155°0 320:9 3°51 6 154°9 222°8 431°9 peat SS se oS eee pe All Breeds .--| 5,976°7 251°3 | 4°20 69 | 85:3 153°2 431°9 Out of 72 tested only 3 did not reach the standard, viz., 2 Jerseys and 1 Illawarra. The average yield of all breeds is seen to be 218 lb. milk and 24:7 Ib. fat below last year’s record. Of the various breeds tested, the Milking Shorthorns alone show an increase over the 1918-19 average fat for that breed, although their average milk yield has declined. The quantity of milk given by the Ayrshires is about the same. The highest productions in each breed are, with the exception of Ayrshires, below last’ year’s figures. The Ayrshire section shows a considerable increase. No Friesian heifers were tested during the previous term, but the records in milk and fat of the leading four of this breed put up this year are well ahead of all others in the class, and a fifth Friesian heifer is ahead of the leaders of the other breeds in . milk, while about equal to their best in fat production. ay Of the Government stock tested in this’ class, the best were Princess May II, a Guernsey with 4,978 lb. milk, 287 lb. fat, 5-7 per cent. test ; and Eleanor, a Jersey, with 5,175 lb. milk, 275 Ib. fat, 5-3 per cent. test. Privately-owned Cows Completing 365 Days’ Test. Last year 14 cows completed a 365-days’ record, made up of 13 Milking Shorthorns and 1 Illawarra, a heifer. Of the former breed, 3 were in the junior class, 2' in the intermediate, and 8 were seniors. This year 15 representatives of four breeds completed the longer period, viz., 10 Milking Sh Berge crad 2 Iawarras, 2 A and 1 Friesian, SOE thebe, 1 ey the best yield was that of the Guernsey Tulip des Pres with 15, 759 Ib. ‘milk, 728 Ib. fat, 4:7 per cent. average test, followed by her stud mate _ Betsy ITI of the Vanquedor, with 12,091 1b. of milk, 564 Ib. fat, 4-6 per cent. average test. The Illawarra cow, Duchess of Nestlebrae, is credited with 10,525 Ib. milk, 440 Ib. fat, average test 4:1 per cent., while the best of the — Shorthorns was Minnie XI, with 9,489 lb. milk, 397 lb. fat, 4:2 per cent. average test. All the iachsine were in the class 4 years and over. - Of those 3 years and under 4, only “Milking Shorthorns were represented, of which Champion XII was the best, with 8,913 lb. milk, 352 lb. fat, 39 per cent. test. ‘ sit 4; As lb. milk, 542 Ib. fat, 3-7 per cent. average teste The best of the - others, which were all Naikshe Shorthorns, was Empress, with 10,292 Ib. — milk, 410 Ib. fat, average test 3-9 per cent. ’ 3 Government Cows, - The number of Government stock reaching the official standard under the c . The The number under test at Ist March, 1920, was 74, The dry season, which . has already been alluded to in its effect on privately-owned stock, similarly AVERAGE Yields of Government Stock. * Average Yields. Above Standard. Yields in Fat. Breed. a ge Nal : : verage 0.0) verage rs é Milk. Butter-fat. Test. Oona Fat. Lowest, | Highest. 4 Years and over: Ofticial standard, 249 lb. butter-fat. lb. lb. per cent. Ibs, lb. lb. ...| 7,835°2 | 279°3 381 | 9 | 303 | -185°8 | 335" | 5,908°0 |. 330°8 560 | 14-| 81-8 | 2203 | 599°8 "| 6.440°6 | 348°7 541 | 4 | 99°7 | 301-2 | 461-9 } 6.3360 | 2593 | 4:09 | 3 | 103 59 | 3020 "15,9320 | 2546 | 499 | 1 5:6 | 2123 362-0 J6,390°6! 2946 | 460 | 31 | 45:6 | 1858 |-599°8 -. 3 Years and under : Official standard, 207 lb. butter-fat, | 4,963°6 | 2636 | S11 | 4 | 466 | 221-1 | 279-2 Under 3 Years: Official standard, 166 Ib. butter-fat. Roth 4,592 | 238-1 5:18 ae Biv | 1968 | 275-5 4573 | 231-4 | 6:06 | 10. | .m.. | 197-1 | 2873 472 |. 2059 | 436 | 3 |... 2064 | 239-7 All Breeds _...| 4/629 |. 2951 | 4°86. | 99 | sacs, “1968. | 2873 7 June 2, 1920.] ey!) a "ee j . ¥ Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W 419 Summary of Production Standards. The following table shows the average yield of all Gavenunean and during the — last two years, as compared with the official standards for the different privately-owned cattle that have completed the 273-days’ tests ages —< 1919-20. | 1918-19, Class. | Official Average | In excess | A | In excess Standard. Yield. | Standard. Yield.” | Standard: Ib. fat, Ib. fat. Ib. fat. Ib. fat. Ib. fat. : 4yearsandover ... —... 249 284 B50 ilo aoe iM 3 years and under 4... ui 207 2604 53h | 264 57 Under 3 years ee: se 166 246 80 |’ 262 86 ' | os It is once more made evident that the standard adopted by the Association is not on the high side; rather the reverse, as it. has been considerably exceeded by the average in all three classes during the past three years. The above table shows the position for the last two years. The calculations in 1917-18 were made on the O’Callaghan chart in terms of estimated butter, and cannot be compared exactly with the foregoing, but they also show a considerable excess, as follows :— 4 years old and over—Standard, 300 lb. butter. Actual average, 434 lb. 3 years old and under 4—Standard, 250 lb. butter. : Actual average, 554 lb. Under 3 years old—Standard, 200 1b. butter. Actual average, 337 |b, During the past three years, 559 cows have been tested altogether ' (not including Government stock in 1917-18); and of these, 467 (83 per cent.) have reached the standard set for each age-class. It seems evident, therefore, that if any revision of standards is made, it should be to make them higher, certainly not lower. Herd-testing Associations, The auxiliary of the herd-testing movement among owners of pure-bred stud stock is the testing carried out by means of co-operative amongst dairy farmers. One of the main purposes of the Pure associations Bred Cattle Breeders’ Association is to demonstrate the maximum yields of stud cows, and that heifers bred from them on certain lines are liable to reproduce these high-production qualities; also that bulls bred from approved sires land select dams have the capacity of begetting offspring equally as good or better than the foundation pure-bred strains through which they are descended. The object of those dairy-farmers who are testing their herds is to ascertain ‘what every cow is capable of doing over a period of twelve months under normal ‘conditions; in order to be able to know with a fair degree of certainty whether each is producing enough to be a payable proposition. In this case _ 420 3 Pi asi Bes Gazette of N.S. W. the cost of feeding has to be such that a suflicient.margin is left to yield a profit between expenses and gross return. This is not so important with the breeder of stud stock. He expects to make most profit out of the sale of his young stock, and he knows that the greater the production of the strain he breeds from, the bigger will be the prices he will obtain for his heifers and young bulls—so that in some cases it will pay to get the high production \wecords by feeding at a cost that would otherwise be\prohibitive. Another object the dairy-farmer has in siete ai cow is to see if the heifers bred on the farm are an improvement on their dams—in other words, to put the herd sire on trial. And it is here that the advancement of these testing units is of special interest to the members of this association, for by their means it is being daily proved that if improvement is to be looked for with certainty in the farmers’ herds, a pure-bred bull from high-testing stock must be used. To repeat what was said in the report presented in 1918, when writing of these two branches of the testing movement: “ While they are separate movements they are inter-dependent, for thé more the benefits and principles of testing are grasped by the average dairy-farmer, the more he recognises the value of heredity and the keener he becomes to possess a bull which, besides being pure-bred, is able to prove that he is descended on both sides from high-producing strains, and that he possesses the ability to pass those production traits on to his descendants.” In view of this, some brief mention of the present position regarding the testing of the ordinary dairy herds will not be out of place in this report. Up to Ist March, 1918, some 55,000 records of individual cows had been made. At that time the work was being carried on with only one unit—1,400 cows strong—because of the war. Efforts have been made since to revive the suspended associations, and during 1919 some 4,000 cows were tested in three units. At the present time there are six units operating under the direction of the Tweed-Richmond Herd-testing Council. In addition, the butter factories in the Bega district have recently taken the matter up, and there is already one full unit (twenty-five members) at work under the guidance of a local butter factory’s directors, and very shortly. another, equally as strong, should be operating through a neighbouring co-operative dairy company. These eight units should test between them this year about 8,000 cows—an appreciable increase from the figures of three years ago. The revival would have been greater on the North Coast but for the dry season that district has just gone through, and for the continuance of the drought in the western districts, which has prevented the sale of surplus young stock on the coast to big inland stock-raisers. The whole of the coast is over-stocked, and only a good season west of the mountains will better the situation. Under these circumstances, dairy cows are milking under bad - conditions as regards feed, and the prospects for the coming winter are not too bright. This has been a big factor in retarding the greater expansion of herd-testing amongst dairy farmers there. , Pike 2, 1920.) : , Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. sands covering the tops of the young ' suburban garden. The larva of an * allied species (Anoplognathus analis) q pest eating off the roots of strawberry _ plants at Castle Hill. Three Native Beetles attacking Orchard Trees. WALTER W. FROGGATT, F.L.S., Government Entomologist. Tue following notes have been written to illustrate the damage that three of our forest beetles have caused in orchards during the last six months. The photographic illustrations will give a very good idea of the nature of the | damage caused by each species. Mr. T. McCarthy, who visited the infested areas and carried out the field investigations, proposes to deal with their development and life histories, when he has finished his studies of their habits. The average orchardist usually waits until the insect pest has done all likely damage to his trees or fruit before he claims the assistance of the entomologist, whereas some measure of control in the first stages of infest- ation would probably have killed or driven away the invading insects before very much harm had been done. A few suggestions applicable for next year’s probable infestation may nevertheless be welcome. The Shining Green Cockchafer (Anoplognathus chloropyrus Drapiez). This beetle was figured and described by Drapiez from New South Wales in 1819, in a Belgian journal. It belongs to a gee eroup of our Coleoptera, which comprises a number of large handsome lamellicorn beetles, usually reddish brown, biscuit brown, or richly metallic. ‘Lhey often appear in the early summer in immense swarms, and clustering over the foliage of trees and shrubs soon denude them of evety leaf. Most of them confine their attentions to the native vegetation.. I have seen this species in countless thou- gum trees on the ranges in the Bathurst district, where they are more or less in evidence every summer. Though in this instance the damage is caused by the perfect insects, in other cases, under suit- able climatic and soil conditions, it is the active grubs or larva that are the pest. These are the large white grubs often turned up when digging in the was described and figured in the pages of this Gazette in ‘1901, as a serious Dorsal view of the Shining Green Cockchafer Beetle. Mb Rs een ean ie Agricultural Gazette of N. SW. J 7 ra : he Z Foliage of Flum Trees eaten by the Shining Green Co:kchafer Feetle ( Anoplognathus chloropyrus), Si. eS Tune 2, 1920.] ; Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 423 These beetles are popularly known as ‘‘cockchafer beetles,” though they differ somewhat in structure from the common British cockchafer. In the case under observation, they last season swarmed into the orchard at Sutton Forest, and defoliated a large number of plum trees. The illustration shows the general form of the beetle, which measures 1 inch in length and is broad in proportion. The upper surface of the head and thorax are a rich metallic coppery red, the wing covers are light biseuit brown, with the undersurface metallic green and reddish, clothed with fine grey hairs scattered over the undersurface and fringing the sides of the legs. . The White Striped Weevil (Perperws insularis Bohm), The genus Perperus contains a number of small greyish brown weevils that have a wjde range over Australia, two of which at least are well-known orchard pests in New South Wales. In the early part of the summer they emerge from the soil where they have pupated, and crawling up the tree trunks just as the leaf buds are bursting, set to work and eat the centre out of each bud as they work along the branches. In the pages of this journal in 1898 the writer described the damage caused in this manner by P. inswlaris in the Gosford district, where the methods of control adopted—hand picking, and shaking the branches over a sheet placed under the tree at night—soon reduced the pest, The second specics P, innocuus) did a considerable amount of dade in the Fairfield district to the fruit trees, and in the Maitland district attacked and punctured many grapes just as they were ripening, as well as damaging the leaf buds. In the present case, the White Striped weevil has taken a new departure, attacking the young branchiets of ‘some small citrus trees and not only stripping them of their leaves but denuding them of their bark, and giving the infested trees a very serious setback. — If similar methods to those of years ago i hid been adopted at night to clear the young citrus trees as soon as the first sign of their presence was noticed the damage might have been greatly reduced. An inverted funnel-shaped bandage of stiff oiled paper, fixed tightly round the tree stem just clear of the ground, would have trapped large numbers, when they could have been very easily collected and destroyed every morning. Some writers recommend spraying with arsenate of lead, but where the beetles are numerous and hungry, though they eventually die, they have done all the damage before that happens. The Pitted Apple Beetle (Geloptera poros1 Lea). _ This beetle, which has appeared in the Gosford district in large numbers and damaged the young apples by gnawing off patches of the skin, as shown in the accompanying illustration, has not previously been recorded as an orchard pest. Specimens sent to Mr. A. M. Lea, of the rate Museum, _. were identified by him as this beetle. Native Beetles that Attack Orchard Trees. 1. Dorsal view Of the Pitted Apple Beetle (Geloptera porosa). 2. Dorsal view of the White , Striped Weevil ae insularis). 8. Side view of the White Striped Weevil. . Side view of the Pitted Apple Beetle. June 2,1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N. Twigs of Young Orange Trees damaged by the White Striped Weevil (Perperus insu/aris). ‘It is a typical member of the family Chrysomalide, which panteune so. oye c ac ; * pera Se Ae m ay ae | eat ‘ ty —42602——s Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. i ay _ many of our foliage-eating beetles, and until found in the apple orchard, it was a comparatively rare insect in the bush. Nothing is known about its / described are more or less tropical in their distribution. ' . The beetle measures a quarter of an inch in length. The eyes are black _ and projecting on the sides of the head, which is sharply turned down in me front. The head, thorax, and abdomen are rich reddish brown; the deep pitting of the dorsal surface is finest upon the head and thorax, and greatly intensi- fies the’ metallic “reflections from this | ? surface; the head and thorax are darkest. The legs and antennze are brownish yellow, the swollen femora (thigh) of the hind legs being a rich metallic yellow. | The damage caused to the apples is very much like. that done by a richly metallic green lamellicorn beetle (Diphucephala colaspoide 1 on -* in Victoria and Tas- mania, where under - norma) conditions it feeds upon the black wattle scrub, from which it migrates into the adjoining orchards. French figured and described it (“ Destructive Insects of Victoria, Pt. II, 1893”) under the name of the herry Green Beetle. He recorded it damaging ripe cherries in Victoria, but the writer has seen it about New Year gnawing the skin off the apples in the vicinity of Hobart. — ; ' Spraying with arsenate of lead would kill these beetles, but if they rest on the apple trees through the night, they can be very effectively dislodged by jarring the branches in the early morning, when they are in a semi-torpid condition. ‘They can then be collected on a sheet previously placed on the» : ground under the tree. ' % —Ai . Apples damaged by the Pitted Apple Beetle (Geloptera porosa Lea), ‘ Pa 10 Live 3! iiae \ > mel 5 - Lies } 2. f re “eq by 1 Ee Ee yeas ‘7S y June 2, 1920.] U Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W 427 — | Safeguarding Farm Stock from Disease. (1) Preventine THE INTRODUCTION OF INFECTION. j ty i [Continued from page 344. ] ‘ ( Be MAX HENRY, M.R.C.V.S., B,V.Sc. Infection from Clothing, &c. Tue second means! by which infection can be brought on to a farm or station is the clothing and boots of persons who visit infected premises = and then go on to healthy ones; but any utensils, vehicles, forage, or i anything used in connection with infected-stock, or produced by infected stock, can, under certain circumstances, act as a medium for the introduction of disease. ‘The most important diseases so disseminated are anthrax, swine fever, and tuberculosis. Anthrax has in some countries been introduced on to many farms through infected forage or bonedust, but neither of these means of dissemination has been shown to be common in this country, since nearly all our outbreaks occur under circumstances which eliminate the possibility of such infection. The custom of destroying anthrax carcases or suspicious carcases by fire or deep burial without opening is also responsible, without doubt, for some of our immunity from such methods of infection. Swine fever. may be taken from piggery to piggery on boots and clothing, but. such must not be looked upon as the common method of spread. Still, a pig farmer is well advised to keep away from piggeries where swine, fever exists or is suspected to exist. ee ee One source of infection of pigs and calves with tuberculosis is the custom of feeding these animals on skim milk or other milk products from a creamery or butter or cheese factory. The milk products from a number of herds are mixed there.and a few tubercular herds may contaminate the lot. Such milk products should be boiled before being fed to young stock. -Contamination from Uncontrolled Agencies. Under the third heading come certain uncontrolled and almost uncon- trollable agencies in the spread of disease which deserve notice but cannot be regarded as operating with great frequency ; such agencies are flesh-eating birds; dogs, and flies. It has been shown, for instance, that the dog is much | more resistant to anthrax than many other animals and that he can consume anthrax meat without necessarily becoming affected, and yet, at the same time, pass out anthrax bacilli with the feces and thus infect other stock. This is but one among several reasons why stray dogs are a nuisance and a danger, and if the possibility is borne in mind of the dog’s near relatives, the dingo and the fox, sharing this resistance to anthrax, it will be obvious _ that we have an agency in the spread of disease very difficult to control. my Q 4 Waid Pps ; { é ~~ 428 © Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. _ Fowls are also resistant to the disease, and in Sou-h “America the vulture has been declared capable of spreading anthrax through the injection ~ of anthrax meat and the voidances of the spores in the feces. The probability ‘is that this resistance is shared by many others, including our own carrion- . eating birds. It would be possible, in the case of neighbouring piggeries,. for birds to,carry bits of garbage and food from an infected sty to a clean one. Flies have been accused, with apparent good reason, of acting as occasional carriers of anthrax baéilli and swine fever virus, and this furnishes another ‘reason for their destruction. By Infection during Temporary Absence. Very few of our diseases are liable to be contracted under ordinary con- ditions by an animal when temporarily off the farm, but one at least of these few is of great economic importance—that is, contagious abortion. This may be brought back to a farm bya bull loaned to a neighbour or a cow — ‘sent to a neighbour's bull for service. These are always dangerous practices hi in districts where contagious abortion is rife, but they are dchow anavcdables “ha. extra care should be taken with such animals on their return. The bull should have his sheath well syringed out with mild disinfectant and his belly washed with the same and be kept from the herd cows for a few days. _ The same process should be carried out when cows are taken on to the farm for service. It is always desirable that such visiting cows should not mingle with the herd cows. Cows which may be served by bulls from other farms are a source of trouble, because such a long period may elapse before _ symptoms of abortion disease are evident, and isolation for such a period is at. best a continued source of inconvenience and frequently impracticable. The safest plan is not to borrow the service of other bulls unless it-is known that, the farms on which they live are clean—not an easy matter. Horses are always liable to contract strangles and influenza from contact with affected horses in public stables, and on occasion from. public drinking places. Very little can be done to prevent such ‘infection. Cleanliness and _ good ventilation in the stables will be of some avail. , ~ By use of an Infected Farm. _ In the case of certain diseases (of which tuberculosis, anthrax, tetanus, -blackleg, hemorrhagic septicemia, and spirochetosis of fowls are the most important) the farmer’s stock may be infected by their introduction on to infected land or premises. Four of the above—tetanus, anthrax, blackleg, and hemorrhagic septicemia, the organisms of which diseases remain in the soil for long periods—can Karle be guarded against by any general - measures, except that in the case of blackleg, if certain farms or portions of | i 7 farms have a bad reputation, the use of such areas fot cultivation is recommended, - There are in most centres, wherein grazing is carried out on a large scale, certain areas in which anthrax very commonly occurs, apart from the sporadic cases due to forage and bonedust infection. Such, outbreaks are due to soil infection. These areas are generally well known ». « — June 2,4920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. - 429 locally, and farmers on such land are well advised to take the precaution of having their stock vaccinated against the disease if there have been in their neighbourhood any recent outbreaks. The bacilli of tetanus have been shown to exist in the feces of healthy animals of many kinds, and almost any well-manured garden . soil may contain these organisms, although certain countries and districts appear to be more particularly infected in this way than others. The species most commonly attacked with tetanus | are horses and sheep, and in the vast majority of cases infection takes place’ through wounds. Any wound in the horse, especially a deep, punctured one and a wound in the feet, should be very thoroughly cleansed | of all dirt, disinfected, and free access of air allowed to it. In sheep and lambs tetanus usually occurs as an epizootic a short while after cutting and tailing, or shearing. To prevent this, care should be taken that all knives and instruments used are clean, and do not come in contact with dirt during the operation. The wounds shouid be dressed with earbolie sheep dip, Stockholm tar, or suitable disinfectant, and the sheds and yards, eee particularly the latter, must be clean. In the case of old yards this will Mi das often involve the removal of several inches of the surface layer of earth and manure, the spreading of chloride of lime, and the laying down of a fresh layer of clean soil from some part of the run which has not been used as a camp or yard. Blackleg is not a contagious disease either directly or through =~ Es intermediary objects, but is due to infection from the soil, and there ane way of ascertaining whether a farm is free from the disease or not except from its previous reputation. If it is known that a farm is liable to blackleg, all “young cattle should be vaccinated at about the age of six months, but absolute prevention of the disease is doubtful. No other animal except cattle is likely to suffer, though rare cases have occurred. The contraction of tuberculosis from soil. comes within a somewhat different category to the above complaints, as the soil infection is due to direct and more or less recent infection by manure from diseased cattle and pigs. It is naturally more liable to occur on small farms where cattle are closely confined, but here also preventive measures, which consist in breaking up the manure to thoroughly expose it to the sunlight and in the putting under cultivation of the more probably infected portions, can be most readily adopted, ~ As hemorrhagic septiczemia is also a soil disease the same disabilities | as © regards prevention exist as in the case of tetanus or anthrax. Spirochetosis” of fowls—an infectious disease spread by the fowl tick—may be contracted by the birds if they are brought into infected premises. They can, however, be safeguarded to a great extent by thorough cleaning of the fowl-houses, spray- ing with kerosene emulsion and confining the fowls to the houses at: night. # the ticks are kept away, it will not matter if some of the older fowls contain the organism of the disease, since it can only be spread by the ticks. It may be desirable to explain a little fully what is meant by isolation, as so often cases*are met with in which the farmer is convinced in his own mind ‘that he has perfect isolation, and yet he is really allowing loopholes for the | \ ; 430 , Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. entrance of disease ; a wire fence between two paddocks does not constitute isolation. In the case of pigsties, yards sufficient to accommodate any _ batches of pigs likely to be brought on to the place should be erected at a distance from the pigsties and in such a position that drainage from the sties cannot reach the isolation pens nor vice versa. This isolation pen should not, if possible, be entered by the men looking after the pigs if there is or has been recently any disease among the pigs already on the farm. So far as cattle are concerned, the isolation paddock should, if possible, be separated from the ordinary cattle paddocks by a cultivation paddock or by ‘a fenced road, or some other space to prevent the two lots coming in contact over the fence. lf milking cows are being isolated they should have separate bails. For fowls, some provision should be made apart from the runs and pens, in which the birds can be kept until the purchaser is reasonably satisfied that they are healthy. lt may be said with justice that the above are platitudes; but in actual experience it is found that the simplest methods of preventing the introduc- tion of disease are widely neglected, and in view of this and of the number of ‘men who know very little about stock and nothing about stock diseases who — are now going on the land, it. has seemed desirable to draw attention to the . matter. It is recognised that many farmers commencing their work on uncleared land have so many jobs that claim priority that some of the measures indicated are not practicable for the time being. When firmly established, however, it should be possible for farmers to take some such steps to safeguard their stock. (To be continued.) KALE FOR SUPPLYING GREEN FEED To POULTRY. _ Tue supply of green feed for poultry is often short during the winter months, and kale is a plant that will furnish greenstuff which will be relished by all poultry and pigeons ; sown in February it will produce plants from which a quantity of green succulent leaves may be gathered during the winter, while later sowings can also be made which will secure,a supply in the early spring months. I have found kale capable of producing greenstuff throughout the year, but it is at its best during the winter months. The variety grown was ‘Sutton’s Al Scotch Kale, which is an excellent table variety. As the plant grows, a number of loose eurled leaves are produced from the stem, and are removed for use as they mature. Regular removal induces the growth of fresh leaves, though at no one pulling should all the leaves be removed. Once established, kale is remarkably hardy, and cabbage moth does not appear to be troublesome. A patch of a hundred plants should assure a good supply of green feed for a number of fowls. The plants are best set out at a distance of 3 feet by 2 feet in rows. They will stand liberal manuring} and poultry,or pigeon manure will be found * especially valuable. Where neither poultry, pigeon, nor farmyard manure is available a mixture of equal quantities of superphosphate and blood and bohedust, applied at from 3 to 4 ewt, per acre, will be found useful.—R. N, — MAKIN, - Cr Neutralisation of Cream.” L. T. MacINNES, Dairy Expert. 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 43h e Tue Department of Agriculture has, since 1914, devoted much attention to — the investigation of the neutralisation of acidity in cream and milk, The general adoption of pasteurisation by New South Wales butter factories in | 1916-17 made a knowledge of neutralisation compulsory for our factory managers and butter makers, as the quantity of cream received of acidity low enough to be pasteurised without this process was not suflicient. The average acidity of the cream delivered during the colder half of the year would be from ‘3 per cent. to 35 per cent., while during the warmer season it wouid range from “4 to ‘5 per cent., and at times higher. Taking -2. per cent. as a mean average acidity at which to pasteurise with good results, it will be seen that reduction in acidity—varying in degree—is required throughout the year. In making this reduction the greatest care is required, and everything connected with the taking of acidity tests should be done with exactness. The alkali solution used should be of the required standard, and its strength checked from time to time. Each vat of cream to be treated should be first well blended and then sampled and tested to ascertain the amount of acidity present. After thoroughly mixing with it the neutralising agent used, a second sample should be tested (say fifteen minutes after the com- mencement of the process of neutralisation) in order to check the work being done. Want of Method in Factory Procedure. At each of the nine or ten dairy schools for butter factory employees annually conducted by the Department (at which there is an average aggre- gate attendance of 120), instructions are given as to the making of these tests, and students are shown how to ascertain the strength of the alkali solution used. Not only at these schools but at factories throughout the year the staff of the Dairy Branch is continuously impressing on all con- cerned the necessity of exercising the greatest care in determining the amount of acidity present. In spite of this, however, there is still too much guess-work and a lack of method in factory procedure. Often the acidity of the cream is arrived at by basing it on that of yesterday, and even where tests are made daily the operator is frequently content with testing the first vat to be neutralised and using that test to calculate the amount of acid present in all succeeding vats treated on that day. The average em- ployee in a dairy produce factory does not seem to be able to grasp that the smallest variation—even one-hundreth of 1 per cent.—from the correct a TRS Ne) 1 lI DS __ * Science Bulletin, No. 17, Department of Agriculture, New South Wales. ‘‘ Neutral- isation of Cream ; Rate and Amount of the Reaction in ‘ Flash’ and ‘ Batch’ (or ‘ Hold- ing’) Pasteurisers.” A..A. Ramsay, Principal Assistant Chemist, Department of Agriculture. ‘ - - and of leaving nothing to chance, ~ ! 432 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [June 2, 1920. estimate of the acidity of a large quantity of cream makes a difference in the amount of neutraliser to be added, while one-twentieth of 1 percent. variation in 600 gallons of cream would make a difference of about 3 lb. in the amount of soda that would have to be used to reduce the acidity from ‘5 per cent. to ‘2 per cent. Over-neutralising, whatever the kind of neutralising agent used, is mostly caused by this looseness or want of method. One of the most important aids to the advancement of the quality of our dairy products would be the better scientific training of those working at the factories, enabling them to have a thorough insight into laboratory methods and to realise the absolute importance of being exact in every detail In connection with the pasteurisation of cream as carried out in New South Wales, the importance of ascertaining with accuracy the temperatures to which the cream is heated cannot be too strongly emphasised. No therrnometer should be used unless it has previously been checked for correct reading. Unfortunately there has been on the market a class of dairy thermometer, samples of which when tested have been found to be inaccurate and as much as 10 degrees “out.” Such an error in temperature wouid mean the difference between making a good or bad keeping butter, or between a good or bad flavour even in that freshly made. This overheating of cream is a frequent cause of inferior butter being marketed, although in some cases the flavour arising from it has been attributed to over-neutralising. The investigational work commenced in 1914 by the Department has been - carried on from time to time by the Chemist’s and Dairy Branches, and the results have been made available to those interested as soon as possible. The investigations now under discussion were commenced by Mr. Ramsay in October, 1918, at the request of the Dairy Branch, and the factory work was brought to a close in February, 1919. The results were written up by the following May, but publication has been delayed by various circumstances, They now appear in the form of this Science Bulletin. Results of Experiments in Brief. The results obtained at the different factories visited, where methods of neutralising and pasteurising were dissimilar, varied considerably ; this was especially noticeable, where different sized pasteurisers of the “holding” type were used. In such cases neutralisation was found to be irregular and faulty where the vats were filled to cover the heating coil by several (in some cases 8 or more) inches of cream, and where there was a large space between the coil and the sides and bottom of the holding vat. In these machines the coils are of practically uniform diameter, irrespective of the breadth or depth of the vat into which they are fitted. 4It- was found that the most efficient mixing of neutralising agent and cream was effected in the 500-gallon sizes, where the coil fitted close to the walls and bottom and where the cream did not quite reach to the top of the coil or barely covered it. Complete and quick mixing is essential to good results—and this holds good whether lime or soda is usec, and under either the flash or holding ‘ systems of pasteurising. carbonate is quicker in its action than lime is verified by the results of dies investigations under the flash pasteurising system, although after fourteer hours the neutralising force of both had been practically expended ; it also ascertained that alee the first few hours the additional amount of acid: neutralised by both of these agents was very small. In those cases where the percentage of acidity registered showed an apparent increase contrar expectation (No. 3, Series B), not only was the mixing of the neutralisi agent with the cream inefficient on account of ‘he structure of | cream vat, but in addition and apart from the presence of carbonic | gas (CO,), it is considered that the overfilling of the vat was a prim cause, as this placed an obstacle or blanket of some 8 to 12 inches - cream above the eoil, thus holding captive the gases seeking to rise to surface and escape. Where the quantity of cream put in was just sufficie to reaeh to the top of the coil or leave it Me! tc the abno ; good results are obtainable in neutralising By both the flash wl hol systems, the former ¢an be credited with obtaining the more consistent good results. The assumption is that it is not the holding syste that is Sal He ing, cooling and aerating—fit vats of different shapes and capacities. Lime versus Sodium Bi-carbonate. a quality quite equal to that of butter Heatruligal by sodium bi- carbonate, and the use of lime as a neutraliser cannot, therefore, be condemned. Th Department has, however, always cautioned users against the greater dane ey, incurred where lime is added, and, since sodium bi- soronate has once more come on the market in large quantities and at a reasonable price (a minor — consideration), has Veceaniliended the use of the latter in preference. There are several reasons for this. Compared with lime, soda is constant in strength — and less liable to bring about a change in the butter-fat; lime, even from one ° ; __ kiln, cannot be relied upon for such consistency. The fates of lime is also _. more enduring than that of soda, and greater care in adding it to the cream and in taking the acidity tests is required. | In order to assist butter manufacturers to get more accurate results an arrangement was made with # firm of manufacturing chemists in Sydney some months ago, whereby the firm agreed to put up a standardised sodium _ bi-carbonate in cartons of various sizes, each package to contain sufficient to neutralise 1 per cents of acidity in 100, 300 or 500 gallons of cream __ respectively. If the acidity has to be reduced by 3 per cent., three packets _ of the:size required will be necessary. Each of these packets will be plainly oy labelled to show the weight of soda contained and how much acidity it will | o 434. — Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 4 ‘neutralise in a stated qtantity of cream. It is understood that the firm is willing to place soda, put up in this way, on the market at the same price as that charged for it in bulk. The similar standardisation of lime has not been considered on account of the reasons that exist against its use. ; Experiments are now being carried out in the neutralisation of cream ‘pasteurised under both the aforementioned systems, with mixed sodium bit carbonate and lime in varying ratios. The results of these trials will be tmade known to those interested in the course of a few weeks. Cream containing over 25 per cent. of acidity should not be pasteurised by the flash system because of the risk of ycurdling, &c., nor below -18 per cent. if trouble from over-neutralising is to be avoided. With the holding system this range can be slightly increased. It is preferable to limit it in both cases to about *20. or -22 per cent, Soda can be used with greater safety at the lower acidities (under ‘2 per cent.) than lime. SoME REcENT PUBLICATIONS. Copiss of the undermentioned publications may be obtained by farmers, free: of cost, on application to the Under Secretary and Director, Department of Agriculture, Sydney :— Science Bulletin, No. 17. Neutralisation of Cream: Rate and Amount of the Reaction in “ Flash” and ‘‘ Batch” (or ‘‘ Holding”) Pasteurisers. A, A. Ramsay, Principal Assistant Chemist. Farmers’ Bulletin, No. 36 (Revised Edition.) Sorghum. A. H. E. McDonald, Chief Inspector of Agriculture, and E. Breakwell, B.A., B.Sc., Agrostologist. Farmers’ Bulletin, No. &8 (Revised Edition.) Fruit Preserving : Canning, Bot- tling, Jam-making, and Candying Peel. W. J. Allen and S. A. Hogg. Grasses for Ditferent Districts. The Marking of Lambs (Revised). Diseases of Lambs Incidental to Marking. Rearing and Feeding Poultry. Fruitgrowing under Jrrigation (Revised). The Banana (Revised). Tank Sinking (Revised). THE CARE OF HONEY WHEN STORED. Ir honey is storetL in a damp place, and not thoroughly sealed up, it will absorb moisture, and if excessive moisture is so taken up the honey is liable to ferment and deteriorate in value. Do not leave the lid off the con- tainers, or leave honey exposed for any length of time during t] e late autumn _ and winter months. If kept in a dry place in a sound container honey will keep good for years; it may granulate, but that is not a sign of deterioration, and in such case-it may easily be liquefied by immersion of the container in hot water. -Honey containing excessive moisture, in contact with the atmosphere and in a tinned container, will often be stained, as the liquid then has a tendency to absorb some of the tin—an event usually indicated by a dark streak. Let the apiarist have his honey well ripened naturally by the bees and stored in a sound container in a dry place, and he wll experience no trouble-—W. A, Goopacre, Senior Apiary Inspector. [June 2, 1920. : | ; N iy 4 ny uf a) ia J une 2, 1920.] 2 Treatment of Extracted Honey. — W. A. GOODACRH, Senior Apiary Inspector. Honry when first drained from the honey extractor contains a certain amount of wax pieces; it is, therefore, advisable to have a strainer fitted to the top of the honey tank. The honey is then strained before entering the i Agricultural Gazette of N SW. 435 a tank. When the tank is filled it should be securely covered, and a sound _ piece of cloth put over the lid and fastened by strong string twitched tightly round the ledge ; this offers protection from insects or stray ants that might happen to gain access to the tank—the lid itself rarely fits as tight as is Vane desirable. The tank being thus filled and securely covered, the honey should be allowed,to remain for about four days, during which time it will clear and » will also go through some ripening process by evaporation of moisture. : At the end of four or five days, if care has been taken in the first instance to have the honey well sealed by the bees, the apiarist will have a clear, refined — product that, has, in the first place, been ripened by the bees, then strained and allowed to clear, and further improved by ripening,in the tank. It, during warm, dry days, the apiarist is working about the honey house, further improvement in the ripening will take place if the covering is removed from the tank for a time. Of course, this is not practicable if there is any chance of bees, &c., getting into the honey. The covering should be replaced towards afternoon. When preparing to tin off, the honey should first be skimmed’ and then drained off into the containers in which it is to be marketed. When the honey is low in the tank, the apiarist can tilt the tank towards the tap; this — | will allow a further quantity to come out clear. When all the clear honey has been tinned off, the remainder, which will contain a certain quantity of wax pieces, can be drained into a small vessel with a honey gate at the bottom ; — this honey, if warmed, will clear quickly, and can be tinned off down to the wax pieces, which are in the form of scum. The above is the usual and effective method for the treatment of oxtipaohll honey. In some cases it is desired to heat honey for the purpose of giving it a brighter appearance and extra density, and also for blending purposes. The question of heating honey is best left to the individual apiarist, who will be guided by the taste of his customers, or the quality desired for market. ' Honey that has gone through a correct heating process will no doubt appeal to many on account of its appearance and density. Heating. Extracted Honey. The correct time for heating honey largely depends on when the apiarist ‘desires to' dispose of his crop. For instance, if the honey is to be sold within a few weeks, it will be advisable to combine the heating with the extracting but where it is intended to hold for an improved market (usually the r) it is advisable to wait until near the time of dispatch, for the honey ; granulate while in store even after the first heating, and it is then sary to heat it again. This double bie: process is likely to iorate the quality. : A method used for heating liquid honey depends on the extent of the tion, i as epanst is Boerne on a fairly large scale ans desires to- bus, and to heat it to about 150 degrees Fah. before it goes iat the ; _ After such treatment the honey clears very quickly and is Jess likely wy ulate within a fair period. | A simple type of honey heater that would be useful to the small apiarist is a double-walléd vat, con- sisting of two plain single vats, one- being made smal enough to fit inside’ the other, allowing a space or cavity | a of 14 inches all round and under- ? neath. When fitted these two vats a3 can be stayed so as to hold each other in position. A honey gate- should be fitted to pass through from the outside, so that the honey can be drained from the inside. Fig. 1 gives some idea of the con- _ 4 struction. At the top of the figure: | is represented a small cup, by means. a .—Small Double-Walled Vat for heating & extracted honey. of which the water is poured into- the seeuten lar] e outside vat can be made of galv anised sheet-iron, and the inside one of -iron, A cavity-walled vat of this type, with a capacity of about | ., can be set on blocks in the honey house, and when extracting is. | ding the cavity can be filled with hot water. After it has been ned by test that there is no leakage, the honey is poured into the | »vat and a primus or blue flame lamp will supply the desired heat, ch pmonid not rise above 150 degrees. To ensure that the heated water * bat a fair distance from the Bone of He yae As soon as the is heated it can be drawn off’ through the gate or tap. If the actor has a large capacity the honey can be run direct into the heater fen limit of the capacity of the extractor is reached, though to do so- tnactor must be elevated a few feet to allow the honey to gravitate. ss To Liquefy Granulated Honey. vt Yee : ite possible to keep honey in a liquid form for a { period by storing it in a warm room kept.at an even temperature. appears to be no practicable method that can be classed as an al quickly than other honey. For instance, in New South Wales the ho the peppermint (2. amygdalina) will readily granulate, while that from’ box (£2. melliodora) and ironbarks will usually remain liquid for a considei 7 . ‘ Fig. 2.—Vat in which tins of Granulated Honey can be Liquefied, & vi . ; . ORE ae period. Some honey will granulate with a coarse grain, while other wil degrees Fah., and if the operation is carefully carried out the quality is not ni deteriorated materially in this first heating. es 2 Where a small quantity is to be treated, a single-walled vat to hold six or eight tins can be setyup on bricks so that a fire can be placed underneath (see i : Fig. 2). A wooden frame is placed in the vat to prevent the containers from ‘ 438 Agricultural Gazette of NV. S.W. ‘ luto®: 1920. 4 coming in contact with the bottom, and water is poured in to about 3 inches from the top of the containers. The water should not be heated above 150 degrees—about what one can bear the hand in for six seconds. Semi- _ granulated honey can be liquefied in about six hours, while hard granulated honey will take from twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Care must be taken when handling honey in this vat, not to depend on the handles of the con- tainers, but to have a few holders made so as to fit right round the tin. Another thing to remember when honey is to be stored for a period that may allow it to granulate again is not to fill the containers right up, for during the heating the honey will expand. When larger quantities are to be liquefied it is advisable to have a small steam boiler and a vat to hold about fourteen to sixteen tins. “A pipe will - deliver the steam into the water in the vat to keep up the temperature ; this is regulated by a steam cock to supply the desired volume. The ehilness of a _ steam boiler on a large apiary cannot be overestimated, and second-hand ones are often obtainable at no great outlay. Steam can be supplied for keeping the water hot in the cappings reducer, cleaning honey tins, and melting up wax and old combs. It is also an economical power if an engine is fitted _ for sawing purposes, Xe. ANOTHER COMBINED SPRAY. | A COMBINED spray consisting of red miscible oil and washing soda has been \ gaining in popularity in coastal districts of late, growers finding that it acts well provided it is not used when the weather is very hot nor when drought conditions prevail. Commenting on the mixture, the Fruit oe writes :—“ The soda is added to the oil to make’the spray effective against white wax. It has been used a good deal in the Gosford district during the-last two or three seasons, but after the erratic behaviour of miscible oils on citrus trees in the past I would not care to recommend it. I still prefer the resin wash.” SauNDERS’ CasE-motn (Metura elongata), ‘THE cocoon of a caterpillar of which he had no knowledge except that it was infesting his garden in great numbers was recently, forwarded by a corres- pondent for identification. The specimen was a covoon of Saunders’ case-moth (Metura elongata). The female of this species never comes out of the case ; the laryze are hatched in it and drop out through the opening at the bottom, when they immediately set to work and form a covering ¢ocoon under the shelter of which they feed and grow. As they grow they add to the cocoon, ~ and when full fed stop moving about and fix the cocoon to a twig. The female undergoes a complete metamorphosis in the coeoon. The male turns round head downwards and pupates, coming out a perfect active moth, and impregnates the female in the cocoon. ‘When numerous they can do a good" deal of damage to foliage.—W. W. Frogearr. y 44 | June 2, 1920] —- Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. \ A Collar Rot of Citrus ‘Trees. C. 0. HAMBLIN, B.Sc., B.Sc. Agr., Assistant Biologist. a t Cotiar rot is found in many, if not all, of the citrus-growing countries of — the world. It recurs fairly frequently in Australia, but, unfortunately, often escapes the notice of growers until serious damage has been done. It is with a view to calling the attention of growers to a prevalent disease that these ¢ \ notes are compiled. Base of diseased tree showing *‘ cumming ” of the trunk (on the leit). Spores of the fungus (Fusarium limonis Briosi), after McAlpine. Collar rot manifests itself most frequently by ‘‘gumming” on the trunk just above, or close to, the ground. In many cases if the area of gumming is examined the bark in the vicinity will be found dry and brittle, Trees may be attacked at all ages. When the young tree is attacked there may be chlorosis or ‘“ yellowing” of the leaves, especially on terminal twigs, but with older trees this yellowing may not appear until the tree has been nearly ringbarked at the trank. Oonstantly in association with the disease is a fungus parasite (Musariwm limonis), which first makes its inroads through an injury or through water- é Sib DD te re : + 3 o> th t ; < ety 440 . Agricultural. Gazette of N.S.W. [June 2, 192 ——t. ar ae : ceviche EAs Lees) Vo) logged bark. The spores which propagate the fungus can be washed down irrigation channels from previously infected trees, and can be carried on to the land in small amounts of soil. They may be adhering to nursery stock or soil, and in some cases are carried from tree to tree by the grower on implements. This can happen especially in treating diseased trees if care is not observed with the knife. In some cases tiny white tufts—the spores of the fungus—can be observed on diseased bark; but may not be very obviwus. The fungus parasite grows very slowly through the tissues of the trunk, and slowly, too, accomplishes the ringbarking of the tree if left unchecked. Sometimes a tree will set a fairly heavy crop before death. The decay proceeds upwards to the stem and downwards to the roots. Diseased trunk, showing bark removed from A diseased tree, unhealthy bark removed ; VIECO Ce... Laffected area. bluestone paste applied. — The “union” of the tree is sometimes a point of entry, and so should be kept well above ground. Care should be taken to avoid injury to the bark of trees, especially with shovels and hoes when removing weeds. It has to be remembered that the condition is favoured and developed by bad drainage, while moistness of the soil in immediate contact with the trunk is also undesirable. Under irrigation conditions it is never necessary to run water right up to the tree trunks, and this should be avoided. i Treatment. Where “ gumming” is observed the earth should be scraped away from the base of the tree and the whole of the dried bark apparently infected by the fungus should be cut away with a pruning knife, and the wound painted over completely with bluestone paste, “Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. NN f The bluestone. paste should be prepared according to the following formula :—14 1b. copper sulphate (bluestone), 4 lb. Paulaked lime, 14 gallons of water. The lime should be slaked and brought to a pasty condition with sy portion of the water; the bluestone should be completely dissolved’ in® the A diseased tree dying with *¢ collarrot.” remainder of the water, after which the two solutions should be mixed. If “s the paste dries a little on standing it should be brought to the necessary thinness again by the addition of a little more water. It may be an | advantage, instead of replacing the contaminated earth, to put a little clean ive sand around the trunk after completing the treatment. A oe A healthy tree in the same block. -In cases where collar rot is too far advanced for the tree to be saved by this treatment it should be removed and burned, and the stump hole then ’ dry-limed before replanting the gaps. In such cases it would be advisable to paint.the new tree with ‘bluestone paste around the “collar” prior to / planting. Poultry Notes. JUNE. JAMES HADLINGTON, Poultry Expert. _Peruars at no time in the history.of poultry farming in this State have the ‘prospects for supplies of poultry food been more precarious than at present. _ This is only too well known to most of those engaged in the industry, and tlfere is, therefore, no necessity to enlarge on that aspect of the situation, However, poultry farmers may be assured that nothing that the Department might do will be left undone in the endeavour to meet the conditions that have arisen and to make whatever provision lies in its power. Confidence in the Industry. Notwithstanding the gloomy outlook in the matter of food supplies, there is still confidence in the industry amongst those who-know it best. This becomes evident when poultry farmers who have had many years’ experience _ and who run large flocks for egg production are found buying up pullets from less fortunate or less experienced poultry keepers, paying 9s. to Ils. per pair for pullets that one can only class as medium to poor prospective ' producers, The men who are doing this know their business so well as to leave no doubt that they expect to make a good return on their investments. Not only so, but a really good class of pullet is not obtainable from well run farms, except at stud-bird prices. What all this goes to prove is that the men wko are financially sound and who have the necessary experience to get the best results from their flocks intend to hang on, knowing they will probably come out on top in the end. It is the small farmer with no capital or insufficient experience upon whom the present conditions will _ weigh heavily and who perhaps will be driven out of the industry. Self Help. There are two ways in which the poultry farmer may endeayour to help himself just now. The first is by carrying only such stock, both in quantity * aud quality, as he can feed with profit, or at any rate with the minimum of loss ; the second is by the whole of those engaged in the industry using substitutes for the present staple foods wherever possible. Every particle of such substitutes is equivalent to an addition to our limited food supply. Unfortunately there appears little or no prospect of cheaper foodstuffs— substitute or otherwise—because all food supplies have a tendency to rise in price in sympathy with the staple foods. But what we appear to be up against is not so much dear feed, as shortage of feed in any form, ‘This, _ then, is where the use of substitute articles, although perhaps not cheaper, will not only assist us in tiding over tbe crisis, but will keep prices from Soaring to the height they might otherwise reach. \ en, a ot 442, Agricultural Gazette of N.S:W. [June 2,.1920... Aes TINO SA. RS ay A es, EN TES od GARR oP at ROSA Nd A eas be = a ag q To turn to the present possibilities, however, it will be remembered that . during the feed crisis of 1915 a number of more or less available substivutes were suggested in these notes as likely to eke out to some extent the then meagre supplies of poultry foods; and more recently the attention of poultry farmers has been directed to the advisability of growing lucerne on ' their farms wherever water is available—as is now the case with a great number. ‘The value of lucerne for feeding in the morning mash, both in its green state and also when made into hay and used as chaff, was pointed out — in these notes in February of this year. Many poultry farmers have ~ responded to the advice there given, but it is safe to say that hundreds of others could have done likewise with great profit to themselves, and could have thus permanently relieved the food situation to a considerable extent. f ; General Food Substitutes. In regard to the morning mash it is scarcely possible or advisable to attempt to make a food mash without the basis of it being either pollard or wheatmeal, together perhaps with bran. It would probably be better to feed _ mixed cereals alone than to make a mash without one or other/ of these, but: a very good mash can be made containing only about 40 to 50 per cent. of one or more of those products, For instance, if we take say, 45 per cent: of pollard, or pollard, bran or wheatmeal combined, and add 35 per cent. of chaffed green food, such as lucerne or barley, with 10 per cent. of coconut oil cake, 5 per cent. linseed meal, and 5 per cent. M.I.B. meat or Compo meal, we would secure a very well-balanced mixture for the morning mash, Again, if we start with 45 per cent. pollard, or that article combined with bran or wheatmeal, and add 15 per cent. of good chaffed lucerne hay, another 10 per cent. in the green state, 10 per cent. coconut oil cake,. 5 per cent. linseed meal, 10 per cent. miliet meal (now available in Sydney), and 5 per cent. M.f[.B. meat or Compo meal, another good mash would be secured. Then again, oaten pollard or wheatmeal could take the place of pollard with very little alteration in the balanced nature of the mash, and yet again,. boiled vegetables, such as potatoes, pumpkins, mangolds, &e., with the water drained away, might enter into the composition of the mash to the extent of 10 to 20 per cent. All these percentages should be worked on weights. In regard to the-evehing feed, nothing as yet known can supplant wheat or maize or both as the cereal portion of the ration, but the meagre supply of these might be augmented by the use of grain such as oats, barley, or sorghum or millet seeds. Of the latter, however, 10 to 20 per cent. is sufficient, while oats might be used to almost any extent, either taking the place of wheat or maize, or in addition to them, preferably in the proportion ' of one-third of each. It would unnecessarily overload these notes and make them somewhat oo technical, and perhaps confusing to the layman, to give the analytical com- positions of each of these ingredients so that a balanced ration could be ' worked out to a nicety on these suggestions ; and what is more, they could é he “Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W.. - ate 5 in any case be only approximate without actual analysis of samples of each food to be used. Taking the general averages of the analytical and digestible constituents of each of the foods suggested, and in the proportion mentioned, the balance should be sufficiently near to conform to my usual recommendation of one to four and a half, or one to five, considered necessary for laying hens; nor is it absolutely necessary to be so precise in this . matter, taking into consideration the fact that two individual birds might do equally well on a very much wider or narrower ratio. Palatability is, however, a more vital issue, because if birds will not eat the food, even a ration balanced most exactly on the basis of chemical com- bination would be a failure, while a much inferior ration: andlytically, if palatably good, would produce better results. It should also be understood that to, force laying hens to eat food that is not appetising to them will at ~ ~once reduce the egg supply. It is necessary to warn poultry keepers that the use of substitutes of which nothing is known in regard to their effect on poultry may lead to serious trouble, Cases have already come under the notice of the Depart- -ment in which this has occurred. The Hatching Season, -. Notwithstanding all that can be said on the food question, the advice given in last month’s notes to “ Hatch as usual” still holds good, In most eases, even where stock has\to be reduced, it will still be advisable, so far as one can see at present, to go on with the hatching. Only a small amount of - food is consumed by chickens during the first two or three months, and by that time it will have become apparent what kind of a harvest may be expected. In any case it is more profitable to feed pullets than old hens, Moreover, seeing that the profitable life of the farm flock is only two laying seasons, if a poultry farmer fails to hatch for one season half his profit- earning stock is lost. } Harpwoop AS A WELL CASING. «J Am in a position where I can sink a well through alluvial soil and get water at a depth of 36 feet. Bricks are unpr ocurable ‘Yocally. Is it possible to get drain pipes 4 to 5 feet in diameter, and is it probable that they would be suitable for well casing with a few feet of bricks at the bottom to let’ the water in freely?” The question came from a centralwestern farmer. Concrete pipes are procurable, the writer was infor med, but his location would make their purchase from Sydney Mery, costly. Usder the cireum- stances, the well might be lined with 6 inch by 2 inch split or sawn hardwood, laid horizontally, halved together at the ends, and secured with another 3 inch by 2 inch fixed in each corner vertically. If a storage tank of 5,000 - gallons’ would be sufficient for the purpose, a windmill, say 10 feet, on a — 30-feet tower, with a 3-inch pump, would be sufficient to supply water for a » small irrigation area or for watering stock. ‘ 445 The Department’s Exhibit of Fresh and Preserved Fruit at the Royal Show, Sydney, April, 1920. OA We ‘ )" of Sey a es | 446 —-Agriculdwral Gazette of N.S.W. [June 2, 1920. Orchard Notes. JUNE. W. J. ALLEN and W. LE Gay BRERETON. Planting. ProyipED the soil is in good condition, well prepared and neither too dry nor too wet, the present month'is a good time for planting all deciduous trees. The reasons for planting as early as possible after the trees are dormant were pointed out in last month’s notes. Care should be taken that the roots of the young trees are not allowed to dry out between the times of digging up in the nursery and planting. Any damaged roots should be removed before planting. The centre of the hole should be kept high and the roots spread around this small mound with a downward tendency. Use moist fine surface soil for filling the hole, and see that this is worked in close and firm around the roots. When planted, the trees should be cut, back hard before the buds burst. This is done in order to start the head between 15 and 18 inches from the ground ; also because some of the roots have been lost in transplanting, and those that remain are not established and cannot be expected to maintain all the top grown during the previous season. A pamphlet on laying out and planting an orchard may be obtained free of cost on application to the Under Secretary and Director, Department of Agriculture. : Pruning, All deciduous fruit trees will be in fit condition for winter pruning this month, ‘To make the best use of the season, it is advisable to work first on the stone fruits that make the earliest start in the spring, leaving the later starting pome fruit for subsequent treatment. Some hints on pruning stone fruits were given in last month’s notes. As the tree comes under very close observation during pruning, the orchardist should keep a close lookout for any. pest or disease that may be attacking it, marking the tree for special treatment where necessary. Orchard Burners. It is as well to draw attention again to the use of orchard burners ; this is _ the cheapest method of disposing of the prunings. Directions for converting an old square iron tank into a burner were published in the Agricultural Gazette for June, 1918. Winter Spraying. The annual winter application of lime-sulphur (winter strength), © or Bordeaux mixture, for the control of peach leaf curl can be delayed until July, except in the case of early blossoming varieties, such as Bell’s November, or Edward VII, which should receive their application now. Though Bordeaux mixture is equal to lime-sulphur, if applied while the trees are dormant, for the control of peach leaf curl, the latter is preferred, as it, also checks the spread of San José scale, Harvesting. If prices warrant, it is well to lighten the load of orange trees by marketing the fruit that is coloured and up to size. Lemon trees should be gone over regularly, and any fruit picked that is fit. Agricultural Bureau of New South Wales. SUGGESTED SUBJECTS FOR BUREAU MEETINGS, Ir sometimes happens that, owing to some inadvertence, members of branches _meet without having any particular subject before them. In such a case one of the following paragraphs may provoke a useful discussion, and a brief report of the discussion will often interest other branches. Have you considered the extension of your cultivated area in view of the reduction of live stock? Following any improvement in the weather and soil conditions, what methods of preparing land quickly for hurried sowings of wheat or other crops would you adopt to ensure a profitable crop? Under adverse circumstances practices become justifiable that are not the best in better. seasons. Hence, catch-crop methods have sometimes to be adopted. What would yours be ? What methods of feeding sheep have you adopted during the past few months ? How have you fed grain—by placing it in troughs or throwing it on the ground— and what quantity per head have you allowed as a maintenance ration? In the handling of the flock have you made any attempt to separate the weak from the — strong animals, or the ewes with lambs at foot from those that ~emained empty ? Have you ever tried seeding wheat on a maize field without ploughing, using the disc-cultivator as a means of preparing the seed-bed ? Have you found winter spraying with lime-sulphur effective against ervnose in the grape vine ? Which has given you the better results in the control of mildew in apples— winter spraying with lime-sulphur or with Bordeaux mixture ? i Have you considered what substitute feeds for poultry could be grown vm your district ? There are many crops that would be of value in different parts of the State ; what one should do well in yours, and what methods would you adopt of planting, harvesting, and feeding at ? ; DEMONSTRATION HIVE FOR BEE-KEEPERS. Arrangements have been made for the loan to branches of the Agricultural Bureau of a complete hive, together with samples of bee-keeping material, with the object of enabling members interested in the subject to see the correct way of fixing the supers, &c. In addition to the hive, the collection comprises super frames, foundation-comb, mailing cage for queens, &e. Fal] information will accompany the package. Applications (which should be addressed to the Under Secretary and Director, Department of Agriculture, Sydney) will be dealt with in the order in which they come to hand, and the material will be sent from one branch to another, the receiving branch in each case being asked to pay the small amount of the freight. z ‘ nae : on ’ 3 ee 9) a eRe ees Ae ba aa I _ : 4 448 ~ Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. an Fane ane REPORTS AND,NOTICES FROM BRANCHES. NOTE.—While gladly publishing in these columns the views of members of the various Branches of the Agricultural Bureau, the Department does not necessarily endorse the opinions expressed. Albury. A packing demonstration was given by Mr. W. le Gay Brereton, Assistant Fruit Expert, on 2nd March, and proved one of the most valuable demon- strations ever held in the district. Mr. Brereton also visited a number of orchards on the following day, and the interest taken by growers was very keen indeed. The show conducted by the branch was a decided success; considering it was such a dry season the quality of the fruit was excellent. There were over 900 entries, and over £130 was taken, the expenses amounting to nearly £90. The best of the exhibits, together with photographs of the district, were sent to Challis Hoase, Sydney, where they attracted much attention. is ; Blacktown. At a special meeting held on 10th April it was decided to postpone the second exhibition from My until September. ; Clovass. The annual meeting was recently held when the election of the office-bearers took place, the following gentlemen’ being chosen :—Chairman, Mr. Garret Long; Vice-chairmen, Messrs. J. K. McDonald and R. A. Watterson ; Treasurer, Mr. D. B, Lynch. The election of secretary was postponed until the next meeting. Coraki. The chief subject of discussion at the meeting held on 20th April was the proposed agricultural exhibit to be staged by members at the local show. The season, since the early part of the year, has been particularly favourable, and this, coupled with the enthusiasm of members, ensures a record exhibit, for the promotion of which an active organising committee has been at work. Cordeaux-Goondarin. The monthly meeting of this branch was held on 29th April, and was attended by fifteen members. It was decided to establish an experimental plot for potatoes and maize, &c., on Mr. F. March’s farm, and to ask the Department to allow Mr. Makin, Inspector of Agriculture, to visit the farm and select a suitable site so that the necessary preparatory cultivation may be carried out. Tt was also decided to join the Kellyville branch in opposing the proposed orchard tax. Members failed to see why the Fruitgrowers’ Association should be the only body allowed to collect the tax, when in various districts branches of the Bureau were doing very much better work than other organi- sations. The erection of a hall in which to hold meetings was discussed, and the secretary was instructed to collect data with this end in view. Tine 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 449 Cotta Walla. On 6th April Mr. J. E. ONeill read an interesting paper on the use of a pure-bred sire in a dairy herd. He pointed out that a good paying herd could be built up from a foundation of ordinary cows by the consistent use of a pure-bred sire. With over 2,000,000 cows in Australia, whose average ‘ production was not half what it might be if proper methods of selection, breeding and management were followed by their owners, the subject was — important. It was essential that the bull should be of a good producing strain, and the performances of his dam and of the family as far back as possible should be known. a IO 6 Silage ration ; 30 ewt., at 6d. pei cwt.... ay ate Fe OVE 0 Wheat alone ; 8 bushels, at 4s. 6d. per bus. 16 0 Wheat and hay ration; 4 bushels wheat, at 4s. 6d. per bus., and 15 ewt. hay, at 3s. perewt. ...!—. Vv S Ss0 Wheat and chaff ration ; 4 bushels wheat, at 4s. 6d. per bus., and 12 ewt. chaff, at 4s. per cwt. ... 6 0 The figures were regarded as interesting, in that they showed that silage is by far the cheapest. The majority of members, however, thought the cost of producing silage (10s. per ton) was too low, and that the price of hay 3s, per cwt.), after keeping for, say, two years, and allowing for waste, was too high. One member related that in 1902, on one station, half the sheep fed on silage were lost. ‘DEPARTMENTAL Note.—The Chief Inspector of Agriculture remarks that on the experiment farms silage is usually conserved at a cost of rather less than 10s. per ton. _It depends upon the nature of the season, but as a rule it is better to build up stocks of Silage in years of heavy growth. For sheep farming, silage should be regarded as a _ reserve, and in most years should not be required at all. Of course, where crops are light the price would be increased. In feeding silage to sheep, allowance must*be made for the labour entailed in doing so. In all cases that have come under notice, the results from feeding silage have been excellent, sheep improving in condition, and no losses oceyrring. The losses on the. station referred to may have been due to the sheep being put on the silage when in _ very weak condition and hungry. Danger attaches to any sudden change of feed under such conditions. During the present drought large numbers of sheep have been fed on. silage with very satisfactory results. At the meeting on 12th April, Mr. C. C. Crane, Organizing Inspector of the Agricultural Bureau, gave an address on co-operation and farm economies. Great interest was shown, and numerous questions were asked, and answered to the satisfaction of all present. It was suggested by the members that if a successful season resulted this year, a co-operative store should be built early in 1921. Meanwhile information is being gathered on the subject. Moss Vale. A yery enjoyable afternoon was spent on 9th April, when about twenty members of the Moss Vale Agricultural Bureau met Mr. E. Breakwell, Agrostologist of the Department of Agriculture, on the property of Mr. F. G. Hayes. Mr. Breakwell pointed out the various grasses growing in the pastures and their respective values. It was found that there was quite a number of good native grasses, and that several desirable introduced grasses were also abundant. Attention was directed in a special way to red clover, which Mr. Breakwell had noticed lately to be seeding well wherever it was grown. This answered the one-time objection of farmers to this pasture June 2, 1920.) | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 451 plant ; apparently some insects were at work effecting fertilisation of clover, and the result seemed to be that a paddock of it would now be more permanent owing to the numerous young plants produced by the seed. It was also remarked that cocksfoot when mixed with clover produced a finer growth, and was less tussocky than when grown alone, A paddock of rye grass on Mr. J. Wallis’ property was also inspected. It had been sown in drills last year with an oat crop. The presence of weeds led Mr. Wallis to remark that drill sowing of rye grass was not as good as broadcast sowing. In the evening, Mr. Breakwell addressed a number of local farmers on the growth of new grasses and fodder plants, urging a more hearty co-operation with the Department in the work that is being done. Mount Keira. The office-bearers of the above branch for the ensuing year are as follows ;— Chairman, Mr. J. Porter ; Vice-chairmen, Messrs. C. Yates and Jas. Porter ; Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. W. Yates ; committee, Messrs. J. Hayes, ‘G. Lewis, H. Brown, F. Walker, C. Buckle and A. C, Brown. Penrose-Kareela. A valuable demonstration on apple packing was given by Mr, W. le Gay Brereton, Assistant Fruit Expert, on 10th March. The usual monthly meeting, which was attended by fifteen members, was held on 13th March, when matters of interest to local fruitgrowers were discussed. | At the meeting on 13th April, the winning of prizes at the recent Sydney Royal Show was discussed, among other things mentioned being the points ‘in which the branch had been strong and those in which it was weak, as shown by the score card. All concerned were naturally very well pleased at having secured first prize, it being the first time the branch had entered an exhibit at the show. . Those members who had been mainly responsible were thanked for the success achieved. It was resolved to place an exhibit in one of the shops in the city on the occasion of the visit of the Prince of Wales. Quaker’s Hill. b The usual monthly meeting of this branch was held on lst May. Asa result of the efforts of the branch, the Blacktown Shire Council is likely to take steps to proclaim stinkwort a noxious weed. Discussion of several matters of local interest took up the evening. Springside. At a meeting on 30th March, some very interesting reflections on the ' results of 1919 operations were read by Mr. T. C. Bowen. eee Mr. Bowen remarked that the paddocks that were ploughed early for that season were those that had given the most satisfactory crops, those ploughed just before sowing giving very poor yields or resulting in failures, and this notwithstanding that » the soil that was worked late seemed to be in the better condition. To get the full benefit of the work, the soil must be in a friable condition and moist enough to encourage the development of the bacteria which carry out their function in the top few inches of soil and which are thus enabled to prepare plant-food im the seed-bed. He pointed out the advantages of deep ploughing and producing a fine seed-bed with the clods on the ‘surface, leaving the finer particles of soil beneath to be pressed down into a firm bed in which the roots could gain a good hold; a very fine or dusty surface should be avoided, as it became set and hard, and the seedlings could not break through. He considered that if the lanil was very dry at sowing time, it was safer to get the seed oats in, but planting must be shallow, for if sown deep the seed might be partly germinated and PW) 452 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. , [June 2, 1920. never grow properly. With wheat he preferred aot to sow until the ground was moist enough to germinate it at once, his experience being that if it was sown in a dry fine. seed-bed and heavy rain came, a great deal of the young growth failed to come through, and the stand was a thin one. He found that crops sown on land in a fairly rough condition on the surface did much better at the start than those on a very fine surface, the air being able to circulate around and among the roots, and evaporation being prevented. In the spring, when the land could be worked, there was a surface that the roller and harrows could act on, killing all small weed seeds, and leaving a mulch of loose soil among the growing crops. St. John’s Park. At the meeting held on 16th April, Mr. M. J. Seccombe lectured on tillage, and demonstrated the presence of soil bacteria good and bad. Mr, Seccombe’s lectures are becoming very popular with local residents. Stratford. A meeting of thirteen members of this branch was held on 10th April, when, after the general business had been disposed of, a discussion took place on the dairy cow and successful dairying. The secretary,~Mr. DEARDs, in opening the subject, said three things were necessary, (1) a good type of cow (pure-bred or nearly so, and a Jersey for preference) ; (2) a good property on which ample supplies of winter fodder could be grown ; and (3) the use of the Babcock tester and the scales, so that each animal’s production should be known. The farmer who tried to dairy without a tester was labouring in the dark, and where small holdings existed only the best cows should be kept. Testing once a year was not sufficient, but by testing and weighing for six months reliable data could be obtained. Mr. H. T. Perrin also advocated individual testing. They would not then be buying each other’s culls. DEPARTMENTAL Note.—The Dairy Expert remarks that much depends on the inherited productiveness of the cow herself and the feeding. Being pure-bred does not necessarily mean being of production strain. Many grade cows yield more at the bucket than their better-bred mates. The point is.that the purer the breeding, the more prepotent the animal is. It is therefore essential to have inherited production in addition to long pedigree and type. _ In grade herds the use of a pure-bred bull of this class would improve the average yield, and by continuing to breed on such lines, a high-producing herd could be built up. It is most advisable to settle on the breed that it is intended to develop, and adhere to: it—not constantly to change the breed of bull used in the herd, as is sometimes done by dairy-farmers. Tn the bulletins annually published by the Department, the production records of hundreds of pure-bred stock of each dairy breed are made available. These can be had by dairy-farmers or branches of the Agricultural Bureau on application, and act asa guide to intending purchasers of herd-book sires bred on production lines. The general use of the grade bull cannot be too strongly condemned. The exhibit staged by the branch at the Gloucester show was a great success, and aroused much interest. The exhibit contained twenty-six varieties of artificial grasses, six of fodder, twelve of maize, and sample bales of lucerne hay and Sudan grass hay. In addition, many varieties of carrots, tomatoes, beet, parsnips, cucumbers, grammas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, &c., were shown. Apples, pears, persimmons, walnuts, medlars,. quinces, oranges, &c., were also displayed. As a result of the above display, the local Press have suggested the formation of other branches in the district. At a meeting on lst May, the high cost of living and the means by which it could be met were discussed. It was urged that more vegetables should be: grown, some members contending that in this: respect farmers were very negligent. Mr. Germon, a baker, quoted the case of a customer who,, 5 Het Ye rs . ie a ae es . Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. _ though having a large household, was among the smallest consumers of - bread in his round. The reason was that the person in question grew unlimited supplies of vegetables. f The secretary urged that every farmer should grow vegetables. The Australian generally should be more self-supporting, Lh Tallong. es A fruit-packing demonstration was given by Mr. W. le Gay Brereton, Assistant Fruit Expert, under the auspices of this branch on 11th March, and was much appreciated. serene The district was very successful with its apple display at the Sydney Royal Show, taking about forty individual prizes, and also second prize for the district. ant , The usual monthly meeting was held on lst May, when several orchard = f matters came up for discussion. A complaint was voiced that the Railway Commissioners were making an excessive charge on empty return cases. . i Thyra-Bunaloo, _ General business was transacted at the monthly meeting on 17th April, and arrangements were made for the business for subsequent meetings. Tingha. y ) On 29th January Mr. W. W. Froggatt, Government Entomologist, _ delivered a lecture under the auspices of this branch on economic entomology. The advances made by this science in recent years, and the ways in which it is of use to farmers were pointed out, and many insects that had become of economic importance were specially referred to and described. On 11th February Mr. R. W. McDiarmid, Inspector of Agriculture in the > north-west, gave a lecture on the growing of winter feed for stock. . The requirements of animals and the ways in which various classes of plants met them were carefully described, and the recommendations of each discussed. Mr. Cook, of the staff at Glen Innes Experiment Farm, on 6th February conducted a demonstration of summer thinning, which was much appreciated. Making use of a Jarge number of trees, Mr. Cook was able to give much useful information, and the vote of thanks that was moved by Mr. Sullings at the close was warmly approved. ' Mr. E. A. Parsons delivered an address on the growing of broom millet before members of the branch during April. Mr. Parsons advocated deep ploughing early, sowing in October at 6 lb. per acre, in. drills 2 feet 6 inches apart, 3 inches deep and seeds about 8 inches apart in the drill. This gave a fairly thick seeding, but when the weak plants were thinned out the stand * should be satisfactory. Inter-cultivation to keep down weeds and prevent loss of X moisture was recommended. About the first week in January the plants would beready to have their heads bent over. If done too soon there was a big probability of the stem — snapping, while if left too late the weight of grain would bend over and spoil the sample. He had found tkat the best guide was the bloom on the heads, and he always bent about half way between the first and second joints from the top. He recommended the selection in the paddock of the best heads for seed purposes. At the monthly meeting, held on Ist May, a discussion took place on manures, and the following queries were raised :— 1, What are the relative merits of nitrate of soda and sulphate of ammonia as a top-dressing for such crops as cabbage, cauliflower, &c. ? 2. Is muriate of potash at any time injurious? If so, when? 3. Is Lhe too free use of wood ashes liable to render a potato crop scabby? What quantity is advisable, and how should it be applied ? D ~ ~ ou 4? Wat «X . APS” A 454 Agricultural Gazette o FN - Toronto. Waris Soaeos. 7 Ser i LG ki At a meeting on 6th April the secretary submitted a balance sheet in connection with the show, which indicated receipts to the amount of £17 19s. 8d., and a balance over the expenditure of £2 11s. 2d. On 4th May Mr. Martin gave a valuable lecture on incubation (natural and artificial) of chickens, and was accorded a very appreciative vote of thanks. Wellington. ’ The feature of the March meeting of this branch was the reading of a valuable paper by Mr. E. G. Salter on wheat breeding. Mr. Salter’s interest in the subject is well known, and his paper reflected a wide acquaintance _ with many authorities. A summary of the paper follows :— ; PRINCIPLES OF WHEAT BREEDING. It was little wonder that plant life got away with the soil water. If the roots, secondary roots and thousands of microscopic root hairs of a mature wheat plant, grown under favourable conditions, were placed end to end and measured they would total 600 yards ; it had been estimated that the root system of a mustard plant had a total length of over 2,000 feet, a clover plant over a mile, and a full-grown pumpkin vine over 15 miles. Plants lived and grew by a process of exchange with the air and soil. A simple example would illustrate the process (called osmosis) by which a plant benefited by the mineral matter in solution in the soil water. If a piece of parchment or bladder was covered over one end of a lamp chimney and this partly filled with strong brine and , then placed in a vessel of water, the two liquids would be separated merely by the thin membrane. After a little time, each of the liquids would diffuse through the membrane and mix with the liyuid on the other side. The movement would continue until the liquids on both sides of the dividing membrane were of the same composition. This was the reason why plants in swamps or sloughs ceased to grow as soon as they became as alkaline as the soil surrounding them, also why a handful of salt would kill the grass on which it was placed, and why the immoderate use of strong manures did more harm than good—tending to balance the plant in strength and to check its growth. With the taking in of scil-water through its roots came the plant’s desire to grow, and automatically it started to divide its cells into two, by a process known as mitosis or cell division. All plants and animals grew in the same way. The nucleus (the heart or life of a cell) was composed of thread-like bodies of opposite attraction, which might be called plus and minus—or, using electrical terms, positive and negative. These living bodies (called chromosomes) becoming restless, the single cell became overcrowded, and the nucleus thereupon sent out two captains or leaders, which went to opposite ends of the cell—the plus captain to one end and the minus captain to the other. Being _ of opposite attraction, the plus (or positive) captain naturally attraeted the minus or negative units, and the minus (or negative) captain the plus (or positive) units. Then ensued a microscopic tug of war. The captains at either end of the cell lined up their teams chosen from the chromosomes across the middle of the cell, and tugged away until half of each side was pulled over to the opposite side and the game was drawn, the nucleus having been pulled into two exactly equal parts. Each part then comprised a new nucleus at either end of the cell, and a wall formed between them. And so the process went on. The offspring of animals and plants was formed by the union of living _ material, split from the bodies of the parents, and man himself grew by the division of what he was in the beginning. Speaking of selection, Mr. Salter remarked that whereas the control of the breeding of animals had been practised by man for over 2,000 years, the systematic mating of plants had only Leen practised for about two centuries. The discovery of sexuality in plants was only made in 1691, and nearly half a century elapsed before the structure of the flower was properly appreciated. Then, in later years, came the “ school of genetics ” on Mendel’s principles of heredity. Mendel’s discoveries were accepted in all lines of thought to-day. In reality, Mr Farrer discovered the laws of Mendel for himself. Sometimes the complaint was heard that ‘‘ seed has run out,” and it was a question of importance how many farmers took care to see the seed did not run out. What possible — advantage could one grower expect who changed his seed for another grower’s who gave his crop as little attention as he himself? In reality he was most likely to benefit more — from his own seed, as it had settled down to the conditions of its own soil The reason for running out was that wheat was self-fertilised, good, bad, and indifferent plants all going to produce seed. ‘Just as there is a best plant in every field of wheat, there is cultural Gaecite of N.S.W. also a worst.” ‘The unattended crop settled down to the lowest mean and gradually ‘* degenerated further.” Farrer had remarked that ‘‘ directly selection ceases, reversion commences.” Other botanists had proved, on the other hand, that when a type of wheat had reached its best it was incapable of further improvement, except by crossing, which broke the type and introduced variation. Only in that way, in fact, was improvement on existing types possible. The great activity throughout the world in the improvement of wheat was the result of economic pressure. Ye ‘There is no reason why a good hard translucent grain of good quality gluten should — Vie not be grown and maintained by our local climate. _As with all things of extra quality, we are approaching more tenderness, Mostly the high quality wheats have tender or - weak straw, and straw needs just as much attention as the root system and head. It is " no use putting a good head on a rotten foundation, any more thana good bouse on one; it must stand some weather even in normal times before the grain reaches the bag. If — ih the head‘is on the ground at harvesting time it is as effectually lost to the bag as though __ it had never been sown. That is no good to the grower. Every part must be as good as we can make it, and should be fairly quick maturing to miss hot winds, and possibly ( stormy weather. So prepare your plant to meet the climate and conditions. Ours is naturally a dry atmosphere, drier as we proceed inland; but in stormy seasons as summer approaches, the steam arising from hot wet ground has a softening tendency on ~ grain—unlike the effect of the rich, dark soil with a high altitude and the crisp air of Canada, which is also a dry air, but escapes the steam ascending from a hot ground. — Their wheats are long maturing, which is conducive to free stooling and prolificacy. Our conditions demand early maturity, and earliness and proliticaecy are diverse characters in combination; we must be prepared to forfeit some yield for the othe advantage.” an The method of crossing, and the lines on which improved wheats had been bred to — improve the quality as well as to increase the yield, were indicated. The difficulty of crossing was greater with wheat than with most other plants, for the structure of the plant was against it, but it had been shown that crossing within the limits of the species resulted in a more vigorous offspring, while self-fertilisation tended to weaken the offspring. Dr. Cobb had said that ‘‘ selection would be of more effect than cross- — fertilisation, but improvements from selection are not permanent.” Mr. L. Jurd read an interesting paper at the monthly meeting on 20th April, his subject being the growing of dahlias. He considered that the spot selected should have an easterly aspect, and be protected from the sun after 2pm. The best soil was a well-worked heavy loam, but if it was very stiff horse manure and sand should be used to lighten it, while to, sandy soil cow manure should be applied. The bulbs should be dug soon after being cut back by frost, and be stored in a dry place. Wentworthville. - The election of office-bearers at the annual meeting resulted thus :— Py Chairman, Mr. E. ‘lI’. Baker; Vice-chairmen, Messrs. H. Beach and A. E. Parry; Treasurer, Mr. E. 8. Taylour; Hon. Secretary, Mr. H. Druce ; com- . mittee, Messrs. J. Coates, F. J. Madden, and C. Giddey. Wetherill Park. A pruning demonstration was given by Mr. 8. A. Hogg, Assistant Fruit Expert, on 5th May, under the auspices of the branch. There was a large attendance of farmers, who expressed themselves as well pleased with the demonstration and the information given about pruning, the peach tip moth, — and other matters. - The chairman, when thanking Mr. Hogg, reminded the farmers of the good work done by the Agricultural Bureau, and appealed to those who were not members to join. Windsor, A pruning demonstration was given, under the auspices of this branch, by Mr. W. le Gay Brereton, Assistant Fruit Expert, at Mr. J. Hall’s orchard ‘ Fi Wilberforce-road, on 30th April, and was much appreciated. j ia 456 Agricultural Gazette of N SW. [June 2: 1920. "y Woonona. At a meeting on 13th April, Mr. G. Fowler read a paper on the diseases of plant-life. He traced in some measure the history of knowledge of the subject, and pointed to the work of several notable men in this sphere. Applications of the subject were made in various ways, notably in pointing out the utility of bacteria in connection with soil fertility and manuring. Yarramalong. At the meeting of the members of this branch held on 17th April, a dis- cussion took place regarding the refusal of the Postmaster-General to extend the telephone line, the whole of the poles being guaranteed by the résidents. Tt was decided to ask Mr. W. M. Fleming, M.L.A., to assist. It was also decided to ask for an extension to Ravensdale, as that place was in urgent need of telephone facilities. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES’ SHOWS. SECRETARIES are invited to forward for insertion in this page dates of their forthcoming shows; these should reach the Editor, Department of Agri- culture, Sydney, not later than the 21st of the month -previous to issue. Alteration of dates should be notified at once. Society. 1920. Secretary. Date. Corowa P., A., and H. Society... as ae ... J. D. Fraser ... Aug. 17, 18 Parkes P., A., and H. Association i .. G, W. Seaborn ... ,, 18,19 Forbes P., A., and H. Association... won MA, Austen © 4.0 432-23, 2499) Murrumbidgee P. and A. Association (Wagga) .. A. F. D. White... 4, 24, 25, 26 Lockhart A. and P. Society , Toe re Ds ATNOLG Yass ay and ept. 1 Albury and Border P., A., and H. ceive ate . A.G. Young ...Sept. 7, 5, 9 Young P. and A. Association " 602 | Berkshire Boar ...} | | 603 Berkshire Boar .. | Koramburra Callan Park Birdy | April 1; 5 5 0 604 | Berkshire Boar ... Major No. 520a No. 520b Berkshire Sow ‘ 606 Berkshire Sow o> i) or a | | Prices quoted include delivery in crates at Darling Harbour or Wharf at Sydney. A full pedigree is furnished with every pig sold. All communications to be addressed to— ‘Tue ManaGer, Mental Hospital, Callan Park, Sydney.” (Please add Exchange for Country, Cheques.) 14th May, 1920 R. KIRKPATRICK, Manager. June 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 57) State Timber Yards and Building Workshops UHR'S POINT, RHODES. Telephones: ; Postal Address: U 0601 to U 6606. Box 12. Post Office, Burwood. The Largest Timber Yard and Joinery Works in Australasia. ALL FOREIGN AND AUSTRALIAN TIMBERS IN STOCK. SEND FOR PRICE LIST AND OATALOGUE Spccial Prices given for Detail Joinery, Office Furniture, ctc. All Communications to be addressed to THz Mawnagea. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [June 2, 1920. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION At the Government Farm Schools. SPECIAL FACILITIES ARE OFFERED AT THE SCHOOLS AT THE GOVERNMENT EXPERIMENT FARMS FOR. INSTRUCTION IN AGRICULTURE. COURSES FROM 6 MONTHS TO 3 YEARS. Low Fees. Comfortable Accommodation. Expert Tultion. NE SARS EOE EE EOE HAWKESBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, Richmond. ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY. Agriculture Diploma Course—3 years. Dairy Diploma Course—2 years. Carrying the respective academic distinctions “‘H.D.A.” and “ H.D.D.” Short Ceurses of 12 months on the ORCHARD, and 6 months on DAIRY, PIGGERY, and POULTRY. Carrying certificates on examination. Each course gives a well-adjusted combination of Field Practice with Class-room Tuition Two Sessions per Year, beginning January and July. . FEES (INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) All Courses _... ... £14 per Session. WAGGA and BATHURST STUDENT SCHOOLS. SOUND SYSTEMS IN MIXED FARMING. The Student performs the work of each Section of the Farm, including SHEEP, CROPS, DAIRY, ORCHARD, POULTRY, PIGGERY, CARPENTER’S and BLACKSMITHS SHOPS. TWO YEARS’ COURSE FOR FARM CERTIFICATE. FEES (INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) First Year ... Beer Butter, Bacon, Cheese, and Canning Factories and a pulping plant have been established in connection with the scheme. No Bal Schools, Churches, Banks, and Stores are established. loling Information on every point; special pamphlets on Fruit Growing for Land and Poultry Farming are obtainable on application, Particulars regarding Irrigation Farms may be obtained from : ; e . The WATER CONSERVATION and IRRIGATION COMMISSION Branch ‘“ C,’’ Union House, 247 George-street, Sydney ;. The RESIDENT COMMISSIONER Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission, Leeton. June 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. xv PRICE LIST OF PURE BRED PIGS FOR SALE AT HOSPITAL, GLADESVILLE. (The prices quoted hold good for the current month only.) | Mid. York. Boar (Imp. ) No. Description. Sie Dam ramen soe Rs {oe i = a - a ¢ P 3 nee ~ 1919. [ Sie Se fae 9306-7. | Mid. York. Sows | Gladesville Grand | Gladesville Lila Dec. 17 °° 616 6 Boy. 2311-12 Berkshire Sows .... Whitley Wales Gladesville Pretty Dec. 26 616 6 | (Imp.) | 1920. 2314-15 Large York. Sows Hawkesbury | Gladesville Bourne Jan. 1 515 6 Ferryman. | ; 2316 Berkshire Boar .... Gladesville Flock-| Primrose II .| Jan. ] 6 16 & master IT. 2321-22-23 Berkshire Sows .... Whitley Wales Gladesville [Jam 213. 6G Ao | (Imp.) Duchess ITT. 2326-27. Berkshire Boars... Gladesville Flock- Tarban Jane II...) Jan. 4 616 & _ master IT. | 2328-29 Berkshire Sows .... Gladesville Flock- Tarban Jane IT Jana: 6 6 .O | master II. 2331-33 | Berkshire Boars..., Herrison King Short Face JaneIII) Jan. 4 £4616 6 2334 Berkshire Sow ., | Herrison King Short Face JaneIIl) Jan. 4), 6 6 90 2335 Berkshire Boar ... Gladesville Long- Tarban Jane Jan. 5 lion | fellow (Imp.) | 2336-37-38. Berkshire Sows ... Gladesville Long-| Tarban Jane Siedane ~ 9d 616 & fellow (Imp.) | 2339-40 | Berkshire Boars... Gladesville Flock-. Gladesville | Jan, 9 616 & master IT. _ Duchess IE. | 2342-43 Berkshire Sows .... Gladesville Flock- Gladesville Jana 9) 6 6 O } _ master II. Duchess IT. 2344-45-46 Mid. York. Boars | Sundon Sydney Moredun Maid Jan. 12 io Meapey (ve a (1 | (Imp. ) : : 2347-48 | Mid. York. Sows | Sundon Sydney Moredun Maid [shies ale 616 6 (Imp. ) 2350 3erkshire Boar .... Whitley Wales Thick Haired Jane| Jan. 12 7 7 th | (Imp.} pT. 2351-52 Berkshire Sows .... Whitley Wales Thick Haired Jane) Jan. 12 6 16.6 | (Imp.) 100 2357-8-9-60 Berkshire Sows ...) Whitley Wales Herrison Queen V- Jan. 12 6 16 6 (Imp.) = 2361 Berkshire Boar .... Whitley Wales Glad’ville Naney 1], Jan. 23 6 16 & | (Imp.) 2362 ~~, Berkshire Sow _.... Whitley Wales Glad’ville Nancy I]) Jan. 23 B 620) | | (Imp.) 2363-64-65) Mid. York. Boars | Sundon Sydney Gladesville Maid I]) Jan. 26 616 6 ; (Imp.) 2366 Mid. York. Sow — Sundon Sydney Gladesville Maid II; Jan. 26 6 6 0 | (Imp.) 2367 Berkshire Boar .... Whitley Wales Polly Pry VI Reb:2_ 6/26 1b- 16 : | (Imp.) poG8- 69-70, Berkshire Sows .... Whitley Wales Polly Pry VI paltebs wiGkh 6s T6ice0) (Imp. ) 2371 Sundon Sydney Glad’ville Maid IIT) Feb, 9| 616 6 a Any of the above pigs that may be selected under the uge of 3 months will be kept untd they attain that age. (Prices quoted include delivery * crates on truck or steamer at Sydney.) \A full Pedigree is furnisned with every Pig sold.) June, 1920. Please aud Axchange for Country Cheques Ail communications should be addressed to‘ The Manager, Mental Hospital, Gladesville. W. A. E. LEWIS, Manager, Gladesville Hospital. xvi Agricultural Gazette of NSW. [June 2, 1920. of Economy. Keep Poultry for Profit ? Invest in a Reliable Incubator at Anthony Horderns.. Do you keep poultry or does the poultry keep you? In other words, io vou make your poultry pay? Good hatchings of healthy, money- making chicks, will go a long way towards increasing your profits. Obtain a reliable Incubator at Anthony Horde-ns’—it wil! prove a very wise “© BUFFALO INCUBATORS AS ILLUSTRATED. New Buffalo Incubators are another Cypher, ttmumph ... They are substantial and well irsulated—and reliable hatchers, too No. 0 60-egg capacity £ fhe, vSBri01 0 No. 1—180-egg capacity ‘ -- £10150 No. 2—240-egg capacity t - -- £1515 0 No.3 - 360-egg capacity Ses .. £1918 6 SUPERIOR INCUBATORS, Superior Incubators, made by the famous Cypher Co., well built, well * nsulated. aid up to the high Cyphers’ standard Boiler and tabular tank of the heavy copper 65-ege capacity... S tie MAE OO 130-egg capacity... v Aby + —aseereanen hOB <6 Anthony Hordern @ Sons, Ltd., SYDNEY. ee ee June 2. 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. wi LYS. ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN THOUSAND OO = Seamer CO HESE figures arrest your attention and prove the PIG; INDUSTRY to bea steadily growing one, also a pay- able.one to the PRODUCER.) Phese figures represent the total of Pigs sold through the Abattoir Yards last year. NEW ZEALAND LOAN & MERCANTILE AGENCY CO., LID, 38 BRIDGE STREET SYDNEY This Company, facing these facts, has secured the services of AN EXPERT PIG SALESMAN. Their long and successful experience as Salesmen of Everything Pastoral will ensure Clients that Pigs and Calves consigned to the Company’s care will have expert attention, and fullest market value be realised. A trial consignment will convince you that what we say we do—we carry out. Liberal Advances given against consignments. leprae: E. R. GRAHAM, JARVIE, Sydney. Manager. e = — - 6. “3 OL BLIUM “D9 'SLEIHIDWVd b. qL4 ‘O ®R LY Ig ‘SUVINDILYUVd TINA YO4 "MANVALS MAYOS-NIML S00 ‘N ‘S TVHACHE % ‘stequeyo uojstaosd peyesosjajoy eaey = HK $e pues ‘A3[0]1}00]9 YIM yMOgZnoIy, pays; ese sioMeas FS ent la See al a i ic Dot et ae , mee: 2 EH, "NOILVOIIdd¥Y NO S3SYuV4 ‘SUSONBSSVd SSV1D GHIHL GNV LSYIa YOS NOILVGOWNWODSV GIGNa1dS ‘JeueD ZENG ova os[e “VOY YINOG oa puL[suy oO} Vpensny Woy wINjoY SIOUIV9I§ “‘pIJD4ZSNY 02 PUu_s/buy wos, SIQUIVEZG SSVID-}S4JJ JO SODJAIVS snjnbey ‘GALINITN ‘ANVWdWOSD ONiddIHS OGNV1V3Z M3N !GALINITN'ANVWdNOD NOILYSIAVN WVALS AvuHusa0sg8u4 ‘SLNASV ‘GS LIWIN ‘ANWdWOO *? Lidia VOI.AAATL Fall @u- _ es | ‘ Uy re at the General Post Office, Sydney, for transmission by Post as a Newspaper. Price SIXPENCE. ws ee ee ee ee er es oe oe — i. a ae THE GREATEST THINKERS OF THE WORLD | URGE INCREASED PRODUCTION, and a step in this direction is to GROW PIGS MAKE MONEY by | turning them into the highest value by consigning to PITT, SON, and BADGERY, Ltd, — < SHEEP, CATTLE, WOOL, 4 PRODUCE, PROPERTY, AND PIG SALESMEN,, SYDNEY. Telegrams: PITT, BADGERY, is sufficient. July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. UNLIGHT OIL CAKE is rich in Albuminoids and low in Moisture. The general cause of shortage in eggs is either too high feeding or too low. For laying hens, Sunlight Oil Cake will quickly give a return which will astonish the owner. For chickens at any time after the age of 6 weeks it is unequalled. Sunlight Oil Cake will impart the glossy sheen to the birds’ appearance so prized by the fancier, and is specially valuable for this reason alone to all exhibitors of show poultry. It puts on solid flesh in an extremely short space of time, and experiments have proved that young, scraggy birds fed almost entirely on it have become covered with good plump meat in a few weeks, thus doubling their value to the market poulterer. A 32-Page Booklet—‘*Poultry Profits’? — sent free on application to— Lever Brothers Limited, Sydney, il Agricultural Gazette of NS.W. |, 4° * [July 2, 1920. To Graziers and Settlers. KINDLY NOTE— If you are changing your Wool Broker— Please think of SCHUTE, BELL & Co., Ltd. They give PERSONAL ATTENTION to YOUR INTERESTS, and area New South Wales Company. OFFICES— 44 BRIDGE STREET, SYDNEY. a = July 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. ii The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited Established 1834, CapitaL Paip-upP -- - +. on - £2,462,578 2 6 RESERVE FUND o o- : .- ee 2,120,000 0 0 Reserve Capitar - + +. “2 2,500,000 0 O £7,082,578 2 6 Directors: GEORGE J. COHEN, Esq. (Chairman); Hon. H. E. KATER, M.L.C. (Deputy Chairman). Hon. HENRY MOSES, M.L.C.; J. W. MACARTHUR ONSLOW, Esq. ; and Hon. SIR THOMAS HUGHES, M.L.C. Honorary Director: Sir THOMAS A. DIBBS. Auditors: J, J. BRENAN, Esq., and F. W. HIXSON, Esq. General Manager: H. H. MASSIE. Head Office: SYDNEY—343 George Street. Manager: W. BR. SAYERS. Secretary: M.S. GRANT. Assistant Manager: L. A. PARKER. Accountant: F.J.L. DUNLOP. Assistant Accountant : E. R. DRYHURST. BRANCHES :—dnspectors: J, N. ROXBURGH, J. R. DRYHURST, F. E. BAYLIS. Branch Accountant: J. CLAYTON. Lonpon Branco: 18 BIRCHIN LANE, E.C. Directors : Hon. H. S. Littleton; H. S. H. Guinness, Esq. ; Lewis Butler, Esq. Manacer: F. A. Scrivener. LonpON BANKERS: The Bank of England ; The London County Westminster and Parr’s Bank Ltd. ; Barclays Bank Ltd. Branches throughout New South Wales and Queensland. Agencies throughout the World. The Bank issues Drafts, Circular Notes, Travelling Letters of Credit available in any part of the worid, allows Interest on Fixed Deposits, and transacts all Usual Banking Business. iv Agricultural Gazette of N.S W. | July 2, 1920. MITCHELL POWER PLANTS IN OPERATION IN N.S.W. ALONE ARE PUMPING HALF A MILLION GALLONS OF WATER PER HOUR. MITCHELL’S | ENGINES GIVE SATISFACTION. MITCHELL’S Engines are thoroughly reliable and trustworthy— built to withstand long service and to prove a sound investment to their owners. Guaranteed No matter what class of work you want performed, a MITCHELL Engine will give you the best service at extremely economical cost for operation. BIG CHIEF AND GALLOWAY ENGINES We firmly recommend Big Chief and Galloway Engines for all pumping works, irrigation, and for chaff cutting. INFORMATION POST FREE. Simply write your name and address on this announcement and post to us for any engine or power plant information, prices, terms, etc. { “ss” Mitchell & Co. Pty. Ltd. ABOUT Australian Manufacturers for over 25 years PADE IM AUSTRAL. Cee 14a Bay Street, SYDNEY. THE OCST MUST Wie July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of NS.W. |: v Some Facts about the BUZACOTT “AUTOMATIC” Separator It skims faster than 10 men can milk. When the milking is done, the skimming is done. The cream flow is perfect—lumps and stoppage impossible. All openings easily reached—no_ catch- places for dirt. No- thing to get out of order—little to *wear out. No trace of petrol-odor —the exhaust-pipe is out of reach. The ‘° Automatic. 15... simplicity itself—so ~~ simple that a child \, can start and stop it. 7-11 Market Street = and at 413-445 Adelaide Street, Brisbane. “ Always ask for Buzacott Gates and Fences.” FIRST in Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Lures “@ TORONTO CANADA THe LARGEST MAKers OF HIGH CLASS MASSEY-HA EACE. FIRST in WAR. FIRST in the HEARTS of the FARMERS. QUALITY IMPLEMENTS N.S.W. T he call to-day is for “QUALITY” The matter of price does not carry so much weight with the careful buyer as es the “QUALITY” of the goods--the Qual- ity is remembered long after the Price is forgotten. The Massey-Harris Trademark stands for “QUALITY” Massey-Harris plements are famous for Efficiency, Dur- ability, Simplicity, Reliability and Economy. Reaper Threshers Binders Mowers, Rakes Cultivators, Seeders Fertiliser Drills (Hoe or Disc) Fertiliser Sowers Disc Harrows Drag Harrows Harrow Carts Corn Planters Corn Shellers Plows, Scufflers Land Rollers Packers Binder Twine Machinery Oil Look for the MASSEY-HARRIS Trademark when buying your Farm Implements. RRIS CO. LID. Melbourne, Sydney, South Brisbane, Perth, Christohurch. [July 2, 1920- July 2, 1920.1 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Vii BANK OF NEW SOUTH WALES HSTABLISHED 1817. Paid-up Capital 42 ney oe . £4,765,700 Reserve Fund 8 ve ee .. £3,275,000 Reserve Liability _... S a .. £4, 765,700 £12,806,400 DIRECTORS. THe Hon. Sir CHARLES K. MACKELLAR, K.C.M.G., M.L.C., President. Tue Hon. REGINALD J. BLACK, M.L.C. THOMAS BUCKLAND, Esa. : CHARLES BINNIE, Esa. ROBERT L. FAITHFULL, Esea., M.D. THE Hon. JAMES T. WALKER. f F. B. 8S. FALKINER, Esa. Auditors—A. G. MILSON, Esq., W. H. PALMER, Esa. General Manager—Sir JOHN RUSSELL FRENCH, K.B.E. q- Chief Inspectors—C. G. ALFORD, OSCAR LINES. Inspectors—B, M. MOLINEAUX, L. WHITEHEAD, R. T. HILDER, W. POTTS. Chief Accountant—W. E. SOUTHERDEN. Secretary—J. A. BRYANT. Solicitors—Mxssrs. ALLEN, ALLEN, & HEMSLEY. Head Office—GEORGE STREET, SYDNEY. W. McRAE, Manager. | W.H. SENDALL, Assistant Manager. , MELBOURNE—RODERICK MURCHISON, Esg., Advisory Director. London Office—29 THREADNEEDLE STREET, E.C. DIRECTORS. Sir FREDERICK GREEN, K.B.E., Chairman. | HERBERT L. M. TRITTON, Ese. 7 W. 8S. M. BURNS, Esa. H. MELDRUM, Acting Manager. | J. S. CAMPBELL, Asst. Manager. BANKERS: THE BANK OF ENGLAND. LONDON JOINT CITY AND MIDLAND BANK, LTD. BARCLAY’S BAN, LTD. 351 BRANCHES AND AGENCIES New South Wales Rs My ZS) New Zealand 55 Queensi/land .. Le ee 571 Tasmania 3 Victoria ‘ mee see 47 Figi 3 South Australia ae ae 6 Papua.. 2 Western Australia hs 70 London — 7 With Agents and Correspondents throughout the World. : Cable remittances made to, and Drafts drawn on, Foreign places direct. Foreign Bills negotiated or collected, Letters of Credit and Circular Notes issued, negotiable throughout the world. viii Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. A NAME WELL CHOSEN! When the late J. K. Stewart designed the Cooper “ Little Wonder” for the Cooper Factories 30 years ago, he prophesied this outfit would, in the years to come, have a world-wide reputation. He showed wonderful foresight in christening it the ‘‘ Little Wonder.” To-day it is known in every land where sheep are raised. a “Little Wonder” = _ EN ce : pl STRONG! Peak © —— 7 PRACTICAL! | BE EFFICIENT! tlas been flattered by many imitators, but never equalled, £84, Portable PRICE i £72, Stationary Engine can also be used for wood sawing, pumping, chaff cutting, etc. COOPER ENGINEERING COMPANY, LTD., syoxey>” July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 1x What are you training for, Joe— the hurdy-gurdy stakes——____? Why not get a light-running, clean-skimming BALTIC Prices range from £4 17s. 6d. upwards. 30 Days’ Free Trial. ———————_ Easy Terms if desired. BALTIC SEPARATOR CO. LIMITED, * ”°’Svoner. °°" Agricultural Gazette of NSW. | glJuly 2, 1920. UNA y 1) W/L This Tag Means COE a Superior Wire. There is no “buying a pig in a poke ” when you purehase fencing wire with this IDENTIFICATION TAG attached to each coil. It is the manufacturers assurance that every coil of Waratah \i\) Basaran can be relied upon, both in Strength and Quality. Waratah Wire is Australian through and through; has greater breaking strain and costs less than imported wires. Insist on getting ** Waratah.” Look for the Tag. Sze that it is in every coil. Your Storekeeper ean get ample supplies. Write for ‘* Waratah” Fencing Booklet. V 19. It abounds with useful information, and tells about lengths, weights, breaking strains, &c., of all gauges. aes Austral Nail Co., Pty., Ltd.., <20 Re 5 Sa THE Fenct, 310 Flinders St., Melbourne. ae Wire Mills at Newcastle, N.S.W. @ o S WSRARARVABAABVAASSAA TILALLLLEL LL Lig (LLL LSS LA LAMAALLALLLLLLLLLLEE Me Lig A SUMMA eJuly 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. xi Buzacott’s “AUTO-SPRAY No. 15” Traction Sprayer for vineyards, etc. Using this Spray (for which the horse supplies all the power) one man can cover an area that would require 8 men with ordinary pumping equipment. It can be supplied to track any width. Pump is driven by an eccentric on main axle. 10 gallon air-chamber ensures steady pressure. We guarantee that it will keep 6 nozzles spraying with an even pressure of 200 Ibs. Special attachment for vegetable spraying. Write to us and we will tell you all about this labour-saving sprayer. 7-11 Market Street, SYDNEY; and at 413-415 Adelaide Street, BRISBANE. ‘Always ask for Buzacott Gates and Fences.” xil Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. ASSETS: JUNE, 1912: £4,514. JUNE, 1919: £65,038,938. HEAD OFFICE: PITT & MOORE STREETS, SYDNEY. Commonwealth ‘Bank of Australia OPEN FOR ALL CLASSES OF General and Savings Bank Business IN THE PRINCIPAL CITIES and TOWNS of Australia, London (2), and Rabaul (New Britain). General Bankings Dept. Cable Remittances made to and Drafts drawn on foreign places direct. Foreign Bills negotiated and collected. Letters of Credit issued to any part of the world. Bills negotiated or forwarded for col- lection. Banking and Exchange Business of every description transacted within the Commonwealth, United King- dom, and abroad. Current accounts opened. Interest paid on fixed deposits. Advances made approved Securities. against Savings Bank Dept. Conducted at all Branches and at over 2,802 Post Office Agencies in Australia, Papua, New Britain, Solomon Islands, and the Pacific. Minimum deposit, 1s. Maximum _Interest-bearing £1,300. Rate of Interest, 34 per cent. on amounts up to £1,000; 3 per cent. in excess of £1,000 and not exceeding £1 ,300._ Deposits or Withdrawals may be made at any Branch or Agency. Withdrawals may be made on demand, by post or by telegraph. Transfers arranged from place to place without loss of interest. Interchangeable facilities with P.O. Savings Banks in United Kingdom and New Zealand. Deposit, PUBLIC SAFE DEPOSIT—SYDNEY. JAMES KELL, DEPUTY GOVERNOR. Sir DENISON MILLER, K.C.M.G,, GOVERNOR. JULY) 1920 July 2, 1920. | Agricuitural Gazette of N.S.W. XHi BACK 10 THE “GOOD OLD DAYS” Wool again Sold by Auction! With fixed prices at an end, the next twelve months are likely to prove a critical period in the history of the Australian VVool Industry. Keen competition is again much in evidence. See that YOUR wool clip receives expert handling and satisfactory display. The P.F.A. Wool Service To the disposal of your consignments, the P.F.A. brings not only the accumulated experience of many years, but also the unique advantages of a thoroughly equipped show- floor that is the best lighted in Australia. The P.F.A. lavs itself out specially to further the interests of its clients. The value of its efforts will be apparent and appreciable when the returns cheque on your trial consignment reaches you. Progressive methods, scrupulous attention to detail, and prompt returns are the outstanding features of the P.F.A. Wool Service. Pastoral Finance Association, Ltd. Phillip Street SYDNEY xiv Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. “AUTO” MILKING MACHINES. THE improvements in Machine Milking embodied in the “AUTO,” and@eUELY PATENTED, created’ “great interest amongst Dairy Farmers at the R.A.S. Show. The “AUTO” Variable Pulsator gives to each individual cow Proper Milking Treatment. It is a well-known fact that some cows are ‘‘ hard’ and some are ‘‘easy” milkers. Hitherto no provision has been made for this variation. With the ‘‘ AUTO” there is a separate Pulsator in each bail, and by simply moving a lever, and without stopping the plant, the Pulsation is Instantly Altered to give a short pull or long pull on the teats. The Pulsators in each bail are independent of one another, and each Pulsator can be individually altered at will To Suit each Cow Milked. The ‘‘AUTO” Cwps are simple, easy on the cows, and easily and quickly taken apart for cleaning purposes. The removable rubber lip is a big improvement on metal rings. FULL PARTICULARS, PRICES, &c., FROM THE FARMERS’ FERTILIZERS CORPORATION, Lto, 31 HUNTER STREET - = = SYDNEY. July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Guzette of N.S.W. villgielhs A. CARBONATE OF LIME | FERTILIZER The finest ground of all fertilizers, therefore going the farthest. PRICE—on trucks, Portland—36/- per ton (14 bags) Miles. In truck lots. In ton lots. Ruy. FREIGHT—PER TON ... 50 Ba 4/4 Bae 619 a ¥ 5, 100 mt 5I7 BF 118 AY a 200 im 615 a 18.5 f : te 300 ht 8/4 he 22/7 6 tons and over a. 48/6 per ton. PRICE F.O.B. Sydney { 2 tons and under 6 Aes 56/- a 1 ton lots bie 60/- 23 The U.S.A. Agricultural Dept. found that fields treated with lime produced an average of 14 tons of hay an acre more than unlimed fields—in tests of Carbonate of Lime, conducted ty the farm bureau, through the county agent, in Chemung County, N.Y. A farmer who used 1 ton of Carbonate of Lime to the acre secured 4,840 lbs. of cured hay, compared to 1,208 lbs. on an unlimed acre. Another, who applied 700\lbs. of lime to an acre, obtained 6,292 lbs. against 1,461 lbs. on an unlimed acre. A third farmer used | ton to the acre and obtained 3,400 lbs., compared to 1,040 lbs. on unlimed land. The Commonwealth Portland Cement Co. Ltd. 4 O’CONNELL STREET : - SYDNEY (The makers of ‘““UNION’’ Cement). Xvi Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. FarmersandGraziers’ Co-operative Grain Insurance and Agency Coy. Ltd. WE HAVE EXPERTS of known ability in every department. Our immense outlets enable us to obtain THE BEST POSSIBLE PRICES Wool, Grain, Livestock, Farm and Station Produce, Properties, Insurances handled Gountry Service Surety DerartMent AVAILABLE TO CLIENTS FOR US TO SECURE SUPPLIES AT BEDROCK RATES THE GUIDING PRINCIPLE of the Farmers and Graziers’ Company is to return to producers the FULL VALUE of their PRODUCTS, less the actual cost of handling. A. K. TRETHOWAN, Circular Quay. Managing Director. July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. XVil IRRIGATE with the NUNAN PIPE SYSTEM! Not only does the Nunan Irrigation System ensure uniform «SUPPEY (at) all parts of your grounds but it uniformly DISTRIBUTES in such a. way that the sur- face of the soil does not cake. All of the moisture is absorbed. The investment is PERMANENT—the usefulness of the Nunan System is limited only to the life of the pipe used to convey the water. It is possible to operate the Nunan System with LESS PRESSURE and LESS WASTE OF WATER than any other known system of irrigation. In one season it will save labor and produce bigger returns to an extent wholly covering the cost of installation. Write for further details to the sole patentees and manufacturers : “4-11 Viarket Street, Sydnest and at 413-415 Adelaide Street, Brisbane. “Always ask for Buzacott Gates and Fences.” XVili Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. French POTASH Now available to Australian Farmers. ULL supplies of Potash from Alsace have now reached Australia. For five years the soil has starved for Potash, which is essential to practically all crops. Alsatian Potash is superior to the pre-war German Potash, and Farmers should avail themselves of this opportunity of increasing the yield of their land. Prices and Full Particulars obtainable from: GEORGE SHIRLEY LIMITED, 7 O’CONNELL STREET, SYDNEY. GIBBS, BRIGHT & COMPANY, | 37 PITT STREET, SYDNEY. FARMERS’ FERTILIZERS CORPORATION, LTD., 31 HUNTER STREET, SYDNEY. July 2, 1920.) Agricultural Gazette of N.S W. xix Hundreds of Sheep Dying But ONLY LOST TWO Mr. F. Fletcher of Sodwalls, N.S.W., says: I have’ been using your Deadluke Specific Salt for a year, and have only lost two sheep, although hundreds are dying in the district. That proves it to be good, and I thank you for your valuable Salt. DEADLUKE SPECIFIC SALT IS THE BEST MEDICATED SALT YOU CAN USE ~ HAS GIVEN SATISFACTION FOR YEARS. PRICE F.0.B., SYDNEY: _ Single Bags, 20/-; 6 Bags (4 ton), £5/17/6; 12 Bags (1 ton), £11/10/-. Other States please write :— VICTOR Ar ... NEWELL & Co., 189 King-st., Melbourne. QUEENSLAND ... WAUGH & JOSEPHSON, Turbatt-st., Brisbane. W. AUSTRALIA ... FEDERAL TRADING Co., Perth. F.S. GREER, “* “svowey.°” 2.1 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. Enormous, production explains high quality and low cost of the DIABOLO Last year more than 250,000 Diabolo Separators were pro- duced in this, the world’s largest separator factory— sure proof of the world-wide popularity of the Diabolo among dairy farmers. Perfect construction is the secret of the Diabolo’s success. It is built of finest materials only and designed by the world’s greatest separator experts to give longer service and get more and better cream than any other separator. A Diabolo is easy to buy— (cash or terms)—and easy to try. Get one in your dairy on free trial for 30 days and watch your cream cheque grow. = Send for particulars and post free Booklet to-day to THE DIABOLO SEPARATOR CO. LTD., Corner Market and Kent Streets - - Rite SYDNEY. / July 2, 1920. ] Agricuitural Gazette of N.S.W XXi The most reliable name-plate in the farm engine field. All the *f Z3? run on KEROSENE 144-3 — 6 — 10 — 15 B.H.P. The scarcity of petrol doesn’t worry the man who runs a “Z’’ Engine on his farm. All the “Z” family are real KEROSENE Engines—give “more than rated power” on this fuel because they’re designed for the job. Built-in Oscillating Magneto banishes all ignition troubles, and makes the engine start at the first turn of the handle. Throttling Governor gives smooth, steady running, and keeps down your fuel bills. Pump Fuel Feed does away with “ flooding ” dangers, and lessens your Insurance Premiums. The **Z” is the Engine you’ve been after for a long time. Write for bulletin and prices. DANGAR, GEDYE, & CO., LTD., 9-13 YOUNG-ST., SYDNEY. xxii Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. Whether You want a Hand Separator or a Belt-drive Model You will find just the machine you need among the various Domo sizes. There is one to suit any milk supply, whether you own three or three hundred cows. A Domo soon repays its own cost in quality as well as quantity of cream. It has won the approval of the greatest dairy experts because of its cleanable bowl (note the meaning of the word); its capacious and well-made tin- ware ; its self-oiling; and its No.13 .-- 45 gallons. ; PRICE .. £19/10/- unusually close skimming. exactness. They are properly tested before leaving the factory in Stock- holm, and again tested before leaving the store in Sydney. Guaranteed for ten years against poor mater’al or workmanship. “4 Domo user ts the hardest -_ man to persuade to buy a } ya ” — new separator, No. 25 105 gallons. PRICE, complete with special pulleyandlowstand #45/5/= The Domo Separator Co., Ltd., 7O Wentworth-avenue - - Sydney. July 2, 1920.) Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. xxiii Will not KickwBite, of Rear Over Cletrac TANK-TYPE TRACTOR Is the most dependable Tractor on the world’s market to-day. It is the little Trusty David. Does everything you ask of it and only that. Wyre you see the wonderful pictures of the giant mechanical caterpillars doing all sorts of seemingly impossible things during the war, you are looking at an enlarged edition of the work that the little farm CLETRAC can do. The CLETRAC Tank Type TRACTOR, is doing splendid work in many districts all over Australia It is admitted to be the ideal tractor for farm work of all kinds. Shire and Municipal Engineers favor it for road construction purposes. Timber men refer to it as the ““ Conquering Caterpillar.” Write to-day for free particulars :— PACIFIC COMMERCIAL CO. POMEROY HOUSE, 16 YORK STREET, SYDNEY. XXxiv Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. Technical Education Branch Department of Education N. S. Wales Technical Training by Correspondence in Sheep-Classing and Wool-Classing Agriculture Book-keeping (including Station Bookkeeping) Care of Animals, Animal Husbandry, and Stock Inspector’s Course |" the past people in isolated parts of the State requiring instruction in these subjects have been unable to obtain it unless they could go to comparatively few centres. Now they can bring themselves by Home Study into closest touch with the chief centre of educational activity, and can be specially taught and trained by the leading experts in their particular professions. THe SYDNEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE provides instruction of the highest practical and scientific character by Correspondence in the following subjects also: Architectural Drawing Inspection of Meat and Building Construction Animals ? . Penmanship and Corres- Construction Drawing P Cc dence Carpentry and Joinery Shorthand Domestic Science, Cookery, Printing and Composing and Household Manage- Styles of Architecture ment : : E Sanitary Engineering and Drainage and Water Fitting Sanitary Law Elementary Art Drawing Trades Calculations Send for Syllabus “Technical Education Extension by Correspondence,’’ to GEORGE HOOPER Acting-Superintendent of Technical Education Sydney July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. xxV —_ az eager LAND BLRARING WITH THE AID OF NOBEL - GLASGOW HIGH EXPLOSIVES THE ATTENTION OF FARMERS, ORCHARDISTS, and other LANDOWNERS, is directed to THE “ NOBEL-GLASGOW ” SYSTEM Fullest particulars from the Agents : DALGETY & COMPANY, Ltd., 15 BENT STREET, SYDNEY, or from local Storekeepers. XXVI Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W [July 2, 1920. This is the Separator! Bese VEC Ne On Be 4 Ci tes ER ph . : a ‘pae a ao on i - Lo ae ; : : Surpasses all others in Efficiency, Simplicity, and Durability. SHARPEST SKIMMING ASSURED. THIS MEANS MONEY TO YOU. Write for full particulars to Gunnersen, Crockett, Ltd., ‘Sole Agents for N.S.W., 379 Kerit Street - - - Sydney. July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. XXvVil s A hid 4 4 Z 7] H e ° e — | OBTAINABLE FROM ALL STORES, Wholesale Proprietors : J. R: Love & Co.., Lid., Sydney. XXviil Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. Visi. lon dian Onver NATURE’S MASTERPIECE FOR A DELECTABLE HOLIDAY Cy Se Be a Across the Blue Mountains Specially Organised Parties Leave Sydney Daily Three Days ... A bi Be . £4/7/6 Four Days ... wae He sale . £5/2/6 Five Days’ ... ba’ ee a .. £5/17/6 THE ABOVE COST COVERS First-class Rail, Motor, and Hotel Expenses throughout. Charges for a Daily Caves Inspection. Privilege of extending stay, or breaking return journey on the Blue Mountains. Every detail of travel and accommodation pre- arranged. Book at Government Tourist Bureau, CHALLIS HOUSE, MARTIN PLACE, SYDNEY, which controls the Caves. E. H. PALMER, Director. July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Xxix Tre | XL. Windmill Is a Steel Roller Chain Geared Mill. ees principle of transmitting power is without a doubt the most efficient, otherwise the system of propelling bicycles by == chain gears would long since | P| 4 have been discarded. ST C5 Cc —) anit EIT fT iSet —we— le — Cs ia. Other mills in which Cog MT 5 Wheels, Levers or Joint Pins = oy B are used cannot possibly give you the same satisfaction as that obtained by users of I.X.L. Steel Reller Chain Geared Mills. The chain has roller bearings in every link. These are steel— case hardened—the rivets being nickelled to prevent wear. This is only one of the many points in which the improved 1.X.L. Windmill excels. You will find facts in detail in our illustrated catalogue. SEND FOR COPY. ATH EELS Me a a Nas Rs en EL = i = We make and Supply Sheep and Caitle Troughing. Ask for ‘Particulars and Prices. ' Geo. E. Fortesque & Sons, Ltd. PATENTEES and : SOLE MANUFACTURERS 3s 3. Agneliffe; Sydney. * xxx Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W [July 2, 1920. THINK of the joys of having electric light and power just by pressing a switch No more dirty, dangerous kerosene lamps, or any other bother some lighting systems. WeStern Electric Power and Light is the one with the big streng battery—180 Ampere-hours capacity: That’s very important. It means plenty of electric current for operating all kinds of electric household appliances, Then there is the 3} H P. Engine that is part of the outfit. Use this fer driving light machinery: Western Electric Power and Light is different to others because its a worker for 365 days every year. It pays for itself twice over in no time, and it’s easy to buy, Write for 20-page Book to Western Electric Co. (Australia) LIMITED. 192 Castlereagh Street = - = - SYDNEY 262 Flinders Lane = - + = MELBOURNE AGENTS: T: Tonks, Elizabeth Street BRISBANE; Newton McLaren, Leight Street, ADELAIDE; Medhurst Electric Co., II Argyle Street, HOBART: A. D. Riley and Co., Lampton Quay, WELLINGTON, N.Z.3 also at CHRISTCHURCH. AUCKLAND and DUNEDIN: H 348 papa AI ETE " July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. XxX) The cry still goes up! How long are the prices of all that makes life comfortable to continue ? Just as long as the world keeps up its present mad policy of consuming more than it produces. The worker of to-day draws twice the pre-war wages, but produces much less. {Is it any wonder that the cost of living is so high? When every Australian recognises that he must, in some way, produce more than he did in pre-war times, then, and only then, will the cost of living become reasonable. Let the MAN ON THE LAND do his share iL, adding some side line to his present production, such as BUTTER, BACON, TURKEYS, and OTHER POULTRY. He need not fear an unprofitable market for all his produce. We have works scattered over the State, and Pay him cash in return for his produce at the highest market price of the day. Begin now by setting eggs liberally in anticipation of a BUMPER WHEAT HARVEST. When the crop is garnered the turkeys prove good gleaners, and soon grow into money. GET A FEW BREEDING SOWS, treat them well, and the progeny will more than pay your housekeeping expenses. Freezing Works: BLAYNEY DUBBO MOLONG BOGGABRI GILGANDRA MILLTHORPE BOOROWA GUNNEDAH ORANGE CANOWINDRA HARDEN PARKES CROOKWELL MUSWELLBROOK WELLINGTON WARRIGAL Butter Factories: BLAYNEY CANOWINDRA DUBBO PARKES Bacon Factory : ORANGE THE COUNTRY FREEZING COMPANY, LIMITED. Head Office—70 PITT STREET, SYDNEY. XXxil Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. For Your Wheat C rops}t Sulphide Super ——/s5 KELIABLE., Certain Delivery Special Manures for all Crops. Manufactured in New South Wales by THE SULPHIDE CORPORATION, Ltd. Works: Cockle Creek, N.S.W. Prices and full particulars from your local Agent or from the Managing Agents: GIBBS, BRIGHT, & CO., SYDNEY. Mor WXXL Part ’7. 2 4 Ge Fella Wk On iii Paine JULY 2, 1920. THE AGRICULTURAL Ca Ae lds OF INTE eS OMT ET: VW oAsIE ENS Issued by Direction of TEL EON Wes ob LN Ng As . MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE. W. H. BROWN, Editor, By Authority: SYDNEY: W. A. GULLICK, GOVERNMENT PRINTER. 1920. *93543—b X¥Xxiv Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. The Cream of Separators A hinker: NO WASTEFUL SKIMMING. Every particle of Butterfat secured. Cream delivered in perfect condition. THEREFORE YOUR CREAM CHEQUE INCREASED 25 PER CENT. Our Guarantee :—ONE MONTH'S FREE TRIAL. Try a “Clinker,” and then purchase it on its actual merits. PRICES: . 00 Clinker 10 gallons £6 15 0 oy OY rare 5-00 ss... ge ie 14 0 0 Pe Ja Oe 26 10 0 ‘i Bin ee ee 38° 020 AEN CONE) ost 48 10 0 F.0.B8. Sydney. Fitted with Low Stands. High Stands can be purchased at small extra cost. ra Power Gear can be fitted to the larger size “Clinkers,” and we can supply a 14 H.P. New Way Engine to drive the Separator. ie WW Write for quote for Power Separator Plant. The “Clinker” has a smooth, easy action, free from any vibration, which ensures perfect separation. 4 Machinery Merchants, Nofiat Virtue Ftd 205 GLARENGE STREET, ck Z = 9 SYDNEY. July 2, 1920.] eee eee G Gazetie on N.S.W. Registered under the Copyright Act, 1879. Editors of Agricultural and Country Papers are especially invited to reproduce any of the articles contained in the Agricultural Gazette, in whole or in part, making the usual acknowledgment. Contributions are only accepted upon the terms that the Government may subse- quently publish the same in pamphlet form or otherwise. 2nd July, 1920. CONTENTS. PAGE. NatruRAL Crossing IN WHEAT ... bs An MS J.T. Pridham 457 Is Stypandra glauca R.BR., A Poison PLant? Ae ae J. H. Maiden 461 SULPHUR AS A FERTILISER FOR WHEAT... ane oan sah Bah See Le AO, Horse RapisH AS A Crop... Be aa de Ber, A. H. E. McDonald 462 How To Mix Manures ee aa ua ies * Ae tee 462 SUGAR-BEET GROWING IN VICTORIA. ae Ae Ja) ee R. G. Downing 463 WHITENING FOR Roors ae ae nate 3 |) vA Brooks: 465 FatrENING STORE CATTLE ON FERTILISED PASTURE the 466 To Inrect LucERNE SEED WITH NODULE ORGANISMS i ro. O. Hamblin 466 How To Store SEED POTATOES ... Ne H. E. McDonald 466 Wueat EXPERIMENTS FOR Hay—Yanco “Experiment Farm, 199) t-. Ee) Furby 7467) To ReparrR CorRopdED TANKS oe f ... A. Brooks 471 MetHops oF EXTRACTING WAX FROM THE Honrycome me: W.A. Goodacre 471 CHEAP PETROL GIVES AMERICAN FARMERS AN ADVANTAGE ..,. 472 CooKED versus RAw Porators aS PIG FATTENERS 472 Supan Grass IN WESTERN DIstTRICTS— At Cowra Experiment Farm F s 550 Sn ...C. McCauley 473 Under Irrigation with Bore Water ee ot a: W. R. Colwell 476 In a Dry Season at Parkes ... a .. J. KE. Syme 477 AN ImpRovED MetHop oF WIRING BEE- HIVE FRAMES a W. A. Goodacre 478 Sori ANALYSES FOR FARMERS ae. Y) 8 cm EAS Frank T. Shutt 478 BoiLED WHEAT FOR POULTRY _... ae J. Hadlington 478 SorGHuUM As A PossiBLE SOURCE OF INDUSTRIAL Atcono 1a A. A. Ramsay 479 PLANTING oUT ELEPHANT GRASS .. BS EK. Breakwell 484 Datry PrRopuce Factory PREMISES AND MANUFACTURING PROCESSES (continued) L. T. MacInnes and H. H. Randell 485 Grow Your Own VEGETABLES oe aa fas aie Ba 489 Goop RETURNS FROM TABLE GRAPES nD une ots : 489 Favuttrs Founp IN Burrer . ; as Oe er, ahs bye M. “Brown 490 CoLouriIne In BLAck ORPINGTONS 494 Sor IMPROVEMENT FOR Mazze. I. BE Nantes and Fer tilisers (continued) — H. Wenholz 495 Pisr Buripincs : 34 oe aA be aN 24 COOL THe BackInG NEEDED BY FARMERS ay Be Bes E. T. Meredith 501 TuHries Damacine Tosacco (Anophothrips striatus) ane Bre Win Wie Progentt 502 APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY 506 PopuLaR DESCRIPTIONS OF GRASSES (continued)—The Introduced Chlori is Grasses. E. Breakwell 507 SAFEGUARDING Farm Stock FROM DIsEASE—(2) Brit Good Hygiene Max Henry 513 A CasE oF BEE PARALYSIS * deg re Pe ie 518 To Drsrroy THE MOLE CRICKET . #3 WwW. OW Froggatt 518 THOMPSON’S IMPROVED AND NAVELENCIA ORANGES W. J. Allen and W, le Gay Brereton 519 Povuttry Norres—July die ee J. Hadlington 520 ALMOND TREES AS A VINEYARD BoRDER wee |) Wied Allen: 522 OrcHarD Notres—July & W. ae Allen and W. le Gay Brereton 5/3 AGRICULTURAL BUREAU OF ‘New Sours WALES— Suggested Subjects for Bureau Meetings ae dee dee 526 Reports and Notices from Branches as 526 AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES” SHOWS... ae 5 pes 532 XXXvVi Agricultural Gazette of N.8.W. [July 2, 1920. For Irrigation. WHEN an engine must be secured that can be relied on to work with absolute regularity and a minimum of attention, the claims of JELBART’S Suction Gas Plant should be carefully examined. By consuming wood as fuel it operates at the lowest possible cost About 1 cwt. of wood will drive an engine for a day. No charcoal burning is required. Although strongly constructed, it is readily portable Mechanism is simple, but reliable. It is as easy to manage as an ordinary kitchen stove. Engine is easily started, and when going requires next to no attention. The Jelbart is more economical than any other engine on the market. 6 to 50 B.H.P. models now available. Send for descriptive leaflets demonstrating their undoubted advantage. JELBARTS PROPRIETARY LIMITED, ENG INEERS Makers of Crude Oil Engines, Suction Gas Plants, Hopper Cooled Engines, Crude Oil Road Kollers, ete. HEAD OFFICE AND WORKS: SYDNEY OFFICE: Ballarat, Victoria. Challis House, Martin Place, Sydney. AND AT MELBOURNE AND BRISBANE. You. XXXI_—ParT 7. eh LY ok 190 Agricultural Gazetie of New South Wales. Natural Crossing in Wheat. J. T. PRIDHAM, Plant Breeder. Darwin, in his “‘ Variation of Animals and Plants,” says ‘the flowering structures of all plants are so arranged, that we may conclude . . that the capacity for occasionally intercrossing is present or has been formerly present with all plants.” On the same subject, De Vries remarks: “ It was assumed that crosses were of common occurrence only with rye, the other grains fertilising themselves ; but experience has shown that this is only an average rule, and that everywhere, in the field, accidental crosses may occur.” O, F. Cook has pointed out that ‘‘natural crossing is common among cultivated wheats in Palestine. Im addition to a full series of different forms of heads . . there is an equally complete range in colour.” The Howards, in India, state that ‘‘ 231 cases were proved by us at Lyallpur, and of these no less than 226 took place in 1907. Jn the dry climate of the Chenab colony, wheat is grown entirely by eanal irrigation and is usually watered at least twice after sowing, the last watering taking place after the plants are in ear. Often before this last watering, the soil moisture is so small that the plants wilt during the hottest part of the day, the glumes open and the stigmas are exposed. Natural crossing is thus easy and it is not surprising that it is so frequent.” H. Pye, of Victoria, in 1914 wrote: ‘I am beginning to find more natural crosses than ever . . I think the anthers are deficient in pollen or shrivel, and the ear opens for wind infection.” On the other hand, Garton, of England, considered from his emasculating experiments that natural crossing did not exist. Biffen, of Cambridge, after growing over 200 varieties, says: “I have never met with a case.” Although natural crosses are very rare in the damp climate of England, it is otherwise in the drier and more sunny latitudes. Koernicke, at Popplesdorf, records several cases and says that 7'riticum compactum is more disposed than any other form to cross in the field. Hansen, at Lyngby, and Nilsson, at Svalof, find that in warm, good weather forms that are generally considered self-fertilised cross with each other, and that crossing between common wheats and spelts occurs under such circumstances. Mr. Pye also finds these forms most prone to the phenomenon. Rimpau says, “ During thirty-five years, thirty varieties of wheat were grown near one another, and only twelve cases of cross-fertilisation were noted ; fifty kinds of barley were cultivated in close proximity for twenty- five years, bat only nineteen cases occurred.” H. K. Hays, of Minnesota, in giving his recent experience says :— ** Results show that in 1917 there was considerable natural crossing—quite 2 to 3 per cent. Crossbreds made many years ago, and now comparatively A 458 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. pure, were seen to show variations, The individuals rogued out apparently bred true, but when sown again there were a few offtype plants, many of which were clearly F, crosses. This is probaoly why the belief has arisen Results of Natural crossing in Hard Federation. Each ear is from a sparate plant or strain. Variations are evident in density, tip-awn, colour and shape. .- . e ? that crossbreds (hybrids) frequently revert. Variations found in farmers crops in the main breed true. In the light of the data given, these cases are more likely to be natural crossbreds than mutations.” July 2; 1920.] - Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 459 Coming nearer home, we find that the variety Marshall’s No. 3 originated as a natural cross in a crop of Ward’s Prolitic. Seed sown from the original plant yielded 4 white straw and 3 purple straw plants. Mr. R. Marshall gave me its history when visiting him in 1915. Steinwedel, picked out of a 9 4 crop by a farmer of that name in South Australia, probably had a similar origin. In Western Australia, Mr. W. C. Grasby has recently found Wilfred wheat, which has been uniform for some years, breaking up into several types. The late Mr. W. Farrer, of this State, found a number of cases among Indian sorts and some few in other varieties. During the last ten years we have seen cases in seven Indian varieties. Two of these came from Howard, of the Indiau Department of Agriculture, who bred and fixed them most carefully on Mendelian lines. Other varieties in which we have found what appear to be natural crosses, are:—Aus- tralian Talavera, Thew, Mar- shall’s No. 3, Grosse’s Prolific, Firbank, Comeback, Bunyip, John Brown, Sunset, Droop- head, Yandilla King, Fretes, Ecksteen, Currawa, Warren, Jumbuck, Zealand, Common- wealth, Huguenot, Federation, and Hard Federation. The character of the varia- tions may be illustrated by a few examples. In Thew,the ! progeny showed more awn at Typical Brown Awnless Ears of Hard Federation. the tip in some plants than in others, and the plot showed more vigour than that of tle mother variety. In the case of Bunyip, a tip-awned wheat, a much paler foliage colour was seen, and the ears were fully clothed with rather short dark awns. The milling examination of three variants from Bunyip showed flour strengths of 44, 46, and 49 respectively. Huguenot at Wagga Experiment Farm yielded a plant ¢ 460 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. twelve inches higher than the mother crop, and its progeny next year varied greatly in type: none, however, was as tall as the original. From Zealand, which has tapering white ears, a brown-eared plant was taken, the progeny of which yielded some plants with awns and others awnless. Federation has thrown variations in the shape and colour of the ear, the presence or absence of awn, and the appearance of the grain, It is often possible to make a guess at the parentage which is not likely to be wide of the mark, For instance, we have a natural cross from Hard Federation which produced twenty-six brown-eared, eighty pale brown and twenty-nine white-eared plants. They were all tip-awned, and the grain varied in plumpness, density, and translucency. The brown-eared progeny resembled Hard Federation and the white-eared Marshall’s No. 3. A variant from a fixed crossbred with large soft grain showed grain of a rather smaller and more rounded type, like Hard Federation. A similar character was seen in an individual taken from Field Marshall, which has soft large grain. It is our custom to sow varieties under test in alternate rows with Hard Federation, repeating the series three times. A buffer is thus provided on either side of each variety, giving as nearly as possible uniform conditions for its development. By using a variety which has proved itself a suitable and profitable one for the district, we may reasonably expect that as a large proportion of any natural crosses that may occur will have this wheat for one parent, useful varieties may be produced. Tt will be evident from the foregoing that care must be taken in the growing of seed wheat. By raising pedigree seed in nursery rows, starting with individual plants sown one grain at a time by hand, one: is able to . detect any differences that may occur in the plants. If this process is kept up, only mixing the produce of single plants when sowing larger bulks, the farmer need have no fear of a variety becoming mixed or deteriorating from natural crossing ; but, as soon as a wheat is grown for a fe:y seasons without regard to individual selection, there will be variations in the crop. Mechanical admixture from machines, bags, &c., probably accounts largely for the impure state of the seed wheat on many farms, but we are not infrequently confronted with a sample of wheat to be named, which we cannot identify with any of our cultivated varieties. Often these are cases of natural cross- fertilisation, | We have not studied the occurrence of natural crossing with regard to climatic conditions, but Mr. C. R. Ball, the agronomist in charge of western wheat investigations in the United States of America, writes, in January, 1916 :— This phenomenon occurs rather commonly in some sections of the United States. This country may be separated roughly into four divisions, on a basis of climate. 1, The humid division, extending from the Atlantic coast to an irregular line some 300 or 400 miles west of the Mississippi . . . . This division grows soft or semi- hard red winter wheats almost exclusively, with the exception of the extreme north-west corner, where, in Minnesota and part of Iowa, hard red spring wheats predominate. 2. The Great Plains area, lying between the humid division and the Rocky Mountains and extending northward into Alberta and Saskatchewan, in Canada This division grows hard red winter wheats of the Turkey or Crimean group in its central portions, and hard spring wheats (including durums), in the north. July 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 46] 3. The Rocky Mountain region where, in more or less elevated irregular valleys, soft or semi-hard spring wheat is grown to a limited extent. : 4, The great semi-arid basins and valleys between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific. These grow wheat of diverse varieties. Those predominating are soft, mostly white, winter and spring wheats, some of them being club varieties. The hard red “winter wheats have been introduced in recent years, and are now extensively grown in Oregon and Washington, and, to a considerable extent, in Idaho and Utah. In the first division, characterised by a 30-45 inch rainfall or more, natural wheat hybrids occur very rarely, or not at all. In the second, or Great Plains area, charac- terised by a fairly dry and windy climate, with considerable summer rain, but with long dry spells and often severe drought, natural hybrids occur rather frequently, in the breeding plots as well as in farmers’ fields. In the irrigated valleys of the third division I have very little information as to the occurrence of natural hybrids. In the basins and great valleys of the fourth or western division, characterised by low rainfall (none of which falls in the summer) and by comparatively low wind velocities, natural crossing of wheat varieties is extremely common, Hybrids occur frequently in the nursery and testing plots, and may be found practically in every commercial field with the exception of the recently introduced hard red winter wheats, Mr. Ball’s remarks have been quoted extensively, as he indicates by the way the class of grain being now grown for the world’s markets. The fourth division he speaks of corresponds a good deal’ to our wheat belt, except that we have a good deal more wind, which perhaps reduces the extent of natural crossing that would otherwise occur, Like the farmers in that area, we grow a considerable number of varieties, but we may note that the harder grain sorts are winning favour in America. Is Stypandra glauca R. Br., 4 Porson Puant ? As far back as the year 1894 (see a note in this Gazette for March of that year, page 142) the above plant was sent as a suspect from the South Coast. -It has no common name so far as [ know, grows up 2 or 3 feet high, and has pretty blue flowers and distichous leaves 2 to 4 inches long. It is common in the neighbourhood of Sydney, the Blue Mountains, and many other parts of the State, and during the the last quarter of a century, has increasingly been reported as a suspected plant, but I have never been able to get any definite information concerning it. A few days ago a grazier in the Molong district wrote to me as follows. :— “¢T send you a kind of nettle and also a plant with a blue-bell flower. Some people call it the ‘mountain bluebell.’ For a number ot years T have had a number of sheep and cattle poisoned with some kind of weed in a certain paddock. After investigation I feel sure that one of the above plants is the cause of the trouble. The stock sicken and die in a day or so.” I think that the nettle can be acquitted, but as to the bluebell there is very little to go upon, and I have advised communication with the Chief Inspector of Stock. I may say that in south-western Australia no one seems to have any doubt as to the poisonous character of this plant. It is said to produce blind dis- ease in sheep, and one of its names is ‘‘Candyup poison” because it is com- mon in the district of that name, a little east of King George’s Sound. I think it is high time that pastoralists and others should make accurate observations in regard to this particular plant, and keep in touch with the Chief Inspector of Stock on the matter.—J. H. Marpen. 462 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. SULPHUR AS A FERTILISER FOR WHEAT. In view of reports from experiment stations in other parts of the world, it was decided in 1915 to conduct a series of tests with sulphur as a fertiliser for wheat at Cowra Experiment Farm. The results have been negative, slight increases having been obtained in certain cases, but at such a cost as to make the treatment unprofitable. The plots were } acre in area. ReEsu ts of trials for four years 1915 to 1919 (1916 a failure). Treatment. “per acte Increase. | jroreage.* | Increase.t | gain | loss | ‘bus. Ib.| bus. Ib.| sd. } s.d. js d| ad peperphosphate, 56 lb. bop 18:42 |) 1 06 5 6 Zh G55] 63- FO ma andes Sulphur, 28 lb. ... ..( 18 18} 0 42 3 6 O68 ipsa 6 0 Superphosphate, 56 lb., and sul-|18 30| 0 54 4 6 | -ae | es ee a> & phur, 28 lb. Sulphur, 56 lb. ... etelke 4240. 6 0 6 19 <0 ved itor 18 6 Superphosphate, 56 lb., and sul-| 18 6| 0 30 2.6 2 Ge | means 19 0 phur, 56 lb. Untreated ... ies SF Beads! 20 || Alewc dea: oto} Sekatlow tin ip hvetes aN eae nae ie ae * Wheat valued at 5s. per bushel. + Superphosphate valued at 5s. per cwt., and sulphur at 38s. per cwt. Horse RapIsH AS A CROP. Horsk radish requires a deep well-drained soil, and will not grow well on shallow or wet soils. It is propagated by cuttings from the smaller roots, straight pieces 5 or 6 inches long and } inch or less in thickness being most desirable. Propagation from old divided crowns is not advisable, as they give crooked and branched roots that are undesirable for marketing. These root cuttings should be set upright in the soil, 12 to 18 inches apart, in rows 3 feet apart, and covered with about 3 inches of soil. Sowing should take place in March or April, and the crop should be treated as an annual, being ploughed or dug the following year in winter, and fresh roots transplanted to another place. If allowed to grow as perennials in the same spot, the plants become troublesome as weeds. Long straight roots should be trimmed and washed preparatory to marketing. It is difficult to obtain a good market.—A. H. E. McDonatp, Chief Inspector of Agriculture. How to Mix MANURES. In making mixtures of chemical fertilisers, the ingredients should be thoroughly. incorporated in small quantities. Lumpy manures, before mixing, and the mixture when made, should be passed through a sieve, and the remaining lumps carefully broken up. If the mixture is not to be sown immediately, it should preferably not be bagged at once, owing to its tendency to set immediately after mixing, but should be allowed to lie in a heap for a few days, after which it may be broken up, turned through a riddle or harp, and then bagged. After this treatment the mixture should not readily set or become lumpy, and may be kept for weeks. The most important point is always to mix systematically in small quantities.—Jowrnal of the Ministry of Agriculture, London. July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 463 Sugar-beet growing in Victoria.* R. G. DOWNING, B.Sc. (Agr.), Acting Senior Experimentalist. Marrra, the centre of the sugar-beet industry in Australia, is situated in East Gippsland, 131 miles from Melbourne. The surrounding country is practically flat, with occasional ridges, and mainly consists of a free- working alluvial of basaltic derivation. The soil varies in fertility, but on the second-class alluvial land goud beet crops are grown. The ridges are of gravel formation, only suitable for grazing, and the average price of land is £40 per acre. The yearly rainfall varies very much, the average being about 22 inches, of which, as a rule, not less than 10 inches falls between Ist October and 3lst March. The district is not regarded as an ideal one for growing sugur-beet on account of the comparatively low and erratic rainfall. There is not in this State a district corresponding to it in soil and climate, but there are certain areas on the coast resembling it, in which better crops of beets would probably be grown than at Maffra. This season about 1,000 acres were sown with beet in the Maffra district. This area represents the combined efforts of between forty and fifty growers, and the greater portion of it is rented at from £2 to £3 per acre. None of this area is irrigated, although it has been proved that irrigation at Maffra results in very heavy yields. The difficulty last year, on account of the great demand for grass country by stockowners of less fortunate districts and because of the high prices _ obtaining for maize and other farm products, was for the beet growers to rent sufficient land to put their usual area under crop, while farmers who own land have also been tempted to take advantage of the promising market for maize and potatoes. This resulted in a slightly decreased area last year, and the outlook for next year is scarcely promising. The factory would be run much more economically if the produce of over 2,000 instead of 1,000 acres were treated. This will always be the trouble under the present system. A suggestion by the Beet Growers’ Association is that the Government should resume 1,000 acres in the district for the purpose of letting it in small areas for growing beet, with the alternative of purchase by the growers at a later date. An average yield of beet at Maffra is 12 tons per acre. The roots were paid for this season at the rate of 35s. per ton, and the probability is that the price for next year’s crop will be higher. Allowing £12 for all costs - until the beets are delivered at the factory, this leaves a profit of £9 per acre, There are doubtless many crops that at present give higher returns compared with the capital value of the land, but the contention of Maffra growers is that there is not a crop which, over a period of years, gives such a high average return. * Extracted from a report on a visit to the sugar-beet districts of Victoria. 464 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. The standard of farming required in beet-growing is a high one, and much hired labour is necessary. These are two considerations which should deter the average farmer in our coastal districts from attempting the crop on a large scale. Asa rule in our State the more fertile the soil the more care- less in their methods are those farming it, while owing to the present uncertainty of the labour factor, the farmer naturally prefers crops showing a smaller margin of profit with less risk in this respect. Difficulties such as the foregoing will, as farm practice in these districts improves and labour conditions stabilise, gradually disappear. In the initial stages in Victoria local difttidence—in fact, prejudice—had to be overcome, but the industry may now be said to be firmly established. Summary of the Facts. The principal points which struck me during my visit may be summarised thus :— 1. From 1,000 acres (of an average value of £40 per acre) this season sugar is being produced worth £60,000 by the time it reaches the consumer. 2. Of this sum growers (about fifty in number) receive £21,000, of which £12,000 covers all costs of production. 3. About 110 men employed in the field for about four months of the year receive about £9,000 in wages during the time. 4, In the factory, 140 men, employed for upwards of three months, receive about £11,000 in wages. 5. That is to say, by the cultivation of 1,000 acres more than £30,000 is annually distributed in the district. The results are seen in the increased prosperity of the locality since beet-growing has come into favour. 6. Beet-growing may be profitably combined with the operations of a mixed farm. The tops and leached pulp, particularly the former, are splendid feed for stock, and the most successful farmers in the Maffra district are those who combine beet-growing with dairying. 7. The thorough tillage given the beet crop results in a splendid con- dition of the soil for the following cereal crop. For example, a 20-acre paddock considered “crop sick” was put under beet for two seasons—the crops _averaged about 12 tons of beet. In the following year the paddock was sown, partly with oats and partly with barley. The resulting crops averaged per acre 3 tons of oaten hay and 60 bushels of barley. 8. By the practice of feeding the tops and leached pulp on the farm the soil fertility is maintained, since the sugar removed contains only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen—all of which are obtained by the plant from the air. 9. Beet, above all, demands good soil for successful cultivation, but, as the resu ts at Maffra with a low rainfall show, when once established in the spring it withstands “dry spells ” and quickly responds to rain or irrigation. Once the crop is ready to lift (about March or April), the grower is not rushed for time, but has a month in which to suit his convenience with the operation. Wet weather or labour difficulties are, therefore, not so serious at this time as with most other crops. July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N-S¥. 465 Recommendations of the Crop for New South Wales. The desirability of establishing the crop in New South Wales is obvious, and small trials should certainly be made, with the idea of finding suitable districts, and accustoming farmers to the crop. The question of erecting a factory, since it would involve an outlay of at least £150,000, may well be left to the future. Since, however, the factory must be within reasonable distance of good supplies of coal, limestone, and water, a district must fuitil these conditions to render it worth while considering as a possible beet- growing area. The working expenses of the Maffra factory are considerably increased owing to the fact that their coal comes from Newcastle to Mel- bourne, and then to Maffra, while their limestone is sent a distance of about 200 miles. Several growers were very interested to hear that the New South Wales Government was interesting itself in beet-growing, and expressed themselves as anxious to take up land in some district where it had been shown that the crop could be grown profitably and where a factory had been established. A point which struck me was the probable difficulty of working a factory for the first year owing to the scarcity of skilled labour. Mr. Williams (Factory Manager) informed me that the Honolulu Iron Works—a_company which specialises in the setting up of sugar factories—undertakes to run for the first year any factory which they erect. Other companies probably do the same. However, not a great deal of skill is required in running the various portions of the plant, and this year at the Maffra factory two-thirds of the hands are newly employed. WHITENING FOR Roors. Tue following mixture is largely used by the Department with good results for whitening roofs :— Slake half a bushel of freshly burnt stone lime with hot water, covering the mass over with a few layers of thick bags (such as maize bags) while it is slaking, and leave it so covered for about half-an-hour. Add to this firstly, 1 lb. of soft soap previously dissolved in hot water, and then 1 lb. of alum, also dissolved in hot water. Stir well together until about the thickness of cream. Cover up tightly as before and leave standing for about three days, when it will be found to be in putty form. ~ To prepare for use, thin down with hot water to the consistency of good paint, and strain through a fine sieve. Apply to the roof in cool weather with a two-knot brush two coats, allowing about six days between the two. When desired, colouring matter may be added. The above makes a good cheap paint for roofs and tanks, and also for brick, cement, stone, or even rough wood work, and will last for three to four years.—A. Brooks, Works Overseer. 466 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. FATTENING STORE CATTLE ON FERTILISED PASTURE. EXPERIMENTS were recently conducted by the Irish Department of Agri- culture with the object of determining the effect upon the live weight of cattle of dressing pasture with basic slag. A 10-acre field was divided into two equal parts, and having first been grazed over by the same number of cattle for a period to ensure equality, one of the plots was dressed with 2 tons of 30 per cent. basic slag at a total cost of £9 5s. Dairy cows were kept on the plots for the following two seasons, and four 1}-year-old store crossbred Shorthorn bullocks of average type were then put on each plot. The experiment under notice was, therefore, more to determine the residual effect of the basic slag on store cattle. : One lot of bullocks was placed on each plot, and at the close of six weeks the animals were weighed and transferred to the other plot, this being done four times until twenty-four weeks had been covered. As it is essential in such an experiment that the pasture be kept equally eaten down, other bullocks were used to do this as required. The results showed that the plot treated with basic slag gave 302 days more grazing than the untreated, and that the bullocks grazed thereon made a total increase in live weight of 19 cwt., while those on the untreated plot made only 10 ewt. To Inrect Lucerne SEED WITH NODULE ORGANISMS. THE best way of infecting lucerne seed with nodule organisms is by the use of soil from an old lucerne patch where the plant has grown well. The soil should be in a dry dusty state, and the seed should be mixed with it thoroughly so that there is no doubt about infection taking place. The seed should then be sown with a drill or broadcasted in the ordinary way. The soil should be dried in the shade and the sowing of the seed carried out during the afternoon. Sunlight will kill the organisms—hence these precautions. It is sometimes advisable to use very thin glue, p»ssing the seed through it and then dusting with soil obtained from the old lucerne patch. The glue should be very thin and the seed only lightly coated. The Department supplies artificial cultures, but culturing weakens the organisms, and a natural infection from the soil is always preferable.— C. O. Himsiiy, Assistant Biologist. How vo SrorE SEED POTATOES. Porators wil] keep for seed in bags, but other methods of storing are much to be preferred. The best method is to place the seed in shallow boxes, rose end up, and store in a shed—preferably open on one side to allow of the entrance of plenty of light. This treatment will cause a greening of the tubers and the development of short sturdy green shoots, will reduce loss to a minimum, and will give the crop an early start. Failing “ boxing,” the seed should be spread out on shelves or on the floor.—A. H. E. McDonatp, Chief Inspector of Agriculture. July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 467 Wheat Experiments for Hay. Yanco HXPERIMENT Farm, 1919. E. FURBY, Experimentalist. EXPERIMENTS carried out with wheat at this farm during 1919 were confined to early, mid-season, and late plantings of several varieties, the following coming under observation:—Zealand, Marshall’s No. 3, Yandilla King ; Cleveland, Improved Steinwedel ; Thew and Firbank. Zealand, being considered the most suitable variety for hay under irriga- tion, was again used as the check variety for each of the three plantings. The area of each plot sown was fairly large, being one-fifth of an acre, which area should tend to make the comparative weights much more accurate, especially as the soil on this farm is most variable in texture and fertility. As there was a slight hitch in planting each section to date, owing to the interference of rain while the ground was being prepared for sowing, the three plantings should be regarded respectively as mid-season, late, and very late. Otherwise the only alteration of the previous year’s plan was the substitution of Thew for Florence, and of Improved Steinwedel for Stein- wedel, the replaced varieties being unprocurable. The Preparation of the Soil, The general uniformity of growth of the crop in each section was largely due to the fact that a heavy crop of Grey field peas had been ploughed in during the spring of 1918, which increased the nitrogen content evenly throughout the paddock. A further deep ploughing was given after a fallow of four months, the ground afterwards being worked down to a finer tilth with a disc-cultivator to facilitate efficient grading. The latter operation was carried out three times to ensure an even and thorough distribution of water when irrigating. Although grading entails a large amount of work, this is fully compensated for by the ease with which the ground irrigates (less labour consequently being required), and also by a more uniform growth of crop. Check banks to divide each variety were built during March, approximately one-third of a chain apart. This was rather close, no doubt, but here, too, with check banks at least half a chain apart, on ground which is inclined to be uneven in its levels, the labour of construction is fully justified, again for the reason that thorough irrigation is the outcome. In the case of the early and mid-season plantings, the usual practice on this farm of irrigating the ground and cultivating immediately prior to sowing was adopted. This was not possible in the case of the late planting, as no irrigation water was available at the time. The practice of sowing seed in a dry seed-bed and afterwards irrigating to germinate the seed is too often attended with disaster, more particularly on the heavier classes of soil, and cannot be too strongly condemned. 468 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ July 2, 1920. The Season. The experiments were conducted under more adverse weather conditions than have been experienced for some years past—the driest, in fact, in the history of the Riverina. No doubt, drought is met by the artificial application of water, but the absence of the normal humidity in the atmosphere is not entirely overcome by watering as the crop requires it. The winter was also ‘exceptionally cold, heavy registrations of frost being frequently recorded, while strong winds blew persistently throughout the season. The whole crop was planted and brought to fruition on practically irriga- gation water alone. Although the rainfall was fairly evenly distributed over the growing months, it never fell in sufficiently large quantities at any one time to be of real benefit. The rainfall from the time of planting the first crop till the harvesting of the last was as follows :— April + Se PONIES: August ... 53 points. May 132-T AST, September... 67 _,, June St 30'«w,; October s:/er 4 190j;254, July i 4 nels ies November ... LA te, Total pes eg a ... 459 The falls ranged from 2 points to 45 points, and were recorded on twenty- five wet days. This rainfall was not sufficient to maintain the crop throughout the whole winter, and it had to be supplemented by artificial watering when water was made available in the latter part of July. Ideal hay-making weather was experienced for harvesting. The Early-sown Plots. This planting was made on 29th April, the delay here being due to light falls of rain preventing the ground from drying sufficiently to plant in the middle of April. The soil at planting was in excellent condition, and: with the aid of light falls of rain after planting, germination of all varieties was all that could be desired. Being sown early and having germinated well, these plots received the full benefit of 139 points of rain in May, and conse- quently a very vigorous early growth was the result. It was on these plots that the tallest and most prolific growth was made, and the greatest weights of hay secured. ‘This is invariably the case with early planting. These plots were irrigated twice—on 19th August and 23rd September. The results were as follows :— Plot | ae | varity Tyga | asevion | iii t. Honma adbt ‘ 1 | Zealand... was as Check 100 3.19 O 8 | 26 October, 1919. 2 | Marshall’s No. 3 ris no 98°6 3.) goose a0 lees fee 1919. 3 | Yandilla King... re i 108°! o 19 2s Py) 1919. 4 | Cleveland Se aie at 91°5 | oar 6:40) 1S 23 « 1919. 5 | Zealand... el ... Check 100 3 ll, 20 ws | a2 5 1919. 6 | Improved Steinwedel ... i 104°5 os Jee ley 8 ae 1919. fowl Dhow. #3 it out wi 96° Bh 812 GS 8 “a 1919. 8 | Firbank... xa ms ee 87°6 Be pe lee. il: 8 ae 1919. 9 | Zealand ... Ay wee Check 100 oN tla es 25 4s 1919. July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 469 The Mid-season Plots. Delay was also incurred in planting these plots, rain falling after the ground had been irrigated; this carried the sowing date forward to 10th June, which must be classed as late, as it is not usual to plant any later than this, Germination of all varieties in this case was considerably retarded owing to the ground being much colder, but it was nevertheless fair, as the ground was in fairly good condition. The later growth was slow, but the approach of warmer weather in the spring, together with irrigations on 19th August and 23rd September, forced it a little. The crop generally did not compare at all favourably with the earlier sown plots, only medium yields being obtained. These were as follows :— | Flot Variety. ee fens: Acre Yield. | Date of Harvesting. = 7 | t ce q. Ib. | ; 1 Zealand ae i Check 100 2S SAD FD | 3 November, 1919. 2 | Marshall’s No. 3... Lars 956 2 0 Bales +9 1919. 3 | Yandilla King ee ae 90°5 E17 O21 ie 3 1919. 4 Cleveland... ae syne ALR? Me Nei yo) 3 a 1919. 5 | Zealand ins ... Check, 100 1S). 18a 3 As 1919. 6 | Improved Steinwedel us| 94° ¥ 15 3 1 | 28 October, 1919. Peeitewie eo Aete. LOBS 1°19. TAME bogies 1919. See Wirbagk =) 9. a ie eee | (1. 2 8 Sods) Og eae eee 9 | Zealand a ... Check; 100 115 Glee 3 November, 1919. - The Late-sown Plots. This planting was made on 30th June under unfavourable conditions. It was necessary to irrigate the ground at the same time as for the mid-season sowing, and to keep it cultivated, with the result that it had dried up considerably by the time the sowing was made, leaving an undesirable seed- bed. The ground was exceedingly cold then, and this, with the absences of the necessary moisture, was the cause of a very poor germination in all varieties, and an extremely weak growth for the first ten weeks. Three irrigations were given this crop, the first on 19th August when the crop was only about 6 inches high, the second on 23rd September, and the third on 29th October, just prior to the flowering stage in the earliest varieties. The two last irrigations accelerated the growth of the crop, finally giving greater yields than were at first expected. After the first irrigation it was found necessary to harrow the crop in the endeavour to break up the hard surface of the ground and so stimulate growth. Although the lack of rain at the right time was largely the cause of the poor yields obtained, 470 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. planting so late in the season has never yet been attended with any degree of success. The yields obtained from this planting were as follows :— er Variety. | seta | Acre Yield, Date of Harvesting. , t.. 5 Cag. Ib: 1 | Zealand ... es Check 100 1 8 Uv J9 | 17 November, 1919. 2 | Marshall’s No. 3 “ze a 88°5 1) Ark lj P 1919. 3 | Yandilla King we ac? 110°0 1 O20 20 ala, -, 1919. 4 |Clevelard ... Bi. ede 110-0 janie! Biles Baral! foae ih 7 . 1919. 5 | Zealand ... oe Check 100 l 6a D 17 aa 1919. 6 | Improved Steinwedel ee 94:5 1: 260827 seu, ¥ 1919. 1on| knew: .:. KY ft ih 1 ifs 1 "Otel enh aa 3 1919. 8 | Firbank fe 2: i 79°0 0 A19.2tb 9s 6 = 1919. 9 | Zealand ... si Check 100 L Soro 17 oe 1919. In view of the poor results obtained from late sowing as compared with the profitable yields invariably obtained by planting early, it has been decided by the Experiments Supervision Committee, upon the recommenda- tion of the Manager of Yanco Experiment Farm, = late planting shall in future be eliminated. Notes on the Varieties. Z-aland in this tria] has not upheld its reputation of being the best and heaviest hay wheat for this farm, probably on account of the unfavourable growing conditions. In each sowing it was by far the most prolific wheat, particularly in the early and mid-season plots, but when cured it weighed much lighter than was expected. It is the second latest maturing variety in the trial; when young it is vigorous growing, dark-green in colour, and stools moderately. At maturity it was 5 feet 6 inches high. Marshall's No. 3 has not this year come up to previous records as regards percentage yield. It is late maturing, and gave best results when sown early, though not equal to Zealand. For the first month after germinating this variety has a peculiar spreading habit, but finally it grows upright with drooping foliage. It is a moderate stooler, with fairly fine straw, and makes into a good class of hay. Yandilla King is very similar to Marshall’s No. 3, though the foliage is not quite as broad. It is also late maturing, and has a procumbent habit when young. It grew toa height of 5 feet in the early plots, and generally did very well this season. Cleveland is the latest maturing variety under trial. The cropon the late plots was very thin and sparse, but on the early and mid-season plots a fairly vigorous growth was made, reaching 5 feet in the early plot. This variety does not stool very heavily, nor carry much foliage. Improv:d Steinwedel matures at about the same time as Firbank or Thew when sown early, but is later when sown late in the season. It grew toa height of 4 feet 6 inches in the early plots, stooled very well, and produced an abundance of dark-green foliage from the base of the straw to the top. The straw is medium-fine, strong, and purple at the base, and carries good large heads with plenty of grain. This variety makes into a good class of hay when sown early. July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 471 Thew is another variety which makes into a good sort of hay. The straw is thin and light-coloured. and carries only a medium quantity of short and erect foliage. It only grew 3 feet 9 inches in the early plot, and much less in the mid-season and late plots. Being an early maturer, it seems that it should be sown late in the season. Firbank is the earliest-maturing variety under trial. Its yields this season do not compare with those of previous trials; apparently it was not suited to the drier conditions and repeated applications of water, for in former years it vielded well above the 100 per cent. mark. Firbank is a scanty grower and poor stooler. To REPAIR CORRODED TANKS. CoRRUGATED iron tanks that show signs of rusting and corroding may have their lives considerably lengthened if the inside of the tank is coated with cement mortar. This may be done as follows :—First brush all rust from the inside surface of the tank and tie around it on the inside wire netting of any mesh (preferably 2 inches), passing the tying wire through smail holes in the tank and twitching it up on the outside. Then plaster the sides through the netting with cement mortar made up of three parts clean sand and one part cement. Continue until the netting is covered. In the same way put on the bottom of the tank one inch thickness of the cement mortar. When this is sufficiently set, a }-inch coat of stronger mortar (equal parts sand and cement) should be trowelled on and finished to a smooth face. Finally, a coat of wash, made of 1 1b. washing soda to four gallons water, should be applied. Holes punched from the outside of the tank with a four-inch nail are a help to the keying of the cement, and a convenience for the tie wires. The outside of the tank should be painted when the repairs are finished. As this treatment adds considerably to the weight of the tank, it is necessary to make sure that the stand or supports are strong enough for the purpose.— A. Brooks, Works Overseer. MeruHops oF ExtTRACTING WAX FROM THE HONEYCOMB. To extract wax from combs it is necessary to apply pressure, a wax press being used for the purpose. Melt the combs in boiling water; put in the press a sack (say a sound chaff bag), and pour into this the boiling mass ; then fold the top of the sack and apply the screw pressure. When a press is not available, another method can be used, but with this only a fair percentage of the wax can be obtained. In the second method the comb is put into a sack, the top of this tied, and the whole immersed in boiling water with weights on it to keep it under. When the combs are melted, the top of the sack is lifted, and pressure applied to its contents by twisting. The sack is then immersed again, and pressure applied to it from the top ; it is subsequently weighted and allowed to cool. The second method is obviously imperfect, and a wax press—especially when used for extracting wax from old combs—soon earns the price of its purchase.—W. A. GoopacreE, Senior Apiary Inspector. 472 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. CHEAP PETROL GIVES AMERICAN FARMERS AN ADVANTAGE. Tue American farmer has a big advantage over the Australian farmer, be- cause good road construction is a live and popular idea throughout the country, the result being that with good roads as the general rule, the motor truck and the motor car (with trailer) are very much in evidence. In many parts, motor truck service companies operate successfully, even in competition with the railways. Generally speaking, the United States are a network of railways, and capital is quickly available to open up new territory prior to settlement taking place, the builders of these railways relying upon future freightage, or on concessions in the shape of land grants to recoup them for their expenditure. It is obvious that, with such transport facilities, the American farmer is particularly well placed for getting his produce to market, or for the removal of his stock when this is necessary. The first cost to him of motor trucks and cars, and the low cost of petrol (averaging, between States from the Pacific to the Atlantic, about ks. per gallon, as compared with about four times that amount in Australia) together make the lot of the American farmer very much better than that of ourown farmers, and incidentally assist increased production to a large extent. Good roads, plus cheap petrol, bring the cost of upkeep of a truck or car down to a minimum in America. Realising that the cost of petrol has a vital bearing upon transportation here, I called, during my visit to San Francisco, upon the Union Oil Com- pany (one of the largest oil companies in the States). I discussed with the Assistant to the Vice-president (Mr. T. A. Hays) the possibility of securing petrol for Australia at a substantially lower cost. He expressed the opinion that the only way in which Australia could obtain petrol materially cheaper was by finding its own oil wells. He was further of opinion that an ex- pert oil geologist—the very best procurable—should be brought to Australia, and given full facilities for finding oil, and that, later, an experienced oil driller—not a water driller—should also be procured ; and said he would be glad, if the New South Wales Government desired it, to lend a first-class geologist from his own Company.—Extract from a report by Mr. Lesiie G. BripGe. CoOKED versus RAW PoraToes AS PiGg FATTENERS. EXPERIMENTS were recently carried out by the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland to determine the comparative values of cooked and of raw potatoes for fattening pigs. The experiments were carried out at five centres in five counties, and at each centre the pigs were divided into two lots, as even as possible as regards sex, age, weight, and general appearance. The pigs in Lot 1 were given cooked potatoes, and those in Lot 2 raw pulped potatoes, but in all other respects the lots were treated alike. Summarised results show that the pigs to which cooked potatoes were fed made an average daily gain of 1:43lb., while the animals on raw potatoes gained only 1:29lb. In 110 days the former made an increased gain in live weight of almost 16lb. per head more than the latter. The results indicated that, with pork at £45 8s. 9d. per ewt. live weight, a substantial profit was obtained from the cooking of potatoes for fattening pigs. July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 473 Sudan Grass in Western Districts. At Cowra Experiment Farm. C. McCAULEY, Assistant Experimentalist. A proFiIt of over £100 from 20 acres of Sudan grass in a dry district and a season of indifferent rainfall is a result that should commend the crop to graziers and farmers in the drier portions of the State. The land was ploughed 6 inches deep with a disc plough between 17th and 30th July, 1919, and an excellent seed-bed, free from weeds, was obtained by spring-tooth cultivating and harrowing just prior to planting from 29th September to 3rd October. Sowing was effected with the wheat drill at 5 lb. per acre, in drills 21 inches apart. Superphosphate was sown with the seed at the rate of 60 lb. per acre. The germination was good and even ; despite the dry season the crop made steady growth and it was some 18 inches high when useful rains fell early in December. The subsequent growth was rapid, and the grass was soon 4.feet 6 inches high. A strong second growth appeared at the base of the plants. On 24th December the crop had reached the late flowering stage and was cut for silage. The yield was good, averaging 25 cyt. per acre, or 25 tons in all. A very succulent growth followed, and was fed off to the cattle between Ist and 6th January. The cattle ate the grass readily, and it proved itself of good feeding value by the increased milk yield during that period. The crop was harrowed crosswise on 7th January, and on 9th February the second growth was cut for hay when it was 4 feet high. The green weight of the stuff was 1 ton per acre, and the dry weight 12 cwt., or 12 tons in all. . The stubble was again fed off by the cows, which were turned in from 15th to 23rd February. Another harrowing was given on 24th February, but owing to the hot dry weather prevailing the third growth was rather slow. Good rain fell on 12th and 13th March, and the crop made a quick recovery, and late in April was 3 feet 6 inches in height and setting a good crop of seed which it was intended to harvest. However, early frosts caught the crop, and as there was no chance of the seed maturing, it was decided on 10th May to graze the crop off. For several weeks twenty-one head of cattle and one horse were run on the area, and following these 400 sheep got a week’s feed off it. In such a season, the value of the grazing is very conservatively estimated at £40. 474 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. The rainfall for the various periods of growth was as follows :— RAINFALL during Growing Period. For First Cut. For Second Cut. For Third Growth.* October ... 90 points.) December... 249 points.| February... 27 points. November ... 25 ,, January ... 164 ,, March ... 142 <5, December .. 194 _,, ADIT a eee Omen Totals 309 5. Totals. ALS. 5; Total... 339 ,, * The third growth was not actually harvested. Upon the results of this trial it can be said that Sudan grass has proved itself a valuable crop for the district for (a) hay or silage, and (6) grazing. During the hot, dry summer months it provided green succulent growth, when even the cultivated native grasses were absolutely dry. The butter-fat tests for the month of April were of higher percentage than usual. Several of the cows were tested a second time to ascertain if the first had been correct. The milking herd, during this period, were depastured on the Sudan grass alone, but there was not sufficient for them to be allowed all they wanted, and they were only permitted to remain until it was considered they had had a sufficient ration. The milk yield therefore suffered in quantity. Samples -of Sudan grass hay, oaten chaff, wheaten chaff, and wheaten hay were forwarded from the farm to the chemist, Mr. Guthrie, who subsequently reported the results of his analyses to be as follows :— : Albumi- | Carbo- | Ether | Crude || Albumi- [Nutri- Water Ash . . ; = 3 2 ds, hydrates, | Extract, Fibre, d tiv Per/cents.y) Percents a Rare ee ce er core. er cen | Ratio. Value. Sudan grass......| 10°70 6°40 9:18 54°62 1°94 17°16 | 1: 6:4} 68 . Oaten chaff ...... 12°5 3°1 4°3 46°0 0-9 33°2 Ts Ls?) 52 Wheaten chaff...; 13°1 5'8 4:8 44°0 1°3 31:0 1 29'S. 51 Wheaten hay ...| 11:0 fi! 9.4 46°7 PEF 23°1 | 13) 5°64 62 A sample of silage made from Sudan grass was also forwarded to Mr. Guthrie for analysis, with the foJlowing result :— Moisture ine a. ave sh 64°89 per cent. Albuminoids ... oy ty 38 4:24 > Ether extract ... a8 ae + 1-16 t 1) ate Pee at bite ar oli 3°22 3 Fibre '... ‘oe fe fee oy 10°34 Pa Carbohydrates... £55 i Me 16°15 2 100-00 3 Albuminoid ratio ... 1 to 4°4. Nutritive value is 23. Fixed acidity, calculated as sulphuric acid es 0-19 per cent. Volatile acidity, calculated as sulphuric acid... 0-12 “ OTe Ta July 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 475 Financial Statement. The following statement shows the total outlay on the paddocks, and then presents the various costs allocated to the several crops obtained :— Total Cost Cost cee Operation and Cost. Outlay. of Silage. of Hae of seit BPeo'dec£ s.7daiCS" aide eeere eee Ploughing, at 6s. 10d. per acre... GAG 8 2. 5 70) 2 oan ee Spring-tooth cultivation, at 2s. 5d. per acrel 2 8 4/ 016 2/ 016 1| 016 1 Drilling, at 2s. 11d. per acre wo elect 8} O17 Bi Oilers Omni Seed, at ls. per lb. ; 5 lb. per acre a0. 0) 1 13)-4 | CAS ator Superphosphate, at £6 per ton; 60 lb. per acre ... loot S| 1)! bs eS ete Wages, four men, four days. (cutting, cart- | | ing, and chaffing silage), at 12s. aoa | per day ‘ MALS 7: Q...|° Dl ON yeeros elfen Kerosene oil consumed, 1 tin ‘i OS 9. | Ol: Tet Oia ae aa eee Eleven horses, three days, at 3d. ber hour per horse. 1 Ue a (hg A aes a Al a eee Peso Depreciation on plant, 5s. per acre De O20: 5: OF OR ee rere eaieeen pene Binder twine, two balls, 3s. each ... OSB! 10>) OC SOF arose ian eemeetaae Oil consumed, 1 quart (Oa: 8 Nets an Me Ute ies Pale eaties eee © sewer ) OSE 28 fy eee Wages, three men, four days (cutting, | carting, stooking, and stacking hay), at, 12s. 10d. per day ... Sieroge Olle = aie 85 Be Ones aeeace Six horses, three aave: cutting and 1 carting hay ... : ‘ PU DEN ise 6c E710 eee Beer csidn 0 on n plant, “Bs. per acre ENE) AON tx ele SOON aise Binder twine, two balls, 3s. each . PelpeeOMO.. Oils yh a ee Orc ee Ol) pa re Harrowing, at 7d. per acre. is eiclf AU)cet by la ig SSieie cereale Orn CO 3) il consumed, | quart (USO CS Si ie eee: OM al Sil ecteeease Rental of land valued at £10 per acre. 9 months _... 710° O | 210! Os 224040 2 10 ia Total... ae “a £| 6418 6/ 291410) 25 8 5) 915 3 SuMMARY. Credit. fess de By 12 tons of hay, at £6 per ton ae nee rarour On 25 tons silage, at £2 $3 a see Sone SOU UR, Two weeks’ grazing eighteen cows, at 2s. 6d. go head per week ... ae : ; 410 0 Estimated value of grazing on third iol sien 402-0820 £166 10 0 Debrt. To costs as per above table saa sae = vec OL LOO Balance, profit... side e baer UG Neale 476 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. Under Irrigation with Bore Water. W. R. COLWELL.*® Excellent returns were obtained from Sudan grass at Coonamble Experiment Farm last season with the assistance of irrigation from bore water. An area of 30 acres, which two years before had carried a heavy crop of broadcast maize and then a crop of wheat that failed, was disced, and then Se BR ot FARA “7, vi A Heavy Crop being cut for Silage at Coonamble. sown in September, 1919, with Sudan grass at the rate of 8 lb. per acre. About. 75 per cent. of the seed germinated, and the growth being good, the area was divided into eight blocks and irrigated by flooding. * Late Manager, Coonamble Experiment Farm. July 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 477 The first growth cut 300 bags of chaff, from the second growth the seed was stripped (a very satisfactory yield being obtained), and the third growth was fed off, 730 sheep being depastured on it and kept in good condition for several weeks. The accompanying illustrations serve to indicate how heavy was the growth. Only three floodings were given, but the crop was a notable success, and proves the value of fodder crops under irrigation in districts where bore water is available. Many graziers in the Coonamble district were much impressed by the results obtained, and affirmed their intention to make plantings in the future. In a Dry Season at Parkes. J. E. SYME, Inspector of Agriculture. That Sudan grass is one of the best summer fodder plants to grow in western districts was fully demonstrated at Parkes, even in the dry season just experienced. The fact that it will grow to a height of 4 and 5 feet when natural herbage is entirely absent is sufficient indication of its drought resistance. There have been failures in different districts, it is true, but they can usually be accounted for by almost entire absence of rain. In two cases~ mentioned below, profitable crops were raised on very light rainfalls, heavy rain only falling when the Sudan grass had practically matured. On 12th October, Mr. W. W. Watson, Tichborne, planted 50 acres. The land had been disc-cultivated in July, 1919, and the only rain before sowing was 37 points on 5th September. The seed was sown at 4 lb. to the acre without manure, and germinated well in places. The rainfall after sowing was 25 points in October, 44 points in November, and 362 points in December—the last coming when the grass had nearly matured. In the third week in December, 3 acres that had germinated well were cut with the binder, made into hay, then put through the chaffcutter, and finally through the harvester operated by an engine to thrash out the seed, of which 500 lb. was obtained from the 3 acres. Of this seed, 400 lb, was sold tor 2s. 6d. per lb., and the chaff was used to feed horses, the seed and chaft giving a very handsome return. At the end of January, twenty-five head of cattle and twelve horses were pastured on the paddock and put in condition. They remained there until the third week in March, when sheep were turned on to clean it up. In the second case, the manager of Mr. R. Shelton’s property, “ Elim- vale,” at Nelungaloo, on 25th September, 1919, planted 30 acres of Sudan grass, using 6 lb. of seed to the acre, with 54 Ib. of superphosphate. The land had been ploughed about 4 inches deep the last week in September, 1919, with disc plough, harrowed, and dragged with a couple of logs to get a fine tilth just before planting. The germination was poor, but the grass grew to a height of 5 feet. On 6th September, just before 478 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ July 2, 1920. sowing, 35 points of rain were registered, and the rainfall after sowing was 15 points on 26th September, 22 points on 28th September, and 333 points in December. The crop was fed. off, thirty-one horses and eleven head of cattle being turned in on 7th January, 1920, and getting six weeks solid feed in it. Indeed, they have been grazing on it ever since, as it keeps growing until the frost kills it. Both the farmers are of the opinion that Sudan grass is the best summer fodder they have yet grown, and that—while belonging to the sorghum family—it is not poisonous at any stage. An Improvep Metuop oF WIRING BBE-HIVE FRAMES. A METHOD of wiring frames that is well worth the attention of the local apiarist is described by E. R. Root in a recent issue of Gleanings in Bee Culture (from which the accompany- ing figureis taken). Bee-keepers to whom the improvement appeals have a good opportunity of apply- ing it during the winter adjustment of material. It will be seen that the only way in which the method of wiring differs from that usually practised is that a fifth (or in shallow supers, a third) strand is run from the hole A, through a staple at B, to the hole C. This reinforcement prevents the foundation from stretching near the top bar, with the consequence that in many cases the queen is induced to lay right up to the top bars of the frame. The queen does not care to lay in cells that are stretched, for they are neither drone nor worker cells.-—W. A. Goopacrk, Senior Apiary Inspector. Sort ANALYSES FOR FARMERS. Ir must be pointed out that, as a rule, the analysis of an isolated sample of a soil that has been variously cropped and manured for a number of years is of little practical value. It [the analysis] cannot be expected to yield results which can be used as an accurate and infallible guide towards supplying rationally and with an expectation of profit the soil’s manurial requirements. Agricultural chemists are unanimous in the opinion that the results of such an analysis are in no degree commensurate with the work involved in obtaining them. Trials on the field itself can alone furnish the desired information.—Frank T. Suutt, M.A., D.Sc., Dominion Chemist, Canadian Department of Agriculture. BorILED WHEAT FOR POULTRY. Tue palatability of wheat is increased by boiling, steaming, or soaking in hot water, but this treatment does not increase the food value in any way, nor does the fact that the wheat becomes more bulky make it the more economi- cal as a feed.—James HapLinaton, Poultry Expert. July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 479 Sorghum as a Possible Source of Industrial Alcohol. A. A. RAMSAY, Principa] Assistant Chemist. Tue following varieties of sorghum grown at Hawkesbury Agricultural College, Richmond, were lately examined as to their suitability for the pro- duction of industrial alcohol :—(1) Early Amber Cane, (2) No. 47, (3) No. 54, (4) No. 51, (5) No. 49, (6) Sorghum saccharatum, (7) Planter’s Friena, (8) No. 34, (9) Saccaline. Nos. 34 to 54 are selected varieties of Planter’s Friend. All the varieties were examined at the same relative state of ripeness, A hundredweight of the sorghum was divested of leaves, the top portion carrying the seed was removed, and the remaining canes were crushed in an experimental mill (power driven) which was kindly loaned for this work by the Colonial Sugar Refining Company, Ltd. The mill, a two-roller one, was set very close (,3, of an inch), so close, in fact, that the stalks would just pass through without pulling the mill up. The expressed juice was collected and examined. The results obtained are set forth in Table I. It will be noted that the yield of sorghum in the tield ranged from 5-5 to 17°6 tons per acre, and the average yield of all varieties was 14 tons per acre. The “tops” or heads of the sorghum varied from 8-9 to 26°8 per cent. of the total weight of growing sorghum, the mean being 13-9 per cent., and the leaves varied from 10:7 to 20°7 per cent., the mean being 14:3 per cent. The percentage of clean stalks varied from 60-7 to 80:4, the mean being 71°9 per cent. The yield of juice expressed by single crushing also showed wide variations, viz., from 20 per cent. to 36 per cent., the mean yield being 27:7 per cent. of the weight of the clean stalks crushed. The yield of juice will be dealt with later. The sucrose content of the juice expressed ranged from 4:7 to 14:8 per cent., with an average of 9°99 per cent. The fruit sugar content ranged from 2'1 to 4°5 per cent., the average being 3°08 per cent. From the composition of the juice as stated above, the theoretical yield of alcohol has been calculated, using Pasteur’s figures, and the yield is further expressed as imperial gallons of 95 per cent. alcohol. Pasteur’s figures have “not been realised in actual distillery practice. These figures were obtained from pure sugar solutions and nutrient media, therefore the yield of alcohol in practice might be appreciably reduced. The figures obtained show that the yield of 95 per cent. alcohol ranges from 6°8 to 113 gallons per acre, with an average of 52-7 gallons, or ex- pressed in terms of 1 ton clean canes, the yield ranged from 2:03 to 7°99 gallons with a mean of 4°35 gallons. 480 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ July 2, 1920. It is difficult to arrive at the money value of a ton of sorghum, since the sorghum is usually consumed on the farm where it is grown, and it is rarely if ever sold. The practice a good few years ago was to charge sorghum as being worth 10s, per ton for fodder. The prices of all fodders have advanced very considerably within the past two years, chaff being at present about £12 per ton, It appears therefore that sorghum ought to be worth consider- ably more than 10s. per ton, and that 16s. or 18s. would be a more correct figure*. Sugar-cane is worth about 40s. per ton in the field with a yield at least as high as sorghum, and costing no more in labour to produce it. To this figure would have to be added the cost of cutting, trashing, and transport, which might easily cost 6s. per ton. The 95 per cent. alcohol from sorghum, as grown, must be produced and sold at 1s. 13d. per gallon to enable it to exist as an industry. Industrial 95 per cent. alcohol is at present sold at ls. 4}d. per gallon, and methylating or denaturing costs about 3d. per gallon, leaving ls. 1}d. as the price at which 95 per cent. alcoho] must be produced, Now, one ton of sorghum as grown in the field and of the mean quality stated in Table I, would produce 3:49 gallons of 95 per cent. alcohol if theoretical results be obtained, or 3:14 gallons 95 per cent. alcohol if the usual 90 per cent. of theoretical result be obtained ; these would require to be sold at 3s. 1ld. or 3s. 64d. respectively. The cost of cutting, trashing, and transport would therefore exceed the market value of the alcohol produced. On the mean figures given in Table I, the manufacture of indus- trial alcohol could not be successfully carried on. Percentage of Juice Extracted. Referring further to the percentage of juice extracted from sorghum canes by crushing in sugar mills, the following extract taken from “Sugar” by Lock and Newlands, published by K. F. M. Spon, 1888, page 534, is of interest :—‘‘ It was found that on account of the spongy and loose texture of the canes [sorghum] it was impossible with the heaviest and most modern crushers to extract more than 40 per cent. of the juice by the process adopted, which was similar to those used in the . . . . [sugar industry].” The results obtained.from the Hawkesbury sorghums gave 36 per cent. as a maximum, and 27°7 per cent, as an average value for the juice expressed, The effect of the spongy nature of the sorghum canes is shown better in Tables ITI and IIIa. In Table III it will be seen that there is more sugar left in the megass than is expressed in the juice by single crushing. Table IITA shows this perhaps more clearly. In the variety Planter’s Friend 44 per cent. of the total sugars in the sorghum were expressed in the juice, while 56 per cent. remained in the megass. Similarly, variety No. 34 yielded 36 per cent, in the juice, leaving 64 per cent, in the megass, and Saccaline 42 per cent. in the juice and 58 per cent. in the megass. “Since this was written, sorghum has been sold on the Sydney market at £3 10s. per ton.—A.A.R. July 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 481 Resu t of Two Crushings. The yield of juice expressed from the sorghum canes by passing once through the rollers of the experimental mill (Table I) was so low that in four cases, as detailed in Table II, the canes, after being crushed once, were returned to the rollers and crushed a second time. Yields of juice were thus expressed, ranging from 5°3 to 10°7 per cent., with an average of 7:90 per cent. of the weight of the original canes. The total weight of the juice expressed from these varieties was 29°88, 40°82, 40:78, and 41-28 per cent. of the original canes, and the average yield was 38:19 per cent. Even this yield is very much below the anticipated yield of 65 to 75 per cent. When the canes were subjected to two crushings—that is, when the first megass was again put through the rollers—the average of the three varieties showed that 49-86 per cent. of the total sugars were in the juice, the balance (50:13 per cent.), remaining in the second megass. The extractions of 65 to 75 per cent. as mentioned in Bulletin No, 6* have not been realised in this series of trials by crushing, but the above figures might be obtained by diffusion, or a combination of diffusion and crushing. With powerful mills, such as are used in sugar factories, it might be possible to increase the extraction to a higher figure than has been obtained with the experimental mill, though experiments made elsewhere indicate that there are serious practical difficulties. In sugar practice it is possible, with modern plant, to get a sugar-cane megass containing as high as 50 per cent of fibre, whereas the average fibre in the sorghum megass was 19°59 per cent., and the less fibre there is the more juice there must be. Yields from Crushing Twice. The second crushing has therefore resulted in an increased vield of 95 per cent. alcohol of 0-9 gallon to 1°9 gallon, with an average of 1°38 gallon of 95 per cent. alcohol per ton of clean canes. At the present market value of alcohol this would be worth 1s. 11d. This would increase the average yield of the total alcohol obtained from a ton of clean canes of the five varieties mentioned in Table IT from 5:35 to 6:73 gallons. If this increase obtains on the whole series, then the 4:85 gallons of 95 per cent. alcohol yielded per ton by clean canes in Table T would be increased to 6°10 gallons as a theoretical yield. Since 100 tons sorghum in the field is equal to 71°87 tons clean cane, 1 ton sorghum in the field would yield 4°38 gallons 95 per cent. alcohol, provided absolutely theoretical results were obtained, and at ls. 1}d. per gallon would be worth 4s. lld. Jf, however, only 90 per cent. of the theoretical yield of alcohol be obtained, only 3-95 gallons 95 per cent. alcohol would be obtained, which at 1s. 14d. per gallon would be worth 4s. 5{d. Apparently, then, the cost of cutting, trashing, and transport of the sorghum exceeds the value of the alcohol that has been produced. -*Bulletin No. 6, Power Alcohol, Advisory Council of Science and Industry, 1918, page 22. [July 2, 1920. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 482 I “ €L-9 68-9L | LF.£29 |1.022 |F.010'T|%.999'8 |98.01 ty he Re ae ' “* |18-19 61-88 |OT-8L |€L-8L |AT-8T | 81-41 ‘” — ite aSvieAy 68-98 | F9-908 | 68 S6F'S |8-298 | F-1F0'F|9.0z0'FS|ISE-EF | : ai a Wi "+ “1pG.LFZ|9L-291|2b 342|06-49 [89.29 | 1.69 = ¢ e [830 026.6 06-081 | 69-290°T 2-242 |¥.028‘T|0.8L0‘S1ISFI- FT |“ es - » A “* (62-89 |8%-LF |98-08 |TL-OT |86-8 | 9.LT a id 3 ae JUT[COOBS 39-1 49-11 | L6.$89 |F-626 |8.926 |0-989'8 |668-6 i i ~2 “2 ee ** 166-69 |82 OF |89-L4 |[L-OL |19.1T | L-31 it eu ” “2 ¥E “ON 6-6 61-09 | BF 16h |T-F6L |#.LLL |6-920°2 \GG8.IT | ** eS ES 2 + "(81-69 |68.0F |60-04 |8T-ST |§2-FL | 2.91 Fi o oa pueiiy §10jue[d &L¢ SPE | GRPGE [L-L8T |L919 |1-619°9 |98F-8 3 J = oa Ee “* J@L-OL |88-66 |62-F9 |O8-8T |L¥- LT | Z-8T 2 si UM DADnyoavs uinybLos CI pure | soiqey, ul sorndy jo WNg) “01M poysnio Sureq wnyss0g Jo 4[Nser oY} se poureyqo ooINL Jo ANVAWAG \ { 88-1 QF-FL | PI-LSIL |8-IP |f-16L |t-so4'L | °° ¢-26 | G-89 | OF-9T | TL.3 |19-3 |ST-IT |18-19 |06-L ys “te a3 4 oh sn Ne esvi2eAy 09-9 06-49 | 99-21 |2-L91 |L-S9L |¢.o28'9 | °° ne ** | 09-99 | 98.OT |80-OL |LZ-FF |#2-24Z]09-18 | ** . a % ve pete | “BIOL 12-1 OT-LT | F0-0F1 {1-88 . |F.2hz |8-T69'T | °° LL | §-8L | 08-81 | 00-6 |16-T [88-41 |22-89 |¥8.9 ze ne my <3 sf 2m Is " aulywooug 6-1 8Z-8T | 22-6FL |1L-8h |s.9to |9.292'2 | °° G.61 | 3-99 | 99-91 | 89-8 |ZI-Z |98-0L |23-69 |21-01 | *° = Py us a ey ee aS #& ‘ON 06-0 8T-Ol | 40-88 |f-88 |8.08t |s.9gz‘T | ° 9-92 | 6.69 | FO-ST | 26-1 |99.4 |1F-OL |ST.6¢ |G0.2 as eA 3 4 bs eel | al puday §4equv[q GF.I 8Z-3E | 2-001 |9.29 |2-9FT |¢-FOO'T | °° 0-98 | ¥-89 | 09-ST | 12-8 [88-8 |IT-6 |Z1-0L |F¥-8 ei 7 gic me a4 “ pungoipyoovs wnyb.og "QUIT? 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[48-6 |LL-OT |66-69 110-08 |89.2 |TL-O1 |19-IT | T-2t | oalgiez ‘@Ilorlts |" “ #§ ‘ON ¥0-F 10-05 | €¥-80F |L.09T |9.969 |1-020°9 |cgg.11 | 6.53 | #14 | $0-ST | S9-T [29-4 |PL-OL |82-99 [12-88 |60-0L IST-SI \G2-FT | 2-91 | oslgist \ellotltz |"° pualiy s1ojuvld 89-8 OZ-18 | 19-FSS |G.FST [2.028 |F-G10°F |uSF-8 | &-98 | L:89 | 6F-ST | OLE [08S [60.6 99-82 |F¥- 16 |6z-F9 [08-81 |IF-LT | BET | Oz/SlOL EL/OLITZ | "wungocvyoovs wnyb.og 26-3 SI-LE | SF-908 {6.16 |8-TOF |8-0LF'9 |9G8.c1 | G-2L | 3-9F | FST | LS |0G-F [12-9 |S9-2L |LF-2S |GL-89 |20.9T |8T-91 | LST | Oz/slor \6T/OL/T2 | * 6¥ ‘ON 19-9 ST-6¥ } 80-T0P |Z-L8G |9.69¢ |¢-9F9'C |199.8 | F-Zh | 0.09 | 9-91 | ZF-o |0%-F |16-6 16-04 ]60-62 |89-22 |6E-ET \S6-8 | GIL | OzlgloL \61/OT/1z |** Bh 1S ‘ON £0. 6L-9 GF.GG |/G.0F 0.0L |6-866‘T [688-6 | 8-19] 6-8 | 19-6 | F1-6 |OL-3 |L9-F [96-62 |F0-0% |TL-09 |09-21 162-92 | ¢-¢ | oalglot |et/orl12 | gi #o “ON 69-¢ 6P-F9 | 12-939 |€.296 {1-064 |0-290'8 |F249.I1 | 6-1 | 8-29 | OFFI | $9-L [ST-8 08-6 |LT-69 [88-08 |2%-89 [22.03 [18-0 | c0-LT | O@/glé \6I/OL/Tz |** Ye LF ON SL-9 TF-89 | 18-899 |0.2FL |9-L96 [6.0969 |Z2T-II | 8-FL | 6-82 | ZB-ST | SLT [02-2 |#8.FT [OL-FL 106-92 [82-24 BE-BS €-F1 | 02/sl¥ \6L/O1/IZ|** = euvp aoqury ATaeq "103 “yes “al “dI al “ql | ‘su0}4 *suo} 2p | all> | DR ° ° ei(tae = a3 Belang Gas |g2/8 | & | #2 leelge| se leseleri2e| F) 2 /fe| 8 |2| ts| o | = Mo + ° ° =} = o| 2 r=] es | SP ~ oa Ps B= =| = BES (828 PES | "P| § ts Eat hae a Fe8 call eta SN: e |s5 | & 4 "6 ae ERS “umySiog jo {yore A Baw P c ie. ; F ‘sauvo uvoTO “wnysa0g Sa ae Bo ge: . qyS1om Aq “U0 Jeg 3 uomsoduroo ye eae * Bx exov tod plorA enn Jo sis{[eue [wormayy ee hres Ta seitoeten é ws (‘Suarysnio o[surg) ‘wnySiog jo soryortva yuoLeyIp Surysnig uo poureyqo sy[nsey]—'] wavy, 483 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. July 2, 1920. ] a 908891-8L ZLOROP: GF * 081298-F PISZOF- 6% 90889T-&2 G6LIOL-EP PLSZOF- 66 SIE982.68 8IL916-8 €96190-96 98&668-62 £8069L-8P €96190-S6 SPPLO-FL ——_— —— 18866-68 89686.9 66069.86 8FFL9.FL 6FE86.9F 66069-82 “TOYUA\ S9UvO) UVITD \ ** ssusoqy puocoeg aoinr puosdg BOING FBI soup uvdID SsvsoW SAL] aon FSA soup uva[D sSV50W Puooag aon puodeg sOIN? 4SAtT ** gouep uvo[D “* gpeSoy 98117 as oom sat q/ s0UvD UITO) ** seedaypy puooag aon puooag aon 4SAL seuvO Uva[D ssesvy ISALT sone 4satq/ ‘syonpotd [LIN > guipeoorg #E ‘ON ** puoi s,10que[d ‘uINYySIOg jo AqoneA OSGZFS- TI | F9L68G-ST | FSESE6-T | O9FESS-T | OBSOST-CT | LT-EL ¥2-11 69.91 ¥6-1 69-1 SL-éL 00-00T OSZFG- IL | SSFPLO-8 G90L20-L | 249699. FL8ESE. 9 1B-6L PT-61 gL.8T QL-T §L-T 18.01 61-89 By 026116. 00890T- 86TSOL. 626992. OL-18 ap 08-81 00.2 16-1 €8-FL FE-S “a 98hLE9.9 ZOFLO8- OFLESL- $82186-P 18-18 ae 61-81 £3-3 OL-Z 98-81 ¥6-98 OS9ZFS- IT | POTESS.ST | PZESEG-1 | OOFESS.L | O8SOST-GT | LT-EL ¥2.11 69.91 ¥6.T 69-1 €L-@L 00-00T OSSZh2-iL | SL9TSO.6 Z988ET-L | 062892. 9606FT- 2 38-89 99.LT SL-FL LL-1 02-1 9L-IL 90-99 se: 98FLE9.9 ZOFIOS- OFLESL. F8S186-F [8.18 4 61-81 £2.6 OL 98-81 ¥6.98 SLIGSL-GL | OSPSTF-I | LITII0-% | FETZEE-L | G8TSLF-6 €8.8L $1.81 GP- EL 10-6 €6-T 8F-6 00.001 SLTZ9L.31 109189.9 86FS9L. EZSZPS. O8FELO.9 61-29 £9.12 82.11 62.1 GF-T 19.8 23-65 oa G8aF6L- 1 988966. PZESZS- 629691-T PE. 8 oP 99-9T 89-§ GL-é 98-0T LL-OL Ms LPOGFG-P 826F8. 182198: LLOGES-E £9.88 * LP. 91 £8 3 182 LL-01 10-08 SLIZGL-3L | OSPSTF-EL | LIILLO-Z | PETGEG-L | S8TSLF.6 68-82 GL-OL GF-EL 10.2 - £6-1 8-6 00-001 SLIZGL-ZL | 68L9LF-8 PESTOT-L | LP8OLO-T | 801EFG-9 19.69 62-81 IL-1 99.T €9.T €6-8 66-69 te LEYEPO F €826F8.- 182198. LL0G83-& $¢.88 _ 18-91 £8:-3 18-6 LL-0T 10.08 T8616-6T TLO1L-€1 10Z#8.6 68906: L FF90-6 89. FL 12-61 IL-€1 $8.2 TZ-1 90.6 00-00T 8612-31 8&816-9 LOZSL-3 SILII- 980L-F 89.19 99-02 81-11 $9.8 02-0 $6-L 81-69 - 68090. T 688ET- E9181. 68EL. 96-8 a 40-91 16.1 99.2 TP-0T G0. 2 a 10620-9 gF0gs. 99T06- 6929.8 96-48 = ¥0-9T £9-1 19.2 PL-0T LL-€& 182 16-21 TLZL1L-81 10ZF8-2 GE902- T FF90-6 89. FL 14-81 IL-1 $8.6 1Z-T 90.6 00-00L 18616-61 OLE£0-8 99162-6 99P0E.- GLEF.S £F-69 FF-81 €1-6L OF-€ 9-0 16-8 £2.99 > 10610.¢ cyogs. 99706. 6929.8 96,48 S ¥0.ST $9.1 19.6 FL.01 LL-&& Oe ee ee ee eo *BPL[OS "190998 | . : ‘sprog | ‘seqjey |. , *soueo UBO[9 AGIA alqnjog o1ue310) ete oe 109eA4 | “OAQIA | 9TQnTOg | o1ues109 photic) seach jo eyo, | ayo ' eoL | soyyq | WA qu stem Aq = asvyuaoied (spunod) sureyu00 aueD uve[D spuNnog OOT ‘sisAjeuy Aq uolysodu0D osRqUddI10g rapes; EEE ‘(sseSoyy puv oomp)— ‘ury[If_ Jo sjonporg pur souey [eUIsIGQ UdeM4oq MOTOoUNOD ZuImoyg— TIT ATaV], 484 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. Taste I1]a.—Showing distribution of total Sugars in clean canes between — Juice and Megass. Planter’s Friend— . nching ) LSt juice contains 44°09 per cent. of the total sugars in canes. Single crushing Ist megass contains 55°91 5 - lst juice contains 44:09 5 b -f Twice crushing 2nd juice contains 8°97 a G 2nd megass contains 46°94 3 9? No. 34— Sinel hi lst juice contains 35°88 4 3 nA Peele Cree) det megass contains 64°12 sf Py oe lst juice contains 35°88 3 as is Twice crhing 3 juice contains 12°26 a! Bs = 2nd megass contains 51°86 p> 3 $5 Saccaline— ’ : Singl hi lst juice contains 42°01 fs $5 53 ingle crushing } lst megass contains 57°99 Ws BS Sy lst juice eontains 42°01 3 3 > Twice crashing { juice contains 6°38 5 A = 2nd megass contains 51°61 aS a 3 Conclusions. The market value of the alcohol obtained as an average of all the varieties tried, crushing the canes once, would not pay for the cost of cutting and transporting the sorghum to the factory, if the manufacture was carried out on a large scale. In the case of the best variety tried (using a single crushing) the value of the alcohol obtained would leave a margin of about Is. 2d. per ton of sorghum as grown, if theoretical yields of alcohol were obtained, or about 6d. per ton. if the usual 90 per cent. of theoretical yield of alcohol were obtained. Even if a second crushing were resorted to, the case of sorghum as a source of industrial alcohol is not materially improved, and the value of the alcohol obtained would still be less than the actual cost of cutting and transporting the sorghum. In the case of the best variety in the series, crushed twice, the market value of the alcohol obtained would leave a margin of about 2s. 23d. per ton sorghum in the field if the theoretical yield of alcohol were obtained, or about 1s. 53d. per ton if only 90 per cent. of the theoretical yield of alcohol were obtained. It does not appear to be possible to manufacture alcohol from sorghum at a cost which would enable it to compete with the present industrial alcohol as manufactured from molasses. With powerful mills, such as are used in modern sugar factories, it might be possible to increase the extraction to a higher figure, though from experiments made elsewhere there appear to be serious practical difficulties. PLANTING oUT ELEPHANT GRASS. Sections of Elephant grass for planting out should be cut in the spring, as soon as the new growth shoots from the mature stems. Three joints of a mature stem should be taken, the severance being made near the lower joint, and two joints should be covered in the soil. Planting almost horizontally is perhaps more successful than upright.—E. BreaKweE.L, Agrostologist. ae July 2, 1920.] _ Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 485 Dairy Produce Factory Premises and Manufacturing Processes. Toe APPLICATION OF SCIENTIFIC METHODS TO THEIR EXAMINATION. (Continued from page 337.] L. T. MacINNES, Dairy Expert, and H. H. RANDELL, Assistant to the Biologist. ; Example No. 3. Tue best butter of this factory, after being kept for any length of time in cold storage, showed evident signs of deterioration, although up to a week or two after being manufactured it was of choicest quality. Our investigation showed that the cream as churned was of choicest grade and had been well pasteurised. The infection that was in the cream before being heated, although large, had not had time to develop sufficiently to affect the flavour. This latent contamination was practically wiped out by the system of pasteurisation employed, as was shown by the reduction of the number of colonies in 1 ¢c.c. of cream from 150,997,000 before pasteurising to only 500 after the heating process had been completed. After being held for nineteen hours these increased to 13,400, a striking contrast to what was experienced where a similar comparison was made in the investigations described in Examples Nos. 1 and2. The increases in the present case were mainly due to normal increase and the multiplication of the spoie-formers undestroyed in pasteurising. The small increase in the number of colonies after nineteen hours’ retention of the cream in the closed-in batch-holder demonstrates the advantages of this system of pasteurisation, as far as reinfection from atmosphere and other outside influences is concerned. The eream after being heated is not exposed again, except when in the fluming while gravitating into the churn. This is an important consideration, especially where factories are situated near dusty thoroughfares. The air exposures made in the churn room show that there was little infection present in the atmosphere. This was to be expected, as the factory in quedtion is situated on the highlands of the Dividing Range. Air Exposures. Each dish was carefully exposed for two and a half or three minutes, being carried about the room so that the plate was exposed in every part. The cold room, as is usually the case, showed the presence of moulds in some numbers ; spraying or fumigating with formalin would be of benefit. Factory managers cannot keep too strict a watch on these rooms—mould is so easily carried into them by the butter boxes, the timber of which is often infected before it arrives at the factory. 486 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. It would be expected that butter made under such conditions would show a smali count on being plated. The contrary, however, was experienced. An enormous increase took place (principally organisms of the coli and proteus groups), demonstrating that contamination had been effected some- where—more than probably through decaying flesh and manure. An examination of the water showed that it was the means by which this infection was carried into the butter. The puzzling part was how to account for the types of bacteria encountered being found in a well 30 feet deep, into wkich the inflow of water was from the bottom, It was ascertained that drainage conditions were satisfactory, and there was no undesirable soakage of any kind. The tanks containing the water used for butter-washing purposes were too well closed in for infection to enter through them. It was ascertained on inquiry that, beside being used for washing butter, the well was drawn upon for the condenser of the refrigerator, and as this water was considerably raised in temperature in the operation, it was pumped up into a tower, some 20 or 30 feet high, and sprayed to the ground level, where it was caught in a shallow concrete tray and from there gravitated back into the well again. It was further brought to light that the overhead tanks used for holding water for the condensers were exposed to the air, and the bodies of drowned birds were at times found in them. Some distance from the factory, too, there was a pig-run. This was kept exceptionally clean, as pig-runs go, no offensive smells being apparent, but where there are animals there is bound to be excreta, and the opinion is held that it was from this source that the coli type of infection came, the germs adhering to the dust and small particles of dried manure, and being carried by the wind into the tower from which the water was sprayed ; entrance could easily be gained through the louvres which formed its sides. Moreover, if any pieces of flesh fed to the pigs were not all devoured, any germs produced could be carried into the water in the same way. The process of contaminating this water had been going on in this manner for years, until the well had become thoroughly infected. The manager of the factory was instructed to get a better water supply for use in manufacturing butter, and was strongly recommended to sink another well some distance from the old one and to use the new supply solely for washing butter. The old well could then be set apart for the condensers, boiler, &c, This course was recommended in preference to trying to clean out the well by pumping, it being considered that the walls of the shaft would also be contaminated, It might be noted that the engine and boiler rooms of this factory formed a barrier between the pig-run and the butter and cream compartments ; also, on the days our examination was made the weather was calm, which accounts, in part, for the fact that the atmosphere exposures made in the churn room were so clean. This example serves to emphasise how easily such a perishable product as butter can be contaminated, and how infection can be obtained through most unlooked-for agencies. Who would have suspected that water drawn from a deep underground spring would be steeped in germs that are to be found on July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 487 the surface? Here again, the care and expense entailed in properly pasteurising cream were incurred only to be partially nullified by reinfecting the butter with the water used for washing it. Water used for such purposes cannot be too closely examined. During the past few months the Dairy Branch has warned several factories on this matter, as a result of bacterio- logical examinations carried out by the Department. The last instance is one where the water for washing the butter is drawn from a well into which water soaks from anoldswamp. The company has put down shafts in different directions witb the same result, and as good water is seemingly unobtainable in the vicinity of the present site, the removal of the factory to where it can be got is now under consideration. A pure water supply is an absolute essential for dairy produce factories. Those factories that have one should carefully guard it from contamination. In many cases inferior water can be greatly improved by a proper system of filtering, and even where the supply is fairly good it would be all the better for being filtered—the pipes through which it is pumped in the course of time always become, to a certain extent, dirty and this sedimentary matter should be removed. Taste ITI.—Showing Numbers and Kinds of Micro-organisms found in 1 Gram. (1.c.c.) of the following samples. Total | , Gelatin | Acid and | Acid and| Alkaline Samples. Micro- |.) | Casein |Acid Coagu-| Gas and Yeasts. | Oidium. | Moulds. organisms. Di gesters lating. Formers. } Inert. (C1) Cream before pas-) 150,997,000 498,000 | 150,200,000 248,000 45,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 teurising. (C2) Cream immediately 500 10 490 after pasteurising. (C8) Cream immediately 13,400 7,500 5,700 sate 200 prior to churning. : (C4) Butter in box after 750,000 90,000 614,000 4,000 35,000 5,000 fete 2,000 packing. (C5) Butter-wash water 11,630 4,160 1,500 3,500 1,500 760 10 Sample C1— Cream before Pastewrising.—The cream, as received in cans from the various suppliers of the factory, after being weighed and sampled for testing, was graded, and the best quality pumped into a 600-gallon pasteurising holder of the batch type. The acidity of the bulk cream, after this had been well mixed by the rotating coils of the pasteuriser, was determined at 0°48 per cent. lactic acid. A neutralising agent (lime) was added in order to reduce this acidity to the requisite percentage before pasteurisation was carried out. The sample for plating was collected from the bulk cream by means of a sterile pipette in the holding vat, after blending was completed and before the lime had been added. From the plates it was evident 1 c.c. of the cream contained 150,997,000 micro- organisms ; of these, 150,000,000 were Bact. lactis acidi, or desirable lactic fermenters, and 200,000 were streptococci. Of the total count, 498,000 bacteria (including organisms such as Proteus vulgaris, B. subtilis, Bact. fluorescens liquefaciens, Bact. fulvwm, and a micrococcus) were able to liquefy gelatin or digest casein of milk; 248,000 were organisms of the coliform group, or undesirable lactose fermenters, while of the 45,000 488 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. bacteria which cause alkalinity in litmus milk, Bact. alcaligenes was most numerous. , Others, both spherical and rod forms, were considered inert , causing no apparent change in litmus milk or gelatin in ten days. Sample C2—Cream immediately after Pasteurising.—The cream had been neutralised to 0°25 per cent. acidity with lime and pasteurised by means of the holding system, where the cream was raised to 145 deg. Fah., and held at that temperature for twenty minutes. The sample for plating was collected by means of a sterile pipette direct from the vat before the cooling process began. From the plates, 1 ¢.c. of the cream contained:500 bacteria ; of these 490 were gram positive bacteria, which slowly coagulated litmus milk with production of acid, and ten of a sporing bacillus of the B. swbtilis type. Sample C3—Cream immediately prior to Churning.—The pasteurised cream was cooled to 55 deg, Fah., and allowed to remain in the pasteurising vat twenty hours (overnight). The lid of the vat was kept closed, and no “starter” was added. ‘The sample for plating was collected by means of a sterile pipette direct from the bulk in the vat. From the plates, 1 c.c. of cream contained 13,400 bacteria. Of these, 1,900 were Bact. lactis acid, or desirable lactose fermenters, 3,800 were streptococci, and 7,500 (including spore-forming organisms of the B. subtilis type, Sarcinw and Cladothria sp.) were abie to liquefy gelatin. One hundred and fifty were bacteria able to produce alkalinity in milk, and fifty were chromogenic micrococci, classified as inert, having caused no apparent change in litmus milk or gelatin in ten days. Sample C4—Butter in the Box after Packing.—The cream from the pas- teurising and holding vat was gravitated along a fluming into the churn in another room in the factory. The.cream was churned in the Simplex churn. The sample for plating was collected by means of a sterile instrument from the near surface butter as packed in the box ready for market. From the plates 1 gram of butter contained 750,000 micro-organisms. Of these, 90,000 (including varieties of the proteus group, Bact. fluorescens, spore-forming organisms, Sarcine and Bact. prodigiosus) were gelatin liquefiers, or were able to digest the casein of milk, and 614,000 were bacteria which, when inoculated into litmus milk, produced acid or caused an acid coagulum. Of these lactose fermenters, 500,000 were Bact. lactis acidi; 60,000 were streptococci, while the remainder of this type were varieties of micrococci, some being chromogenic. Of the 4,000 organisms of the coliform group, two members were isolated, viz., Bact. coli communis and Bact. lactis aerogenes. Of the remainder, 25,000 were bacteria able to cause milk to become alkaline ; 10,000 were considered as inert, having made no apparent change in gelatin or litmus milk after ten days; 5,000 were yeasts, and the 2,000 moulds were species of Penicillium, Fusariwm, and Cladosporium. Sample C5—Butter-wash Water.—The source of this supply was a well about 30 feet deep. This same water was also used to flow over the condenser tower and was then allowed to flow back into the well, Samples for plating were collected into sterile vessels from the tap in the churn room and also direct from the well. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., July 2, 1920. C1 Agar Plate Culture of Cream before pasteurising (dilution 1 to 1,000). Note the amount of latent infection in this cream as delivered at the factory ; largely coliform types. (Original. ) C2 Agar Plate Culture of Cream after pasteurising by holding system, at 145 deg. Fah. (dilution 1 to 10). Note the great reduction in the count, from 150,997,000 micro-organisms to only 500 per c.c. The latent infection has been killed out before the development could affect the flavour of the cream or putter. (Original. ) Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., July 2, 1920. C3 Agar Plate Cuiture of Cream before churning, 19 hours after pasteurising, having been held at 55 deg. Fah. (dilution 1 to 100). Note that there has been no reinfection from outside influences, such as the air, &c., but the count has increased to 13,400 per c.c. by multiplication of bacteria- lactics and spore-formers—which survived pasteurisation. (Original. ) Litmus Lactose Plate Culture from surface of butter packed ready for market (dilution 1 to 1,009). Note the enormous reinfection by coli and proteus organisms. Total count, 750,000 per c.c. (Original.) Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., July 2, 1920. Litmus Lactose Agar Plate, 1 c.c. of well water used for washing butter. Note the large number of colonies, coli, proteus, and moulds, corresponding with infection found in butter. Total count 11,630 per c.c. ~ + yg (Original.) Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., July 2, 1920. Agar Plate of air exposure for 24 minutes in the cold room at chilling temperature. Note the slight infection by moulds, &c. (Original.) Agar Plate of air exposure for 2} minutes in the churn room, Note the purity of the air, the locality being an elevated one. (Original.) July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 489 The total micro-organisms in | ¢.c. was 11,650. Of these 4,160 were able to liquefy gelatin. They included varieties of the proteus group, Buct. fuloum and Sarcinae, Bact. fluorescens, Bact. prodigiosus, and several varieties of spore forming organisms. (Anaerobic spore forms were detected in dilutions of 1 to 100.) Of bacteria able to cause an acid coagulum when inoculated into milk, 1,500 were detected. These included a streptococcus and chromogenic micrococci. Undesirable lactose fermenters numbered 3,500. Of the remaining bacteria, 500 were classified as inert, while 1,000 were * able to render litmus milk alkaline, and 760 were varieties of yeast. Oidium lactis was also isolated. The 200 mould growths were species of Cladosporium and Aspergillus. Grow Your Own VEGETABLES. Have you a patch of land that is capable of being cultivated? If you have, it should not be idle. Patriotism and the soundest domestic economy demand that you should raise vegetables on it. The “thrift plot” is a necessity of the day—a telling weapon with which to combat the high cost of eating. Every kind of food material is dear, and many kinds are scarce and not likely to be in good supply for some time. Increased production is the only solution of the problem of high prices. Vegetable-growing will reduce the outlay on food, and can be made to do so almost at once. Nine-tenths of the households of this, State have a plot of ground large enough to raise a substantial quantity of fresh vegetables—almost sufficient for the family requirements if well managed. A pamphlet by Mr A. J. Pinn, Inspector of Agriculture, entitled “Grow Your Own Vegetables,” tells how a start may be made at once Without waiting for the spring. Copies are obtainable free on application to the Under Secretary and Director, Department of Agriculture, Sydney. Goop RETURNS FROM ‘TABLE GRAPES. Tue statement that gross returns of up to £400 per acre had been obtained from grapes in the Griffith district, Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, drew from another Griffith settler a request for verification, with the remark that “the figures are most encouraging, and look as if we settlers could look forward to comfortable incomes from our blocks when in full bearing.” In giving the name of the fortunate grower, Mr. H. E. Laffer remarked that another grower in the same district claimed even greater returns. Admittedly table grapes are excellent property just now, for those who have them in bearing, but it is to be feared that any great extension of areas due to the high prices, will, in the course of a few years, result ina slump. Under the circumstances Mr. Laffer would not aavise additional plantings of table grapes, B 490 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. Faults found in Butter. THEIR DEFINITIONS, CAUSES, AND SOME SUGGESTED 2 REMEDIES FOR SAME. * A. M. BROWN, Dairy Instructor and Grader. Ir is my desire in this paper to endeavour to give some explanation in detail of the remarks of the grader in connection with the flavour of butter which appear in condensed form on the grade slips and check grading forms which are sent out to the factories by the Dairy Branch, and which are intended to convey to managers and butter-makers information as to the faults or general quality of the butter produced at their factories. I desire also to suggest remedies for some of the faults found. “ Tallowy.” A remark very often recorded is “tallowy.” This means that the butter has assumed to a greater or less degree the flavour of tallow or lard, and is losing, or has entirely lost, its characteristic butter flavour. This fault is caused by a chemical change, or the action of certain bacteria on the fat, either in the cream before its manufacture into butter-or in the butter after manufacture. Butter that has been “heated” in any way, or subjected to any extra amount of friction in the process of manufacture, either through being over- churned, over-worked; or rammed too much in the process of packing, will tend to be tallowy in flavour. Cream that is stale and that contains a high percentage of fat, if held at a comparatively high temperature under unclean conditions, will become tallowy and produce tallowy butter, probably through its being infected with certain organisms whose action on the fat has the effect of splitting it up and liberating some of the volatile oils which give butter its characteristic flavour. Cream that has been carted long distances and exposed to the direct rays of the sun, or that has been held in rusty cans, will often assume a tallow} flavour and produce tallowy butter. Tallowy cream should always be graded second grade or lower, according to the degree to which this objectionable flavour has developed, and should on no account be mixed with untainted cream, for, as the fat itself is being practically decomposed, the admittedly beneficial effect of the process of pasteurisation on certain other inferior creams cannot be expected to apply to cream the main solid constituent of which is undergoing such a complete chemical change. * Paper read at Co-operative Dairy Factory Managers’ Conference, Sydney, 24th June, 1920. a July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 491 i “ Unclean.” The remark “ unclean” may be understood to mean that the butter con- cerned has a dirty taste, and not the clean flavour associated with good butter. This common fault is caused in quite a number of ways, probably the most common of which is by the milk or cream from which the butter is made coming in contact with and being contaminated by something foul or unclean, such as a dirty separator, dirty cans, dirty utensils, &e. The dirty hands of the milker are a common source of contamination, as is also the body of the cow herself, by particles of filth falling into the milk during the process of milking and there setting up an undesirable fermenta- tion. The mixing of the milk from newly-calved cows, “strippers,” or from cows sufiering from disease or any undue excitement with that of the remainder of the herd also causes contamination owing to the large percent- age of albumen. usually present in such milk quickly decomposing. This decomposition is a frequent cause of unclean flavour in butter. The absorption by milk or cream of a foul odour from some dirty or insani- tary place may be the direct cause of this trouble, and the butter made from it be described as unclean in flavour. Cream badly affected in this way should be graded second grade or lower. Care on the farm and strict attention to the smallest detail in the general cleaning at the factory, if practised conjointly with the help of the pasteur- iser, should do away with unclean flavours in butter. I mention the word coajointly advisedly, because I am convinced that, although the pasteuriser may be regarded in some quarters as a ‘“‘cure all” for faults found in butter and cream, it is not so, for it cannot improve a thoroughly unclean cream to such an extent as produce an untainted or clean flavoured butter The combined help of the farmer on the one hand and of the factory manager on the other is therefore required, so that the machine may have as clean a cream as possible to treat and be given every chance to do its work well, When these important factors are thoroughly combined, the word “unclean” in connection with the flavour of butter will be a thing of the past. Absorbed Flavours and Aromas.—There are certain flavours and aromas that milk, cream, and butter absorb, such as that of paint, disinfectants, oil engine fumes, apples, &c., which, although not what might be classed as actually unclean in the same sense as those caused by the other contaminations mentioned, still give to butter a flavour and aroma that is foreign to the good article, and which therefore may be included under the main heading “unclean.” When flavours such as these are noted by the grader, it is the custom to specify on the grade slip or check grading form what par- ticular foreign flavour they resemble. Neutralisation and pasteurisation do _ not wholly eradicate these flavours from cream. Unciean Afterlavour.—This means that the butter has an unclean flavour which is not at once detected on first being tasted, but is only noticed after the fat has melted considerably on the palate. This fault is really a partially developed form of the unclean flavour already mentioned, and usually becomes more, pronounced as the butter becomes older. The remarks with regard to the cause and remedy for unclean flavours apply to this fault also. 492 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ July 2,-1920. ea iany.”? The term “fishy ” means that the butter has a disagreeable flavour like fish oil. True fishiness is rarely found in comparatively fresh butter, but a peculiar “oily” flavour, which has been proved to be the first indication of fishiness, is more often noted, though not nearly as frequently as was the case some few years back. Fishiness is said to be associated with butter made from old acid cream, and this statement has been borne out by the result of investigations carried on by the New South Wales and New Zealand Departments of Agricuiture. The mould Otdiwm lactis is also said to play an important part in the production of this flavour in Australian butter, but what particular germ or combination of germs is actually the cause of the trouble is, I am afraid, a conjecture, for some differences of opinion appear to exist amongst experts in this connection. However, whatever may be the direct cause of fishiness, there seems to be little doubt that in the process of neutralisation and pasteurisation of cream properly carried out a means has been discovered whereby this trouble can be eradicated. The Department’s experience of the 1916 winter storage butter helps to prove this, for at that time two consignments of butter were sent to Sydney by a large factory to be stored for winter use, one lot being pasteurised and the other not. These consignments were put into cold store in March and examined between four and five months afterwards. It was then found that the unpasteurised butter had become “ fishy ” and the pasteurised consignment showed no sign of this flavour, In tkis connection, it is also a significant fact that, out of the winter pool butter of I918 examined by me on its release from cold store, only a comparatively few lots came out ‘‘ fishy,” and these latter consisted almost entirely of butter from factories which did not carry on the process of neutralisation and pasteurisation. Pasteuwrised butter with indications of fishiness.—There were also certain lots of the butter in the 1918 pool which came from factories where pasteurisation was carried on, but which on examination showed signs of fishy development ; but this fact, to my mind, in no way prejudices the claim that pasteurisation is an efficient preventive for fishiness in butter, for I contend that this state of things may have been brought about by the adop- tion of incorrect methods in pasteurisation—such as, in the case of the flash system, not heating as nearly as possible the whole bulk of the cream to a sufficiently high temperature, and, in the batch system, not holding the cream long enough at the temperature to which it had been heated to destroy the particular organisms which cause this flavour. In the case of the latter system an example may be quoted of how a little oversight may also cause contamination, and possibly result in the production of this flavour. It had been noticed that the quality of the butter made from the first churn out of a particular lot of cream which had been pasteurised by the holding system was inferior to that made from the remaining cream in the —_——s er, July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 493 same vat. When subsequently investigating the cause of this, it was found when a bacteriological plate was made from a sample taken from the first few gallons of cream as it left the machine, that the species of undesirable bacteria found in the cream before pasteurisation had started were present in undiminished numbers. Further bacteriological plates made from samples of the remainder of this lot of cream after pasteurisation showed freedom from these bacteria ; and on further investigation being made, it was found that the cream (about 1 gallon) which had lodged in the outlet pipe of the machine had not been sufficiently pasteurised through not having come in contact with the heating coil of piping, while the cream in the body of the vat had been heated and kept at the required temperature for the stipulated period. The greatest care should be taken to ensure that the cream which has lodged in the outlet pipe of the machine is removed and mixed with the heated cream in the vat, when the temperature of the bulk is well over 140 degrees. Again, the cream may have been properly pasteurised, but been contam- inated after leaving the pasteuriser. ‘To obviate this trouble, care should be taken when using the flash system to heat as nearly as possible the whole bulk of cream to the required temperature of 180 degrees to 185 degrees. To enable this to be done the Department recommends the use of a movable pipe attachment to the outlet pipe of the machine, so that any cream which the thermometer shows has not been heated to the required temperature when the pasteuriser is first started can be run direct into some receptacle and afterwards returned to the main bulk of cream to be treated. With the batch system, care should be taken that the cream, when it has been heated to 145 degrees to 150 degrees, is held at that temperature for twenty minutes to half an hour before cooling is commenced. If this 1s not done the main object of using low temperatures in the heating to destroy the bacteria is defeated, for comparatively few undesirable organisms are killed at these low temperatures unless held there for some time. Again,as before stated, even when the methods of pagteurisation have been correctly carried out, the cream may have been contaminated after being heated, by dirty pipes, coolers, vats, churns, &c., and the fishy flavour in the butter preduced in this manner, Admitting that pasteurisation and neutralisation of cream is an undoubted remedy for fishiness in butter, it cannot be contended that the fact relieves the farmer of his responsibility to supply a clean untainted cream to the factory ; nor should it make the factory manager any the less careful in keeping clean everything that the cream touches, for, although fishiness in butter may be eradicated by carefu 1 pasteurisation, there are other infections in cream caused by contact with dirt which are just as injurious to the butter made from such cream, and which are not eliminated by this process. Therefore it behoves everyone connected with the factory, be he supplier or employee, to make cleanliness the first principle underlying all he does, either in connection with the production of cream on the farm or in the process of its manufacture into butter at the factory. 494 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. ‘«‘ Rancid.” The term “rancid” is one which it is not very often found necessary to use, except in connection with some low second or third grade butters or with very stale old butter, although it is sometimes noticed in a mild form in fresh butter. It produces a very strong and unpleasant aroma by which the trouble can be at once identified. Strange to say, I have come across this fault on a few occasions in a number of fresh butters, the brands concerned being rather well-known ones. In one instance which I have in mind, the centre of a box of butter tasted _ very cooked, the flavour being very similar to that of condensed milk, but the extreme outside surface smelt and tasted extremely rancid. Whether or not the over-heating of the fat in the process of pasteurisation had rendered it more susceptible to the ‘‘ access of air, warmth, and the presence of various micro-organisms,” which Percival, the English bacteriologist, quotes as three of the seven “ conditions which govern and accelerate rancidity,” cannot be determined with certainty, but the distinct rancid flavour only being apparent on the extreme outside surface, and not in the interior of the box of butter, leads one to believe that such was the case in this instance. It certainly helps to prove that rancidity, when developed after the butter is made, works from the outside surface inwards. As I have also come across cream which I have known to be fresh and apparently containing very little acid and yet tasting distinctly rancid, and have traced the cause without a shadow of a doubt to a deep-seated, filthy contamination, I am convinced that bacterial contamination through filth is one of the main causes of this fault, for cream such as this would certainly make rancid butter, Both Percival and Conn agree that Fluorescens liquefaciens and certain species of bacteria which cause butyric acid fermentation play a part in the production of this flavour in butter. The former organism being associated with bad water, and having a putrefactive action on certain constituents of butter and cream, it behoves both the farmer and the factory manager to see that the water supply at the farm and the factory is an unpolluted one, especially as this germ is often found to be present in other inferior butter beside the one mentioned. (Zo be continued.) CoLOURING IN BLACK ORPINGTONS. ANSWERING recent inquiries with regard to colour faults in Black Orpingtons, the Poultry Expert stated that it is a feature of almost all strains to show some purple colour, This does not mean impurity, but is a fault from a standard point of view ; beetle green is the right colour. Red in the hackle is So serious a fault as to cause a bird to be rejected as a breeder, while pink legs and feet, instead of black ones with white toe-nails, is also serious, being possibly due to foreign blood. The standard requirement for eye colour is dark brown iris. — a ; = y q July 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 495 Soil Improvement for Maize. I.—MANURES AND FERTILISERS. [Continued from page 324. ] H. WENHOLZ, B.Sc. (Agr.), Inspector of Agriculture, Experience with Fertilisers for Maize in New South- Wales. EXPERIMENTS with fertilisers for maize (both for grain and fodder) have been carried out in nearly all the maize districts of the State for many years, and as these tests have been made on farmers’ experiment plots under typical farming conditions, their value will be readily admitted. It is realised that in testing fertilisers somewhat different results may be obtained according to the season, and this fact, in addition to the impracticability of eliminating experimental error on these plots, leads us to recommend that farmers should be advised by the average of collective results over several seasons as presented here rather than by individual results obtained even on their own farms. Owing to the absence of potash fertilisers during the last few years and the different form (and increased price) of this fertiliser now on the market, further tests will have to be carried out before any recommendations can be made regarding potash for maize. While the Department is in a position ‘to recommend strongly different fertilisers or mixtures (according to the district) as being highly profitable for maize on the results to date, further success is hoped for, and it is essential that these tests should be con- tinued. The most important conclusion which can be presented is that there is a significant difference in the kind and amount of fertiliser which has given best results in the different districts of the State. It is likely, too, when further data has been collected, that some similar conclusion will be » reached in regard to the different soils in each district, but this is not possible ‘just now owing to the absence of a definite classification of the soils on which the experiments have been conducted and owing also to the number of tests on each class of soil necessary to a reliable average result being still incomplete. There is, however, sufficient evidence to conclude that even in the same district the fertiliser which gives the best results for grain may not always be the most profitable for fodder. The results will therefore be given separately for grain and for fodder, and the division of the State into districts for the fertilisers recommended will not be more than a rough classification, dependent mostly on length of growing season. Fertilisers for Grain. Coastal Districts. Reference has already been made to the results obtained from the use of soluble nitrogenous fertilisers like nitrate of soda and sulphate of ammonia. It has been fairly conclusively proved that on the coast it is not only unpro- fitable but harmful to apply any of these fertilisers to a maize crop for grain. 496 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. The addition of either of these fertilisers has resulted in an average diminished yield of two or three bushels per acre. Even were an inereased yield obtained from their use it is doubtful whether it would be profitable owing to the high cost of the element nitrogen in fertilisers, and owing to the comparatively cheap and easy method of supplying the soil with nitrogen from the air by leguminous crops as explained in previous articles. Some idea of the amount of fertiliser to apply will be given by the following results of tests carried out with different quantities of superphosphate on the coast :— 2cewt. Superphosphate 3 cwt. Superphosphate a per acre. per acre. bus. Ib. bus. lb. Average of four tests ... 66 51 64 13 There seems to be no advantage, therefore, in a dressing of more than 2 ewt. of superphosphate per acre for maize on the coast. From the figures previously given it will be seen that 2 cwt. of superphosphate per acre will supply about as much phosphorus as is required for a 50-bushel crop, and it is reasonable to suppose that for heavier crops the balance of this element can be easily supplied by the fertility existing in the alluvial soils on which these tests are mostly conducted. The following results, however, definitely show the superiority of 2 cwt. superphosphate per acre over | cwt. per acre :— lewt. Superphosphate 2 cwt. Superphosphate per acre. per acre. bus. Ib. bus. Ib. Average of forty-two tests -55 55 59 36 ‘This means an increase of nearly four bushels of maize (at an additional ecst of 5s. 6d. per acre) for the extra cwt. of superphosphate—a profitable transaction. There is some indication, however, that on soils where heavy yields of maize cannot be expected, it does not pay to use heavy dressings of artificial fertilisers. The following results, obtained on the coast from plots where the yield was less than 40 bushels per acre, are in favour of the appli- cation of 1 ewt. superphosphate per acre on these soils :— lewt. Superphosphate 2 cwt. Superphosphate per acre. per acre. Average of five tests, on bus. Ib. bus. Ib. soils yielding less than 40 bushels per acre... Be it 35 31 Further results confirmatory of this theory will be awaited with interest, as the number of tests so far made is insufficient to definitely establish it. There appears, however, to be some ground for this opinion, for still smailer quantities of fertiliser give the most profitable results on the tablelands, — - where the average yields are about 25 bushels per acre. In any case the gross returns from maize are not sufficiently great to justify expensive quantities of fertiliser such as are profitable with potatoes and market- garden crops. Of all the fertiliser mixtures tried on the coast in the Department’s experi- ments, none has given such large and profitable increases in the maize crop for grain as 2 ewt. per acre of the mixture known departmentally July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 497 as P7; this consists of equal parts of superphosphate and _bonedust. It had given good results in maize in South Africa, and was suggested by Professor Watt (Chair of Agriculture, University of Sydney), to the writer who, in turn, suggested its trial to the Department. In comparison with superphosphate, its superiority was at once seen, and that it has been main- tained will be seen from the following averages, extending over several years :— 2 cwt. P7 2 cwt. Superphosphate per acre. per acre. bus. Ib. bus. Ib. Average of thirty-two tests Dome Lo 56 46 This superiority of P7 over superphosphate shows up more on the South Coast and on the North Coast tablelands (Dorrigo and Comboyne), where an average increase of 33 bushels per acre is recorded in favour of P7. Reference has previously been made to potash as a fertiliser for maize. Although some increases are recorded from sulphate of potash, it was stated that owing to the high prices for potash fertilisers, and to the fact that farmers can render themselves independent of the need for supplying potash by maintaining the supply of organic matter, no application of potash fertilisers was advisable for the maize crop for grain, except in those instances where experiments have shown their need and the profitableness of their application under these conditions. That we have in P7 an efficient and profitable fertiliser for maize for grain on the coast without rushing after potash fertiliser at the present time will be seen from the following com- parison with P5 mixture—the only mixture containing potash which has been tried on maize in New South Wales. These mixtures are about equivalent in price at the present time (1920) :— 2 ewt. P7 14 cwt. PS per acre. per acre. bus. lb. bus. Ib. Average of twelve tests men, 00") El 62 29 Finally, the profitableness of the Department’s recommendation for maize on the coast will be seen from the following :— 2 ewt. P7 No manure. per acre. bus. lb, bus. lb. Average of thirty-seven tests 52 28 61 16 At a cost of 15s. per acre, P7 mixture has given an increase of nearly 9 bushels per acre (with an average value of 36s.) ; thus showing a profit of 21s, per acre. On the North Coast tablelands (Dorrigo and Comboyne) the average increase per acre has been 131 bushels. No maize grower on the coast can afford to ignore this method of increasing the profits from his maize crop. In addition to increased and highly profit- able yields from P7 mixture during the season of application, there is little doubt that this mixture (containing bonedust) will have more residual value than most other fertilisers. The best results have been obtained from it in seasons of good rainfall, and if the results do not come up to expectation in 498 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2; 1920. — a dry season, one may be sure that little or none of the fertiliser will he lost from the soil, and that the residual effect will help to swell the yield in the following season. Northern Tableland. An instance of how the fertiliser requirements for maize on the Northern Tableland differ from those of the coast may be seen from the results obtained from P7 mixture. Here (on the Northern Tableland) compared with those from superphosphate, the yields from P7 have fallen short by 3 bushels per acre, each fertiliser being applied at the rate of 1 cwt per acre. As regards potash, the tests made so far indicate that the fertiliser is not required for maize on the tableland soils, an average decrease of 1 to 3 bushels being obtained from the addition of 14 to 281b. sulphate of potash to superphosphate. © There is, however, something to be said in favour of soluble nitrogenous fertilisers like nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia. In these cold districts, the conversion of nitrogen compounds into nitrates which can be used by plants is much slower than on the coast, and soluble nitrogenous fertilisers supply this lack in early spring with some benefit. An average increase of 4} bushels per acre has been obtained by the addition of 56 lb. sulphate of ammonia to superphosphate—an increased production valued at 18s., at a cost of 13s. per acre for fertiliser, represent- ing a profit of 5s. per acre from its use. There is no reason why nitrate of soda should not give a similar profit here. Tests made to compare the comparative values of 1 ewt. superphosphate and 2 ewt. superphosphate on the tablelands, do not show any further increase in yield from the larger quantity. ‘The following average results were obtained from 56 lb. superphosphate as compared with 1 ewt. per acre :— No Rettilisar. 56 lb, Superphosphate 112 lb. Superphosphate per acre. per acre. bus. Ib. bus. Ib. bus. Ib. Tees a5) 26 «038 26) 4: On these figures, 56 lb, superphosphate is the most profitable application, and shows a profit of about 16s, per acre. These results are borne out by experiments in Rhodesia,* where, on light volcanic soils, in a climate similar to our Northern 'fableland, 1 cwt. mixed fertiliser was found to give better yields of maize, and a greater profit per acre, than 14 or 2 ewt. From the foregoing it therefore appears that a fertiliser mixture consisting of equal parts of supecphosphate and sulphate of ammonia or nitrate of soda, at a cost of about 1€s, per acre, may be expected to give an increased yield of 8 or 9 bushels per acre. Owing to the tendency of soluble nitrogenous fertilisers to delay the maturity of the crop, and of superphosphate applied alone to hasten it, it is recommended that 56 lb. superphosphate alone be used per acre when the crop is sown later than usual, or when a somewhat late or risky variety for this district is planted, . There is need for further experiments with fertilisers containing nitrogen to be carried cut on the tablelands. + Rhodesia Agri. Jour., Aug., 1916. July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 499 North-west Slopes. On the North-west Slopes, particularly in the Inverell district, the compara- tive failure of fertilisers with wheat is well known, and it is not surprising that they have not given any substantial increases in the maize crop. An average decrease of 25 bushels of maize per acre has been obtained by the application of 2 cwt. superphosphate, compared with 1 ewt. of this fertiliser. The addition of potash to superphosphate has also decreased the yields. Not much hope can be given for easily soluble nitrogenous fertilisers here owing to the high summer temperatures and low atmospheric humidity. _ An average increase of 2} bushels per acre has been obtained by the application of 1 cwt. superphosphate per acre, and until further tests are made this quantity is recommended for this district. Tumut District. There is a general impression that fertilisers are not required for maize on the rich land in this district ; but, although the number of tests made so far is small, there is an indication that despite the fertility of the alluvial soils, not only superphosphate but also some easily soluble nitrogenous fertiliser, may be used with profit. Averaging the few tests made to date, there has been a substantial increase of 4 bushels per acre from.2 ewt. superphosphate as compared-with the unmanured plots, although only 3 bushels increase has been made from the application of the same quantity of P7. The addition of 56 ib. sulphate of ammonia (for which nitrate of soda could probably be substituted) to superphosphate has given an increase of 6 bushels per acre, thus showing a profit of about 10s. per acre. According to the trials made so far then, a fertiliser mixture consisting of 1 to 2 cwt. superphosphate and about + cwt. sulphate of ammonia or nitrate of soda can be recommended for this district. Fertilisers for Fodder. North Coast. As already stated, the manuring of maize for fodder is an entirely different proposition to that of maize for grain; this fact is illustrated in the results given hereunder. The results obtained with fertilisers may also be taken as applying also to such other summer fodder crops as sorghum, Sudan grass, and millet until experiments with these have given reason for divergence from this opinion. In comparing different quantities of superphosphate, the following results have been obtained :— 1 ewt. Superphosphate 2 cwt. Superphosphate per acre. per acre. tons cwt. tons cwt. Averave of six tests eel . 19 1733 Estimating the value of the green fodder at 15s. per ton, the extra | ewt. of superphosphate has returned a profit of 27s. 6d. per acre. The addition of 28 lb. sulphate of potash to superphosphate has given an averag increase of nearly 1} tons of green fodder, and therefore seems profitable, 500 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. though not highly so,on account of the present high cost of potash fertilisers. There has been an average increase, however, of about 34 tons per acre from the addition of 56 lb. sulphate of ammonia to superphosphate, giving a net profit of 41s, per acre for this fertiliser. Similar results could no doubt be obtained from nitrate of soda in addition to the superphosphate. The following figures show the net profit from an application of 2 cwt. superphosphate per acre :— No fertiliser, 2 CWt: Superphosphate per acre. tons cwt. tons cwt. Average of six tests... =e Wage be Leis hss Thus an average increase of 4 tons 6 cwt. of green fodder per acre has been obtained, giving a profit of over 50s. per acre. From these figures it is recommended that a mixture consisting of 2 cwt. superphosphate and 56 lb. sulphate of ammonia or nitrate of soda be used for maize or other summer fodder ori the North Coast, except where a leguminous crop like cow peas or field peas have been ploughed in for green manure, in which case the superphosphate can be used alone. South Coast. On the South Coast 1 cwt. of superphosphate has given approximately the same average increase of green fudder per acre as 2 cwt., so that the smaller amount may be recommended as the most profitable here. P7 mixture has given about the same profit per acre as 1 cwt. of superphosphate, but the number of tests made are not yet sufficient to give definite conclusions, The addition of either sulphate of potash or sulphate of ammonia to the superphosphate has in an average of thirteen tests not increased the yield of fodder at all, so that neither of these fertilisers can be recommended. The results obtained from 1 ewt. superphosphate per acre are as follows :— No fertiliser. 1 ewt. Superphosphate per acre. tons cwt. tons cwt. Average of thirteen tests ... 8 3 \ Opera These figures show a profit of about 30s. per acre for 1 cwt. superphos- phate, and this fertiliser may therefore be confidently recommended for maize or other summer fodders on South Coast soils. Southern T'ableland. On the Southern Tableland superphosphate again stands out as the most profitable fertiliser from the trials made to date. An average increase of 12 cwt. green fodder per acre has been obtained from the application of 2 cwt. superphosphate per acre over that of 1 cwt. per acre, thus making the larger quantity slightly more profitable here. P7 mixture has given encouraging results from two trials, but it is felt that these are not yet sufficient to recommend it. Although the respective additions of sulphate of potash and sulphate of ammonia to superphosphate have given slight increases in the yield of green fodder, the applications have not been : July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 501 profitable and they cannot be recommended yet. . It might have been expected that some easily soluble nitrogenous fertiliser, like sulphate of ammonia or nitrate of soda, would give profitable returns on some of the Southern Tableland and South Coast soils in view of the increases obtained on the North Coast, and further trials on summer fodders with these fertilisers are desirable. The average increase obtained on the Southern Tableland from 2 ewt. superphosphate per acre is as follows :— ra fartsliser 2 cwt. Superphosphate per acre. tons cwt. tons cwt. Average of six tests oS 6 6 LOe+9 This gives an increase of 4 tons 3 cwt. per acre from 2 ewt. superphos- perp phate, thus showing a profit of over 50s. per acre for its application in this district. Further articles on soil improvement for maize wiil deal with green manures, coyer crops and rotations, (Lo be continued.) Piss BUILDINGS. In reply to the inquiry of a recent correspondent as to the merits of pisé, the Works Overseer of the Department stated that it is a suitable material for the erection of all one-storied buildings, and that some very comfortable homes have been made of it. Sometimes the walls are made of pisé alone, when they should be from 12 inches to 18 inches thick ; butif studs and a casing of heavy wire netting are used, 6 inches is sufficient, though in this latter case there is a possible danger of white ants. Externally it may be plastered with cement, and internally with lime-plaster, as for brickwork. One skilled builder (who should be selected by calling for tenders) is re- -quired ; labourers can do the remainder of the work under his supervision. Pisé building is of course limited to country districts. Both bricks and timber are cheaper there than in the city, but, speaking generally, the cost of the walls is about 25 per cent. less than either weatherboard or brick. THE BAacKING NEEDED BY FARMERs. ‘So long as the farmer must contend in his business with the elements of chance, he must be supported by the confidence that back of him is his banker, ready and able and willing to come to his aid in time of drought, flood, storm, insect visitation, or other misfortune. Help from the banker in such times of stress is seldom particularly hazardous for the banker. Droughts may come in two or more successive years, and army worms may follow a cyclone, but the land will always be there and continue to produce. ‘There is no greater certainty of permanency -or ultimate return in any industry. This is a point that should be more generally appreciated by bankers.—E. T. Merepiru, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. 502 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. Thrips Damaging Tobacco (Anaphethrips striatus OSBOURNE). W. W. FROGGATT, F.L.S., Government Entomologist. THE importance of the study of insect pests infesting tobacco in Australia has been emphasised by the damage sustained by the tobacco crop in the Tamworth and Gunnedah districts this season. The appearance of countless numbers of thrips upon the maturing leaves, causing them to dry, resulted in a considerable reduction in the weight of the infested foliage. Thrips are minute insects with pointed, cone-shaped mouths, with which they cut the surface of the leaf and suck up the sap, causing the foliage to become mottled and discoloured before it has matured. These insects, which develop very rapidly, lay large numbers of microscopic semi-transparent eggs, usually along the midrib of the leaf. The larval thrips, almost pure white, but tinged with green or yellow, follow the veination of the leaf, where the sap is most abundant, and as they increase in size and numbers finally scatter all over the surface. While feeding they exude a globule of watery matter and this excrement forms a deposit of dirty specs all over the surface of the infested leaves. These specs, in the case of tobacco, also damage the quality of the dried leaf. It is rather remarkable that, though tobacco grown in the United States and Cuba is subject to the attacks of many injurious insects, the writer can find no record of thrips among them. It is true that oue species common in the United States is known under the scientific name of Thrips tabaci, but it received this specific name from Professor Lindeman, who, when describing it, recorded this thrips as a serious tobacco pest in Bessarabia. The thrips now found upon tobacco may have been in the Tamworth and Gunnedah districts for some years, and even upon the tobacco plants in small numbers ; yet it is evident that climatic conditions have caused them to turn their attention to these plants, which, grown under irrigation, are the only green crops in the district. All the grass and herbage upon which they might have previously existed have been dried or eaten off under the drought conditions that have prevailed during the last two years. Among the cosmopolitan species of thrips that have been identified and - recorded from Australia are two somewhat similar species, that, to the casua} observer, might have been determined as our tobacco thrips. The first is Thrips tabaci, Linden, which the writer has identified on onions in the Botanic Gardens, Sydney, at Gosford, and in severai other localities. This is the species that did so much damage to roses in the suburban gardens of Sydney some years ago; it was then popularly known as the “ rose thrips.” It is somewhat remarkable that the opening buds of the light- ooloured (yellow and white) roses suffered much more than thcse of the dark Fahy, 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 503 red and pink blooms. Mr. Dudley Moulton of the United States Bureau of Entomology, who examined the writer’s specimens, proved, however, that the thrips infesting the roses in-the Melbourne gardens was not the same species as that affecting those in Sydney, but was closely related, if not identical, to Zuthrips nervosus, a thrips found breeding upon corn and various grasses in America, The second species was long known in America as Thrips tritici, Fitch, but was placed in the genus Frankliniella by the Austrian Entomologist, Professor Karny, in his system of classification published in 1910. This is the wheat thrips of the United States ; it has a very wide range there, and | also infests many flowering shrubs and plants both wild and cultivated, It frequently does a great deal of damage to strawberry plants in Florida and Illinois by puncturing the flowers and thus interfering with fertilization. The damage thus caused is locally known as “ buttoning.” From their small size thrips are easily overlooked, and the harm caused by them is often ascribed to fungus, mould, rust and other causes, French, in his “ Handbook of the Destructive Insects of Victoria ” (Part V., 1911) gives an illustrated account of a common thrips doubtfully identi- fied as Thrips tabaci; this, he states, did a great deal of damage to the potato crops of the Lancefield district, and also swarmed all over the adjacent pea crops, the hawthorn and African boxthorn hedges, and the surrounding grass. In 1913-14 the apple crop of the costal districts of New South Wales was seriously reduced by the enormous numbers of thrips that swarmed into the opening blossoms and caused the flowers to drop off. Gurney (“Some Insect Pests of Apples and Pears”) gave an account of this thrips in this journal, 1915, pp. 303. The grass thrips has never been previously recorded from Australia, though, owing to its small size and its habits of infesting grass, it may have been casually introduced many years ago from the United States and remained unnoticed until it turned its attention to an important field crop like tobacco. At the time of the writer’s visit (on 25th April last) specimens in all stages of development, from freshly hatched larve to winged insects, were ~ found in large numbers on both the upper and under surfaces of the tobacco leaves at Gunnedah and Tamworth. From the condition of the foliage they had evidently been feeding upon the plant for some weeks previously. The larval thrips are white with reddish eyes ; the head is small, and the antennz short and thickened, standing out in front of the head and com posed of seven joints, of which the last four are closely joined together and might be mistaken for a single joint. The legs are stout, bearing the typical bladder-shaped, single segment or foot, and two claws. The body is fusiform, rounded, tapering to the tip, which terminates in a short, tubular process ; the tenth segment bears six long hairs (sete). Under a high magnification, the segments of the abdomen show a very curious transverse striation, Naturai Size Life History of Aiophothiips striatus. 1. Larval form. 2. Adult, 3 Fore-wing of adult. 4. Hiod-wing of adult. 5. Spines on the hind margin of base of fore- wing. 6. Antenna of larva 7. Autenna of adult. July 2, 1920.) Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 505 producing fine serrations on the outer margin, These striations appear to be caused by whorls of minute hairs. The larvee, as they near the pupal state,. have darker coloured antenne, and the thorax and body are marked with yellowish tints. The adult thrips has the eyes black or purplish red; ocelli red ; and head yellow, with the tip of the cone-shaped mouth dusky-brown, The antennz have. the first segment light-coloured and the others clouded with brown, darkest toward the tips. The general colour of the thorax and the abdomen is yellow with brownish bands across the abdominal segments ; the wings are yellowish- brown with black feathery spines along the margins. The antenne are eight- - Tobacco Leaf shcwing damage caused by Thrips. jointed, but appear as if nine by reason of the oblique suture crossing the. sixth. The head is rounded in front, truncate behind, and wider than long. The prothorax is as broad as the head, straight on the sides and rounded behind ; the mesothorax is larger, fitting close against the metathorax, which is contracted at the junction with the abdomen. The legs have the femora short and rounded, ana the tibiz of the hind legs longest. The wings are well developed and fringed with fine black hairs, and the abdomen is elongate, broadly rounded on the sides, coming to a tubular point at the apex, and composed of nine segments. : 506 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. In dealing with all plant-infesting insects of this type, one must start from the beginning and find out where their eggs are deposited so that their original breeding ground can be treated. The thrips in the tobacco fields visited by the writer were depositing their eggs on the undersurface of the tobacco leaves, then nearly ready for cutting. Both the larve, in all stages of development, and the perfect winged thrips were feeding upon the leaves, which showed a discoloured mottled tint, as shown in the illustration. From their action a certain per centage of weight would be lost ; and the dirt and excrement dropped all over the surface of the leaves would not improve the quality of the dried leaf. Fortunately the plants were so near maturity that the owners set to work and cut the leaves. These might have gained a little in weight if they had been left longer, but the owners wisely did not take the risk. In some of the fields when the main crop was cut’down the butt of the stem and the roots had been left in the rows; these threw out vigorous shoots, and the growers were expecting a second crop. On examining these shoots it was found that they were covered with winged thrips. As the maturing tobacco plants were cut, the winged thrips, disturbed by the operation, swarmed over every green thing left in the paddock, and among them were these second crop shoots. The destruction of all plants and waste material in the paddock, either by ploughing in or burning, after the tobacco had been cut and removed, would destroy all the wintering thrips and their eggs. Spraying with a soda soap wash in the earlier growth of the tobacco plants would kill any active thrips larve. Some growers experimented with burning sulphur to the windward side of the tobacco plants, hoping thus to suffocate or drive the thrips out; the only result was the scorching of some of the foliage. Sulphur dusted on the underside of the leaves is very effective against thrips on orchard trees ; but if sulphur remains on tobacco foliage near to the time of cutting it might spoil the dry leaf. APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY. In earlier days entomology was looked upon as a pastime for the spare moments of those who cared to turn their attention to it, or as a business confined to dusty museums, without any practical application whatever ; the true significance of the study was not then apparent. . . . Gradually the practical side developed, and has since continued to develop, until at the present time economic entomology is recognised by agriculturists as an important adjunct to the study of the actual crop production, without some knowledg> of which the cultivator of plants is likely to meet with obstacles before his harvest is over, or his products in the hands of the consumer.— The Philippine Agricultural Review. eo Sy. or ane A we a! 7 ‘ July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 507 Popular Descriptions of Grasses. [Continued from page 314.] E. BREAKWELL, B.A., B.Sc., Agrostologist. THE INTRODUCED CHLORIS GRASSES. Tue introduced Chloris grasses of greatest economic importance in New South Wales are Rhodes grass and Chloris virgata. Ruopes Grass (Chloris gayana), (Fig. 1). Rhodes grass is a perennial grass characterised by an abundant leaf growth and surface runners, which readily root at the nodes. It was introdueed into cultivation by Mr. Cecil Rhodes, of South Africa; and appears to have been first grown in this State by the late Colonel Sylvester Browne, of Singleton. It is evident that another grass somewhat similar to it, but very inferior in quality, was introduced about the same time. This is known as Chloris virgata, and for some time it was confused with the true Rhodes grass, for the two grasses appear identical during the early stages of their growth, though there is a distinct difference in the inflorescence. The seed spikes of Chloris virgata are compressed, scarcely opening out even in the mature stages, whereas those of Rhodes are well extended radially almost as soon as formed. In Chloris virgata, also, the-seed florets are densely covered with long slender wkite hairs, very conspicuous in the field, whereas the hairs on Chloris gayana are scarcely noticeable. Soil and Ciimatic Conditions. —Rhodes grass is now permanently established throughout Queensland and New South Wales, being grown more extensively in the former State than in the latter. It succeeds best on the alluviai or loamy soils, while it grows better than most introduced grasses on the lighter soils, particularly those of granitic or sandstone origin, such as are found in many of our wheat-growing centres and on the coast. It likes warm situations, and is extremely sensitive to frosts, being completely killed out in localities over 2,000 feet in altitude. It is a favourite grass to sow in “burns” on any part of the coast. Sowing.—The seed of Rhodes grass is very small and light, and germinates, as a rule, rather badly. The low germination is due to the large number of barren or infertile flowers ; and a fertility of 50 per cent., or a total germina- tion of 35 per cent., may be considered very satisfactory for this class of seed. It pays, therefore, to have the land in fine tilth to ensure a good stand, and a farmer should certainly know the fertility of his seed before sowing, in order to plant the right amount. A rough way to determine the fertility is to rub a small amount on the palm of the hand; if the released grain appears plentiful the seed may be considered satisfactory. Only 4 to 6 lb. of good seed are required per acre, but 20 lb. is some- times little enough when a large proportion of the seed sown is immature, 508 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. Broadcast sowing is advocated, and to ensure a good stand half the seed should be sown in a direction at right angles to the other half. In wheat- growing districts the seed can be sown through the wheat drill, if superphosphate or some other substance of the same texture, such as — pollard, is mixed with the seed to enable it to run through the drill slowly. Advantage should be taken of favourable weather conditions for sowing, and it is worth while remembering that, although little moisture is necessary to germinate the seed, a fair amount is required to keep the young seedlings growing. When the runners begin to appear the grass can be considered to be well established, and will then stand a fair amount of dry weather. In coastal districts the seed can be sown in autumn up to April, or in early spring, such as in September. The seed will germinate at much lower temperatures than will paspalum, In wheat-growing districts also, Sep- tember sowing is recommended, or, failing that, March. Pasturing.—The mistake is often made by farmers of turning the stock on Rhodes grass at too early a stage. The runners take some time to root sufficiently strongly at the nodes to become firmly established in the soil, and early pasturing will pull these runners out of the ground, leaving a space for weeds to encroach on the grass, and eventually smother it. [t has been found a good practice to allow the grass to come to seed in the first growth before grazing, and then stock. The leaves are certainly inclined at this stage to be somewhat harsh ; but stock generally eat it all down if kept on it. Another alternative is to utilize the first crop for hay, the quality of which is really good. Tf desired, a crop of the seed can be obtained at the same time. After the first growth the grass can be stocked heavily at any stage, but care should be exercised to remove live stock when the grass is eaten -bare. Rhodes Grass and Lucerne.—lt has been proved, both on the coast and in the wheat-growing districts of the slopes, that Rhodes grass and lucerne grow well together, and instead of the Rhodes grass crowding out the lucerne, as one would imagine from its running habit, it is really the lucerne that makes the more vigorous growth. It is recommended that 4 lb, of Rhodes grass and 2 1b. of lucerne per acre be sown. The protein content of the lucerne and the carbohydrate content of the Rhodes grass make an excellent balanced ration. Rhodes Grass in the Interior.—That Rhodes grass will do well in the western district has been amply demonstrated, both by trials at the experi- ment farms of Cowra, Nyngan and Wagga, and also by private pastoralists. At Cowra the Rhodes grass paddock is now 3 years old, and is stocked and cut for hay alternately. At Nyngan it succeeded well until the present drought, which has gradually killed it right out, after it had stood up remarkably well to the dry conditions for some considerable time. Mr. H. R. Munro, a pastoralist, sowed 5,000 acres of cleared and burned country west of the Darling Downs about four years ago. Last year it had spread to 15,000 acres. He states that country that formerly was covered with turkey, hop, and kindred bushes, is now covered with Rhodes grass. It July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 509 YS UA f y BAN ZR 4} \ uN PA Ht { yi PAE <=> <> \ \ \ => LEELA EI DIOL $ 35 gatas CELE Fig, 1—Rhodes Grasses (Chloris gayanq), Note the characteristic creeping root system— perhaps better developed in this than in any other grass. 510 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. ~ [July 2, 1920. flourishes on black soil plains, formerly brigalow and belar forests, and quickly establishes itself if given a spell during seeding time. The young grass has good fattening properties, and the mature grass has rey sustaining properties. Riodes Grass Hay.—Rhodes grass makes excellent hay. Chemical analyses have shown it to possess a high nutritive value, while its aroma and palatability make it very acceptable to stock, The vivid green of the leaves and the fine stems givé it a very attractive appearance. It produces heavy yields on the coast, and it is seldom that less than 2 tons per acre are obtained from two or three cuttings during the season. A Queensland report testifies to the fact that Rhodes grass chaff is in demand there, and will bring £10 a ton. Mr. Charles Binnie has also drawn my attention to the result of some analyses of Rhodes grass grown on rather poor soils near Brisbane, as compared with the analysis of a good sample of chaff. They show that even the second cutting of this grass, in the form of hay, has practically double the protein content of wheaten or oaten chaff. It was calculated that 38 lb, of Rhodes grass hay are necessary to supply 19 Jb. of. protein, the average daily requirements of a cow, and that 79 to 85 lb. of chaff are required to supply the same amount. The grass should be cut for hay as soon as the seeds begin to ripen, The curing should be done as quickly as possible, as the strong summer sunshine rapidly bleaches the leaves. Harvcsting for Secd.—Rhodes grass ripens very irregularly, and cutting for seed should be carried out when a fair number of brown seed spikes are noticed in the crop. The protruding anthers render the pollen stage of the seed very conspicuous in the field, and about a fortnight elapses from this period to the hardening of the grain. The ripe seed very easily shatters, and care must be exercised if the best and ripest seed is to be obtained. A good plan is to place tarpaulin inside the wagons and the ripe seeds that fall from the sheaves will then be easily collected. The seeds having been stripped from the sheaves, the latter can be utilised for hay. Many seedsmen winnow the Rhodes grass seed received from growers and sell only the heavy proportion ; other less scrupulous seedsmen, however, sell all the seed, which is invariably low in fertility. Rhodes Grass under Irrigation.—A fair amount of this grass has been grown on the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, with good results. In a dry season difficulty is encountered in obtaining a satisfactory germination on the heavy clay soils, owing to the manner in which they quickly dry out amd harden on the surface. The seed should, therefore, be sown as quickly as possible after a thorough irrigation, and when the seedlings are up the land should be irrigated at intervals of a few days until the root system is well estab- lished. It is invariably found that the grass will stand much more dry weather than paspalum, which, of course, is a big consideration, even on the irrigation area, The present tendency is, however, to favour paspalum as a dairying grass, and this is probably due to the fact that it will carry more Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. hikes Fig. 2.—Chlovis virgata. This grass is distinguished from Rhodes grass mainly by the long and dense awns of the flowering spikelets. 512 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. and also endure more constant grazing than the Rhodes. Data, however, are absent as to the comparative milk-producing qualities of the two grasses, and it would not be surprising to find, if all the facts were ascertained, that Rhodes is a superior all-round grass to paspalum, Rhodes Grass versus Paspalum.—There is no doubt that paspalum has run riot throughout the greater portion of the coast of New South Wales, mainly because of its remarkably vigorous growth under moist summer conditions, and its habit of quickly spreading throughout river flats and other low-lying areas. That it will carry more stock in ordinary seasons than Rhodes grass cannot be denied, but at the same time it can be confidently stated that it will not maintain stock in as good condition as the Rhodes. Paspalum will grow well in America, yet its cultivation is not recommended by the Amer- ican Department of Agriculture, while Rhodes grass is strongly recommended for certain localities. Farmers’ bulletins have been issued there on Rhodes grass, but no bulletin has been published on paspalum. There are many farmers in New South Wales who regret the day paspalum was introduced to their farms, owing to the manner in which it crowds out everything else its rapid entry into their summer crops, and the manner in which it mats the soil after a few years, and diminishes rapidly in carrying capacity and nutritive quality. Rhodes grass, however, can be grown on any farmer’s property, and, if not grazed too strongly, will hold its own with the paspalum. A plot of Rhodes grass at Wollongbar Experiment Farm, with paspalum alongside, has now been growing for some years and hardly a single paspalum plant can be found in the plot. It is a good practice to have the Rhodes grass on the higher ground rather than the lower, because paspalum is most aggressive on the flats. A paddock of Rhodes grass on the property of Mr. J. Giblin, Nambucca River, was laid down in 1913, and in spite of constant grazing and cutting is still in splendid condition, and similar results could be obtained on practically any part of the coast. Chloris virgata is not recommended for cultivation owing to its annual habit and (compared to Rhodes grass) its less palatable character. It has become very aggressive wherever established, the light seeds, which are easily blown about by the wind, helping toward this end. It will encroach. rapidly on lucerne land, and materially affects the stand. So far it is con- fined to coastal districts only, and is very common on parts of the northern rivers. It appears also to have become fairly well established around Penrith and Richmond, : (To be continued.) ‘*T CANNOT express to your Department what a help the Gazette is to us returned soldiers, who for the last four or five years have got quite out of touch with the strides that have been made in farming.”—A Wyong corre- spondent, July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 513 Safeguarding Farm Stock from Disease. (2) By Goop HYGIENE. MAX HENRY, M.RB.C.V.S., B.V.Se. Tue means by which the farmer may hope to minimise the risk of introducing infectious disease into his stock having been outlined, attention must be now drawn to the serious losses which occur in New South Wales among stock, particularly young stock, from both infectious and non-infectious complaints through lack of attention to the principles of good hygiene. There is too _ often a tendency on the part of the farmer and stockowner to regard veterinary science as only capable of coming to his aid when stock are already sick, forgetting that the most valuable part of veterinary advice is that dealing with prevention, and that it is along these lines that the future development of the science will be most marked. This attitude of the farmer is due to the fact that throughout the earlier years of Australian colonisation and settlement, stock practically looked after themselves, and the question of good or bad hygiene never had to be considered. But to-day, in the settled parts of the country—-particularly in dairying districts, on pig farms, in irrigation areas, and wherever stock are under more or less confined and artificial conditions—the question of good hygiene becomes one of the first importance. The prevailing opinion among farmers appears to be that good hygiene is a kind of fad—bred by Science out of Laboratory—but of no kind of use to the man making a living out of stock. Nothing could be farther from the truth, though it is admittedly difficult to say at what precise moment the observance of good hygiene puts a fiver into a banking account. It is also argued that because stock thrived in the old days under such and such conditions, they must do all right now. To hold such opinions a man must have forgotten many things ; such things as the’ actual changes which have taken place in conditions, the greater economic value of the individual animal], the totally different position as regards disease, and the fact that as this country progresses, these changes in every way will become more and more marked. It is wiser to look ahead to what we have to do than to look back on what our grandfathers did ; and it is of far more value to the farmer to understand what good hygiene means than to possess any number of isolated and more or less correct ideas as to the treatment of sick stock. The treatment of sick stock is of value at long intervals—good hygiene is of value at all times. Even in parts of the State where stock are running freely in wide areas, certain aspects of the question, as will be seen later, are of considerable importance. By good hygiene is meant the correct application _ of those systems of stabling, housing, grazing, sheltering, grooming, clipping, clothing, feeding and watering which are most conducive to the good health and economic efficiency of the animals. 514 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. Site and Aspect as Factors in Healthy Housing. A very considerable proportion of disease and mortality can be more or less directly traced to errors in constructing the buildings in which animals live all or part of their time. Although for each kind of animal different considerations carry weight, yet there are certain principles common to the proper construction of all buildings intended to house stock. These will be considered first, and the diseases noted which to a greater or lesser degree are associated with them. In selecting the site for stables, cow-sheds, and pig and. calf pens some freedom of choice is generally offered to the farmer. These structures should not be placed on low-lying swampy ground, or on ground liable to be flooded, or they will always be damp and probably associated with chills and rheumatism ; while the animals, having to expend so much of their food in maintaining bodily warmth, will not thrive so well as those in drier and better situated buildings. Buildings are better on higher land, which can more readily be drained. It is also desirable to take into consideration the dryness of the soil. A shallow soil with a clay subsoil, for example, is not the most suitable, and alluvial flats and “made soils” are unsuitable places on which to place buildings for stock. This is often important—partly in relation to its effect on the health of stock and partly because it affects the comfort, not only of the animals, but of those working among them. Whenever possible, in most parts of this State, a southerly or westerly aspect should be avoided, and shelter from the south and west secured. Despite the great heat of summer in many parts of the State, more loss is certainly occasioned by the cold of winter, and any- thing in the housing of stock that tends to protect them from southerly and westerly winds is of advantage. Continued exposure to cold westerlies when the animals are confined in small pens which prevent them exercising: themselves will rapidly lower their vitality and disease-resisting power, especially in the case of young stock, and will retard their development by forcing them to devote so much of their food toward the maintenance of body temperature, In like manner the sudden changes of temperature which occur with southerly winds and winter storms are liable to produce catarrh and pneumonia in all classes of stock exposed to them, particularly when such exposure follows recent shearing or clipping, de-trucking after a long railway journey, sudden release from close confinement in a_ hot atmosphere, or over-heating from some other cause. After sudden falls in temperature or cold rain, semi-starvation often leads to heavy losses, Penned animals have no chance of taking advantage of shelter afforded by the ground and sufferaccordingly. The selection of an east, north-easterly, or northerly aspect has the further advantage of catching the morning sun in the winter and allowing sunlight to enter freely into buildings all the year round, The top of a ridge is never a good place for housing stock or placing cow-bails; on such a site the buildings are exposed to all the winds that blow. ee ‘ \ _ July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 515 Stables. In this country, where so few horses apart from those in the cities are stabled, this question is not of such importance as in Europe or America, but the main principles which should govern the construction of a stable may be touched upon. Firstly, if the horses are to live in the stables and are not merely put in for an hour or so when feeding or at odd times, a floor impervious to moisture is necessary. In good stables these floors are made of tiles (non- slipping) especially manufactured for the purpose. Concrete makes a good impervious floor, but is slippery, and is apt to break up under the weight of the horse. Bricks set in mortar are good for a time, but wear into holes. Wood is often used, and if solid beams such as railway sleepers are used, and the space between each is well rammed, a very fair floor can be made, but moisture will eventually soak in. Another type of wooden floor is composed ot strong battens with spaces left between so that the urine runs through into drains cut under the stable, but sooner or later the earth there will become a cesspool. In many cases the earth is simply rammed hard, but such floors are easily broken up and the part immediately around the animals’ hind legs is apt to become a quagmire. No flooring can be considered satis- factory which can become permeated with urine. The effect of such a state of affairs is bad in two ways—the ammonia given off from the urine and dung renders the atmosphere unhealthy, and the constant standing in a mixture of urine-soaked dung and earth is one of the commonest contributing causes of thrush, canker and other diseases of the horse’s foot. . In cases where horses are only brought into the stable for feeding, the earthen fluor is quite satisfactory, providing it is kept clean and free from dung, and prevented from working into holes. Ample light is necessary in all stables—in fact, in any building in which stock are to live ; darkness and dirt and disease have always gone together. It is difficult to understand the reason which prompted the builders of old stables to exclude so much light, but they certainly did so. The confinement of animals in semi-darkness during the daytime must to some extent act deleteriously on the eyesight, and has been by some associated with periodic ophthalmia. Ventilation must be provided, but in such a way that it does not create continuous draughts through the building. For this reason over- head ventilation is of very great value, allowing as it does free escape for the heated air rising from the stable. No living rooms or feed stores should be placed over a stable. This is another matter in which most old stables are faulty, the idea apparently having been to create as stuffy and unhealthy an atmosphere as possible. The stable walls may be of brick, wood, or other material, and if the inside is smooth so that it can be washed down and - disinfected so much the better. - All doors and passages in stables should be wide and high, for many a horse has been seriously injured when passing through narrow and low doorways. The height of doors should be 8 feet and the width not less than 3 feet 8 inches. Stable doors are usually divided into two parts, lower and upper, so that the smaller upper portion 516 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. can be left open for ventilation and light. Every stable should possess some means of ventilation, such as a louvre board window which cannot be closed under ordinary circumstances, A good stable should be about 18 feet wide, the divisions between the stalls being 9 to 10 feet long. A stall for cart horses should be about 6 feet wide, but it may be narrower if it is only to be used as a feeding stall. A loose-box should measure 12 feet by 10 feet, and a little more for heavy stallions. The drainage of stables, unless attached to a sewerage system, should be open. Closed drains, unless very well fiushed and easily opened up for cleaning, are a constant source of trouble. Cow-sheds. In dealing with this subject, four types of buildings have to be considered :— (1) buildings in which the cows are milked, fed and housed at night during part of the year; (2) combined milking and feeding sheds; (3) milking’sheds ; and (4) feeding sheds. Very few buildings of the first type are in use in this State, although probably as the country develops and becomes closely settled they will become more common, especially in the colder parts. The essentials of such buildings are impervious floors, proper light and ventilation, and efficient drainage of the open type. As with all buildings for cattle, site and aspect should be given special consideration. There is usually a tendency to make these buildings too dark, a condition which militates against cleanliness. Combined milking and feeding sheds are now fairly common, and so long as shelter from the cold winds is provided they cannot be too open. The best type is a plain open shed, with a double row of bails arranged so that the cows’ heads face inwards, and 4 central passage-way down which the food is taken either by truck or hand, The floor must be impervious to moisture, and nothing is better than concrete. Stone grouted in with cement may be satisfactory, but the cement is always liable to work out. Bricks set in mortar wear into holes, and wood sooner or later becomes urine-soaked. Bebind where the cows stand should run a concrete open shallow drain to lead the urine out of the yard. So long as it is open and well ventilated, it cannot be said that any one type of milking shed has much effect one way or the other on the health of the animals, but it is of importance from other points of view. Sheds which are only used for milking require the same type of floor and drainage as that used in the combined sheds, but are usually much smaller and only allow for four to a dozen cows to be in the bails at a time; protection from the south and west is most desirable. Feeding sheds should also be built with due regard to aspect, and should preferably be quite open along one side, unless local conditions as to cold would render such exposure excessive ; such is not the case through most of our dairying country where alone cattle are likely to be stall fed. For the floor, earth well beaten down will suttice. . Bae July 2. 1920" | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 517 The feeding boxes should be detachable or be.provided with plugs so that they can be thoroughly washed and disinfected. Contagion can occur if different cows use the same feeding boxes and they are not cleaned out. Moreover, souring food has a bad effect on a cow’s appetite. Calf-pens. [t is usual to provide some small shelter for the calves when feeding, and to have a small yard attached thereto. Calf-pens are responsible, more than any other buildings, for the spread of disease. The flooring, both of the shed and yard, should be of concrete, sloping gently to allow of washing down, and should be kept clean. Whether the calves are fed from buckets or troughs these should be frequently scalded, and the woodwork of the miniature bails, if such are used, should be disinfected regularly. The diseases which calves contract through dirty pens and yards are navel-ill, diarrhea, dysentry, white scour, pneumonia and ringworm; the only way in which to prevent infection from these sources is to provide places such as can be kept scrupulously clean. Objectionable features often seen in calf-pens are saturation of the earth floor with feces and urine, and the caking of the wooden trough with drying and souring skim milk and other food ; the first condition encourages the introduction of the organisms of disease through the navel of newly-born calves, and both conditions tend to infection by way of the digestive tract. Fences, again, are often seen soiled with feeces showing evident signs of dysentery and white scour. Shelter is generally absent, so that the calves shiver in the cold and bake in the heat. Barring the pig, no animal is kept under such bad hygienic conditions as the calf on some dairy farms, and no young animal is more subject to disease and has less disease-resisting power—-largely, of course, because calves are deprived of their natural food supply and are kept crowded together. There is therefore all the more need for the application of sound hygienic conditions in their housing. Pigsties. Much of the foregoing may be applied to the subject of pigsties. Structural defects—especially in the flooring—must be regarded as a contributing cause of much illness and mortality from rheumatism, pneumonia, swine fever, swine plague, and parasitic infestation. Both sty and yard should possess an impervious floor, and concrete probably forms the most suitable. The anima]s should be provided with a wooden flooring for sleeping, but this should be removable, and should. be removed to clean out the sty. Opening off from the small yard there should be provided (especially for breeding stcck) a small paddock or exercise yard. Drainage requires to be free, and for this reason the slope of a hill, if not too steep, provides the most suitable site for sties. The sties themselves are frequently built low, but this has two disadvantages—they are difficult to clean, and sunlight and air do not get free enough entrance. In pens intended for brood sows, a guard rail should be fixed a few inches out from the wall all round in order to prevent the sow overlying the young. Ideal feeding arrangements for pigs are such as limit their opportunity to 518 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. urinate, defeecate or tread about in their own food. Without such limitation one pig affected with tuberculosis may infect any number, and parasitic infestation and swine fever may be transmitted in the same way. Fowl-houses, In constructing fowl-houses the same necessity for an impervious floor does not exist, but the walls and all fittings should be as smooth as possible with the materials available. Rough wood and bark offer very favourable cover for fowl-tick, lice and other parasites. The floor, if not impervious, should be of well rammed earth, and should be kept level and hard so as to facilitate the removal of droppings. It is perhaps unnecessary to add that the roof should be watertight, the house closed in from the direction of the prevailing winds, well ventilated, light, and high enough to permit of cleaning out being performed in comfort. If these desiderata are provided, the material and methods of construction may differ to any degree. - (Zo be continued.) A CAsE oF BEE PARALYSIS. Tue following extract from the letter of a bee-keeper may be said to describe a typical case“of bee paralysis: “‘One of my last colonies seems sick ; to-day there are hundreds of dead and dying bees in front of the hive, and although there are many bees working and seemingly strong, yet when I removed the cover they were thick on top of the frames and were not able - to go down when smoked. When I brushed them with my hand they rolled over on their backs and could not gain their feet for some time. The colony has been a heavy producer. . . . They are pure Italian bees and have been free from any disease up to this last two days. TI have thirty colonies at present and would not like disease to get among them if it is possible to prevent it.” «« After taking note of the symptoms mentioned,” wrote the Senior Apiary Inspector, “ I consider that the bees are affected with genuine bee paralysis, and the only reliable cure for such a case is to destroy the queen of the affected colony and then introduce a queen from healthy and vigorous stock. Usually, in New South Wales, only odd colonies are severely affected, and you should not have trouble to any extent so far as your apiary in general is concerned. Care should always be taken when rearing queen bees to select eggs or larve from stocks that show the greatest immunity from the disease, which appears, as in the case under notice, to be a constitutional trouble of the queen and somewhat hereditary.” To DrEstRoy THE MOLE CRICKET. AN insect which sometimes causes considerable damage to the barbered surface of garden lawns, and the turf of such places as the “‘ putting” greens on golf courses, is the mole cricket (Gyllotalpa, sp.). The best means of dealing with these insects is to scatter poison baits where they make their burrows or congregate. To make the bait, mix | oz. of paris green with 16 oz. of bran, and a tablespoonful of salt ; when thoroughly mixed, add water, and bring the whole to the consistency of a bran mash. In some situations the insects can be destroyed by merely drowning ous.—W. W. FrRogeart. ; 4 July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 519 Thompson’s Improved and Navelencia Oranges. W. J. ALLEN and W, te GAY BRERETON. Durinc the past two years there hasbeen some discussion as to the identity of Thompson’s Improved and Navelencia oranges. The United States is the country of origin of both varieties. Describing them, a report received from the United States Department of Agriculture says: “The Thompson strain (frequently called Washington Improved or Thompson’s Improved) has been extensively propagated commercially, and is generally recognised in California as an established variety.” Then follows strong evidence that the Thompson strain is a sport from the Washington Nave!—in other words, a strain of the Washington :— he trees of the Thompson’s strain [Thompson’s Improved] are heavy and regular bearers, have an open and drooping habit of growth, dense foliage and large dark green leaves. As a rule the trees of this strain are not as vigorous growers as those of the Washington under similar conditions. The fruit is similar in shape and size to that of the Washington. It differs mainly in having a very smooth rind of a bright reddish orange colour. The rind of the Thompson’s fruit is thinner, and the rag more abundant and coarser than that of the fruit of the Washington. The smooth texture, bright reddish colour and handsome appearance of the fruit is of distinct value from the market standpoit. The juice usually is less acid than that of the Washington, and is lacking somewhat in flavour. The undesirable characteristic of the rag, and the inferior quality o! the juice are detrimental to the reputation of the fruit of this strain [Thompson’s Improved]. The fruit is seedless, and the navel variable in size and arrangement, usually medium to small, occasionally rudimentary. The Navelencia is a name which has sometimes been given to the navel strain of the Valencia variety. The trees have habits of growth and production similar to those of the Valencia. The foliage is usually rather dense, the leaves are small and rather pointed in shape. The typical fruit resembles the fruit of the Valencia in shape, size and colour, but differs from them in having a smoother texture of skin, thinner rind, more acid juice, fewer seeds, and a small, often rudimentary navel. This strain occurs occasionally as individual fruit and limb sports in trees of the Valencia. It has been isolated in com- mercial propagation, and is grown to a limited extent under the name of Navelencia. This strain is especially interesting from the fact that there is a possibility of isolating from it by bud selection a seedless strain of Valencia. The foregoing descriptions can be taken as authentic, as they not only come from the country of origin of both varieties, but also after a very thorough research of bud variation by the United States Department of _ Agriculture, both in the Washington Navel and Valencia oranges. From them we must conclude that, in by far the greatest number of cases, trees planted in New South Wales under the name of Navelencia have actually _ been Thompson’s Improved. z 7 : : Tn New South Wales Thompson’s Improved has proved to be of inferior flavour to Washington. It is earlier and is very liable to lose its juice if allowed to hang after midwinter. For this latter reason it should only be _ planted very sparingly and marketed early, or there is a danger of its bringing discredit on the much-valued Washington Navel. Observations are being especially directed to the hanging qualities of the directly imported 4 - Navelencia trees at Hawkesbury Agricultural College, as the few points of superiority which can be claimed for this variety over Valencia will be of little value if it has not the long-hanging characteristic of that variety. 520 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. Poultry Notes. JULY. JAMES HADLINGTON, Poultry Expert. Tue splendid rains that have fallen over the State recently, together with the more optimistic reports regarding the prospects in other countries, have brightened the outlook for poultry-farmers. It would be an aJmost unprecedented circumstance, if, notwithstanding the crops being somewhat late, sufficient wheat was not harvested for home requirements after such bountiful rains. Taking all the circumstances into consideration, the position resolves itself into this: Those who can manage to feed their stock during the next few months have every prospect of better times ahead, because it is almost certain that high prices for poultry products will obtain for some years to come. The confidence displayed in the poultry industry in face of all the troubles through which we are passing was commented upon last month. The writer’s experience covers four partial or full failures of the wheat crop, and consequent feed crises ; but notwithstanding that the present one is the most severe of all, as far as can be judged there has been less sacrifice of stock in proportion to the number kept than on the three previous occasions. ‘True, up to the drought of 1901-2, poultry-keeping was but little more than a side- line, but since then it has grown into a specialised pursuit, and has taken its place among our primary industries, Notwithstanding all our troubles, there is more confidence in the possibilities of commercial poultry-farming to-day than at the time mentioned. Failures there have always been, even in the best of times, for not everyone will make a poultry-farmer, but as a class tlose who go into the business are not wanting in “grit,” nor in determination to succeed, notwithstanding that they are often handicapped by want of capital and experience, and that the latter is nearly always dearly bought. The present crisis will pass as others have done, and there need be no fear for the permanency of the industry, There is one factor in favour of poultry-farming not enjoyed by the breeders of larger stock, No matter how flocks are depleted, two good hatching seasons can see them almost back to normal. The Hatching Season. The hatching season is now upon us, and it is a fortunate circumstance that prospects have been brightened by the rain ; otherwise, notwithstanding the advice given in these notes to go on hatching, a great falling off in the number of chickens hatched must have resulted. Nothing but sheer inability to secure food should now retard the hatching season. ‘There is no question about the wisdom of hatching to full capacity. In regard to feeding we should visualise the position in this way: Suppose a ee ee ee — eee eee July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 521 1,000 chickens are to be hatched and reared in regular batches from now to the end of September, taking into consideration that only a small propor- tion of the total number will be hatched in June and July, and that the greater portion will come out in August and September, the mean average feed requirements to the end of the year (when the new wheat wili be coming in) will be about equal to that of 500 adult birds. In fact, seeing that at least portion of the cockerels will have been marketed at four months and under, probably an estimate of feed for 400 adult birds would be nearer actuality. In other words, 1,000 chickers hatched during the months indi- cated will only represent the cost of feeding 400 adult birds. This is pointed out because the novice poultry-keeper is only too apt to calculate the cost of feeding on an adult basis for the whole output. Economical Feeding of Chickens. In these times of high cost of feeding, and when every economy is necessary, it might be pointed out that it has become fashionable to feed chickens on more or less expensive mixtures. The question arises how far this is neces- sary. The writer has had experience of feeding chickens on the most simple rations, and has successfully raised hundreds of thousands on nothing more than crushed wheat and maize, together with pollard and bran, the last two forming three-fourths of the total daily ration, with of course, the usual green feed. Feeding and Care of Breeding Stock. It is not recognised to the extent that it should be how much the results of the breeding season in fertility and strength of chickens depend upon the care and attention bestowed upon the breeding stock. It is not sufficient to mate up the breeding pens and to feed, water, and attend to them as if they were ordinary flock birds. Much more is needed. Extra care in feeding will be time well spent. The birds should have all they will eat and of the the most appetising food. They should be neither under-fed nor over-fed— and by over-feeding is meant that the food should not be allowed to lie about the yard. The birds should be kept keen for their food. This is commonplace advice, but it will stand repeating until it has still more thoroughly permeated the consciousness of the average poultry-keeper, and particular care should be taken to keep the male birds well fed. If the _ males are seen to be hungry and appear to be eating well this should not be taken as a sign that they are taking plenty of food. Very often it is _ evidence that they are not getting sufficient to eat. On the other hand, if they are indifferent to their food it may prove that they are not taking sufficient. Under these conditions the birds rapidly become light in weight, with consequently Jowered condition. This calls for special feeding. A feed of maize given at midday is the best way to maintain condition. The bird should be got to one side or inside the poultry-bouse, and the attendant should arrange so that the hens do not get the food intended for the male. A handful of maize is the best food for this purpose, as it is eaten up more readily, and thus saves the time of the attendant. Cc 522 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. Segregation of the Male Birds. Old fallacies die hard, and one still finds the idea prevalent that the male birds should only run with hens during the breeding season. Experience, however, proves that many males, particularly of thesheavy breeds, become more or less (and sometimes totally) impotent, as a result of this practice. There are, of course, some more or less plausible reasons given for segregating the males, but whatever may be advanced in this respect, the fact remains, and all we can do is to make the best of circumstances over which we have no control. Another practice that is growing up is to change the male birds in the breeding pens frequently with the idea of increasing the vigour of the birds, This also is a fallacy, except in the case of under-feeding. With well-fed, healthy, vigorous birds (and no others should be used) there is no necessity for this practice. Not only so, but there is the objection that pedigree cannot be properly recorded when changes are made in this way. Any good bird well looked after should stand right through the season naturally. Not Too Much Protein. It is not desirable that too much meat or meat concentrates should be fed to the breeding stock. The balanced ration, as fed to laying hens, might with advantage be somewhat widened for breeding stock. The object in regard to this class is rather to produce strong eggs than to make high egg records, and it is not always that both are secured. Many poultry-keepers feed a greater percentage of proteid matter to their breeding pens, being under the impression that the more meat they give the better. This is a mistake that often results in partial failure to hatch and rear chickens, Any kind of stimulation is likely to produce the same result. All highly concentrated foods such as meat meals, &c., should be given by weight. For convenience, a measure may be used, of course, but the weight of the quantity that the measare will hold should be known, and should be kept in mind when making up a ration. Guessing quantities is almost. certain to lead to trouble of one kind or another. Many cases of enteritis occur among flocks owing to neglect of this simple precaution. The same thing applies to common salt when used in excess or carelessly mixed through the food. ALMOND TREES AS A VINEYARD BORDER. AtMonpD trees may be used attractively as a wind screen on a vineyard border. The planting of seedlings is not very satisfactory, as there is a likelihood of getting a very mixed “inferior lot. ‘The better way is to raise from seed and bud the young trees with good varieties. More than one variety must be planted in order to ensure cross-pollination. Up to the present the almond has proved more suited to the country west of the mountains than on the coast, although it is considered that in the drier parts of the coastal districts it could be grown profitably. The country lying between Campbelltown and Richmond, and any with similar climate ‘and soil, should produce satisfactory almonds.—W. J. ALLEN. Rata July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 523 Orchard Notes. JULY. W. J. ALLEN and W. te GAY BRERETON. Frost and Dry Weather. Many of our coastal districts are experiencing unusually heavy frosts. While such winter frosts are beneficial to deciduous fruit trees, they are liable, if continuous and accompanied by dry weather, seriously to affect the hanging crop of citrus fruits. Oranges, lemons and mandarins may show no external frost injury, but will be found lacking in juice. This defect increases as the fruit is kept hanging, and citrus growers who are experiencing frosty and dry conditions should market the fruit from the exposed part of the trees as early as possible in the season. Under ordinary conditions, Thompson’s Improved Navel will, as a tule, turn dry early in the season, and should always be marketed early on that account. Ploughing. Winter ploughing should be pushed forward this month and completed not later than early in August. This work should be put through in good time in order that the soil may absorb the late winter rains, and so that the manure, cover crops and weeds ploughed under may have a chance to rot and make available the plant food they contain for and when the trees require it in the spring. Manuring, If the trees require it, manure can be applied at the winter ploughing. Only a small area should be spread at a time, so that it will be ploughed in the same day, for if rain falls before the manure is covered much of it may be washed away. In small areas, where it is practicable, it is a good plan to spread the manure along each furrow, turning the next sod on to it. Such manures as nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia could be applied in the spring. Pruning. Apples and pears will this month be in a good condition for pruning. The two types of yearling laterals that these trees carry are not always recognised ; one has well-developed plump eyes, and the other poorly developed, almost blind eyes. In such varieties as Jonathan, where, as a rule, the first men- tioned type of lateral largely predominates, the pruner has little to trouble about, as by giving all the yearling laterals plenty of length and shortening he thin ones more than those that are stout and strong, the great majority will develop spurs along their length and only in rare exceptions will laterals remain bare. 524 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. — [July 2, 1920. Both types of laterals, however, are noticeable in such varieties as Rome Beauty, where the lateral with poorly developed, almost blind eyes usually predominates. Such yearling laterals will not spur along their length, but will develop only one or two spurs near their extremity, while the remainder of the lateral will remain bare. On the same tree will also be found the other type of lateral, with well-defined plump eyes. This type can be given plenty of length according to its strength, and will develop spurs at each eye. The character can easily be detected, and without checking the speed in pruning can be dealt with as suggested. As a rule, Rome Beauty throws a greater percentage of these laterals with well-developed, plump eyes when growing inland, beyond the tablelands (especially in granite soils of our southern wheat areas) than when growing on the coast and tablelands—especially, in the latter case, in heavy or rich deep soils. In fact, after the trees in some of the southern wheat districts are 5 or 6 years old, they will throw the greater percentage of their laterals with well-developed eyes. The secondary lateral (that is, the extension the yearling lateral makes) ts generally more prone to carry these well-defined plump eyes than the primary (the one direct from the main limb.) This gives a hint as to the treatment of the lateral with poorly developed, blind eyes. The habit of throwing laterals with well-developed eyes is, however, apparentlyinherent in certain trees, as one comes across it in odd trees where the neighbouring trees of the same variety, under identical conditions, exhibit quite the other character. The varieties Jonathan and Rome Beauty have been chosen fo illustrate the point under discussion, but the principle apples to apples and pears generally. Granny Smith is very variable, giving chiefly one type of wood under some conditions and the other type under others. The Williams pear ig variable in a similar manner. The treatment of the yearling lateral with the poorly developed eye is more complicated than that of the lateral with the well-developed, plump eye, and the results are not so consistent. Laterals not over 3 inches long with a ter- minal fruit eye (often called a fruiting shoot) can be left untouched; they will crop, form a club (sometimes with a spur just behind the club) and often make a couple of small extersions. The extensions can be removed next season, and as a rule the shoot will not extend again, but will form spurs either from the club or immediately behind it. The length of bare wood between the spurs at the club and the junction with the main limb is really an advantage, as it gives space for the fruit to hang. Exactly the same thing will happen to the longer lateral if left, but the trouble is that there will be too great a length of bare wood carrying no spurs. Such a yearling. lateral, therefore, should be cut hard back. It will then make one or more shoots according to its strength and position on the tree, and often a spur immediately behind the shoots. Sometimes this shoot (being a secondary lateral} will be of the type with well-developed eye, and a length of it can be July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W.- 525 left to develop spurs; butif it is of the type with poorly developed eye an/ of light growth it can be removed, leaving the spur. This will then behave like the fruiting shoot previously described, and its later treatment will be similar. If the secondary lateral is of strong growth it is better to leave a short length, when it will behave as the primary lateral did, and the next season can be brought back to the new spur that has formed. As the trees get older and give up their heavy growth, the laterals will be lighter and when cut back (especially on the lower part of the tree) will not make long shoots again, but spurs or fruiting shoots, the management of which is easier. While the trees are young and making very vigorous laterals, the formation of spurs can be precipitated by shortening the laterals hard during the lattes half of the summer. Scions. Where grafting scions are required for working in the spring they should be collected during pruning from well-grown trees that have hitherto given regular crops of a good type of fruit. Spraying. With the exception of the early-starting peach trees, such as Bell’s November and Edward VII, which should have been sprayed last month, it is now a good time to apply lime-sulphur (winter strength) for peach leaf curl. Trees with San José scale may be treated now with either lime-sulphur or miscible oi]. In bad cases, it would be advisable to give a second application before they start im the spring. For mussel scale on apple trees, miscible oil should be used in the pro- portion of 1 to 15 gallons of water, instead of 1 to 25 gallons. If a second application is given, reduce the strength to 1 in 25. Apple trees badly affected with woolly aphis should be sprayed with tobacco wash or one of the commercial nicotine extracts. The treatment of trees only slightly affected may be delayed. Codlin Grub Bandages. Bandages left on the trees for codlin grubs that have been driver from other resting places by winter rain or cold should be examined and the grubs killed. Any spare time can be usefully employed in the examination of any crevices or loose bark. Codlin and tip moth grubs found in such shelter should be destroyed before spring. Planting. Tt is still not too late to plant out deciduous trees if the ground is in fit condition. In districts where the ground is still dry and no irrigation is available, it would be better to delay this operation in hopes of further falls of rain. 526 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. Agricultural Bureau of New South Wales. SUGGESTED SUBJECTS FOR BUREAU MEETINGS, Ir sometimes happens that, owing to some inadvertence, members of branches meet without having any particular subject before them. In such a case one of the following paragraphs may provoke a useful discussion, and a brief report of the discussion will often interest other branches. Have you tried grading potatoes, and is it profitable? If so, at what stage do you carry out your grading—in the field when digging, or in the barn? For what characters do you grade, and do you include size, malformation and disease damage ? What advantage do you attach to the different types of p'oughs—dise or mouldboard—and under what conditions do you consider each shou'd be used ? Have you ever tried stab'e or cow manure for maize? What are its emmediate effects on yie'd, and for how long does its application affect sub- sequent crops? Do you favour heavy or light applications ? What: spraying are you doing this winter? Do you prefer miscib'e oils to concentrated nicotine extracts? Have you ever noticed any il! effects from the use of miscible oils, and does your experience suggest that they are better used when the sap is moving rather than when the tree is dormant? Have you observed any greater activity among aphis when the sap is moving, and does that suggest to you when the spray can be most effective y app ied ? Have you found iron-sulphide act satisfactori'y as a contro! of app'e mi dew ? Are you sure all your cows are earning the cost of grazing and the labour spent on them? If not, have you thought of herd-testing in connection with the matter? The spring is the most suitable time to start testing, and the Department is prepared to afford assistance and advice. Do you think a testing unit could be formed in your district, and how many cows wou'd be offering for the first twelve months ? To what do you attribut2 the movement from the courtry to the city, and what do you think would tend to restrict it? Would you expect the cultiwation of a community spirit, the provision of improved educationa! facilities, and the increase of home and farm conveniences to operate in that direction ? REPORTS AND NOTICES FROM BRANCHES. NOTE.—While gladly publishing in these columns the views of members of the various Branches of the Agricultural Bureau, the Department does not necessarily endorse the opinions expressed. Bimbaya., At a meeting on 13th May, Mr. G. Alcock presiding, an address was given by Mr. A. T. Brown, Dairy Instructor, on the culling of dairy herds with the aid of herd-testing. Every cow’s worth should be positively proved, and the water disposed of. Most dairy farmers might be able to pick out the very best cows in their herds, but they could not speak with certainty of the long line of doubtful animals. July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 52 F Borenore. A branch of the Bureau has been formed at this centre, the following being elected office-bearers :—Chairman, Mr. N. King; Vice-chairman, Mr. T. Millgate; Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. G. Henderson. The benefits attached to membership are being energetically pressed, and the | suggestion is under consideration that a crop-growing competition be held. among members next’ season. The monthly meeting was held on 2nd June, when Mr. R. C. Bell, M.R.C.V.S., gave a lecture on common ailments of farm animals. The time at the lecturer’s disposal was too limited for him to teach all that the members wished to know, and it is hoped that his next visit will be of longer duration. 3 Clovass, . The monthly meeting was held on 30th May, when the only business transacted was of a general character. In the election of a Secretary vce Mr. 8. L. Cox, the choice fell on Mr. J. Boston. Cotta Walla. A meeting was held on 3rd May, when thirteen members attended. The _ wheat, oats and barley plots were discussed by Mr. J. Wray, and the flax and linseed industry by Mr. E. Rowe. The latter paper dealt with the cultivation and harvesting of the crop, and the keen demand for the fibre. The progress the industry was making in the potato districts of Victoria was also pointed out. An experiment plot of linseed that is being grown. by Mr. G. W. Butt will be watched with great interest by the members. Cunningar. A large and representative gathering of members took place on 4th June, to hear a lecture on summer fodders by Mr. G. C. Sparks, Inspector of Agriculture. After the lecture four new members, all returned soldiers, were enrolled. Garra-Pinecliff. A meeting was held at the residence of Mr. H. Robards on Ist April; there was # fair attendance. After the usual business was put through, a dis- cussion took place on the pickling of wheat. The matter was well discussed, and it was finally decided that the following proved a success :—24 lb. of bluestone to 20 gallons of water. A large cask was most suitable for the purpose. After dipping the wheat for a few minutes, it should b: allo wed to drain, then dipped again into a solution of lime made by adding 3 or 4 Ib. of fresh lime to 20 gallons of water. By this method the whole of a farmer’s. seed wheat could be treated a month before sowing, without any fear of harm being done to the wheat by the bluestone. DeparTMENTAL Nore.—The Chief Inspector of Agriculture remarks that the Depart- ment recommends the use of 1} 1b. bluestone to 10 gallons water, and } lb. freshly-burnt Kime to 10 gallons water. Glenorie. At the monthly meeting held on 27th March, a discussion took place on the Eureka lemon. A few members have the lemon planted, and some of them have noticed two distinct kinds in the one bed—one of them a very poor bearer. The other mostly resembled Sweet Rind, which was bearing very well in parts of the district. The discussion indicated that the local tendency is to go back to the planting of Lisbon. 528 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. There was an attendance of fifteen members at the meeting held on 24th April. After the general business had been transacted, a discussion took place on compulsory winter spraying for San José scale and woolly aphis. A letter had been received from another district, asking for co-operation in this direction, and after a general discussion it was decided that as Glenorie district was not suitable for apple growing, the subject could be better dealt with at a conference. ; A pruning demonstration under the auspices of this branch was conducted by Mr. W. le Gay Brereton, Assistant Fruit Expert, on 5th May, when there was a splendid attendance of members and others. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Brereton for his very interesting demonstration. At the usual monthly meeting on 29th May, a general discussion took | place on the pruning demonstration, and a very interesting and profitable evening was spent. Henty. A meeting was held on 1st May for the purpose of re-forming this branch, and operations were re-started, with every prospect of a useful career. The office-bearers elected were :—Chairman, Mr. A. P. Haberecht; Vice- chairman, Messrs. R. O. Eulenstein and 8. Lavis; Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. F. H. Schultz. Inverell. The monthly meeting was held on 30th April, when a paper by Mr. W. R. Fry was read, his subject being the hydro-electric scheme for the north- west districts. The heavy losses of the past four months were pointed out, and the possibilities of insurance of fodder where irrigation was practised. Attention was particularly directed to the transformation effected on the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas. A great deal of information was afforded on the possibilities of certain crops becoming established in the district, and a number of questions were answered. Kellyville. e) A meeting was held on 5th June, when ordinary business was transacted. Lidcombe, Mr. R. N. Makin, Inspector of Agriculture, gave a lecture on leguminous vegetables on 3rd May. He stated that, having noticed some private experiments in the coastal districts with peas and beans, he was of the opinion that many of the varieties now grown might be bettered by saving seed from selected strains, and also that the introduction of new varieties of high- yielding capacity could be carried out with advantage. Growers were advised to test in a small way varieties that were recommended, as against those that are now generally grown. The cultivation, manuring, and diseases of leguminous crops were all dealt with, and numerous questions upon diseases were answered. At a meeting on 17th May, thirty-seven members being present, Mr, Pinn, Inspector of Agriculture, delivered a lecture on potatoes. He dealt with suitable situation and soil, variety, method of choosing seed, general culti- vation, and diseases. A number of questions were asked and answered. July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 529 Lower Portland. At the monthly meeting on 8th April, the principal business was the appointment of judges for the show. It was also decided to stage an exhibit at the Hawkesbury show, and on account of the expense involved it was ‘decided to hold a concert and social to raise funds for the purpose. : The secretary reports that the show held on 4th May was a success In regard to the exhikits, and also financially. The judges praised the exhibits, and stated they would be hard to beat in any other centre in New South Wales for quality and size. The exhibit staged at the Hawkesbury show was awarded first prize, getting 750 points out of 1,000. This is the second time in succession that ‘the branch has gained first prize at this show. : At the monthly meeting on 7th June, it was decided to have a social evening at an early date, and the annual reunion on 30th July. Arrange- ments have been made for the pruning demonstration to be conducted by Mr. Brereton, Assistant Fruit Expert, on 15th July. Milbrulong. The usual monthly meeting was held on 2nd April, being attended by ‘forty-nine members. It was agreed to hold a meeting for the purpose of advancing the cause -of co-operative buying. The rules drawn up for the co-operative associa- ‘tion were adopted, as also were the articles of association. A discussion on wheat sowing followed. Pickling, smut, rust and methods of sowing were the chief points discussed. The question arose, “ What is ‘the best method of combating flag smut ?” DEPARTMENTAL Notr.—Mr. C. O. Hamblin, Assistant Biologist, remarks that the spores of flag smut (the fine black dusty matter which is observable on crushing a leaf -of an infected wheat plant) can reach the wheat plant in two ways :— (a) by the soil being well supplied with them; (6) by adhering to the seed grain. If the paddocks have not previously been badly infected with flag smut, then the pickling process resorted to to avoid infection by stinking smut or bunt has also a cleaning value for flag smut. If, however, paddocks have been badly infested with flag smut in the previous season, pickling has little or no effect. If possible, a rotation crop is desirable to starve the fungus out. Normally the spore germinates about sowing time, when the conditions of moisture and temperature are favourable to it, so that if the young fungus does not then come into contact with a young wheat plant it dies. If wheat must follow wheat, then the land should be ploughed and worked as soon after the harvest as possible. The moisture conserved may then result in germination of the flag smut prior to the sowing. In such a case the use of a variety that could be sown late would be an advantage. If stubble from a badly “ flag-smutted”’ crop is not burnt off, a large number of spores drop into the soil. Sowing in a dry seed-bed will usually favour the disease, for the reason that, if the soil ‘contains ungerminated spores, the seed and spores will lie together until rain comes, -and then, germinating together, the fungus will have every chance of surviving. It is important also to note that horses and cattle fed on diseased hay have been shown ‘to pass the spores uninjured. They are then capable of germination; so that flag smut may be spread from paddock to paddock in that way. It seems that approved good farming methods—rotation of crops, fallow, early pre- “paration of the seed-bed, conservation of soil moisture, and pickling—are also our best methods of combating flag smut. Thorough burning of diseased stubble is also very samportant. At a meeting on 3rd May, a discussion took place on the operation of -€a tration, it being stated by individual m>mbers that they had used clamps for the extraction of the testicles with great success. D 530 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. Moss Vale. On 23rd April, Mr. James Hadlington, Poultry Expert, delivered a lecture under the auspices of this branch ; it was attended by twenty-four mem- bers and a number of visitors. The lecturer indicated the right stamp of birds to select for breeding purposes, the proper class of eggs to set, and the general management necessary for raising strong healthy stock, fully explaining the whole in a thoroughly practical manner. He was asked many questions as to what he considered the most suitable breed for the district, and in reply he stated that in his opinion the Black or Buff Orpington should answer all requirements, although as a “hard-doer” the Rhode Island Red was hard to beat. Whatever breed was selected, Mr. Hadlington strongly advised early hatching to ensure strong vigorous stock. On the following morning, Mr. Hadlington visited a couple of new farms, and gave their owners some very valuable advice. The monthly meeting was held on 7th June, when general business was transacted. | Mount Keira. The usual monthly meeting was held on 2nd June, when Mr. Ramsay Principal Assistant Chemist, delivered a lecture on manures, dealing at some length with the different kinds. The objecis of manuring, the conditions. necessary, composition of manures, price, quantity to be used, and the source of our manure supply were all covered. The lecturer answered numerous questions, and it was generally felt that the lecture was highly instructive, and of the greatest benefit to those engaged in any class of agriculture. Orchard Hills. A meeting of this branch was held on 3rd May, there being a good attend- ance of members. After the general business had been disposed of, a dis- cussion took place on the pruning demonstration conducted by Mr. W. le Gay Brereton, Assistant Fruit Expert, on 27th April. This demonstration had been much appreciated by all who witnessed it, and the discussion deepened its impressions. Springside. The annual meeting of members was held on 4th May, when the office- bearers for the ensuing twelve months were elected, as follows :—Chairman, Mr. John Selwood; Vice-chairmen, Messrs. G. Naylor and D. Quinlan; Hon. Secretary, Mr. W. P. Scarr; Assistant Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. W. Giles; Publicity officer and Librarian, Mr. J. Britt. During the year, ten successful meetings were held, the average attendance for each meeting being twenty-two. Six lectures and demonstrations were given by departmental officers, and a demonstration of explosives by Mr. Crossley. The financial statement showed a credit balance of £6 3s. At the monthly meeting on Ist June, arrangements were made for a pruning demonstration to be given shortly by Mr. Meier, Orchardist at Bathurst Experiment Farm, and also for the visit of Mr. C. C. Crane, Organising Inspector of the Agricultural Bureau. Stratford. A very successful pruning demonstration was given by Mr. W. le Gay Brereton, Assistant Fruit Expert, on 3rd June, some twenty members being present. The usual monthly meeting had to be abandoned owing to wet: weather. — July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 531 Tallawang. The annual meeting was held on 1st May, but on account of farmers being busy sowing wheat, and the fact that the night was a bitterly cold one, the attendance was only moderate. Office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year, Mr. A. Robinson and Mr. H. W. Graham being re-elected as Chairman and Hon. Secretary respec- tively. Matters of local interest were discussed. The reading circle was rearranged, a box of books having been recéived from the Public Library in Sydney. Thyra-Bunaloo. At the meeting held on 8th May, after the general business had been dis- posed of, a useful paper on the blow-fly pest was read by Mr. Robert Smith. An interesting discussion followed. Tingha. The monthly meeting was held on 1st May, when a satisfactory report on the recent exhibition was tabled, and certain decisions were arrived at for the next fixture of the kind. A paper was read by Mr. G. W. Browning on the subject of potato growing, covering the choice of seed, varieties, manuring, cultivation, diseases, &c. Useful information was given on all points. DEPARTMENTAL Note.—The manure now recommended by the Department in the Northern Tableland district is 2 cwt. superphosphate and } cwt. sulphate or muriate of potash on sandy soils, or 2 cwt. superphosphate alone on clay soils. Toronto. The monthly meeting was held on 1st June. It was decided to ask the Department for a lecture on grasses by Mr. E. Breakwell, Agrostologist. About fifty persons attended the pruning demonstration conducted by Mr. Brereton, Assistant Fruit Expert. It was very much appreciated and was attended by about fifteen senior boys from Toronto school. Mr. L. Owen gave an interesting discourse on sprays and spraying, for which he was accorded a vote of thanks. Wellington. At a meeting on 4th May, a paper was read by Mr. J. Cook on the growing of onions. Much useful information was given in the paper, especially as to the preparation of the seed-bed and sowing of the seed. Windsor. At the April meeting, general business was transacted. The sugar account showed a credit balance of £4 7s. 7d. The May meeting was well attended. Among other things discussed were the questions asked in the Agricultural Gazette for May on the subject of potatoes, these leading to a discussion of the “ piebald ” and “ blue” types of Manhattan. DEPARTMENTAL NotEe.—The ** piebald”’ is the accepted type of Manhattan, but of late years the “ blue ” type has also been fairly extensively grown. It is not yet certain whether the latter is the result of a sport or the introduction of another variety resembling Manhattan. 532 ae icultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. Woonona, A well attended meeting was held on 11th May, when a good deal of local business was dealt with. It was the unanimous opinion of members that a larger hall for the shows is now necessary. Yarramalong. At the usual monthly meeting on 5th May, general business was transacted, and the report on the maize trials was received. A pruning demonstration was conducted by Mr. W. le Gay Brereton, Assistant Fruit Expert, on 26th May. There was a good attendance of fruitgrowers, and also the teacher and the elder boys of the public school. As well as giving a practical demonstration, Mr. Brereton lectured and answered many questions. He pruned nectarine, peach, apricot, plum and pear trees in various stages of growth. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES’ SHOWS. SECRETARIES are invited to forward for insertion in this page dates of their forthcoming shows; these should reach the Editor, Department of Agri- culture, Sydney, not later than the 21st of the month previous to issue. Alteration of dates should be notified at once. Society, 1920. Secretary. Date. Corowa P., A., and H. Society... we Bex ... J. D. Fraser ... Aug. 17, 18 Parkes P., A., and H. Association .., nee oo Ge, Waseaborm. J.) 44) L718 Forbes P., A., and H. Association ; see;, Hig AS MAMIStED- os caiun ke eos ee Murrumbidgee P. and A. Association (Wages) .. A. F. D. White... ,, 24, 25, 26 Lockhart A. and P. Society... we HA DiAenoeld yy set 35 sa and ept. 1 Albury and Border P., A., and H. aii ree Ar VOUN TS it... SOP caus 4 9 Young P. and A. Association se tet A. Deston perk... Mi et nO, Cowra P., A., and H. Association ... &. P. Todbunter:... ,, 14,15 Ganmain "A. and P. Association zs a ... L. S. Henderson... ,, 14, 15 Cootamundra A., P., H., and I. Association be ... N. Gardner Sy re Pane aye Ac Northern A. Society (Singleton) ies eh sere: McMahon... 55 15, .l6,eln Narrandera P. and A. Association Pie pot WV one CANTON weer) yte alee Temora P., A., H., and I. Association su « A. D. Ness die) og (Leas Holbrook P., A., and H. Society a ie Wal. SbOWALt sss wemuconee Junee P., A., and I. Association meee! be 0 fap ests Seed ee) Deniliquin P. and A. Society .. P. Fagan... Sau ss Te, 1921. Kiama A. Society.. ... G. A. Somerville... Jan. 25, 26 Cobargo A., P., and H. Society ... T. Kennelly es teba 9,/10 Ulladulla A. and H. Association (Milton) .. R, F. Cork dk BG Guyra P., A., and H. Association ... P. N. Stevenson... ,, 16, 17, 18 Dapto A. "and H. Society me. ... FE, James ... Sevip ig LOR ELo Yanco Irrigation Area Agricultural Society .. ‘je ee LEEDO i sigh (gy CEO. Newcastle A., H., and I. Association . .. E. J. Dann Bet 24, 25, 26 Glen Innes P. and A. Society ... : Geo. A. Priest ...March 8 iD, 10 Tumbarumba and Upper Murray P. and A. Society... K. C. Cunningham Sit has 10 Taralga A., P., and H. Association . J.J. Kearney ... 5, 10, ll Upper Hunter P. and A. Association ... ont Rs OSA WKIDEI vey u isp etd Oona Royal Agricultural Society of N.S. W. .. H. M. Somer »» 21 to 30 Printed and published by WILLIAM APPLEGATE GULLICK, of Sydney, Government Printer, and Publisher, of the State of New South Wales, at Phillip-street, Sydney. July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. o Scottish Australian Investment Co., Ltd. DARBALARA STUD of MILKING SHORTHORN CATTLE GUNDAGAI, N.S.W. Si SSA MMMM NY) Hye» “EMBLEM OF DARBALARA (100). KITCHENER OF DARBALARA (409). se Banker (5) ex Madame (406). Emblem of Darbalara (100) ex Lily II of Darbalara (1,019), ’ us Sypngy R.A.S. Recorbs :—Ist, as yearling, 1914; 1st, 2 years ‘Sypney RB. A.S. Recorps :—1st and Champion, 1910, 1911, 2, 1913, 1914, 1915 and 1916. First in Bal and Progeny, 214, 1915 ; Ist, 3 years old, 1916; ist and Champion, 4 years old, 1917; 2nd and Reserve Champion 1918; and lst in 18, 1915 and 1916. Unbeaten for 7 successive years. Bulland Progeny. Unbeaten for 5 years, except once eS e ELECTED OF DARBALARA, bred by the same Stud. iy MELBA VII Govr. OrrictaL Recorps : r OF DARBALARA 2 years old, for 273 days, _ (4 181) 8,077 Ib. Milk, 412 lb. Butter. i 5 r 4 years old, for 273 days, ire— 14,622 lb. Milk, 678 Ib. _ Emblem of Darbalara (100). Butter. 6 years old, for 273 ; Dam— : hs Melba IV of Darbalara ae Pies wp eB (1,576). utter. years old, for World’s record tor a Short- 365 days, 17,364 lb. Milk, _ horn Cow, 365 days. 1,021} lb. Butter. c 4 MELBA XI OF DARBALARA (4,185). MELBA XV OF DARBALARA (4,188). Sire—Union Jack of Darbalara (631). Sire—Kitchener of Darbalara (449). Dam— Melba VII of Darbalara (4,181), Dam—Melba VII of Darbalara (4,181). Govt. OFFICIAL REcOKDS:--2 years old, for 273 days, 6,492 lb. Milk, 241 Ib. Butter. 3 years old, for 273 days, 9,165 lb. Milk, 481 1b. Butter. k.A.S. RecorDs :—1st Prize as 2 year old in Milk and Reserve Champion to Herd Mate CAMELLIA II, 1917. lst Prize as 3 year old in Milk and Champion, 1918. Bred by and Property of The Scottish Australian Investment Company, Ltd., Darbalara Estate, Gundagai, N.S HIGH-CLASS PEDIGREED YOUNG BULLS FOR SALE. For full particulars apply-——— —The MANAGER, Darbaiara. Darbalara is easy of access from Sydney or Melbourne by train. Govt. Orricran Recoris:—2 years old, tor 273 days, 844 Ib. Milk, 461 lb. Butter. 3 years old, for 273 days, 3,510 Ib. Milk, 707 lb. Butter. -B.AS. Recorps :—Ist Prize as 2 year old in Mil, 1918. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. “Champion” Stump-jump Plow. Fae Coe BIAA ee eg A Farmer’s Boy, 6 Horses, and a ‘‘Clutterbuck”’ ro-Furrow Plow, have been known to plow 100 acres of .and 4 inches deep ina week. ** THINK OF IT!” 7 8 FURR.— 10 FURR.— 12FURR.— £14 FURR.— MA DE IN £62 £66 £72 £76 Stews. Clutterbuck Bros. Ltd. “Viiv N.S.W, STATE CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC, F it T iti in every Branch of MUSICAL ART, xpe H ion ELOCUTION and DRAMATIC ART, by a highly-qualified Staff of Professors. All information regarding Fees, etc., may be obtained from Tel. City 6729. N. L. SALMON, Registrar. H. M. SUTTOR & CO.,, orices!2 Bond-st, sydney. PASTORAL and AGRICULTURAL AGENTS, GRAIN AND PRODUCE SALESMEN. WHEAT, MAIZE, OATS, &e., CHAFF, LUCERNE, OATEN HAY, POTATOES, &c., RECEIVED FOR SALE DAILY AT ALEXANDRIA. Rel: able In ormat on Given re Markets. * TOP PRICES. QUICK RETURNS. and annoy the animal, but ROW S EMBROCATION will keep them away and heal at the same time WAV S ‘ Flies gather round old sores, wounds, &c., EsTaBLISHED 50 YEARS. Sole Makers— EDWARD ROW & CO., Sydney. July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. win Che Aniversity of Sydney. Department of Veterinary Science. The Veterinary School, which is well equipped with the most modern apph- ances and apparatus, is under the direction of Professor J. DOUGLAS STEWART, M.R.C.V.S., B.V.Sc., late Chief Inspector of Stock and Govern- ment Veterinary Surgeon of the State of New South Wales. The degree granted, viz., Bachelor of Veterinary Science (B.V.Sc.), is recog- nised for all public appointments in the Commonwealth. The course of instruction and training is of a pro- gressive nature, and the standard adopted is that of the best Veterinary Colleges in the British Empire. The Hospitaland Clinic in connection with the School offer exceptional facilities for practical training. The FEES ave— SIX GUINEAS per Term, or EIGHTEEN GUINEAS per Year. The Lectures of next Term begin [3th Sept., 1920. Veterinary Science undoubtedly offers, particularly to those fond of animals, a remunerative and congenial profession, for which a wide field of employment exists. Full particulars of the curriculum will be forwarded on application. H. E. BARFF, Warden and Registrar. The Chief Inspector of Stock, Government of New South Wales, approves of the use of this preparation. SA VE YOUR BY USING BLACKLEGOIDS TO VACCINATE AGAINST BLACKLEG. Simple. Safe. Effective. No dose to Measure. No liquid to spill. No string to rot. Simply a little pill to be mjected under the skin, SBND FOR FREE BOOKLETS. For Sale by PARKE, DAVIS & COMPANY. MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS, 125 York-street, Sydney. Box 224 G.P.O. Ww Agricultural Gazctte of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. STUD BERKSHIRE PIGS FOR SALE BRED AT The State Prison Farms: Bathurst, Goulburn, Emu Plains, and The State Penitentiary. Long Bay. At present on hand— YOUNG BOARS YOUNG SOWS Aged Nine to Twelve Months, just fit to breed from. | All guaranteed healthy, of high-class breeding, and have been carefully selected from meats good pedigreed stock of thrifty, vigorous, and early maturing strains. Full particulars may be obtained on application to the Super intendent of the State Penitentiary, Long Bay, or to THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF PRISONS, ‘PHILLIP STREET, SYDNEY. re July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W | THE SEAL oF DJF QUALITY Ny Ss All ingredients used in the manufacture of Specialised Stock Foods and @ Tonic Meals must measure up to ourestablished specifications. It is not sufficient that they are the best procurable. Every component part of Stock Food and Tonic Meal must satisfy our rigid scientific and practical tests for nutritive values. Stock Foods and Gy) Tonic Meals manufactured from the best concentrated ingredients— MUST GIVE RESULTS, BY RESULTS (i) IS CHEAPER. FURTHER PARTICULARS ay) STOCK FOODS DEPARTMENT, A.T. HEAD OFFICE ue KING ST SYDNEY (Works: Parramatta) yen ae, ; "Yhe boy on the Ges guaallty” Tedd OPES vt Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. NEW SOUTH WALES. THE PUBLIC TRUSTEE ACTS AS ORRS Soe Boh ae EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, ATTORNEY, or AGENT, (STATE GUARANTEE.) LOWEST CHARGES IN AUSTRALASIA, NO PROFITS. Increased Business Means Reduced Charges. T. W. GARRETT, Apply for particulars to— Public Trustee. PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE, Culwulla Chambers, 67 Castlereagh-st.. SYDNEY. July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. ou _— Department of Lands, Sydney. CLOSER SETTLEMENT ACTS. CONDOBOLIN Bygalore Estate. LAND DISTRICT. 11 Farms available, areas from 690 to 2,049 acres. About 40 to 48 miles from Wyalong, adjacent to Bygalorie, Boorabil, and Ingram’s Sidings on the Wyalong-Cargelligo railway. Forest Vale Estate. LAND DISTRICT. 2 Farms available, areas 812 and 838 acres. About 64 to 9 miles from Gorman’s Hill Railway Station, on the Wyalong- Cargelligo railway, and 58 to 59 miles trom Wyalong. — cnr rrr ES ES SE ce eS North Logan Estate. LAND DISTRICT. 2 Farms available, area 9 acres ] rd. 5 perches, and 9 acres | rd. 7 perches. About 4 mile from Billimari, and 13 miles from Cowra. Gorman’s Hill West Estate. ea eons 3 Farms available, areas 1,261 acres, 1,320 acres and 1,654 acres. 15 to 19 miles from Cargelligo-Burgooney Siding, about 3 miles from Tullibigeal, on Wyalong-Cargelligo railway. > TAMWORTH Peel River Estate. Panw Dieenee Farm No. 287 of 10 acres 2 roods 11 perches. About 4 miles from Tamworth. e WYALON Boorabil Estate. LAND See 2 Farms available, areas 1,542 acres and 1,846 acres. 5 to 7 miles from Tullibigeal Siding, 18 to 20 miles from Cargelligo, about 50 miles from Wyalong. TEMOR ENTR: Clonmel Estate. ee Farm No. 1 of 400 acres, Farm No. 2 of 4593 acres, and Farm No. 3 of 480 acres, About 6 miles from Ardlethan. GR Glen Lyon Estate. TA eer Farm No. 4 of 2l4 acres. 34 miles from Maclean. Moonabba Estate. LAND DISTRICT, Farm No. 4 of 5634 acres. About 54 miles from Bribaree. Ungarie South Estate. DANO BIoneren (Available for Returned Soldiers only.) Farm No. 16, of 531 acres. About 14 miles from Ungarie. (Successful applicant to be granted a lease of adjoining block of 348 acres, ) Full particulars obtainable on application from the Information Bureau, Department of Lands, Sydney, or the Crown Land Agents for the district in which the lands are situated. ARTHUR J. HARE, Under Secretary. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, N.S.W. STUD DAIRY CATTLE. Always Available Young Bulls from Tested Stock. Watch for Yearly Annual Sales at the Farms and Royal Agricultural Show of Females of Best Milking Strains. MILKING SHORTHORN BULL. ~ Melba’s Emblem of Darbalara (461, M.S.H.B.). Sire, Emblem of Darbalara (100 M.S.H.R.} Dam, Melba III of Darbalara (1058 M.S.H.B.) Yield of Dam, 15,239 lb. milk and 653°65 lb. butter in 365 days. q OTHER SIRES IN USE: RuTLAND OF DARBALARA (575 M.S.H.B.), by Emblem of Darbalara (100). Yield of Dam, 12,324 lb. milk and 579 lb. butter in 365 days. CoMRADE oF DaRBALARA (Vol. V, M.S.H.B.), by Silver Mine of Darbalara (592). Yield of Dam, 8,436 lb. milk and 398 In butter in 273 days as a 2-year old. NEWHAVEN or DARBALARA (Vol. V, M.S.H.B.), by Lily’s Cupid of Darbalara (431) (half-brother of Emblem of Darbalara). Yield of Dam, 9,163 lb. milk and 419 lb. butter in 365 days when 16 years old. MILKING SHORTHORN COW. Gibson Girl (1,465, imp.). Yield, 10,702 lb. milk and 494-79 lb. butter in 365 days. G. VALDER, Under Secretary and Director, Department of Agriculture, Sydney. — July 2, 1920.) Agriculiural Gazette of N.S.W ix DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, N.S.W. STUD. DAIRY CATTLE. Representatives of the Government Herds. GUERNSEY BULL. George III (15 A.G.H.B.) Sire, King of the Roses (28 A.G.H.B.) Dam, Calm II (23 A.G.H.B.) Yield of Dam, 7,548 lb. milk and 503 lb. butter in 287 days. OTHER S1RES IN USE: FaITHFuL Fipo (81) by Hayes’ Fido (imp). (24). Vield of Hops (280), full sister to Faith- ful Fido, 7,539 lb. milk and 496-9 |b. butter in 243 days (test incomplete). Rose CHIEF OF WoLLONGBAR (130), by Godolphin Moses (imp.), Dam, Parson’s Red Rose I (imp.) (138). Yield of Dam, 6,999 lb. milk and 452 lb. butter in milking period. GUERNSEY COW. Parson’s Red Rose II (imp.) (139 A.G.H.B.) Yield, 8,865 lb. milk and 655-65 lb. butter in 365 days. Sire, Gil Blas (1,679 P.S., R.G.A.S.) Dam, Parson’s Red Rose (2,813 F.S. R.G.A.S.) GUERNSEY COW. Beatrice of Berry (8 A.G.H.B.). Yield, 5,566 lb. milk and 362 lb. butter ip milking périod on first calf. Sire, Royal Blood VI. Dam, Beatrix XIV (imp.). Se nae aaa PURE-BRED YOUNG BULLS of the following bresds—MILKING SHORTHORN, JERSEY, GUERNSEY, AYRSHIRE, and RED POLL—always available for Sale. APPLICATION SHOULD BE MADE TO The UNDER SECRETARY and DIRECTOR, Department of Agriculture, Sydnev Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. STUD PIGS FOR SALE AT THE HOSPITAL, CALLAN PARK. 582 585 586 589 600 604 605 606 608 609 610 611 For further particulars apply to Manager. (The prices quoted hold good for the current month only.) Description. Berkshire Boar ... Berkshire Sow Berkshire Boar Berkshire Boar Berkshire Sow Berkshire Sow Berkshire Boar Berkshire Sow Berkshire Sow Berkshire Sow Koramburra Berkshire Boar ... Berkshire Boar .. Berkshire Boar ... Major No. 520a .| Koramburra ‘ } ..| Koramburra Major No. 520a Major No, 520a Royal Lad No. 401 Koramburra Major No. 520a Koramburra Major No. 520a Date Price of Farrow. Each. ! 1919. £s @ Callan Park Birdy No. 520b Callan Park Dew- drop No. 500 Callan Park Lady No. 520c Callan Park Dew- drop No. 500 Callan Park Birdy No. 520b Callan Park Lucy No. 520d Prices quoted include delivery in crates at Darling Harbour or Wharf at Sydney. A full pedigree is furnished with every pig sold. All communications to be addressed to— **Turt ManaGErR, Mental Hospital, Callan Park, Sydney.” {Please add Exchange for Country Cheques. ) 24th June, 1920 " KIRKPATRICK, Manager. » Tag July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. we State Timber Yards and Building Workshops UHR'S POINT, RHODES. Telephones: Postal Address: U 6601 to U 6606. Box 12, Post Office, Burwood. The Largest Timber Yard and Joinery Works in Australasia. ALL FOREIGN AND AUSTRALIAN TIMBERS IN STOCK. SEND FOR PRICE LIST AND OATALOGUE Spccial Prices given for Detail Joinery, Office Furniture, ctc. All Communications to be addressed to Tue Manavsn. xin Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. ———————————_—_=_=_=_==__________=======_____—S AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION At the Government Farm Schools. SPECIAL FACILITIES ARE OFFERED AT THE SCHOOLS AT THE GOVERNMENT EXPERIMENT FARMS FOR INSTRUCTION IN AGRICULTURE. COURSES FROM © MONTHS TO 3 YEARS. Low Fees. Comfortable Accommodation. Expert Tultion. HAWKESBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, Richmond. ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY. Agriculture Diploma Course—3 years. Dairy Diploma Course—2 years. Carrying the respective academic distinctions “H.D.A.” and “ H.D.D.” Shert Ceurses of 12 months on the ORCHARD, and 6 months on DAIRY, PIGGERY, ar-4 POULTRY. Carrying certificates on examination. Each course gives a well-adjusted combination of Field Practice with Class-room Tuitica. Two Sessions per Year, beginning January and July. FEES (INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) All Courses .... ... £14 per Session. WAGGA and BATHURST STUDENT SCHOOLS. SOUND SYSTEMS IN MIXED FARMING. The Student performs the work of each Section of the Farm, including SHEEP, CROPS, DAIRY, ORCHARD, POULTRY, PIGGERY, CARPENTER’S and BLACKSMITHS SHOPS. TWO YEARS’ COURSE FOR FARM CERTIFICATE. Fees (INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) First Year ... «.. S16 Second Year... ... £10 FARM APPRENTICE SCHOOLS at Glen Innes, Wollongbar, and Grafton. A PRACTICAL COURSE FOR TRAINING LADS FOR FARM WORK. The Apprentices are trained in all branches of FARM, DAIRY, or ORCHARD work, and receive Lectures and Demonstrations in CROP GROWING and the Rearing and Management of LIVE STOCK. WOMEN’S TRAINING FARM, COWRA. Women Students are given instruction in all matters relating to WHEAT and SHEEP FARMING, also DAIRYING, FRUIT GROWING, POULTRY KEEPING, APICULTURE, eto. Fees (INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) £5 for Six Months. (Admission at any date.) For further particulars, prospectuses, &c., apply to— GEORGE VALDER, Lands Office Building, Under Secretary and Director. Bridge-st., Sydney. Department of Agriculture. a ’ July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. atid To Employers. Cy co a eete RETURNED SOLDIERS AND SAILORS’ EMPLOYMENT ACT compels, with few exceptions :— (1) Reinstatement of Returned Soldiers, Sailors, and Nurses in original positions ; (2) Absolute Preference of Employment to Returned Soldiers, Sailors, and Nurses ; (3) Application to the State Labour Exchanges for all labour (men and women) required. STATE LABOUR EXCHANGES have been established in the undermentioned country towns: BROKEN HILL, GOULBURN, LISMORE, NEWCASTLE, ORANGE, TAMWORTH, WAGGA WAGGA, WOLLONGONG. F. C. GOVERS, Director. Labour Exchanges and Immigration Branch, 76 Elizabeth Street, Sydney. | xiv Agricultural Gazette of N.S W. [July 2, 1920. The Great “Murrumbidgee” Irrigation Scheme Soils may be chosen suitable for the Orchardist, Vegetable Grower, Dairyman, Viticulturist, Poultryman, Pig Farmer, Fat-lamb Raiser, Bee Farmer, General Farmer. LIBERAL AND PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE TO SETTLERS 7 N THE EASIEST OF TERMS. Fertile "3 Subject to such conditions as to security and terms of repay- ment as the Commission may think fit to impose, Settlers may Land obtain an advance or have payment of rent and water rates suspended. Trees and Vines may be purchased trom the + Commission’s Nursery—Specially selected Dairy Stock are obtain- able—Pedigree Sires on liberal terms—Railway Concessions are granted on New South Wales Railways. Cheap (Change of policy may require alteration of terms of Assistance.) Water SPECIAL ADVANTAGES. The whole scheme is administered by the State Government, and the products carried to market on Government-owned railways. 6 Instruction and demonstration in Agricultural and Irrigation methods always available free of cost to the settler by experts A / employed by the State. Mp C The climate of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areus is dry and healthy—hot in summer, which makes it suitable for drying fruit. Water Water is supplied solely by gravitation (no pumping required) at a remarkably cheap rate. <> Butter, Bacon, Cheese, and Canning: Factories and a pulping plant have been established in connection with the scheme. Schools, Churches, Banks, and Stores are established. No Bal- aay | | loting Information on every point; special pamphlets on Fruit Growing for Land and Poultry Farming are obtainable on application. Particulars regarding Irrigation Farms may be obtained from The WATER CONSERVATION and IRRIGATION COMMISSION, Branch “C,’’ Union House, 247 George-street, Sydney ; The RESIDENT COMMISSIONER, Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission, Leeton. July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. LV PRICE LIST OF PURE BRED PIGS FOR SALE AT HOSPITAL, GLADESVILLE. (The prices quoted hold good for the current month only.) 2323 | 2327 2328-29 2337 2339-40 2342-43 2347-48 2352 2357-8-9-60 2362 2363-64-65 2366 2368-69-70 2371 2372-3-4-5 2377-78-79 2381 238 4-85-86 2394-95-96 2397-98 99 2400-1 2402-3 2404 2405-6 2407-8 July, 1920. Ail communications should be addressed to ‘‘ The Manager,’ Mental Hospital, Gladesville. Description. Berkshire Sow Berkshire Boar ... Berkshire Sows. ... Berkshire Sow Berkshire Boars... 3erkshire Sows ... Mid. York. Sows Berkshire Sow Berkshire Sows ... Berkshire Sow Mid. York. Boars Mid. York. Sow Berkshire Sows ... Mid. York. Boar Mid. York. Sows Mid. York. Boars Mid. York. Sow Berkshire Sows... Berkshire Boars... Berkshire Sows ... Mid. York. Boars Mid. York. Sows Large York. Boar Large York. Sows) Hawkesbury Large York. Sows| King Charles II ... Glad’ville Empress IV. attain that age. (Prices quoted include delivery in crates on truck or steamer at Sydney.) (A full Pedigree is furnished with every Pig sold.) Bie: BaD Patowed: ieon 1920. eae Whitley Wales Gladesville Jatin Rosle eee (Imp. ) Duchess IIT Gladesville Flock-| Tarban Jane II ...) Jan. 4/ 7 7 master II, , Gladesville Flock-| Tarban JaneII ...) Jan. 4] 6 16 master II. .| Gladesville Long-) Tarban Jane Pea ive) oes cay i fellow (Imp.) Gladesville Flock-| Gladesville Jian. 9" iowa master IT. Duchess IT. Gladesville Flock-| Gladesville Jan. 91] 6 16 master IT. Duchess IT. Sundon Sydney Moredun Maid ...| Jan. 12] 7 7 (Imp. ) ...| Whitley Wales Thick Haired Jane} Jan. 12 | 7 7 . (Imp.) iis Whitley Wales Herrison Queen V | Jan. 12| 7 7 (Imp.) .| Whitley Wales Glad’ville Nancy II) Jan. 23] 6 16 (Imp. ) Sundon Sydney Gladesville Maid II] Jan. 26 | 7 7 (Imp. ) Suindon Sydney Gladesville Maid II) Jan. 26} 6 16 (Imp.) Whitley Wales Polly Pry VI Heb; 4 673-616 (Imp. ) : Sundon Sydney Glad’ville Maid III} Feb. 9} 7 7 (Imp. ) Susan Sydney Glad’ville Maid 1II} Feb. 9] 6 16 (Imp. ) Sundon Sydney College Rambling] Feb. 21} 6 16 (Imp. ) Rose. Sundon Sydney College Rambling} Feb. 21] 6 6 (Imp.) Rose. Whitley Wales Polly Pry VII Feb. 23] 6 6 (Imp. ) hack baa Gladesville Queen | Mar. 12 | 6 6 Didymus Lockhaven Gladesville Queen | Mar. 12] 5 15 Didymus Sundon Sydney Gladesville Snow-| Mar. 24} 6 6 (Imp. ) drop. Sundon Sydney Gladesville Snow-} Mar. 24 | 5 15 (1mp.) drop. Hawkesbury Glad’ville Empress} April 1] 6 6 Ferryman Vi Glad’ville Empress} April 1] 5 15 Ferryman. V April 4] 5 15 Any of the above pigs that may be selected under the uge of 3 months will be kept until they 2 Oo PF & W. A. E. LEWIS, Manager, Gladesville Hospital. Please add HKxchange for Country Cheques xvi Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [July 2, 1920. - RELIABLE HARROWS at ANTHONY HORDERNS'’ for HARD WORK. They do the hard work, and they do it well—and economically. Such high-grade helps to farming success are a good investment at any price; at Anthony Horderns’ Famous Low Prices doubly so. Iiustrated is a Wiard Dise Harrow. It has a strong channel-steel frame, and can be depeided upon to give good service. 5 ft., with truck, £16; 6 ft., with trucx, £17. A Wiard Spading Harrow is invaluable on a well-ordered farm, Strength and reliability are its strong points. Wiard Spading Harrows— 3 ft. 16in Spades, each £10/-/- 5 ft c 18in. Spades, each £12/15/- 4 ft. 16in . ,, £10/15/- 6: ft.c°X8 4012 at 5 £14/15/- 5 ft.ai6in s e £11/-/- 7 Tt OMmeoni ass + £15/10/- 6ft. Wiard Disc Gangs, to convert Spade into Disc Harrows ees Be Write for Price List of Agricultur 1 Implements you are inter-sted in. Anthony Hordern @ Sons, Ltd., SYDNEY. ie faa ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN THOUSAND “118,500 MESUORED AND EATEN THOUSAND 1g 5 QQ) ‘| HESE figures arrest your attention and prove the PIG INDUSTRY to bea steadily growing one, also a pay- able one to the PRODUCER. These figures represent the total of Pigs sold through the Abattoir Yards last year. NEW ZEALAND LOAN & MERCANTILE AGENCY CO,, LTD,, 38 BRIDGE STREET = SYDNEY. This Company, facing these facts, has secured the services of AN EXPERT PIG SALESMAN. Their long ‘and successful experience as Salesmen of Everything Pastoral will ensure Clients that Pigs and Calves consigned to the Company’s care will have expert attention, and fullest market value be realised. A trial consignment will convince you that what we say we do—we carry out. Liberal Advances given against consignments. E. R. GRAHAM, Telegrams : Manager. JARVIE, Sydney. Ml Prices from £4/17/6 upwards. Easy terms if desired. o You can have the ‘‘ Baltic ’’ on a 30 Days’ Free Trial. Why not start increasing your profits at once-? Get a ‘‘ Baltic’’ to-day! THE BALTIC SEPARATOR CO. LTD., 72 Wentworth-avenue - - - SYDNEY. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. A 8 Vig 4 | =} i | I yey Ox f im ul pa ier 4 aD | \ rls iS i os x ay Ih 0. | : N 4 nfs alt \s ed io. == He can’t get through! Mr. Fence-Breaker has this time tackled a fence which puts him back in his place very promptly. There is greater power of resistance when fences are erected with Waratah hie Each panel has the same strength, whether the fence be a chain or a mile long. Waratah Fencing Wire is true-to-gauge in every inch ; only finest grade iron ore enters into its manufacture ; it strains much tighter and stays tighter than imported wires ; rarely, if ever, needs re-straining. Within each coil of WARATAH WIRE is the fence-strength you seek—within each coil lies the method for better fences at a lower cost. Protect your paddocks by fencing with ‘‘ Waratah.” Write for free Fencing Booklet, V. 19. Austral Nail Co., Pty., Ltd., 310 Flinders St., Melbourne, Vic. Wire Mills at Neweastle, N.S.W. — LLL LL LAMM AMMA Ggom THE Ope To Tne Fenct AusTRAU ttZpZpe, Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural: Gazette of N.S.W. xi Butter in 30 Seconds! Lord’s Patent Churn and Mixer —serves many household purposes. Butter in 30 seconds! It seems incredible, but it is fact— proven by actual test made by us with cream bought at a nearby store—butter was produced in 25 seconds! Lord’s Churn is the cleanest, most sanitary, and most useful type ever invented. No beaters are used—the churning, or mixing is done in an enclosed glass vessel agitated rapidly by an even shaking movement Should the square glass jar be broken, an ordinary round preserving jar will give equally good results. SEE WHAT THIS CHURN WILL DO: Ensures a light mixture for cakes—mixes Mixes Squash, Milk Shakes, and other everything at one operation. Cooling Summer Drinks, Beats from one to four dozen eggs in a AND MAKES ALL THE BUTTER YOU fraction of the time usually needed. NEED. Will mix all classes of Batters rapidly. Get one for your 5 oO / Makes delightful Apple Snow and Dainties. home ... = Packed in wooden boxes 13” x 10” x $*—-gross weight, 18 lb. Bazacotts C 7-11 Market Street, Sydney; and at 413-415 Adelaide Street, Brisbane. “ Always ask for Buzacott Gates and Fences.” sor agers le Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. ASSETS: JUNE, 1912: £4,514. DEc., 1919: HEAD OFFICE : PITT & MOORE STREETS, SYDNEY. £=61,383,387. Commonwealth ank of Australia Jpo. OPEN FOR ALL CLASSES OF General and. Saving: 201 Bank Business Bols le e1euos sdi bide [PHE toon Vela CITIES and’FOWN $ of Australia, London (2), and Rabaul (New Britain). General Bankitig) Dep U ho rawn n or foreign places re é& unilood U orien Bill negotiated and-collectedy Letters of Credit issued to akiylpdit of Ot woy 10} =\f egottdled or -forwarded? fe7'|col- lection. 4{ gf wdgiew ezo1g—*! Banking and Exchange Business of description transacted within Oma onary ‘ ite te 90 39x) | OL x 2n'BAMnes Bank Dept. cted all Branches and at over Conse 802° ai st Office Agencies in Austrdtlt- Papua, New Britain, & oiSatemonokslands, and the Pacific. Mihirhani depasit, |s. Moxipypies Jnterest-bearing Deposit, Rate (ERE RSIN PL Ger cent. on amounts ‘et papa £10 er cent. in excess of £1,000 a be exceeding £1,300. _..: or Withdrawals may be made at any Branch or Agency. clear may be made on demand, or or by telegrap Current @ccounls o J ce to place na tia Y Tm ee paid on "eo > | re” fiesEwith P.O. Advances Gada 10 MS, aa guings sara n fainigdom Snes be alin «vor bvw@.e eivicieasienit Fk JAMES KEUL@DEPUTYGovERNOR= Siw’ DENTSON MILLER, FKCIMsG loGovERNOR JULY, 1920. [Aug. 2, 1920. Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. xiii THE PIONEERS. Keeping in Step with the Times. The P.F.A. was the first to establish a thoroughly equipped Meat Freezing Works in the State. That was in 1891. The same progressive spirit still distinguishes the P.F.A. in every branch of its service. Throughout good seasons aid bad seasons it has continually maintained its efforts to further the interests of the pastoralist. WOOL, FAT STOCK, STORE STOCK, and STATION PRODUCE —all can be disposed of to the utmost advantage through the P.F.A. Every department of this unique organisation is under the management of men who are experts. Let the P.F.A. bring its wide experience, its modern methods and specialised attention to bear on the marketing of your products. Pastoral Finance Association, Ltd. Phillip Street SYDNEY xiv Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. Study Your Pocket! “REO MILKING MACHINES. | Will cut out the present cowshed drudgery, and enormously increase your income. Hundreds of farmers are using them to their benefit, and are constantly testifying to their value. CAN YOU AFFORD TO IGNORE THESE STATEMENTS : ‘‘Has given me every satisfaction.” ‘‘Much ahead of other milking machines.” “They are splendid for heifers.” “Do not mjure the cows.” “I am absolutely satisfied.”’ “Greatly exceeds our expectations.” “Cows much prefer the machines.” Let us show you why these people are pleased, and why, if you are still handmilking, YOU ARE LOSING MONEY. Send us a postcard and we will send you full particulars. THE FARMERS’ FERTILIZERS CORPORATION, Lto, 21 HUNTER STREET = - -= SYDNEY. — Aug. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. C.E.C. CARBONATE OF LIME FERTILIZER The finest ground of all fertilizers, therefore going the farthest. PRICE—on trucks, Portland—36/- per ton (14 bags) In truck lots. In ton lots, 619 11°8 18.5 22/7 6 tons and over ae 48/6 per ton. PRICE F.0.B. Sydney { 2 tons and under 6 ore 56/- op 1 ton lots = The U.S.A. Agricultural Dept. found that fields treated with lime produced an average of 1} tons of hay an acre more than unlimed fields—in tests of Carbonate of Lime, conducted by the farm bureau, through the county agent, in Chemung County, N.Y. A farmer who used 1 ton of Carbonate of Lime to the acre secured 4,840 Ibs. of cured hay, compared to 1,208 Ibs. on an unlimed acre. Another, who applied 700Ibs. of lime to an acre, obtained 6,292 lbs. against 1,461 lbs. on an unlimed acre. A third farmer used 1 ton to the acre and obtained 3,400 lbs., compared to 1,040]bs. on unlimed land. The Commonwealth Portland Cement Co. Ltd. 4 O’CONNELL STREET - - SYDNEY (The makers of “ UNION’’ Cement). XV) \ Xvi Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. -FarmersandGraziers’ Co-operative Grain Insurance and Agency Coy. Ltd. WE HAVE EXPERTS of known ability in every department. Our immense outlets enable us to obtain THE BEST POSSIBLE PRICES Wool, Grain, Livestock, Farm and Station Produce, Properties, Insurances handled Country Service Supply DEPARTMENT AVAILABLE TO CLIENTS FOR US TO SECIJRE SUPPLIES AT BEDROCK RATES THE GUIDING PRINCIPLE of the Farmers and Graziers’ Company is to return to producers the FULL VALUE of their PRODUCTS, less the actual cost of handling. A, K. TRETHOWAN, Circular Quay. Managing Director. Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. XVii Lifts the heavy weights and does a dozen other jobs as well! Heavy lifting that would call for the combined efforts of several men can be done EASILY by one man using Buzacott’s Automatic Combination Tool. It acts as Lifting-Jack, Post Puller, Wire Strainer, Woven-wire Stretcher, Rail-fence Repairer, Wire Mender, Wheel Repairer, Press, Vyce, Stump Puller, Alligator Wrench, and Clamp. Any day you may NEED it for any one of these purposes—eventually it may be used for all of them. It is a wonderful help on the farm, a saver of labor, time, temper and trouble. The Price is only 35/- We are selling them every day to Teamsters, Farmers, Contractors and Machinery users. Have you got one yet ? Buzacotls' C pee MITEL ae 7-11 Market Street, SYDNEY; and at 413-415 Adelaide Street, BRISBANE. “Always ask for Buzacott Gates and Fences.” XViil Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. French | POTASH = [Aug. 2, 1920. Now available to Australian Farmers. now reached Australia. For five years the soil has starved for Potash, which is essential to practically all crops. Alsatian Potash is superior to the pre-war German Potash, and Farmers should avail themselves of this opportunity of increasing the yield of their land. FPULL supplies of Potash from Alsace have Prices and Full Particulars obtainable from: GEORGE SHIRLEY LIMITED, 7 O’CONNELL STREET, SYDNEY. GIBBS, BRIGHT & COMPANY, 37 PITT STREET, SYDNEY. FARMERS’ FERTILIZERS CORPORATION, LTD., 31 HUNTER STREET, SYDNEY. Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural. Gazette of N.S W. xix For those Sick Sheep USE DEADLUKE DRENCH AND MIX DEADLUKE LICK WITH THEIR SALT. DOES NOT CONTAIN ARSENIC. APPROVED CURE FOR FLUKE, WORMS, BLACK DISEASE. WHAT A USER SAYS— Mrs. McLeop of Talmalmo, whose opinion appeared in this Gazette, in April issue, writes again thus: ‘‘ JUNE 206. ‘Your Deadluke remedies (DRENCH and Lick) for ‘sheep were invaluable. Those sickly ones we used ‘‘them on, though in a bad state and dying at the time, ‘were cured. The deaths stopped, and they are among ‘‘the fattest we have. “T thank you for the help you gave us in saving ‘Ca valuable lot of sheep.” PRICES F.0.B., SYDNEY: . ““Deadluke” Drench, 10/- per packet, 11/8 posted; or £5/14/- case of 12 packets. Each packet makes 5 gals. of drench, enough to do 400 sheep or 800 lambs. “ Deadluke”’ Lick, 6/- per packet, 7/6 posted; or £3/8/- case of 12 packets. Each packet is the quantity to mix with 1 bag of coarse salt, thus making 187 Ib. of lick. Other States please write :— VICTORIA... ... NEWELL & Co., 189 King-st., Melbourne. QUEENSLAND ... WAUGH & JOSEPHSON, Turbatt-st., Brisbane. W. AUSTRALIA ... FEDERAL TRADING Co., Perth. F.S. GREER, ”* “svowey. °°” xx Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. * Fi = =~) - " \ hah Sk My BY A Md) I give you all my milk! Get all the cream witha DIABOLO SEPARATOR if Tas Now is the time to put new life into r -« your dairying. Every scrap of butter- fat left in the skim means profit lost on your returns this coming year. The simple, smooth-running Diabolo guards against cream waste. “It skims to the last trace, and gets highest quality cream owing to its simple scieatific construction. It costs you nothing to prove the bigger-profit character of the Diabolo Separator. We'll put one in your dairy for 30 days without expense or obligation to you. You'll find the Diabolo runs easier, cleans easier, and skims closer than any other separator, and easily pays you for discarding an old or inferior machine. Write for all particulars and post- free Booklet to— THE DIABOLO SEPARATOR CO., Ltd., Crnr. MARKET & KENT STS., | SYDNEY. : | Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. xxl Shorn, 24,915, That's the two years’ non-stop performance of Mr. Andy Morgan's tSTCL S NEED - SHE ADING MAC [eee hle 2-stand Crutched, 44,875 | Shearing and Crutching Plant. Mr. Andy Morgan, of Forbes, writing on 6th May, 1920, says :—‘‘ The 2-stand ‘ Lister’ Shearing and Crutching Plant that I purchased off you in February, 1918, has been in almost constant use ever since, and the only expense so far is those new parts I purchased from you last week. I wish also to let you know that the 3-H.P. ‘ > Engine is very light on kerosene. ” We can supply these plants with any size — —I} to g B.H.P.— Kerosene or Petrol Engine. Whether you own 100 or 100,000 sheep you will find one of these outfits useful. Write for Bulletin 10ga. | Dangar, Gedye, & Co., Ltd., 9-13 YOUNG STREET, SYDNEY. xxii Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. © SEPARATOR Sooner or later you will buy a Domo because it is the lowest priced of the good separators. I2gall. ... £8 0 ip kee: Stam 22 403, SZ OD 30 Seeks WO 35 fen 1b he -45 SHO There are both smaller and larger sizes than these—but every Domo conforms to the same high standard of quality in materials and work- manship. We offer you a MONTH’S FREE TRIAL. Shall we send you full particulars ? Domo Separator Company, 70 Wentworth-avenue, Sydney. Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. XXxiii Increased Production. ALL over the world nations are striving to produce the necessaries of life in sufficient quantities to meet the demands of the people. Food and clothing are the first urgent needs. None but the Farmer and the Pastoralist can supply these. The way to increased production in these commodities is by the provision of labour-saving machines and implements. Cletrac TANK-TYPE TRACTOR is generally accepted to be among the most efficient labour-saving agricultural machines on the world’s market to-day. It does the work of 12 horses. It does its work well. Werks cre 2 eee edo QS You are well satisfied when the No job is too hard. work is: done. Hard jobs are made easy. It costs comparatively little to run (on Kerosene), and is simple in design, and is easy to drive. It is the Little Trusty David. Does anything—goes anywhere. Write for particulars to Pacific Commercial Co. Pomeroy House - 16 York Street, SYDNEY. XXiv Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. Technical Education Branch Department of Education N. S. Wales Technical Training by Correspondence in Sheep-Classing and Wool-Classing Agriculture Book~keeping (including Station Bookkeeping) Care of Animals, Animal Husbandry, and Stock Inspector’s Course * the past people in isolated parts of the State requiring imstruction in these subjects have been unable to obtain it unless they could go to comparatively few centres. Now they can bring themselves by Home Study into closest touch with the chief centre of educational activity, and can be specially taught and trained by the leading experts in their particular professions. THE SYDNEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE provides instruction of the highest practical and scientific character by Correspondence in the following subjects also: Architectural Drawing Inspection of Meat and Building Construction Animals Penmanship and Corres- ‘ dence Carpentry and Joinery Shorthand Domestic Science, Cookery, Printing and Composing and Household Manage- Beyles of Architecture as Sanitary Engineering and Drainage and Water Fitting Sanitary Law Elementary Art Drawing Trades Calculations Construction Drawing Send for Syllabus “Technical Education Extension by Correspondence,” to GEORGE HOOPER Aguas Superintendent of Technical Education = s = Sydney A ALE ITE GE SN TG TD UE NR = —_ Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. XXV \AND BLARING WITH THE AID OF NOBEL-GLASGOW HIGH EXPLOSIVES THE ATTENTION OF FARMERS, ORCHARDISTS, and other LANDOWNERS, is directed to THE “ NOBEL-GLASGOW ” SYSTEM Fullest particulars from the Agents : DALGETY & COMPANY, Ltd., (5 BENT STREET, SYDNEY, or from loca! Storekeepers. XXV1 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W [Aug. 2, 1920. This is the Separator! Surpasses all others in Efficiency, Simplicity, and Durability. SHARPEST SKIMMING ASSURED. THIS MEANS MONEY TO YOU. Write for full particulars to Gunnersen, Crockett, Ltd., Sole Agents for N.S.W.. 379 Kent Street - - - Sydney. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. XXVll Aug. 2, 1920.1 Bhs ho ed 5 = e woe oie * OBTAINABLE FROM ALL STORES. Wholesale Proprietors : J. R. Love & Co., Lid. Sydney. XXVili Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. ES ee denélan Caves NATURE’S MASTERPIECE FOR A DELECTABLE HOLIDAY Y c sue Across the Blue Mountains Specially Organised Parties Leave Sydney Daily Three Days ... ee ‘s EN, .. £4/7/6 Four Days ... He ay oh 2 . £5/2/6 Five Days ... “35 a 4¢ .. £5/17/6 THE ABOVE COST COVERS First-class Rail, Motor, and Hotel Expenses throughout. Charges for a Daily Caves Inspection. Privilege of extending stay, or breaking return journey on the Blue Mountains. Every detail of travel and accommodation pre- arranged. Book at Government Tourist Bureau, CHALLIS HOUSE, MARTIN PLACE, SYDNEY, which controls the Caves. E. H. PALMER, Director. Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. xxix Over 2,000 IXL Windmills now in use. HE Steel Roller-bearing Chain Gear, found only in IXL Improved Wind- mills, is the simplest, most efficient windmill gearing ever designed. It is also the most silent running. It makes the IXL Windmill more powerful and durable—capable of lifting more water than other’ mills—while the oiling system by which the gear (which is enclosed in a dust- proof case) oils itself automatically makes the IXL a silent, easy- running mill. Write for free descriptive Booklet and Price List. We also make and supply Troughing —get particulars to-day. ‘— LIMITED. Cem oef Patentees and Sole Manufacturers, GEO. E. FORTESCUE & SONS, Famous for IXL Poison Carts, ete., Arncliffe—Sydney. \ ENE YSN i) | i} ——— } XXX Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W [ Aug. 2, 1920. j : Ly Wif q Y Mi!) | Wee Ubi gh Val MW) f ra Hf 20f) nr a Ws ¢ Wie ( PAR i ¥ i — ~~ sy f = G yy : Lich Te l MWY Wy Y 7 Electric Light for you and Engine Power as well! Yes! Electric Light all over the Farm, and power, too. No other lighting plant can give you the many services offered in Western Electric Power and Light. Day and night, for 365 days every year, it is spreading good cheer and earning money on many thousands of farms throughout the world. No man who considers buying a light and power outfit can aftord to overlook the increased capacity supplied in Western Electric Power and Light. Its battery has a capacity of 180 Ampere Hours—enough ~current for all your lights, and also for operating electric appliances in the homestead. To cap the lot the 3} H.P. Engine can be used for driving light machinery. So that, really, Western Electric Power and Light servesin three ways. That’s why it is head and shoulders over all other plants. Easy tobuy! Get 20-page Book post free from WESTERN ELECTRIC CO. (AUST.), Ltd., 192 Castlereagh-st., Sydney. AGENTS:—C. R. Foster, 262 Flinders Lane, Melbourne; T. Tonks, Elizabeth- st., Brisbane; Newton McLaren, Leigh- st., Adelaide; Medhurst Electric Co., Argyle-st., Hobart; A. D. Riley & Co., Lambton Quay, Wellington, N.Z.; also at Christchurch, Auckland, and Dunedin, N.Z. H 376 Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Xxxi Grow three Blades of Grass where you previously grew two. Tue above is Mr. John Storey’s message to the people of New South Wales. The better the response given to this excellent advice the sooner we shall have real peace and prosperity. It is up to those who helped the Premier into power to take their leader’s message to heart and abandon that pernicious policy of “go slow” for the elevating one of “‘ speed up.” Every man and woman “on the land” can also do their share by adding some side line to their pre-war farming operations, They will find the breeding of turkeys a pleasant and most profitable work. Many a good housewife, during the awful drought (now happily ended), has saved the homestead from the proceeds of a flock of turkeys, Others who have the facilities should start at once setting freely. A bumper harvest may be looked for, and plenty of rejected wheat to prepare the birds for a most profitable market “ forninst your own door.” Bear in mind you run no risks of transport or mortality, and you get cash in return for stock. Write for further particulars to any of our Works scattered all over the State. Freezing Works: BLAYNEY DUBBO MOLONG WARRIGAL BOGGABRI GILGANDRA MILLTHORPE YEOVAL BOOROWA GUNNEDAH ORANGE YOUNG CANOWINDRA HARDEN PARKES YASS CROOKWELL MUSWELLB ROOK WELLINGTON Butter Factories: BLAYNEY CANOWINDRA DUBBO PARKES Bacon Factory : ORANGE THE COUNTRY FREEZING COMPANY, LIMITED. Head Office—-70 PITT STREET, SYDNEY. X Free Certain Running Delivery § Special Manures for all Crops. Manufactured in New South Wales by THE SULPHIDE CORPORATION, Ltd., Works: Cockle Creek, N.S.W. Prices and full particulars from your local Agent or from the Managing Agents: GIBBS, BRIGHT, & CO., SYDNEY. Vol. XXXI. Part 8. » ey AUGUST 2, 1920. suai)! Ss eal 1 ean el 6: at Cape i. A) Sees Yip... fa ee ms y eS Dp; A s==E'47 7) pat /// A Rey ee NN; i Ab Nie 5 — fi = ORTA + SS P Yith = o THE AGRICULTURAL e/a | OF NEW 50) U Hee wWALeES. Issued by Direction of THE Hon. W. F. DUNN, MLA, MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE. W. H.. BROWN, Editor. Bv Authority ; SYDNEY: W. A. GULLICK, GOVERNMENT PRINTER. é 1920.. *95771—b XXxiv Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. You want a Separator——? Buy a i Clinker ’’ It’s the Best ! PRICES: No. 00 Clinker 10 gallons £6 15 = || eee bees 9 I ae ae 15 eee. be Sie 28 oe. 82, 4l pee? VIB Ye 52 F.O.R. Sydney. ooo © & oooo o & Complete with Low Stands. High Stans can be supplied, if required, at small extra cost. A full supply of duplicates kept in Stock. Power Gear can be fitted to the larger size “Clinkers,’ and we can supply a 1} h-p. New Way Engine to drive the Separator. a Write for ‘quote for Power Separator Plant. The “Clinker ” Separator, with ordinary care, will last a lifetime. It will not get out of order, and will save you NN \ i) money every year you use it. It has a self-balancing bowl, ensuring — perlect skimming. It is dust and dirt proof. It is fitted with special dises, which are strongly made and will stand any amount of hard usage. Try a“ Clinker’ for a month, and then purchase it on its actual merits. We give One Month’s Free Trial. hk Machinery Merchants, JKofiat Virtue £. q 205 CLARENCE STREET, : = SYDNEY. Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural. Gazette of N.S.W. Registered under the Copyright Act, 1879. Editors of Agricultural and Country Papers are especially invited to reproduce any of the articles contained in the Agricultural Gazette, in whole or in part, making the usual acknowledgment. Contributions are only accepted upon the terms that the Government may subse- quently publish the same in pamphlet form or otherwise. 2nd August, 1920. CONTENTS. PAGE, Tur GRAIN WHEATS FOR CENTRAL WESTERN DISTRICTS ... . J. E. Syme 533 To Store WHEAT FOR SEED sik ws Fe ec ae We We Fioseate 538 Supan Grass IN THE NORTH-WEST ae s se = ..H. BARTLETT 538 Farm BooK-KEEPING TO THE FRONT a oH: G. Howell 538 FarMerRS’ EXPERIMENT PLoTs—Potato Experiments, 1919-20. Central Coast J. M. Pitt 539 PRopUCTIVITY AS AN INHERITED QUALITY IN POTATOES ee on a tn Oea Tuer SELECTION OF PROMISING WHEAT PLANTS a See J.T. Pridham 548 IMPROVEMENT OF SWEET SORGHUMS ‘ate ee sis E. Breakwell 549 SorcHum CuHarr AS FEED FoR WORKING Horses ae am ... H. Bartlett 551 Papaco: A New VARIETY OF SWEET CorRN .. . H. Wenholz 552 SumMMER GREEN FoppER ‘TR1ALs—Murrumbidgee Irrigation ‘Area, 1919-20 A.N. Shepherd 554 Tur Giant SUNFLOWER AS A Crop ify e Ace a: 556. CHATS ABOUT THE PrickLy PEAR—No. 5 Be Ae we nal, H. “Maiden 557 Por Corn—Variety Trial, 1919-20 we as .H. Wenholz 562 Darry PRODUCE Factory PREMISES AND MANUFACTURING PROOESSES (concluded) L. T. MacInnes and H. H. Randell 563 Tue Score Carp 1n JupGeine Live Stock biG aah oo ke W Potts® 5675 Tur TENACITY OF PRICKLY PEAR SEEDLINGS.. Meee avi: SAFEGUARDING Farm Stock FRoM DISEASE—(2) By Good Hygiene (concluded) Max Henry 572 Wuat A Co-oPERATIVE Datry SoctETY ACHIEVED ... san es a, 2. SiGR PLANTS OF THE MEXICAN APPLE ... ae, Pes ee A R30 =A ea ea! OrcHARD AND GARDEN Mitres—No. 1. Blister Mites ... W. W. Froggatt 577 To Protect SEED Maize FROM KABBITS ; ee ae Ao ... 580 A CoNDITION RESEMBLING AMERICAN ‘‘ PEACH Roserre” ... W. A. Birmingham 581 ELerHant GRASS AS A PASTURE ... at ah .. A. H. Heywood 582 Tuer FuruRE oF AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY nee ae eas ae sap wee) 2S ‘“¢Buncuy Tor” In BANANAS ie apd G. P. Darnell-Smith 583 Wantep—A NvucLEUS OF Activity IN RURAL CENTRES Oe sas re ee OA Tur Errect oF CoaL SMOKE ON VEGETATION ... ae ae A. G. Ruston 584 Sweet Corn—Variety Trial, 1919-20... ace sO ses ... H. Wenholz 585 NITRATE OF LIME .... ; soe ae iv, ms ... G. A. Cowie 589 ERADICATION OF BRACKEN ... Ree asc _ sat Bei ae cee .. 589 A SocioLocicaAL PROBLEM ... Er. rie as wae Sir Henry Rew 589 PurE SEED GROWERS’ ORGANISATION aa nee Fie tae ... H. Wenholz 590 Fautts Founp IN Burter (conclude?) ... ig A. M. Brown 591 Borpraux PowpeErRs v. HoME-MADE BoRDEAUX Mixture ... H. E. Laffer 595 Povuttry Nores—August .. Ki HAG ban wed 56 J. Hadlington 596 CLEAN PASTURE FOR CALVES ved aa se .. J. L. Bruce 598 OrcHaRD Notrs—August ... ee aie W. J Allen and S. A. Hogg. 599 An EXPERIMENT WITH TABLE GRAPES on SULIANA STOCK ... . W.J. Allen 600 AGRICULTURAL BuREAU oF New SourH WALES— Suggested Subjects for Bureau Meetings noc ons Ste “Be .. 601 Reports and Notices from Branches se aa 4c ip 2° GOL BEEKEEPERS’ PRosPects FoR 1920-21 ... FA Fa ... W. A. Goodacre 607, AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES’ SHOWS .. en Sep Aa ae ee sh ae 608) XXXVi Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. For Irrigation. WHEN an engine must be secured that can be relied on to work with absolute regularity and a minimum of attention, the claims of JELBART’S Suction Gas Plant. should be carefully examined. By consuming wood as fuel it operates at the lowest possible cost. About 1 cwt. of wood will drive an engine for a day. No charcoal burning is required. _ Although strongly constructed, it is readily portable Mechanism is simple, but reliable. It is as easy to manage as an ordinary kitchen stove. Engine is easily started, and when going requires next to no attention. The Jelbart is more economical than any other engine on the market. 6 to 50 B.H.P. models now available. Send for descriptive leaflets demonstrating their undoubted advantage. JELBARTS PROPRIETARY LIMITED, ENG INEERS—"2kers of Crude Oil Engines, Suction Gas Plants, Hopper Cooled Engines, Crude Oil Road Rollers, etc. , HEAD OFFICE AND WORKS: SYrUNEY OFFICE: Ballarat, Victoria. Challis House, Martin Place, Sydney. AND AT MELBOURNE AND BRISBANE, es so eet ee VoL. XXXI, PART 8. AUGUST 2, 1920. Agriculiural Gazette of New South Wales. t The Grain Wheats for Central Westert °°" Districts. FARMERS’ EXPERIMENT Ptors, 1909 To 1919, SUMMARISED. J. E. SYME, Inspector of Agriculture. In the following tables an effort has been made to summarise the results on the wheat plots in central-western districts for the last ten years. This has been done by grouping the plots together in localities, and averaging all the results obtained within the limits of each locality. For instance, in the Molong district, farmers’ experiment plots have been conducted in different years at Cumnock, Manildra, Eurimbla, and Gregra; and as the conditions are approximately similar, and the results instructive to a considerable area devoted to wheat growing, the yields of each variety tried during the ten years have been brought together and averaged, in order that the best variety for those conditions may be ascertained. In all, Federation has been grown nine times, and other varieties differing numbers of times, and by averaging the results from each variety some idea has been obtained of the relative value of each for the Molong district. The method has been elaborated so as to cover five principal centres in the central west, viz., Molong (already mentioned), Parkes (including results obtained on plots at Parkes, Cookamidgera, Nelungaloo, Coradgery, Alectown, and Tichborne), Wellington (including results obtained on plots at Maryvale, Wellington, and Geurie), Gilgandra (including results obtained on plots at Gilgandra, Collie, and Armatree), and Bogan Gate (including results obtained on plots at Bogan Gate, Botfield, Tullamore, Ootha, Gun- ningbland, Condobolin, and Trundle). As all the wheats have not been grown every year, a standard wheat (Federation) has been accepted as a basis of comparison. That popular variety was more extensively grown than any other, and has done extremely well in each of the five localities, so that it is a fair medium for comparison. The method by which the tables are compiled should perhaps be explained. In the Parkes district, for instance, Federation was grown fourteen times, and its average on all plots was 22 bushels 2 lb. ; but Hard Federation. was only grown nine times, and its average of 23 bushels 8 lb. is not strictly comparable with the Federation average. The method adopted has been therefore to average the yields of federation that were obtained contempor- aneously with those of Hard Federation ; this enables the Hard Federation averagé of 23 bushels 8 lb. to be compared with the average yieid of Federation on the same plots, viz., 22 bushels 33 lb. -When the same is done with Rymer (which was tried eight times), and with other varieties, a basis 18 provided for the comparison of each variety, not only with Federation, but with every other. Finally, the presentation of each variety, A ARY ~ y¥ (PE \ ‘ > s } , 534 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. on a percentage basis, with its ‘‘ comparable average” of Federation as 100, “simplifies the comparison. These percentages, of course, should be read with one eye fixed on the number of trials. Many wheats grown by farmers give good yields in one season and poor in others, but by studying the tables it will be found which are more profitable than others, and which (by reason of several trials) have most claim to attention. In this way six or eight wheats can be mentioned for each district as those which should be grown, while others can he recognised as worth further trial, though not grown long enough to enable absolute comparison to be made. It is recognised that a farmer is in a measure dependent on the conditions as to when he can sow his seed, and to meet this circumstance a table is added in which the varieties that have done best in each district are arranged in relation to maturity under the headings ‘‘ late wheats,” ‘ mid-season wheats,” and “early wheats.” It might be remembered once more that that classification does not refer to the sowing season, but to the period of maturity. Hence “late wheats” must be sown early in the sowing season, and ‘‘early wheats” late in the sowing season. Molong—Cumnock—-Eurimbla. Variety. | pote | Average yield. | of Reeration Bien a | | | bus. lb. bus. Ib. Bunyip 2 | Sees «| 16 88 113°6 Roseworthy ] | 345 29 21 110°4 Yandilla King 3 eee 19 30 1079 Marshill’s No. 3 ... 5 | SORSS 1 US 106°9 Federation... 9 SI eine aie ae ed Cleveland ... 2 26 «9 26) oo ico Rymer 5 21 49 19 35 98°7 Canberra ... a Zor 5 DBS Tee: Improved Steinwedel a 33.4 32 4 97:0 Hard Federation ... 5 24 28 22 alse 95°4 Bomen 3 22 59 19) ee 93°4 King’s Early 1 ry Oe -P 27° 22 93-2 Warden 7 20 51 20 51 91:9 Currawa 1 26 50 26 50 91-4 Florence 2 19.51 16 44 > 90°9 Bobs 2 Ligeeo 19 22 90-0 Major 3 22 50 22) bi) 87°8 Clarendon ... 3 Lips 26 logi27 7:0 The following varieties were also tried, giving the percentages indicated :— Penny, 85°8 ; Thew, 81:9; Comeback, 76-4; Warren, 71:4; Firbank, 66:9. \ Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 535 Parkes. | , aiete No. of | average yield. | of Felertion | Percentage ese | crals. ae on same plots. yield. bus. Ib. bus. Ib. Canberra 9 25 39 22 33 113°7 Clarendon ... Ae 1 MA 9s! 11 40 106°3 Hard Federation .. 9 OB 6) OPE AB 102°5 Federation 14 yA hl - Sa aoe earl Na aie ewe * Rymer 8 23 39 24° #9 97:2 Cedar ae 1 1Gaoe WJieueehs) 96°71 Improved Steinw edel 8 1S eae 20) -ok 95°4 Bayah + 2 NOME S| 20) 26 95:0 King’s Early 2 sites 33° (15 93°3 Yandilla King 8 PA} = 927 Pps Ay 91-4 Bobs 2 ONY 23 «29 91:2 Marshall’s No. 3. 8 22 23 Dies 91-1 Warden A | Smee ey ey 91-1 Florence 5 yAI y= -1\8 DISS 90°6 Cleveland ... 1 | See 17218 88°6 Currawa 1 102S8 11 40 86°8 Bomen i) 19 19 es eh $5°4 Warren 3 22 44 26° 52 84°6 The following varieties were also tried, giving the percentages indicated :— Penny, 81:7; Thew, 80:7; Major, 78:7; Comeback, 77:8 ; Bunyip, 75:9 ; Cowra No. 15, 70°8; Firbank, 69°5 ; Cowra No. 19, 68°7; Roseworthy, 68-4, Wellington. | ees aa | Average yield Jariety, | No. of | aver, yield. Federati Percentage se crate, | AH | eles mai bus. Ib bus. Ib Marshall’s No. 3 ... 4 19 45 18 30 107°6 Major 3 26 36 2526 104°5 Commonwealth .| 2 24 20 24) 11 100°6 Federation aoe 12 Domne Se) Sancta aad eee Bomen | 3 25. 58 O33} aye 89 9 Warden 2 22 Be 89-9 Roseworthy see ] 23520 26 15 89°4 Hard Federation ... 5 21 58 QA 33 89:4 Canberra 4 19 39 Pe) AED) 8A°8 Bunge bat 1 ya 1104 ry ae 854 Comeback .. 5 16 29 93) 925 84°6 Dart’s Imperial 3 22229 26) 12 84°5 Yandilla King 6 22 50 PH ery 83°4 Zealand 2 16 46 20 16 82°7 Rymer 6 21 16 25 52 82-2 Cedar 3 16 24 20.23 80°4 The following varieties were also tried, giving the percentages indicated :— Thew, 76:8; Bayah, 76:8; Red Wings, 75°4; Bobs, 72-9; Warren, 72°8 ; Moira, 71-7; Bunyip, 69-8 ; Cleveland, 65:5; Firbank, 61:7; Billy Hasna 59-1; Florence, 56:6; Marquis, 55:3. ~ 2 536 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. Cul ggaare. ae No. of | Average yield eraninees ia aa | Average ita | a Fedetin | PS bus. lb. bus}lb=al Moira 1 ee ee 190°6 Currawa ... 4 20 48 iGianes 128°9 Hard Federation .. oe 5 7A Nes 1S) 4d es Canberra ... Soa mf 19 50 17-0" esa, ee Improved Steinwedel 2 23 58 21. Sees) cea Major a 3 aa. 24. 1927 110-02 Marshall’s No. 3. 5 25 59 25:15 102°9 Warren sas 4 16 58 16 29 102-9 Rymer 7 ae 2 fap Neh 100:07 Federation 13 76” 1 a ae | AR cc ee Yandilla King 7 Tae] 14 18 99°8 Bomen 3 10 L527, 98°1 Bayah i 3 14 56 15 Sed 97°6 Bunge ~ ae 1 25 33 ry ae Se 94°3 - Nardoo ©... a = 1 2a. 19 27 » 4 93°5 Bunyip... 8 15 15 LG" otro 92°0 Commonwealth 1 NG= 23 Gfemiay, 91-2 Firbank 4 sie 13 20: 256 90°6 Cleveland ... 3 7 Voda: PBS: 89°4 Comeback ... 5 14.3 1b 756 88:1 Cedar z 8 26 | 9 38 87°5 The following varieties were also tried, giving the percentages indicated :— — Clarendon, 86-5; Penny, 80°8 ; Florence, 79:9; Warden, 79:3 ; Bobs, 78°8 ; Thew, 70:7 ; Sunset, 70'2 ; Marquis, 60:5. Bogan ee 7 ieee or tobolin, eames | No. of Average Yield Percentage Variety. rials: | er erage yield. “A yore tae yield. bus. lb. bus. Ib. Allora Spring 1 15 28 oe 166°6 Harriet... 1 14 35 oF 157°0 Gluyas Early 2 10 42 7 45 138°0 Commonwealth ... ] 8 12 TR 1165 Marshall’s No. 3. 8 26 | 9 358 114°7 Bomen = 2 on 11 SxS 112°9 Sunset bee 3) | eT 12 46 110°9 Cedar Bt The 2 | -Snaee2e 14 50 110°7 Canberra ... 4 18 3 lj 15 104°6 Improved Steinw edel 4 16 50 1659 104°2 Federation 16 1233 Bs a Rymer_.. 11 9° 33 9 47 97°6 King’s Red ] 12 37 AE tp, 95°9 Clarendon ... 1 19-35 134 oS eee eg bey Yandilla King 3 12. 21 12 54 95°7 King’s Early 4 18 32 19 43 93°9 Bunyip a= 10 9 ll 56 93°4 Warren , an 4 15 5 roy) 92°6 Hard Federation .. a 5 14 3 15 39 89°7 Cleveland . oe zal l 12 44 14 15 89°3 Roseworthy 1 1.2) 13 5 875 Comeback ... 5 9 15 10 39 86'8 Bayah 3 14 ll 16°29 86°0 The following varieties were also tried, giving the percentages indicated :— Florence, 82:8; Zealand, 82°5; Bobs, 82-0; Firbank, 81:2; Thew, 70°6 ; Marquis, 47:1. 537 v ltural Gazette of N.S.W. Agricu - Aug. 2, 1920.] (yal ies = “* aepen 6-cIL ~~ ee “* uoul0g GHeyge 2S Uj[waMuowtoD OSE "+ Ajaeq sevdnpy O.29— ~~ t Jolley] 9-991 ~~ ~ sutdg vio0l[V GrO ee “* gosung v6 *" Xs * drdung Z-FOL Jepomuragg poaosduy (5110) Ws oe - VALIOQ UBD 9:0 Oana COT = “+ UOIyRo pay “+ TOULAYT LIT € ON S.1eysieyy 96.5 ~ 4uaod Idd Suly Upppue yx a a 0.061 6-G0T OOT 6.861 40-001 60-0LL 6-201 Quod dod Jopaauleyg poasoiduy CILOTA “* UOTABapaAy pAvET BALAQUBL) UdLIT AA Ss “* UOIgRA pay ais ve VMVIINO Me 7 * gow Ay oe - . Joleyy * g-ON SITeysaeyy 6-68 ~~" 9.001 ¥.68 8-98, °° 668 ~~" CO naan 9-F0L ~~ 9-20. “° §€ "quod 10g U9pav AA YA[VOMUONUULOL) “* voIyviopag PAvET BALI UL uowog “+ UONntiopay zis soley ‘ON S,11BUSAv Sienna “Aye, s.5ury CG. 90 ame 2 uopuatv[D | $66 *"JapaMuteyg poaoadwy G-cOT ~~ UOTYBIIpIAT PAV]T 1-811 ** x + BlIaqUBD L16 ** Tapae A uOTye Lapa] row Ay 3 ON S,[eUsieyy ‘que0 10g G6. °° ALO 8 SULy 0.26 Jopawvurayg pororduy POLL oo. “+ £ygQaoMaSOY, OVC igen ae eas disung 4:96: 9 4G UuOT}VIOPIY PAV Sror =“ ‘vrIaqury e600 aD + uomog uolgeAa pay ee ea OOD a of purpaag[p 6-90L °° € ON S[[Bysavyy (IKE ty * SULY vypIpue yz ‘quo dq [et TOUJANT UPOA | | \-squayM ALU *8qvoUM uosves-PIA uljoqopuop-d,punay,-ayey wesog “eAPUBSL) “WOR DUTTTA AL ‘soyled “Qol4sI] YOe Ul SoljoraeA SurpparA yseq Surmoys WAV, ‘eIQUILN YY -yoouuN-Suo[opy —SFS OW —, ——":sSOW- r ‘SYBIL AA O9VT 538 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. A study of the foregoing figures cannot but direct aitention to three wheats as of outstanding value. Averaging the yields on all plots, and again accepting Federation as 100, Marshall’s No. 3 (a late variety) has a percentage in the central west of 105-1 per cent., and Canberra (an early variety) 107-4 per cent. Hard Federation, another early wheat, must also be close up, having a good percentage in four out of the five localities; the locality in which it does not figure well, strangely enough, is one of the driest, and therefore usually suitable to an early wheat, while Marshall’s No. 3 (one of the slowest maturing of all) stands at 114 per cent. To Store WHEAT FOR SEED. Ir is possible to keep wheat to be used as stock feed for a considerable time providing (1) the wheat is free from weevil and perfectly dry, and (2) the pit in which it is to be stored is also absolutely dry. There is a limit, of course, to the time for which such wheat would be suitable for seed purposes. It is claimed that if dry lime is thickly sprinkled through sound wheat as it is bagged, and a perfectly dry barn is used for storing, wheat will be weevil-proof and will keep indefinitely. The lime can easily be blown out as the wheat is used.—W. W. FrRocearr, SupAN GRAss IN THE NORTH-WEST. To ensure germination of Sudan grass in the north-west, roll after sowing. In drier districts best results are obtained by sowing in drills 28 inches apart, and using the scuffler when possible. When some stems are abcut 2 feet high cut for feed. This will induce stooling, and produce an even-headed crop. Seed may easily be harvested with the harvester, eliminating the air blast, and cleaning may then be done with a winnower or by hand.— H. Bartuett, Assistant Inspector of Agriculture. Farm BooK-KEEPING TO THE F'RON?. Ir is not difficult to understand why farm book-keeping has been neglected in the past. The term book-keeping itself reeks of the town, and the office, and indoor work. The farming community has been proud of its isolation and distinctiveness from the town and suspicious of all that is connoted by factories, ledgers and the like. . . This state of affairs, however, is an old and closed chapter. All the circumstances are altered. Farming has not escaped the rapid flux and change which has been observable for a number of years, and has been accelerated during the last five. The increasing cost of all farming expenses ; the pressure of income tax assessments ; increasing competition ; the development of transport, tending to bring town and country together—all of these combine to force the question of farm book- keeping to the front.—H. G. Howett, in the Journal of the Ministry of Agriculture, London. Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 539 Farmers’ Experiment Plots. Potato EXPERIMENTS, 1919-20. Central Coast. J. M. PITY, Assistant Inspector of Agriculture. Tue following farmers co-operated with the Department in carrying out variety and manurial trials with potatoes during 1919-20 :— J. G. Ward, Sherwood, Macleay River. Felix Kemp, West Kempsey, Macleay River. J. W. Smith, ‘“‘ Hazeldean,” Wauchope, Hastings River. Collins Brothers, Comboyne. J. C. Duff, “Somerset,” Mt. George, Manning River. Thos. Hoad, Mt. George, Manning River. Alex. Smith & Atkins Bros., Bandon Grove, Williams River. M. Smith, ‘‘ Bona Vista,” Paterson, Paterson River. J. T. Perrett, Miller’s Forest, Hunter River. With one or two exceptions the yields were higher than those of last year, and it is doubtful whether the crop of 16 tons per acre, taken from the Mount George plots, has previously been exceeded on the central coast. Mr. J. C. Duff was narrowly defeated for the first prize in the competition for the highest yielding plot in the district, inaugurated by the Manning River District Agricultural and Horticultural Association, after having gained a similar place last year. Messrs. Collins Bros., of the Comboyne, won first and second honours respectively at the Manning River District and the Hastings River District Shows, with potatoes grown on the experiment plots. The season for the first couple of months after sowing was dry and frosty, but from the middle of October onward ample rain fell. Much of the success of the plots, however, was due to the efforts of the farmers in pre- paring good, moisture-holding seed-beds. It was particularly noticeable, on the contrary, that where cultural methods had been delayed until the spring, such as at West Kempsey, very little moisture was conserved, and the yields were poor. Sown early in a good moist seed-bed, Up-to-date, an early maturing variety, usually outyields any other grown on the coast, but at West Kempsey, where the plots were sown late in comparatively dry land, that variety failed altogether, the rains that fell in November being too late to be of benefit. j The season was responsible for an extraordinary amount of top growth, in some places over 3 feet in height. There were individual cases of attacks from ladybird and Rutherglen bug, but fungus pests were entirely absent. 540 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. The seed of Vermont, Sussex, Early Rose and Manhattan was inferior, and of the others, such as Factor, Up-to-date and Carman, many were identical. Good seed was scarce last season, and there seems little hope of more accurate results being obtained from experiments until reliable seed, such as a Govern- ment potato farm would provide, becomes available. The following table shows the distribution of the rainfall over the growing period. Where the sowings had taken place in good moist seed-beds, showers were of assistance, but where the seed-bed was comparatively dry, falls of less than a half or three-quarters of an inch were not of much use :--- Month. | Sherwood. cay Wauchope. Genes ees ee Paterson. ise | 1919. . | Points. , Points. | Points. | Points. | Points. a Points. | Points ATISUISG cress cal NGln aolleeIN IL 3 2 in 3 ceca oil Preeaeee September .. 15 14 72 |) aso 30 ae 216 140* October... =. LOT 236 262 215 | 4384 = 330 207 November, ...| 338 229 131 |, eas. + 479 s 479 128 December ...| 287 320 160 507 | 340 6 340 331 1920. a January... ....| 100* OTA . «soe 110* 876 | 280 fi bos Total...) 847 919 628 - || ARB AS 2, 159). *)°~ acces | 1645 877 *Signifies part of month. Cultural Notes. Sherwood.—Soil, moderately rich ; loamy. The manurial section had been previously cropped with potatoes in 1918, followed immediately by vetches in 1919, which were grazed off, the residue being ploughed under in July. The variety trial section had grown maize for a number of years. Land ploughed in July and fallowed until just previous to sowing.. Preparatory cultural methods conserved little moisture. Potatoes planted on 26th August in a seed-bed, none too moist ; germination patchy ; harrowed after majority of plants up; cultivated twice and hilled ; showers in October assisted growth ; good rains fell in November. Rutherglen bug did damage in November to a section of the crop. West Kempsey.—Soil, stiff heavy loam; cropped for a number of years previously with maize. Land remained hard and untouched until August, when it was ploughed, rolled, and harrowed twice. Left fallow for a month; again ploughed, harrowed, scarified, harrowed and rolled. Although in excellent tilth for sowing, on 18th September the soil was dry. Jt was unfortunate that the heavy autumn rains were not conserved, owing to ploughing being too late. Seed covered with a maize hiller—a very useful implement for the purpose; germination fairly good ; harrowed, cultivated twice, and hilled ; good growth of foliage, but of that dark-green colour that indicates lack of moisture. Late rain helped the late-maturing varieties, but the tubers were abnormal with second growth. Wauchope.—Soil, stiff clayey loam; previously cropped with peas in the winter of 1918 maize in the summer of 1918-19, and peas in the winter of 1919; residues ploughed under in July. Seed-bed in good order, but a Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 541 considerable drying-out took place on the day of planting owing to high westerly winds. Seed used mostly inferior, especially that of Manhattan, Vermont, Sussex, and Early Rose; covered with cultivator, run twice up the centres, and harrowed. Up-to-date germinated well, others patchy ; harrowed, cultivated twice, and hilled. The only rain of use fell in October. Ladybirds were prevalent in November. Mt. George.—Soil, rather stiff rich loam ; previously cropped with lucerne in 1916, maize in 1917-18, and maize in 1918-19. Ploughed after removal of the crop in June. Harrowed twice and rolled. Ploughed and harrowed previous to sowing. Land in excellent moist condition for planting on 20th August. Sets covered with cultivator twice up centre of drills, then harrowed. Vermont seed not good; germination throughout good. Heavy frosts hit some early foliage, but without serious damage. Frosts occurred on 3rd, 9th, 11th, 14th, 16th (heavy), 17th (heavy) and 18th September, and on 23rd October (light). Harrowed twice; cultivated twice and hilled; no lack of moisture throughout growth. Extraordinary top growth. Up-to-date vines became a tangled mass. Bandon Grove.—Soil, rich loamy ; previous crop, maize in 1918, followed by barley; ploughed early in July and harrowed; ploughed again in August, harrowed and rolled. Crop ploughed in, 3rd September, in moist, clean seed- bed; germination good ; harrowed, cultivated twice, and hilled; excellent growth throughout. Paterson.—Soil, stiff clayey loam; previous crop, maize in 1918 and haricot beans. Land ploughed in May and again in September ; harrowed and cultivated, and rolled. Sets ploughed in in rather moist soil on 16th September ; left for a while before harrowing; soil rather lumpy. Heavy rain shortly after broke down the clods and nicely covered the sets.. Germination good, excepting Vermont and Sussex ; harrowed and cultivated twice ; hilled. Falls of rain at intervals helped to turn out very good yields. Comboyne.—Soil, deep rich-red volcanic ; previous crop, maize. Cultural methods very rough; stalks and rubbish ploughed in in July; rolled; ploughed again in August, harrowed, and rolled. Seed-bed moist, but dirty; sets ploughed in, 23rd September. Germination good; crop harrowed and cultivated, and hilled. Crop became rather dirty owing to heavy rain forcing summer grass and weeds into growth. Miller’s Forest.—Soil, stiff clayey loam ; previously cropped with lucerne in 1917; broom millet in 1918-19; land ploughed in May, harrowed and rolled; ploughed again previous to sowing, harrowed and rolled. Sets planted on 17th September ; covered with cultivator, and then harrowed ; germination good ; crop harrowed and cultivated twice, and hilled. Although promising well at the outset, a dry spell in November reduced yields. ‘The Hunter is. renowned for its dry periods in the spring, especially in November, and sowing early (even late in July) should be encouraged to avoid these dry periods as much as possible. 542 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. New Varieties. Two new white-skinned varieties were introduced into the plots, viz., Langworthy and Eureka, and both showed considerable promise. The latter matures quite three weeks earlier then any other variety tried. It makes rather sparse top growth and bears all its tubers in a cluster; tubers roundish in shape, with flesh brittle and firm; very uniform in size, almost 100 per cent. being marketable. Eureka should be suitable for early marketing, and for autumn sowings. It is an excellent cooker. Langworthy is oval and flat ; flesh fine grained. It matures about ten days later than Eureka, and yielded extremely well on the only plot on which it was tried. Owing to its immunity from the dreaded “black scab,” which is prevalent in the Old Country, it is grown rather extensively there. It should become a popular variety here. Farmers who have tried these varieties for the first time speak very highly of their future. The following table shows the yields :-— Resutts of Potato Variety Trials. Fertilised throughout with 2 cwt. per acre of P7 mixture, with 3 feet between rows, and 15 inches between sets in drills. Seed sown Varieties. Mt. George.* Sherwood. * Wauchope * Bandon Grove. | a | $2 q: lb.| temueqe: Ib.) t. c. q:~lb, teh atenqerles Up-to-date... flo. 2-2 13 | ‘SamoeO 2216 18 228 lS2 a Gee Carman... awe SeietoOre 2 «4 Stipes. 26° |) << cctercces IW igeeatey SPs 5 Factor ... om Clonee LS | ye) aa an ee Sete halle kal et. 4 Qneen/of the Valley 2:.|14 -.4°°3 8.) lOO 10 \o° sake. S117 21 Eureka... oe welmoseno (0-0 |: ee, ulen tects 5 | elie eek brownellis Beauty, 4 ...\12.4.2) 0 11 | CRO 3/3 12952 S18 te 19 eee Langworthy ... SNM TS 2 18 | GRR .- 1 OLE als eee MIRE les epee Vermont we elle! teh eo ee sconce mented ean a 8.5 Gs Sie Satisfaction ... 1 4. 9 2 20| Gael 19) 3.15 9304 9 0221 Mana itale peers oP ee ese eras.s SeOmra. 26.)| +o ais 810-2510 IASOK NS Pte veowh pemelPrs Shy eck Sree 21 Failure. 8) Wie See SCOVONALIONYS, cass Sola eekewece) || es 3°. °T 2 16 ALO Gal lesa, BALLYEOSE <2, asi| sass ees, = | tee Lo SreSe m2 trent. Varieties, Paterson | West Kempsey.* Comboyne. Miller’s Forest.* isc; q. lb.| feed. lb,|'t. ce: qr bi) othe conan Up-to-date... Paltero widen 24 Failure. 5 Tes L210) a6 ao re0sa0 Carman... i 5 Gived!-O 0. | Smee =) 4 | 5. 1S" 106s eee Factor ... ae 2.4: Ie ee are Failure. AES he Sars 2 Pe Rhone 2 oe Qneen of the Valleys 2): 915: 3. 16 | bape? 16) | 4. 7S Si eee Eureka... ee ealeze Lo. 0 0 | sees 3. SGp Aas. le ae coe Brownell’s Beadtys; 9.) b°° (0 0 20 | GURBBR << 24). civweee PR ane TARO WOCDRY fier deciiccdl ica eeedoose. =| RM |] A pean Os eee mee Vermont Best (O24 | vopRBe [ooo ee ae es Seal ge ee Satisfaction DAeiene 12 Slee. 3.) 3 19 e028 om 1900 Manhattan 256 1. 20 | > See oi) 2a peee 3. 1G 41S Sussex ... eek 12 | - Ae i a are Se ee Coronation oF 9: 0 © | SR: 2°) 7") ee, Rael ee penne ae HarlycROse Meee eee cs eos. || | 7) Sees AN 220 * These plots were sown in drills ; the others were ploughed in, Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 543 Resvutts of Potato Manurial Trials. Manures and Mixtures. Mt, George. | Sherwood. Wauchope. Comboyne. | Miller’s Forest. [SitamceeOadbsi|ot. Cc. q.) \ lbeainoemcsenc= elon ite c.0 aque lbes|.-ibseeteam cemle No Manure ate Salsa ay uals a AE Sios - Shame Aare 24 Wiel 1 * 12 6 5 1S 20 2 ewt. P7 2s Solfo Lah Wah eens) 86 022m eOpetorecetonbs oo 6 3 0 0 ZA We oles) 0 Pola OOmenaieess 15 (One ASE 16950 Sil OO ul eh ete pe eal ets) ie oecomeZOn ges 1 Qn tig ieetOue OS) Ibi 6, 02) 210 (are tS wire X0) De Superphosphate Pepto tesa Di CON 2 0 OMA TG ele 104/55). 14° Pike 8b lye Bie otee The mixture P7 consists of equal parts of bonedust and superphosphate, and P8 of equal parts of blood and bone and of superphosphate. P5 consists of superphosphate 4 parts, and sulphate of potash 1 part. Fertilisers ee Yield |, Walue Fertiliser ee acre due to Fertiliser. Pee acre: approximately. ie Cc.) scams Spe S i) Clas hin. uadeAr aS tee Oe No Manure Gel? .-) Se Bees Meek Woneie scan Qe ewitreke vee Tin 0) Dee 0) WE) Oe) Spe OraO Doe ssa ns Sie 7 OMmanS 1S seea@) 16 pLOe 0 PA eiediiad 21 = ep S) AOS) 23! Th (0) 130 Om0 Diss Superphosphate... Shell 1 925 010 6 18 10 0 Potatoes estimated at £10 per ton. The above table shows that by a very small application of fertiliser, dusted along the drills, increases in yield ranging from nearly a ton to two tons, and equal to a monetary return of from £8 to £18 10s. per acre, are obtainable. The results on the rich volcanic soils of the Comboyne are most striking. There an increase in yield, ranging from 3} to four tons, or equal to over 200 per cent., was obtained. While it is true that the majority of farmers are aware of this means of increasing the crop, comparatively few adopt it, being quite satisfied with less progressive methods, and returns ranging from 25 per cent. to 50 per cent. lower than would be obtainable with an application of 2 ewt. of fertiliser. Farmers in the older potato centres of the world find it profitable to use a ton and even more of fertiliser per acre. Synopsis. With few exceptions, farmers still fail to grasp the important part that humus plays in the successful production of a crop of potatoes. The choosing of a site which has produced a crop of legumes such as field peas, cowpeas, or genes, or an old lucerne paddock, is still left to the select few. The fertility of the soil must be kept up by increasing the humus content. Besides being the chief source of food supply for the plant, it is the main moisture-holding constituent of the soil, and its value in this respect alone, when one takes into consideration the ao, spells encountered during the spring, is all-important. 544 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. Ploughing the land sufficiently early to conserve the late autumn and early winter rains is not practised to the extent that is warranted. Fallowing for three or four months allows the soil to become thoroughly aerated and sweetened, and its physical condition is much improved, thus ensuring a good seed-bed. The majority of sowings were made in August and early September. The latter end of July may safely be ‘‘aimed at” without fear of frost, but providing the soil be moist there is little risk from the latter, as was instanced at Mount George, where the young plants were subjected to seven frosts, some more or less severe. Besides, earlier sowing means heavier yields, and the plants are nearing maturity before the land becomes dried out by the hotter weather. The following figures dealing with three of the most popular varieties will help to illustrate the value of early sowing :— Average Yield. Up-to-date. ae Satisfaction. tons cwt. tons cwt. | tons cwt. Plots sown between 20th and 27th August .... 10 12 ie aS 6 17 Plots sown between 3rd and 23rd September... 6 2 6 10 b<76 Increase in favour of earlier sowing... 4 10 0 18 ell The superiority of Up-to-date in the earlier sown plots is astonishing. After August sowing it averages about the same as Brownell’s Beauty and Satisfaction. Probably it is because the latter varieties are reliable croppers, and that too during the warmer months of the year, that they are more popular among the Macleay, Manning and Hunter River potato growers, who rarely plant earlier than lst September. One seldom hears of heavy yields from these late sowings unless sown on old cattle camps, or the sets are planted too close to be safe, under average conditions. On several sections of the coast, mostly around the Paterson and Upper Hunter, farmers had experienced considerable loss by planting sets which had been saved from a strain extending into the third generation. For instance, at Paterson, Satisfaction was sown in 1917; seed from this farm was sown close by in the spring of 1918, and seed from the 1918 crop was sown again in 1919, this time alongside the Department’s seed from the tablelands. Satisfaction was the variety, and the results were as follows :— 4 Gi: Oi ee Local seed ... + is as 2 3&2. ©) 24 per ere, Departmental (Tableland seed) ... 5 17 3 12 7 No wonder Hunter farmers prefer tableland seed ! —— i eabaaidald Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 545 Other Trials on the Manning. On Mr. T. Hoad’s farm at Mt. George, a number of trials were carried out, dealing chiefly with size of set, depth, and distance of planting, ete, The soil was a rich alluvial loam, and the previous crops were maize in 1917 and pumpkins in 1918. The land was deeply ploughed in June and again - early in August, and harrowed twice. It was an excellent moist seed-bed for planting on 19th August. The sets were covered with a cultivator run twice up the centres, and then harrowed. Germination good ; young crop harrowed and cultivated twice, and hilled; few ladybirds were present. Over £200 was cleared off an acre. An experiment to determine whether the Comboyne—a plateau within the district—can be utilised as a source of seed supply for local plots. Up-to-date seed that had been saved from the previous spring crop (dug in March, 1919) and stored, was sown in comparison with seed from the tableland with results as follows :— CoMBOYNE v. DEPARTMENTAL SEED. Comboyne. | Departmental. Co Ge NS Se Keema are Jllop Quantity of seed per acre... Ai LE =0_ 0 We 3 15 02. Oz. Average weight of set ss oa 17 1‘8 : Cyc que lbii) teh g-rlb: Yield peracre .. ae ae >3| eee OMEL S| G12 6" 2a. 70 : per cent. per cent. Percentage of marketable tubers... 94°] 96°1 The local seed had not undergone any of the recognised methods of storing, being spread out on the floor of an open shed; consequently it was somewhat flabby and did badly throughout. Whole small, medium, large medium, and large sets were sown with results as follows :— Small Sets. | Medium Sets. Harge Nodtum Large Sets. q. Ib, | colmmeeeibs fe. gq. Ib. |e. qe. lb. Quantity of seed peracre) 8 1 0 LiSesee lo 14 0-3 21> 256 oO 1] Z. Oz. OZ. | Oz. Average weight of set ... 2 1:8 2-2 | 3°7 tome, gq. lb.| to feeeaeetb:| t.. c:- q.. lb, | tes quadh: Yield per acre ... Siz ks 1 6 | 12 eee OF 15 -1 1 16 | 14) 4 per cent. per cent. per cent. per cent. Percentage of marketable 95°6 96°1 95-2 | 92°8 tubers. | The results show that sets of 21 oz. (equal to a duck’s egg in size) yielded 21 tons per acre more than sets of 11 0z. (equal to a small hen’s egg), and slightly more than a set of 33 oz. Eliminating the 14 oz. section (portion of ‘which was damaged by cultivating), it seems safe to say that a whole set, 546 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. 2 oz. or thereabouts in weight, is a size that can be recommended. Many farmers sow sets altogether too small, even dividing a 11 oz. tuber. Economising unreasonably with seed is unsound policy. The use of small whole tubers can only be encouraged where they have been properly selected, otherwise they may be gathered from the “ heap,” and would, in all probability, contain a very large percentage of tubers from unproductive, weak, and perhaps diseased plants. The larger seed tubers made best growth throughout, but there seems little to be gained by sowing too large a set. An experiment was carried out with cut and uncut seed, with results as follows :— | Cut Seed. Uncut Seed. | ACRE pS ce. q. Ib. Quantity of seed per acre Tagen 2 | 4°30 02. 0Z. Average weight of set 1-2 (half tuber) 2:9 ee GG les to Gse qeelbs Yield per acre... 14 2 3 0 15 loosed "(03 per cent. per cent. Percentage marketable 96 95°2 The whole sets gave the greater yield. They germinated better and more evenly, and the plants, especially during the young stages, appeared to grow more rapidly. Farmers generally sow cut seed. In most cases this is unavoidable owing to the uneven seed purchased from the various agents. With a cut set a certain percentage rot—due to either too moist or cold conditions shortly after planting, or else they become infected with dry rot. A cut surface is more susceptible to disease infection than an uncut tuber. An uncut tuber has a greater food supply to keep the young growth going whilst roots are forming than a “ section” of a tuber. With a whole tuber there is a probability of too many shoots coming, consequently a greater number of smaller tubers. More seed, is required when sown whole and there is always the risk, when using smallish whole tubers, of sowing seed from unproductive hills. 1 ft. apart | 1 ft. 3 in, apart 2 ft. apart in drill. in drill, in drill, ss | Ci Qe Cf gse lib: | refuaCay, Willey! Quantity of seed per acre.., 10° Seo 91-20 | yesh Wak: OZ, OZ. OZ. Average weight of set ie 00 15 15 16 t. ¢..aee 6... Gay /1Q). lta). ebteeas@s. wl 1b: Yield per acre l4 10 3:0 13. 16 y-4 [Cs ety Tae! per cent. per cent. per cent. ‘Percentage marketable _... ae 92°6 945 93°] 1 pe ee eS -—-—-- - Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 547 Farmers as a rule prefer sowing closely one way, and usually that is done in the drills where the practice is 1 ft. to 1 ft. 3 in. By keeping the drills 3 feet apart, cultivating and hilling are carried out without damage to the plants. Some growers regulate the width between drills according to the variety. One making sparse or dwarfed top growth (like Manhattan or Satisfaction) is sown in drills as close as 2 ft. 6 in apart. Growers contend that not sufficient shade is cast for protective purposes if the sowing is at a greater width. Sets 4 inches deep. | Sets 6 inches deep. | c. . c q. Quantity of seed per acre ahs We ) OZS. ’ Ozs. Average weight of set ... ese 15 15 ip. G CEellley thee EE Oly Allo Yield per acre .. std weet | SMO e rs 1 SINS RL) per cent. per cent. Percentage marketable ... 91°3 §9°8 About four inches is the usual depth for sowing, and unless the soil is of a light nature it can be recommended. Sets planted deeper are said to withstand dry periods better than the shallower planting. In the experi- ment under review, many of the deeper sets failed to germinate. Up-to-date seed was used for the trials, with fertiliser at the rate of 2 ewt. of P7 per acre. The marketable percentage seems unusually high. This is accounted for by the high prices ruling for potatoes during the season, tubers that would be too small in ordinary seasons being included. PRODUCTIVITY AS AN INHERITED QUALITY IN POTATOES. From investigations in Germany into the inberitance of productivity in potatoes in connection with the choice of tubers for planting (says the Scottish Jowinal of Agriculture), C. von Seelhorst comes to the following conclusions :— The size of the tubers used for planting has a decided influence on the yield of the descendants, the large tubers being usually more productive than the smallones. The productivity of the parent plants appears to be of even greater importance, however, for in the tests small tubers from productive parent plants nearly always gave more productive descendants than those of large tubers from slighty productive plants. For example, whereas the smallest tubers (average weight, 33 grams) of productive plants had descendants that yielded, on an average, 519 grams of tubers per plant, the relatively large tubers (average weight, 84 grams) of poor producing plants had descendants that produced only an average of 488 grams of tubers per plant. 548 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. THrt SELECTION OF PROMISING WHEAT PLANTS. CONSIDERABLE attention has recently been called to the subject of plant selection, especially in regard to wheat. It has been suggested that men should be employed to travel round the wheat districts in the harvest season to select productive plants or heads in farmers’ crops. It is perhaps desirable that such selectors should have special training, but it is questionable whether any further training is required than a keen eye for observing plants which are more vigorous than their neighbours. Training and method are necessary, or at any rate desirable, in the testing of such individuals when once gathered, but the selection could be done by any intelligent and observant farmer or his son. Selectors are apt to have preconceived notions about the best plants or heads to pick out. It might here be stated that, for all practical purposes in breeding and selection, the stalks arising from an individual plant have the same value and show the same characteristics as a single head from that plant. Some experimenters prefer a broad or clubbed head, others a cigar-shaped head; some like to see short awns, and others prefer the head to be entirely awnless. Some look for a head with a large number of grains per spikelet, and others are content if the head is merely of great length. The fact is that these are not essential points in isolating a high-yielding variety, though they may be a guide. Yield of grain per plant is the final and conclusive indication of produc- tivity. Defects such as weakness of straw, shattering of grain, rust liability, and undue softness of grain would disqualify a plant for selection, but an individual with medium-sized heads often has more stalks and gives a greater yield than a plant with very large heads. Miracle or Mummy wheat is an instance of this. A farmer who passes through his crops every day for perhaps a month before he starts stripping has a better chance of seeing a particularly desirable plant as the wheat begins to ripen than a visiting expert, who may only have time to spend half a day at the farm. One may say, “ How-are you going to get farmers sufficiently interested to bother with plant selection?’ It is quite likely that only a few would take it up, but with even two or three keen selectors in each wheat district we should have a quantity of material tested each season among which useful local varieties are likely to be found, and possibly varieties adapted to more than one wheat district. | When located in the erop, plants so selected for separate harvesting should be marked by tying a narrow strip of coloured print just below the head, and before stripping such plants should be pulled up by the roots and hung up away from mice till they can be threshed. Such selections might be tested in rows adjacent to standard varieties, and if superior could be forwarded to the Department for further testing. The apparent superiority which took the eye in the field is not always trans- mitted to the next generation, and only testing in an isolated plot with other selections and alongside a standard variety for comparison will prove whether the selection is worth going on with or not.—J. T. Prmaam. Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 549 Improvement of Sweet Sorghums. E. BREAKWELL, B.A., B.Sc., Agrostologist. Sweet sorghum may be considered an extremely variable species of plant. There appears no doubt that all our cultivated varieties (including Sudan grass) originated in Africa, and as there is a considerable diversity between the wild and cultivated forms as found in that continent, little wonder can be expressed at the numerous types grown in other countries. In the United States more types are grown than in this State. Commercial seed houses there catalogue types called Sumac, Red Amber, Dakota Amber, Minnesota Amber, Honey, and Collier, These are very distinct types, not only in the habit of the plants, but also in the colour and shape of the seed. In this State the principal commercial types are Planter’s Friend and Imphee (both derived from the South African Imphee types), Amber Cane, Sorghum saccharatum, and (more recently) Saccaline. These are also very distinct in habit of growth, and shape and colour of seed. The sorghum flower is particularly adapted to wind pollination, and crossing between types grown close together and maturing at practically the same period is sure to happen. Crossing very readily takes place with broom millet, but owing to the very pithy nature of that plant the seed from such crosses is worthless. A broom millet x sweet sorghum plant is quite as pithy as the original broom millet parent. It is a very important matter, therefore, that farmers should obtain seed as true to type as possible. At the present time crops of sorghum with a distinct lack of epitonnntiy and containing two or more types, are quite common. How Improvement is Effected. i addition to the natural cross-pollination of different strains of sorghums, crossing also takes place between plants of the same strain. If an ordihary crop of Planter’s Friend be examined, for example, certain individual plants will be found to be marked by exceptional vigour and other desiradle characters. Such plants are called by scientists “‘ heterozygotes,” and the exceptional vigour, etc., are due to the com- bination, or segregation, of certain factors, or ‘‘units.” If the seed of the individual heads of such plants be sown the following season in such a way that each row represents the progeny of one certain parent plant, there will be a considerable diversity in the plants, some being very good, others medium, and others very poor. The result is quite in accord with Mendelian principles, for in the parent plant—that is, the first generation of the cross—certain undesirable characteristics, known as recessives, were suppressed, and these reappear in the second generation. The best plants 550 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. of the second generation can now be selected, care having been exercised that cross-fertilisation with the inferior ones has been avoided by bagging the heads. If the seed of such plants be sown the following year, it will be found that in all probability a fairly uniform type has been produced which possesses desirable characteristics. We have now the nucleus, after three years, of an improved strain of sorghum. In the following season, the seed from the best plants or from the best row of plants can be sown in a bulk plot for working up a stock by mass selection, or in a head-to-row manner as in previous years, for further improvement. If desired, the best pure line progeny can be determined by comparing the weights and other characteristics of each individual row, each row representing one particular plant. The composition of the various Mendelian units or factors which determine the best plants, and the combination or segregation of the various factors in the successive progenies have never been investigated. In improving the strain, however, such knowledge is not essential. By experience, it has been shown that certain desirable characteristics can be selected and improved. Such features as sweetness, early maturity, height, sturdiness (including sturdiness of head stalk), and probably (although not detinitely proved) resistance to “stain” can be developed by the methods described. Working on these principles, one strain of sorghum of the Planter’s Friend type (temporarily called No. 61) has now been developed and is being sown on a fairly large scale. At Wollongbar Experiment Farm this sorghum proved considerably superior during the past season to local Planter’s Friend in yield and sweetness, and earlier in maturity. At. Grafton Experiment Farm it exceeded the new variety Saccaline in yield, was three weeks earlier in maturing, and exhibited no noticeable inferiority in sweetness. At Berry and at Glenfield it was also better than any other variety grown. Three other strains that are most promising in character have also been developed, but seed is not available for sowing on a large scale. An interesting feature in connection with this improvement work has been noticed in the development of a particular strain. Plants were selected for excessive thickness and large seed heads, pithy plants being discarded (as in the other strains) when the heads were harvested. It has been noticed that while the strain breeds remarkably true for sturdiness and large seed heads, the pithiness appears much harder to eliminate than in the other strains. Characteristics of No. 61. This sorghum is distinct from Planter’s Friend in possessing better stooling qualities, a heavier clean leaf growth, and earlier maturity. Its seeding qualities are particularly well developed, the heaas, which are fairly compact, being 9 inches long and averaging 3 ozs. per head in weight. The outer seed glumes are much redder i in colour than those in ordinary Planter’s Friend, PF the seed stipules are also fairly common, From a half-acre plot of this sorghum about 1,500 Ib. of seed was harvested, to be used on farmers’ experiment plots and distributed to farmers. Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 5p Early Amber Cane Improvement. In addition to Early Amber Cane for the coastal districts, it has been found that a great deal can be done in developing a strain suitable for the western districts. Acclimatisation is a big factor in such work, and at Cowra, Bathurst, and even at Nyngan during the past season, Amber Cane, which is the progeny of selected and acclimatised plants grown at the respective farms during the past four years, has produced very satistactory results, The manager of Cowra Experiment Farm reports that it has yielded better under the drought conditions than the grain sorghums. Improvement of Sacculine. This new strain of sorghum has been grown largely by farmers during the past season, Last year it was credited with greater yields than Planter’s Friend, but during the present season there have been several plots of the latter which have yielded better than Saccaline grown alongside. It is also slower in maturing than Planter’s Friend, a difference of three weeks being noticed in some cases. Whether its second growth is faster and greater remains yet to be proved. Advantages which it undoubtedly possesses over Planter’s Friend are its superior sweetness and its greater stooling qualities. Last year it was credited with being more free from stain than ordinary Planter’s Friend, but during the present season it has in some localities been badly affected. In improving Saccaline, therefore, particular attention should be paid to shortening its period of maturity, as well as increasing the yield. That the yield can be increased seems fairly evident from experiments carried out at Wollongbar, but sufficient work has not yet been done to effect any marked improvement in shortening the period of maturity. The wide heavy foliage of Saccaline, its sturdy stalks, its sweetness, its stooling qualities, and its large heads of seed render it a very attractive sorghum. It is sure to be grown largely by coastal farmers in the future. SorGHUM CHAFF AS FEED FOR WorkKING JToRSES. SoreGuuM crops on farmers’ experiment plots in the north-western district were so adversely affected during the 1919-20 trials that only in one instance were comparable yields obtained. These were on the plots belonging to Mr. H. Lye, Loomberah, Tamworth, where’ Planter’s Friend yielded 1 tou 82 cwt. of green fodder, and Saccaline and Feterita each yielded 1 ton, Early Baber Cane 132 cewt., and Kaoliang 7} cwt. ~During the wheat sowing period Mr. Lye has been feeding his working horses upoa two parts straw chaff and one part sorghum chaff, and although worked every day the horses actually . picked up in condition. Owing to this favourable result, the owner intends to sow a larger.area to the grain ssrehum Feterita next year, to cut the crop for hay, and to add a portion fC) ’ sorehum chaff to the ordinary ration for his working horses. ‘The grain added in this way will be substituted for maize.— H. Bartterr, Assistant Inspector of Agriculture. 552 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. Papago: A New Variety of Sweet Corn. H. WENHOLZ, B.Sc. (Agr.), Inspector of Agriculture. In 1918, through the courtesy of the Director, a few pounds of Papago sweet cornu was received from the University of Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station, U.S.A. This variety was stated* to have outyielded more than fourfold any of the best eastern varieties, such as Stowell’s Evergreen and ieiLL Country Gentleman, chiefly owing to the fact that the pollen of these latter varieties was not resistant to the dry heat which is usually experienced at while the pollen of Papago seemed aft that station in summer, it uy to have this resistant quality, This difference caused pollina- tion to be very defective in the sss | : eastern varieties and resulted in poor grain formation, some ty cobs carrying twenty or thirty : j ri scattered grains, whilst Papago showed no defect in pollination, the grain formation being very high and the cobs well filled. It was thought, therefore, that this variety would be worth a trial on the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, where the hot winds in summer are known to have a_ similar extremely injurious effect on field maize, In the trials on this area, conducted by Mr. G. G. Potts (then Inspector of Agriculture but now an officer of the Water ot a® A Cob of Papago. * Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 75 (1915). Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 553 Conservation and Irrigation Commission), Papago considerably outyielded all other varieties tested with it, but Mr. Potts attributes the result largely to the fact that, being later than all these varieties, it was fortunate in ‘tasselling when the hot winds had passed. There was, therefore, no opportunity of testing whether the pollen of the Papago variety had the drought resistant quality claimed for it, although the other varieties mostly differed in their setting of grain on account of not being resistant to the hot winds which came during their tasselling period. The yields from Papago in these tests were nevertheless so outstanding’ that it was thought that the variety would be worth testing in other districts. | Unfortunately, a plot that was being saved for seed at Leeton was broken into and destroyed by cattle, and further comparative tests with this variety could not be made until additional seed was obtained. A little seed of Papago sweet corn has now been produced by Mr. R. Yates, Ourimhbah, and will be available for trial this season. Although he had no means of comparing Papago with other varieties, Mr. Yates is well pleased with the amount of seed obtained from a small plot ; about 4 bushels of grain were obtained from less than one-tenth of an acre— an indication that Papago will be a high producing variety of sweet corn in other than dry districts. Papago is a late variety, being a fortnight or so later than Country Gentle- man or Stowell’s Evergreen, which each take about 3} months to reach the canning or harvesting stage. It has a distinct tendency to be prolific (that is, to bear two or more ears per stalk) and, as usual with prolific varieties, it also suckers somewhat freely if sown early on rich ground. The growth of stalk reached nearly 9 feet in the writer’s home garden last season, and ears were obtained up to 9 or 10 inches in length. The ears are long and narrow, and the grain is not as deep as some other varieties, but this is compensated for by the length and number of cobs produced. The cobs are not well covered with husk, but this is not a great defect for sweet corn, except when it is being grown for seed, weevils then infesting it readily. ‘The quality is not quite up to some varieties of sweet corn, but it is still greatly superior to field corn. In view of the large amount of canned sweet corn imported into Australia from America, there seems an excellent opportunity for some New South Wales fruit canning factory in a district suitable for sweet corn to develop this industry as a side line. Papago can in the meantime be: thoroughly recommended for the home garden. At the head of all the sviences and_arts, at the head,of civilisation and progress, stands—not militarism, the science that kills, not commerce, the art that accumulates wealth—but agriculture, the mother of all industry, and the maintenance of human life.—James A, GARFIELD. 554 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. Summer Green Fodder Trials. MURRUMBIDGEE [RRIGATION AREA, 1919-20. A. N. SHEPHERD, Assistant Inspector of Agriculture. GREEN fodder trials embracing both sorghums and maize were carried out during the past season on the above area. The settlers co-operating with the Department were— M. McKenzie, Farm 203. H. Booth, Farm 854. W. Evans, Farm 139. H. A. McDonald, Farm 151. W. Edwards, Farm 367. During the season the conditions were most trying, dust storms and wind being very prevalent, resulting in high evaporation, while the rainfall was practically nil, the falls that did occur being very light and of practically no use to the growing crops. Notwithstanding the adverse con-— ditions, very good germination was obtained throughout the plots, the result of the careful preparation of the soil and irrigation previous to sowing. Irrigation had to be constantly practised at each rotation throughout the growth of the crop. The rainfall registrations were as follows :—November 39 points, December 142, January 57, February 0, March 97, April 47. In the sorghum trials, Saccaline was grown for the first time on the area, and, while giving heavy returns, took much longer than the other varieties used in the trials to mature. To obtain a good germination in the hotter weather, it is essential that after drilling the land be rolled to compact the soil and encourage quick germination before the moisture dries out under the very high evaporation of the summer months. If a roller is not available ordinary tine harrows, turned upside down and weighted, give even better results, for while a roller compacts the surface, the harrow used in this way tends to pack the soil under the surface and right on the seed, at the same time leaving on the surface a layer of loose soil which tends to lessen evaporation. This practice has been adopted in autumn sowing with very satisfactory results. Farm 203.—The experiment was conducted on grey loam soil and in places crab-holey. ‘The previous crop had been barley, sown in autumn, 1919, and grazed off with cattle. The land was irrigated previous to ploughing on 21sv October, and was afterwards broken down with the dise-harrow. The land was again irrigated on 7th November and cultivated with the rigid tooth cultivator. The seed was sown on 15th November, 1919, with a Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 555 wheat drill, in rows 14 inches apart, every second hopper being blocked up. The rate of seeding was 15 lb. per acre, and superphosphate was used at the rate of 1 cwt. per acre. A very good germination was obtained, but as the crop grew and irrigation water was applied, those plants growing in the crab-holes made very little growth, lost colour, and appeared sickly. The Early Amber Cane matured and was cut on 29th January, 1920, while the Saccaline and Planter’s Friend was harvested two months later, but with much heavier yields. Farm 854.—A variety trial was sown on red clay loam on 21st October, 1919. ‘The land had received a thorough preparation, check banks being put in every half chain to facilitate watering by flood irrigation. A rather patchy germination was obtained, but very good growth followed. The Early Amber Cane matured in twelve weeks, while the Saccaline was not cut for another two months, but gave just double the yield of the Amber Cane. Farm 139.—Four varieties of sweet sorghum were used in a variety trial on this farm, and all gave very satisfactory results. Lucerne had been previously grown on the land, which had been broken up in 1917 and wheat sown ; after this crop had been cut for hay the lucerne made very good growth and was used as grazing for sheep.” The land was disc-ploughed in December, and well worked down previous to seeding, with the result that a perfect stand was obtained. Very rapid growth was maintained, the Early Amber Cane maturing in nine weeks, and the Sorghum saccharatum a week later, with a yield of 25} tons per acre. The other varieties, Planter’s Friend and Saccaline, were cut a month later, with very good results. Even then heavier yields might have been obtained if the crop had been watered in the later stages of growth, but owing to the tall growth and the exceptionally heavy winds, irrigation could not be carried out, as the crop would have lodged. In fact, that did happen in the case of the Sorghum saccharatum, with the result that the harvesting was made very difficult. Farm 151.—Saccaline was tried in conjunction with Early Amber Cane, and similar results were obtained to those on other sections of the area— heavier yields but slower maturity. The experiment was sown on grey crab- holey country, and although the land had received a thorough preparation and rolling was practised after sowing, the germination was not all that could be desired ; nevertheless, a very satisfactory crop was harvested. farm 367.—A variety trial of maize was conducted on this farm on red clay soil, the yields comparing very favourably with those of sorghum, and varying from 9} to 12 tens per acre of green fodder. The seed was sown in drills 34 feet apart at the rate of 20 lb. per acre. This crop followed after Japanese millet, which had been grazed off with cattle. A very good germination was obtained, and splendid growth followed, a height of 12 feet being attained in some cases. The crop was harvested 34 months after sowing. 556 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. The Results. All plots were fertilised with superphosphate, the sorghum at the rate of 1 ewt. per acre, and the maize at 2 cwt. per acre. The most noticeable result in the trials was the heavy yields obtained on Mr. Evans’ farm, following after lucerne. Not only were the yields there much heavier, but the crop matured very much more quickly on this plot than on the others on the area. Yietps of Summer Green Fodder Trials. og a ber _ Soe | Planter’s Friend. Saccaline. | | Pits. gs .Fb.| t. co qe, cc. g. (db) t7e gen. Me MeKenzie ~~ (15 132 6117 17 O@m@eIo 15 0° 0 | 18) es 3" 4 H. Booth SRS oh | ee | 14 16 1 20 W. Evans ... 116651099 1.95 2 3MMaig - 2.8.19} 18) Th) esp H. A. McDonald’ ...| 7 17 0 16 a | ee 1 eet OP ak Yields of Green Maize on Mr. Edwards’ farm :— tons cwt. qr. Ib. Large Macleay Yellow ... He Pec 2 > 126 Red Hogan : me oe ey ll - 10). 3228 Yellow Harsetouth a oan ee ld 8-27 Se Leaming ... ee es pee] 4s Dea Narrow Red Hogan ie a eect LO * FS Ses Improved Yellow Dent ... a mee! 9” OCIS Golden King is: 8 a ce ae EE Ss: THE GIANT SUNFLOWER AS A CROP. “ T sHaLt be much obliged if you will advise me as to the price per ton now obtainable for the seed of giant sunflowers. I would also appreciate any information relative to the adv antages of growing and marketing this crop.’ The foregoing was received from a correspondent recently, He was informed to the following effect :— The market for sunflower seed is somewhat limited, the commodity being chiefly used for poultry and bird feed, excepting in Great Britain, which country imports a large quantity for its oil, which is used in the manufacture of soap and candles. The latest price we have heard quoted in London is about £50 per ton, but one local firm state that they are buyers at £35 per ton. The average yield of seed per acre may be put at 1,000 to 1,500 lb. As the land required for most successfil growth is usually suited to the produc- tion of broom millet or maize, and as the dry stalks of sunflowers after harvesting are too coarse and fibrous to be of much value for feed, either of the other crops mentioned would probably be more profitable. The green stalks are sometimes utilised in silage, especially in cold climates, where the bulk produced is greater than that of maize or any other crop. Before the war, large quantities of sunflower seed were imported into Great: Britain at £13 to £15 per ton from cheap. producing countries like Russia, India, China, and Egypt, so that none but a limited local market can be depended on. Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 557 Chats about the Prickly Pear. No. ie J. H. MAIDEN, I.8.0., F.R.S., F.L.S. (Government Botanist and Director, Botanic Gardens, Sydney. ) ' Pear as Stock Food in the United States. Mexico and certain south-western portions of the United Statés are the principal home of prickly pear, and information has accumulated there which we would do well to study carefully, with the view of applying the lessons to Australian conditions. We may group the information (chiefly extracts from the works of Dr. D. Griffiths and Mr. R. F. i as follows :— A. General— 1. Chemical analysis. 2. A balanced ration of pear. B. Dairy Stock— 1. Pear for milk production. 2. Some dairy rations that include pear. 3. A pear-eating cow. C. Working Cattle—- 1. Pear for fattening and maintaining cattle. 2. Pear as a ration for working animals. 3. Effect of pear on stock. A.— General. Chemical Analysis —A number of analyses will be found in the pamphlets enumerated in the bibliography. Some notes by Mr. R. F. Hare, in Bulletin No. 17, p. 91, New Mexico (without the analysis) may be quoted. It is the custom in some sections of this territory and ‘Texas to burn the spines off the flat-jointed Opuntias, known as ‘‘ prickly pear’”’ or ‘‘ nopal,”’ and feed the singed stems to stock when other feed is scarce. In this investiga- tion of the value of the common feeding stuffs it was thought advisable to ascertain the feeding value of such material, as nearly as could be done without feeding experiments, so specimens of this plant were collected and analysed. The specimens obtained by an assistant (O. camanchica) were the first found, although not the commonest species in this locality, but it was used in the kelief that the chemical analyses would give practically similar results for the different species. Besides this there is no attempt to select species when collecting the plants for feed, so the analysis of any one species is probably as good as that of any other. An examination of the table of analyses will show a very large percentage of water and ash, and a very small percentage of organic matter of any kind. If fed enough of such material stock will not starve immediately, and it would do to tide over a short period of scarcity, but it is a poor feed under any circumstances. 558 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. The first analysis of prickly pear in Australia that I can trace is “ The Analysis of Prickly Pear—On the Occurrence of Arabin in the Prickly Pear (Opuntia brasiliensis),” by W. M. Hamlet, Proc. Roy Soc. N.S.W., XXIII, 324-5, 1889. The species is probably O. monocantha. Then we have “ Analyses of Prickly-pear,” by F. B. Guthrie, Agricultural Gazette, August, 1900. Also, by the same author, ‘“‘ Prickly Pear—Analyses, Fodder Value, and Destruction,” published as a pamphlet, 1907: The plate shown is O. monocantha, the *proliferous variety, and it is labelled O. brasiliensis by mistake, that being a name under which it went in Australia for over fifty years. I passed on the name to Mr. Guthrie before I knew better. Mr. Guthrie also made an analysis on 6th May, 1910, of one of Mr. Luther Burbank’s so-called “ spineless cacti,” imported under the name of “ Santa Rosa,” with the following result :— Moisture ... R ae BA oa ... 94°48 per cent. Ash i ae i ae ag ve 116 5 Fibre Sees... nee. Oo0annae Albuminoids oes i a a Be 0°38 a Carbohydrates... i a ie a 3:28 53 Ether extract (fat or oil) cise on ae 0°10 5 100°00 , Nutritive value ... “i me: = Le 38 5 Albuminoid ratio ... a a oe 1 to 92 5 Other analyses are given by J. Lewis in the South African Agricultural Journal, February, 1912; by J. C. Brunnich in the Annual Report of the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Stock, 1908-9, and by Griffiths and Hare in U.S. Bulletin No. 102. The most exhaustive paper on the subject of digestibility known to me is “ Experiments on the Digestibility of Prickly Pear by Cattle,” by R. F. Hare, published as Bulletin No. 106 of the U.S. Bureau of Animal Industry (1908), and in the same -year as Bulletin No. 69 of the New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station, the experiments having been conducted in that State. The pears treated were not our pest pear, nor any species acclimatised in Australia (out of a botanic garden), and experi- ments were also made with feeding stuffs. - A Balanced Ration of Pear—At page 25 of New Mexico Bulletin No. 60, and p. 10 of U.S. Bulletin No. 102, we have the question of a balanced ration discussed. It is pointed out that, in order to find in what proportion pear should be fed with other foods to produce a balanced ration, it is necessary to know the amount of digestible nutrients contained in it, as well as those of the food or foods with which it is to be fed. Unfortu- nately, we have few data in regard to the pest pear in different districts, and here is one of the many, yet very important, investigations which await the attention of the veterinary authority and of the chemist. In view of the absence of the necessary data as regards the pear in the United States, Griffiths and Hare, for the purpose of their article, ask leave to assume that its digestion coefficient is not very different from that of immature green corn fodder. The matter is very important, but ca:mot be usefully Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 559 further discussed at this place under the circumstances. Here is valuable work which could profitably employ the attention of a number of our young veterinary graduates. B.—Dairy Steck. Pear for Milk. Production—Dr. Griffiths remarks, in U.S. Bulletin No. 74, p. 20, as follows :— It is universally recognised throughout the pear region of south-western Texas that the plant has a decided tendency to increase the flow of milk. In spite of the fact that the average ranch feeder claims that pear is of little or no value in the summer, there are hundreds of people who feed more or less definite quantities of this plant from one year’s end to another. I+ is always used as a supplementary ration. Pear alone has not been fed to a great extent, for it is recognised that it is properly a supplementary ration to a more concentrated feed. Mr. John Bowles, near Kagle Pass, has fed pear, with hay and bran, to a milch cow for the past three years, and would not think of discontinuing the practice. Some dairymen in the small towns where pear is accessible feed it regularly, and nearly all of the Mexican families who keep a cow in town depend upon this as their mainstay. One example of very successful feeding, where somewhat definite data were obtainable, came under the observation of the writer, and might be cited here. Mr. Albert Ingle, of Kagle Pass, Texas, keeps one Jersey cow to supply milk and kutter for family use. The cow has the run of the commons about town, but the pasturage is very short the greater part of the time. In addition to what she can pick up in this way she is fed 3 quarts of bran, 1 quart of cotton-seed meal, and all,the singed and chopped pear she will eat. Mr. Ingle was feeding when his place was visited. The quantity chopped that morning, he stated, was an average one, and weighed 35 lb.. which amount was fed twice each day. The cow at the time was raising a calf and furnishing milk for the family, and was in good milking condition. This shows that the amotint of pear fed was large. The ration each day was 6 quarts of bran, 2 quarts of cotton-seed meal, 70 lb. of chopped pear, and what the animal was able to pick up on very short range. This ration is kept up during the year, except when the mesquite beans are abundant, when no pear is fed. Other definite testimonies are quoted in the Bulletin. Some Dairy Rations that include Pear—tThis is dealt with at p. 22 of U.S. Bulletin No. 74, and the evidence is so important, and has such a direct application to Australia, that I give Dr. Griffiths’ statements in full:— The practice of feeding dairy cows upon a partial ration of pear is very common—indeed, general-—in the entire region of the lower Rio Grande, and as far north as San Antonio, Texas. The necessity for feeding this plant depends upon the condition of the seasons. When the winter rains are abundant and green feed is plentiful, no pear to speak of is fed; but during a dry winter it is resorted to as the most economical method of supplying the succulence so essential to the maintenance of a good flow of milk. The amount fed depends largely upon the quantity of pear available and the labour at hand for handling it. In some cases which have come under the writer’s direct observation the pear has been hauled 6 miles to feed to dairy cattle, and it is as much prized by many dairymen as any other part of their feed stuffs. Mr. J. W. Statcher feeds 100 dairy cows regularly for three or four months during the winter. The feeding begins when the leaves fall off the brush in the autumn, and continues until they appear again in the spring. The ration for a cow is about as follows : —Cotton-seed meal, 2 lb. ; cotton-seed hulls, 8 lb. ; bran of wheat or rice, 1 gallon; singed pear, 40 Ib.; the run of brush pasture. Mr. J. G. Hagenson’s practice does not differ materially from that of Mr. Statcher. Having no pear, however, he buys it at 25 cents per load, a load consisting of about 2,000 lb. His cattle get a ration approximately as follows :—Bran, 9 lb.; cotton-seed hulls, 10 lb.; singed pear, 30 to 40 lb.; the run of dry brush pasture. In order to secure a better idea of the practices in vogue for feeding pear in the vicinity of San Antonio than time for personal inquiry would warrant, a circular letter was addressed to several dairymen. The following questions 560 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. and answers in connection with the above discussion give a good idea of the practices which obtain and the estimate placed upon the prickly pear of the region as a succulence for milk production. Answers to the questions proposed were furnished by several dairymen. ‘The following are considered typical, and are reproduced here practically in full :— 1. Do you feed prickly pear to your dairy herd? How many years has this practice been followed ? Answers.—(a) During the winter months only. (b) I do in winter; five years. (c) Yes; for fourteen years. (d) Yes; have fed off and on for a number of years. (e) Yes; during the winter time; for about twelve years. (f) I have fed prickly pear to my dairy cows for nine years. 2. How long did you feed during the past winter ? Answers.—(a) About fourteen weeks. (6) All winter. (c) All winter. (d) Did not feed pear last winter because other feeds were very cheap. (e) None at all. (f) Did not feed during the past winter, on account of having moved to a place where it was inconvenient to get it. 3. How do you prepare prickly pear for feeding? Answers.—(a) Make brush fire and burn thorns off. (b) I use a pear burner. (c) Singe the thorns off and cut it up. (d) I run the pear through a pear cutter and mix with cotton-seed meal and hulls. (e) Burn the thorns off; then chop in small pieces. (f) I first burn off the thorns with a dry brush fire, and then cut into small pieces with a large carving knife. 4. How much pear do you feed a cow each day? If you do not know the exact number of pounds, estimate it as closely as possible. How many loads per day do you feed to how many cows? Answers.—(a) I feed about two-thirds of'a common water bucket full to each cow in the morning. (b) I give the cows as much as they can eat once a day. (c) About 10 or 15 lb. per cow. (d) I feed 14 bushels to a cow each day. (e) One load of about 3,000 lb. lasts sixteen cows about three days. (f) Ef give each cow about 6 gallons of pear cut up into pieces about 2} inches square. « 5. What other feeds do you give the cows with pear? How much of each kind of feed per cow? Answers.—(a) I feed cotton-seed meal and bran. (b) Bran and cotton-seed meal. (c) One quart of cotton-seed meal, 1 peck of. cotton-seed hulls, and all the cane they want. (d) One quart of cotton seed, 1 quart of cotton-seed meal, and 20 lb. of hulls per day. (e) One and one-half quarts of cotton-seed meal, 8 quarts of wheat bran, 20 lb. of cotton-seed hulls. (f) I give my cows 10 Ib. per day of a mixture of cotton seed and wheat bran, in addition to the 6 gallons of prickly pear. 6. Do your cows have the run of any pasture while you feed pear? Answers.—(a) Yes. (b) Yes. (c) Yes. (d) No. (e) Very little. (f) Yes. 7. Do you consider that pear influences the flavour, odour, or quality of the milk in any way? Answers.—(a) It does if fed more than two-thirds of a common water bucket full to each cow in the morning, or in any other way. Feeding at night affects the odour of the milk slightly and gives butter a pale colour. (b) It increases the quantity of-milk 40 per cent. (c) It does not affect the flavour or colour, but it may reduce the weight or richness of it. It increases the quantity. (d) No; I do not think it influences the flavour, odour, or quality of the milk at all when fed as I have mentioned. (e) When too much pear is fed, and not enough solid feed, the milk has a peculiar odour, is very poor in quality, and blue in colour. (f) Prickly pear does not injure the flavour of the milk. It increases the flow. Cattle are very fond of it. 8. Do you have pear in your pastures, or do you buy it? If you buy, how much do you pay per load? Answers.—(a) I have it my pastures. (b) I have pear in my pastures. (Cc) Yes. (d) I buy it at 25 cents per load and haul it myself. (e) I buy my pear; it costs me 25 cents per load of 3,000 lb. I haul it myself. (f) 1 have pear in my pastures. 9. What is your estimate of the value of pear for milk production ? Answers.—(a) I consider pear very valuable as a feed, and it is a good milk producer. It is very healthful to be fed with cotton-seed meal, &c. (b) (No Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 561 answer). (c) It is far ahead of any kind of hay or forage, and mixed with meal or bran nothing can beat it. (d) It is a good milk and butter producer. (e) A very good feed when you have no roughage. (f) It does not pay to buy pear unless hay is scarce and dear. When sorghum hay is only $750 per ton, as it is now, hay is cheaper than pear at 25 cents per load when you have to haul and burn it. 10. After a crop of pear has been cut, how many years will it take for another crop to grow on the same land? Answers.—(a) About two; but this will depend a good deal on the season. Pear burners are discarded by some, for the reason that they destroy the plant. (b) The pear begins to grow the following year. (c) Three years. (d) It takes from three to five years to make good-sized pear. (e) 1 do no know, but think about two years. (f) About two years. It is very difficult to formulate a definite opinion regarding the effect of pear upon the quality of milk. There appears, however, to be a very well- established opinion that it produces blue milk if not fed with concentrated feeds. There seems to be a great diversity of opinions regarding the flavour of milk from pear-fed cows. Many maintain stoutly that it produces a slightly bitter taste, which is less noticeable when a good ration of corn (maize) or cotton-seed meal is added, while others defy tests that will detect in any ‘way pear milk from any other except by its poorer quality in cases where the amount of pear fed is large and the entire ration is of low nutritive value. Personally the writer has been unable to verify any of these opinions. In the New Mexico Bulletin No. 78 (1911), which is a very valuable bulletin on prickly pear, at-p. 19 we have statements as to its value for milch cows, although it is stated that they have much more experience in Texas. Following are two of them :— Another use of cacti, which is of particular importance in New Mexico, is as a part of the ration for milch cows, especially for dairy stock. No very satis- factory pasture grass for this purpose has yet been discovered in our State, and the result is that most milch cows are fed on dry feed the year around, and many of them never go out of the corral. For such stock a cactus patch offers a much needed succulent feed and equally needed exercise in gathering it. Dairymen in Texas have been using such cactus pastures with excellent results for a number of years. The cactus is to be fed as part of the ration only, and part of it should be fed chopped and mixed with the grain feed at the regular feeding time. There is probably not a farm or a dairy in this State on which a small area of land could not be profitably used as a cactus patch for the milch cows. If this were properly chosen it need not be valuable land, since the cacti will grow on land too rough for ordinary farming operations. Once more we wish to emphasise the fact that the great value of this plant as a source of succulent feed, as well as for roughage, lies in its ability to take up water whenever it can get it, and utilise nearly all of it for making forage. Experience has shown that cattle prefer the older joints to the young, leathery ones; that they will eat frozen ones; that they learn to enjoy the feed; that the spines of chopped cactus bother them very litthe when fed with other roughage; that after they learn to eat the cactus they will work on the spiny unsinged plants, thus demonstrating that the spines bother them very little. Another advantage of this feed as a succulent portion of a ration is that it is at its very best for feeding purposes in the winter time, when other succulent feed is scarce or entirely lacking. Under the heading “ Prickly pear for Dairy Cows,” Mr. E. W. Morse, of the Department of Agriculture, Queensland, in a letter to the Breeder’s Gazette, copied in the Victorian Journal of Agriculture for February, 1915, p- 103, quotes the favourable experience of the United States Department of Agriculture (Dairy Division) in regard to the use of the pear in Texas. A Pear-eating Cow.—Some years ago an English gentleman, who had lived forty years in Southern Italy, called upon me and we examined the ~ 562 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. prickly pears in the Botanic Gardens together. He informed me that Opuntias are especially common in Sicily, Sardinia, the Island of Capri, Naples, and the Gulf of Salerno. They form an important item in the husbandry of South Italy, cows being regularly fed upon them and stony or bad land utilised for their culture. The spinescent forms are grown for ornament, but the great majority are the so-called Indian Fig or Opuntia ficus-indica, which produces a fruit used by man, while the spines and spinules are fewer than in most species. He made the observation that they have evolved a very good pear-eating cow, which, he stated, was a eross between the Holstein and Jersey; it was surprising to see to what extent these animals could eat prickly pear without their mouths becoming inflamed as would have become those of ordinary cattle. The statement appears to be of sufficient interest for further inquiry. Por Corn VARIETY TRIAL, 1919-20. A trian of different varieties of pop corn was made last season on the farm of Mr. T. Smith, Tuggerah. The season was: extremely good, ‘and scarcely at any time during the growth was there a deficiency of moisture in the soil. The soil on which the experiment was conducted is not a rich one, being typical of much of the somewhat flat Jand in the district, which is mainly used for dairying and the growth of attendant summer and winter fodder crops—maize, sorghum, oats, wheat, &c. A fertiliser mixture con- sisting of equal parts of superphosphate and blood and bone was applied at the rate of 2 ewt. per acre, though Mr. Smith has demonstrated since to his own satisfaction that the departmental recommendation of a fertiliser mixture consisting of equal parts of superphosphate and bonedust without any blood will give better results. Sowing was made on 8th October, 1919, and the earliest variety, Black Beauty, was fit to pull in less than four months, the latest of the other varieties being ready nearly a month afterwards. The average height of growth ranged from 5 feet in Black Beauty to 8 feet in Mapledale Prolific, the growth of the latter variety being the best the writer has yet seen in this State. The following are the results :— Variety. Yield per acre, Variety. Yield per acre. bus. Ib. bus. Ib. Mapledale Prolific ... SY) Page’s Striped Rice pee) I White Rice ... “ Sh aaa) Red Beauty ... ee geag 29 D0 Queen’s Golden ... sie, AR Silver Lace ... ore een), 45 Average ... yo, BAUR OO Black Beauty a 37 «34 An average yield of 40 bushels per acre may be regarded as highly satis- factory. ‘These are the best yields yet produced in the State with pop corn, and they show that this crop promises to be highly profitable for a few growers who will seize the opportunity that is offered. The pop corn manu- facturers in Sydney were offering £1 per bushel for pop corn at the time of the latest inquiry, and one firm stated their willingness to give 22s. 6d. per bushel for Black Beauty variety.— HH, Wenuowz, Inspector of Agriculture. — Aug. 2. 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 563 . Dairy Produce Factory Premises and Manufacturing Processes. ‘Tae APPLICATION OF SCIENTIFIC METHODS TO THEIR EXAMINATION. = [Concluded from page 489 ] L. T. MacINNES, Dairy Expert, and H. H. RANDELL, Assistant to the Biologist. Example 4. In the previous examples it has been demonstrated how butter and other dairy produce can be and are contaminated by bacterial agencies, which undo all the benefits derived from the neutralisation and pasteurisation of the cream, The manufacturing company in each instance had gone to con- siderable expense in installing and operating a pasteurising plant, and the manager and his subordinates had devoted much time and effort to improving their knowledge in order to manufacture the best quality butter—one that would not only be of choicest grade for immediate consumption, but would remain so after a considerable period of storage. They desired, in fact, to produce a choicest grade article suitable for exporting overseas, or for long storage for winter requirements. It has been shown how these efforts were rendered unavailing, and that the official butter grade certificates disclosed that the quality had either already deteriorated or was rapidly doing so, in spite of everything that could be thought of to remedy matters. In each case, however, practical bacteriological examinations, carried out in a thorough and systematic manner, have solved what seemed to the managers most difficult problems. The value to the industry o* science thus practically directed in the manufacture of dairy produce has been so clearly demonstrated and put on such a sound basis, that general interest has been created on the part of those employed in dairy produce factories. So great has this interest become, that the Dairy Branch has repeated requests from managers that their factories should be visited for the purpose of similar investigations being carried out. ‘These applications will be acceded to as soon as a favourable opportunity occurs, but meantime these articles (and also lantern lectures based on the results of the examinations therein described) have been the means of awakening those engaged in the manufacture of dairy products to the important part that bacteria take—for good or for the reverse—in the various manufacturing processes that are necessary to the production of high-class butter and other products of milk, all of which may be classed as more or less perishable. The important part the factory buildings and surroundings play in causing inferior quality has been made evident in each of the examples already given. So far the factories described have been built many years—in two cases they 564 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. were very badly planned in the first instance for the purpose for which they were intended, and in the first case, neglect had accentuated these bad features until the whole premises had become nothing else than a means for distributing harmful organisms, thereby enormously re-infecting at every stage of manufacture either the cream or butter. The moral it has been our endeavour to point is the need of the utmost watchfulness and care on the part of those controlling these factories in order to guard against re-infection, and the nullification of all the labour and expense involved in killing the dormant or undeveloped contamination which is to be found to a greater or less extent in every can of cream or milk as it is delivered from the farm to the factory. The dangers arising from the use of bad starters were shown in Example 2, and the need of a pure water supply in Example 3. We have also striven to drive home the need of having properly constructed premises for carrying out the manufacture of an article so susceptible to outside and surrounding influences as milk and its products. . It has been thought that it would be advisable to end this present series of articles with a description of the most modern and best constructed and planned butter factory in New South Wales, : This factory was only opened for use some fifteen months before we made our examination. It was planned to admit the maximum of light, to provide thorough ventilation, and to eliminate, as far as possible, all overhead floors, beams, pipes, &c., which act as collectors and distributors of dust and germs. Much attention was given to the matter of drainage and keeping the inside of the premises clean. The walls in the manufacturing rooms were lined with white opalite tiles, and all woodwork was covered with white enamel paint brought to a high finish, Beside having windows round the walls, light was freely admitted into each room through the roof by means of reinforced corrugated opaque glass sheets ; the ceiling, which was also painted with white enamel, followed the contour of the roof, openings being made to correspond with the glass parts, and along the ridges of the roofs ventilators were installed. A good idea of the whole structure, both inside and outside, can be gathered from the accompanying illustrations. In planning this factory the saving of labour was always kept in view. The total cost came to over £10,000, but the interest on this outlay has been more than met by the saving in labour and the improvement in quality that took place immediately the new premises were occupied. Previous to this it took thirteen men to cope with the work ; now—with an increased output—-nine are sufficient, with an individual minimum wage of £3 17s, 6d. per week. Further, the change from the old delapidated factory brought about a _ simultaneous ‘improvement in the quality of the butter turned out—an improvement worth about 3s. per ewt. based on the condition of sales made under the imperial contract It will be seen’ that the action of the directors in erecting this modern factory has been fully justified, and it has proved a most profitable undertaking to those engaged in dairying in that district. The factory is ideally situated Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., August 2, 1920. Acid Agar Plate, atmospheric exposure for 24 minutes in the cream Teceiving room of a modern factory. ~ c [Original.]} Acid Agar Plate, atmospheric exposure for 23 minutes in the butter room of a modern factory. © [Original.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., August 2, 1920. Litmus Lactose Agar Plate, atmospheric exposure for 24 minutes in the attemperator room of a modern factory. (Original.] Agar Plate, atmospheric exposure for 2} minutes in the cheese-making room of a modern factory. { Original.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., August 2, 1920. —_— Litmus Lactose Agar Plate, atmospheric exposure for 3 minutes in the cold room of a modern factory. Note the large number of moulds. {Original.] Acid Plate Culture of butter wash-water (dilution 1 to 10). {Original.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., August 2, 1920. Butter-making Room in a Modern Factory Ample provision has been made for light, ventilation, and sanitation. Cheese-making Room in a Modern Factory. Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 565 from the points of view of sanitation and purity of atmosphere. It fronts a tidal river, and is bordered on the other three sides by green fields, The plate developed from a 2} minutes exposure under the cream vat platform, which is open to and on the same level as the churn room, gave no evidence of moulds or bacteria being present. The methods of making these exposures were similar to those described in previous articles, and the results showed that the premises and surroundings were remarkably free from infection— with one exception. The plate D5—three minutes air exposure in the cold room— shows that this room was much infected with mould. Mould was also found on the timber used for making butter-boxes, having evidently been brought into the factory from the timber mill and box factory. The room where this timber was stored in shooks, and where the butter-boxes were put together, adjoined the butter-making room, and an exposure made in the current of air flowing between the door from this room to the outlet on the opposite side of the churn room also showed the presence of mould organisms in numbers, A well-planned modern Butter and Cheese Factory on a Northern River. while the plates exposed on either side of this draught showed little or no growth—thus demonstrating how the spores were being carried right through the building and out the other side by the wind, after having been disturbed in the box room, perhaps while the infected timber was being shifted or while the different pieces were being nailed together. Possibly the force of the wind off the river was sufficient to lift the spores off the colonies growing on the wood, without the latter being moved at all. The boxes, after being filied with butter, were carried into the cold room and stacked almost to the height of the ceiling. At the time of examination this room was almost filled. In putting the boxes on the tiers, mould spores would be dislodged, and _ they were in the air at the time the exposure was made, with the result shown in D5, The manager of the factory was notified as soon as possible of what was taking place, and advised to close or re-arrange the connection between the timber storeroom and the manufacturing portions of the building, and to have the cold room emptied as soon as could be arranged so as to thoroughly B 7 566 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. fumigate it or spray with formalin. He was also advised to destroy the moulds then on the butter-box timber before making up more boxes. It is understood these suggestions have been given effect to. This is a striking illustration of how easily the newest and best planned dairy produce factory premises may be infected, and shows what an amount of watchfulness and care is necessary to keep everything connected with the manufacture of dairy produce free from sources of contamination. The factory manager must be ever on guard against re-infection. Water used in Manufacturing Butter. In the present example the plate D6 indicates a water of unexceptionable purity, judging by the smal! bacteriological count. This is in marked contrast to ether waters examined, notably in Examples Nos. 2 and 3 described in the previous articles. In the present case the water is obtained from a spring near the surface, the current draining rapidly into an excavated reservoir through a bed of water-worn coarse quartz gravel and sand, This reservoir is situated about half a mile from the factory, to which the water is brought through galvanised iron pipes by pumping. Good though this water is, it might be still further improved by filtering, in order to. free it from sedimentary matter which will, as time goes on, accumulate more and more in such a length of pipe line. While on the subject of butter-wash waters, it may be of interest to mention the case of another butter factory which had been in trouble for some time through the bad keeping quality of the product turned out. This is one of the several cases recently investigated and remedied to the satisfaction of the manufacturing company. Samples of water (taken from the source of supply—a well) were examined and found to be heavily polluted, among other organisms present being members of the coli and proteus groups—evidence of surface contamination. The manager of the company, on being advised of the results of the first examination, caused shafts to be sunk in various directions round and more or less distant from the factory. Samples of the water thus obtained were sent to the Department, and on examination they were found to be similarly infected to the sample first sent in. On inquiry it was ascertained that this factory is situated in the midst of low-lying swampy country, the underground supplies of water evidently having soaked through the surface soil. The directors of the company have now decided to remove the factory to a site where a purer water supply can be obtained—a commendable step. A good water supply is an absolute essential to the manufacture of good butter. Now that pasteurisation has been generally adopted in order to kill off or prevent the development of injurious organisms that have obtained access to the milk or cream, it is manifestly the height of folly to allow a fresh infection to take place by washing the butter in the churns with con- taminated water. A water-filtering plant should form part of the equipment of every factory. In the majority of cases it would remedy matters ; if not, a new and clean supply should be obtained if at all possible. Even if the factory had to be removed, it would be an expenditure well undertaken. Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 567 The Score Card in Judging Live Stock. H. W. POTTS, F.C.S., F.L.S., Principal, Hawkesbury Agricultural College. Ir is difficult to define the qualifications of a good judge, and not an easy task to become one. The truth of the old axiom is readily admitted that judges are born, not made. Actual and ripened experience in judging, associated with natural instincts, , balanced reasoning power, quick perception, patience, confidence, honesty and firmness of purpose, combine to make a reliable judge—one who will gain the esteem of competitors. Considerable misapprehension exists as to the proper use of the score card. It has been advocated for use by judges in the show ring, but it is out of place both on the show ground and in the sale ring. It is of no assistance in finally enabling a competent judge to determine the relative positions of two or more animals in the allocation of prizes. Score cards have been designed by stud societies and teachers, however, to form standards of merit and to express numerically the degree of perfection in each part. The judge may use the card as a basis to enable him more precisely to arrive at the various points of merit in a systematic manner. In this con- nection it materially assists him more clearly to explain to competitors the reasons for his awards, and thus establish an educational influence. Where the score card is distinctly serviceable is in training students to judge in the classroom and stockyard. The study of the animal before it is estimated according to the points outlined on the score card is essential, but the constant practice in scoring trains the eye, strengthens the natural powers of judging, stimulates an accurate sense of observation and balance, and makes the study attractive. With such training, it is possible to acquire a reputation, and thus the student becomes a valuable asset in his district. In order to place the use of the score card on a proper footing, and to bring out its practical application in developing judging on more thorough lines, the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales wisely determined to design and introduce a series of competitions at: the recent Easter show. Its chief aim was to stimulate technical education in this direction for students attending agricultural colleges and high schools ; also to train farmers’ and graziers’ sons as beginners in the art of judging. It often proves a valuable means of discovering latent ability. The section worked admirably. The competitions proved interesting to both students and spectators, arousing a true spirit of rivalry among the youthful contestants, who realised the aims of the Society and appreciated its action. 568 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. ‘The score card defines the official standard of excellence, and clearly states the norma] appearance, significance, location, and value of each part and its bearing on function. Each part of the animal is examined and valued in contrast with the standard of excellence. Prior to using the card, personal investigation should be employed. The eye of the student is the most potent factor in determining first impressions. Should the subject for judging be a horse, then the student subjects him to keen scrutiny and views him critically from every standpoinc, both at rest and in action, taking pains to detect and note points of merit as well as _ demerit. . Quality, style, conformation, temperament, soundness, action, and other features all have to be estimated. In support of the eye’s examination the hand may be used to confirm suspicions, or define a quality or fault. This is followed by filling in the column of points in the score card in contrast with that giving standard points. It is good practice first to detect and estimate the prominent defects, and in doing so to adopt a general rule never to deduct more than one-half the points or 50 per cent., or less than a quarter-point. A perfect animal scores 100 points, a choice one approximately 90 points, and a good animal not less than 80 points. The class in which a horse is placed indicates his use—such as draught, harness, or saddle horses. The economic use of each should be noted. Skill and confidence can only be attained in the use of the score card by constant practice, not only in scoring of breeds, but also in scoring animals of different ages in one class and noting features and parts where they difter from mature animals. When the pupil has reached the stage of efficiency shown to be of sufficient merit then the score card may be rejected. To briefly summarise, it will be seen that the score card is used for educational and cultural influence to enable the student, with precise steps and in logical order, to detect and assemble the values of desirable qualities as well as faults, and to record figures representing the degree of perfection in each part or section. This encourages the habit of methodical and keen observation, the art of quick perception, and the acquisition of mental impressions. ; Under this system of teaching efficiency must grow rapidly, and a higher range of thoroughness be acquired. ; By constant use of the card the student is trained to make methodical and defined observations, and his mental impressions are corrected and reinforced ; he gains confidence, and eventually emerges as a judge competent to explain to a critical audience of competitors the reasons for his awards It is not in any degree suggested that the score card should supersede or alter existing methods in judging. The score card may be looked on primarily as an aid to training the student, and to ascertaining his capacity for assuming the responsible duties of a judge. August 2, 1920. N.S W., ette of ~ a ltmal G teu Agr *qJo] OUT0IYXO 949 UO §390g “M “H [doug OZBT ‘19\Svy ‘MOUS ‘S*Y'Y 9) 18 UOT jedMI00 Sulspnl v UL PAD O100g OY} SUISN oF9][0) [BID}[NII9y AinqsaymMeH{ JO Sjuapnys . es % Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., August 2, 1920. The Prizewinners of the Score Card Judging Competition at the Easter Show, 1920. 569 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Aug. 2, 1920.] "T-01g ‘dd uo pavo Q1008 dy} OF Jojor SIOquINU OU, ‘uoNIeig eyepseps[o V ! “MOUUvO BY} JO OUT] OY YIM Jal[Vivd suns \ R v put yo099nq jo gurod ayy wor sdoap Aa eury \ \ : Men ey see heehee} *JOoY pUv SUTYSv.s BUY JO a1qUd0 94 Ysnoayy % sosstd puv yuiof diy ey} wos sdorip qo eury *jooy Jo yovq pur “quriol uzagsed lt Rite Cer eae | bie eth: I ‘g0uy AY} JO a[pprm oy ogzisoddo syle} pur jurol Moqp jo oajued wor sdoip gy e2ulyT 570 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. The necessity for placing judging on a more scientific basis is being felt all over the world. Stock and produce of all classes are improving in quality and character, and the task of securing competent judges is felt in every direction, so that the move made by the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales to encourage our young people to render themselves competent is distinctly meeting a public demand. The accompanying score card for a Clydesdale stallion is in use at Hawkesbury Agricultural College, and is reproduced in the hope that it will be of use to students and others who have not access to the methods adopted at this institution. HAWKESBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE STUDENT'S SCORE CARD. CLYDESDALE STALLION. SCALE OF POINTS. GENERAL APPEARANCE—16 points, as under :— I. 2. 3. 4. WEIGHT (according toage) .. SYMMETRY—Broad, clear outline ; ‘massive and well proportioned ; game and active, with smart distinguished bearing .. QUALITY—Fine, clean bone, ample substance ; silky feather, ‘not profuse ; $ well-defined tendons and good skin TEMPERAMENT—Alert, docile disposition, energetic and tractable HEAD AND NECK~—7 points, as under :— 5. 6, if 8. 9. 10, HEAD—Moderate size, well carried, full broad forehead, tapering up towards the hase of the ears, flat face 3 EYE—Full, oe round, bright, with an expression of kindliness and vigour MUZZLE—Wide, “yather square ; roomy, open | ‘nostrils ; : neat, muscular, elastic lips EARS—Long, fairly large, set ‘smartly z LOWER JAW—Deep, broad, angles wide, space between free and clean for windpipe . NECK —Strong, muscular, medium length, showing more crest than other breeds ; large windpipe and fine throat latch a o5 ce FO REQUARTERS—22 points, as under :— 11. 20. SHOULDERS—Strong, muscular, moderately sloped, with broad peante surface, and close topped . ARM—Stron ngly muscled, short, thrown forward, keeping the foreleg straight and well under the chest .. . FOREARM—Muscular, broad, andlong .. . ELBOW—Strong, clean, and set close into the body . KNEES—Large, flac, straight, and deep .. . CANNONS--Strong, dénse, flinty bone, viewed from front or side tapering towards the back of the leg ; tendons hard, thick, clean, and aged . FETLOCKS—Large, wide and strong . PASTERNS—Long, sloping and strong . FEET—Symmetrical, solid, large, round, squarely placed ; heels wide and clearly defined ; horn dense, soles concave, bars strong and large, frogs elastic ; coronets wide and round in proportion to the legs; the hoofs should spread as they descend from the coronet. . LEGS—Normally placed and straight, neither inclining inwards or out- wards at the knee. To test this from a front view, suspend a plumb-line from the point of the shoulder ; it should fall opposite the centre of the knee, cannon, pastern and hoof. At the side, a plumb-line dropping from the centre of the elbow joint should fall opposite the middle of the knee, pastern joint, and back of hoof. There should be a fine growth of soft, silky, straight hair, forming a fringe from the back of the knee down the leg to the pastern joint. The front of the leg and fetlock joint must be clean and smooth 2 als we 4 es Pe “i ia fe BODY-—8 points, as under :— 21. CHEST—Well-developed, wide, low, capacious and deep, with a large girth, 22. high withers and full bosom .. RIBS—Fore-ribs well sprung and deep, § giving ample room for heart and lung action ; back ribs deep, round and well let bie tp ee a round barrel and short coupling ea : aig 23. BACK—Short, level, broad and muscular ¥ 24. LOIN—Wide, level, short and muscular Maximum Points. CT a a ee — | torn Student’s Estimate. Instruc- tor’s Estimate. eee eeeees eee ee weee sa. | Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 571 STUDENT'S SCORE CARD. CLYDESDALE STALLION—continued. SCALE OF POINTS Maximum]| Student’s pg ‘: Points. | Estimate. gid Estimate. HD UE a beta points, as under :— HIPS—The bones well apart, symmetrical and smooth.. 2 26. CROUP—Level, muscles strongly developed, tail well set on and carried freely : = 4 2 27. STIFLES—Strong, muscular and well apart ‘ ee 2 28. QUARTERS—Well-turned, broad, deep, heavily muscled, and low set ae 2 2 8 29. GASKINS OR LOWER THIGHS— Prominent, long, Ww ide, and muscular .. 30, HOCKS—Points well defined and clean cut, strong, not fleshy, muscular and straight .. 31. CANNON BONES—Broad near the ‘hock, ‘and tapering towards the back, stout, clean, with large tendons, clearly defined, and set well back : Bi) Cites resrers eee eee 32. FETLOCKS— Strong, wide, clean... nh 38 = a an a > nist aaa licrsraarcpsetiecata 33. PASTERNS—-Oblique, long and strong 2 34. FEET—Moderately deep, large, even size, dense horn; concave sole, large elastic frog ; heel wide, high, one half the length of toe ; hoof to spread evenly dow nwards from the coronet (3 ipgecssanac 35, LEGS—A plumb-line suspended from the hip joint at the side should pass the centre of the gaskins and hoof. Again, a plumb-line hung from the point of the buttock should run parallel with the line of the cannon. The points of the hock must be carried closely together, Somewhat inclined inwards. A soft, straight, silky fringe of feather should extend along the back of the cannon to the pastern .. oe we Fe = xc wm Cele Gondes Colac aes sccrr ACTION—14 points. 36. WALK—Light, springy, smooth, quick, long stride, and balanced well, step firm and brisk, feet lifted well, ‘showing the fuil sole, and placed squarely l on the ground. Smart, even "shoulder and knee action. The hind leg is; lifted smartly, sent far and sharply forward, and brought firmly and| squarely to the ground. The heels to be slightly inclined inwards and| and toes outwards F ie eee arcic ec dilnne Somnoc 37. TROT—Rapid, free, nimble, even and regular, with a gay, smart bearing . (sen SRE (eocicictroo cic Total a 5 he ate ee ae are et OOM iia eacereretatstets Tue TENACITY OF PRICKLY PEAR SEEDLINGS. READERS of the Agricultural Gaze'te will perhaps remember a short article in the issue of February, 1919, which drew attention to the manner in which the seeds of prickly pear are carried by emus, and how they germinate in the masses in emu droppings. The seedlings illustrated in the Gazette of that date have since provided very convincing evidence of the persistent vitality of the pest. After the photographs were taken for those illustrations, the specimens were allowed to lie in a glass tray in the room of the Government Printer’s artist, entirely neglected at first, except that on perhaps two or three occasions the dregs of a cup of tea were thrown over them. As their tenacity began to arouse interest, however, they were left severely alone, and for long over twelve months were without a drop of moisture. Their first healthy green shoots as they failed, put forth at the tip smaller second shoots, and then from the end of these second, third tiny shoots—thickly protected with spines—appeared, and finally withered off, On 27th May of the present year it was observed that all the seedlings but one were dead; it was not until the end of June that the whole were solemnly pronounced to be dead—more than eighteen months after they had been germinated for the purpose of the illustrations of Febr uary, 1919. With such a capacity for existence without moisture, even in the seedling stage, is it any wonder that the pear defies all ordinary efforts at control, or that it spreads so Sea te and irresistibly ? 572 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. Safeguarding Farm Stock from Disease. (2) By Goon HYGIENE. [Concluded from page 518. ] MAX HENRY, M.R.C.V.S., B.V.Sc. The Importance of Cleanliness. As important as structure in connection with housing is cleanliness. Faulty structure is often responsible for much uncleanliness, especially in the case of pigsties and calf-pens, and it is just in connection with these two animals that the heaviest losses associated with lack of cleanliness are observed. Yet the buildings in which animals are housed are frequently so constructed that every impediment is put in the way of men cleaning them out—even where the wish to do the work thoroughly is present. The commonest diseases spread or indirectly produced by lack of clean- liness are diseases of horses’ feet, digestive disturbances in calves and pigs, and wound infections that include tetanus and malignant cedema, skin diseases, and necrosis. In nearly all these diseases infection is caused by contamina- tion of floors of sheds and yards by micro-organisms, and this is best illus- trated in the case of calf-pens and sheep yards. Valuable as has been the ~ saving work of vaccination in connection with livestock, it would probably be just to observe that cleanliness would have saved more lives and reduced inefficiency more than all the vaccines put together. Unfortunately, the vaccine is looked on as a wonderful mystery and is a source of income to many who advocate its use, whereas the advocacy of cleanliness does not help anyone financially, and no one can pretend there is any mystery about it. If, however, the dairy-farmer will consider the number of cases of diarrhea, dysentery and ringworm and the loss caused by them in his district, the sheepowner the loss from tetanus and other wound infections, and the horse- owner the amount of lameness and inefliciency caused by thrush and canker, and will recollect that all these are intimately connected with lack of clean- liness and sanitation, the importance of the matter may be brought home to them. The methods required in cleansing floors and yards have been referred to in various places, but one point may be stressed here—too great a reliance must not be placed on disinfectants, especially where the floor is of earth. For concrete floors, the scraping up and collecting of all visible dirt and a thorough swilling with water followed by sweeping is the best measure ; if the water is hot and some disinfectant is added so much the better, but the most essential part is the scraping and washing down, For earth floors, especially in such places as sheep pens, where the dung may be a couple of inches thick, disinfectant is of little use. Aug. 2,1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 573 In fowl-runs, cleanliness is of most marked import in the prevention of tuberculosis, fowl-cholera, and various other infectious and parasitic diseases. The use of limewash (particularly if it is applied hot and a small quantity of carbolic acid added) is of value in all wooden buildings occupied by stock ov birds. ; Adequate Shelter a Neglected Necessity. There is one point in the hygiene of domestic animals which is very seriously and widely neglected—that is the provision of shelter. It is not altogether surprising that such is the case, since a very large proportion of our stock are paddock-run for the whole of their existence, and the shelter of such timber as the paddock may contain is usually regarded as sufficient. In many cases this shelter actually is sufficient ; but with the continued clearing of land and subdivision into smaller areas, cases are becoming more and more frequent of stock being exposed, both summer and winter, in pad- docks destitute of shelter of any kind. With the increase in the value of stock—which, although it may be temporarily deferred by drought, is inevit- ably coming—every means possible to ensure greater efficiency, whether in the production of work, wool, flesh, or milk, must be taken advantage of. Shelter is required from sun, wind, and rain. Shelter from the sun is perhaps the least important, although many cases of dermatitis in sheep, cattle, horses, and pigs are due to the sun’s action under certain circum- rave Bite 2 be ee stances ; and it is not to be denied that calves and pigs especially suffer in their general health from the direct action of the sun’s rays if confined at the same time in small pens. Sheep give very evident signs of the benefit of shelter from the sun by their habit of crowding together into any patch of shade available during the mid-day heat of summer. The destruction of much of the natural shade is due to the landowner’s wish to obtain grass, hut he will be well advised to make a more judicious allowance for shelter, since the loss due to the effects of heat may go some way to minimise the benefits obtained from increased feed. It is all a question of proportion. There is no doubt that up to the present a due proportion has not been maintained, and too little natural shelter is left in many cases. Similar instances may often be seen in large horse camps attached to rail- way construction camps and other places, where the horses are often confined during their time of rest in small paddocks exposed to the full glare of the sun. Shelter from the sun is best provided by standing timber, and where the land is not already over-cleared consideration should be given to the matter. Where it is already bare, the planting of a few trees in well- selected spots will be of incalculable benefit in a few years’ time. That this is not altogether forgotten is evidenced by instances, noticed recently, of a wise planting of trees in and around sheep yards and similar places. For small horse paddocks, only temporary in nature, the provision of brush and bark shelters could often be made at little expense. In other places the provision of a shelter-shed with one side (that to the prevailing wind) closed would be of considerable benefit. 574 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. Stock do not suffer very greatly from exposure to rain alone, although scalding may take place in long-continued wet weather ; young animals may suffer loss of condition from the same cause. Nothing reduces stock so rapidly as continued exposure to cold biting winds, and shelter from these is of very great importance. Even where animals are suffering the severest exposure, such as occurs with horses on horse lines in wet, cold winters, much of the ill effect can be reduced by the simplest kind of windbreak. Debility and exhaustion cause very heavy losses among horses under such conditions, and the wind is probably one of the most serious factors. The ' disease-resisting power of the animal is also considerably reduced. Probably one of the most serious economic losses from exposure in this country is the reduction in the milk supply of dairy cows, Standing timber is again the most suitable protection, and should be so left as to provide a windbreak from the direction of the prevailing winds ; but shelter sheds and the lee side of farm buildings may be utilised, or hedges can be grown along exposed sides of small yards. The Hygienic Disposal of Excreta. ‘This question is only considered of importance in the case of animals on small holdings, and yet at times the sheep on the biggest runs may be more or less affected with disease associated with the disposal of excreta. Certainly it is rarely that it will be so, and in the vast majority of large holdings the matter has no practical significance. The small farmer has to consider the. question from two standpoints—firstly, the effective use of the excreta on his cultivated land, and secondly, the prevention of disease among his livestock. So far as horses are concerned but little need be observed, except to emphasise the ill results of allowing them to stand in a mixture of mud, dung, and urine, and to point out that horse manure appears to be a peculiarly favourable breeding ground for flies, and should therefore be got well away from stables, cow-sheds and houses, and dealt with by close packing or covering with earth or in other ways to minimise its attraction. When circumstances do not permit of open drains in the stable for the removal of liquid manure, care should be taken that the existent drains are properly trapped and ventilated to prevent the return of foul gases into the building. In cow-sheds the liquid manure is preferably removed by a wide and shallow drain at the back of the cows. Solid excreta should be removed regularly from the bails and yard, and stacked or pitted preparatory to its use on the land. Sheep yards and pens should be cleared of excreta to prevent infection of jambs at marking and of sheep after shearing. It has been shown that tuberculosis may be readily contracted both by cattle and pigs from grazing over Jand which has been heavily manured with the excreta of tubercular cattle. This fact emphasises the desirability, where practicable, of disposing of the dung on land to be cultivated ; and in Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 575 small paddocks, where a fair number of cows are confined, of breaking up the clods' and heaps of dung for the purpose of fully exposing it all to the sunlight. Both measures must very sensibly reduce the risk of infection. In a previous article the possible spread of anthrax through the feces of dogs and other animals was referred to, but except in very rare cases nothing can be done to prevent this. Swine fever is largely spread through the agency of the feces and urine, the latter especially containing the infective virus—hence the necessity of good drainage, preferably into a cultivation paddock and not in the direction cf other pigsties, The organism of tetanus is present in the dung of herbivorous animals to such an extent as to render almost every dirty stable, cow-shed, and sheep yard a possible source of infection. White scour in calves has been ascribed on good grounds ‘to infection through the umbilicus by the feeces of already infected animals. The danger arising from the flies bred in manure and dung heaps is one ‘more particularly applicable to human beings, but since the infection of milk by flies is quite within the range of probability the necessity of removing all accumulations of dung to a reasonable distance from milk rooms must be mentioned. The irritation to which animals are subjected by flies is not without its influence on their condition. Recent research has shown that certain parasites of horses and cattle, notably the worm producing worm nodules in cattle and that producing tumour-like growths in the stomachs of horses, are fly-borne. The extreme probability that ophthalmia as seen in stock in this country may be carried from animal to animal by flies of one sort or another, renders it all the more requisite that excreta should be dealt with in such a way as to reduce the breeding of those pests as much as possible, Grazing: The Danger of Overstocking. All that needs to be said in respect to grazing might be put into three words : Overstocking is dangerous. It may be laid down as a rule to which there is practically no exception that the increase in the risk from disease occasioned by overstocking is out of all proportion to the increase in the number of stock added to those already on a given area. This increase in risk involves three types of disease—infectious, parasitic, and dietetic. The chances of infectious disease spreading is of course obviously greater where animals come into more direct contact with one another, and the longer such contact is continued the greater the risk. Since in most instances of parasitic infestation the eggs or embryos of the parasites are passed out of the animal with the feces, it is equally obvious that the more stock are crowded together the more they will tend to become re-infected with the parasites. Dietetic diseases are in most instances only to be expected when over- stocking is continued for a long period; such diseases are sometimes so: delayed in their appearance, and the exhaustion of the soil by overstocking is also so gradual that it is difficult at first sight to connect the two, but the connection undoubtedly exists. This refers to overstocking of a whole 576 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [dug. 2, 1920. holding. It is, of course, often economically sound and wise from a health point of view temporarily to overstock some portion of a holding, even to a very marked extent, and then to allow that portion a rest from stocking. Changes such as this practice leads to benefit both stock and pastures. The danger from crowding many stock together on smali areas is most marked in the case of young stock—particularly calves. Concerning the dangers peculiar to grazing on certain types of country, mention may be made of paddocks particularly subject to blackleg, of swampy and low-lying country likely to favour the development of parasites, and of small areas on which certain markedly noxious plants may be growing. In dangerous areas of the first type, spelling, or better still, cultivation, have been found beneficial; in the second, draining, cultivation and fencing-off may be utilised ; and for the third, either the cutting of the plant or the interference with its accessibility for stock. When the lastnamed measures .are impracticable, much loss may at times be saved if, when the stock first get on to the area they are watched carefully and instantly removed on the first sign of sickness. Instances, too, are not wanting where loss has followed the deliberate disregard of warnings issued by competent authorities. WHat A Co-OPERATIVE DatrRy Society ACHIEVED. Tue value of co-operation and the advantage of combining some animal industry with farming are both exemplified by the history of the Camelford and District Co-operative and Dairy Society, England. According to the Journal of the Ministry of Agriculture, London, Camelford is a district in North Cornwall where very little milk was produced previous to 1917, ia which year a co-operative school was held at Camelford. This school resulted in the formation of a co-operative society, and the following are the data showing the quantities of milk dealt with:—1917, 30,000 gallons ; 1918, 64,000 gallons ; 1919, 108,000 gallons. It is claimed that the increases in the quantity of milk dealt with by the society are entirely attributable to increased cow-keeping in the district, and it is further reported that notwithstanding the fact that the milk was either sold as milk or made into dairy produce, the number of stock raised in the district has also been increased ; and the whole is taking place without any reduction in other farm produce. PLANTS OF THE MEXICAN APPLE. A Few plants of the Mexican Apple (Casimiroa edulis) described in the Agricultural Gazette for February, 1918, by Mr. E. N. Ward, Superintendent, Botanic Gardens, Sydney, are available, and any grower who would care to_ test one in a coastal district is invited to make application for one. No charge will be made, and applications will have to be dealt with in the order in which they come to hand. Letters should be addressed : Under Secretary and Director, Department of Agriculture, Sydney. Aug. 2, 1920.] - Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 577. Orchard and Garden Mites. No. 1. Buister Mires (Family HEriophyide.) W. W. FROGGATT, F.L.S., Government Entomologist. THERE are several groups of destructive little creatures known as mites. Though not true insects, they are often serious pests in the garden and orchard, where, on account of their rapid reproduction under favourabie climatic conditions and their small size, they may do a great deal of damage before they are discovered. Mites belong to the Acarina. a well-defined group of the Arachnida, which also includes spiders, scorpions, and ticks. They are distinguished from true insects by the number and structure of their legs; while insects always have three pairs, mites may have either three pairs or two. The head and thorax of an insect are distinctly separated, and with the abdomen, form three divisions, but the head and thorax of a mite are solidified together, and the whole is known as the cephalothorax. Many species are cosmopolitan, and they have been spread far and wide in the leaf buds of their piant hosts or in the egg stage on the bark. They are divided into a number of well-defined families; of these, the blister mites and the spinning mites are well known to the gardener and orchardist. 5 The Leaf Blister Mite (Family Lriophyide). The members of this family are all so minute that they require to be studied with a high-power microscope to obtain any details of their structure. They bury themselves in the skin of the fruit, and either discolour and crack the surface, produce a thickening of the tissue of the leaves, or form blister galls or erineum, composed of masses of deformed hairs on the surface of the leaves and known as acaro-cecidi. Banks has figured and described these structures under the names dimple galls, pouch galls, capsule galls, nail galis, rib galls, and btister galls, according to their form. Several of our eucalypts have their foliage thickly encrusted with patches of crimson capsule galls, probably due to the presence of similar mites. In most of the earlier works upon blister mites, they were placed in the genus Phytoptus, formed by Dujardin in 1851; but it has recently been discovered. that Siebold, working on the same group only a year before, had created the genus Eriophyes for their reception ; so, by the recognised law of priority, this name now displaves that of Phytoptus. From their curious, elongate fusiform shape and the fact that they only had two pairs of legs, the entomologists who first discovered the makers of the galls came to the conclusion that they were not adult, but some active, eight-legged mite in the immature stage. It is quite a common thing to find specimens of eight-legged mites sheltering on the under-surface of foliage infested with blister mite, so it was not an unnatural mistake. 578 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. The Pear-leaf Blister Mite. (Hriophyes pyri, Pagenstecher). This is a well known cosmopolitan pest upon the foliage of the pear tree, Hibernating in the bracts of the leaf buds, it attacks the tiny unfolding leaves, causing them to develop variegated reddish-green blisters, which, as the leaves mature, become brownish-black patches of thickened tissue spread all over the leaf. In these the full-grown mites shelter ; they emerge through a minute opening on the under-surface of the infested leaf. The adult mites are white, of the typical cylindrical form, with the two pairs of short legs on the hind margin of the head. They are just noticeable to the naked eye when moving out of the gall, and measure about 4, of an inch. * This mite was described from Germany in 1857, and it is common in England. Miss Ormerod, in her account of this orchard pest (‘‘ Handbook of Orchard and Bush Fruit Insects,” p. 127), reproduces Nepaula’s figure of it, and states that she could always get specimens for study in her orchard. It was probably introduced into the United States from Europe at a very early date, as it was identified and described from that country in 1872. Dr. James Fletcher states that it does a considerable amount of damage in Canada. We have no early record of its introduction into Australia. Fraser Crawford noted it in South Australia in 1881; French, in the first part of his “ Handbook of the Destructive Insects of Victoria,” records it from that State in 1891; and Dr. Cobb noticed it in this journal in the same year, giving in the year following a woodcut and general account of it, and pointing out that it might often be mistaken for pear-leaf scab (Fusicla- dium pyrinum). As the treatment of these two leaf pests is very different, their identification is important. Dr. Cobb showed that they could be distinguished from each other when examined through a low-power lens, the mite galls being furnished with a small opening which the fungus galls lack. Experiments, carried out at Cornell University by Professor Slingerland , show that the pear-leaf blister mite can be easily controlled by spraying with kerosene emulsion, diluted with from five to seven parts of water, any time after the leaves have fallen. At this time all the mites will have left the dead and dying leaves, and will be wintering in the bracts of the leaf buds before attacking the opening leaves in the coming spring. If the spraying is carefully carried out, and every bud drenched, all the mites will be killed by the oil. This mite is not uncommon at times in our pear orchards, particularly in the southern districts, but is seldom plentiful enough to defoliate the trees as it is said to do in other countries. The Vine-leaf Blister Mite (Hriophyes vitis, Landois). A native of Europe, this mite was accidentally introduced mto the United States, and according to Essig is now found in all the vine-growing districts of California. It probably came across the Pacific to this country, and is certainly a recent introduction—probably of the last ten years. During the last two, however, it has spread all through the vineyards of the county of Cumberland ; many specimens of blistered leaves were forwarded to the Department during the last summer, Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 579 The blisters on the infested leaves are due to the presence of numbers of tiny microscopic elongate cylindrical mites, which, wintering in the bark or bracts of the leaf buds, crawl out on the expanding leaves and puncture them as the leaf reaches maturity. ‘The colonies of mites congreyated in the blisters cause the aborted tissue to turn yellow or brown. These mites are white, and very similar in general form to those that blister pear leaves. They have only two pairs of legs, and these are situated close behind the head. The mites are so small that only with the aid of a good lens can one observe their movements. In the earlier stages of the gall development they are very difficult to make out ; but, as the leaves and galls mature in March and April, the mites emerge from the mass of deformed hairs filling the blister, and can be easily noted under the microscope. Essig says: ‘‘Sulphuring the vines early in the spring, soon after the buds open, as is ordinarily applied for mildew, is usually sufficient to hold the mite in complete subjection.” Spraying with kerosene emulsion as recom- mended by Slingerland and the burning of all vine cuttings from infested vines would also be effective. The Silver or Orange Rust Mite. (Phyllocoptes oleiwvorus, Ashmead). This mite is a native of Florida, where it lived originally upon the wild citrus trees of the forests; it was described by Ashmead and included in Hubbard’s “ Insects affecting the Orange.” It was accidentally introduced into California with nursery stock, and though it has not spread much from the original area in which it was first discovered, it is found, according to Higgins, in the Hawaiian Islands. The writer saw oranges and grape-fruit deeply discoloured by its presence in the citrus orchards of Cuba and Jamaica, This mite takes the first of its popular names from the curious silvery sheen on the skin of the infested lemons before they ripen; this, later on, gives place to a network of cracks all over the rind as it hardens. When the rind of the orange is attacked it assumes a russet tint ; this discolouration of the skin (due to the presence of the tiny mites embedded in the surface) is identical with that known in Australia as “ Maori disease” of oranges. Olliff discovered the mite upon oranges from an orchard at Emu Plains in 1891. He identified it with the orange pest described by Hubbard, and noted in the pages of this journal its presence in Australia. Under the heading of “ Orange Rust Mite or ‘Maori’” he reported in the following season (Gazette, vol. ii, page 671), the successful application of sulphur and soap wash at the infested orchard. This is one of the smallest mites, and is very difficult to separate from the tissue of the skin of the fruit. Though Olliff’s identification is doubtless correct, the writer finds it dittcult to believe he found the mites in the discoloured orange skin. Hubbard, however, states that he collected them in large numbers when they were away from the fruits resting on the leaves. Though infestation by this mite is still often noticed in our orchards, it does not seem to be a very serious citrus pest in Australia. 580 Agree Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. Bibliographical. Banks, N.—‘‘ Acarina, or Mites: A Review of the Group for the use of Economic Entomologists.” Report 108, U.S. Bureau of Entomology (1915). Cozns, N. A.—(1) ‘‘ Notes on Diseases of Plants: Pear Mites.” Agricultural Gazette of Jew South Wales, voi. ii, p. 156 (1891). (2) ** Plant Diseases and How to Prevent Them : Diseases of the Pear—Pear Mite.” Gazette, vol. iii, p. 287 (1892). Essig, E. O.—‘‘ Injurions and Beneficial Insects of California.” Supplement of the Monthly Bulletin of the California State Commission of Horticulture, pp. 4-12, with block (1911). FLercHer, Dr. JAmes.—Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture, Ontario, Cana la, p. 4 (1892). FreNcH, C.—‘‘ Handbook of the Destructive Insects of Victoria,” Pt. 1, p. 119, pl. xiv (1893). Hieaixs, J. E.—‘* Citrus Fruits in Hawaii.” Bulletin No. 9, Hawaii Agricultural Experiment Station, p. 27 (1905). Husrsarp, H. G.—‘‘ Insects affecting the Orange: The Russet Mite.” Special Report, U.S. Department of Agriculture, p. 107 (1885). Lounspary, C. P.—Report of the Government Entomologist of the Cape of Good Hope, p. 127 (1896). Naepa, Dr. A.—‘‘ Beitrage zur Systematik der Phytopten.” Sitzber d K. Acad. d Wess Wein, No. 16, p. 162 (1889). Newsteab, Prof. Ropert.—‘‘ The Currant Bud Mite, or Currant Gall Mite.” Jowrnal of the Royal Horticultural Society, London, vol. xxv. p. 3 Ouuirr, A. S.—‘‘ Orange Rust Mite at Emu Plains.” Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales, vol. 11, p. 74 (1891). OrMeERoD, Miss E. A. —S‘ Handbook of Orchard and Bush Fruit Insects: Pear Leaf Blister Mite,” p. 127 (1898). Quayiz, H. J. —“ Citrus Fruit Insects: The Silver Mite.” Bulletin No. 214; Agricultural Experiment Station, University of California, p. 489 (1911). Quarntance, A. L,—‘*The Leaf Blister Mite.” Circular No. 154, U.S. Bureau of Entomology (1912). Stincertann, M. V.—‘‘ The Pear Leaf Blister Mite.” Bulletin No. 61, Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station (1893). THeowaLp, T. V.—‘‘ Hriovhyes Viole: A Mite Attacking Violets.” First Report on Economic Zoology, British Museum, p. 106 (1903). To Prorect SEED MAIZE FROM RABBITs. *‘Do your officers know of any treatment for maize seed that would make it distasteful to rabbits, bunny having learned to take the corn in the same manner as kangaroo rats do?” The question occurred in a letter from a Glen Innes correspondent, to whom the reply was :— The process used on the North Coast to protect maize planted adjacent to - scrubs from such animals as kangaroo rats, bandicoots, &c., is to smear the seed with coal tar. This is best done by immersing the seed first of al] in fairly warm water, and then draining off the water and quickly adding the tar at the rate of about a small c upful to a bushel of corn. The seed should be thoroughly mixed with the tar so as to ensure every grain being coated. Slaked lime or dust can be used for quick drying and the seed is then quite ready for sowing in a drill. Poison baits of phosphorised pollard laid on the ground about a week before sowing (“dummying” or baiting without poison for a while beforehand until a good * catch” is assured) will also help considerably. If the rabbit follows the furrows along like the kangaroo rat, it is a wise precaution to obliterate the planter rows by cross-harrowing. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., August 2, 1920. Vine L2aves infested with the Vine-leaf Blister Mite. 1. Under-surface of leaf, showing depressions caused by blister galls. 2. Upper-surfaces of leaves, showing galls. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., August 2, 1920. x560 Mi TRAY | I i HHT WHET at i iz NRG te Beran, yf iil dat WA VW 1 / _Z&Th2 Vine-leaf Blister Mite (Hriophues vilis}. (Inset. the under-side of the foot.) [See page 578.] An Abnormal Condition resembling Peach Rosette. [See page 581. } Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 581 A Condition resembling American ‘* Peach Rosette.” W. A. BIRMINGHAM, Biologist’s Assistant. In March, 1920, peach twigs with abnormal foliage were submitted to the Biological Branch for the determination of a suspicious condition and its treatment. The condition resembled very closely that of “ peach rosette,” which is prevalent in some parts of the United States of America, but which has not been met with in this State before. Critical examination of the material failed to reveal the presence of any organism, and the grower was asked to sabmit further specimens and to state whether he had noticed the fruit fall prematurely. He was unable to do either, as the trees had only been budded the previous season with wood obtained from America. Sufficient time had not elapsed to enable the trees to present the other characteristics of rosette, namely, the yellowing of leaves in early summer, and the premature dropping of the fruit. The condition must be regarded as a very suspicious one, on account of the ~ bunching condition of the leaves and the fact that the wood with which the trees were budded was imported from America. It would be impossible to detect rosette or ‘‘ peach yellows” (a condition closely allied to it) in imported wood—a fact that emphasises the necessity of keeping a close watch on trees budded with wood obtained from America, in order that the introduction and spread of disease may be prevented. Rosette was first observed in Georgia in 1879, and was first thought to be yellows. It was later found in other States—Kansas, South Carolina, Arkansas, and elsewhere. Rosette differs from yellows in having the bunches with narrow leaves and the internodes quite short, so as to bring the leaves in bunches or rosettes along the branches and at the ends of the twigs. It acts quickly, killing the diseased trees in six to twenty-four months. It generally shows when the buds first open in spring, and when the leaves are older they have a stiff appearance and inrolled margins. ‘The affected foliage turns yellow early in the summer, and the fruit falls prematurely. The cause is not known, but, like yellows, rosette is probably due to a filter- passer, that is, an organism which our highest magnifying lenses would fail to detect. The disease is contagious, and can be spread by buds from diseased trees and by root grafts. It seems that if the smallest piece of living matter from a diseased tree is established on a healthy one, the disease will follow. 582 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. It is supposed to be also spread from tree to tree in the orchard in some other way not yet discovered. This supposition is based chiefly on the fact that where diseased trees are removed as fast as they appear, there is a much smaller total percentage of trees lost than where they are allowed to remain, The disease also seems to extend gradually from centres where it first starts. The treatment recommended is to destroy trees by burning before the ieaves have fallen, as there are indications that even the leaves may carry the disease. Any orchardist who observes a condition resembling that illustrated would be serving himself and his neighbours by communicating with the Department, especially where there is reason to believe that the wood is American. ELEPHANT GRASS AS A PASTURE. Resvutts obtained from grazing a small plot of Elephant grass at Wollongbar Experiment Farm led to an area of 2 acres being planted last spring for a more extensive trial. The land selected had been previously under Elephant grass, but it was well prepared, and on 20th October, 1919, cuttings were planted 3 feet apart in rows that were 4 feet apart. | About 60 per cent. of the sets grew, which was considered satisfactory under the dry conditions prevailing ; the vacant places were replanted on 25th November. The growth was good, and on 3rd, 4th, and 5th January, 1920, fifty-six head of milking cows were agisted for five hours each day. Their milk yield had been measured on 2nd January, 96 gallons being recorded, but on the three following days on the Elephant grass they gave 108, 113, and 111 gallons, which was equal to over a quart increase per cow per day. On 19th March forty-one head of milkers were again turned in, their 69 gallons of milk on the previous day increasing to 73 gallons in response to the improved fodder. On 21st May a third trial was made with twelve milking cows, whose yield was increased by } pint for the day. The weather was cold and the cows were rugged on this occasion so that good results could not be expected. A noticeable feature of the trials was the fine growth sent up after the first and subsequent grazings.—A. H. Haywoop, Manager, Wollongbar Experiment Farm. THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY. Tue report of the Departmental Committee on Agricultural Machinery [Ministry of Agriculture, England], may be considered to mark a new epoch. in British farming. It is a recognition of the fact that old-fashioned methods will no longer suffice, and that if our food production is to be brought to the utmost point of efficiency the farmer must employ the best mechanical power as an auxiliary to the skill which he has acquired by centuries of tradition. Not only must he have at his command machinery of the highest excellence, but he must know how to make the best use of it. By this means alone will it be possible to reduce the costs of production upon which the price of the nation’s food depends.—Journal of the Ministry of Agriculture, London. Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 583 “Bunchy Top” in Bananas. G. P. DARNELL-SMITH, D.S8c., F.1LC., F.C.S. Tue external signs of ‘‘ bunchy top ” are well known, but it may be advisable to call attention to some internal signs. Healthy banana tissue, both of the corm and of the pseudo-stem, is almost dead white when first cut across. It may, of course, turn to purplish cdlour on the outside soon after it has been cut with a steel knife, owing to the action of tannin and the formation of a sort of ink. The unhealthy tissue of a bunchy top corm is pink or reddish brown. In bananas in the incipient stages of the disease in the lower part of the corm, irregular threads, yellowish red or light brown in colour, are seen. In more advanced stages of the disease these threads are darker and reach the base of the pseudo-stem, and they may run up the stem for a considerable distance. From these unhealthy corms, cultures of bacteria have been obtained under suitable conditions, which form white, circular, moist, glistening colonies. These colonies must consequently be regarded with suspicion. Growers are recommended, therefore, 1. Not to plant any bulbs showing the internal symptoms referred to. 2. To dig out and destroy completely all bunchy top plants. 3. To keep one set of tools for dealing with bunchy top plants, and to use them for no other purposes. Colonies of bacteria somewhat similar to those from banana corms have been obtained from the roots of sugarcane showing signs of bunchy top. The reddish sap that collects in the hollowed out rhizome of a bunchy top plant has been found to have an extraordinarily rapid withering effect upon young shoots placed in it. The presence of the reddish threads (diseased vascular bundles) is not peculiar to the bunchy top disease ; they are found in other banana diseases, including the Panama disease. Dr. Brandes has given a very detailed account of Panama disease in Piytopathology, vol. 9, No. 9. Several of the symptoms of this disease are found upon bunchy top plants. The Cavendish banana is not supposed to be susceptible td the disease, which is caused by a fungus, Fusarium cubense. A Fusarium fungus has occasionally been found upon bunchy top plants. A bunchy top plant must therefore be regarded as possibly infectious, and the object of the present note is to inform growers of the advisability of destroying bunchy top plants completely (to dig them out and leave them on the ground is of no advantage), and to keep one set of tools for dealing with affected plants and to use them for no other purpose. ~ 584 Agricultural (Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. That any organism is the actual cause of a disease can only be demonstrated by a series of infection experiments carefully carried out, and these take time, but in the meantime (additional to the foregoing precautions) strict attention to the selection of healthy suckers from healthy stock, and the rejection of those showing internal signs of disease (the red threads can be seen where the sucker has been detached from the parent corm) is recommended as the surest method of eliminating bunchy top. As still further precautions, the cut end of suckers should be dipped in lime before being planted, and places from which bunchy top planis have been removed should have lime dug into them, and new plants should not be set in such spots for a considerable period. WantTep—A Nucwevus or ActTivrry IN RURAL CENTRES. Un ess country life provides more avenues than are open at present for the employment of leisure time, it is certain that the drift to the towns, which was so noticeable in the past, will continue. In order to prevent this exodus to the towns the great need of the village is, in the Committee’s opinion, the improvement of the social life of the countryside. ‘The rural problem is essentially a problem of re-creating the rural community, of developing new social traditions and anew culture. What is needed is to establish in the village a living nucleus of communal activity which will serve as a centre for the satisfaction of the social and intellectual needs of the people. Such a nucleus the Committee conceives to be a village institute, under full public control.—Extract from a report on the problem of adult education, issued by the Ministry of Reconstruction, London. Tue Errect oF CoAL SMOKE ON VEGETATION. Tue main detrimental effects of air pollution by coal smoke upon vegetation may be summarised as follows :— 1. The cloud of smoke blocks out the sunlight, and thus reduces the available solar energy by, in some cases, as much as 40 per cent. 2. The thick deposit on the leaves of plants and ‘trees still further blocks out the light. 3. The choking of the stomata by the tarry glutinous matter tends to asphyxiate the plant, and effectively to check its power of assimilation of carbon dioxide. : 4. The presence of free acids in the air tends generally to lower the vitality of the plant. 5. The free acids falling on the soil make it sour, and thus limit the activity of the soil organisms, which must work freely if the soil is to maintain its fertility—A. G. Ruston, in the Journal of the Ministry of Agriculture, London, Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 585 Sweet Corn. VARIETY TriaL, 1919-20. H. WENHOLZ, B.Sc. (Agr.), Inspector of Agriculture. A TRIAL of different varieties of sweet corn was made last season on the farm of Mr. R. Yates,Ourimbah. The seed was imported from several American seedsmen, and the trial was designed to indicate which varieties succeed best under our conditions, and therefore to serve as a guide to our seedsmen, who mostly import their seed yearly from America, and to those progressive growers who will always insist on having the best: varieties. The district in which the trial was conducted is particularly suited to the growth of sweet corn as a market crop. It is midway between two good city markets—Sydney and Newcastle—and a third good market is some- times available by arrangement with a canning factory at Dora Creek. The fresh produce can be sent daily by passenger train to each of these markets, and Mr. Yates, who has grown sweet corn for many years, and marketed the produce at Sydney and Newcastle at prices ranging from 5s. to 8s. per bushel of cobs, last season made arrangements with the factory referred to to take the whole of the produce from the experiment plot at 5s. per bushel. Though good pockets of rich soil exist along the many creek banks in this district, which are used by orchardists for growing cabbages and other vege- tables between the trees of young and old orchards, and which should give better results with sweet corn than those presented here, the soil on which the experiment was conducted was the poorer hillside of ordinary sandstone formation. With the aid of fertiliser, it is possible to produce good results with sweet corn on this soil in between young fruit trees in normal seasons, and the results obtained in this trial were highly satisfactory, the season being practically all that could be desired. Mr. Yates stated that the returns from the sweet corn on this hillside were as good as he obtained from cabbage on the better alluvial soil on creek banks. The trial was sown on 9th October, 1919, and 3 cwt. P7 mixture, which comprises equal parts of superphosphate and bonedust, was applied before sowing in the drills that had been opened out 4 feet apart between young fruit trees. The earliest variety, Golden Bantam, was fit to harvest about the end of the year, and was closely followed by the second early varieties early in January, while the latest varieties, Country Gentleman and the Evergreens were not ready till early in February. Under ordinary conditions, sowing early in October brings the harvesting of sweet corn right into the busy fruit-picking season in this district. It is, therefore, advisable for any- one who contemplates sowing much sweet corn in this district to delay the main planting till early in November, which will bring harvesting time to February when the rush of the fruit picking is over. Sweet corn sowing may be continued up till the end of December or early in January in this district. 586 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. Some consideration might be given, also, to the production of a small amount of sweet eorn for seed. Sydney seedsmen last season were selling sweet corn seed for 4s. per lb. A little local production of seed of the best varieties should have the effect of reducing this cost. The following are the results of this trial :— “ Number of rs Number of Variety. Pp be aan a | nie pee Variety. p = re ep wees tons ewt.| dozen. tons. cwt.| dozen. Mammoth White Cory 5 9 850 Stowell’s Evergreen...) 2 8 378 Zig Zag Evergreen 3 18 605 Metropolitan ... Shee NG 424 Howling Mob ... Sila | 624 Early Evergreen Mae 397 Cosmopolitan ... Ge cies 594 Hiawatha... eae) 367 Country Gentleman ... 2 18 450 || Golden Bantam 1G 510 Karly Crosby ... Teche seo 510 Henderson aed, 254 Black Mexican teeewee LL 561 || Golden Rod ... Ue cy/ 303 The results are given at per acre—the weights for the information of the grower who is marketing to a cannery, and the number of cobs for the farmer who is sending to a city market for sale as fresh cobs. Some growers are fortunate enough to send fresh cobs direct to the consumer (usually a big city restaurant or hotel) and escape the middleman’s charges. Some of these men have assured the writer that they have a contract for so many fresh cobs weekly at 3d. or 4d. per cob. With the yields of the best varieties as given here such a price returns a very hand- some profit indeed, The city fruiterers usually sell sweet corn cobs at 3d. and 4d. per cob during the season, but this means an average of only 1d. per cob to the grower, which is about the usual price when the produce is marketed by weight at 5s. to 8s. per bushel of cobs—about fifty to seventy cobs per bushel being about the average for all varieties. The varieties tested matured in the following order :—Golden Bantam, Mammoth White Cory, Metropolitan, Golden Rod, Early Crosby, Hiawatha, Cosmopolitan, Howling Mob, Black Mexican, Early Evergreen, Henderson, Zig Zag Evergreen, Stowell’s Evergreen, and Country Gentleman. Notes on Varieties. - A few notes follow on the varieties included in this test, and on others which have been previously tried in New South Wales by the Department. They are arranged approximately in order of maturity. Golden Bantam.—A very early dwarf variety, never more than 4 or 5 feet high, with cobs 5 to 6 inches in length, carrying usually eight rows of broad grain of rich golden-yellow colour and very sweet flavour. The yellow colour, which shows faintly at the “roasting” stage, is not fancied on the market, as it too closely resembles field corn, for which it is mistaken. For canning, the yellow colour is also undesirable. This variety has its place only as a home garden sort and then only on account of its exceptional earliness. It is easily surpassed in yield and rivalled in quality by others which are only a week or so later, Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 587 Early Fordhook.—This is an extra early variety, which has small ears with about eight rows of broad white grain. It has yielded very poorly in comparative tests in this State and was also found to be of rather poor flavour. Mammoth White Cory.—This particular variety is not to be confused with White Cob or Red Cob Cory. The Mammoth White Cory is catalogued by only a few seed firms in America, and, although early, it has larger ears than the original Cory varieties. There also appears to be a greater number of rows of grain on the ears of the Mammoth variety, and the flavour is quite as good as any. In this trial at Ourimbah, it excelled all others in yield and produced good sized marketable cobs which were remarkable for their uniformity in size and time of maturity—nearly the whole of the crop being harvested at one picking. Metropolitan.—This is an early variety of good flavour with fair sized ears, but not as productive as Cosmopolitan, with which it is likely to be confused owing to the similarity of name. Peep o Day.—A very early variety with small ears, and not worth growing on account of its unproductiveness as compared with other varieties of equal earliness in maturity. Ruby.—A variety not yet sufficiently tested in this State under comparative conditions, but from private reports considered to be a very productive early variety with large ears; grain of good quality and of a deep red colour when fully mature, but with a slight tinge of colour when at the eating stage. Probably one of the best varieties for the home garden. Golden Rod.—Supposed to be the result of a cross between Stowell’s Evergreen and Golden Bantam ; an early very poor yielding variety which has the further objection of yellow grain. Kendal’s Early Giant.— A variety not yet tried in New South Wales, but catalogued by several American seedsmen. It is stated to have fairly large ears with about ten or twelve rows of large grain, and to mature a few days earlier than Crosby. Early Mammoth.—A variety with fairly large ears, with broad white grain. It ripens at about the same time as Crosby, but the flavour is only second rate, and it does not yield nearly as well as Late Mammoth. Early Crosby.—This variety has yielded well wherever it has been tried in this State, being the most productive early sort in at least two tests and well up in order of merit in three or four other trials. Although beaten in yield by other varieties in the experiment plot last season at Ourimbabh, its evenness in type, size of ears, and time of maturity make it readily commendable to any who try it. It is one of the varieties most largely grown for canning in America. The growth of stalk is usually only about 54 or 6 feet, and marketable cobs are produced in about twelve weeks from planting. The cobs are about 7 inches in length and carry a fairly large number of rows—twelve to sixteen. The grain is somewhat narrower than most other varieties, but very even and regular on the cob and white in colour, The flavour is not quite up to some of the best, but quite good for sweet corn. 588 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. Hiawatha.—A medium early white variety, but not a good yielder. Cosmopolitan.—A medium early white variety of excellent quality, bearing fairly large ears. This variety has yielded consistently well in several tests, and has given indications that it will always be one of the best varieties on good soils. Howling Mob.—A variety very ‘singlets to Cosmopolitan in type of ear and time of maturity—in fact, it is difficult to say where the distinction lies. Potter's Excelsior.—This variety has not been sufficiently tried out yet here, but gives fair sized ears of good quality. Black Mexican.—A variety with deep bluish purple or black grains when ripe, and showing considerable trace of colour at the eating stage. The growth of stalk is fairly good (about 6 feet), and the ears are fairly long, with a small number of rows (usually eight) of broad grain, It has a good flavour, but on account of its colour it is objectionable for canning. It is distinctly worthy of a place in the home garden, being nearly a week earlier ~ than the late sorts, like Stowell’s Evergreen and Country Gentleman, Early Evergreen.—This variety resembles Stowell’s Evergreen, but is a week or so earlier. It is not, however, as good a yielder as Stowell’s. Zig Zag Evergreen.—A late variety, with large ears and irregular rows of grain ; a few days earlier than Stowell’s Evergreen, and apparently a good pees It is also of good quality. White Evergreen.—One vf the best late varieties tried, giving a good growth of stalk and large cobs, which carry a large number of rows of grain of pure white colour. It is a few days earlier than Stowell’s Evergreen, and has usually yielded better than that variety in our trials. This variety is catalogued by several of the best American seedsmen. Stowell’s Evergreen.—One of the most popular late varieties, and one which has always given fairly good results in all trials. It is the standard variety for home use, for market, and for canning. The stalk growth is tall, the cobs large and well filled with regular rows of broad deep grain of good quality. All the evergreen types have the characteristic of keeping their flavour well for some time after harvesting. Late Mammoth.—A promising late variety, which ee not yet been fully tested here. It is a large eared variety, maturing a few days after Stowell’s Evergreen. The ears are large and thick, being well filled with broad grain of good quality. Country Gentleman.—A very old and popular late variety—supposed to be either a large type of Ne Plus Ultra, or a cross between that variety and Stowell’s Evergreen. The ears are large, with a small core and deep narrow grain irregularly arranged on the cob. It is of excellent quality. Papago.— A very late variety—about a fortnight or so later than Country Gentleman— taking sixteen or seventeen weeks to reach the harvesting stage. The stalk growth is very tall and somewhat thin, and the cobs also are long and thin. The grain is not very deep nor very broad, and the flavour is not quite up to the best of the sweet corn varieties, but still quite good. It is easily the best variety for dry districts, or under irrigation. Oe Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 589 The following recommendations as to varieties are made from the results obtained up to the present :— For the Home Garden.—Mammoth White Cory, Ruby, Cosmopolitan, Black Mexican, Stowell’s Evergreen, Country Gentleman, Papago. For Market or Cannang.— Mammoth White Cory, Early Crosby, Cosmo- politan, White Evergreen, Stowell’s Evergreen, Country Gentleman, Papago. For further Trial.—Kendal’s Early Giant, Howling Mob, Potter’s Excelsior, Late Mammoth. NITRAvtE OF LiMeE. THE process involved in the production of nitrates from the nitrogen of the alr consists in passing air through an are flame (at a temperature of about 3,200 deg. C.) produced between electrodes in a powertul magnetic field. The resulting nitric oxide gas is then cooled by suitable means and passed through so-called oxidation chambers, where it is given time for complete oxidation to nitrogen peroxide. Subsequently, the nitrogen peroxide gas is passed up absorption towers, where it meets a descending stream of water and is converted into nitric acid, For fertilising purposes the nitric acid is then neutralised with limestone, and the product, after solidification and granulavion, is sold as a manure under the name of nitrate of lime. The commercial success of the process is dependent on the availability of cheap electric power, which, in Norway, is ensured by the numerous natural gigantic waterfalls.—G. A. Cowin, M.A., in the Jowrnal of the Ministry of Agriculture, London. ERADICATION OF BRACKEN. EXPeRIMENTS conducted by the University College of North Wales have shown that manuring alone has had no effect in the eradication of bracken, but, when combined with regular cuttings of the plant, a great improvement has been obtained. The most certain method of dealing with the pest, according to a publication of the University College, appears to be regular and careful cutting at monthly intervals, commencing in the first week in June (mid-summer in England), and continuing in the first week of July, August, and September. In this way it has been found that in a few years bracken, even ot the strongest growth, will have completely disappeared. A SocioLoGIcAL PROBLEM. Ir is not necessary to dilate upon the urgent importance of the development of social activities in the country districts. The dullness of village life has long been recognised as one of the main reasons for the migration of the sons of the soil to scenes of fuller activity, but efforts to alleviate it have been spasmodic and sporadic. The time has come when the human needs of the countryside have become insistent, and the future of agriculture is seen to involve a sociological, as well as an economic, problem.—Sir Henry Rew, in the Journal of the Ministry of Agriculture, London. 590 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. PuRE SEED GROWERS’ ORGANISATION. Tue Department of Agriculture has decided to compile for monthly publica- tion, a list of the growers of pure seed of good quality, of wheat, oats, maize, sorghum, Sudan grass, potatoes, and other crops, in order to encourage the efforts of those who have been devoting their attention to this sphere of work, and to enable farmers to get into direct touch with reliable sources of supply of such seeds. It is hoped that this will be the means of a more widespread use of good seed of the most suitable varieties, more especially of those recommended by the Department for different districts as the result of many years’ experience in variety trials. Farmers who have pure, high-class seed of good quality of any variety of crop, are asked to communicate with the Department stating the variety of seed, the approximate amount, and the price required per bushel. ‘The communication should be made during the growth of the crop, so that arrangements may be made, if possible, for a field inspection to be made by © an officer of the Department. Tt might be mentioned that there is a keen demand (much in excess of the visible supply) for such varieties of wheat as Thew, Florence, Huguenot, &c., and for such varieties of oats as Sunrise and Ruakura, which are being increasingly grown on the coast for winter green feed; also for potatoes grown on the tablelands for seed in coastal districts, such as Up-to-date, Early Rose, Manhattan, Brownell’s Beauty, &e. The following list includes names of farmers who have been growing pure seed maize in co-operation with the Department for many years :— Silver King aes wis ... A. Summerlad, Tenterfield. WO REY Te a oe ... P. Gersbach, Farm 330, Leeton. Brewer’s Yellow Dent ... .. H. Manser, Sunnyside, Tenterfield. Early Yellow Dent Bee ... Manager, Experiment Farm, Glen Innes. Silvermine ... a Pe ... Manager, Experiment Farm, Yanco. Small Red Hogan... ae ... H. Short, Dorrigo. Gold Standard Leaming... ... G. Lindsay, Horsley, Dapto. Craig Mitchell... 40 ... W. D. K. Humphries, Muswellbrook. Gofimine ... - a5 ... A. Louttit, Moruya. Boone County White... ... J. Chittick, Kangaroo Valley. Hickory King ... ats ... Manager, Experiment Farm, Berry. Golden Beauty ... S .... R. Richardson, Mondrook, Tinonee. Leaming ... Si ce ... Manager, Experiment Farm, Grafton. Golden Nugget... 353 ... J. W. Smith, Wauchope. Karly Clarence ... waa ... F. Dowling, Tumut. Giant White Se ne Manning White, or } A. M. Singleton, Henley, Sydney. Macleay White sar Improved Yellow Dent ... ... Manager, Experiment Farm, Grafton. Cocke’s Prolific... or ... J.P. Mooney, Tinonee. | Tiveeceee eens - \ E. Blackburn, Warkton, Coonabarabran. Red Hogan ae os ... Principal, Hawkesbury Agricultural College, Richmond. Papago Sweet Corn cae .. R. Yates, Ourimbah. In order to ensure the production of pure seed it is desirable that special precautions be taken to prevent varieties of maize, sorghum, and rye (which are wind pollinated) from being crossed with other varieties. This can be done by sowing at a different time or in a plot removed some distance from other varieties sown at the same time, and by no more than two or three varieties of wheat, oats, &c., being offered as pure seed on the one farm, unless special provision is made to ensure their purity. Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 591 Faults found in Butter. THEIR DEFINITIONS, CAUSES, AND SOME SUGGESTED REMEDIES FOR SAME. [Concluded from page 494. ] A. M. BROWN, Dairy Instructor and Grader. “ Over-neutralised.” Tue term “ over-neutralised” means that too much neutralising agent has been used to reduce the acidity of the cream before heating in the process of pasteurisation ; this renders the butter lacking in the characteristic butter flavour and of quite a tallowy inclination. When .an unusually large amount of soda or lime above the required amount has been used, practically no other flavour can be detected than that of either of these neutralising agents, and the result is anything but pleasing to the palate, especially as regards the lime. The trouble is in most cases due to oversight or carelessness on the part of the person who does the work of neutralising at the factories. Many of these persons do not take the acidity of each batch of cream before adding the soda or lime, but simply guess the quantity required to reduce the acidity to a certain percentage. Day in and day out they use the same quantity of neutralising agent for the same quantity of cream without endeavouring to ascertain}whether the per- centage of acid in the cream to be pasteurised is the same on each occasion. In relation to this effect of over-neutralisation of the cream on the quality of butter, one wonders if it has ever occurred to the persons responsible for this trouble to consider what a mistake of, say, “1 per cent. of’acid in a large batch of cream means in the quantity of soda necessary to neutralise same? Let me quote a supposititious case for their perusal. A factory receives, say, 600 gallons of cream on a Monday, which repre- sents four separations. The acidity is taken and is found to be -5 per cent. It should, therefore, require 18 lb. of soda to reduce the acidity to the required percentage of -2. On the same day of the following week a similar quantity of cream is received, but on account of the coolness of the weather on this and the previous day the acidity of this cream is actually only -4 per cent., and the person who does the work of neutralising does not bother to take the acidity but uses the same amount of soda as on the previous Monday. The actual amount necessary to reduce the acidity to the required percentage of *2 in the latter instance is only 12 lb., and thus 50 per cent. more than is necessary is used. This example is in no way an extreme one, for with varying temperatures of weather and differing periods of time elapsing between deliveries of cream, the acidity of the bulk will vary very considerably, so that, when one considers the effect of 50 per cent. of extra soda on the quality of the butter, it should convince even the most thoughtless person that careless methods such as these must lead to disastrous results. 592 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. In passing, it might be stated that the effect on the quality of butter of over-neutralisation with lime is very much worse than when soda is used, a disagreeable decomposed smell] and taste being produced. If the percentage of acid be reversed in the above supposititious case, it will also be noted how under-neutralisation may occur, and the curdling of cream when going through the pasteuriser be. produced. Wrong methods in taking the acidity of the cream also contribute more or less to cause the fault now under review. To remedy this trouble, always have a soda solution of the right strength, and keep the bottle containing it well corked up when not in use, as exposure to the air causes it to lose strength. Secure a representative sample of the batch of cream, take the acidity of every lot of cream before adding the neutralising agent, read the burette when only a very faint lasting pink colour is noticeable in the sample, and be careful to calculate correctly the quantity of soda or lime required, Also, mix the neutralising agent as equally as possible through the volume of cream, « Sour.’’ The term “ sour” means that the butter has a sourness other than lactic sourness, This fault is caused by the fermentation of thinly separated cream which forms an acid other than lactic acid. Butter made from such cream has a very strong aroma which at once indicates the fault. There is another kind of sourness, which is caused by the retention of a large percentage of buttermilk in butter, the result of careless manufacture. To remedy this fault the farmers should be impressed with the necessity of complying with the regulation under the Dairy Industry Act, which requires them to supply cream containing not less than 30 per cent. fat (preferably 35 per cent.) during the winter months, and not less than 35 per cent. (prefer- ably 40 per cent. to 42 per cent.) during the summer months, This should do away with the trouble of thin cream, and the buttermaker should refrain from following methods of manufacture which tend to the retention of an extra amount of buttermilk in the butter, and should avoid high churning temperatures, insufficient washing, churning the grain too large and insufticient working, ‘ . “* Cheesiness,’’ This fault may be caused by contamination of cream on the farm or at the factory through its coming in contact with dirty cans, with utensils which have been wiped with dirty cloths, or with coolers, pipes, &c., which have not been kept clean, It is a condition that is probably due to some bacterial or chemical fermentative action on the casein, ‘The flavour is similar to that of matured cheese. In one case that came under my notice, butter from a certain factory was found to have a cheesy flavour, and this same flavour was afterwards noticed in the cream while it was running over the cooler directly after leaving the pasteuriser, On search being made as to the cause of this, it was found that an attachment to the top of the cooler had not been properl cleaned for some time, and immediately the cream had passed over it i assumed this flavour, When the butter made from this cream was examined the next day a similar flavour was immediately detected. Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 593 “ Cooked,” This means that the butter has assumed a flavour somewhat similar to that of milk which has been heated to too high a temperature and thereby scorched, This ‘“‘cooked ” flavour is caused by cream absorbing the flavour from scorched casein present inside the machine while the process of pasteurisation is in progress. The scorching may be brought about in two principal ways, the first of which is the use of excessively high temperatures in pasteurising, an inaccurate thermometer often being the indirect cause. The second way, which only happens with the flash system and is the more frequent, is by a comparatively small volume of cream coming suddenly in contact with the hot metal surface of the inside of the pasteuriser when the machine is first started. The casein in the cream becomes immediately scorched and adheres to the hot surface in a thin film. The remainder of the cream, as it passes over this adhered portion, absorbs the scorched flavour, which is afterwards reproduced in the butter. It will be seen that neither system of pasteurisation is responsible for this fault, which is solely due in the first instance to an oversight, and in the second, to faulty manipulation. To remedy this fault, take care, firstly, that the thermometer in use is an accurate one; have the instrument tested for accuracy, and, if not correct, either discard it altogether or have the necessary correction in reading made. Secondly, do not turn on the steam until the machine is practically full of cream. The heating will then be done gradually, and the adherance of scorched casein to the inside surface of the pasteuriser wil] be prevented. ‘«Mouldy.”’ The infection which causes butter to become mouldy may come from the boxes into which it is packed, from the papers with which the boxes are lined, from the walls or ceilings, or from the close surroundings of the factory itself. Owing to the shortage of timber, much of that used for making butter boxes has not been allowed to become properly seasoned, and many of the boxes used have been quite mouldy and damp. Immediately butter is packed into those boxes, this mouldy timber becomes the most frequent and ready source of infection. The parchment papers, if not stored in a dry, clean room, free from mould growth, may also soon infect the butter with which they come in contact with mou!d growth. Then again, if the woodwork of the ceilings and the walls of the factory is allowed to become damp and rotten, it becomes an ideal growing ground for moulds, the spores or seeds of which, being extremely light, are detached and float about in the air, and are distributed throughout the factory. These spores, as soon as conditions of temperature and moisture are favourable for their germination, soon grow and produce moulds, so that 594 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. butter exposed to the air in the factory may be infected in this way, as may also the papers and boxes. To guard against this trouble, only thoroughly seasoned boxes, absolutely free from any sign of mould, should be used. The papers should always be stored in a light, airy, dry room, and, where wet papering of the boxes is carried on, they should be soaked in a strong solution of boracic acid or formalin before being used. Any rotten timber about the factory should be removed and replaced by sound timber. When any mould growth shows on the walls, under water tank stages or on ceilings, it should be thoroughly scrubbed, and sprayed with .a strong formalin solution. If this does not stop the growth, boiling hot lime should be applied frequently. Stacking large amounts of wood too near the factory is not to be recom- mended, on account of the probable prevalence of mould growth amongst it, and the danger of the spores of same being blown into the interior of the factory, vibe. they may set up an infection. Perhaps the safest method of all to overcome this trouble is to paraffin the inside of all boxes used, and, considering the increasing shortage of suit- able timber required for box-makirg, this method seems to be one that will have to be universally adopted in the near future. “© Woody ”’ and * Oxidized.”’ Both these flavours are noted principally on the surface of butter, and they need not be discussed at any great length although considerable deterioration in quality has sometimes been caused by their presence, especi- ally as regards the former fault. Oxidized flavour is mostly associated with stored butter and is very similar to tallowiness. It is probably due to the butter combining with more oxygen from the air. The use of unseasoned and unsuitable timber in box-making contributes to cause woody flavour in butter. Boxes made from wood which is green or which has a foreign smell, as some of our timbers have, should not be used by factories for packing butter unless specially treated, for the contents will soon absorb these smells and also cause the part adjacent to the timber to havea very disagreeable flavour, which, as time goes on, will gradually work further into the butter. The use of paraffin in treating the inside of these boxes would help this trouble to be overcome. This paper deals only with flavours in butter, but it should not be con- cluded without mentioning texture, which is a most important factor, influencing both the flavour and the keeping quality of butter. Every care may be taken with the cream on the farm and at the factory in the endeavour to produce a good butter, but all will be rendered of no avail if the importance of texture is lost sight of; the necessity, among other things, of using low temperatures in churning cannot, therefore, be too strongly impressed on the buttermaker, for therein lies one of the chief means of controlling the texture of butter. - Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 595 BorDEAUX PowpbERS v. HOME-MADE BORDEAUX MIXTURE. So many enquiries have from time to time been received regarding the efficiency of Bordeaux powders, that it was decided to test one of the brands ‘as against home-made Bordeaux mixture. Further, it has been claimed that these powders are efficient in the dry form as a preventive of downy mildew— a statement contrary to general experience. It was recognised, however, that if these powders were reasonably useful in checking fungoid diseases of the vine, they would be of great benefit to the smaller growers and householders who had not the convenience to make their own Bordeaux mixture. A series of experiments designed to determine the points at issue was therefore carried out during the past season, under the direction of Mr. H. G. White, Superintendent of the Viticulturai Nursery at Narara. The following is a condensation of Mr. White’s report :— . “Thirty-nine rows of young Muscat Hamburgh vines were selected for the tests, which compared Bordeaux mixture 6—4—40, with a proprietary Bordeaux mixture powder—(1) in a pure dry state; (2) in a dry state, plus 50 per cent. lime ; (3) in the proportion of 6 lb. to 50 gallons of water; and (4) in the proportion of 43 lb. to 50 gallons of water. ‘The trials were commenced on 15th January, and were continued, except for the applications of (1) and (2), until19th March. Applications of formule (1) and (2) were discontinued after thirty-seven days, as it was found that downy mildew was not being checked by the application of the Bordeaux powder in the dry form; indeed, the upper portion of the vines had lost a large proportion of their leaves— sutiicient evidence that the pure powder, and the powder with 50 per cent. lime, were not effective. “Sprays (3) and (4) were practically no different in their effect to Bordeaux 64-40, and on the appearance of the vines to date it seems that the smaller quantity of the powder is as effective as the larger. “« As the tests were not made until after the vines had been treated several times with Bordeaux 6-4-40, further tests seem called for, and it has been suggested that these should take place next year, when each formule could be applied from the commencement of the season to rows previously untreated in that season. “The rainfall from the beginning of July, 1919, to the end of March, 1920, was 2,611 points, and for the actual period of the tests it was 8-06 inches.” From the foregoing it will be seen that the main facts have been fairly well established, namely, that in the dry form the powders are of little benefit, but when made up with water and sprayed on to the vines there is no apparent difference between them and the home-made Bordeaux mixture. The question of relative cost should be estimated during another season, when the experiment should extend throughout the season. The experience of vine growers in County Cumberland last season should cause them to pay considerable attention to spraying in the future.—H, E. Larrer. 596 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. Poultry Notes. AUGUST. JAMES HADLINGTON, Poultry Expert. Pouttry farmers who have acted upon the advice given in ‘these notes will now have their hatching operations in full swing. So far as is known, the hatching results appear to be normal for the time of the year. Many beginners are, of course, disappointed with the results, which appear to them to be poor, though in reality they may be good. More experienced farmers -know what to expect from June and July hatchings, and are content to get 20 per cent. or 25 per cent. less than 'in August and September. Never- theless, the chickens hatched during the earlier months are the most valuable, and especially so to the poultry farmer who sells stud stock. If one could confine himself to breeding only layers without regard to breeding stock, he would probably find August the best month, but all the chickens required cannot be reared in so short a period on the ordinary poultry farm (even if they were hatched), and to attempt it generally leads to disaster. By far the best plan is to spread the hatching over the whole period June to September inclusive. In this way the early birds (a comparatively small portion of the hatching) make the best breeding stock, and the August and September pullets should be good layers. These will most likely miss the partial moult in the autumn, to which the earlier birds are most susceptible. Very often this is the factor which determines the high or comparatively low egg tallies made by hens in their first year of laying. It might be mentioned that this factor is the cause of much misjudgment of the laying capabilities of hens in our laying competitions, nor is it possible for any breeder to select pullets for a competition without taking some risk in this respect. Hence, there are many groups that are adjudged to be a poor laying strain, which, had they missed the partial moult referred to, might have been near the top of the list. It would be well if such circumstances were taken into account before passing judgment on any breeder’s stock, either for laying competitions or for purchase as breeding stock. One often hears adverse criticism on this or that breeder’s birds, but, considering how easily a group of pullets can be thrown off laying condition during tbe late autumn and winter, it is small wonder misjudgments are made hy the novice. The Rearing Season. Success in rearing chickens is the foundation of success in poultry farming. Failure in this means failure all along the line, yet it is surprising how large a number of poultry-keepers fail properly to grasp the art of rearing chickens successfully. Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 597 Successful rearing is not simply dragging up batches of chickens—it is not merely keeping them alive. A good deal more than that is involved, because, unless we can secure adequate growth we are not only spending too large an amount of food to get a certain development, but we are also affecting the laying, for slow growth means late laying. In other words, without early laying the pullets are rarely able to put up good performances. Not only so, but badly grown pullets scarcely ever make profitable layers in their second season, A very great proportion of the poor producers are so because of indifferent rearing, rather than because of the innate bad laying quality of the stock, I might even emphasise the point by saying that I have never seen a well- grown, well-developed flock of utility pullets that would not pay when properly fed and attended to, irrespective of their breeding for egg produc- tion. Failure to secure good rearing for two or three seasons will ruin the best of breeds. Unfortunately, it is one of the insidious things that is adversely affecting the poultry industry at the present time. Brooder Trouble. We have now arrived at the months when brooder troubles are most acute. During the months of June and July, as a general rule, batches are small. Everything then is, or should be, clean from the previous season, and conditions generally have been favourabie for the early small batches of chickens. Plenty of infertility will perhaps have been experienced from the eggs set, but the chickens hatched will have been on the whole strong. In August and September more eggs will be available, and better fertility with higher percentages of chickens should result, but right here is where the chicken-rearer enters the danger zone. On very few farms is the brooding capacity equal to that of the hatching facilities. The result is that improvisation and crowding is resorted to in order to accommodate the chickens that appear so welcome. Larger numbers are put into each compartment, until the brooders become so congested that trouble is inevitable. When this happens, the farmer, instead of recognising what he has done, is prone to attribute his troubles to disease—“ white diarrhea ” being the one most frequently blamed, because the chickens show more or Jess looseness, or perhaps enteritis in an acute form. It does not follow, however, that Bacterium pullorum (the causative agent of white diarrhea) is responsible for the trouble, though it is a deceptive feature that nearly all diarrhoea in baby chickens is white. However, it matters little what the immediate cause is. It has usually been brought about in the manner described, or through other faults in running the brooder. Giving too little warmth is one of the most fatal, because it results in the chickens packing together to get it; indeed, no matter how large the brooder capacity, this will take place if the temperature is kept too low. What is known as “cold brooding”—that is, brooding without heat—is quite a different thing. This method requires the chickens to be run in very small batches to prevent the same occurrence. 598 Agricultural Gazette of N.S. W. [Aug. 2, 1920. Another bad practice in working heated brooders is to put the lamp out, or otherwise let the heat fall too low during the daytime. In this case a cool change or neglect to re-light or heat the brooder sufficiently early in the afternoon will often result in want of warmth when the chickens go up at night. Temperatures for Chickens. To commence with, in the rearing of chickens, preference is given to brooder units having a floor space of 8 square feet, preferably 4 ft. x 2 ft. The following is laid down as fairly safe practice for the number of chickens to each brooder, and the temperatures required from one to six weeks of age. No. of Temperature. Age of Chickens. Chickens (Bulb of Thermometer 2 inches in Brooder. from floor). First Week 863 ses 100 | 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Second and Third Weeks 75 86 to 82 degrees _ ,, Fourth and Fifth ,, _ 60 82t0 76 ,, - Sixth Week aie ia 40 Wean them off the heat. After the sixth week the birds should be transferred to rearing pens,. the floor space of which should be 8 ft. x 6°ft., which will accommodate 75 to 100 chickens for the first two weeks in the rearing pens, after which they will need thinning down in much the same way as is done during the six weeks in the brooders. The number of chicks mentioned in the above table should be regarded as the maximum, and preferably ten chickens less should be carried in each case. The temperatures shown are the minima of safety. Feeding. The feeding of chickens is the subject of a leaflet available on application . to the Department, but a note of warning might be sounded here in regard to the advice to feed rolled oats to baby chickens. ‘Two, or at most three days, is quite long enough to feed oats and they should not be used for a longer period except where they form portion of a mixture. Not only is the feeding of rolled oats unnecessarily expensive, but extended feeding upon them is inadvisable. CLEAN PASTURE FOR CALVES. THE writer is more than ever convinced that the ancient calf-paddock has: been responsible for more ailments in cattle than possibly any other cause. It is essential that it be abolished, and replaced by clean new grass pasture, preferably limed when sown down—no matter what the dietary of the calves may be.—J. L. Bruce, in the New Zealand Journal of Agriculture. Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 599 Orchard Notes. AUGUST. W. J. ALLEN and S. A. HOGG. Spraying. From observations made in many districts, it is only too apparent that this year growers will be confronted with a considerable amount of San José scale, accompanied, probably, by such diseases as curl leaf of peach and shot-hole fungus of apricot. This being so, it will be necessary to pay. constant attention to spraying. It has been found that the use of lime-sulphur is most effective in checking the pest and diseases mentioned, but care should be taken to see that it is applied at the proper time. Spraying for San José scale should be carried out immediately the pruning has been completed, and it is advisable to give a second application before the buds burst. The same advice applies to peach trees, which are liable to be attacked by curl leaf, and to apricot trees, which may be subject to shot-hole fungus. A third spraying, with Bordeaux amixture for shot-hole fungus may be given after the fruit has set. Miscible spraying oils have been used for combating San José scale with some success, hut under some conditions they have completely failed. This is very hard to account for, but the fact remains that even after a lapse of fourteen days after spraying, the scale was still alive. In cases where it is found that the miscible oil has failed, the trees should be given a spraying with lime-sulphur, which, taking everything into consideration, lime-sulphur has generally proved more effective for this particular pest than has miscible oil. It has been the custom to use miscible oil for the control of woolly aphis; but care shouid be taken to ascertain that the sap is moving before the oil is applied, otherwise it has a tendency to cauterise the bark. Concentrated nicotine solution is held in high esteem by many growers. It is a most effective spray and in no way injurious, but it is expensive. An advantage possessed by this spray is that it may be applied during the growing season and may be used in conjunction with other sprays such as lime-sulphur, Bordeaux mixture, or arsenate of lead. Citrus Trees. If miscible oils are used for the purpose of destroying scale on citrus trees, they should not be applied in very cold weather. The branches of the trees should be trimmed so as to allow the penetration of the spray, and also to admit sufficient light to mature and develop the wood. 600 Agricultural Gazette of NS.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. Vines, As a precaution against black spot, oidium, and other diseases, sulphuric acid solution, or combined sulphuric acid and sulphate of iron, may be applied to the vines as a swab before the buds have burst. Only the fruiting wood need be dressed. It is claimed that under some conditions it is an advantage ~ to remove the old bark ; on the other hand, it has been found an advantage in dry, hot districts to allow the bark to remain as a protection to the stock from excessive heat. After the middle of this month it will become too late to plant deciduous trees. Brown Spot of Mandarin. Where it is intented to treat Emperor mandarin trees for brown spot, the diseased and ‘dead wood should be cut out as far as possible and burnt. The trees should then be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture (summer strength) as the trees put on their fresh growth in the spring, just prior to blossoming ; a second application of Bordeaux mixture should be made as soen as the fruit has set. ‘The necessity for later applications of Bordeaux mixture and their frequency, depend on weather conditions, ‘Two growers who have tried this treatment have expressed themselves satisfied with the control over the disease, and one is making a further planting of Emperor mandarins. Since the experiments with this disease were concluded at Erina, the Department last year commenced another experiment at Somersby. In this. case, the trees were younger and the disease was showing further down in the older wood than was the case in the Erina experiment. It was decided ~ to head the trees well back, cutting well below where the disease was: showing on the wood, in the expectation of a new growth clean of disease. This was not the result, however, for the new growth developed the disease badly. ‘The experiment is to be continued in the spring, to ascertain whether the disease can be checked by treatment, but so far as the experiment has gone it appears that if trees are attacked when young, or worked with infected buds, it is a much more difficult proposition to deal with it than when the trees are comparatively old when first infected. AN EXPERIMENT WITH TABLE GRAPES ON SULTANA STOCK. Tat Cornichon and Ohanez vines do better on their own stock than whem grafted on to sultanas was recently proved at Yanco Experiment Farm, where, as the sultanas were not required, it was decided to work the table grapes on to them, The experiment proved exclusively that the procedure was not an economical one. From the appended comparative yields it will be seen that it would have paid better to have uprooted the sultanas and planted the table grapes on their own stock. The vines were planted 10 feet by 10 feet apart. On their own stock, 360 Cornichon vines yielded 487 half-cases. On sultana stock, 423 Cornichon vines yielded 293 half-cases. On their own stock, 360 Ohanez vines yielded 403 halt-cases. On sultana stock, 423 Ohanez vines yielded 301 half-cases.—W. J. ALLEN. Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 601 Agricultural Bureau of New South Wales. SUGGESTED SUBJECTS FOR BUREAU MEETINGS, Ir sometimes happens that, owing to some inadvertence, members of branches meet without having any particular subject before them. In such a case one of the following paragraphs may provoke a useful discussion, and a brief report of the discussion will often interest other branches. What month do. you prefer to begin fallowing land for wheat, and what factors influence you in choosing the month? Do you consider anything is gained by waiting until the spring? When do you give the first surface cultivation of the fallow, and does the date on which you start ploughing the fallow have any influence on the date when you first cultivate the surface ? Is there power in any form running to waste on your farm? In some cases a very small outlay would perhaps light the farm with electricity, or even drive a chaffing machine. Have you considered how advantage might be taken of it ? What points do you observe, if any, in selecting seed ears of maize from the barn? Are there any visible or easily identified characters of seed ears which, in your opinion, indicate high yielding capacity ? In some localities Wickson plum is an erratic cropper. Where the crops have been good, have you seen anything that suggests that interpollination may be the cause? Have you observed any better results where it 1s planted close to Burbank ? Shiro is generally a fairly heavy cropper, but in odd cases it 1s disappointing. Have you any reason that may connect cross-pollination or late frosts, or anything else, with these variations ? What substitute foods have you tried in the poultry yard, and have you been satisfied with the results, or do you think some alteration could have been made with advantage? Has barley been satisfactory as part of the grain feed ? REPORTS AND NOTICES FROM BRANCHES. NOTE.—While gladly publishing in these columns the views of members of the various Branches of the Agricultural Bureau, the Department does not necessarily endorse the opinions expressed. Auburn. Approval has been given for the establishment of a branch of the Bureau at Auburn, and the first meeting of members was held on 12th June. Mr. J. J. Pratt, secretary, reports that there was a fair attendance, and a dis- cussion took place on how to lay out a cottage garden, following on a paper read by Mr. Geo. Sommerville. A novelty was introduced by one of the members who illustrated how egg shells could be used to germinate tomato seeds. Many aspects of vegetable gardening were discussed by the members. Several attractive specimen roses, carnations, and other flowers, and a good sample of locally-grown onions were exhibited, the last being sold to supplement the funds of the branch. 602 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. Coraki, A well-attended meeting of members was held on 11th June, Mr. W. J. Hodge presiding. It was remarked that the exhibit at Coraki show on 18th and 19th June was a record one, and was a source of pride to the members and district generally. Over twenty new members were enrolled for the ensuing year. Cotta Walla. Fifteen members of the branch attended on 7th June, the business con- sisting of the reading of competition essays which had been judged by Mr. R. N. Makin, Inspector of Agriculture. The papers were of a high standard, the one judged to be best being that entitled “ Conservation of Fodder,” which is published hereunder. The writer was the secretary, Mr. T. A. Howard. Other papers read were entitled ‘ Oats,” and “ Practical Hints on _ Potato Culture.” CoNSERVATION OF FODDER. Australians are apt to conclude that periodic droughts are peculiar to their continent. With a wider outlook they will realise that no country is free from occasional dry con- ditions, and as climate controls man to a large extent, man must in his turn learn to control climate, or rather, take precautions to tide him over the lean periods which are inevitable. The obvious lesson taught by the losses and hardships occasioned by drought is that man has not safeguarded himself against the effects of climate. He must do much more than he has previously done to protect himself, and to minimise the disastrous effects of drought. The rise and fall of his fortunes have always been largely attributable to the inscrutable sway of climate, which has at times depleted and ruined his stock and crops, and has driven him out of once prosperous districts into others which have in a degree escaped the ruinous effects of the drought. A secure and successful agriculture is im- possible where this destroying force varies as to periods and intensity. Some assert that we can forearm ourselves to a certain degree by studying weather records and informa- tion based upon recorded experience on the theory that droughts occur in cycles; yet there is a great diversity of opinion regarding the length of a cycle, the four-year cycle - and the eleven-year cycle probably finding the strongest support. While these theories sometimes come close to the mark, records prove that droughts come at irregular periods. Perhaps more reliance can be placed on rainfall records, as it is usually found that when the rainfall for the year exceeds the average rainfall the following year will have a scant rainfall. It almost seems that nature is a balance, and if we receive more than our average one year we will go short the next and vice versa. Farmers commonly safeguard themselves against drought by placing any money they can spare in prosperous seasons in a bank, and building up a sinking fund to be used in the purchase of fodder when their stock are in need of it. This idea has some commend- able points, such as (1) the reserve is safe from fire, weather conditions and pests, and (2) it does not diminish but rather increases with the added interest. When the other side is considered, viz., that the fodder which can be bought in drought time is generally of inferior quality and high priced, and that the money which: has been earmarked for this purpose only returns the farmer a small quantity of inferior fodder, the previous advantage is more than counterbalanced by the disadvantage, and one starts looking for better methods than these. Our hope for making provision for periods of scarcity lies in education and enlighten- ment upon agricultural economy, coupled with the universal use of the silo. Greater economy must be practised, and waste of feed in good seasons should not be tolerated. The silo has always proved of first importance where good and economic feeding is required, for silage makes the best and cheapest substitute for pasture. It is simple and cheap to make and will keep for long periods, and it can be made by the dairyman, grazier or stock breeder in any district. In the drier western districts the pit silo finds favour, and good results are invariably obtained from forage preserved in this way ; indeed, it is a success in any district if a good hillside site is secured, so that an efficient drainage system can be carried out. Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 60% The stack silo is a good idea where maize is to be converted into silage, and it has the advantage that there is no outlay of money for its construction, also that it can be built in any handy situation. Still, this style is by no means perfect, for the making of the stack is very laborious, and the waste is sometimes as high as 30 per cent. The most expensive, but in the end the best, is the brick or concrete silo, as there is very little waste and it is eminently suited for making silage of such crops as maize, sorghum, millet, lucerne, clovers, sudan grass, meadow grasses, cereals and cowpeas. ‘The initial cost of this type of silo, together with the necessary machinery (a smalleengine, chaff- cutter and elevator), is a big consideration in these times of high-priced materials, but the durability of the strecture, the better preservation of the fodder, the amount of labour saved in filling and emptying the overground silo, show that this type is the most- Sa iee: and cheapest in the long run. In fact, it will prove the best sinking fund of all. Maize is the ideal silage crop because of its high feeding value and its cheap production, for large yields can be grown on small areas in nearly every dairying district. It should- be reaped when in the cobbing stage, and chaffed and filled into the silo as yuickly as possible afterwards. A secondary method of conserving fodder is by cured hay. Lucerne comes first in this class, because of its high nutritive value, and mice and rats do little damage to it if kept from year to year. The cultivation of lucerne is at present confined to a few localities, chiefly river flats, but by experimenting and careful farming this valuable fodder plant may be profitably grown in most districts. Farmers should note that the cost of growing lucerne is ridiculously low after you have a plot on a fair footing. Wheaten and oaten hay both make good provision against drought, being nutritive and easily fed to stock. The depredations of mice and rats are very appreciable with this class, and consequently it cannot be so profitably kept for long periods like the abovementioned fodders. In summing up, let us remember (1) that conservation of fodder is the only solution of the drought problem, for there are periods, sometimes of many months’ duration, when the soil does not contain sufficient moisture to germinate seeds that may be sown for green fodder for starving stock ; (2) that silage (which contains the sap and juice of the plants) is cheaper and more nutritious than cured hay, giving better results in drought time when there is not a green picking available; (3) that it is greatly to the farmer’s advantage to keep all stock alive in drought time, if possible, as enhanced prices will rule when the outlook becomes promising again—not only to make up losses in other districts but to adjust the shortage which is apparent all over the world. DEPARTMENTAL Note.—Commenting on the winning essay, Mr. Makin mentioned that the too rapid filling of the silo imprisoned oxygen which generated too great a tem- perature, with the result that the silage became black; the filling required care. Although maize was one of the best plants to grow for silage, it did not make ideal silage, as its protein content was low. To make up the deficiency a legume comparatively rich in protein should be added, such as lucerne, cowpeas, velvet beans or clover. Cunningar. The annual meeting of this branch was held on 2nd July. Four new members were elected; the membership roll now covers thirty financial members. The election of oftice-bearers resulted in Mr. Thomas Hobson being elected Chairman, and Mr. B. J. Stocks, Hon. Secretary. It was decided to arrange an exhibit for the Murrumburrah show, a few of the special lines to be included being wheat, wool, mutton, beef, fat lambs, hay chaff, pigs, poultry, fruits, honey, &c. It was also decided that the members take a trip to Temora Experiment Farm late in the spring, and that a picnic and sports meeting be held in the near future. Dural, At the meeting held on 25th June, a discussion took place on several of the subjects suggested in the Gazette for the months of May and June. In regard to the planting of deciduous trees, it is the custom in the district to prepare the soilin June and to plant in July. As regards lime in the orchard, April was considered the best month, and the lime required was stated to be 15 ewt. per acre. Ten new members were elected, and the branch is in a progressive state. 604 Agricultural Gazette of N SW. [Aug. 2, 1920. Mr. H. E. Wickham has resigned his position of secretary owing to his departure from the district, and his duties will be carried out by Mr. B. F. Renaut. Holbrook. A pruning demonstration was held at the orchard of Mr. J. Rule on 6th July. Mr, H. A. Mills, Fruit Inspector, was the demonstrator. There was a fair attendance, chiefly of persons interested in fruit-growing, Mr, Jas. S, Stewart, secretary, presiding. Mr. Stewart, in introducing Mr. Mills, enlarged on the advantages of the Bureau, pointing out that the Department of Agriculture was most anxious that the benefits of its officers’ knowledge should be brought right to the doors of those desirous of acquiring up-to-date methods. It behoved farmers to take a keener interest in the Bureau. Mr. Mills then pruned several apple, pear, plum, apricot, and peach trees, and wound up with the pruning of grape vines. Questions were asked and satisfactorily answered, chiefly with respect to the different kinds of pruning and the necessary solutions and their preparation for all pests of the orchard. Kellyville. At the May meeting a demonstration in veterinary science was given by Mr. F. Whitehouse, B.V.Sc., of the Stock Branch. Mr. Whitehouse gave an interesting and educational demonstration on a horse lent by one of the members. He dealt with the different ailments, and also gave advice as to points to be observed when buying a horse. Lidcombe. A meeting was held on 14th June, there being an attendance of thirty-two members. : and ‘A. Society ... Geo.» AS Priest) s:i.- 4s. nee Tumbarumba and Upper Murray P. and A, Society... E.C. Cunningham ,, 9, 10 Taralga A., P., and H. Association td. dl. INCATNO VI: ssmneeye CLO pai Goulburn Ay P., and H. Society a aq B.D Hay cA, LO Saez Upper Hunter P. and A. Association ... 3. RO. Saphing:: pays tign EO Royal Agricultural Society of N.S. W. .. H. M. Somer 21 to 30 Clarence P. and A. Society (Grafton) ... . L. C. Lawson _. April 13, Tee and 16 Printed and published by WILLIAM APPLEGATE GULLICK, of Sydney, Government Printer, and Publisher, of the State of New South Wales, at Phillip-street, Sydney. 17 eae ee se ee ~~ Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. =. Scottish Australian Investment Co., Ltd. DARBALARA STUD of MILKING SHORTHORN CATTLE GUNDAGAI, N.S.W. ee ae ee ee Se es ee ee ny EMBLEM OF DARBALARA (100). = Banker (5) ex Madame (406). Sypnkry R.A.S. Recorps :—\st and Champion, 1910, 1911, 3912, 1913, 1914, 1915 and 1916. First in Bull and Prozeny, 1913, 1915 and 1916. Unbeaten for 7 successive years. MELBA VII OF DARBALARA (4,181). Sire— Emblem of Darbalara (100). Dam— Melba IV of Darbalara 5 (1,576). World’s record for a Short- KITCHENER OF DARBALARA (409). Emblem of Darbalara (100) ex Lily II of Darbalara (1,019), Sypnezy R. A.S. RECORDS :—Ist, as yearling, 1914; 1st, 2 years old, 1915 ; 1st, 3 years old, 1916; Ist and Champion, 4 years old, 1917; 2nd and Reserve Champion, 1918; and 1st in Bulland Progeny. Unbeaten for 5 years, except once by ELECTED OF DARBALARA, bred by the same Stud. J Gov. OFFICIAL Rgecorps: 2 years old, for 273 days, 8,077 lb. Milk, 412 lb. Butter. 4 years old, for 273 days, 14,622 Ib. Milk, 678 Ib. Butter. 6 years old, for 273 days, 14,371 lb. Milk, 836 Ib. Butter. 6 years old, for 365 days, 17,364 lb. Milk, horn Cow, 365 days. J Lges Ms g CUM Mid sr «6 Y, MELBA XV OF DARBALARA (4.188). Sire—Kitehener of Darbalara (419). Dam—Melba VII of Darbalara (4,181). Govr. OrriciaL REcorus:—2 years old, for 273 days, 8,844 Ib. Milk, 461 lb. Butter. 3 years old, for 273 days, 13,510 Ib. Milk, 707 lb. Butter. , R.A.S. Recorps :—Ist Prize as 2 year old in Milk, 1918. % Zs 1,021} lb. Butter. | i MELBA XI OF DARBALARA (4,185). Sire— Union Jack of Darbalara (631). Dam— Melba VII of Darbalara (4,181). Govt. OrriciaL Rxcorps:--2 years old, for 273 days, 6,492 lb. Milk, 341 lb. Butter. 3 years old, for 273 days, 9,165 Ib. Milk, 481 Ib. Butter. R.A.S. Records :—Ist Prize as 2 year old in Milk and Reserve Champion to Herd Mate CAMELLIA II, 1917. 1st Prize as 3 year old in Milk and Champion, 1918. ee ae a ae enn. ae eS ry Bred by and Property of The Scottish Australian Investment Company, Ltd., Darbalara Estate, Gundagai, N.S.W. HIGH-CLASS PEDIGREED YOUNG BULLS FOR SALE. For full particulars apply The MANAGER, Darbalara is easy of access from Sydney or Melbourne by train. Darbalara. € it Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. “Champion” Stump-jump Plow. SSN; PS) (Z= A Farmer’s Boy, 6 Horses, and a ‘‘Clutterbuck’’ to-Furrow Plow, have been known to plow roo acres of Jand 4 inches deep ina week. “* THINK OF IT!” tf 8 FURR.— 10 FURR.— 12FURR.— 14 FURR.— MA DE IN £62 £66 £72 £76 -“ soc, Clutterbuck Bros. Ltd. 7{ity Read. N.S.W. STATE CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC. a in every Branch of MUSICAL ART, Expert. TuHion sicccrow aa pramatio apr by a highly-qualified Staff of Professors. All information regarding Fees, etc., may be obtained from Tel City 6729. N. L. SALMON, Registrar. H. M. SUTTOR & Co., Oifioes : 2 Bandas Sines PASTORAL and AGRICULTURAL AGENTS, GRAIN AND PRODUCE SALESMEN. WHEAT, MAIZE, OATS, &¢., OHAFF, LUCERNE, OATEN HAY, POTATOES, &e., REOKIVED FOR SALE DAILY AT ALEXANDRIA. Reliable In‘ormation Given re Markets. * TOP PRIOES. QUICK RETURSS. SCRATCHES from Barb Wire sometimes lead to fatal results. By applying ROW’S EMBROCATION it acts as an antiseptic. EstTaBLIsHED 50 YEARS. Sole Makers— EDWARD ROW & CO., Sydney. Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Che Aniversity of Spdnep. Department of Veterinary Science. The Veterinary School, which is well equipped with the most modern appli- ances and apparatus, is under the direction of Professor J. DOUGLAS STEWART, M.R.C.V.S., B.V.Sc., late Chief Inspector of Stock and Govern- ment Veterinary Surgeon of the State of New South Wales. The degree granted, viz., Bachelor of nised for all public appointments in the Commonwealth. The course of instruction and training is of a pro- gressive nature, and the standard adopted is that of the best Veterinary Colleges in the British Empire. The Hospitaland Clinic in connection with the School offer exceptional facilities for practical training. Veterinary Science (B.V.Se.), is recog- The FEES are— SIX GUINEAS per Term, or EIGHTEEN GUINEAS per Year. The Lectures of next Term begin 13th Sent., 1920. Veterinary Science undoubtedly offers, particularly to those fond of animals, a remunerative and congenial profession, for which a wide field of employment exists. Full particulars of the curriculum will be forwarded on application. H. E. BARFF, Warden and Registrar. The Chief Inspector of Stock, Government of New South Wales, approves of the use of this preparation. 7p SA VE YOUR ‘CA LVES BY USING BLACKLEGOIDS TO VACCINATE AGAINST BLACKLEG. Simple. Safe. Effective. No dose to Measure. Ne liquid to spill. No string te ret, Simply a little pill to be mjected under the skim, SEND FOR FREE BOOKLETS. For Sale by PARKE, DAVIS & COMPANY. MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS, 125 York-street, Sydney. Box 224 G.P.®. iv Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Aug. 2, 1920. Power For Factory, Farm, Station, etc. THE WORLD-FAMED RUSTON & HORNSBY Suction Gas Engines and Plants, Wood Refuse Suction Gas Producers, Kerosene and Crude Oil Engines, Petrol Parafine Engines, Benzine Engines, Steam and Traction Engines, Road Rollers—Steam and Oil, Oil Loco’s, Steam Boilers, Centrifugal Pumps, Exhaust Heat Boilers. LARGE STOCKS ON HAND AND TO ARRIVE. FULL RANGE OF SPARES ALWAYS IN STOCK. Ruston & Hornsby Ltd., 1 Barrack St., SYDNEY, and at MELBOURNE & BRISBANE. WORKS AT LINCOLN, GRANTHAM AND STOCKPORT, ENGLAND. Stud Berkshire Pigs MOE. SS iAees AT THE STATE PRISON FARMS BATHURST - GOULBURN - EMU PLAINS AND THE STATE PENITENTIARY LONG BAY Young Boars and Young Sows All guaranteed healthy, of high-class breeding, and have been carefully selected from high-class pedigreed stock, of thrifty, vigorous, and early maturing strains of the famous breed. Full particulars may be obtained on application to the Officer-in-Charge of the Gaols at Bathurst, Goulburn, and Emu Plains Prison Farm, and the Superin- tendent, State Penitentiary, Long Bay; or to—- The COMPTROLLER-GENERAL OF PRISONS, Phillip Street, Sydney. Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W ig Megzitt Limited's SPECIALISED STOCK FOODS Even when natural pastures are available, concentrates are essential for maximum production. The best results are obtained from our concentrated foods, containing the proper proportions of protein, carbohydrates, and fats. By feeding a) Stock Foods—the ideal concentrate— as directed, greater results will accrue. INCREASE PRODUCTION. BY RESULTS i) IS CHEAPER. FURTHER PARTICULARS FROM oy) STOCK FOODS DEPARTMENT—A.T. zsitt OFFICE 26 KING ST SYDNEY (Works: Parramatta) *Yhe boy on the seg quarintees quali vt Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Aug, 2, 1929. NEW SOUTH WALES. THE PUBLIC TRUSTEE ACTS AS TRUS#EE, PAReUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, ATTGRNEY, or AGENT, (STATE GUARANTEE.) LOWEST CHARGES IN AUSTRALASIA, NO PROFITS. Increased Business Means Reduced Charges. T. W. GARRETT, Apply for particulars to— Public Trustee. PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE, Culwulla Chambers, 67 Castlereagh-st., SYDNEY. Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. ou Department of Lands, Sydney. CLOSER SETTLEMENT ACTS. CONDOBOLIN Bygalore Estate. 2 LAND DISTRICT. 1] Farms available, areas from 690 to 2,049 acres. About 40 to 48 miles from Wyalong, adjacent to Bygalorie, Boorabil, and Ingram’s 8 Sidings on the Wyalong-Cargelligo railway. Forest Vale Estate. CONDOBOLIN LAND DISTRICT. 2 Farms ayailable, areas 812 and 838 acres. About 6} to 9 miles from Gorman’s Hill Railway Station, on the Wyalong- Cargelligo railway, and 58 to 59 miles trom Wyalong. North Logan Estate. LAND. DistRICe 2 Farms available, area 9 acres 1 #1. 5 perches, and 9 acres | rd. 7 perches. About 4 mile from Billimari, and 13 miles from Cowra. Gorman’s Hill West Estate. LAND DISTRICT. 3\ Farms available, areas 1,261 acres, 1,320 acres and 1,654 acres. 15 to 19 miles from Cargelligo-Burgooney Siding, about 3 miles from Tullibigeal, on Wyalong-Cargelligo railway. TAMWORTH Peel River Estate. ae Ie Farm No. 287 of 10 acres 2 roods 11 nace About 4 miles from Tamworth. = . WYALONG Boorabil Estate. can poe 2 Farms available, areas 1,542 acres and 1,846 acres. 5 to 7 miles from Tullibigeal Siding, 18 to 20 miles from Cargelligo, about 50 miles from Wyalong. TEMORA CEN AL Clonmel Estate. LAND DISTRICT. Farm No. 1 of 400 acres, Farm No. 2 of 4593 acres, and Farm No. 3 of 480 acres. About 6 miles from Ardlethan. GRAFTON Glen Lyon Estate. LAND DISTRICT. Farm No. 4 of 214 acres. 3% miles from Maclean. YOUNG Moonabba Estate. ie eee! Farm No. 4 of 563} acres. About 54 miles from Bribaree. Ungarie South Estate. LANG aor (Available for Returned Soldiers only.) Farm No. 16, of 531 acres. About 14 miles from Ungarie. (Successful applicant to be granted a lease of adjoining block of 348 acres.) Full particulars obtainable on application from the Information Bureau, Department of Lands, Sydney, or the Crown Land Agents for the district in which the lands are situated. ARTHUR J. HARE, Under Secretary. viii Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Lage 2, 1920. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, N.S.W. STUD DAIRY CATTLE. Representatives of the Government Herds. AYRSHIRE BULL. Isabel’s Majestic (861 A.A.H.B.). Sire, Majestic of Oakbank (326 A.A.H.B.) Dam, Isabel of Gleneira (1,036 A.A.H.B.) ist Prize and Reserve Champion, Mel- bourne, 1913. ist Prize and Reserve Champion, Sydney, 1914. OTHER Sires IN UsE: ROpDERICK OF WILLOWVALE (Vol. X, A.A.H.B.), by Lancer of Willowvale (757). SPORTSMAN OF KABIBINOKKA (Vol. X, A.A.H.B.), by Jamie of Kabibinokka. Yield of Dam, 8,563 lb. milk and 351 lb. butter in 273 days. : Str Rospert oF KasispinoKKA (2,602), by § ~~. Robin of Glengarnock (899), Dam, Mona j of Kabibinokka (4,535). Yield of Dam, 10,324 lb. milk and 487°56 lb. butter in 273 days. AYRSHIRE COW. Black Cap III (Vol. X,A.A.H.B.). Yield, 7,155 lb. milk and 362-04 lb. butter in 259 days. Sire, Punch of Glen Innes (Vol. X, A.A.H.B.J Dam, Black Cap IL RED POLL COW. Melody II. Yield, 11,240 lb. milk and 530'04 lb. butter in 365 days. Sire, Acton Ajax (imp.) (9,655). Dam, Melody by Antic (imp.) (7,799). PURE-BRED YOUNG BULLS of the following breeds—MILKING SHORTHORN, JERSEY, GUERNSEY, AYRSHIRE, and RED POLL—always available for Sale APPLICATION SHOULD BE MADE TO The UNDER SECRETARY and DIRECTOR, Department of Agriculture, Sydney. Be % * Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W ia DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, N.S.W. STUD DAIRY CATTLE. Representatives of the Government Herds. JERSEY BULL. ‘ Xmas Fox (imp.) (947.) Sire, Silver Fox (10,097, E.H.B.) Dam, Malvoisie (Vol. XX, E.J.H.B.) Butter record of Dam, Royal Counties Show, England, 2 lb. 6} oz. from 49 lb. milk im 24 hours, 165 days after calving. OTHER SrrES IN USE: GoppincTon NosLe XV (948) (imp.) Yield of Dam, 8,150 1b. milk; butter yield, rlb. 11 oz. from 32 Ib. milk in 24 hours as 3-year old. RETFORD Winks (yield of Dam, 6,595 Ib. milk and 4or lb. butter in 273 days as 2-year-old.) JANET QUEEN 4TH’s BriIGHTON of Coolan- gatta, by Brighton King of Coolangatta. Lorp SILVERMINE II of Banyule (yield of Dam, 7,592 lb. milk and 461 lb. butter in 273 days.) JERSEY COW. Glory Quayle (4,822) Yield, 8,592 lb. milk and 495-48 lb. butter in 273 days (second calf). Sire, Xmas Fox (947) (imp.) Dam, Egypt’s Glory (383). Yield of Dam, 6,154 lb. milk and 399 lb. butter in 365 days as 3-year-old. JERSEY COW. Wagga Jasmine (2,779). Yield, 11,864 lb. milk and 894-94 lb. butter in 365 days. Sire, Kaid of Khartoum (949). Dam, Wagga Larkspur. PURE-BRED YOUNG BULLS of the following breeds—MILKING SHORTHORN, : JERSEY, GUERNSEY, AYRSHIRE, and RED POLL—always available for Sale. —— APPLICATION SHOULD BE MADE TO : The UNDER SECRETARY and DIRECTOR, Department of Agriculture, Sydney. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. STUD PIGS FOR SALE AT THE HOSPITAL, CALLAN PARK. For further particulars apply to Manager. (The prices quoted hold good for the current month only.: Description. 589 600 604 605 606 607 608 609 610 611 | Berkshire Boar .. Berkshire Sow Berkshire Sow | Berkshire Sow Berkshire Sow Berkshire Boar. ... | Berkshire Boar .. | Berkshire Boar .. Berkshire Boar ... Berkshire Suw | | | t | | ) J Koramburra Major No. 520a Koramburra Major No. 520a Koramburra Major No. 520a Callan Park Lady | Jan. 29! 7 7 O No. 520c_- Callan Park Dew- | Feb. 9| 6 6 @ drop No. 500 Callan Park Birdy’) April || 6 6 0 No. 520b | | Callan Park Lucy | Mar. 8]| 5 65 0 No. 520d Prices qnoted include delivery in crates at Darling Harbour or Wharf at Sydney. \ A full pedigree is furnished with every pig sold. All communications to be addressed to— ‘- Tut MANAGER, Mental Hospital, Callan Park, Sydney.” {Please add Exchange for Country Cheques.) 19th July, 1920 | R KIRKPATRICK, Manager. 4 4 Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. ri State Timber Yards and Building Workshops UHR’S POINT, RHODES. Telephones: Postal Address: U 6601 to U 6606. Box 12, Post Office, Burwood. The Largest Timber Yard and Joinery Works in Australasia. ALL FOREIGN AND AUSTRALIAN TIMBERS IN STOCK. SEND FOR PRICE LIST AND CATALOGUE. Special Prices given for Detail Joinery, Office Furniture, etc. All Communications to be addressed to THe MANAGER, Lia Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION At the Government Farm Schools. SPECIAL FACILITIES ARE OFFERED AT THE SCHOOLS AT TH.: GOVERNMENT EXPERIMENT FARMS FOR INSTRUCTION IN AGRICULTURE. COURSES FROM 6 MONTHS TO 3 YEARS. Low Fees. Comfortable Accommodation. Expert Tuition. HAWKESBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, Richmond. ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY. AGRICULTURE DIPLOMA COURSE-—-3 years. DAIRY DIPLOMA COURSE years. Carrying the respective academic distinctions “H.D.A.” and “‘ H.D.D.” Short Courses of 12 months on the ORCHARD, and 6 months on DAIRY, PIGGERY, and POULTRY. Carrying certificates on examination. Each Course gives a well-adjusted combination of Field Practice with Class-room Tuition. Two Sessions per Year, beginning January and July. FEES (INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) All Courses... ... £14 per Session. WAGGA and BATHURST STUDENT SCHOOLS. SOUND SYSTEMS IN MIXED FARMING. The Student performs the work of each Section of the Farm, including SHEEP, CROPS, DAIRY, ORCHARD, POULTRY, PIGGERY, CARPENTERS and BLACKSMITHS’ SHOPS. TWO YEARS’ COURSE FOR FARM CERTIFICATE. FEES (INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) First Years .. £15 Second Year ... = S10 FARM APPRENTICE SCHOOLS at Glen Innes, Wollongbar, Cowra, and Grafton. A PRACTICAL COURSE FOR TRAINING LADS FOR FARM WORK The Apprentices are trained in all branches of FARM, DAIRY, or ORCHARD work, and receive Lectures and Demonstrations in CROP GROWING and the Rearing and Management of LIVE STOCK. FEES (INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) £5 for Six Months. (Admission at any date.) For further particulars, prospectuses, &c., apply to GEORGE VALDER, Lands Office Building, Under Secretary and Director, 3ridge-st., Sydney. Department of Agriculture. ) Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. xin To Employers. HE RETURNED SOLDIERS AND SAILORS’ EMPLOYMENT ACT compels, with few exceptions :— (1) Reinstatement of Returned Soldiers, Sailors, and Nurses in original positions ; (2) Absolute Preference of Employment to Returned Soldiers, Sailors, and Nurses ; (3) Application to the State Labour Exchanges for all labour (men and women) required. STATE LABOUR EXCHANGES have been established in the undermentioned country towns: BROKEN HILL, GOULBURN, LISMORE, NEWCASTLE, ORANGE, TAMWORTH, WAGGA WAGGA, WOLLONGONG. F. C. GOVERS, Director, Labour Exchanges and Immigration Branch, ' 76 Elizabeth Street, Sydney. xiv Agricultural Gazette of N.S W. [Aug. 2, 1920. The Great “Murrumbidgee” Irrigation Scheme Soils may be chosen suitable for the Orchardist, Vegetable Grower, Dairyman, Viticulturist, Land Poultryman, Pig Farmer, Fat-lamb Raiser, Bee Farmer, General Farmer. LIBERAL AND PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE TO SETTLERS < ON THE EASIEST OF TERMS. Fertile ee : Subject to such conditions as to security and terms of repay- ment as the Commission may think fit to impose, Settlers may Land obtain an advance or have payment of rent and water rates suspended. Trees and Vines may be purchased from the + Commission’s Nursery—Specially selected Dairy Stock are obtain- able—Pedigree Sires on liberal terms—Railway Concessions are granted on New South Wales Railways. Cheap (Change of policy may require alteration of terms of Assistance.) Water SPECIAL ADVANTAGES. The whole scheme is administered by the State Government, and the products carried to market on Government-owned railways. 2 Instruction and demonstration in Agricultural and Irrigation methods always available free of cost to the settler by experts A / employed by the State. Mp eC The climate of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas is dry and healthy—hot in summer, which makes it suitable for drying fruit. Water Water is supplied solely by gravitation (no pumping required) at a remarkably cheap rate. + Butter, Bacon, Cheese, and Canning Factories and a pulping plant have been established in connection with the scheme. Schools, Churches, Banks, and Stores are established. No Bal- : ae : loting Information on every point; special pamphlets on Fruit Growing for la nda and Poultry Farming are obtainable on application. Particulars regarding Irrigation Farms may be obtained from The WATER CONSERVATION and IRRIGATION COMMISSION. Branch “C,’’ Union House, 247 George-street, Sydney ; The RESIDENT COMMISSIONER, Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission, Leeton. 2328-29 2342 2657-8-9-60 9862 9865 2368-69 2371 2375 2377-79 2386 2397-98-99 2400-1 2402-3 2418 2419-20 2421 2422-23 Aug. 2, 1920.] _Aeug., 1920. Please add Exchange for Country Cheques All communications should be addressed to ‘‘ The Manager,” Mental Hospital, Gladesville. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. AT HOSPITAL, GLADESVILLE. Description. Berkshire Sows ... Berkshire Sow Berkshire Sows °.. Berkshire Sow Mid. York, Boar Berkshire Sows ... Mid. York. Boar Mid. York. Sow Mid. York. Boars Berkshire Sow Berkshire Sows ... Mid. York. Boars Mid. York. Sows Large York. Boar Large York. Sows Large York. Sows Berkshire Sow Herkehife Boar .., Berkshire Boars ... Berkshire Sows ... Mid. York. Boar Berkshire Sows ... Berkshire Boar ... Berkshire Sows ... Gladesville master IT. .| Gladesville Flock- master II. Whitley Wales _(Imp. ) .| Whitley Wales (Imp. ) Sundon Sydney (Imp. Whitley Wales (Imp.) Sundon Sydney (Imp. ) Sundon Sydney (Imp.) Sundon Sydney (Imp. ) Whitley Wales (Imp. ) Lockhaven Didymus Sundon Sydney (Imp.} Sundon Sydney (Imp. ) Hawkesbury Ferryman Hawkesbury Ferryman. King Charles II ... Whitley Wales (Imp. ) Whitley Wales (Imp.) Whitley Wales (Imp.) Whitley Wales (Imp. ) Sundon Sydney (Imp.) Gladesville Flock- master I. Whitley Wales (Imp.) Whitley Wales (Imp. ) Large York. Boars; Hawkesbury Ferry man Flock- (The prices quoted hold good for the current month only.) t LV D Pri Poe Rasowed Bach. 1920. £ 3. Tarban Jane II ...|) Jan. 4] 8 8 Gladesville Jan 9) )Sins Duchess IT. Herrison Queen V | Jan. 12] 8 8 Glad’ville Nancy II} Jan. 23] 7 17 Gladesville Maid II} Jan. 26 | 8 8 Polly Pry VI Hebe Ga pean Glad’ville Maid III} Feb. 9] S 8 Glad’ville Maid III} Feb. 9} 7 17 College Rambling} Feb. 21] 7 7 Rose. Polly Pry VII Feb. 23} 6 16 Gladesville Queen |} Mar. 12{ 6 6 Gladesville Snow-| Mar. 24 | 6 16 drop. Gladesville Snow-| Mar. 24] 6 6 drop. Glad’ville Empress} April 1 | 6 16 Vv Glad’ville Empress} April 1 | 6 6 Vv Glad’ville Empress} April 4 | 5 15 IV Empire Queen | April $2 6.36 Nance O’Neil IV...| April 14 | 6 16 Herrison Queen VI} May 1] 6 6 Herrison Queen VI} May 1) 5 15 Glad’ville Maid III} Feb. 9| 7 7 Gladesville May April 26 | 5 15 Gladesville Quality) May 10| 6 6 Gladesville Quality; May 10] 5 15 Brighton Lass .| May 17) 5 15 attain that age. (Prices quoted include delivery in crates on truck or steamer at Sydney.) (A full Pedigree is furnished with every Pig sold.) Any of the above pigs that may be selected wnder the age of 3 months will be kept until they PRICE LIST OF PURE BRED PIGS FOR SALE EDS igre) (So Gr SiS OSS GIS sian ESI MgO nc Oem OAS. Wet ot Hot. co oF W. A. E. LEWIS, Manager, Gladesville Hospital. xvi Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Aug. 2, 1920. aT ik D eearar eat ge 4 i ic Tatil ii a aa Hi Ei Be rhe i a HERO LCR PITS ape ete mes ae ee eto LETT Pet gett 1 ni 5ES Te T Anthony Borderie Genuine Sale IN FULL SWING—Finishes Saturday, August 7. Anthony Horderns’ Half-yearly Clearance Sale presents an opportunity to economise that you cannot afford to overlook. Each of the 50 departments has its plethora of bargains—goods marked down to prices that will*enable you to effect big savings in the purchase of present and future needs. The reduced prices, in many instances, are below those at present obtaining in the Home markets for similar goods. Send for a copy of our Sale Catalogue (posted free) —You will there see the big array of bargains. If you cannot personally attend the Sale, an order sent to us will be quickly executed by our efficient Mail Order Service. Anthony Hordern & Sons, Ltd., Brickfield Hill- SYDNEY. (Aug. 2.1920. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Pigs. 118,500 ONE ETE 118,500 HESE figures arrest your attention and prove the PIG INDUSTRY to bea steadily growing one, also a pay- able one to the PRODUCER. These figures represent the total of Pigs sold through the Abattoir Yards last year. NEW ZEALAND LOAN & MERCANTILE AGENCY CO, LTD, ee SRoBRIDGE STREET - -, =.= 4- -. SYDNEY. This Company, facing these facts, has secured the services of p AN EXPERT PIG SALESMAN. Their long and successful experience as Salesmen of Everything Pastoral will ensure Clients that Pigs and Calves consigned to the Company’s care will have expert attention, and fullest market value be realised. A trial consignment will convince you that what we say we do—we carry out. Liberal Adwances given against consignments. Telegrams : E. R. GRAHAM, JARVIE, Sydney. Manager. mater: Pe ‘ASNGA “LS3uULS 3D0IN bs fe OL SLUM ‘SLBIHd *SI@QUIEYD UOISTAOId poeyesesizjol eae eee ge ee A Oe PTT SP encanta ring tant op he eee ae ee pue ‘Aj[0]1300]9 UTM jNOYZNoIY, peyyZiy ore sleweeis es 3 ae "NOILVOIIddvY NO S3YvVS . eugehueews ssv19 aut see isyla YOs WANG BANSSSIPaTaRraue ‘[eueQ Zong o/a ose ‘VdLIJW YINOS oA puL[sUuy_ 0} VIBIISHY WoO] UINjJoY s19uIve;sg "DIypAZSNY OF PUuYsjbuyZ ulosg SADUIVDAIG SSV/D-}S4/4 40 SaDdIANAGS AsDINBay ‘GALININ ‘(ANVdWOD ONIddIHS GNW1IVWAEZ M3N :CGaLINIT'ANVWdNOD NOILVSIAYN WNVSLS IWHS0R4 ‘SLNSOV ‘GSLIANII ‘ANWdAWIOO ? LHIG Vol XXX/ Part 9. u i a . oo 1g Tk i ; | dy at the General Post Office, Sydney, for transmission by Post as a Newspaper. > he a a ac tw Fp ke BY “& Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Sept. 2, 1920. An incalculable benefit to Stock. PITT. SON. & BADGERY, Ltd. invite inspection of their IDEAL: ——=—_— Stock Feeding Facilities adjoining FLEMINGTON RAILWAY ‘SIDING and SALEYARDS. Beautifully Sheltered SHEEP FEEDING ACCOMMODATION, with Clear, Refreshing Water. SWIMMING BATH, ®& Capacious SHELTER & FEEDING SHEDS for CATTLE. Consign your SHEEP, CATTLE, WOOL, PRODUCE, ‘PIGS, and CALVES to— PITT, SON, & BADGERY, Lid., SYDNEY. Sept. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. gSUALICH Ty 1 e AKE TA! Hu iil ut LS UNLIGHT OIL CAKE is rich in &@ Albuminoids and low in Moisture. The general cause of shortage in eggs is either too high feeding or too low. For laying hens, Sunlight Oil Cake will quickly give a return which will astonish the owner. For chickens at any time after the age of 6 weeks it is unequalled. Sunlight Oil Cake will impart the glossy |] sheen to the birds’ appearance so prized 3 by the fancier, and is specially valuable for this reason alone to all exhibitors of show poultry. It puts on solid flesh in an extremely short space of time, and experiments have proved that young, scraggy birds fed almost entirely on it have become covered with good plump meat in a few weeks, thus doubling their value to the market poulterer. al il A 32-Page Booklet—‘*‘Poultry Profits’? — sent free on application to— Lever Brothers Limsted, ii Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. To Graziers and Settlers. If you are changing your Wool Broker— Please think of KINDLY NOTE— SCHUTE, BELL & Co., Ltd. They give PERSONAL ATTENTION to YOUR INTERESTS, and area New South Wales Company. OFFICES— 44 BRIDGE STREET, SYDNEY. Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. iii ”. | The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited Established 1834. F CapitaL Paip-up.-- oe ae o° -- £2,500,000 0 0 4 Reserve Funo -- oe *- . - 2,220,000 0 O Reserve Capitar * ee oe . 2,500,000 00 ———————<<<—— £7,220,000 0 O Directors: GEORGE J. COHEN, Esq. (Chairman); Hon. H. E. KATER, M.L.C. (Deputy Chairman). Hon. HENRY MOSES, M.L.C.; J. W. MACARTHUR ONSLOW, Esa. ; and Hon. SIR THOMAS HUGHES, M.L.C. : ffonorary Director: Sir THOMAS A. DIBBS. Auditors: &. W. HIXSON, Esq., and HARINGTON B. COWPER, Esq. r Genera/ Manager: H. H. MASSIE. Head Office: SYDNEY—343 George Street. f Manager: W. R.SAYERS. Secretary: M.S. GRANT. Assistant Manager: L. A. PARKER. F Accountant: F. J.L. DUNLOP. Assistant Accountant : E. R. DRYHURST. E BRANCHES :—Znspectors: J. N. ROXBURGH, J. R. DRYHURST, F. E. BAYLIS. q Lonpoon Branco: 18 BIRCHIN LANE, E.C. 4 DrrecrTors : Hon. H. 8. Littleton; H. S. H. Guinness, Esq. ; Lewis W. G. Butler, Esq. 4 ManaGer: F. A. Scrivener. LonpON BANKERS: The Bank of England ; The London County 6 Westminster and Parr’s Bank Ltd. ; Barclays Bank Ltd. \ Branches throughout New South Wales and Queensland. Agencies throughout the World. The Bank issues Drafts, Circular Notes, Travelling Letters of Credit available in any part of the world, allows Interest on Fixed Deposits, and transacts all Usual Banking Business. iv Agricultural Gazette of N.S W. [Sept. 2, 1920. MITCHELL’S FERTILISER SOWER. Mitchell’s Special Light Weight Ploughs. THE popularity of Mitchell’s Light Weight Ploughs is nothing short of marvellous. Made specially for small work, they get over the ground easily and quickty—save much time, labor and money for the producer. Thoroughly reliable, being made in Australia by Mitchell’s, and proved to be just as dependable in their work as Mitchell’s Standard Ploughs are in big work. For Orchards, Gardens, Vineyards, Poisoning, and all Small Work, they are Unmatchable. Mitchell’s Fertiliser Sower is a perfectly sound investment for the potato grower and market gardener, It can be fitted to any a or 3 furrow plough—works easily and effectively—means better crops and bigger profits. Write your name and address on this announcement and post to us and we will forward all particulars—free. NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS. To keep pace with our rapidly expanding business we have been compelled to secure larger and more convenient premises. Will you please note our new location, and any time you are in Sydney visit the new warehouse. Buy Mitchell’s Australian Ploughs and Farm LIGHT, Implements—keep DURABLE, your money DEPENDABLE. ta the Raa gy ABOUT Australian Manufacturers for over 25 years PARRAMATTA ROAD, cr. Burwood Road, BURWOOD ." SYDNEY. Sept. 2, 1920.] ~* f Agricultural Gazette of N SW. SEAMLESS MILK CANS. guy SELL S usp AusTRALIPS Made Goons Milk and Cream Cans MUST be strong. They are constantly subjected to so much bumping and dragging. The new, Buzacott Seamless Can is very strong and durable—easy to clean, and absolutely hygienic, Made of heavy tinned steel with extra wide mouth. SIZES— 5 35 /= 6 & 10 gallons, 37/6 40/- 42/- each. Your name and address on brass plates attached to can, | /3 each, LORD'S PATENT CHURN AND MIXER will make butter in 30 seconds! No beaters ! movement. It works with a rapid shaking Use it as a churn, or for any of these purposes. Ensures a light mixture for cakes—mixes everything at one operation. Beats from one to four dozen eggs ina fraction of the time usually needed. Will mix all classes of Batters rapidly. Makes delightful Apple Snow and Dainties. Get one for your Mixes Squash, Milk Shakes, and other Cooling Summer Drinks, AND MAKES ALL THE BUTTER YOU : 50/- home ... Packed in wooden boxes 13” x 10” x 9”—gross weight, 18 lb. 7.11 Market Street, Sydney; and at 413-415 Adelaide Street, Brisbane. * Always ask for Buzacott Gates and Fences.” V vl Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. FIRST In PEACE. FIRST in WAR. FIRST In the HEARTS of the N.S.W. FARMERS. eee IMPLEMENTS LICITED TORONTO CANADA ee om y ON e% t AB ae THE TRGEST Wes OF HIGH CLASS ARMM BIEMENIIS) Ne The call to-day is for “QUALITY” The matter of price does not carry so much weight with the careful buyer as does the “QUALITY” of the goods--the Qual- ity is remembered long after the Price is forgotten. The Massey-Harris Trademark stands for “QUALEE Massey-Harris_ Im- plements are famous for Efficiency, Dur- ability, Simplicity, Reliability and Economy. A ST Reaper Threshers Binders Mowers, Rakes Cultivators, Seeders Fertiliser Drills (Hoe or Disc) Fertiliser Sowers Disc Harrows Drag Harrows Harrow Carts Corn Planters Corn Shellers Plows, Scufflers Land Rollers Packers Binder Twine Machinery Oil Look for the MASSEY -HARRIS Trademark when buying your Farm Implements. MASSEY- HARRIS CO. LTD. Melbourne, Sydney, South Brisbane, Perth, Christohurch. Sept. 2, 1920: Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. vil BANK OF NEW SOUTH WALES ESTABLISHED 1. up iy Paid-up Capital ¥3 is ¢ . £4,765,700 Reserve Fund ses bas fae .. £3,275,000 Reserve Liability _... ce a) .. £4, 765,700 £12,806,400 DIRECTORS. THE Hon. SmR CHARLES K. MACKELLAR, K.C.M.G., M.L.C., President. Tur Hon. REGINALD J. BLACK, M.L.C. THOMAS BUCKLAND, Esa. CHARLES BINNIE, Esq. ROBERT L. FAITHFULL, Esq., M.D. THE Hon. JAMES T. WALKER. FRANC B. S. FALKINER, Esa. Auditors—A. G. MILSON, Esq., W. H. PALMER, Esa. General Mamager—Sik JOHN RUSSELL FRENCH, K.B.E. Chief Inspectors—C. G. ALFORD, OSCAR LINES. Inspectors—B. M. MOLINEAUX, L. WHITEHEAD, R. T. HILDER, W. POTYS. hief Accountant—W. E. SOUTHERDEN. Secretary—J. A. BRYANT. Solicitors —MrEssrs. ALLEN, ALLEN, & HEMSLEY. Head Office—GEORGE STREET, SYDNEY. W. McRAE, Manager. 1 W.H. SENDALL, Assistant Manager. MELBOURNE—RODERICK MURCHISON, Esq., Advisory Direetor. London Office—29 THREADNEEDLE STREET, E.C. DIRECTORS. Sm FREDERICK GREEN, K.B.E., Chairman. | HERBERT L. M. TRITTON, Ese. W. S. M. BURNS, Esq. H. MELDRUM, Acting Manager. | J. S. CAMPBELL, Asst. Manager. BANKERS. THE BANK OF ENGLAND. LONDON JOINT CITY AND MJDLAND BANK, LTD. BARCLAY’S BANK, LTD, 351 BRANCHES AND AGENCIES New South Wales eee i £- ) New Zealand 55 Queensi/and .. “e Leer = | Tasmania 3 Victoria a... 41 3 South Australia a = 6 Papua .. 2 Western Australia a 10 London — 7 With Agents and Correspondents throughout the World. Cable remittances made to, and Drafts drawn on, Foreign places direct. Foreign Bills negotiated or collected, Letters of Credit and Circular Notes issued, negotiable throughout the world, Viii Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. HERE IS YOUR IDEAL of what an Orchard. Spray Plant ought to be. The Most Practical Outfit of Its Kind Ever Constructed. ‘Perfect Balance’ Power Spray Plant Contains many exclusive features never before built into an orchard spraying outfit. The broad wheels make the outfit easy drawing over soft soil, and easy to turn—can be turned in its own length with perfect safety on level ground or hillside. It is always perfectly balanced, and whether full or empty there is no extra weight on the horse. STRONG—LONG-LASTING—EFFICIENT. lf you have spraying to do you owe it to yourself to write for illustrated Pamphlet describing this machine in detail. COOPER ENGINEERING CO.,.Ltd., 126 Sussex-street Js 7 Sydney. Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Fhe BALTIC ia Ng SEPARATOR = Neamt Bigger Profits for YOU. It Runs Smooth—It Skims Clean. Nh LS oa — “THERES MONEY IN DAIRYING: Get a Baltic and increase your Cream Cheque. Prices from £4 /17/6 upwards. Thirty Days’ Free Trial. ix Easy Terms if desired. The Baltic tic Separator C0., Ltd., 72 Wentworth-avenue - = SYDNEY. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. (Sept. 2, 1920. Waratah Fencing Wire Smiles at Severe Strains, No fence or wire will resist the weight of falling forest giants—but—when you use A Tam (EON THE ORE Waratah wit’ a your fence is guaranteed o “stand un” to the greatest strain. The resisting power of WARATAH WIRE is secured by means of FOUR DISTINOT FEATURES—“ Finest Grade Ore”; “High Manu- facturing Standard”; “‘Thorough Testing.” Waratah Wire costs less and is stronger than imported wire. Waratah Fencing Booklet. It is FREE and contains valuable information. Write for Booklet V. 19. All Storekeepers sell Waratah Wire. AUSTRAL NAIL CO. PTY. LTD. 310 FLINDERS STREET, MELBOURNE, VIC. WIRE MILLS AT NEWCASTLE, N.S.W Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. xi After seven years! “AUTOMATIC” SEPARATOR Pronounced ‘‘as good as ever.”’ SEVEN years’ constant service should suffice to prove the merits of a separator, Mr. E. W. Thompson, of * Littleham,” St. Marys, sends us definite assurance that his “ Automatic” Cream Separator is now working as well as ever—which means that it is SKIMMING PERFECTLY and SAVING LABOUR COSTS. Read his letter. ““ Having one of your “ Auto- matic”? Cream Separators in use continuously for the past seven years in our dairy, it has, in that period, stood the test of time and sevruice—many thousands of gallons have passed through it. It has given every satisfaction. We can- not speak too highly of it, and think it has every merit claimed for it.’’. Order NOW and you will procure an “ Automatic” for £60. Incoming shipments will bear increased costs. Write TO-DAY for the Catalogue which fully illustrates and describes the Separator. 7211 Market Street = = and at 413-415 Adelaide Street, Brisbane. “ Always ask for Buzacott Gates and Fences.” xii Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. ASSETS: HEAD OFFICE : JUNE, 1912: PITT & MOORE £4,514. STREETS, SYDNEY. DEC., 1919: =61,383,387. | Commonwealth ‘Bank of Australta OPEN FOR ALL CLASSES OF General and Savings Bank Business IN THE PRINCIPAL CITIES and TOWNS of Australia, London (2), and Rabaul (New Britain). General Banking Dept. Cable Remittances made to and Drafts drawn on foreign places direct. Foreign Bills negotiated and collected. Letters of Credit issued to any part of the world. Bills negotiated or forwarded for col- lection. Banking and Exchange Business of every description transacted within the Commonwealth, United King- dom, and abroad. Current accounts opened. Interest paid on fixed deposits. Advances made against approved Securities. Savings Bank Dept. Conducted at all Branches and at over 2,802 Post Office Agencies in Australia, Papua, New Britain, Solomon Islands, and the Pacific. Minimum deposit, 1s. Maximum _ Interest-bearing Deposit, £1,300. Rate of Interest, 34 per cent. on amounts up to £1,000; 3 per cent. in excess of £1,000 and not exceeding £1,300. Deposits or Withdrawals may be made at any Branch or Agency. Withdrawals may be made on demand, by post or by telegraph. Transfers arranged from place to place without loss of interest. Interchangeable facilities with P.O. Savings Banks in United Kingdom and New Zealand. PUBLIC SAFE DEPOSIT—SYDNEY. JAMES KELL, DePpuTY GOVERNOR. Sir DENISON MILLER, K.C.M.G,, GOVERNOR JULY, 1920 Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. xiii Australia’s Wealth largely dependent on her wool output. Among the nations, Australia enjoys the distinction of being known as the Land of the Golden Fleece. In providing this great source of national wealth, it is the pastoralist who accepts the risks of drought and disease. His fortunes are swayed by every climatic change. It is therefore incumbent on him to realise fair prices for his clips. The P.F.A. is an organisation of pastoralists banded together for better results. Their interests are identical with yours. _ Their long experience and wide knowledge of wool and its markets are at your command. A trial consignment will convince of the P.F.A.’s ability to increase your returns cheque. Pastoral Finance Association, Ltd. Phillip Street————-SYDNEY xiv Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920:. Study Your Pocket! “AUTO” MILKING MACHINES. } Will cut out the present cowshed drudgery, and enormously increase your income. Hundreds of farmers are using them to their benefit, and are constantly testifying to their value. CAN YOU AFFORD TO IGNORE THESE STATEMENTS: ‘‘Has given me every satisfaction.’’ ‘““Much ahead of other milking machines.” “They are splendid for heifers.” ‘Do not injure the cows.” “I am absolutely satisfied.” ‘““Greatly exceeds our expectations.” “Cows much prefer the machines.’ Let us show you why these people are pleased, and why, if you are still handmilking, YOU ARE LOSING MONEY. Send us a postcard and we will send you full particulars. THE FARMERS’ FERTILIZERS. CORPORATION, Lr, 31 HUNTER STREET - - = SYDNEY. ~ Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. ¥ sy din dee ta iL. Be. CARBONATE OF LIME FERTILIZER The finest ground of all fertilizers, therefore going the farthest. PRICE—on trucks, Portland—36/- per ton (14 bags) Miles. In truck lots, - In ton lots, Ruy. FREIGHT—PER TON ... 50 meu 4/4 ie 6/9 a a foo 100 Ee 5/7 aoe 11°8 vs y ee 200 ce 6/5 oe 18,5 5 a ... 300 ooh 8/4 ©, 22/7 6 tons and over eae 48/6 per ton. PRICE F.O.B. Sydney { 2 tons and under 6 See 56/- + 1 ton lots * 60/- ,, The U.S.A. Agricultural Dept. found that fields treated with lime produced an average of 14 tons of hay an acre more than unlimed fields—in tests of Carbonate of Lime, conducted by the farm bureau, through the county agent, in Ohemung County, N.Y. A farmer who used 1 ton of Carbonate of Lime to the acre secured 4,840 lbs. of cured hay, compared to 1,208 lbs. on an unlimed acre. Another, who applied 700 lbs. of lime to an acre, obtained 6,292 lbs. against 1,461 lbs. on an unlimed acre. Lay ae 2 cwt. P7 at 9s. 3d. per cwt. cost ... et ee inay ool: NG The increases in yield and resultant profits after deduction of the cost of the fertiliser were as follows :— Fertiliser. mec Msailie' Profit. tons cwt. i i8:) ode fo \Raerds Basic superphosphate 2 14 30 12 0 29 13 6 Superphosphate ... 1 14 20 8 0 19,15 6 Lee (ieee ace oe 0-"ne 116 0 OT 8 In estimating the profit, hay was valued at £12 per ton. This is con- sidered a fair average for the past season; in the early part. of the season the value was approximately £1), while during the last month settlers received as high as £19 per ton. Seven cuts were obtained over a period of eight months; the first was obtained on 15th October, 1919, and the last on 3rd May, 1920. Yields were as follow :— Fertiliser per acre.| Istcut. | 2ndcut. 3rd cut. | 4theut. | 5theut. | 6th cut. |7thceut.| Total. t.. c. q. lb.) t. c. q. Ib. t. ¢. q. Ib:/'t. @. q-1b.| t. ¢. q. Ib. t. c. q. Ib.Jc. q. Ib.) t. c..q. Ib. Basic superphos- | phate °... s(LIL0 8/2 0224) 42 10UMEeL20)1 63 O}1 10 4|150 0/9 61 O Superphosphate ...,1 9016 /117016T1 03 4) 1 7216/1 80 4/016316/98 4/8 9120 IMP wap Sestelenes O) Oh) L10).0 0016216 1 1320)019216|012224| 9024! 618016 No manure ol ho2e 22) 2 71016) 0 LS: 1 Le eeeaso 6/019216 015112/10 2 24) 615014 Farm 327.—On this farm plots of lucerne growing on-a sandy loam were top-dressed with superphosphate at the rate of 1 and 2 ewt. peracre respec- tively during May, 1919, methods similar to those applied to Farm 338 being adopted. On inspection in September, the manured plots showed increased growth over the unmanured, in places the lucerne being quite 6 inches taller. This extra growth was noticeable right throughout the season. Owing to the heavy winds, which prevailed during the curing of the hay after the second and third cuts, blowing the cocks about and mixing those of the different plots, only three cuts which were comparable by weighing were obtained. Showery weather interfered with the making of the last cut into Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 611 ROD ET YY IRS RLS = Lucerne top-dressed with Superphosphate at Mr. J. Hetherington’s farm, Leeton: Cutting the third growth of the Season. The effects of top-dressing at Leeton. A heavy crop in cocks. On the way to Market. 612 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. hay, and the weight of this cut was not taken, but from the appearance of all three cuts the plot manured with 2 cwt. superphosphate would have given the heaviest yields. As in the other plots the crop was watered once during each growing period. Although this may have been sufficient for this particular land, on a heavier class of soil the crop would have required water much oftener. Yields were as follow :— Fertiliser per acre. Ist cut. | t. ic; qv lames. g.lbs| en qalb tcCondaltn 2 ewt. superphosphate ... af 2 16) TW VORieeS: 3.07) 19s Rae! Paes beet 1 ewt. sg a eas ae coe 2”) Geli, Po Ole LOR sae b2, oT hae No manure 2 POs 128 | OG 1 0 | 14 ary | 260 9 From the results obtained it is very evident that the top-dressing of lucerne is a payable proposition—more especially in such a season as that just ended. Central Coast. J. M. PITT, Assistant Inspector of Agriculture. Tue following farmers co-operated with the Department in conducting trials with top-dressing of lucerne during the season 1919-20 :— R. Richardson, Mondrook, Manning River. V. Murray, “ Pigeon Grove,” Pampoolah, Lower Manning. A. Smith & Atkins Bros., Bandon Grove, Dungog. August, September, and a part of October were dry months, but there was a good rainfall, though patchy, during November. From December onward the rainfall was heavy, and more even in character, over the greater portion of the coast. The Pampoolah plots were unfortunate in missing the earlier showers. A dry spell during the third growth at Mondrook considerably reduced the yields, although the top-dressed sections still maintained their increased growth. Mondrook. Soil, deep alluvial ; lucerne established about four years ; stand fairly good and even; field biog for hay and green fodder, the latter usually being mown in bections and carted off. The object of “vn top- dressing was to obtain increased growth. Fertiliser applied by hand on 17th August, 1919, after the winter growth had been removed and field given a cultivation ; harrowed after top-dressing. Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 613 Weicur of Green Fodder per acre. Top-dressing Ist Cutting, 2nd Cutting, 3rd Cutting, 4th Cutting,* on 20th October, 24th November, ist January, 17th February, th August, 1919. 1919, 1919. 1920. 1920, ae : i ee SAAS BE sek SO AR tee. oq. Tb. |temmmamaee tb: to ve. qa Thy it.) examine 2 ewt. superphosphate... 5 19 2 8/6 2 0 14)3 2 0 25/5 110 #5 ae 35 | D2) 2) 4 | AO 2a 2 S288) 12 A Gente ee No manure hd aout 2 O (| tse econ Ooi 1s 120) | Rane hater 0) | Le] pape "a Coa mT Lea, Te Ta a Rainfall for each cutting | from Ist August | 406 points. | 13? points. 219 points. 1,259 points | | * A further growth was used for cow fodder and not weighed. ee | s - ie whe | | Nie Approximate Fertil'ser. | Total Yields. | foe one ue Monetary | ia a Return. * | te: Cm ee bee etsmes. Gq. alls 5.8 ‘2 ewt. superphosphate ... 20 14 3 24 | 8 7 120) Lome Lge . cece 6 Oe: 2 davis al are 0) 2 Ss 2@ No manure ... ee seit LQ). ° FRA yes bas 00 vcha il * Green fodder valued at 15s. per ton; superphosphate at 5s. 3d. per cwt. With an application of 2 cwt., this farmer had thus at his disposal an increase of over 8 tons of green fodder per acre, which would be equal to 23 tons of hay ; at recent high prices for hay this would represent approxi- mately a profit of £44. In the case of the 1 ewt. of superphosphate, the increase of green fodder was over 4 tons per acre, and in hay this would mean nearly 1} tons, approximately a profit of £21. Observations made during growth also showed that the stand had been considerably strengthened, and the plants maintained a dark green growth throughout. Pampoolah. Soil, rich, deep, heavy loam ; stand established five years ago, becoming thin through grazing ; occasionally cut for hay ; early spring growth grazed ; field cultivated and fertiliser applied 24th October, 1919, and harrowed in. The object of top-dressing was to thicken the stand and increase the growth. WEIGHT of Green Fodder per acre. Fertiliser | Yield, Increase due to i | 19th February, 1920. Fertiliser ime rbaotbs | t. G.q. Voy 2cwt. superphosphate .... 5 1 0 8 Irene sts i a | Oe Ors! 0 ONENESS No manure ... Wn iy 3), | ay ee Dia at Neen ie be ‘ Probably owing to its geographical situation, Pampoolah was not favoured with the same rainfall as the sections nearer the hills consequently it was 614 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. found impossible to obtain the weights of more than one growth. Owing to the dry conditions and scarcity of cattle feed, the other growths were grazed. ‘The top-dressed sections were conspicuous with their increased and richer-coloured growth. Bandon Grove. Soil, deep rich light loam ; stand established about four years, and still good ; field used for hay and green fodder ; after removal of winter growth, field harrowed and cultivated ; top-dressing applied in mid-August. The object of the experiment was to obtain increased yields. Werceut of Green Fodder per acre. 2nd Cutting, 3rd Cutting, 4th Cutting, Fertiliser. Ist Cutting. | 18th December, 27th January, | 24th February, | 5th Cutting. | % 1919. 1920. 1920. } | f;) c. qb: ames ude Lb- s/t. enmgiae Ds 2 cwt. superphos- Not 5 0. l Taio. 3 12) 4 16.3 44 Nay phate. | weighed | weighed, No manure a 5 8-0) Sie. 2 16.) 4 52 oe - | The increase due to the top-dressing was 1 ton 9 cwt. 1 qr. 12 lb. The first growth was not weighed owing to the field having been unevenly cut previously ; this also influenced the second growth. It was particularly noticeable on these plots that the treated sections matured earlier than the untreated. The third cutting benefited by the most consistent rainfall, and the top-dressed plot in consequence showed the greatest increase for this period. Some Comments on Top-dressing. In addition to the results detailed above, the following points may also be worthy of consideration by farmers who contemplate carrying out this valuable treatment of their lucerne stands. 1. T.e Successful Trials Conduc ed at Glen Innes.—I\n these comparatively poor, heavy black soils—barely 6 inches deep and overlying a stiff, retentive subsoil—the following increases in yield were obtained in the seasons 1916-17-18 from applications of fertiliser :-— 1 cwt. superphosphate... e ... 3 tons 19 ewt. 2 uh aa ee oa 12 ” ” * ” 9 These results were obtained with a growing period of 244 days and a 30-inch rainfall, and represented a monetary profit of £2 14s. in one case and £5 4s. in the other, estimating green fodder at 15s. per ton and super- phosphate at 5s. 3d. per ewt. It seems only reasonable to believe that on soils more suitable for lucerne culture, and in districts with a greater and more certain rainfall, the results would be quite as satisfactory. 2. Profitab’e Lengthening of the Life of Certain Fields.—Many stands of lucerne are hardly profitable enough to maintain after a certain number of ears though quite good enough to be persevered with for a small monetary Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 615 outlay while ether fields are being established. This is especially the case where lucerne fields are periodically used for grazing cattle, the stands becoming thinned by injudicious grazing and neglect. Applications of superphosphate in cases such as these have given highly satisfactory results, by considerably strengthening the stand and encouraging a much more vigorous growth. The top-dressing of fields badly infested with couch grass, paspalum, or nut grass is not recommended, as superphosphate acts as a stimulant to them as well as to the lucerne. The best remedy in such cases is the plough. 3. The Certainty of Greatly Increasing the Output.—In days gone by it was almost a common occurrence to hear of lucerne fields ranging up to 20 years of age. These were sown mostly on the rich, deep virgin soils bordering the northern coastal rivers. Of recent years, however, it is only on rare occasions that one comes across a field profitable at half that age, the majority averaging between four and seven years. No doubt the advent of the cow, enabling money to be earned more easily, has been responsible for a certain amount of laxity in the growing of crops such as lucerne. Through the humus content being gradually depleted by the continuous growing of such crops as maize and sorghum, and the adoption of other unsound cultural methods, the soil has naturally decreased in fertility. These, in conjunction with the sowing of inferior seed and the careless handling of established lucerne fields, are some of the primary causes of latter-day failures. Further, there is a mistaken idea, prevalent among growers, that a lucerne field requires no further attention than perhaps the usual cultivation given early in the spring, and that it naturally increases in fertility. Being a legume, these farmers argue, the lucerne can gather nitrogen from the air and enrich the soil; moreover, say they, its wonderful root system can traverse a wide area in the soil in search of other necessary plant foods. All these things are undoubtedly true; but to be profitable, and to be continuously so, ‘lucerne requires attention as much as any other crop, and the farmer who would lengthen the life of his stand and also derive from it the maximum return while it is with him, will take care of it and neglect nothing that will invigorate and maintain it. That the plant responds to the application of superphosphate has been demonstrated in various trials. Top-dressing at the rate of 2 cwt. per acre early in the spring has proved most advantageous. A mixture of | ewt. superphosphate and 3 ewt. sulphate of potash has also given very promising results. Top-dressing experiments have barely passed the initial stages, and there is every probability that when further trials (based on the analysis of the soil, the plant’s requirements, climatic and other conditions) have been made, a fertiliser will be revealed that will not only give greater and more lasting yields, but with periodical applications will considerably lengthen the life of the stand. 616 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. Advantages of Top-dressing. 1. Quick response, fields becoming green long before untreated sections show any change. 2. Thickening of the stand. 3. Reduced coarseness in the stem. 4. Growth more succulent, richer and darker green in colour. 5. Growth matures earlier. 6. Growth maintained throughout the season with one application. . Greatly increased yields. 8. Freedom from insect and fungus pests. 9, Less apparent weed growth. 10. Greatly increased growth during periods of heaviest rainfall, showing its value under irrigation. Disadvantage. Top-dressed paddocks are less resistant to dry spells than untreated plots, probably owing to the increase in surface root system. THe VALUE OF FARM ACCOUNTS. Tw all cases accounts are a valuable source of information, and in most cases they save money. One of the main objects in keeping accounts is that the farmer may know at regular intervals how he stands, and to what extent his farm is paying. Knowledge of the facts is the first step toward economy, and the proper control of expenses and of the whole financial side of the farm business.—H. G. Hows tt, in the Journal of the Ministry of Agriculture, London. PROFITABLE FARMING DEPENDS ON THREE THINGS. Tue profitableness of the farm business depends on three things—ample production, minimum cost of production, and adequate prices. Adequate production at minimum cost involves more efficient methods and economical operations. Factors in this are—better utilisation of the soil ; more intelli- gent use of fertilisers ; the use of better seed ; the growing of more productive strains and varieties; better methods of preventing soil erosion; more effective methods of combating insect pests, plants, and animal diseases ; the produc- tion of more and better grades of live stock ; better utilisation of forage and roughage and waste materials on the farms ; better maintenance of soil fertility by conserving soil moisture and manure ; a greater use of legumes in rotations and as companion or intertilled crops; and the greater use of machinery and practical mechanical power on farms. The problem of securing’ for the farmer prices which will enable him to maintain production is a more difficult one. Attention must be given to better and more economical methods of grading, storing, marketing, and distributing farm products. The Department of Agriculture is organised to develop each of these essential factors for making the business of farming. more profitable by making production and marketing more efficient and economical.—E, T. Mrerepirn, Secretary of Agriculture, U.S.A. \ Sept.'2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Spraying as a Preventive for Blow-flies. TRIALS AT T'RANGIE EXPERIMENT FARM. A. H. MacDOUGALL, Manager. [The Experiments Supervision Committee, under whose control these experiments are being conducted, wish to draw attention to the fact that final conclusions cannot yet be drawn from these trials, as they have only been conducted for two years. They are published now, it being recognised that the public are entitled to know the results obtained. | THE experiments in connection with the prevention of blow-fly attacks on sheep were continued this year, the same specifics being used as in previous years. The sheep used in the trials were 342 flock Merino breeding ewes that had been mated during November and December, 1919. They were divided into four groups, the treatment of the respective groups being as follows :— Group 1.—Eighty-six sheep treated with a proprietary powder dip containing arsenic and sulphur. Group 2.—Highty-six sheep treated with | ib. arsenic to 50 gallons of water, Group 3.—Eighty-five sheep treated with a proprietary liquid dip having carbolic acid as its basis. Group 4.—Highty-five sheep not treated, as a basis of comparison. The sheep were sprayed in a race specially constructed for the purpose, a hand force-pump with hose and nozzle being used. The sheep were sprayed three times, viz., on 7th November, 30th December, and 10th February. At the first spraying two pints of each mixture were used on each sheep, at the second spraying two and a half pints, and at the third three pints. This increase was necessitated by the increase in the quantity of wool that had to be saturated on the second and third occasions. The blow-fly commenced to be active early in March, but as the sheep were then in poor condition and forward in lamb, no further spraying could be made. During the latter end of March and the whole of the months of April and May, the flies were very numerous, and could hardly have been worse. In. the stud flocks on the farm, men were daily employed solely dressing blown sheep. The sheep used in these trials were allowed to go without treatment until it was necessary to treat them to save their lives. It was observed that once a sheep was struck the dressings used appeared to make no difference in the way of reducing their destructive progress or their numbers. The benefit derived by the treatments appeared to be in the prevention of attacks, and in this respect the carbolic dip used on Group 3 stood out as the best used in the trials. 618 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. From my observations this season, I would recommend that once a sheep is observed to be affected it should be treated at once. The best method, I find, is to shear the affected part fairly close all round, and well into the unaffected wool, and apply the carbolic dip in the proportion of 1 part dip to 10 parts water. If the flesh is raw, a weaker dilution should be used. The efficiency of the various applications is indicated by the number of sheep that had to be treated for blow-fly infestation after the sprayings had ceased. The records show that between 13th April and 19th May the numbers in the various groups that had to be treated and dressed for infestation were :— Spraying Mixture. No. Treated, Percentage. Group 1 ...! Proprietary dip containing arsenic and sulphur ae 23 26°74 » 2 ...| Simple arsenic solution a 23 26°74 s, 93. ...! Proprietary dip having carbolic hae acid as basis ot a 14 16°46 _ 4...) Not sprayed ih. ae Soe 37 43°52 THE CASTRATION OF LAMBS. ‘THE operation of castrating lambs, as it is carried out by many farmers and station owners, lately came under the criticism of a farmer in the Taree district, on the grounds of the pain inflicted on the animals. The following paragraph on the subject, provided by the veterinary officers of the Stock Branch, will be of interest to owners of stock. “The castration of all animals involves considerable pain, no matter what method is used. Ideally it could be largely prevented, but owing to economic and practical difficulties it is never likely to be entirely avoided. The method of castrating lambs by pulling with the teeth is simply one of custom, and could be replaced by cutting the spermatic cord in place of tearing it off. The fact that the blood-vessels are ruptured instead of being cut clean acts as a preventive to hemorrhage, though this is not likely to be great with such young animals, and could be avoided by using a small emasculator. The use of the teeth could well be replaced by using small clamps. Theoretically, it is probable that more pain is inflicted by tearing than by simple cutting and crushing, and there is no doubt the old custom of pulling out by the teeth will gradually be superseded by the methods mentioned above, but the process will be slow, and depends on education. So far as the operation goes, there is no advantage in tearing out.” A DAM THAT DID NoT “ HOLD.” We have a new dam in red soil which does not hold quite as well as it should, though it is better since the sheep have trampled it in. Would you tell me how you would puddle it ? The question came from the central west, and the Department’s Overseer of Works, presuming that the seepage was. at the sides, advised the corres- pondent to cut a trench 18 inches wide and the full depth of the dam, and to fill this with clay, ramming each layer of 6 inches hard. Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 619 Some Advantages of a Rough Surface in Cultivation. J. T. PRIDHAM, Plant Breeder. THE rough surface as a method of cultivation has been advocated in the past, and no apology is needed for introducing the subject afresh, Conservation of moisture is only one of the objects of cultivation; though, perhaps, in our climate it is the most important. Soil texture is hardly less necessary for the growth of plants, for it ensures proper aeration for the feeding roots. A common notion of an ideal cultivated surface is that of the proverbial onion bed, but while we require a finely-divided soil for the germination of small seeds, tiie cultivation given after the seedling starts to grow should be somewhat different. If loose surface particles were the main object in cultivation a layer of sand should provide the right conditions. It has been noticed by the writer, however, that where sand has drifted or been washed over the surface the crop is not superior to that growing on the soil in its natural state, but rather the reverse. Of course, cases happen where the stormwater that accompanies the sand causes extra growth, but usually the effect is rather detrimental than otherwise. During the present season the abundant winter rains following the drought have, in some cases, caused the soil to go out of condition or to lose its tilth. A farmer who walks over his land likes to feel his heel sink into a soft soil. Land that does not give under the tread is deficient in texture, and the question arises how best to get the soil back in some degree to its previous condition during the current season. A heavy harrowing will help to some extent in the case of wheat and such crops, but where inter-tillage is possible, as in orchards, and where crops are grown in rows, we can assist nature by the choice of suitable implements. A disc cultivator, or one that leaves the soil in fine condition, whiie valuable under certain conditions, is not called for where soil has become solidly crusted together or has become water-logged under the crop. A tool that produces the ideal surface is a pronged hoe, and among cultivators a machine with narrow teeth ; in some soils the spring-tooth type does the best work. The aim should be to leave the surface covered with clods rather than in the fine condition in which it will run together again after the first rain. For weedy land, a machine that leaves the ground torn up in a ridged or corrugated condition is best. Cultivating means that while the crop occupies the land we lose the use of the top 2 or 3 inches. In what form should this spare soil lie? A rough surface provides better percolation and drainage for rain, cooler conditions for the roots as the warm weather approaches, and better aeration, and consequently 620 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. increased bacterial action. Some soils remain cloddy throughout the season, but others are self-mulching, the clods gradually crumbling and providing fine moist soil some 3 inches down where it is most required by the rootlets. A new light has been thrown on the subject of cultivation by Mr. C. M. Hutchinson, Imperial Agricultural Bacteriologist, at Pusa, India. In Bulletin 68, he says :—‘‘ During the cold weather in Bihar, when the rabi crops are,in the ground, the nitrate formed in the soil is brought to the surface by the capillary rise and evaporation of soil water, so that in an untilled soil about 90 per cent. of the whole nitrate present in the first 18 inches of soil is concentrated in the first quarterinch. This emphasises the need for cultivation during this period of the year, not only to minimise loss of water by evaporation, but to prevent the concentration of the available nitrogenous plant food in such a superficial layer, and the consequent forma- tion of a shallow root system so characteristic of plants in a badly cultivated. soil, and specially noticeable in the case of cold weather cereals of normally deep-rooting habit, such as wheat.” The restriction of growth by caking of the surface is therefore not alone due to lack of soil aeration. It has been remarked that seeds sown in a depression do not germinate nearly so well as those surmounted by a convex soil surface. The cause would appear to be lack of aeration and drainage. The ordinary wheat drill deposits the seed in a tiny hollow, with a ridge on either side of a row of grain. It has been our experience in hand-sowings of wheat that seed under a slight ridge comes up better than that sown in a hollow. If the drill was so constructed that the seed was deposited under a ridged surface a better germination would certainly follow in circumstances where a good fall of rain succeeded the sowing. Judgment must be exercised in regard to deep cultivation when the warm weather begins. If the lumps are too large, it méans considerable evaporating surface and loss of moisture at a time when the crop can ill aftord it. It may seem like going into fine points and unnecessary expense for a farmer to have more than one type of plough and cultivator on his place, but we cannot expect fertilisers to do everything. Successful soil manage- ment consists in using the right class of implement just at the right time. With good selected seed and fertiliser, and reasonably good land, the farmer can be fairly sure of getting the best returns possible, provided he uses judgment in the working of his land. The mechanical condition of the soil is being more studied in conjunction with bacteriology, as we are coming to realise that it is by no means the lifeless, inert matter we used to think. NrGro Country AGENTS. Extension work among negroes is now undertaken in the United States by the Department of Agriculture, 220 negro agents (163 men and 57 women) working for the increase of the agricultural output of their coloured people. The result is increasingly beneficial ; an officer of the Department records that the negro agent’s work last year, in twenty-three counties of Virginia, reached 14,000 negro farmers. Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 621 Farmers’ Experiment Plots. Potato EXPERIMENTS, 1919-20. Central Western District. B. C. MEEK, Assistant Inspector of Agriculture. Tue following farmers co-operated with the Department in carrying out potato experiments during 1919-29 G. W. Kelly, Caves Roads, Oberon. N.S. Meek, Lindfield, Hobby’s Yards. W. Burns, Goongawarrie, Carcoar. E. Blackburn, Belar Creek, Warkton. J. L. B. Forster, Firenze, Coolah.* J. I. Renshaw, Hampton Park, Binnaway.* G. J. Douglas, Fairtield, Coovabarabran.* The home of the potato is America, and the parts to which it is native are the cool, high regions with good rainfall. It will be noted in the following results that the higher the altitude and the better the rainfall the greater the retyrns. Whole seed gave a remarkable increase in yield over cut seed of the same weight, which confirms similar results obtained in the previous year. Not only was the germination superior, but the plants looked to yield better at all stages of growth. Cultivation methods were similar in all cases, deep ploughing being practised in the autumn and the plots worked with cultivator and harrow as required between that time and sowing. Sets of from 1} to ‘2 oz were sown in the furrows, about 4 inches in depth and 15 inches apart, the rows being 2 feet 6 inches apart. Manure was sown along the furrows by hand at the rate of 2 ewt. per acre. Spring sowing was made at Warkton, but the other three areas were sown in November, the month in which sowing is generally made in those locali- ties. Grub and scab were only moderately in evidence, the latter being that usually associated with alkaline soils. Fly (Rutherglen bug) must have considerably reduced the yields through attacking the young green shoots of the plants when at the early stage of growth. It was noticed that the fly exercised discrimination in the choice of food—damaging Satisfaction con- siderably more than Sussex and other coarse-growing varieties, Rabbits, though generally neglectful of potato tops in a normal season, also ate off the finer varieties, and passed by such as Blue Manhattan. Details of the Plots. Oberon.—The area sown bere has been in continuous cultivation for over twenty-five years, and constantly during that time either a winter or a summer crop has been raised, care being taken to grow cereals, peas, and potatoes, in rotation suited to its requirements and the market conditions. Sheep were used to graze off any vegetation between crops. *At these places the season was so unfav ourable as to necessitate the cancellation of the experiments. 622 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. Hobby’s Yards.—The land here was pasture which had been broken up the season before for potatoes, but which had not been used. Ideal conditions were obtained for a good crop, but the early vigorous growth was checked by insufficient moisture during the flowering and growing time of the tuber. Carcoar.—The same remark applies to the land here also, the crop being on an area which had been allowed to go back to grazing for a couple of years. The Varieties Reviewed. Carman, Early Rose, and Manhattan have done well for several seasons, and Factor and Early Manistee are worthy of further trial. Up-to-Date, Queen of the Valley, and Surprise only seem to do well when the season is a long one. ‘fhe consistently worst varieties are Sussex, Satisfaction, and Coronation, in that order, and these could well be eliminated from tests in the Central Tablelands. As the source of seed for the experimental plots ~ varies, and no effort is made to improve or even maintain the productiveness of some varieties, it is quite probable that, given attention along these lines, the bad reputation of some may be reversed, as they must have had some qualification to recommend them when first produced and put upon the market. Carman No. 1 was introduced into the Romsey (Vic.) district from America by Mr. H. W. Cook about 1895, and was used by this Department in 1913, as it was one of the best early varieties, giving general satisfaction. The potato called “Carman” in the tests under review is different to Carman No. 1 as first used, the tuber being more oblong in shape and the plant producing a greater growth of foliage. Early Manistee—also an early American variety, and introduced by Mr. J. E. Cook (Vic.) in 1908—assumes a more fiattened shape when grown on the tablelands. Factor, an English variety, has a good clean skin with shallow eyes, and has superior table qualities to Up-to-Date, which it resembles. Resutts of Potato Variety Trials.* Variety. Oberon. Hobby’s Yards. Carcoar. Belar Creek. ti) c. q.° Tb..\) Ceaeag, lb.) 6. Grigio eerie a Carman ... ty, (4.0, 24) 4 eOe 0.) Level 70) Stites ele rOLO Up-to-Date neo 2 2164) SSO LTE Bh eras ie One Early Roce {fel Sei Wy Balls a fae: to 22 OE RN Rm LAG 0 20 Queen of the Valley gO De L716 |e Seielieay 24°. 1/0)y One DeRose re eters. = Surprise ... aoe O 3 Ose 0 | Ge We i ereeesece Manhattan OD, 7 26° D4 DCMS! | Lf, V2 ae ae sea ces Satisfaction 2 4. So a5) O):| Pek ae 2)! S72. 0. Sussex ; foe ee 19 O° Qh) | Ames v4: | 0 AOR eee aeeeoee Early Manistee ... eet 18 2 (By SABO MOR 20% |: 5 tds Ot Nee ares Brownell’s Beauty “ci / 0 gan Zero LS hk GeO a rineeneae Factor... bs eh) a RM Oo 6.55 cig: RG I eI Se 2 DLS ORO) Coronation Bs aH L Iie vee sieee'so}! > bE Aaa Le ORAL 2 8 ATR ese eee “The plots were fertilised with 2 cwt. P7 mixture (equal parts of superphosphate and bonedust) per acre. Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 623 Resutts of Potato Manurial Trials (Variety, Manhattan). Manures and Mixtures. Oberon. Hobby’s Yards. Carcoar, it. eo: Gualipaaistecce gq.) Lbs Me a q. ; Zicwite ESaenc AD) .) \D\) 2 MMA ees SN SANS cs entry 2 ewt. P7**. a 5) 7 DAR rons Stal Suleiman ae 2 cwt. superphosphate Der: Oi 2 eee onsale ON| Nee ndin eee INommaniresiwholescean... (4 3 OMe m2 vol) ZO tS Os No manure; cut seed 30) (ORAL ORS! YO") Olas 208420 *The mixture P8 consists of equal parts of superphosphate and blood and bone P7 consists of equal parts superphosphate and bonedust. Vauues of different Fertilisers compared. Average Increase Value of Cost of Fertilisers and Price per ton. Yield Increase Fertiliser Net Gain. due to Fertiliser. | at£15 per ton. applied. } | ce. q. lb. Soe. 1. fis, cd ES Cards P8 (£10 10s.) 1 3s 818 0 Dd) Oi 1 Gade Ve P7 (£9 10s.) eel 10: O25 ml "6 019 0 612 0 Superphosphate (£5 1 28: 6d.) “| 7 31 518 0 Oily 26°59 RAINFALL during Growing Period. Month. Oberon. | ee pee i Carcoar. Month. Eee | 1919. Points. | Points. | Points. || 1919. | Points. November .,| Nil. 91 38 August “| 220 December ...| 349 237 229 September ...) 20 1920. October 7 45 January SD D2 234 || November 42 February 64 | 26 55 December 83 March 141 95 74 April... 220 176 | 169 Total 1,056 837 | 799 Total 310 South Coast. R. N.. MAKIN, Inspector of Agriculture. Two experimental plots of potatoes were sown on the South Coast last season : these were on the farms of Mr. J. H. Martin, Pambula, and Mr. E. T. Kelly, “ Wairview,” Bega. Previous experience, extending over a period of ten years, has shown that a good deal of risk of loss generally attends the spring-sown crop, owing to the hot and rainy weather which usually obtains in December, when the crop is ready to be lifted, favouring the spread of wet rot. Such weather condi- tions marked last season, and heavy losses occurred, not only on the 624 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. experiment plots, but on farms throughout the whole length of the South Coast. Consequently many farmers found the Sydney market unsatisfactory, as buyers hesitated to purchase South Coast potatoes because of their unreliable keeping qualities. Of the many potato crops grown in this district (on the experiment plots and elsewhere) during the last ten years, comparatively few have been found profitable, owing to losses due to fungus diseases. Certainly, instances can be quoted where excellent returns have been obtained when weather conditions have been favourable, but the experience of the Department is that other crops, such as maize, sorghum, millet, or vegetables like sweet potatoes, peas, or tomatoes, would have been more profitable. It might be stated that no experiments have been carried out in late sowings—say, in February. Such a planting—provided good seed could be secured—might prove more profitable, as the crop would mature in the cooler weather. As a rule, however, there would be difficulty in obtaining the seed for such a sowing. To plant an acre of potatoes, about 10 cwt. of seed is required, and this, added to the cost of preparing the ground and the subsequent cultivating, makes the venture an expensive one in comparison with other crops. In normal times, an acre of potatoes planted under average conditions represents an outlay of £7, but of late years, owing to the higher price of seed, the figure is much larger. During the last ten years, the work on the potato experiment plots in this district has included trials of a good many varieties of potatoes and of a number of different mixtures of artificial manures in varying quantities. Perhaps some of the best results have been those obtained at Pambula, on Mr. J. H. Martin’s farm. Of varieties, Manhattan and Satisfaction have been under test in five experiments, and have given an average yield of 5 tons 13 ewt.3 qrs. 5 lb, and 4 tons 5 ewt, 3 qrs. 19 lb. per acre respec- tively. These returns are certainly good, but we found Manhattan a poor keeper and inclined to be soapy. Satisfaction, on the other hand, was of fair quality, but it was frequently found that the larger tubers were hollow in the centre and sometimes carried brown fleck. Four tests with Up-to-Date and Carman No, | returned an average of 4 tons 12 cwt, 26 lb. and 4 tons 18 ewt. 3 qrs. 19 lb. per acre respectively. These two white-skinned varieties have been very satisfactory at times, but a good deal of second growth has been noted oczasionally. Three tests with Early Manistee yielded an average of 3 tons 9 cwt. 1 qr. 25 lb. per acre. While this variety is not a heavy yielder, it is perhaps the best as regards table quality, and, on account of its earliness, can be lifted before the December rains cause fungus troubles to become acute. Many other varieties have been tried, but those mentioned have been found to be the best. In manuring the crops in tests over a period of five years, P5 mixture (4 parts superphosphate and 1 part sulphate of potash) gave an average return of 2 tons 2 ewt. 1 qr. 23 |b. per acre over the plots sown without manure. The quantity of this manure used was 24 cwt. per acre, at a cust of about 17s. 6d. Not only was the yield increased by its application, but Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 625 the quality of potatoes from the manured plots was much superior. Mixtures containing bonedust and different quantities of superphosphate have also been tried and have all shown to advantage against the unmanured section, but the P5 mixture generally gave the best results. During the past season the yields per acre from the two plots referred to were as follows :— TABLE showing Results of Manuriai Trials. J. H. Martin, | Manure per acre. | E. T. Kelly, Bega. _ Panbila: tiepede. Ib. hb. Ose Gawd *P8, 3 cwt. alse 0 Des Soave P5, 24 cwt. Ae eit s = + coh (Oboe (0) Leg weit lie 940) P7, 3 cwt. - cat > J jb SIRS AS eh) 7S 1a aes No manure Se ah 322 qe OES OT MO) ed etSy (Oem aO Superphosphate, 5 ewt. | Re ed a GQ ee Qn 3g i 4 ewt. eR “20 8 I20) 16 5 3 cwt. Tesi 2 24> | 8) 4 24 OSS@O Rainfall, 13°22 inches. * P5 mixture is made up of 4 parts superphosphate and 1 part sulphate of potash ; P7, of equal parts superphosphate and bonedust; and P8, of equal parts superphosphate and blood and bone. The Bega plot was on land that was covered by sand brought down by flood waters. It was thought by working the sand into the soil—a good alluvial deposit--good results would be obtained. The crop grew well but most of the tubers were lost by wet rot in December. The Pambula plot was situated on a piece of ground which had not been cropped for many years, and was in fact practically new ground, having been built up by the silt brought down by flood waters. Nearly 8 inches of rain fell in December and the potatves were starting to rot when they were dug. The returns on the Pambula plot are interesting, inasmuch as the effect of the superphosphate was here most marked. No doubt the slower action of the bonedust in the P7 and P8 sections was accountabie for the decreased yield in those sections, while the results on the P5 section show that the 24 cwt. superphosphate used here was not enough. On the Bega plots it will be seen the yields from the manured plots out- stripped those from the unmanured plots in spectacular fashion, The Pd section looked particularly well; as already mentioned, however, the crop practically rotted. ‘The variety used in. each place was Up-to-Date. No potato experiments are being conducted on the South Coast this season ; attention is to be given to more profitable crops. TLUCERNE’S INCREASING POPULARITY IN CANADA. Lucerve is becoming one of the most important pasture and forage crops in Canada. In 1915, something like 98,000 acres were under lucerne, but last year the area had increased to 228,000 acres. In the province of Ontario this valuable crop is making rapid strides, the increase being from 60,000 acres in 1915 to 146,800 in 1919; in Quebec it was from 2,860 acres to 28,488 acres. 626 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. Good INVESTMENTS—BiGg RETURNS. Tue Department of Agriculture through the work of these bureaus makes for its stockholders—the people of the United States—a profit of several times 1,000 per cent. per year for all the money invested in it. As evidence that it is paying big returns, I will give but a few typical items out of a large number that could be cited. We spent 250,000 dollars establishing durum wheat in this country. The durum wheat now produced in this country is worth 50,000,000 dollars a year. Wespent less than 200,000 dollars intro- ducing a rice and establishing the industry in California ; the rice crop in that State is now worth 21,000,000 dollars a year. We spent 40,000 dollars introducing Egyptian cotton, breeding it up and establishing the industry in the arid regions of the south-west. The American—Egyptian cotton crop is now worth 20,000,000 dollars a year, and is increasing every year. We discovered a serum that prevents hog cholera, and its use, as demonstrated by the Department, has reduced the losses from that disease by 40,000,090 dollars a year. We searched the world for grain crops that could be grown in the south- west where corn does not succeed. We spent a few thousand dollars in introducing the grain and forage sorghums. Last year 125,000,000 bushels of Kafir and other grain sorghums were produced there.—E. T. MEReEpiruH, Secretary of Agriculture, U.S.A. : Grass, MILLET, AND SorGHUM TRIALS AY PROSPECT. Mer. G. H. Bosweit, Brighton Grove, Prospect, who, during last season, co-operated with the Department in carrying out trials with different fodder plants, obtained three cuts from Sudan grass, the crop at the first cut being 6 feet 6 inches high, at the second 4 feet 3 inches, and at the third 3 feet 9 inches. Of the sweet sorghums, Planter’s Friend did best, reaching a height of 9 feet, while Saccaline only grew to 6 feet. Among the grain sorghums, Milo yielded very fine heads. . As the grain makes excellent poultry-feed, poultry-farmers might well give this crop a trial. Among the millets, Japanese did best at 4 feet 6 inches high, and of the introduced grasses Perennial rye, Paspalum dilatatum (6 feet high), and Kentucky blue grass stood out prominently, while among the native grasses, the Love grasses (Hragrostis spp.) Kangaroo, Early Spring (Hriochloa polystachya), and Danthonia were very promising in appearance.—E. BREAKWELL. THe TREATMENT OF RooFine IRON. I HAVE a quantity of galvanized roofing iron that bas been badly splashed with coal tar. How could I remove the tar and then cover the iron with paint or red oxide ? The reply of the Overseer of Works was that there was no need to remove the tar, as the red oxide would cover it. A paint made of boiled Jinseed oil and cement mixed together to the usual thickness of paint could also be used, being put on in the usual way. Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 627 Notes on Wheats entered for the Royal Agricultural Society’s Show. Easter, 1920. F. B. GUTHRIE anp G. W. NORRIS, In spite of the smallness of the harvest ot 1919-20 the number of individual entries (116) was only slightly lower than at Easter, 1919. The samples were all of good quality, with high gluten-content and bushel-weight, but were slightly lower on the whole in flour strength than last year. A new special class was added for a collection of strong-flour wheat (either red or white) for which prizes worth £20 were presented by a private firm, this amount bringing the total amount of prize-money allotted to this section to £170. att The prizes were on the whole fairly well distributed, seven exhibitors securing the twelve first prizes, while the eight second prizes were gained by six exhibitors. Of the exhibitors, Mr. W. H. Scholz was the most successful, securing three first prizes and two second prizes. Other competitors who gained two firsts were Mr. W. Clark, of South Australia, and Messrs. M. J. and W. F. D’Arcy. Mr. Clark exhibited the grain with the highest bushel-weight, namely, Petatz Surprise. This grain has held the record for the heaviest wheat on several previous occasions ; this year it succeeded in obtaining first prize in its class. Mr. Clark also secured the first place in the Macaroni class with a consistent prize-winner in Indian Runner. Amongst the new prize-winners are Messrs. Telford Bea from Victoria, and Messrs. Lye and Wykes from this State. The judges wére Messrs. R. W. Harris (Gillespie Bros.) and G. W. Norris (Department of Agriculture), the milling of the samples being carried out by Mr. Norris. The judging was carried out as in previous years. | The bushel-weights of all samples were first taken : the results are given in the second of the tables which follow. After careful inspection to eliminate inferior exhibits, those which were considered eligible for prizes were milled in the model mill of the - Department of Agriculture, and the prizes finally awarded in accordance with their actual bebaviour in the mill, points being assigned for the different milling charaeteristics. The results of these tests are given in the table headed “Results of Milling Tests,” in which the figures within brackets are the actual figures obtained, the others being the marks assigned. 628 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. The following is the judges’ report :— The quality of the wheats is not quite as good as in recent years from the strength point ot view. At the same time several exhibits are quite up to the usual standard. Speaking collectively, they are a heavy, uniform lot. The heaviest sample was of Petatz Surprise, weighing 68} lb. to the bushel, and grown by W. Clark, South Australia. All exhibits were weighed in the new standard chondrometer. A sample of Cedar exhibited by A. J. and W. H. Lye, of Tamworth, is a splendid specimen, yielding readily a flour of excellent colour and very high gluten content (16°7 per cent.). ‘Ihe sample of the Indian wheat Pusa No. 4, exhibited by W. H. Scholz, of Gilgandra, is worthy of mention. It yielded a high percentage of excellent colour flour of 53 quarts to the sack strength, which was the highest water absorption of all the flours tested in the competition. The appearance of several exhibits was depreciated through the etfects of weevil, and in some cases it would appear that the sample had been kept from the previous season, and thereby spoilt the chance of scoring a prize In the class for a collection of Farrer wheats, a very fine lot, exhibited by M. J. D’Arcy, of Berrigan, was spoilt through a sample of Bayah being riddled by weevils. It is also worthy of note that Yandilla King, grown by A. R. Michael (Victoria), was a particularly fine sample on appearance, but on being milled failed to secure a prize. In the Macaroni class, W. Clark (South Australia) again won with Indian Runner, beating Telford Bros, (Victoria), who showed Kubanka. In strong red, Lye scored with Cedar, and the same variety scored second place for D. and J. Gagie. With Pusa No. 4, W. H. Scholz beat his second exhibit of Comeback in the strong white class, which is an achievement for the Indian crossbred. Scholz again won in a class of five strong flour varieties with Cedar, Comeback, Punjab 9, Pusa 4, and Pusa 107, M. J. D’Arcy being second with Cedar, Comeback, Marquis, Kharkoff, and Pusa 4. The medium strong class found the Florence variety the choice or first and second. W. F. D’Arcy won the specials for best bushel of Yandilla King and Hard Federation, and J. T. Wykes, Wellington, that for ordinary Federation. In the weak flour class, Petatz Surprise was placed first and Warren second. The honours for five Farrer wheats went to W. H. Scholz, with Cedar, Comeback, Florence, Federation, and Warren, and those for five non-Farrer to M. J. D’Arcy, who showed Yandilla King, Marquis, Huron, Gresley, and Pusa 4, all grown on 6-inch rainfall. In the collection of grain and ears, No. 6646 took first prize. The samples are well got up, as over 60 per cent. of the exhibit is of excellent quality. The remaining 40 per cent. shows signs of weathering, but still can be classed as good. The ticketing and descriptive information was good. Collection No. 6647 is a good exhibition from a collection point of view, but of inferior quality. About 40 per cent. is of show quality, the balance being dirty and of light bushel-weight, which spoilt the collection. The third prize was not awarded, as in the opinion of the judges Nos. 6648 and 6649 were too small from a collection point of view. The accompanying table showing the principal characteristics of the “ strong-flour” and ‘weak-flour” wheats exhibited and their variations over a period of fifteen years may be of interest. The weights per bushel are necessarily much higher than the f.a.q. weight for the corresponding years or the ordinary commercial samples, owing to the fact that the wheats are cleaned and graded carefully for exhibition purposes. It will be seen that, although there is some fluctuation owing to seasonal conditions, the main factors on which the excellence of our wheats depend, maintain on the whole a high standard which shows no signs of deteriorating. Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 629 Taste showing average bushel-weights, gluten-content, and water-absorbing power of wheats of the “Strong White” and “Soft White” classes milled at the Royal Agricultural Society’s Show, from 1905-1920, Flour Strength. Weight per bushel. Gluten. (Water-absorption, quarts Weare per 200 lb. sack.) Strong White. | Soft White. | Strong White.| Soft White. | Strong White.} Soft White. lb. lb. percent. | percent. 1905 63 | 64 10-0 9°7 46°6 45:2 1906 633 644 11-0 9°8 48°5 45°7 1907 624 66 9°3 8-3 48-4 454 1908 643 65 12-2 10°2 tS I5) 46°4 1909 642 654 11°9 86 53°5 49°2 1910 643 64 13°8 12°1 50°0 47°8 1911 644 634 12°5 11-0 53°4 47:0 1912 ~ 65 64 13°4 10°6 52°7 45°2 1913 67 654 15-2 ay] 53°1 46°9 1914 672 67 12°8 10°6 52°3 45 0 1915 674 664 13:1 12°4 53°8 45°7 1916 674 674 13:0 12°3 53°3 475 1917 66 674 12-4 8°6 54°6 43°0 1918 67 652 i 10:2 ~ 44°5 1919 674 664 105 8°9 5s 43°6 1920 67 654 13°6 es 5 44°7 * There were only two entries in the Strong White class in 1918, and these were readily differentiated by the judges without subjecting them to a milling test. therefore not available. Catalogue No. 6574 6575 6576 6580 6581 6582 6583 6584 6590 6591 6592 ~ 6593 6594 { WEIGHTS PER BUSHEL. Variety. ee Cataie gue Variety. lb. Class 943 (Macaroni Wheat). Indian Runner 632 6577 Medeah Huguenot ... 624 6578 Kubanka ... Kubanka 66} 6579 Huguenot ... Class 944 (Strong Flour Red). Marquis = 6585 Cedar Cedar 67 6586 Marquis ate 654 6587 Cedar Marquis 654 +6588 me Cedar 65¢ 6589 an Class 945 (Strong White). Comeback ... 673 6595 Pusa No. 4 re 663 6596 Comeback ... ii 673 G597 a ee 66 6598 Pe 675 The figures for gluten and flour strength are Bushel- weight. Ib. 634 653 2 622 630 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. WEIGHTS PER BUSHEL—continued. , Noe Variety. want emma 1)! Vaclav malglt. Ib. Ib. Class 946 (Medium Strong). 6602 Canberra ... ae eo 6609 Yandilla King... on) ee 6603 a5 mee SS .. 63% 6610 Bunyip a a a. «©6643 6604 Florence... pe woe) 042) SGGIIS sElorence | 4... as va) 66% 6605 Canberra ... apis Se 4 OD 6612 Canberra ... act cae 00 6606 5 ee Ba .. 664 6613 #£Marshall’sNo.3 ... .. 642 6607 a3 fee ie .. 632 6614 °#£Federation ... Sang ath siete al OTA 6608 Hard Federation ... eo Class 947 (Special Prize for Yandilla King). 6615 Yandilla King ... .. 675 6618 Yandilla King ... wv. G4} 6616 5. rr Ac < | ©6427 NGGTS 5 a ae .. = 642 6617 s5 3 ae we. | Ods Class 948 (Special Prize for Federation). 6620 Federation ... wae ... 635 6624 Federation... sie w= =644 6621 + ae cs .. 654 6625 - bes dy Okey a Oe 6622 a“ as Be aach i (O04 6626 yA iis eed Nal aad) Class 949 (Special Prize for Hard Federation). 6627 Hard Federation ... ... 664 6630 Hard Federation ... .. , 642 6628 *; cme .. 634 6631 74 aa .. 652 6629 ne its min 08 Class 950 (Weak Flour). 6632 Petatz Surprise... .. 684 66386 Major a Me BGs aAblES) 6633. Warren _... sles veo, GO GGSien Warren <3: ae .. 642 6634 Jade... ao ae ... 65% 66388 Jade... oe ae .. 66} 6635 Rattling Jack Bp =. GoZ RESULTS OF MILLING TESTS. Appear- | Weight Ease Percent- | Colour | Percent- | ance of per of age of of |age of dry} Strength.| Total, Grain. bushel. Milling. Flour. Flour. | Gluten. Maximum } 5 | Marks. 1¢ 15 10 10 15 | 20 20 100 Catalogue No. Class 944 (Strong Flour Red). [670] [72°0] (12'0] | [51:0] 6521 10 14°5 8 9 15 16 16 88°5 [654] [72°] [15-4] | [46-6] | 6583 10 12°5 8 10 12 19 12 83'5 | (65%) 742] (14-4) | [52:0] 6584 10} Vea als 8 10 14 18 17 90°0 [654] [72:6] (16°7] | [61°6] 6585 10 | 13 8 9 15 20 17 92°0 | Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 631 RESULTS OF MILLING TESTS—continued. Appear- | Weight Ease Percent- | Colour | Percent- | ance of per of age of | of age of dry |.Strength.| Total, | Grain. | bushel. | Milling, | Flour, | Flour. Gluten, | Maximum . | | Marks. 5 10 15 10 10 | 15 20 | 20 | 100 Catalogue No. Class 945 (Australian Strong White). | [674] (Se ei. (2-7) 1 fs2 gy 6592 | 9 15 8 LOM ie V2 16 17 87:0 | [66] [71°35] [15:0] | [50:0] 6593 | 10 13°5 8 9 14 19 15 88°5 [674] [74-0] [14:0] | [50-0] 6594 10 15°0 8 10 13 18 15 89-0 [67] ema [12:9] | [63:0] 6595 10 14°5 8 10 15 17 18 92°5 Class 946 (Medium Strong). | [644] | [ (785 [14-4] , [46-6] 6604 | 10 115 9 10 15 | 18 12 85°5 | [664] | ((7ae7 a Lea [45°4] | 6606 | 9 tes | 10°... 9 1B} yl 8} 10 75 | [633] | (75°5] (13°4] | [45-4] 6607 9 11:0 10 10 15 17 LOU 8220 [65] eed [12-5] | [44-8] 6609 10 12°5 10 8 13 16 10 79'S [643] [73°0] [12-4] | [452] | 6610 8 12:0 10 10 13 16 10 79 [663] [71'4] [136] | [47-4] | 6611 10 14:0 | 9 8 12 Wy 13 83 Class 947 (Spetial Yandilla King). | [673] | [72°5] | | [12°4] [46] 6615 10 15g) 10 10 1c gone) Ce) 11 86 | [642] | [745] | [15-4] [45°4] 6616 Stee 2h a 10 LORS 19 10 84 Class 948 (Special Federation Ordinary). | re54] | [73-0] [9-6] | [45-0] 6621 10 13 | 10 10 14 13 10 80 | (67-0) [71-2] [10°8]j | [45°8) 6626 | O) al less 10 8 15) 14 11 81°5 Class 949 (Special Federation Hard). [664] [72-7] [12:2] | [49°6] 6627 10 13°5 9 14 16 15 86°5 [634] [72'5] [12:9] | [48-0] 6628 EO) 11:0 10 15 17 13 85°0 Class 950 (Weak Flour Wheats). [684] [izes [10°4] [43°4] 6632 | 10 15 10 9 14 14 9 $1 [664] [ez [10'3] | [45°8] 6633 at Bs 10 9 13 14 1] 80°5 | [654 (72°5] [13°9] | [45-0] Bess ai), 429 13 10 9 15 14 LOM 280 [643 [71:2] [21-5] | [44-6] | 6637 | 10 12 10 8 14 15 LOW aie eo | 632 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept.-2, 1920. RESULTS OF EXAMINATION OF THE WHEATS IN CLASSES WHICH WERE NOT SUBJECTED TO MILLING TEST. Variety. ben bee a a | Pat a Uniformity. | Total. Mesias t 15 (a i 10 | 45 Catalogue No. Class 943 (Macaroni Wheat). [633] | 6574 | Indian Runner 1] 10 10 10 4) [624] 6575 | Huguenot ... as << 9°5 7 8 8 D2 > [663] 6576 | Kubanka .. se as 135 9 9 8 39'5 [633 | 6577 | Medeah ae a8 sh 10°5 9 10 9 38°5 [653 6578 | Kubanka ... 2 a 13 9 9 9 40 [623] i 6579 ‘ Huguenot ... AS mee 10 7 7 7 31 Class 945a (Collection of Five Strong Wheats). | [642 Kharkoff ... a Sea 12 8 9 9 38 (65%) Kitchener ... wa 5a 13 9 9 8 39 | [64% 6599 Marquis ay at ax) 12 8 S): 8 36 | [64% Red Bobs... sae ay 12 8 9 9 38 [65] Viseount... rs eet te Dias 10 10 10 42°5 | | 193°5 | [654 | Cedar ae hs = 1225 6 1 8 9 35°5 [66] : Comeback ... at a 13°5 10 | 10 10 43°53 | 662 66004} Marquis i. \.. «|. 198 8 | 9 10 40°5 [66] ! Kharkoff ... ee me 13°5 9 9 10 41°5 [66 | Pusa No. 4 ... Js ay 135 | 10 10 10 43°5. | 204°5 [68] (| Cedar eer Dee At 6 10 10 4] [67] | Comeback ... at oe 14°5 10 10 10 44°5- 66) 6014 Punjab Type F |) “LSS 8 9 9 39°5. (67) | Pusa No 4... %: ay 15 10 10 10 45 (66%) lL} Pusa 107 ~~... ti mae 14 10 10 10 44 Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 633 RESULTS OF EXAMINATION OF WHEATS—continued. Variety. VE | App pea. | toon | Uniformity. | Total. gan ele 18 TORO) sce jlgete ke 45 ‘Catalogue No. Class 951 (Collection of Five Farrer Wheats). [672 | | ; {| Cedar 5 6 10 10 4] [674] | | ; Comeback 15 | 10 10 10 45 [644 | | 66404 | Federation ... ras 10 10 10 42 65% | Florence 13 | 10 | 10 10 eas [65] | | Warren ae Np acs 12:30am 10 10 Be ity) 42°5 | | | 2135 [634] (| Canberra... shea Bt 10°5 8 | 8 9 35°5 (641 | Cedar Ree Soe A 115 9 9 9 38°5 | [653 6641 {| Comeback .. er sth 15 9 9 9 40°5 : [64] Federation ... ne ee 1135 8 10 | 9 38°5 [624 (| Hara Federation ... oA 10 § 8 9 35 | | 188 | [653] | | ;| Bobs... wee ae ne 12°5 8 8 8 36°5 [673] | | Comeback ... a £85 15 | 10 10 10 45 (6741 6642 {| Federation ... woe We 15) 8 8 8 39 | G64 | Jade ae at pe 14 | 8 8 9 39 165] | L| Bymer sat se Bed 125 10 10 10 42°5 | 202 | [652 Damaged | Bayah re Biatgs Arjen ES _ by weevil.| [653] Cedar ses st ve] 13 | 10 10 10 43 (66| | 6639 4 | Comeback .. ba i Bago | 9 | 9 9 40°5 [653] | Federation ... . mnt 3 LOM) 10 10 43 [653] \} Warren... fe fs. 13 | EO es! 10 10 43 | | 169°5 | 634 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. RESULTS OF EXAMINATION OF WHEATS—continued. Variety. es eae Appearance | Te be. “Uniformity. Total. at pat eae Poh. 10 10 « ~ Pe ie ees a Shaae Class 952 (Collection of Five Non-Farrer Wheats). [66] | | (| Gresley .. te ol 14 10 10 10 44 | | [654] Huron... AS Sis 12°5 10 10 10 42°5 [653 66431| Marquis .. ... ..| 13° 9 9 9 40 (653) Pusa No. 4 ee Ss 13 10 10 10 43 [663] (| Yandilla King .. Se 14 10 10 10 44 2135 [67] (| Marshall’s No. 3 ae 14 6 10 10 40 [68] Petatz Surprise one 15 6 10 10 41 [654] 6644 Punjab Type 9 a 13 9 10 10 42 [663] Pusa No. 4 a: re {4 10 10 10 44 [663] (| Pusa No. a a 14 9 10 10 _ 43 210 fi [63%] Major 1] 8 10 8 37 [623] | Marquis ... ae ont 10 8 8 8 34 [643] 66454 | Marshall's No. 3 12 8 10 8 38 [62] | | Roseworthy se Je 9°5 8 10 8 35°5 | [643] (| Yandilla King ... saa 12 7 10 10 39 1835 Awards. ( First Prize, No. 6574—W. Clark ; Indian Runner; grown at | Angle Vale, South Australia, on sandy soil ; seed per acre, Class 943 | 75 lb. ; yield per acre, 20 bushels; no record of rainfall ; ae J fallow. M . : Second Prize, No. 6578—Telford Bros., Kubanka; grown at eed St. Arnaud, Victoria; on sandy loam; seed per acre, | 1 bushel; yield per acre, 20 bushels; rainfall during growth, 7 inches; fallow. f First Prize, No, 6585—A. J. and W. H. Lye; Cedar; grown at Tamworth, on red loam ; seed per acre, 45 lb. ; yield per Class 944— | acre, 15 bushels; rainfall during growth, 5°3 inches fallow. 4 Strong Red. West Wyalong, on sandy loam; seed per acre, 30 Ib. ; yield per acre, 4 bushels; rainfall during growth, 4°56 inches ; fallow. oe Prize, No. 6584—D. & J. Gagie; Cedar; grown at —————— Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 635 Class 945— Strong White. Class 945a— Five Strong Wheats, Class 946— Medium Strong. Class 947— Special Yandilla King. Class 948— Special Federation (Ordinary. ) Class 949— Special Federation Hard, Class 950— Weak Flour. Class 951— Five Farrer Wheats. ° Class 952— Five non-Farrer Wheats. Class 952a— Collection Grain and Ears. “'THaNk you for sending me ‘ The Thrift Plot in August.’ the help of your booklets I hope to do better in future. AWARDS —continued. (First Prize, No. 6595—W.H. Scholz; Pusa No. 4; grown at | Gilgandra, on sandy loam; seed per acre, 32 lb. ; yield per acre, 9 bushels; rainfall during growth, 5 inches ; J autumn ploughing. \ Second Prize, No. 6594—W. H. Scholz; Comeback ; grown at | Gilgandra on sandy loam ; seed per acre, 32 lb. ; yield per acre, 12 bushels ; rainfall during growth, 5 inches ; autumn { ploughing. First Prize No. 6601—W. H. Scholz; second prize, No. 6600— M. J. D'Arcy. (First Prize, No. 6604--M. J. D’Arcy; Florence; grown at ; Berrigan on red loam, chocolate and clay ; seed per acre, | 60 lb. ; yield per acre, 74 bushels ; rainfall during growth, y 5°96 inches ; fallow. 1 Second Prize, No. 6611—W. H. Scholz; Florence ; grown at | Gilgandra on sandy loam; seed per acre, 32 lb. ; yield per acre, 14 bushels ; rainfall during growth, 5 inches ; autumn e ploughing. . 6615—W. F. D’Arcy ; grown at Berrigan on red loam and 4 clay ; seed per acre, 45 lb. ; yield per acre, 12 bushels; \ rainfall during growth, 5°96 inches ; fallow. No. 6626—J. T. Wykes; grown at Wellington on red loam ; ii seed per acre, 45 lb ; yield per acre, 22 bushels ; rainfall W during growth, 4°5 inches ; fallow. ( No. 6627—W. F. D'Arcy ; grown at Berrigan on red loam and 4 clay ; seed per acre, 45 lb.; yield per acre, 8 bushels ; L rainfall during growth, 3 inches ; autumn ploughing. ( First Prize, No. 6632—W. Clark ; Petatz Surprise ; grown at | Angle Vale, South Australia ; on sandy soil : seed per acre, 1 bushel ; yield per acre, 15 bushels; no record of rain ; j fallow. ‘Second Prize, No. 6633—M. J. D’Arcy ; Warren; grown at Berrigan on red loam, chocolate and clay ; seed per acre, | 45 lb. ; yield per acre, 84 bushels ; rainfall during growth, L 5:96 inches ; fallow. © ( First Prize, No. 6640—W. H. Scholz; Gilgandra ; seed per acre, 32 lb.; yield per acre, Cedar and Warren, 10 bushels ; Comeback, 12 bushels ; Florence, 14 bushels ; Federation, 16 bushels; rainfall during growth, 5 inches; autumn + ploughing. Second Prize, No. 6642—J. T. Wykes; Wellington ; seed per acre, 45 lb. ; yield per acre, Rymer, 19 bushels ; Comeback, 18 bushels; Federation, 22 bushels; Jade, 21 bushels ; L Bobs, 17 bushels ; rainfall during growth, 4°5 inches ; fallow. (First Prize, No. 6643—M. J. D’Arcy ; Berrigan ; seed per | acre—Yandilla King, Marquis and Huron, 45 lb. ; Gresley, | { i 40 lb. ; Pusa No. 4, 50 lb.; yield per acre, Yandilla King, 7 bushels; Marquis, 6 bushels ; Huron and Pusa No. 4, 5 bushels; Gresley, 11 bushels ; rainfall during u growth, 5:96 inches ; fallow. ( First Prize, No. 6646—Sir J. H. Carruthers. 4 Second Prize, No. 6647—A. J. and W. H. Lye. ( Third Prize—Not awarded. With { have learned why we only had 40 Ib, of beans this year from beds that gave us 89 tb. last year, and in planning the garden for the coming season will rectify this _ mistake.”—A Leichhardt lady in acknowledging a copy of the Department's vegetable leaflets. 636 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. Flax-growing in Victoria.” R. G. DOWNING, B.Sc. (Agr.), Acting Senior Experimentalist. THE growing of flax for seed alone has been attended with very similar results in Victoria to those obtained in New South Wales, and the Common- wealth Flax Committee does not recommend the crop for districts with a rainfall under 30 inches per annum. , It has been found possible, under such conditions, however, to obtain yields of both seed and flax fibre from the same crop, and in 1918 this resulted in an average yield of about 2 tons per acre on land with a capital value of about £25 per acre. — The system by which the Commonwealth Government takes over the crop from the grower, guaranteeing him a price per ton about three months before sowing time, 2 means that the Government has to estimate the probable movement of the market at least two years ahead. Consequently the estimate has to be based on a somewhat conservative valuation, bonuses being paid in respect of any excess price that is realised. Thus fibre from the 1918 crop, when recently marketed in England, realised £325 per ton. The growers were paid the original guaranteed price of £5 per ton, but have also been paid one bonus of £2 per ton, and it is expected that at least another £2 per ton will be distributed. It might be explained that from | ton of flax straw, as it leaves the farmers only 1 cwt. of fibre is usually obtained by the flax miller, though in some years the proportion is higher—1 cwt. of fibre being obtained from 15 ewt. of straw. Mr. G. Wolff, who, besides Hawtin about 20 acres with flax, runs a flax mill in Drouin, and who has been connected with the flax industry in Victoria for the last twenty-six years as both grower and miller, informed me that he considered the Government would have been quite safe in guaranteeing £10 instead of £6 per acre to the grower. It is estimated that about 2,500 acres will be put under flax in Victoria this year. One of the most successful Victorian growers plants from 20 to 30 acres with flax each year, and in one year obtained 77 tons from 25 acres. This gentleman stresses thorough preparation of the land and early sowing in order to obtain any success. The crop should be at least 3 inches high before winter sets in, as the growth is checked very much by cold we ather in the early stages. He recommends sowing at the rate of 60 lb. per acre, and prefers a fertiliser consisting of equal parts of bonedust and superphosphate, at about 1 ewt, per acre, rather than superphosphate alone, as heavy applications of the latter seem to encourage weeds in the early stages of the crop’s growth. Although continual growing of the crop on the same land is not recom- mended, one farmer in Gippsland pe grown thirteen crops in fifteen years and the second last crop averaged 24 tons per acre. A rotation is desirable, for most land tends to become dirty after one crop, and a fungus disease similar to ‘‘ take-all” in wheat is liable to occur, when land is said to be ‘* flax sick.” fs Extracted from a report ¢ on a Visit ‘to the flax- _growing districts of Victoria. Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 637 Broom Millet on the Manning. J. M. PITT, Assistant Inspector of Agriculture. Durinc the last few years broom millet growing has advanced to such pro- portions along the Manning River, that the Hunter River growers cannot at present be looked upon as having matters all their own way. The values ruling during 1918-1919 resulted in a larger area being sown during the spring of last season than perhaps in any year previous. Especially was this noticeable around the Mondrook, Glenthorne, and Mount George sectors. The broom millet industry may be likened to a “cycle.” The fibre deterio- rates when stored for any length of time; consequently there is always a demand for the new brush by the various manufacturers. And because the fibre is used almost solely for broom-making, and the demand for brooms remains somewhat regular, so also is the demand for the fibre by these manufacturers a regular one. In norma! seasons the supply and the market value likewise remain fairly regular. In years when droughts and floods devastate the main growing regions, as was the case in Victoria and on our own North Coastduring 1917-1918, the market becomes unsettled through supplies being insufficient, and consequently prices rise. Such tempting prices lead to increased sowings, the effect of which is that the market becomes over-supplied, and market values decline, with a reactionary effect on future sowings, until the market becomes normal—the cycle being repeated under the influence of weather conditions. To turn out an attractive bale of the first quality requires some consider- able experience, and a little more care perhaps than is required to fill a bag with maize or load a truck with pumpkins. There are many growers on the Hunter and Manning who grow the crop year in and year out, and with years of experience in the handling of the crop through its various stages, turn out an article which, beside paying handsomely, is worthy of the name. There are others, however, who, encouraged by tempting prices, try their hands, without more than the slightest idea of how to go about the work. Consequently inferior brush and low prices are obtained. To these growers the following notes, describing the procedure of experienced growers, may be useful. Climate and Soil. Soils and climate suitable for the growing of maize are also adaptable for broom millet, and the alluvial flats of the Manning can be classed among the best. While it is admitted that maximum results are obtained from these rich soils, stiil payable crops can be produced on soils barely fertile enough for profitable grain production. Favourable conditions as regards moisture, warmth, and sunshine—a total absence of the former, and the maximum amount of the two last-named at harvesting time—are most essential for brush of the best quality. Less moisture probably is required 638 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. to produce a crop of millet than of maize ; on the other hand, the ill-effects caused to maize by lack of moisture at fonteltne time are less ooprcn: with a millet crop, since it is grown primarily for the fibre. Excessive moisture encourages blight, and has a detrimental effect on the quality and colour of the fibre, should rain fall on the ‘“ tabled” brush. Unfortunately a large number of crops, especially those later sown, suffered from both causes last season. Preparation of the Plot. Yor districts subject to dry spells through the spring and early summer months, too much stress cannot be attached to the importance of adopting thorough methods of preparation—methods that aim at the conservation of moisture and the checking of weed growth. Sound methods allow of sowing at the right time, and through the moisture being conserved, longer periods of drought can be withstood than where less thorough methods are adopted. A section of a crop tabled. Note the difficulty that would otherwise attach to harvesting the heads of the standing crop. Deep ploughing in the autumn with occasional workings with the disc or tine cultivator during the winter, and usually a shallower ploughing prior to sowing, are necessary. Where broom millet is continuously sown, or for that matter anywhere, a rotation, including a legume such as field peas or cowpeas, and also such other crops as turnips, pumpkins and cereals, should be adopted. The plant is a gross feeder, and should not successively be grown on the same portion of land. This fact is overlooked by the majority of growers. Sowing Operations. Like other members of the sorghum family, broom millet is essentially a summer crop. The time to sow is regulated by weather conditions. Nothing is to be gained by sowing while the weather is cold or changeable ; it is better deferred until warmer conditions set in. Mid-September is perhaps Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 639 the most suitable time, and sowings made then usually yield the heaviest and produce the best quality brush. In recent years late sowings have not always been successful, since the autumns have usually been wet and conducive to blight. Rolling of the surface prior to sowing is generally practised ; it enables the maize drill (with which the seed is sown) to work more satisfactorily, the seed to be sown at a uniform depth in the moist soil, and the iarge clods to be broken, thus enabling the subsequent cultural operations to be carried out earlier and without fear of damaging the young plants. Where there is a possibility of much early weed growth or “nut weed,” sowings are made in shallow furrows, previously opeued with a small mould- board plough, or a single-horse cultivator with a suitable tine attached at the rear. The subsequent rolling and the cultivating given when the plants are 3 or 4 inches high gradually fill in the drill and smother weed growth, Brush cut and Jaid all one way on tables fo field cure. An ideal plan would be to have the plants 4 to 6 inches apart, in drills, say, 3 feet apart. This latter distance allows of easy cultivation with a one-horse cultivator. Using a 19, 12 or 14 hole sorghum plate, according to the make of maize drill and the distance apart of the rows, gives satisfactory results. It requires from 3 to 4 lb. of seed per acre. Sowing into the moist soil about | inch is advisable, The variety most widely grown is White Italian. Fertilising. While not generally practised, it has been found beneficial, even on our richest soils, to apply about 1 cwt. of superphosphate per acre with the seed. Beside giving the plants a quick start—necessary when weeds are to be dealt with—it helps the crop to mature earlier, and in most instances increased yields are the result. At Mondrook much. benefit has been derived from fertilisers, even when applied to the previous crop. 640 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. After-cultivation, Rain falling shortly after sowing often interferes with germination, and the crop sometimes requires re-sowing. However, this trouble may be averted if a light harrowing can be given soon to break the crust. Under ordinary conditions this operation is carried out a week or so after the plants are through. All early cultivations should be conducied preferably during the afternoon of sunny days. The plants are then least liable to injury : during the cooler hours of the morning they are brittle. Usually three or four cultivatings are given, chiefly after rain and when young weed growth is prevalent, discontinuing when the plants have grown to the stage when damage to the roots is to be feared. A hackler driven by an oil engine on the farm of Mr. R. Richardson, Mondrock. Where the Seed comes from. Before passing to the harvesting operations, a reference to the source of seed supply may not be out of place. The regular grower learns by experience that sowing seed from the ‘‘heap,” where all classes are congregated, only results in poor yields, poor brush, and ultimately poor cheques. He usually goes through his crop beforehand, and this he is able to do owing to the fact that the heads are almost mature, and selects and cuts enough heads for next season’s requirements. The points looked for are long, fine, straight, round fibre, and plenty of it; seed heads compact (to simplify backling) ; and {seed light-brown and full; heads true to a desired type and free from diseases. The heads are dried, hackled, and the seed put carefully away. To guard against weevil, a liberal quantity of naphthaline balls should be added to the bin or tin with the seed. Tothe casual grower it is not always possible to obtain seed in this way ; therefore, it behoves him to obtain his supply only from the most reliable source. Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 641 Harvesting. While it is admitted that the best-coloured and finest-textured brush is obtained from the heads when the seed is immature, the Manning River farmers prefer to wait until the seed is quite firm. The brush has then, of course, lost its prime colour and is a httle inferior in quality ; but they maintain that in normal seasons this quality sells quite as readily as the prime, and they have the seed, which, since all poultry foodstuffs are dear, is in greater demand by poultry-farmers than formerly. Beside making up for the reduced quality of the brush, the value of the seed this season was sufficient to cover the harvesting of the whole crop. The actual harvesting should be carried out in warm, dry weather ; otherwise, the whole season’s work may go for nought. “Tabling” is the first operation. Millet harvesting, owing to the plants averaging anything from 10 to 14 feet in height, would be rather a strenuous undertaking were it not for this. Henee it is that bending the plants over to bring the brush within reason- able distance of the knife is practised. The former method of bending in one or two places and bringing the brush to within a couple of feet of the ground (heads hanging downward) has been superseded by a more rapid and effective method. The farmer, bending two rows at the one time, places each row diagonally across each other, forming a latticed table about 3 feet from the ground. The work is simplified if the operator faces the direction of tabling. He is then in a position to accurately place the heads near the outside edges so that they are easily accessible for cutting. The final operation of cutting is carried out by walking along the passages between the tables, and removing the head with about 6 inches of stalk, with a butcher’s or some other suitable knife. The sheath enclosing the stem is removed at the same time. Beside hastening the process of drying, the removal of the sheath allows the reddish discoloration to dry out better, and it also deprives aphis of shelter. The heads are then placed in moderately thin layers on the “table” to dry, which usually takes from thirty-six to forty-eight hours according to the weather and the maturity of the crop. They are finally carted to the shed and placed neatly 9 to 12 inches deep (or more if advisable) on shelves. The crop is then ready for hackling. B Box press filled ready to be pressed. 642 Agricuttural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. Hackling. ‘The most widely-used haclkler is a locally-produced hand machine with a spiked drum, With the addition of extra fly-wheels, intermediates, and other makeshifts, gas engines and horses have been used satisfactorily for the driving power—considerably reducing the cost and saving time. At least three ‘‘ hands” are necessary for hackling—the feeder, an assistant who arranges the bundles and hands them to the feeder (occasionally two are thus employed), and a help, who keeps up the supply of brush, removes the cleaned brush back to the shed, and clears the seed away from beneath the hackler. First the millet is brought from the shed and placed on the receiving table with the heads facing the assistant, the small bundles, with eight to twelve heads in each, being more easily separated from the bulk when placed in Bale pressed, doors dropped, and bale ready to be removed. this way. As it is the seed that is to be dealt with, these parts are bunched together and the bundle placed in the feeder’s left hand. Holding firmly, he places the heads on the fast revolving spiked drum and turns the bundle so as to bring all the seed in contact with the spikes, transferring it to the right hand when treated and thence to a table at the right of the machine, and receiving, as his left hand becomes free, another bunch from the assistant. The help at intervals removes the cleaned brush back to the shed and there packs it on the shelves, usually deeper than before and with all butts level. Here it is allowed to cure until baling time. The brush is more easily handled when being removed to the press if the butts are level, and it also binds better in the bales if packed while curing. Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazetie of N.S.W. 643 Baling. Very few farmers give this operation the attention it deserves. Grading is very seldom practised, most of the millet being pressed into self-working bales, composed of all grades, covers, hurl, insides, and bent and inferior heads in various proportions. Farmers contend that grading into separate bales not only necessitates extra labour and loss of time, but that the extra price received for the graded article is not sutticiently encouraging to warrant such treatment ; also that the self-working bale sells readily enough. Several types of press are brought into use. They are mostly hay presses fitted with makeshift contrivances ta suit the work. ‘The most satistactory type is the box-press (an implement somewhat resembling a wool-press), which keeps the butts even, makes an attractive bale, and is simple to operate. A bale weighing approximately 25 cewt. is the usual size. Broom Making. Beside being a district where broom millet is extensively grown, the Manning is one of the few centres that can boast of a broom factory, one having been established,at Tinonee some nine years ago. , As many as twelve different types of broom are manufactured at Tinonee, varying according to the quality and quantity of brush used and the class of finish de- sired. For instance, a “domestic” comprises the greatest quantity Locally Manufactured Brooms, Manning River. of best-quality brush, braces, velvet and lock finish, and six rows of sewing, whereas a “ four-hurl” broom contains a smaller quantity of brush of inferior quality and only three lines of sewing, inferior finish and no locks. The main operations are briefly :— Bleaching.—The brush is placed in sulphur tanks to make the colour uniform, to clean and bleach, and to destroy pests. Sorting.—This comprises grading into hurl, covers, and insides, and pre- paring the hurl for the outside. Assembling.—Fixing the insides, then the shoulders (with covers), cover- ing with inside and outside, and wiring. The broom is then ready for ‘sewing, after which the ends are again hackled to remove stray seed or loose fibre. This operation also helps to straighten the fibre. The ends are ‘then cut level, and the brooms branded and packed into dozen lots. 644 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. a It is a peculiarity of the average Australian that an imported article is often given preference over the one locally produced, and the Manning River householders and storekeepers are not exceptions. Imported brooms—even brooms of Japanese manufacture—are stocked, although far inferior to the local production. Pests.—The commonest pests and diseases to which broom millet is subject are aphis, red discoloration, smut, and leaf blight. The first two are always present. Blight, which is caused chiefly by excessive moisture, is worst with the later sown crops. As far as is known, very little (beyond ee! sowing to avoid blight) can be done to combat the pests. PURE-SEED GROWERS RECOMMENDED BY THE DEPARTMENT. THE following list of growers of pure seed of different varieties of farm crops is compiled to indicate where pure seed is at present available. The list is compiled on recommendations made after an inspection by a field otiicer of the Department. Muize :— Silver King (ungraded) ... ... A. Sommerlad, Hillcrest, Tenterfield. WES. adie: eS a ... P. Gersbach, Farm 330, Leeton. Brewer’s Yellow Dent ... .... H. Mauser, Sunnyside, Tenterfield. Early Yellow Dent so ... Manager, Experiment Farm, Gien Innes. Silvermine . 3. .... Manager, Experiment Farm, Yanco. Funk’s Y ellow Dent a .. A.E. R. Tiffen, Farm 319, Leeton. Small Red Hogan... ... H. Short, Dorrigo. Craig Mitchell (ungraded) ... W. D. K. Humphries, Muswellbrook. Goldmine ... . ... A. Louttit, Moruya. Boone County W hite ... ... J. Chittick, Kangaroo Valley. Leaming _... ad ee ... Manager, Experiment Farm, Grafton. Golden Beauty .. Sch ... R. Richardson, Mondrook, Tinonee. Golden Nugget... ae ... J. W. Smith, Wauchope. Early OWhnte ae ... FF, Dowling, Tumut. iant White, Manni . & Macleay Wihike! ng a \ A. MeM. Singleton, Henley, Sydney. Improved Yellow Dent ... .... Manager, Experiment Farm, Grafton. Golden King fe = ... E, Blackburn, Warkton, Coonabarabran. Red Hogan... oar me ... Principal, Hawkesbury Agricultural College, Richmond. Sweet Corn :— Papago er : Sef ... R. Yates, Ourimbah. Elephant Grass ea a : Principal, Hawkesbury Agricultural College, Richmond. Manager, Experiment Farm, Grafton. Manager, Experiment Farm, Lismore. Manager, Experiment Farm, Yanco. Kikuyu Grass (roots) :— Principal, Hawkesbury Agricultural Rallace, Richmond, Grain Sorghums :— Milo... Be ee ane .. J.T. Maunder, The Wilgas, Pallamallawa. Sweet Sorghums :— Sacealine ... at ane ... Manager, Experiment Farm, Lismore. a Ne ay aie ... Principal, Hawkesbury Agricultural College, Richmond. Clovers :— / Shearman’s Clover (roots) ... J. H. Shearman, Fullerton Cove, Stockton, via Newcastle. Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 645 Chats about the Prickly Pear. No. 6. J. H. MAIDEN, 158.0., F.RS., F.LS., Government Botanist and Director, Botanic Gardens, Sydney, Pear as Stock Food in the United States — continued. C.—Working Cattle. Pear for Fattening and Maintaining Cattle—Under the above heading, Dr. D. Griffiths, in U.S. Bulletin No. 74, p. 24, writes as follows :— Since the early days when teaming was much more extensively practised than at the present time, the bulk of the pear feeding in southern Texas has been done either to maintain stock or to prepare them for the market. While feeding cactus to dairy cows and work oxen is common all over the pear region, the amount fed for these purposes is insignificant compared with that used for maintenance and fattening. By far the greatest amount is fed as an emergency ration to keep cattle alive during a severe and prolonged drought. . . . . The rancher’with small means is often caught with his cattle so poor that he cannot think of moving them to better pastures, even if he has the means and ean find the feed. Oe It is in an emergency of this kind that the prickly pear and other forms of cactus become a boon to the rancher. It is owing to the existence of the prickly pear that the success of the rancher in southern Texas is largely due. A score of ranchers have acknowledged to the writer during the past year that were it not for pear they would have to move their cattle out of the country once every four or five years on account of droughts. 5 It is as good at one time as another, and can be fed by him at a couple of days’ notice under any circumstances, although it is the general belief that it is much more valuable in winter than in summer. « Pear as a Ration for Working Animals.—This is specifically dealt with at p. 30 of U.S. Bulletin No. 74 (D. Griffiths). Following are extracts :— The animals best adapted to working on pear appear to be oxen. They often work for months upon no other feed than dry grass, brush, and prickly pear. , Even now a large number of Mexican wood-choppers (with bullock carts) in the extreme south-western part of Texas use no other feed than pear and what grass or browse the country affords. Often the grass and browse are very small in quantity. These people simply scorch the thorns off with brush, although many of them do not even go to this trouble, as they simply slash into the plants with a machete enough to give the animals a start into the clumps. A day spent upon the market plaza at Laredo (Tex.) confirmed the state- ment which had been often heard regarding the large use made of pear by Mexican wood-choppers. When the men are asked what they feed, the answer invariably is ‘‘nopal’’ (prickly pear). One, of whom special inquiry was made, stated that he was hauling wood 30 miles (round trip), making two trips per week. His loads averaged three-fourths of a cord of mesquite wood. His oxen grazed very largely on grass at that time, but the greater part of the year they got little besides nopal, the thorns being singed off over a brush fire. His team was in good working condition. Effect of Pear on Stock.—On p. 33, U.S. Bulletin No. 74, Dr. Griffiths remarks :— The views of ranchers are so much at variance regarding many points relating to cactus feeding that it is impossible to form a definite opinion regarding many features of the practice. There is a comparative unanimity, 646 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Sept. 2, 1920. however, upon many points. There is need of experiments for their verifica- tion, for popular experiences and opinions are too indefinite and unsatis- factory. Stockmen are very generally agreed that ae should be fed very gradually at first, many claiming that a week should elapse before a full ration can be safely fed. The reasons for this, however, will vary with the individual and the locality. Mr. Sinclair has abundant evidence that bloat is very easily caused in cattle that are not accustomed to the feed. Really, cattle look as though they were bloated after every feed, for the quantity eaten (125 to 200 Ib. a day) is bourd to cause a large distention of he stomach; but there appears to be no danger after the animals have become accustomed to eating it. Stock fed on a full ration of pear scour more or less all of the time, and the injury from this source is, of course, very much aggravated if the cattle receive rough treatment. A half ration, with some drier roughage, such as sorghum hay, or even dry grass or browse,. appears to produce less serious effects. This condition could not be otherwise with such sloppy feed. It occurs invariably with beet pulp, and the effects are probably very similar. The condition of stock which have received pear during the winter appears to be very much better than that of those wintered on good dry-grass pastures. Feeders without exception make this observation. Ranchers in Texas often lose a small number of cattle from the effect of the accumulation of fibre of the pear in the stomach. This condition is said never to occur with chopped pear, but to be common in cases where a pear burner or machete is used, and still more common in cattle which are forced to eat a large amount of pear in short pastures during dry seasons. The balls are said to be made up entirely of the fibre and spines of the pear. No manner of feeding cactus yet devised, without greater care than the feeder is usually willing to bestow upon the work, does away entirely with the evil effect of the spines. Singeing with a torch or brush is the most effectual in this regard, if sufficient care is taken by the operator. In piace’ however, very little attention is paid to the small spines, the effort eing to burn off the distal three-fourths of the large ones, leaving most of the small ones for the stock to contend with. Indeed, there is a prejudice— whether well founded or not it has been impossible to determine—against pear scorched to the extent necessary to ensure the removal of all the small spines. It is claimed that cattle scour much worse upon pear which has been excessively scorched by either torch or brush flame. The question of singeing the spines has been dealt with in Chat No. 3 of this series. Reference is also made in the extensive section labelled “As a Stock Food,” at p. 10 of Bulletin 78 (1911), New Mexico (E. O. Wooton). Discussing the local conditions at p. 12, the writer says :— On the stock ranges of New Mexico to-day are large quantities of prickly pear which have a value as forage, and this crop is especially valuable in the‘ times of drought which visit all parts of the State at more or less irregular intervals. This forage, while it is not as good as grama grass, is much better than nothing, and in dry years the feed is reduced to cactus or nothing. In the past it has been the custom of stockmen to taking the ‘‘ nothing’’ and let the cactus remain where it is. There have been two or three apparently sufficient reasons for this, as follows: —First, the cattle are not accustomed to eat the cacti, and would have to be taught to use it; second, when they are forced to take to a cactus diet they are weak, and the scouring due to the large quantities of inorganic salts taken with this kind of food is said to still further weaken them, thus increasing the loss; third, there is some work and expense connected with the preparation of the cacti for use by the stock. Since this seems like putting more money into a proposition which is bound to lose anyhow, most of the stockmen sell off what they can get to walk off the range, and trust to luck that some of the others will pull through, and pocket their losses. It seems to the author that a better plan would be to accustom one’s stock to eating cactus as part of the ration all the time, thus obviating the first, and to some extent, the second difficulty. And the work necessary to accustom stock to the practice would also accustom the man to the work and would Sept.2,1920.]) —- Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 647 necessitate the purchase of all needful tools or apparatus. If this were done little by little during a: period when forage was normally abundant, the expense and labour would hardly be felt, and the stock would gradually acquire the habit and learn to like the feed. Then, when the drought came, there would be little change in the whole procedure except an increase in the amount of cactus fed. A small amount of prickly pear is said to be good for young stock for toning them up, especially if they have been on dry feed for a long time. Thus, by a small outlay for tools and a little work, the stockman would be able to turn to good use that which is now considered useless and more or less of a nuisance. Summary as to Pear Feeding. It will be useful at this place to give the greater portion of the summary of evidence in regard to pear feeding in the United States, to be found at p. 43 of U.S. Bulletin No. 74 (1905). It will be found most valuable. The farmers of south-western Texas have no doubt as to the value of prickly pear as cattle-feed, and they go so far as to give a warning lest the feeding operations should proceed so far as to endanger the permanence of the pear. We in Australia have not got to the stage when we can display anxiety on this point, and to what extent this is because of our sparser population as compared with that of Texas I do not know. At all events, I do not think I can be accused of raising undue hopes when I ask whether our landowners in pear country are developing the feeding of pear to stock to the extent that they might. But the matter is wrapped up in the fact that Australian farmers must see that they get the best machines und other appliances to work the pear. The problem is quite difficult enough without taking avoidable chances. Data secured from popular sources appear to warrant the following con- elusions, many of which are reservedly stated; it is hoped -they can be experimentally verified in the near future :— Prickly pear, although poor in nutritive quality, can be fed to decided advantage under several conditions and for several purposes:—(1) ‘lo save cattle during a prolonged drought, when other more nutritious feed is scarce. (2) To fatten cattle, when employed as a roughage with more concentrated feed. (3) When fed with more concentrated foods and some hay or pasture, it is a valuable accessory to the dairy ration; it supplies succulence which it is difficult to secure in semi-arid regions in a large part of the year. (4) ore be worked on aration consisting very largely of pear for an indefinite period. A full-grown steer fed on pear alone will consume from 125 to 200 Ib. daily. Mature steers, accustomed to a pear diet, can live in a pear pasture a long time without water. Oxen worked on pear drink water two or three times a week in summer and once a week in winter. A good milk ration of pear, with plenty of other nutritious feed, will consist of from 40 to 70 lb. of pear for each animal a day. Pear, fed whole, especially when stock has little else to eat, is likely to form fibre balls and kill a small percentage of cattle during prolonged feeding. Pear, when burned, scours cattle much worse than when it is simply scorched enough to take the thorns off. Prickly pear may be fed in a variety of ways:—(1) Cattle accustomed to pear eat more or less of it during the entire year, whether there is plenty of other feed or not, and with no preparation. (2) The thorns may be scorched off with brush. (3) The thorns may be scorched off with a gasoline torch—a modified plumber’s torch. (4) The edges of the joints may be trimmed off with a machete (a Mexican knife), when stock, especially sheep and goats, gain access to the pulpy mass at an advantage. (5) The plants may be piled 648 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. —— [Sept. 2, 1920. in heaps in a field and chopped into small pieces with a machete. (6) The whole plant may be chopped into pieces 4 to 1 inch long with machines prepared for that purpose. (7) In some localities the whole plant is steamed in large vats to render the spines innocuous. A cow with calf, fed with prickly pear alone, will lose flesh very rapidly: Cotton-seed meal or cake and cotton-seed (coiton-seed is, of course, abun- dant in the southern States) appear to be well adapted to feeding with pear. Hogs fatten well on the fruit of prickly pear, and they take kindly to a ration of prickly pear when the thorns are properly singed off. Stock fed on prickly pear and cotton-seed products are said to suffer heavy shrinkage on the way to market. Pear as feed for stock is of sufficient value to warrant investigations for the purpose of determining—l. Its exact value as food for .-both man and beast. 2. The nature and cause of the rapid fermentation in the chopped material. 3. The comparative value of different species. 4. The compara- tive value of old and new growth. 5. The exact influence upon quantity and quality of milk. The old woody stems are preferred by feeders to the young joints. When fed for succulence, as is the case in dry weather, the young nopals Sse are of more value than when a maintenance or fattening ration is desired. Pear has been fed in Texas since the early Spanish occupation. Pear is better feed from the time that frost strikes it in the fall (autumn) until if begins to grow in the spring than in other seasons. Cattle and working oxen will ‘eat a large ration of pear, properly prepared, when there is an abundance of the best of green grass for them to eat. Pear has a decided value in toning up the system of cattle that have lived on dry grass for several months. ‘Two-year-olds especially are benefited by a partial ration of it for a short time. All cattle, sheep, and goats soon become accustomed to eating pear. The sound of the pear machete or the sight of smoke in the pastures where stock are fed attracts the entire herd immediately. The greatest promise for pear is in the line of milk production. The value of the succulence for the winter months will probably pay for the propaga- tion of small acreages for this purpose. Burning with a pear-burner tends to kill out the pear if close pasturing is practised afterwards. When fed a full roughage ration of pear, cattle scour more or less all the time. ’ Inquiry at hide establishments and stock markets fails to reveal any serious injury done by the spines to commercial cattle products, although the spines work into the flesh considerably. Cattle fed on pear chopped with a machete, and not burned, often get their mouth so full of spines that after a time they are unable to eat at all. The crushing action of the chopping machine renders the spines innocuous. The pear has two characteristics which render it especially valuable for pastures—l. It can withstand long periods of drought without injury. It _has limitations, however, in drought resistance. It has been severely injured during some droughts within the memory of the present generation. 2. It is protected by spines, so that it cannot be materially injured by over-grazing without artificial preparation. A thornless pear in a pasture grazed the entire year would soon be exterminated. The destruction of the pear in south-western Texas would be a severe calamity to the stock industry. In practice, pear is very seldom fed alone. Even during the severest drought cattle are able to pick up some old grass and get a little browse from the abundance of brush that exists throughout the pear region. It is seldom that the Texas rancher feeds it without some cotton-seed meal, although the cactus of south-western Colarado has usually been fed alone. Altogether the evidence suggests that feeding tests with prickly pear might be conducted with advantage in New South Wales. Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 649 Production of Fourteen Herds Compared. Farms ON BopaLia Estate. L. T. MacINNES, Dairy Expert. Ay interesting comparison of the results obtained from the various herds on the Bodalla estate is afforded by the figures given below. In all, nearly 1,000 cows are milked in the fourteen herds on the estate, and during the twelve months just ended the total production of milk and of butter-fat from each farm was recorded, enabling the results on each farm to be compared with the rest. The herds are the result of systematic culling for a number of years, but the cows are kept under natural conditions, no hand-feeding being adopted except with green fodder crops when necessary. The averages of the seven leading herds compare favourably with the best of the herds tested on the North Coast, but it is unquestionable that the improvement of the herds could be greatly hastened by the individual testing of the cows every thirty days. The present system of keeping records indicates the merit of each herd, but the value of every unit in those herds is not so well known. The testing of the 1,000 cows would keep a tester going about three weeks in every month, but undoubtedly it would be profitabie. As to the results, the position of the pure-bred Friesian herd at the Home Farm is as interesting as that of the Grade Friesians in second place. {n the second table is shown how the milk from each farm is disposed of. The butter-fat is ascertained from samples taken from the bulk vats of milk delivered night and morning. AVERAGE Production per Cow per Farm on Bodalla Estate. | | No. of Average Average per Cow. Name of Farm. | Breed. | Cows in lactation wre | herd. period. Milk. | meee tl tate | ledays:, | lb. Fe cent,| Ib. Home Faim _....| Friesian he |) SSS S04 7,468 | 3°59 268°1 Comerang a as Grade Be 87 297° | 7,143 | 3°67 262:04 Trunketabella ...| Ayrshire a BAA inh £002 ?80 6,836 | 3°85 263°18 Widgett... ...| Shorthorn Red | ae 2898 |) 6.31dn aoe oe orl Greenway ...| Friesian and Ayrshire..,) 74 DIG. |.) 6,293") 43°85 "249-98 Central Bails’ ...| Shorthorn Grade ee 80 287 | 6,029 | 3°83 232-12 Long Point ...| Guernsey a3 . +h) GB 287 | 5,831 | 3°97 231-49 Greenwood Park.} Shorthorn Roan |} 82 | 276 | 5,463 | 3:80 | 20759 Bumbo ... ...| Jersey Grade ... 51 Dail > 109 4°08 | 208°45 Long Flat ...| Ayrshire ,, ll | 280 | 4,848 | 3°98 192-95 Cooper’s Island... Pe ss saul Ree ha TD, 4,789 | 3°85 | 184:°38 Gannon’s Point... si Red ... woof) peEEM oe DOT | 4,735 | 3:94 | 186°56 Blind Neds ...| Friesian Jersey aN BOD 4,634 | 4°19 | 194:16 Riverview ...| Culls from all Farms...| 59 | 235 3,819 | 3°75 | 143°21 | Grand averages | 280°6| 5,781) 38 2211 650 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. Propucrion of each Farm on Bodalla Estate. ! } Average Average era: =e pone - ner c . No. of | No. of otal | Calf Mi Factory) otal | Butter- Name of Farm. Breed. Milking) Dry | Cows. | Milk. | and | Milk. | Milk. | fat. Cows. | Cows. Sales. | | lb. lb. lb. lb. Ib. Home Farm ..| Friesian , 42 f(t l4 85 81,630 3,200 | 549,980 634,810 | 22,789°7 Comerang —) = Grade a0 71 16 87 5,260 3,120 | 613,090 621,470 | 22,808- Trunketabella .. Ayrshire 4 astue (6S 19 g2 si 129,120 2,460 | 429,050 560,630 | 21,584°3 Widgett .. .., Shorthorn Red .-| 46 12 58 7,730 2,080 | 356,460 366,270 | 13,149°1 Greenway ..| Friesian and Ayrshire) 56 18 74 | 4,810 | 2,100 | 458,780 465,690 | 17,929°1 Central Bails .. Shorthorn Grade ..| 63 17 80 8,300 | 49,990 | 424,000 482,290 | 18,5682 Long Point | Guernsey 25 Si 52 14 66 ey 2,280 | 382,570 384,850 | 15,278°5 Greenwood Park 5 Shorthorn Roan af 62. 20 82 75,340 | 5,060 | 367,580 | 447,980 | 17,023°2 Bumbo .. .| Jersey Grade .. sai "86 15 51 Anne 2,080 | 258,480 260,560 | 10,630°9 Long Flat jlrAyrshire’s;, fale gu). 1,60').|' 18 78 .-.. | 2,080 |376,070 | 378,150 | 15,0504 Cooper's Island . Pp, ays $y 4 18 75 2,220 2,280 [354,710 | 359,210 | 13,8296 Gannon’s Point. | - Red.. Be SLi: is 44 1,840 2,980 | 203,530 208,350 | 8,209" Blind Neds | Friesian Jersey ei 51 1l 62 Seok 2,080 | 285,230 287,310 | 12,038°3 Riverview * Culls from all Farms... 38 | 21 59 | 2,080 [223,230 | 225,310 | 8,449°1 Total Production of Estate .. a A . - sb,682,880 | 217,337°4 | THE UNITED STATES OUTLAY ON PROGRESSIVE AGRICULTURE. Discussion on the financial appropriations for next year was taking place in the Legislature of the United States at Washington when the last advices left, and the Newsletter brings to light the estimation in which progressive agriculture is held in that country. The original estimates framed by the Department called for a total of about 37,000,000 dollars for the year 1921, an increase of about 3,628,000 dollars over the appropriations of the previous year. But legislators are the same the world over, and the amount had to be cut down by one item and another, until at the time the latest advices left the total had shrunk to 32,740,000 dollara If the New South Wales publicist reflects that that seems a generous sum, let him also take account of the fact that part of these large sums is paid as subsidies to the agricultural colleges situated in each State of the Union, on condition that the colleges Spend similar sums out of their own or the State funds on research and extension work. The amount so expended appears to approximate another 4,000,000 dollars annually, and does not include the enormous expenditure of the colleges and experiment stations on purely collegiate and educational work, so that Uncle Sam’s total expenditure on the advancement of primary production is a tidy amount, beside which our expenditure in New South Wales is very small indeed. AN INQUIRY ABOUT FALSE CASTOR-OIL PLANT (Datura stramonium). As it has been noticed that this plant has been largely stripped of its leaves by stock during the recent drought, the Chief Inspector of Stock would be glad to receive reports from any stockowners who consider that they have lost stock from eating this plant during the dry time. The seeds have often been recorded as poisonous in other countries, Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 651 Suspected Cases of Poisoning of Stock. Tur CorRECT MATERIAL AND ITS SUBMISSION FOR ANALYSIS. MAX HENRY, M.R.C.V.S., B.V.Sc., Government Veterinary Surgeon, and E. GRIFFITH, B.Sc., A.I.C., Assistant Chemist. From time to time material is submitted to the Department for the purpose of analysis in connection with suspected cases of poisoning in stock, and not infrequently the work of the officers who have to make the analysis is hampered or unduly increased by the manner in which this material is forwarded. In such cases the results are unsatisfactory and disappointing to both parties concerned. It is to prevent this, and at the same time to make it more likely that a successful result will be obtained from the analysis, that the following instructions are given. In the first place all such material should be forwarded to the Chief Inspector of Stock, together with a full report of the circumstances surround- ing the mortality. The report should state the class and number of animals dead, condition of the stock and pastures, nature of feed and water supply, any changes in the food, recent history of the stock, symptoms of illness shown if possible, and where a post-mortem examination can be made, the appearances noted. Any possible complicating factors, such as recent dipping or drenching, poisoning for rabbits and other animals, or the use of sprays for destroying plant parasites or plants should be mentioned, and the name of the medica- ment or agent used should be given. A report correctly made on these lines will often give a clue to the probable cause of death, and will certainly enable the veterinary officer and the chemist who have to deal with the matter to exclude many possible causes, and so save much time and work in arriving at a conclusion. Every ettort should be made to see that the material is despatched with as little loss of time as possible and by the quickest route ; the fresher itis when received, the more chance there is of a successful examination, especially with volatile poisons such as prussic acid. The material should be packed in clean, water-tight bottles and jars. No disinfectant should be used, as this introduces foreign substances and may mislead the analyst, and the material should not be placed in water, alcohoi, or any other preservatives. It is better to err on the side of sending too much than too small an amount of material, especially if there is doubt as to the nature of the poison, since it will have to be divided into several portions during analysis. It should be recognised that different poisons are found deposited in different organs, and are not evenly distributed throughout the body. 652 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. The following notes indicate the animals usually affected by different poisons, the means by which they may become affected, and what portions of the body should be submitted for examination when that particular poison is suspected :— Arsenic.—The usual sources of the poison are dips and drenches, but cases of poisoning occur from rat powders, smelting furnaces (from the deposition of arsenic on the pastures round the works), paint, from improper dosage and from malicious poisoning. The animals usually affected are cattie and sheep, but horses, pigs and other animals may suffer at times. For analysis the organs required are parts of the stomach and intestinal walls (the whole viscera in small animals), portions of the contents of stomach and intestines, liver, spleen, kidneys, and the crop in fowls. Antimony.— Poisoning is usually due in this case to overdosing with condition powders, and the animals usually affected are horses. The material required is the stomach and contents, liver, spleen, and muscle (about a couple of pounds from the thigh and chest). Copper.—As a result of overdosing for worms or from the use of sprays in the orchard, sheep are commonly affected by this poison, but any animal may suffer. The organs required are the stomach and contents, part of intestines and contents, liver, lungs, and kidneys. Lead.—Cattle are most affected by lead poisoning from their habit of licking and eating paint, but the effluvia from lead works by impregnating herbage has been responsible for mortality in various kinds of stock. For analysis the organs which should preferably be submitted are the liver and kidneys, muscle, and bones. Portion of the contents of the alimentary tract should also be forwarded, and the reticulum in cases of chronic poisoning in ruminants, Mercury.—Poisoning from improper dosage, absorption of mercury from ointments, and uterine irrigation occurs most commonly in cattle, but the vapour from works and mines may render the pastures poisonous. The materials required tor analysis are the kidneys, liver, stomach and intestines and part of contents, the crop in birds, and part of the contents of the rumen in cattle. Zinc.—Poisoning from this source is rare, but may happen from accidental administration. The materials required are the feces, liver, kidney, and spleen. Phosphorus. —A common cause of poisoning, owing to its wide use as a rat and rabbit poison, Portions of the stomach and intestine and their contents should be forwarded with the liver, kidney, heart, and muscles. The gullet and gizzard should be forwarded in the case of birds. Sodium Chloride (common salt).— Usually associated» with mortality among pigs and fowls. Portions of the injesta should be submitted, and some of the food last fed to the animals or birds. Hydrocyanic Acid.—Cases of poisoning by hydrocyanic acid (prussic acid) are most commonly due to the consumption by stock of plants which contain the necessary constituents for forming the acid, but it may occur Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 6353 from careless use of cyanides for poisoning opossums. The material required is the stomach and intestines and contents or portions of them, liver, blood, and muscle. Any suspected plants should also be forwarded in as fresh a state as possible and in fair quantity (1 or 2 lb.). Carbolic Acid, &e.—Cases of poisoning at times occur when this is used as sheep dip or mange dressing, and from accidental administration. For analysis the stomach and intestines and contents, blood, liver, and urine should be submitted. Opium and Morphine-—Most commonly occurs in horses from excessive dosing in cases of colic. ‘fhe organs required are the stomach, intestines and contents, liver, and urine. Stiychnine.—A common cause of poisoning owing to its use as a dog, rabbit, and crow poison; occasional accidents occur from overdosing. The organs required are the stomach and contents, blood, liver, kidneys, and urine. Tobacco and Nicotine.—Poisoning from dips, washes, sprays, and drenching is not uncommon, and is mostly seen in sheep and horses. The stomach and contents, liver, and blood should be submitted. Turpentine—Poisoning by this means occasionally occurs from overdosing and improper administration. Forward the lungs, kidneys, and stomach and contents. Unknown Poisons. —Many cases occur in which, although poison is sus- pected, the owner is unable to give any indication as to the precise nature of the poison. It is safe to say that very many of these cases are not due to poisoning at all, but it is often necessary, in order to arrive at the cause of death, to eliminate the possibility of at least the commoner poisons being involved. In these cases portions of the stomach and intestines (together with their contents in large animals and the whole alimentary tract in small animals and birds) should be forwarded, together with the liver, spleen, kidneys, and portion of muscle and urine. In the case of small animals and birds, the whole carcase should preferably be sent, and the fullest possible history and description of the nature of the symptoms shown. Wherever it is only hand-fed animals that are attacked, samples of the feed should accompany the other material. VEGETABLE GARDENING IN SEPTEMBER. Tur Department’s pamphlet on vegetable growing for September is now available, and may be obtained free on application to the Under Secretary and Director, Department of Agriculture, Sydney. The pamphlet tells in a clear direct way exactly how to set about the tasks for the month, and the ground covered in its seven pages is surprisingly extensive. Beside general sowing and planting recommendations for September—the month for main spring sowings—detailed instructions for the raising of tomatoes are given, with numerous other hints, making up a leaflet worth writing for. 654 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920- The Control of Cattle Tick.* EXPERIMENTS WITH ARSENICAL DIPPING FLUIDS. L. COHEN, F.C.S. Durine the period of thirteen years that has elapsed since the cattle tick (Margaropus Australis or Boophitus Australis) first made its presence felt in the State of New South Wales, the treatment of infested or suspected stock with arsenical solutions, together with a system of quarantine, has been the method adopted by the Government with a view to the eradication of the pest. Since the general introduction of arsenical dipping fluids in various parts of the world, it has been observed that the original arsenious oxide in many baths tends to become converted by oxidation into arsenic oxide. This more highly oxidised form of arsenic was understood to have considerably less effect on the tick than in its original condition, but the experiments on the subject cannot be said to have established anything very definite in regard to the relative tick killing power of the several forms. The principal obstacle in the way of experiments on ticks in New South Wales is the scarcity of tick-infested cattle, but an opportunity arose in the latter part of 1916 of operating on a Queensland herd, the property of Mr. T. Campbell, of Murwillumbah, who was at that time a member of the New South Wales Tick Advisory Board. By the courtesy of this gentleman we were enabled to carry out experiments on his property, “ Helen’s Vale,” Oxenford, South Queensland, in 1916 and 1917, and again in 1920. The conclusions to be drawn from the results of this series of experiments are :— 1. The Departmental dipping formula contains more arsenic than is required to produce the best results. 2. The Departmental mixture at full arsenical strength has intrinsically no deleterious effect upon cattle, including dairy cows in full milk. 3. Arsenate up to 0°3 per cent. by itself, or up to 0-2 per cent. combined with 0-1 per cent. of arsenite, has no noticeably injurious effect on cattle. 4. Emulsion is not essential to a dip fluid, provided the utmost care is taken to ensure the thorough wetting of every portion of the skin of the beast. As, however, this is impracticable in routine eradication work, the employment of eniulsion is desirable for all ordinary purposes. 5. During the second moult, ticks are able to resist successfully the action of arsenical fluids at all commonly employed concentrations. 6. Even at less than half “ standard” arsenical strength, the only surviving ticks appear to be those undergoing the second metamorphosis at the time of treatment. 7. Arsenate possesses appreciable tick-kil!ing power, probably about one- third that of arsenite. 8. Arsenical fluids appear to act more rapidly in summer than in winter, 9. In continuous dipping for eradication purposes, treatment in weaker solutions at shorter intervals appears to offer brighter prospects of success than the present method. 10. Cattle leaving quarantine might advantageously receive two dippings with a four-day interval in a 5 1b. solution, instead of with a five to ten-day interval in an 8 lb. solution. * Summary of a report made available by Mr. 8. T. D. Symons, Chief Inspector of Stock. Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 655 The Pruning of the Vine. | Continued from page 126.] H. E. LAFFER. TRELLISED SYSTEMS. For simplicity of description, the systems of training may be divided into two: those in which the main arms (two or more in number) are placed on either side of the stem—usually termed espaliers or spaliers—and those in which the main arm is placed on one side of the stem only, known as cordons. In the first instance the arms are trained horizontally upon the wires, right and left of the stem, and in the simplest form there are two arms. In certain cases modifications are adopted, two or more pairs of arms being obtained at different levels. Although such modifications may not, from the theoretical point of view, be the best treatment, in practice they afford a means of over- coming diftticulties in handling the accumulations of growth from a strong vine, The objection raised against the two-armed, or spalier, vine is the possibility of uneven sap distribution, to thé ultimate upsetting of the balance between the arms. This applies more to those vines which are trained with long permanent arms than in the simple forms of spaliers, with shurt and easily renewed main arms. It follows that when one arm, for some reason or other, secures a margin in the vitality of the vine it will naturally use this pre- ponderance of vigour to the detriment of the weaker member. In this way the difference in the vigour of two arms may become more marked, to the ultimate failing of one half of the vine. When there is but one arm, as with the cordon, it represents but the one main channel for supply of the sap, and therefore any fault in distribution can only affect the secondary arms. It would appear to be more natural to divide the crown of the vine when training and to develop the twe-armed type. In addition, this system is more generally known in Australia than the cordon, and it is therefore more generally adopted. Nevertheless, the cordon has many advantages, and where adopted has given excellent results. It applies to best advantage in the case of vines growing upon rich soils, where the nature of the growth enables the main arms of individual vines to meet. Where trained as a spalier the arms of the vines meet mid-way, while in the cordon the one arm is carried on until it meets the stem of the next vine, or until limited by the strength of the vine. The same systems of training, both spalier and cordon, are adopted very largely in currant growing. The vigour of the Zante currant under normal 656 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. conditions of culture, or under irrigation, makes it imperative that a system allowing of full development of the vine shall be adopted. Thus we find that there is a tendency to resort to double- and treble-decked modifications in order to curb the vigour of this particular vine. Whether such a practice is the best in the long run is questionable. The simpler the construction of the vine the better the ultimate results, and if this strength of the vine will warrant say 12 feet of main arm well furnished with secondary arms, it is better to have this built up all on the same level than to have the vines half the distance apart with double-decked arms. ‘The only point to be considered is that the one arm may take longer to build up. The same systems may be applied to strong-growing table grapes in rich soil. It is at times asserted that the long arms have been a failure, but when this has been so it will usually be found that the failure is the result of one of two faults in construction. Fiz. 14.—The Thomery Spalier, spur-pruned. Firstly, there is a great tendency to extend the arms too quickly from year to year, resulting in an excessive number of buds to be nourished. It then happens that the individual growths from these buds are very weak, or else that a portion of them fail to burst, leaving a poorly-furnished arm, The secret of successful formation lies in the establishment of a stout arm, liberally furnished with strong, vigorous canes to start the secondary arms. None but a strong cane should be used to start a main arm, and it should be so extended that all the buds will give rise to good-sized canes. The second mistake lies in extending the length of the arm to such a limit that it overtaxes the ability of the root system to nourish the amount of wood and fruit which it is capable of carrying. ‘This is a common trouble in vines of only ordinary vigour. The trouble becomes accentuated when the sun, through lack of foliage, dries up the main arm, interrupting the free flow of the sap. Weak or dead secondary arms ultimately arise, and frequently nature asserts itself in forcing numerous water shoots from the stem or other healthy portions of the vine. For these conditions modified forms of the systems are used, having, as a rule, short main arms, upon which the fruiting wood is renewed from year to year in the form of spurs and rods, Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 657 For general wine-growing conditions, the short-armed types of training are very satisfactory, and they adapt themselves to the majority of the wine varieties of grape. Table grapes, which are generally grown under more favourable conditions of soil and climate, may, by reason of the greater vigour induced, be trained on the more extended forms of spaliers and cordons. The Zante currant is extended similarly, even to the extent of creating more than one set of main arms. The Sultana vine, on the other hand, in spite of its great vigour, does not respond if the main arms are over-long. The system most usually adopted for this vine is to establish a stout stem, with two short arms of about 15 inches in length, upon which a number of strong fruiting rods are established. from year to year, in conjunction with a number vf spurs for renewal of wood. Some growers entirely eliminate the arms with the Sultana, and have simply a straight stem, at the summit of which the fruiting rods and spurs are placed. This arrangement would appear to be going to the extreme, but nevertheless, satisfactory results are secured under certain conditions. Fig. 15.—Note loss of space owing to faulty formation at the crown in A. Thomery Spalier System. This system of training is one well adapted to strong-growing table varieties, or vines growing under irrigation. The typical vine consists of a straight stem which may be of variable height, and which has at the summit of this stem two strong arms extending one on either side of the vine to form as near as possible a perfect T. The length of the arms is adapted to the vigour of the vine and the conditions under which it may be growing. Upon the main arms the secondary arms will be distributed at even dis- tances, and upon these will be placed the fruiting wood. This latter may be in the form of spurs only, or else a combination of spurs and rods. | The use of spurs only will be adapted to table and other varieties which bear satisfactorily from the spur. The present day practice in growing Zante currants is to use the spur rather than the rod, the number of spurs being increased to balance the vigour. When this method is used the spacing of the secondary arms wil] be much closer than for the spur and rod ; roughly speaking, 6 inches apart will suttice, but the actual arrange- ment rests largely with the man who is pruning the vines. When the combination of spur and rod becomes necessary by reason of the character of the variety the spacing of the secondary arms will be wider, and here again the ultimate arrangement depends a good deal upon the skill of the pruner. Fig. 14 illustrates this system of training. 658 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. Formation.—As in other systems, the toundation of the stem and main arms should not be established from weak, spindly canes. Assuming that the young vine as planted into the vineyard is a good, one-year-old rootling, it will be cut hard back to a short spur at time of planting, in order to secure one or more strong canes, and to allow the root system to develop. sng At the end of the first year the young vines will, in most cases, be again cut back to a two-bud spur. One of the desirable objects of this system is to ensure that the main arms come from as near the same level as possible, and in order to secure this a certain amount of manipulation of young growth becomes necessary, by which several buds are secured at the same level. From the growth of these buds the arms are established. An imperfect form of the system is frequently seen when the arms are started from canes with an internode between them. The outcome of this is a more or less pronouncéd Y below the level of the wire instead of a T, which may ultimately act to the detriment of one or other of the arms, (See Fig. 15.) y j [= 0 SEX Zee Y / SR it arr a } b ee aye Om =F WR ys ys fl A fi B fig. 16.—Showing manipulation of young growth to secure buds close together as in C, and the two canes being trained in D to form the main arms. The mode of procedure is as follows :—A good strong young cane is trained vertically in the spring, and when it is about three or four internodes above the wire which indicates the height of the stem the tip is broken off above a bud which is just below the wire. In the course of a week or so the terminal bud remaining begins to grow another shoot, and when this is an inch or so in length it is again pinched back. This treatment results in a number of buds being established very much on the same level. The normal growth is now allowed to proceed throughout the growing period. At the next pruning the stem is tied vertically and firmly to the wire. In the spring two or more canes will start from about the same. level, and may be trained on either side along the wire. (See Fig. 16.) These canes should be carefully trained along the wire throughout the season, keeping useless growth thinned out in order to foster the strength of the main canes. At pruning, in the following winter, the two main canes should be shortened back according to the vigour of the vine. A common mistake of pruners is to make these arms too long in the first year, the effect being to ! Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 659 cause a weakening of the individual canes in the next. season, for the reason that there are too many buds to nourish. A further defect frequently results, in that the buds near the base of the arms may fail to burst and those at the extremities become over-strong. The result to be desired is a strong cane from every bud left upon the arms, In all cases the terminal bud should be left underneath and a full internode should be left for tying to the wire. In general 2 feet to 2 feet 6 inches should be long enough. (See Fig. 17.) The vine now consists of a T-head forming two arms, and upon each arm several strong canes, with a vigorous one from the terminal bud which is to be used ia the extension of the main arm. The vine will now be producing fruit, though it is not wise to allow over-production at this stage with consequent weakening of growth. Fig. 17.—Three stages in formation of Thomery Spalier. The next step is to establish spurs for secondary arms at regular intervals, and the distance of spacing will depend on whether the vine is to be spur or rod pruned in the future. If only spurs are to be established they may be placed approximately 6 inches apart, but if rods are to be employed double that distance will be needed. Accordingly the lateral canes are utilised to the best advantage, while the terminal ones will be shortened back according to vigour for the extension of the arms, say, to a further 2 feet in strong vines, again leaving the terminal bud underneath. When establishing the spurs which are to form the secondary arms, it is not advisable to place them too close to the base of the main arm, The general rule is to have the first ones about 9 to 12 inches from the centre of the vine, thereby insuring a more even distribution of the 660 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. growth. The tendency is for spurs which are placed closer than this to absorb too much sap and to become over-strong in relation to the growth further along the arm. The foundation of the vine is now well established, and it is simply a matter of extending the arms from year to year so far as the vigour of the vine will permit. At the next season’s pruning the first thing to be done is the renewal of the fruiting wood on the base portion of the arm. If the vine is spur-pruned it is merely a matter of renewing the spurs by reducing the most suitable canes to two-bud spurs. Should the variety be a rod-pruned one the two growths developing from the old spurs will be converted—the lower one into a new spur and the upper into a rod. The latter will, in general, be tied down to the wire by the terminal internode which has been cut through the base of the bud. The canes on the previous year’s extension will be spurred similarly to the preceding portion, thereby establishing a further number of secondary arms. ‘The terminal canes will be used to extend the arms to a greater length. This process continues until the full extent of the arms has been reached, and finally each arm is terminated by a spur. Annual Pruning.—According as the vine is spur or rod pruned, the annual treatment is on recognised lines. Provided the vigour of the vine is normal there should be no difficulty. The spurs in either case will be selected from such canes as will contribute to the shape of the vine, and at the same time keep the secondary arms as short as possible. The rods, being for purpose of fruiting only, may be placed anywhere, provided that they are fruit-bearing wood. The ideal arrangement is to form the new spur from the lowest suitable cane, and the rod from the upper, but this cannot always be attained. The spur must have preference over the rod if it is impossible to secure both, and for the time being a rod may be secured, if need be, from a cane on the old rod. All water shoots growing upon the stem or arms should, if possible, be disbudded in the spring, and failing this they must be cleanly cut out at the winter pruning. As the vine becomes old the secondary arms will probably need renewal by the use of suitable water shoots which may arise from time to time. The vigour of the vine should be maintained, and weakening from over-production should be specially avoided. In the case of rod-pruned vines, where excessive weakness is evident the rods sould be dispensed with for one or more seasons, enabling the normal development of wood to be renewed. Multiple-armed Spaliers. The necessity for more than one pair of arms may arise in certain circum- stances, and necessarily implies great vigour of growth in the vines. It is confined, for the greater part, to strong vines grown under irrigation, such as the Zante currant, or other strong vines growing under natural rainfall on rich soils. Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 661 In the first place a high trellis-work is needed, with wires at heights suited to the scheme to be adopted. The young vine must have a strong start, and ‘a stout cane will be tied vertically to the trellis wires. The principal point to achieve at the outset is the production of a number of strong canes at levels which will coincide with the levels of the wires. It becomes impossible to insure that each pair arises at the same level, and therefore the best possible arrangement must be made. . From the vertical stem the most suitable canes are trained on the various wires, shortening them according to the strength of the vine. In other respects, once the first section is established, extension of the several arms is on lines similar to the Thomery spalier. Greater precautions may have to be observed owing to the multiplicity of arms, and every care must be taken to see that the strength of the vine is not overtaxed. With regard to the annual pruning, practically the same remarks apply as in the simple spalier type. Indications of permanent weakness in the old vine are remedied by the removal of one or more pairs of the arms. The main objection to the multiple-arms types of tiaining is that the top arms overshadow the lower ones with possibly some disadvantage to the fruit on the latter. Some of the best currant vineyards on the Murray are single- armed types (spaliers and cordons) and, as mature vines, they are very productive. (To be continued.) HAY THAT CONTAINED STINK GRASS (Hragrostis major Host). DuriInG an investigation by a veterinary officer into mortality among cattle in the Hunter Valley, certain hay came under suspicion. Among other plants the hay contained a grass identified as above by the Government Botanist (Mr. J. H. Maiden), who drew attention to his article on the grass in the Agricultural Gazette for July, 1912. The possibility of this grass being involved in the mortality had to be considered, and further inquiry in the neighbourhood revealed the fact that one farmer had been feeding some of his cattle for some weeks on hay made entirely from this grass without ill effects. Although the grass has a very disagreeable odour when fresh, it mostly disappears in the hay. ‘The hay is, perhaps, not of very superior quality, but is not to be despised in carrying stock through a drought period.—S. T. D. Symons, M.R.C.V.S. Tae MEXICAN APPLE. Tue little paragraph on the above subject in the August issue of the Agricultural Gazette drew about ten times as many inquiries for plants as the Department could possibly supply. The offer is now withdrawn. 662 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. To UrriLIsE Frosted MAIZE FOR STOCK-FEED. “ We are desirous of stacking for stock feeding through the winter a crop of , maize, which had cobs in the milky stage when the whole crop was badly frosted. One stack already in the shed is sweating and heating badly. Any information would be welcomed, whereby the maize could be saved for feeding stock.” The foregoing occurred in a letter addressed by an Inverell correspondent to the Department recently. The Chief Inspector of Agriculture remarked, in reply, that maize that has been frosted should be cut at once, and allowed to cure in the field in stooks of about ten to fifteen bundles for one to two months. The cobs should then be husked from the stalks before stacking. In this particular case, the farmer should husk out all the cobs from the stalks in the field, cut and tie the stalks into bundles of about twenty stalks, put up the bundles into stooks in the field, and leave them there until dry enough to stack. This would not take more than a few weeks in a dry autumn and winter. In a very wet winter the stalks might never, of course, be fit to bring in, but in such a case they would not be so badly needed as feed. This method of harvesting maize in the dough stage to obtain both grain and fodder (even when the crop is not frosted) cannot be too strongly urged for the Inv eal and Northern Tableland districts, where the autumns are usually dry, and rough winter feed for cattle is often scarce. Considerable care must be exer cised, even after the removal of the cobs, in determining the fitness of the fodder for stacking, in order to avoid heating or spoilage. A mixture of one part of air-slakea lime to three parts of fine salt, distributed as evenly as possible throughout the stack as it is being put up, at the rate of 10 or 15 |b. of the mixture to each ton of fodder, will prevent a certain amount of spoilage without affecting the palatability of the fodder. Practically nothing can be done for fodder when it has actually gone far through heating. PROTECTION OF HONEY-YIELDING TREES. Tue advantage to be gained by apiarists combining in bee-keeping localities to prevent indiscriminate ringbarking on leasehold land and other Crown land is evident. Very commonly it is the best honey trees that are destroyed, while useless timber is left to comply with the conditions imposed by the Lands Department. In several districts where apiarists have com- bined to protect themselves, applicatiow has been made to the Lands Depart- ment for preference to honey trees to be ensured on land being thrown open tor leasehold, and this has heen granted. Sometimes a man has been sent by local apiarists during ringbarking operations to see that the work was carried out according to the conditions. In the first week’s operations in one particular area, several leaseholders were reported and subsequently fined. Needless to say, the whole locality benefited by the foresight of the local apiarists. Apiarists should see that good honey trees are protected on all forest areas and reserves. When a number of good trees are left on the land, an improvement for both the grazier and the apiarist is the resalt. The conditions under which land is to be leased are defined before the land is made available, and bee-keepers and the general public should protect their rights by assisting the Lands Department to see that the conditions are observed, and, if not, that the case is reported, so that the best timber may not be destroyed.—W. A. Goopacre, Senior Apiary Inspector, \ Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 663 Cotton Growing in New South Wales. Tue high prices ruling as a result of the war have brought this crop into prominence. The industry, which in Australia is largely centred in Queens- land, has always had its ups and downs, a renewal of effort on its behalf taking place with an advance in prices, but again declining with a fall. At the present time there is a serious world shortage of cotton, and prices are up to a higher level than they have ever been ; consequently there has been a great incentive to production recently in Queensland, where some cotton has always been grown. ‘The Queensland Department of Agriculture has fostered the industry by supplying seed to growers in that State, and assisting them in the disposal of their crops by making an advance on seed cotton consigned to that Department after deducting the expenses of treatment. Last season the total amount paid to Queensland growers was over 6d. per lb. for seed cotton, and the Government has now guaranteed to advance to growers in that State 54d. per lb. upon all seed cotton free from disease and of good quality grown prior to 30th June, 1922, provided that it is consigned to the Department of Agriculture, Brisbane, and delivered at the railway station or port nearest to the place where it was grown. The raw cotton will be subsequently ginned and sold on the owner’s account, and, after paying the expenses, the surplus over and above the original 534d. per lb. will be paid to the supplier of the raw cotton. The Queensland Department of Agriculture has now consented to extend this favour to New South Wales growers in the northern part of the State, provided a certificate is sent with each consignment that it is from seed supplied by the Queensland Department, and that no cotton grown from other seed is in the immediate neighbourhood. The Commonwealth Government has also guaranteed a minimum price of 4d. per lb. for raw cotton harvested in Australia during 1920. A prorsise has also been made to guarantee a minimum price for the 1921 and 1922 crops, but this price has not yet been fixed. At these prices, the cotton crop must be considered as a profitable side- line on small areas on many farms in the northern part of New South Wales. The districts in which good cotton of the upland varieties has been grown in an experimental way in this State are the North Coast (north of Sydney), and the north-western districts on the main northern and north-western railways, excepting those of the colder Northern Tablelands. It has been thought that only the tropics are suited to the production of cotton, but in the United States of America (which provides more than two-thirds of the world’s total supply) practically none of the cotton-growing area lies within the tropics. In no part of that area are frosts unknown during the winter—in fact, frosts are desirable for the upland varieties, as 664 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. they are best treated as an annual crop, and the cleaning and preparation’ of the land for the next crop is facilitated by frosts, which hasten the wilting and decaying of the plants after harvest. In America the area sown to cotton on the average farm is under 10 acres. The Queensland Department of Agriculture advises growers that 10 acres is about the limit which one man can tend without outside help at harvesting time, and it is thought that until he becomes efficient in harvesting cotton, about 5 or 6 acres will be sufficient for a grower in this State to undertake at first. Although yields of over 1,500 or 2,000 1b. of seed cotton per acre have been produced in Queensland, an average yield of 1,000 lb. per acre should be a fair crop. At this figure it is seen that the gross return will be something about £25 per acre. Of this it may be reckoned (assuming that 100 lb. of seed cotton per day can be picked) that about £7 or £8 per acre must be ‘deducted for cost of harvesting. The varieties most largely grown in southern Queensland are the upland sorts, and it is seed of these varieties that will be most suitable for New South Wales conditions, and which the Queensland Department can supply on application. Cotton requires a good start and clean cultivation to keep down weeds in the early stages of growth, but once established it can be reckoned as a somewhat drought-resistant crop, at least requiring less rainfall for its subsequent growth than maize. Soils which will grow 40 or more bushels of maize per acre may be relied on to produce a good crop of cotton in normal seasons. ‘lreating the upland cotton as an annual, which is recognised as the best method in most of the cotton-growing districts on average maize soils, the rows should be about 3 or 34 feet apart. Owing to some difficulty in obtaining a good stand, it is recommended that on small areas seed should be dropped 5 or 6 inches apart in the rows and later thinned to about 12 or 18 inches, the former distance on the richer soils. This seeding (which can be done with the maize drill) requires 10 to 15 Ib. of seed per acre. The time of sowing should be about the usual time for planting maize, or a little later, to ensure the ground being warmed up sufficiently to induce ready germination. Early in October should be about the most suitable time in most of the districts referred to, but the latter half of September would be quite all right on the North Coast. Planting should be finished by mid-November. Cultivation should be similar to that for maize, the most important factor being to keep the crop clean and free from weeds in the early stages of growth. Picking will begin for the early sown crops about February, and will con- tinue until frosts set in. The bolls should be allowed to open fully, and picking should not be commenced in the morning until the dew has com- pletely dried off the plants. The harvesting should not be delayed too Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 665 long after the bolls are open, or discoloration from sun and rain will result. For the first few pickings there will hardly be a full day’s work on a 5-acre plot, but when the crop is fully productive, an amateur should be able to pick at least 100 lb. per day ; smart pickers can get up to 200 lb. or over per day under favourable conditions, With an average yield of 1,000 Ib. per acre, and an average picking of 100 Ib. per day, a 5-acre field will require about fifty days’ picking for one man. With wet days and other work on the farm, this area is suggested as sufticient for one man to look after, unless he can procure other help. After picking, the cotton should be exposed for a few hours to the sun, in order to remove any excess of moisture. Compared with maize, it is pointed out that although the cost of harvest- ing cotton is high, no further treatment is required, while maize, of course, bas to be husked and threshed before marketing. The yield of lint (ginned cotton) is usually about one-third that of the weight of seed cotton harvested. The value of the cotton-seed after the ginning process is well recognised in America, where the seed is extensively used for the manufacture of cotton- ‘seed oil and of cotton-seed meal, which is largely used as a stock-food. BEES SUPERSEDING THEIR QUEENS. Ir was noted by the presence of supersedure queen ceils in a hive that a ‘certain colony was about to supersede its queen. To all outward appearances the queen was all right, laying well and keeping up the population of the colony. As she was of pure Italian stock, and it was thought that some other condition not due to the failing of the queen might have been the cause of the bees desiring to supersede, it was decided to give the queen a chance. The queen was removed and introduced to a good, contented colony ; within a fortnight supersedure cells were noted there also, For further test the queen was introduced to yet another colony, but within a week, after laying fairly well, she died. It seems in this peculiar case that although there was no outward sign of the failure of the queen, either the bees or the queen herself must have anticipated the failing. In some cases, especially in accord with the peculiarities of the season, good queens may be superseded, owing, it is believed, to the bees considering the queen not progressive enough in egg laying to suit them. As the work of the queen is a good deal regulated by the condition of the honey flow, weather, &., the supersedure of a good queen is really due to some peculiarity of the season. A little stimulating feed given regularly at such times when supersedure and balling queens is prevalent is recommended. Above all, do not interfere with the colonies more than is absolutely necessary.—W. A. Goopacre, Senior Apiary Inspector. 666 Agricuitural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. A Combined Productive and Queen-raising Hive. W. A. GOODACRE, Senior Apiary Inspector. EXPERIMENTS have been carried out at the Government Apiary with a “ combined ” hive that will not alter the system and management of the standard hive for productive purposes, but will yet enable a nucleus hive for queen-raising purposes to be incorporated with it. The hive, as it appears on completion, is shown in Fig. 1. It has been proved in America and in New South Wales that queens can be raised successfully by having nuclei on top of a popuious colony, provided they have indirect com- munication with the colony. In the hive illustrated the nuclei are situated at the rear. Necessary indirect communication is allowed, yet both classes of work—production and queen-raising—can be carried on separately without interruption to either. The communication is allowed through what would, in the ordinary way, be the end-board of a super, but which is replaced in this hive by a hollow division, situated between the super and the projecting part used for queen-raising, and actually form- ing a passage or ante-room to both. The frames in the queen- raising portion and the super are interchangeable. The success attending the use of the hive has been considered sufficient to warrant its introduction to the practical apiarist, who should Fig. 1.—Combined hive as it appears when completed. : : 2 pee The projecting portion at the right is find it convenient when wishing used for queen-raising. to raise a number of queens for his own use, or to start nuclei for increase. Apart from such work, the hive may be found to simplify the introduction of queens to the parent colony, and tend, too, to minimise swarming. By use of the combined hive, the bees in the super and in the queen-raising portions can be given direct or indirect communication, or completely separated at will. The nucleus colonies receive some benefit even when separated, provided wire cloth is used instead of excluder on the nuclei side, for an advantage when the bees will receive the heat from the populous colony raising queens or starting up nuclei, as a practical apiarist will understand. The nuclei colonies are formed in the usual way, and for a start it is advisable to prevent communication with wire cloth as mentioned. In our own experiments the nucleus colony received the desired support from the Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 667 populous colony. Work with the nucleus does not to any extent interfere with the populous colony, and all the bees having the same colony odour they can be united at any time. The colonies selected for the combined scheme should be populous. The best time for raising queens is naturally when the colonies are contented and progressive. Construction of the Combining Portion. Figure 2 shows the combining portion of the hive in process of construc- tion ; it is half an inch short of being double the length of an ideal super, and its depth may be that of either an ideal super or a half-depth super. The left half of this portion is set in the body of the hive, and forms an ordinary super, and the right half projects as shown in Fig. 1. The top centre cross-bar is 2 inches deep and 1} inches wide on its upper surface. (The necessity for a slight tapering from upper to under surface will be apparent presently). The upper surface of this cross-bar and the Fig. 2.—Combining portion of the hive in process of construction, with cross-bars which subsequently form the floor and ceiling of passage between queen-raising portion and hive proper. upper edges of both ends of the combining portion are rabbeted to receive the lugs of the frames. When the top cross-bar is nailed in position, it should be possible to put frames in each half of the portion under construc- tion, and the whole should have the appearance of two supers placed end on. The bottom cross-bar is 1 inch square ; it is nailed directly beneath the top eross-bar, and flush with the bottom of the structure. These cross-bars sub- sequently form the floor and ceiling respectively of the communication passage between the two sections of the combining portion. Dividing the portion to be used for queen-raising is a piece of three-ply wood, which Fig. 2 shows just about to be slipped into the grooves sawn in the end and in the cross-bars. In Fig. 3 is illustrated the construction of the communication passage mentioned ; it presents the opposite view to Fig. 2, the side marked A facing the end of the supplementary portion at the reader’s left in Fig. 2. A and B 668 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. (B in two parts) are pieces of three-ply wood cut as shown in Fig. 4, and fixed to the bottom cross-bar with leather or metal hinges. As the figure indicates, these sides may be closed and fastened with small metal catches. The necessity for the slight tapering from upper to under surface of the top eross-bar will now be obvious ; the lower cross-bar is the narrower of the two, and the tapering of the top cross-bar enables the hinged sides to come flat against it. Arrived at the stage of construction now pictured, the combining portion only lacks covers and bottom-board for the queen-raising half. Covers in the shape of a piece of board for each compartment may be fixed when the supplementary structure is embodied with the main hive as illustrated in Fig. 1. In making the bottom board for the queen-raising portion, a l-inch entrance should be allowed in the corners farthest from the main colony. If necessary, this portion may be supported in some way. Fig. 3.—Showing construction of communication passage and strips of queen excluder in position: Fig. 4.—Showing method of cutting the hinged pieces of three-ply wood which form the sides ef the communication passage. ~The nucleus colonies are formed in the usual manner, either from the parent colony or from other colonies ; three frames in each nucleus will be sufficient and will give good communication in an eight-frame super. At the beginning it is best to prevent communication. This can be done on the nuclei side, but after the bees settle down to their work the excluder can be exposed and communication given. I have tried other methods of giving communication, such as by bare double excluders, and the colonies were supported all right and the cells hatched freely, but the bees were very excited and in most cases balled the young queens. Direct communication, so_far as our tests when raising young queens indicated, should be avoided. Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 669° Root Rot of Fruit Trees due to Armillaria mellea. W. A. BIRMINGHAM, Biologist’s Assistant. OnE cause of root rot in many fruit trees is the ‘“‘ honey fungus ”—Armullaria mellea. It is a disease existing without any marked symptoms as far as the top of the tree is concerned, at least until the fungus has obtained such a strong hold on the butt and root-system as to be almost beyond treatment. This fungus belongs to the botanical family Agaricacee, of which the mushroom is a common type. There is probably no fungus more destructive than Armillaria mellea. It is found in abundance in Europe ana America, and appears to be wide-spread in certain parts of New South Wales. The Appearance of Diseased Trees. In citrus trees the grower’s attention is at first drawn to the sickly yellow appearance of the foliage and the dying out of certain branches. When in an advanced stage the trees usually set very heavy crops. [If the soil be removed from around the butt and the main roots exposed, trees attacked by the fungus will show a rotten condition of the bark at and below the ground line. The bark can readily be peeled away, exposing the white fungus lying between the bark and wood. Affected roots will show ‘slightly wavy strands, dark brown to black in colour, running along the surface (Fig. 1). These bootlace-like strands, or rhizomorphs, do not become free from the bark as they do in the case of pome and stone fruit trees. They may travel along the roots to the extremities and there reach and attach themselves to the roots of adjacent trees which come in contact with them. Toadstools may arise at the base of the tree in autumn (Fig. 2), which in form resemble the common mushroom; they are the spore-bearing organs of the fungus. These spore bodies are usually produced in clusters. The cap of the toadstool is from 2 to 6 inches broad, and is borne upon a central stalk 4 to 6 inches long. The stem is yellowish in colour above, but usually brown -below, with a more or less persistent collar or annulus. The cap varies from convex to slightly conical. It is yellow to orange-brown in colour, hence the name honey fungus, the centre of the cap when younger being often covered with small brown or sooty scales. On the underside of the cap are white or slightly discoloured gills, distinct from one another and slightly running down the stem. The growth and effect of the fungus on pome and stone fruit trees is similar to that in citrus trees, with the exception that in the case of the two former, the bootlace or rhizomorph stage is isolated from the bark, and is found running over the surface of the roots (Fig. 3). [Se it . 2, 1920. igricultural Gazette of N.S.W. a 670 ‘aossv yy Laify—svw g pure G‘Ssoiy ‘“wintpeotu Jo puvasays youlq 10 ydaout -OZ1G4 JO 219U90 0} Opis}yUO WOAy UOTZDaS ‘g funrpeotur ayg wor Zursaads wany FZunok jo daysnjo v ‘pM {41 Sutpunoaims urntypaodnu JO Spuviys Suryouvaq YILM 4Oo.1 99.13 JO uorysod ‘p tsostyduind Aq patu diumooor ‘p ‘wnipiseq ‘¢ tumypeott Jo spuvigs aylppi0o ‘yor[q ‘p : Bun ‘9 {ses ‘q {snapid ‘ ‘sns5uny jo uowyoos ‘Z ‘Dayjau DUD PUL Jo asoydoicdg Jo weiseiq—-g ‘317 ‘(Wewtoads) Sjooy snij{g uo SydiowozIuyY—y} . 314 } Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 671 Fig. 3.—Rhizomorphs on Nectarine Bark (specimen). rua 4.—Peach Root attacked by Armillu 1g. FE mellea (specimen). 672 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. | [Sept. 2, 1920. How the Disease is Spread. The means by which the disease spreads are as follows :— 1. The fungus, which is a parasite on native timbers, is left over on stumps and in the soil when the land is cleared for planting, and the young trees are too often planted before the pest has died out. 2. By means of infected roots coming in contact with the extremities of adjacent trees. ‘ 3. By means of spores, which are shed from the gills on the underside of the cap of the toadstool or sporophore. \ Effect of the Fungus on the Tree. The fine fungus threads penetrate the tissues of the root and form a fungal sheet, resembling a sheet of tissue paper, between the wood and the bark (Fig. 4). This robs the root of nourishment, and prevents the rising of nourishment to the stem, the result being that the tree gradually perishes. The cutting off of the sap supply produces a yellowing of the leaves and prevents the manufacture of the food necessary for the maintenance of the tree. The presence of the fungus between the wood and bark also prevents the formation of new wood and bark tissue. In advanced cases the butt of the tree may be ringbarked by the fungus. Control Measures. It is hardly possible to adopt effective control measures, but it is desirable that every means possible be taken to get rid of all stumps and roots before an orchard is set out. In districts where the pest is known to exist, newly cleared land should be sown to some grain or other field crop (with the exception of potatoes, which are susceptible) for several years previous to its use for orchard purposes. When a tree is found in the early stages of attack, the soil should be removed from the butt and main roots, the diseased bark at the butt removed with a sharp knife, and all diseased roots traced out as far as possible and removed. The cut surfaces should be painted with bluestone paste, made as follows :— Sulphate of copper Oh: ska alam Quicklime... “A ar ee soto) aa Waters -4.; : eve ses .. Ad gals. Dissolve the bluestone in avon of the water and the lime in the remainder, and then mix both together to form the paste. lt is recommended that, when replacing the soil, a fair proportion of the root-system be left uncovered (say one foot from the butt all round) for an indefinite period. All diseased material and toadstools should be burnt. Where possible the affected trees should be isolated by digging a trench 2 feet deep around them, such trench to be outside the spread of the root- systems. All soil removed in the operation should be thrown on the inside of the quarantined area. Trees found in an advanced stage of the disease should be immediately removed, as they are beyond treatment and are a —— Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 673 source of infection to adjacent trees. | When trees are removed they should be burnt on the spot, the soil then turned over and a generous dressing of quicklime provided. ‘The area should be allowed to remain unplanted to fruit trees for a considerable time (several years if possible), and in the meantime the soil should be repeatedly turned over to the action of the sun. Where trees are slightly attacked, the lower branches should be removed to allow sunlight to reach the butt of the tree. This specially applies to citrus trees, as shade and moisture favour the growth of the fungus. Some growers use a mulch of. grass or other material under the trees; this should be kept at least a foot away from the butt. Lack of drainage favours the disease, and where it is defective it should be remedied. There is evidence that the fungus in some cases works slowly ; so that if diseased parts are removed and the tree is kept healthy and vigorous, and is subjected to good cultivation and manuring, it may last for a long time. There is also evidence that the fungus makes rapid progress in wet seasons. This is not so evident in the appearance of the tree as one would expect, but it becomes so if the wet years are followed by drought, when the foliage rapidly becomes yellow and the tree collapses and dies, often just about the time the fruit is ready to pick. Several specifics have been tried out by the Department of Agriculture for the control of this pest, but none of those used has given much promise of success up to the time of writing. To REBUILD AN APIARY DEPLETED BY DROUGHT. THE manner in which a queen bee carries on egg-laying is partly governed by outside conditions, including the supply of honey and pollen that is available for collection by the bees. In the absence of stimulating conditions the queen bee will often cease laying, or perhaps very little brood will be observed. During a dearth of honey in the fields it is a good plan in season to give a little stimulating food daily to maintain progress. The food is given inside the hive by removing the cover and placing a quilt with a hole in the centre over the frames; an empty super is then put on, and the feed (which should consist of sugar and warm water in equal quantities by volume, stirred until the sugar is dissolved) poured into a container which should be accessible to the bees in the empty super. Honey thinned down with water would do for feeding, providing the honey is from a source where it is known there is no disease. Where the number of colonies in an apiary has been depleted by a scarcity of feed, as perhaps happened in a good many places ‘last season, the apiary can be built up again by purchasing a number of untested queens from a queen-raising apiary about the time when the remaining colony or colonies again become populous in the late spring. Nuclei can then be formed for increase, the number of nuclei formed from each hive depending upon the strength to which the parent colony has built up.—W. A. Goopacre, Senior Apiary Inspector. Cc 674 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. Poultry Notes. : SEPTEMBER. JAMES HADLINGTON, Poultry Expert. Tue hatching season will now be drawing to a close. It will be inadvisable to set more eggs after about the ninth of this month, so that the last chickens will be out on the last day of September. The reason for this cessation in setting has been stated so many times that it seems quite unnecessary to go over that ground again at present. ‘Beginners can accept this advice as absolutely sound—a fact which will be attested to by persons having had experience with late chickens. It is quite understood that concerning this limitation, the question is likely to be asked: Why so precise a termination of the hatching season? The answer is that even a week or two is found to make a very material difference in the results obtained. In this respect the point between raising profitable and unprofitable stock is a fine one—especially when large numbers are involved. For the sake of beginners, it must be reiterated that nothing but disappointment is likely to result from chickens hatched out during the ensuing four months. Rearing. While the hatching will, or should, finish this month, we are still right in the middle of the rearing period. Chickens will be in the brooding stage until early in November, and since September and October are the months when the largest aggregation of chickens will be on the farm, it follows that that is also the time when the maximum troubles will be experienced. Ithas ~ already been pointed out that disparity between the incubation and _ brooder capacity is one of the worst evils affecting the hatching season, because it leads to congestion, and this is the forerunner of all sorts of trouble and a serious mortality. ‘The cause of this mortality is not necessarily disease, although disease in an epidemic form is often brought about in this way, the conditions being suitable for the development and propagation of the different organisms that cause disease, It is well ‘to remember that when rearing chickens we are dealing with very tender life, and that if we cannot save our chickens by preventive means there is little hope of being able to do so by medicine. What constitutes congestion and overcrowding was dealt with in last month’s notes. However, let it not be imagined that space alone will prevent | it, because even with unlimited space the conditions may be such as to cause the packing together which is the worst form of crowding. To cite cases, the writer has often seen 200 to 500 chickens, six to eight weeks old, housed in a large shed or hen-house, which, as far as room was concerned, would accommodate double that number. Owing, however, to the tendency of chickens to crowd Sept. 2, 1920.] - Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 675 . together for company and warmth, disasters of the character mentioned above have resulted, while their owners would protest that the chickens had plenty of space. Here, then, is a lesson that must be learnt before successful rearing can result. - The best plan is to house chickens of this tender age in much smaller numbers—fifty to seventy-five is sufficient for one lot—and this applies to the whole growing period until they are removed to the laying quarters, when, say, 5 months old—and even then there is still danger of trouble (particularly from roup) if too many, say 100, are put together at that age. Mature birds are naturally much less susceptible to roup and other diseases of the young, and may.be housed in larger mobs if desired. Thin out, spread out, give more space—that should be the motto of poultry-rearers. Only in this way can we prevent the terrific wastage that is the one great cause of failure in pouitry-farming on a commercial scale. Vermin. A sharp look-out should be kept for the appearance of vermin, and particularly for head lice on chickens. When the birds are seen to be drooping without apparent cause, a search should be made for these parasites. The slightest touch with salad oil is quite effective to destroy them, but care should be exercised not to smear the chickens elsewhere with oil, as is often done. Many operators, thinking that the treatment is’ too mild to be effective, use stronger remedies (such as mercurial ointments), or add kerosene, turpen- tine, &c., to the salad oil. This is not only unnecessary but dangerous. Chickens are often killed as a result of these departures from the advice herein given. Another common mistake made by beginners is to spray the brooders and chicken-raising equipment generally with disinfectants as a precautionary measure against disease—a precaution which not infrequently brings about troubles the birds would otherwise escape. There is such a thing as being over-anxious in anticipation of disease. The same thing applies to the use of disinfectants and germicides put in the drinking water. The point is that the operator should be more concerned as to the conditions under which the chickens are being run than with anticipation of disease with which (in all probability) no trouble would be experienced if the conditions were good. Meat Meals or Concentrates. In last month’s notes reference was made to the excessive use of meat meais and concentrates. Questions received on this matter appear to indicate that the methods of using these are not yet well understood by many. For the information of such as are in doubt, it might be stated that taking the ordinary foods used for poultry, comprising say, wheat, maize, oats and barley and their meal-products used for the morning mash, together with lucerne with or without a small percentage of some of the oil cakes, examples of which have been given from time to time in these notes and in publications 676 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. _ [Sept. 2, 1920. issued by the Department, about 5 per cent. to 6 per cent. of M.I.B. meal or Compo-meal added to the morning mash only, is required to balance the ration to the desired standard for laying hens. This is, of course, on a standard of §0 per cent., as the protein content of the meal. Excessive amounts are liable to cause more or less looseness of the intestines, and sometimes enteritis. It is therefore advisable that the amount used should be restricted to the quantity mentioned, or at any rate should not be much in excess. In regard to bone meal, the use of this should be almost confined to chickens, and 3 per cent. to 5 per cent. might be used in one feed per day for chickens between 2 and 6 weeks old. After that about 5 per cent. of Compo, which is a mixture of meat and bone meal, might be used in one mash feed per day. It might be well to point out too that the idea of feeding chickens on a highly concentrated or narrow ration is not the way to rear strong profit- able stock. The objective in feeding the young should be to develop to the fullest extent the capacity of the bird to consume food. The development of such capacity is of utmost importance, and is a prime factor in building up a constitution that will be able to convert the largest amount of food into eggs during the laying period. The small eater is not the bird to stand the strain of high egg-production and of laying good-sized eggs, and at the same time be capable of transmitting a good constitution to its offspring. Not aay so, but feeding on a too-concentrated food generally brings on too early maturity with all its train of evils. COMMUNITY ACTION AND GRASSHOPPER CONTROL. Conservation (the monthly journal of the Commission of Conservation, Ottawa, Canada,) in its issue for May cites as an instance of the value of community action in dealing with an insect pest like locusts, an experience of certain Quebec farmers in 1915, About 30,000 acres of growing crop in St. Etienne-de-Gras: and adjoining parishes were treated with poisoned bait within a period of two or three days, and, as a result, 95 per cent. of the locusts were killed, and crops were saved in some fields where, owing to continued outbreaks of these insects ,notning of value had been harvested for several years. S1zE OF CORE AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE TO MaArzE GROWERS. THE growing of a certain variety of maize because it has a small core—simply because such cobs usually thresh out well—has been overdone by many farmers. Some cores are certainly of excessive size, but it is difficult to understand how a core of moderate size can be regarded as an objection, in view of the fact that the core itself is largely waste, and that such a core usually carries more grain than a small core. Yield per acre, not percentage of grain per cob, is the most important consideration, and it is the one farmers should keep before them,— H. Wenuoxz, Inspector of Agriculture. Sept. 2, 1920.] : Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 677 Orchard Notes. SEPTEMBER. W. J. ALLEN and S. A. HOGG. Spraying of Stone Fruits. As the last few months have been rather wet, there is a chance of an out- break of curl leaf among peaches. A warning was given last month to spray with lime-sulphur in the dormant stage. Except in very moist climates the same treatment will delay the development of rust and shot-hole fungus to a sufficient extent to render these diseases practically harmless. In localities very near the sea, shot-hole and rust are more difficult to control, and an application of Bordeaux mixture (6—4—50) can be given at the pinking stage. Apples and Pears. As sap is rising early this season in many districts, September will be too late for further plantings. It will be necessary about the end of this month to spray some of the early blossoming varieties of apples and pears ; as a preventive to black-spot, either lime-sulphur or Bordeaux mixture should be used. Good results haye been obtained by using these sprays when the buds are first opening, before the pinking stage is actually reached. We again recommend using departmental formula for lime-sulphur at the pinking stage—1 in 28, and 1 in 34 in the later sprayings. Bordeaux mixture should be used at 6-4—-50 strength for the pinking and later stages. The first spraying for codlin moth must be given about the same time as the second application for black spot—when the petals fall and before the calyx closes. Recent experiments in the departmental orchards have shown that, though iron sulphide will control mildew of apple, in some seasons it seriously checks the growth of both tree and fruit, and for this reason its use is no longer recommended. Atomic sulphur, on the other hand, has given control, and has not shown any checking influence on trees or fruit. The same experiments have shown that the first application should be made from spur- bursting to pinking period, followed by applications combined with each arsenate of lead spray. Owing to the absence of outbreaks of black spot of apple, the Department has not been able in these experiments to determine whether atomic sulphur, gives any control or not over the latter disease ; experiments are being ‘continued in order to determine this, or whether a combined fungicide can be used to control both these apple diseases. Experiments are also being continued with another precipitated sulphur, which gives promise of being very similar in its action to atomic sulphur, and cheaper to use. , ad \ 678 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. Grafting and Budding. Toward the end of the month, and in the beginning of October, the apple and pear trees will be sufficiently forward to permit satisfactory grafting, and those trees which it is intended to re-work to better or more suitable varieties should be cut back and grafted. It is best, when grafting older trees, to leave one limb to take a portion of the sap. The scions for grafting should be heeled into the soil until required. It is preferable to head stone-fruit trees hard back, and to bud the new growth about December, or earlier if it is forward enough. Vines. The vines having been dressed during the winter months with sulphuric acid and sulphate of iron, as recommended for black spot, should (in districts where black spot is prevalent) be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture (6—4—40) : when the early buds are bursting, and again with Bordeaux mixture (6-4-50) when the later buds are bursting. If wet weather prevails a further appli- cation of Bordeaux (6—4-50) should be made just before the vines blossom. Later applications must be governed by weather conditions. The vines may be dusted with flowers of sulphur during the early growing period as a check to oidium, This disease makes its appearance within a few days if favour- able weather conditions occur, such as rain during sunshine. THe LurE Gim GonG ORANGE. THE variety of orange Lue Gim Gong was the subject of some interest some years ago, it having been claimed that it would hang on the tree for as long as three years without deterioration. To test it, trees were worked to the variety at Yanco Experiment Farm, and the reports now to hand from the Manager, Mr. F. G. Chomley, show that the variety cannot be recommended, the fruit being “raggy” and of inferior quality. It loses its colour and turns green, like Valencia Late. The experience at Yanco also shows that under our conditions it does not fulfil the claim that it will “hang for years without deterioration ”—presuming, of course, we have the right variety.— W. J. ALLEN. - SQUARING A FOUNDATION. A rARrMER, who was in difficulties about the squaring of the foundation for a dairy, was advised by the Department’s Overseer of Works to nail two battens together in the form of a square, marking 8 feet from the angle on one batten and 6 feet from the angle on the other, and then to brace the two marked points with another batten 10 feet long. Peg out the site with wooden stakes and strain the line on the pegs, testing each angle with the batten square. The method is, of course, a simple application of the old “ 3---4_5 ” rule. Sept. 2. 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 679 Agricultural Bureau of New South Wales. SUGGESTED SUBJECTS FOR BUREAU MEETINGS. IT sometimes happens that, owing to some inadvertence, members of branches meet without having any particular subject before them. In such a case one of the following paragraphs may provoke a useful discussion, and a brief report of the discussion will often interest other branches. At what time and with what implement do you break down the fallow to provide a surface mulch, and what methods to maintain the mulch do you employ during the summer ? Is it your practice to harrow the potato crop before the plants are wp, and, of so, why? What influence has it on the stand? Do you harrow the crop after it is up, and with what results? What implements do you find best for after- cultivation ? Have you taken into consideration what losses you periodically suffer through dry spells? What steps do you think could be taken to ensure a regular and plentiful supply of feed for your stock at a reasonable cost ? Would it be profit- able for you to ensile, say, 100 tons of greenstuff, and hold rt until you required it? The present promises to be a good season. What immediate advantage could you derive from it in this matter ? How do Leghorns compare with heavy breeds in respect of the number of chickens that can be reared from a given number of breeding stock in a given tame ? Is co-operation practicable in the classification of small farmers’ wool clips ? REPORTS AND NOTICES FROM BRANCHES. NOTE.—While gladly publishing in these columns the views of members of the various Branches of the Agricultural Bureau, the Department does not necessarily endorse the opinions expressed. Albury. A pruning demonstration was given by Mr. H. A. Mills on 8th July at Mr. W. Hanna’s orchard. A demonstration of clearing with explosives was given by Mr. C. E. Burrows on 15th July at Mr. T. Heathwood’s bleck. The demonstration was largely attended and was keenly followed by many returned soldiers who are taking up blocks in the district. The branch is considering the question of again buying spraying materials in bulk, as it was found that a substantial saving was effected by this method last season. Arrangements were also made for the staging of an exhibit at the Albury show early in September. Bimbaya. The usual monthly meeting was held on 29th June. It was decided to ask the Department to carry out an analysis of the plant known as the ‘“biddy biddy burr,” with a view to ascertaining if it possesses medicinal properties. It was also resolved to form a collection of all the plants and 680 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. weeds of the district for the purpose of reference. It was decided to apply to the Fisheries Department for a quantity of trout fry for liberation in the Tantawanglo river, and also to ask kindred associations to co-operate in protecting the fish in the stream. A paper was read by Mr. John Alcock, chairman, giving an account of a visit to Hawkesbury Agricultural College. Castlereagh (via Penrith). A branch of the Bureau has been formed at this centre, with the following office-bearers :—Chairman, Mr. C. A. Holswichs; Treasurer, Mr. A. Lang ; Hon. Secretary, Mr. D. Hattersley. Cunningar. Under the auspices of this branch, a pruning demonstration was given by Mr. S. A. Hogg, Assistant Fruit Expert, on 13th July. Twenty members and a number of visitors attended. Some of the trees operated on had been dealt with the previous year, and members were very interested in the progress made. Kellyville. The usual monthly meeting of this branch was held on 12th July, when twenty-four members attended. After the usual business had been disposed of, it was decided to arrange for all the members to visit Hawkesbury Agri- cultural College during September and October. © Lidcombe, On 12th July Mr. E. N. Ward, Superintendent of the Botanic Gardens, delivered a lecture to a good muster of members on the subject, “‘ Shade Trees for Towns and Cities.” SHapE TREES FOR TOWNS AND CITIES. Mr. Ward said that the task of planting shade trees is as important as the problem of selecting the species best adapted to soil and climate. Trees should possess certain attributes, chief of which are hardiness and capacity to withstand the environment of city life, such as heat, drought, smoke, and dust. Trees must have straight stems, and must be symmetrical in growth. Few trees are absolutely free from pests, but some are more immune than others. Trees that grow open, scraggy heads are unsightly, and are not adequate for shade purposes ; on the other hand, a dense shade that wholly excludes sunlight is not desirable, nor is the tree that is continuously shedding its leaves and bark, keeping the sidewalks in an untidy condition. The street tree must be long-lived—slow-growing varieties are generally more so than the quick-growing sorts. Planting in the streets must be done so that posterity may commend us for our forethought. The lecturer described various trees, some of which, in his opinion, would be more suitable for parks and cemeteries than for street planting. He advised that when trees are being planted fertilisers should not be used, nor should the planting be in ‘‘ pot holes,’’ which he described as death-traps. Strips should be dug where the land is not wholly cultivated in order to permit surplus water to escape and give uninterrupted root room. The soil of Lidcombe requires working, but it would be an error to attempt to lighten it with manures. For streets he advised planting inside the kerb-line, the trees to be not less than 40 feet apart. Trees need staking from infancy, protection from straying stock and from vehicular traffic, a first-class spraying outfit, and a caretaker who thoroughly understands his work. f Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 681 A number of pertinent questions were answered, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the lecturer. A number of visiting members from the newly-formed Auburn branch of the Bureau were cordially welcomed. A well attended meeting of this branch was held on 26th July, when it was decided to fall in line with the Miranda branch in its movement to link the various branches of the Bureau together. An address was given by Mr. J. Peckham on potatoes, after which con- siderable discussion took place, and «1 number of questions were asked. Lower Portland. A meeting of this branch was held on 5th July, the attendance being rather small owing to the inclemency of the weather. ‘The schedule of prizes for the annual show to be held in 1921 was revised. A pruning demonstration was given on 13th July by Mr. Brereton at Lower Portland, about twenty members being present. ‘ A lantern lecture was given by Mr. H. Graham Smith, Apiarist at Hawkesbury Agricultural College, at the monthly meeting on 2nd August. The lecturer dealt with bees and their management, their utility in con- nection with fruit-growing, and their value as a side-line for the orchardist. The treatment of honey and beeswax for market was also dealt with. At the close of the lecture a lengthy discussion took place on various phases of bee-keeping, many questions being asked and answered. The annual reunion of the members was held on 30th July, but as the night was very wet, only about eighty persons attended, all of whom, bow- ever, thoroughly enjoyed the amusement provided. March, At the July meeting of this branch Mr. 8. J. Franks read a paper on the manuring of the orchard. He advocated methods that would maintain the fertility of the soil, especially the humus content, stating that where the rainfall was sufficient the growing and ploughing in of green crops, like tares, clover, cowpeas, field peas, &c., were what he favoured. There were many kinds of artificial manures on the market, but none would meet all con- ditions, and each farmer should conduct a few little experiments for himself. In doing so three rows should be treated with each fertiliser tried, and the results from the middle row accepted as the standard. Moss Vale. A pruning demonstration was given by Mr. H. A. Mills on 9th July at ‘«« Hill View,” Sutton Forest, about thirty members being present. In spite of the inclement weather much interest was taken in the demonstration, and quite a number of questions were asked and answered. _ A Jecture on sheep was given by Mr. Hinton, Assistant Sheep and Wool Expert, on 15th July, before an attendance of twenty members. Mt. Keira. The monthly meeting was held on 6th July. After the general business had been disposed of, a discussion took place on the subject of fertilisers, and also as to the suitability of the district for jam making and the establishment of a cannery, especially as regards blackberries, large quantities of which are said to be wasted every year. D 682 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. At a meeting on 3rd August a lecture was delivered by Mr. R. N. Makin, Inspector of Agriculture, on vegetable-growing, which proved of the greatest benefit to those present. Mr. Makin explained the different methods and experiments that have been carried out by the Department, and also the results of the experiments carried out by himself with different kinds of vegetables. Many questions were asked, all of which Mr. Makin answered satis- factorily. Parkesbourne. The annual meeting was held on 7th July, when the following office- bearers were elected:—Chairman, Mr. J. Brown, J.P.; Vice-chairmen, Messrs. C. P. Grunsell, C. Apps and W. H. Weatherstone ; Treasurer, Mr. H. Bastin; Hon. Secretary, Mr. S. W. McAlister. The annual report dis- closed a very successful year. The branch had a large roll of members. In the district apple competition at Goulburn show the branch gained second prize, and members also competed successfully at Sydney and Gunning shows, their fruit exhibits adding to the attractiveness of that section of those exhibitions. The annual social of the branch will be held shortly. Tallawang. The monthly meeting of members of this branch was held on 31st J uly, when there was a fair attendance. A general discussion took place on agricultural matters, and also on matters of local interest. Tingha, The July meeting was largely attended, and a number of ladies were present. It was decided to co-operate with the Inverell branch in staging a com- bined trophy at next Inverell show, sectional committees being formed, and an invitation being forwarded to the secretary of the Inverell branch for one or more members of that branch to attend the next meeting to consider the steps to be taken in that connection. The schedule for the 1921 show was further considered and completed. During the afternoon demonstrations in fruit-tree planting and grape-vine pruning were given by members. A very successful pruning demonstration was conducted by Mr. W. W. Cook, orchardist at Glen Innes Experiment Farm, at Mr. Robillard’s orchard and at Mr. W. Ayland’s orchard. Toronto. A meeting was held on 16th July. After the disposal of general business, a lecture on grasses was given by Mr. E. Breakwell, Agrostologist. The attendance numbered about eighty adults and twenty senior schoolboys. Grasses suitable for the district were dealt with, and the address was listened to with much interest. Walla Walla. A pruning demonstration given by Mr. H, A. Mills, on 7th July, attracted an attendance of about fifty members and others. Very keen interest was taken in the various methods of pruning, and many questions were answered by the inspector. The annual meeting of members was held on 3lst July, when the following ofticers were elected for the ensuing year :—Chairman, Mr. A. J. Wenke ; Vice-chairmen, Messrs. W. Crawford and E. T. Moske ; Hon. Secretary, Mr. H. Smith. Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 683 Wentworthville. On 7th July Mr. Leonard Rumble delivered a lecture on the subject of vegetable-growing. In the course of an address that was full of sound, practical information, Mr. Rumble made the following recommendations :— VEGETABLE GROWING. The position of the garden should be such that it will get plenty of sunlight all day. Drainage is of great importance. ‘‘ Work the ground well—dig deep ” is a good motto. Keep the beds high and narrow, so that they can be got at from either side ; do not jamb them up against a fence if that can be avoided. When the ground is broken up place little heaps of lime over it, let them slake there for two weeks, then spread the heaps out evenly and dig in. When using the hose, do not just squirt it over the surface for a few minutes. Remember the root system has to be dealt with. With a ?-inch hose going, it will take one and a half hours for water to get a foot deep. Mere surface wetting is useless. Seed-beds should be composed of comparatively poor soil, so that the seedlings can be transplanted into richer soil. Get the best seeds procurable ; poor seeds never produce good results, and only waste time, space, and manure. Plant onions in March, April and May in drills. Put out when as thick as a pencil, 12 inches apart each way. Leeks are slow growers; plant them in May and they should be perfect in February. The beds should receive a 4-inch dressing of stable manure. Sow parsnips from July till April, after the full moon. Set them out in deep soil, 10 inches apart ; let them remain till the following September, and they will grow very large. Sow carrot-seed from July to April, and set out 1 foot apart. Sow beet from July till April ; set out 1 inch apart and in all cases keep weeds down. White turnips should follow potatoes ; plant in February, in rows 18 inches apart and 6 inches between plants. Sow lettuce at any time in well manured land. Seeds planted in March can be trans- planted in April. July and August sowings should not be transplanted. Radishes may be sown at any time. Use them young ; the only variety that grows large without getting tough is Chinese White. Peas should be in rows running north and south. Sow suitable varieties from 25th April, through May and June. American Wonder is good. The common mistake in growing broad beans is crowding them. They should be 2 feet apart. Sow in April, May and June. When the first beans set pinch out the tops. Lima beans should not be sown before October nor later than February, to avoid trouble from black aphis. Henderson’s Lima is a good variety. Wetherill Park. The annual meeting was held on 14th July, seventeen members being present. Mr. A. Clarke was elected Chairman for the eleventh year in succession ; Mr. Cotter was elected Treasurer, and Mr. A. J. Hodges Hon. Secretary. A discussion on the results of co-operation took place, and it was decided to ask that Mr. Crane, organising officer, should visit the branch for the purpose of lecturing on co-operation. Mr. R. N. Makin, Inspector of Agriculture, gave a lecture on vegetable- growing on 14th July to a good muster of farmers, who were very much interested in the subject. Mr. Makin visited several farms, which showed some fine crops of peas and beans. Yarramalong. At a meeting held on 14th July, letters were received from the Post- master-General’s Department in regard to telephone lines to Ravensdale and Braithwaites, which in each case was referred to the residents for report. It was decided to ask the Department of Agriculture for a small quantity of seed of sugar-beet for the purpose of carrying out experiments locally. 684 Soren wcultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES’ SHOWS. SECRETARIES are invited to forward for insertion in this page dates of their forthcoming shows ; these should reach the Editor, Department of Agri. culture, Sydney, not later than the 21st of the month previous to issuc. Alteration of dates should be notified at once. Society. 1920. Secretary. Date. Albury and Border P., A., and H. Spry me . A.G. Young ...Sept. 7, 8, 9 Young P. and A. Association ane .. T. A. Tester aba, Qantaee ole Cowra P., A., and H. Association «-. 4. P. Todhunter... _,, 14-15 Ganmain a and P. Association ; .. T. 8. Henderson... ,, 14,15 Cootamundra A., P., H., and I. Association .. . N. Gardner Sera tire (e Northern A. Society (Singleton) Ne J. Ll. McMahon 27 155 nos los he Holbrook P., A., and H. Society . J. 8. Stewart ahd site Narrandera P. and A. Association : W. H. Canton Phe Ia West Wyalong and District P., A., H., and i Assoc. T. A. Smith abel Bay Temora P., A., H., and I. Association , .. A. D. Ness nea ule B22 23 Queanbeyan p. and A. Association ... af, ... J. G. Harris She Burrowa P., A., and H. Association ... sts ... W. Burns 18, hd eis, 24 Junee P., A., and I. Association s 1s .. T.C. Humphreys... ,, 28, 29 Mpa P., A., and I. Association seks ... W. Worner eS e829 Deniliquin P. en Society bse ‘ ee ries Pagani Kai, Leet eS Millthorpe A., H., and P. Association at! ... C. J. E, Hawken.. Oct. 7 Lismore A. and I. See eos = # =. El. Pritchard) ~.::Novel0a) Tweed River A. Society .. es 6 ad wae LD. M. Kennedy... 5,4 24-25 192 Albion Park A. and H. Association see Pe wl. R,, Hobart, baseplate Gosford District A. Association a iS eG wuarry, os fos e lanes Kiama A. Society... aot ... G. A. Somerville... ,, 25, 26 Wollongong A., H., and T. Association. ... ..«. W. J. Cochrane ... Feb. 3,4, 5 Cobargo A., P., "and H. Society “pn 334 ... T. Kennelly Per eS el, Shoalhaven A. ‘and H. Association . . H. Rauch Resenentise! fo 1) Central Cumberland A. and H. Assoc. (Castle Hill)... H. A. Best Saws obi Pgh Ulladulla A. and H. Association (Milton) ... . R. F. Cork Sn a OLD Guyra P., A., and H. Association es oes beeps IN. NSOVENSON. 5 6525, Gs lines Blacktown and District A. Society... Be ... J. McMurtrie SS 9 Dapto A. and H. Society 452 Pe ... F. James ... oat aby LOSS Yanco Irrigation Area Agricultural Society .. R. Tribe ?.. tk 5, free as Southern New England P. and A. Association (Oralla) H. W. Vincent ... ,, 22, 25, 24 Dorrigo and Guy Fawkes A. Association... . A.C. Newman ... ,, 23, 24 Newcastle A., H., and I. Association ... if ... BE. J: Dann Rei 425 26 Nepean District A., H., and I. Society cee iO), BH. Kulton’ vii. tar oy ee Manning River A. and H. Association . R. N. Slow «. Mar. 2,3 Berrima District A., H., and I. oc (Moss Vale)... J. W.Rientivya, gape ene Camden A., H. , and i & Society .. Lee 5 1. ‘A. EK, Baldock iS, 4500 Bellinger River A. Association . Se eid. Fs Reynolds ua 451) W451 Mudgee A., P., H., and I. Association aaa sey JO. J. BBNNAD 4 i650 yyy (eee Glen Innes P. and A. Society ... . Sigs A. Priest 33). oe eee Tumbarumba and Upper Murray P. and A. Society... 1. C. Cunningham ae pp ue Taralga A., P., and H. Association... : J J. Kearney Sei Peak Goulburn AS P., and H. Society prt x8 .. EF. D. Hay sco ggimmk Oe, Wkcwiues Upper Hunter P, and A. Association ..,. oi) Re OC. Sawkins: sy 5, 16, 27 Macleay A., H., and I. Association (Kempsey) ... E. Weeks... van go) AO gcaanenes Royal Agricultural Society of N.S.W. seeHs| Mi, Somer =... 21 to 30 Clarence P. and A. Society (Grafton) .. ek ... L. C, Lawson "April 13, ag - an Printed and published by WILLIAM APPLEGATE GULLICK, of Sydney, Government Printer, and Publisher, of the State of New South Wales, at Phillip-street, Sydney. | Sept. 2, 1920.] § Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. >. Scottish Australian Investment Co., Ltd. — DARBALARA STUD of MILKING SHORTHORN CATTLE N.S.W. GUNDAGALI, MELEE Ty N EMBLEM OF DARBALARA (100). =, Banker (5) ex Madame (406). Sypner R.A.S. Records :—1st and Champion, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913,.1914, 1915 and 1916. First in Bull and Progeny, 1913, 1915 and 1916. Unbeaten for 7 successive years. ee MELBA VII OF DARBALARA .- (4,181). Sire— Emblem of Darbalara (100). Dam— Melba IV of Darbalara (1,576). World’s record for a Short- horn Cow, 365 days. . C77, ELBA XV OF DARBALARA (4.188). Sire—Kitehener of Darbalara (419). Dam—Melba VII of Darbalara (4,181). Goyr. OrriciaL Recoris:—2 years old, for 273 days, 4 Ib. Milk, 461 lb. Butter. 3 years old, for 273 days, 510 Ib. Milk, 707 lb. Butter. AS. Recorps :—tst Prize as 2 year old in Milk, 1918. ‘a KITCHENER OF DARBALARA (409) Emblem of Darbalara (100) ex Lily Il of Darbalara (1,019), SypyEy R. A.S. Recorbs :—Ist, as yearling, 1914; 1st, 2 years old, 1915 ; 1st, 3 years old, 1916; 1st and Champion, 4 years old, 1917; 2nd and Reserve Champion, 1918; and 1st in Bulland Progeny. Unbeaten for 5 years, except once by ELECTED OF DARBALARA, bred by the same Stud. | Govt. OFFICIAL RECORDS : 2 years old, for 278 days, 8,077 Ib. Milk, 412 lb. Butter. 4 years old, for 273° days, 14,622 Jb. _Milk, 678 Ib: Butter. 6 years old, for 273 days, 14,371 lb. Milk, 836 Ib. Butter. 6 years old, for 365 days, 17,364 Ib. Milk, 1,0214 lb. Butter. MELBA XI OF DARBALARA (4,185). Sire— Union Jack of Darbalara (631), Dam— Melba VII of Darbalara (4,181), Govt. OFFIcIAL REcorDS:—2 years old, for 273 days, 6,492 lb. Milk, 241 lb. Butter. 3 years old, for 273 days, 9,165 Ib, Milk, 481 lb. Butter. R.A.S. Records :—Ilst Prize as 2 year old in Milk and Reserve Champion to Herd Mate CAMELLIA II, 1917. lst Prize as 3 year old in Milk and Champion, 1918. Bred by and Property of The Scottish Australian Investment Company, Ltd., Darbalara Estate, Gundagai, N.S.W. ; ‘ HIGH-CLASS PEDIGREED YOUNG BULLS FOR SALE. For fail particulars apply The NANAGER, Darbalara is easy of access from Se d=av or Melhourne by train. Darbaiara. u Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. i nae " Stump-jump Plow. = fS i\ YNZ See CA CAE, A Farmer’s Boy, 6 Horses, and a ‘‘ Clutterbuck”? 1to-Furrow Plow, have been known to plow roo acres of Jand 4 inches deep ina week. ** THINK OF IT!” if 8 FURR.— tro FURR.— 12FURR.— 14 FURR.— MA DE IN £62 £66 £72 £76 soc. Clutterbuck Bros. Ltd. 72 {ity Read. N.S.W, STATE CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC, ks Branch of MUSICAL ART Expert Tuition tccurtow asa pramatio apr by a highly-qualified Staff of Professors. All information regarding Fees, etc., may be obtained from Tel. City 6729. N. L. SALMON, Registrar. oa H. M. SUTTOR & CO, oices!28ond-st, syaney. PASTORAL and AGRICULTURAL AGENTS, GRAIN AND PRODUCE SALESMEN. WHEAT, MAIZE, OATS, &e., CHAFF, LUCERNE, OATEN HAY, POTATOES, &e., RECEIVED FOR SALE DAILY AT ALEXANDRIA. Rel able In’ermat’on Given re Markets. TOP PRICES. QUICK RETURNS. A MERCIFUL MAN is merciful to his beast, and studies economy by using ROW’S EMBROOATION for cuts, sprains, bruises, and all external horse and cattle troubles. EsTABLISHED 50 YEARS. Sole Makers: EDWARD ROW & Co., Sydney. Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. oe The Aniversity of Spdneyp. Department of Veterinary Science. The Veterinary School, which is well equipped with the most modern appli- ances and apparatus, is under the direction of Professor J. DOUGLAS STEWART, M.R.C.V.S., B.V.Sc., late Chief Inspector of Stock and Govern- ment Veterinary Surgeon of the State of New South Wales. nised for all public appointments in the Commonwealth. The course of instruction and training is of a pro- gressive nature, and the, standard adopted is that of the best Veterinary Colleges in the British Empire. The Hogpitaland Clinic in connection with the School offer exceptional facilities The degree granted, viz., Bachelor of Veterinary Science (B.V.Sc.), is recog- The FEES are— SIX GUINEAS per Term, or EIGHTEEN GUINEAS per Year. The Lectures of next Term begin [3th Sept., !920. Veterinary Science. undoubtedly offers, particularly to those fond of animals, a remunerative and congenial profession, for which a wide field of employment exists. Full particulars of the curriculum will be forwarded on application. H. E. BARFF, Warden and Registrar. for practical training. The Chief Inspector of Stock, Government of New South Wales, approves of the use of this preparation. ‘ SAVE YOUR CALVES BY USING — BLACKLEGOIDS TO VACCINATE AGAINST BLACKLEG. Safe. Effective. No liquid to spill. No string te ret, Simple. No dose to Measure. Simply a little pill to be injected under the skim, SEND FOR FREE BOOKLETS, For Sale by s PARKE, DAVIS & COMPANY. MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS, 125 York-street, Sydney. Box 224 G.P.®. vi Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sepét. 2, 1920. STUD PIGS FOR SALE AT THE HOSPITAL, CALLAN PARK. For further particulars apply to Manager. - (The prices quoted hold good for the current month only.) Description. | Sire. Dam, of Ree: ee 1 | | 1920. ‘2 ane | 586 Berkshire Boar ...| Royal Lad Callan Park Lady | Jan. 29| 7 7 0 No. 401 No, 520c es ee a ‘| ( Koramburra Callan Park Birdy | April || 6 6 0 se . RO 606 Berkshire Sow ... Major No. one Mo, 520b 607 Berkshire Boar ...|) 608 Berkshire Boar .. | | f 609 Berkshire Boar ...| } ora ee “ial ey | ee 610 Berkshire Boar ...| | J f P 611 Berkshire Sow J | et | Prices quoted include delivery in crates at Darling Harbour or Wharf at Sydney. A full pedigree is furnished with every pig sold. All communications to be addressed to— ‘* Tue Manacer, Mental Hospital, Callan Park, Sydney.” (Please add Exchange for Country Cheques.) 18th August, 1920 R. KIRKPATRICK, Manager. Sept. 2, 1920.] Agriculiural Gazette of ‘N.S.W. oN Department of Lands, Sydney. CLOSER SETTLEMENT ACTS. 1 N Bygalore Estate. LAND DISTRICT. 4 Farms available, areas from 690 to 730 acres. About 40 to 48 miles from Wyalong, adjacent to Bygalorie, Boorabil, and Ingram’s Sidings on the Wyalong-Cargelligo railway. CONDOBOLIN Forest Vale Estate. LAND DISTRICT. 1 Farm available, 812 acres. About 64 to 9 miles from Gorman’s Hill Railway Station, on the Wyalong- Cargelligo railway, and 58 to 59 miles trom Wyalong. Gorman’s Hill West Estate. LAND DIGTRIGE 3 Farms available, areas 1,261 acres, 1,320 acres and 1,654 acres. 15 to 19 miles from Cargelligo-Burgooney Siding, about 3 miles from Tullibigeal, on Wyalong-Cargelligo railway. . WYALONG Boorabil Estate. LAND DISTRICT. 1 Farm available, area 1,846 acres. 5 to 7 miles from Tullibigeal Siding, 18 to 20 miles from Cargelligo, about 50 miles from Wyalong. Clonmel Estate. TEAND DISTRICT. Farm No. 3 of 480 acres. About 6 miles from Ardlethan. Glen Lyon Estate. PANG ee Farm No. 4 of 214 acres. 34 miles from Maclean. Full particulars obtainable on application from the Information Bureau, Department of Lands, Sydney, or the Crown Land Agents for the district in which the lands are situated. ARTHUR J. HARE, Under Secretary. viii Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sepr2; 1920: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, N.S.W. STUD DAIRY CATTLE. Always Available Young Bulls from Tested Stock. Watch for Yearly Annual Sales at the Farms and Royal Agricultural Show of Females of Best Milking Strains. MILKING SHORTHORN BULL. Melba’s Emblem of Darbalara (461, M.S.H.B.). Sire, Emblem of Darbalara (100 M.S.H.B.) Dam, Melba III ot Darbalara (1058 M.S.H.B.) Yield of Dam, 15,239 1b. milk and 653°65 lb. butter in 365 days. OTHER SIRES IN USE: RuTLAND OF DARBALARA (575 M.S.H.B.), by Emblem of Darbalara (100). Yield of Dam, 12,324 lb. milk and 579 lb. butter in 365 days. ComMRADE oF DarBALara (Vol. V, M.S.H.B.), by Silver Mine of Darbalara (592). Yield of Dam, 8,436 lb. milk and 398 lb butter in 273 days asa 2-year old. NEWHAVEN or DarRBALARA (Vol. V, M.S.H.B.), by Lily’s Cupid of Darbalara (431) (half-brother of Emblem of Darbalara). Yield of Dam, 9,163 lb. milk and 419 lb, butter in 365 days when 16 years old. MILKING SHORTHORN COW. Gibson Girl (1,465, imp.). Yield, 10,702 lb. milk and 494°79 lb. butter in 365 days. G. VALDER, Under Secretary and Director, Department of Agriculture, Sydney. 3 Sept. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W 1x DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, N.S.W. STUD DAIRY CATTLE. Representatives of the Government Herds. GUERNSEY BULL. George III (15 A.G.H.B.) Sire, King of the Roses (28 A.G.H.B.) Dam, Calm II (23 A.G.H.B.) Yield of Dam, 7,548 lb. milk and 503 Ibe butter in 287 days. OTHER SIRES IN USE; FaiTHFut Fipo (81) by Hayes’ Fido (imp). (24). Yield of Hope (280), full sister to Faith- ful Fido, 7,539 lb. milk and 496-91b. af butter in 243 days (test incomplete). Rost CurieF oF WoLLonGBAR (130), by Godolphin Moses (imp.), Dam, Parson’s Red Rose I (imp.) (138). Yield of Dam, 6,999 lb. milk’and 452 lb. butter in milking period. GUERNSEY COW. Parson’s Red Rose II (imp.) (139 A.G.H.B.) Yield, 8,865 lb. milk and 655-65 lb. butter in 365 days. Sire, Gil Blas (1,679 P.S., R.G.A.S.) _ Dam, Parson’s Red Rose (2,813 F.S. R.G.A.S.) GUERNSEY COW. Beatrice of Berry (8 A.G.H.B.). Yield, 5,566 lb. milk and 362 1b. butter ip milking period on first calf. Sire, Royal Blood VI. Dam, Beatrix XIV (imp.). _ sam * PURE-BRED YOUNG BULLS of the following breeds—MILKING SHORTHORN, a JERSEY, GUERNSEY, AYRSHIRE, and RED POLL—always available for Sale. 26 APPLICATION SHOULD BE MADE TO The UNDER SECRETARY and DIRECTOR, Department of Agriculture, Sydney Agricultural Gazetie of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. Technical Education Series. Technical Education Branch, Rt & Le e Dapartinent of Education, t Rie | . SSS Technological Museum, New South Wales. Cloth Bound. Profusely Illustrated. Australian Flora as Applied Arf— ™* The Waratah - - - - - 7/6 8/- Building and Ornamental Stones - - [5/- 15/6 Cabinet Timbers of Australia - - - 10/- 10/6 Fishes of Australia and their Technology 15/- 15/6 Hardwoods of Australia and their Economics - - - - - 25/- 27/4 Pines of Australia—a Research of - 25/- 27/- Obtainable from the Government Printer. Sept. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. jr ST An Ideal Holiday Resort 1a Jak PALMER, Director. @ The mild bracing airs and pleasant vistas of the Beautiful Illawarra offer a restful and delightful change to tired city dwellers. (| Here, encompassed by glorious panoramas of blue ocean and golden strands, verdant hillsides and peaceful valleys, a holiday will pass all too quickly. @ Make up your mind to see and enjoy this delightful Garden of the South. Descriptive Q For full and reliable in- Foldey formation call, phone, ‘Posted on or write to the Receipt of Y our Address. GOVERNMENT TOURIST BUREAU, CHALLIS HOUSE (opp. G.P.O.), SYDNEY. Telephone City 4945. New T South Wales “iw Agricultural Gazette of N.S W. [Sept. 2, 1920. To Employers. 7 et PP ees "T HE RETURNED SOLDIERS AND SAILORS’ EMPLOYMENT ACT compels, with few exceptions :— (1) Reinstatement of Returned Soldiers, Sailors, and Nurses in original positions ; (2) Absolute Preference of Employment to Returned Soldiers, Sailors, and Nurses ; (3) Application to the State Labour Exchanges for all labour (men and women) required. STATE LABOUR EXCHANGES have been established in the undermentioned country towns: BROKEN HILL, GOULBURN, LISMORE, NEWCASTLE, ORANGE, TAMWORTH, WAGGA WAGGA, WOLLONGONG. F. C. GOVERS, Director. Labour Exchanges and Immigration Branch, 76 Elizabeth Street, Sydney. Sept. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. xv PRICE LIST OF PURE BRED PIGS FOR SALE AT HOSPITAL, GLADESVILLE. (The prices quoted hold good for the current month only.) | No. | Description. Sire. | Dam. | ee Ene ‘i = 1920. £3 7a 2371 | Mid. York. Boar peas. a Glad’ville Maid III} Feb. 9} 919 6 2377-79 | Mid, York. Boars (Imp.) Col. Rambling Rose} Feb. 21] 919 6 2386 Berkshire Sow ... ey Wales Polly Pry VII ...| Feb. 23] 8 18 6 (Imp.) 2400-1 | Mid. York. Boars Sundon Sydney | Gladesville Snow- M o4 |{9 19 6 2403 Mid. York. Sows (Imp. ) drop. ar. 8 87.6 2404 Large York. Boar | Hawkesbury Glad’ville Empress} April 1} 9 9 O Ferryman Vv 2408 Large York. Sows} King Charles II ...| Glad’ville Empress} April 4] 7 17 6 IV 2415 Berkshire Sow ... a”, Wales Herrison Queen VI} May 1] 7 7 0 (imp. ) 2419-2) | Berkshire Sows ...| Gladesville Flock-| Gladesville May April 26 | 717 6 master I. 2422-93 | Berkshire Sows ...| Whitley Wales Gladesville Quality) May 10] 616 6 (Imp. ) 2424-25-26] Large York. Boars| ) Hawkesbury : (i ieG 2427-28 | Large York. Sows Ferryman } Brighton Lass ...| May 17 UG 6nG 2432 Berkshire Boar ... Ga. Wales Herrison White \ M: 17 |i8 8 0 2434 Berkshire Sows ... (Imp. ) Face. ey 2 | Gao eia 2435 Berkshire Boar ... F ie (7 ge BSG 37. Berkshire Sows... | Herrison King Short Face Jane May 23 16 6 0 2440-41 | Large York. Boars : : Fee een lta 2442-43 ee Vaasa \ King Charles II | Glad’ville Empress| June 2 16 6 0 2444 Berkshire Sow ...| Goomalibee Goomalibee June 14| 6 6 0 Brigadier Patricia 2445-46-47| Large York. Boars} | Hawkesbury : lana 2448 Large York. Sow Ferryman. Benton Lady |...) Junen 20 {8 6 0 2449-50 | Berkshire Sows ...| Whitley Wales Nance O’Neil IV...| June 20 6. 164.0 (Imp.) If it is desired to procure any of the above pigs in farrow they would be kept until old enough for service, put to suitable boars, and retained until sure of being in farrow, for £17 17s. each sow. For this sum pregnancy will be guaranteed, and to do this it may be necessary to keep sow here until 10 or 11 months old. Prices quoted cover insurance and freight to any wharf in N.S.W. where steamers from Sydney call, and to any railway station on lines from Sydney, in erates, Orders for pigs can only be acted upon when accompanied by remittance. Please add exchange for country cheques. 148 Prizes have been won at the Royal Agricultural Show, Sydney, (A full Pedigree is furnished with every Pig sold.) Sept., 1920. W. A. E. LEWIS, Manager, Gladesville Hospital. Ail communications should be addressed to ‘* The Manager,’ Mental Hospital, Gladesville. wet Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920: Anthony Horderns’ for Dependabie Pioughs. You cannot expect good returns from the soil unless you use a dependable plough, such as the P. and O. Canton Disc Plough illustrated above. Up-to-date farmers throughout the State pin their faith on these dependable ploughs’ Are you one of them? If not, look up someone in your district who is using one and get first-hand information with reference to its undoubted merits P.andO Canton-Disc Pioughs are made by an old-established firm, which knows how a good plough should be made— and makes them, too. The P. and O Canton Disc Plough gives good results in heavy, sticky soils, cr in very hard, dry soil, Strongly made of the best materials. The discs are 26 in. in diameter, and each will turn a furrow from 3 to 12 inches deep and from Io to 12 inches wide 2 Furrows, weight 780 Ib. ar Sa 10) 0 3 Furrows (as illustrated) weight 900 Ib, - ... op, ORO Our Price List of Agricultural Implements illustrates many up-to-date ‘farming requisites. Write for a copy, posted free on 1equest. _ Anthony Hordern & Sons, Ltd., Brickfield Hill, Sydney. Sept 2, 1920. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Pgs. | 18,500 ONE SUERTE THOUSAND | | 8. 400 DON ee) ae KERALA EIG HESE figures arrest your attention and prove the PIG INDUSTRY to be a steadily growing one, also a pay- able one tothe PRODUCER. These figures represent the total of Pigs sold through the Abattoir Yards last year. | NEW. ZEALAND LOAN & MERCANTILE AGENCY. CO,, LTD, - 38 BRIDGE STREET - - - - - - SYDNEY. This Company, facing these facts, has secured the services of AN EXPERT PIG SALESMAN. Their long and successful experience as Salesmen of Everything Pastoral will ensure Clients. that Pigs and Calves consigned to the Company’s care will have expert attention, and fullest market value be realised. A trial consignment will convince you that what we say ~ we do—we carry out. Liberal Advances given against consignments. Telegrams : Be eG RAHAM, _ JARVIE, Sydney. Manager. _ oO) oa “AZNOAS ‘138u1S 3D0I4g Pp via 51 Sos a Q LMIig O1 BLUM “DR ‘'SLETHIWYd “SYVINDILUVd N44 voy *% “siequieyo wolsiAoid pejywiedisjor eaeq 6% &% pus ‘43191130919 YITM JNOYZNOIY, pey3]] ee siemMEeS ‘HAWVEALS MAYOS-NIML S.09 “NS IVHAAad cai ss ee 3 — i SR v. aa vectra Fe a a : ; a 7 er jee , % { ; i ae, ke ey eka b Oh . »f ¥ y. ; : Sty a * hot A } | x 2 < ia cae lib ait Shed 8 nS : aw ‘ s 9 egy 734 ips | Fane the “oy Mra Ate “ 4 7 a cape sd ia atid ata nc la ZS Tht way 3 : 2 — “NOILVONIddv¥ NO S3u¥Vv4 ‘SUSODNISSVd SSV1D GYIHL GNV LSYId NOS NOILVGOWNWODSY GAIGN31dS "BUR ZENG ova Os{e “VOW YING ova puLjsuq 0} VIeNSNY Wol] UINJeYyY sioUIva}S ‘DIFDARSNY O02 puvnjbuy wiosy SABVUIVDAIS SSVD/D-}S4l4 40 SadIAIaG sDjnBey “QSaLINIT (ANVdWOD ONiddIHS GNV1IWAZ MSN :G3aLINIT ANVAdNOD NOILVSOIAVN WVSLS 1VWHS03SR SLNADV ‘aa LIA ‘ANWdWOS F LHIS : “ Part LU. Ss Joa ‘ c = ae ban é i , | : fe y : fi tistered at the General Post Office, Sydney, for transmission by Post as a Newspaper. ; Price SIXPENCE. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Oct. 2, 1920. SS ET TE SL 4 Ree oR Oe ee Lae Watch the Pig Grow into Money! —— D.S. & B.’s Comparison: PORKERS - Best to £3/-/- Best to £&6/-/- BACONERS - , Seeol- ,, > Fae BACKFATTERS a See RAISE PIGS ——--— and Augment your Banking Account. This can be done by Consigning to— PITT, SON, and BADGERY, LIMITED, EXPERT PIG AND CALF SALESMEN, SYDNEY. nanan esteem deemed nme Ci, ° Oct. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. UNLIGHT OIL CAKE is rich in Albuminoids and low in Moisture. The general cause of shortage in eggs is either too high feeding or too low. For laying hens, Sunlight Oil Cake will quickly give a return which will astonish the owner. For chickens at any time after the age of 6 weeks it is unequalled. Sunlight Oil Cake will impart the glossy sheen to the birds’ appearance so prized by the fancier, and is specially valuable for this reason alone to all exhibitors of show poultry. It puts on solid flesh in an extremely short space of time, and experiments have proved that young, scraggy birds fed almost entirely on it have become covered with good plump meat in a few weeks, thus doubling their value to the market poulterer. A 32-Page Booklet—‘‘ Poultry Prefits’’— sent free on application to— Lever Brothers Limited, ii Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1920. To Graziers and Settlers. KINDLY N@TE— If you are changing your Wool Broker— Please think of | SCHUTE, BELL & Co., Ltd. They give PERSONAL ATTENTION to YOUR INTERESTS, and area New South Wales Company. Se REE OFFICES— aa, BRIDGES TREEF, SYDNEY. Oc 2,°1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. iil The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited Kstablished 1834. CapiraL Paip-up -- o . : -- £2,500,000 0 0 RESERVE FuND -- ++ + - - 2,220,000 0 O Reserve Capita . a =a ae 2,500,000 0 0 \ £7,220,000 0 O Directors: GEORGE J. COHEN, Esq. (Chairman); Hon. H. E. KATER, M.L.C. (Deputy Chairman). Hon. HENRY MOSES, M.L.C.; J. W. MACARTHUR ONSLOW, Esq. ; and Hon. SIR THOMAS HUGHES, M.L.C. Honorary Director: Sir THOMAS A. DIBBS. Auditors: F. W. HIXSON, Esq., and HARINGTON B. COWPER, Esq. General Manager: H. H. MASSIE. Head Office: SYDNEY—343 George Street. Slanager: W. R. SAYERS. Secretary: M.S.GRANT. Assistant Manager: L. A. PARKER. ; Accountant: ¥. J. L. DUNLOP. Assistant Accountant : E. R. DRYHURST. BRANCHES :—/nspectors: J. N. ROXBURGH, J. R. DRYHURST, F. E. BAYLIS, Y. G. LINDEMAN. Lonpon Branco: 18 BIRCHIN LANE, E.cC. Directors : Hon. H. S. Littleton; H. S. H. Guinness, Esq. ; Lewis W. G. Butler, Esq. Manacer: F. A. Scrivener. LonpoN BANKERS: The Bank of Engiand ; The London County Westminster and Parr’s Bank Ltd. ; Barclays Bank Ltd. Branches throughout New South Wales and Queensland. Agencies throughout the World. The Bank issues Drafts, Circular Notes, Travelling Letters of Credit available in any part of the world, allows Interest on Fixed Deposits, and transacts all Usual Banking Business. iv Agricultural Gazette of N.S W. [Oct. 2, 1920. It is necessary to order your Mitchell Harvester at once. ISE FARMERS all over the State are giving their close attention at the present time to the Harvester question. In this age of big wheat prices, when EVERY BUSHEL WASTED MEANS MONEY LOST, you cannot afford to have an unreliable harvester. Rather than be subjected to the host of disadvantages ever present with an old type machine, and the great risk of an expensive breakdown, DECIDE NOW TO BUY A MITCHELL HARVESTER. The Mitchell is an Australian production—the lightest draught harvester built. It is easily operated—sound throughout—sturdy and always reliable. Do Not Risk Your Crop with an Inferior Machine. WE WOULD DRAW YOUR SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE NEED FOR ORDERING YOUR MITCHELL NOW. Manufacturers during the war years built fewer Harvesters and we will be unable to fill last- minute orders.—So DON’T delay. ASK US FOR HARVESTER BOOKLET, information, ishones ete., POST FREE. We can supply also the famous MITCHELL REAPER-THRASHER. => Mitchell & Co. Pty. Ltd. CROW Australian Manufacturers for over 25 years PARRAMATTA ROAD, cr. Burwood Road, BURWOOD § «." SYDNEY. Oct. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Buzacott's “AUTOMATIC” —a Separator that LASTS——! EVEN years’ regular service should suffice to prove the merits of a separator. Mr. E. W. Thompson, St. Marys;*and: Mr. T.'.A. Squelch, of Bangalow, both have had “ Auto- matic”? Separators in regular use for the past seven years. Each writes in appreciative terms | about the absolute satis- faction given by his separator. Be guided by what others have learned by actual use of the “ Automatic.” For those who need a hand separator which will skim perfectly we recommend the “NEW ERA,” a remarkably efficient machine. Write for full details and catalogues. B qzac off & Co 7-11 Market Street, Sydney; and at 413-415 Adelaide Street, Brisbane. ‘* Always ask for Buzacott Gates and Fences.” vi Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1920. FIRST In PEACE. FIRST in WAR. FIRST in the HEARTS of the N.S.W. FARMERS. mp ee Y IMPLEMENTS = sae. CANADA mE LARGEST MAKtrs OF WICH CLASS CARMEIMIRUEMIENITS) sane eve 'T he call to-day 1s for * ‘QUALITY” The matter of price does not carry so much weight with the careful buyer as does the “QUALITY” of the goods--the Qual- ity is remembered long. after the Price is forgotten. The Massey-Harris Trademark stands for “QUALITY” ------ Massey-Harris Im- plements are famous for Efficiency, Dur- ability. | Simplicity, Reliability and Economy. Reaper Threshers Binders Mowers, Rakes Cultivators, Seeders, Fertiliser Drills (Hoe or Disc) Fertiliser Sowers Disc Harrows Drag Harrows Harrow Carts Corn Planters Corn Shellers Plows, Scufflers Land Rollers Packers Binder Twine Machinery Cil Look for the MASSEY-HARRIS Trademark when buying your Farm Implements, MASSEY- HARRIS GO. LTD. melbourne, Sydney, South Brisbane, Parth. Christohurch. Oct. 2,, 1920.] Agnceultural Gazette of N.S.W. | vil BANK OF NEW SOUTH WALES ESTABLISHED 1817. Peaid-up Capital om be nh . £4,765,700 Reserve Fund , bee a poe .. £3,275,000 Reserve Liability bs we ees .. £4, 765,700 £12,806,400 DIRECTORS. Tue Hon. Sm CHARLES K. MACKELLAR, K.C.M.G., M.L.C., President. +THE Hon. REGINALD J. BLACK, M.LC. THOMAS BUCKLAND, Esa. CHARLES BINNIE, Esa. ROBERT L. FAITHFULL, Eso., M.D. Tue Hon. JAMES T. WALKER. FRANC B. S. FALKINER, Esa. Auditors—A. G. MILSON, Esq., W. H. PALMER, Esq. General Mamager—Sir JOHN RUSSELL FRENCH, K.B.E Chief Inspectors—C. G. ALFORD, OSCAR LINES. Inspectors—B. M. MOLINEAUX, L. WHITEHEAD, R. T. HILDER, W. POTTS. Chief Accountant—W. E. SOUTHERDEN. Secretary—J. A. BRYANT. Solicitors —Mussrs. ALLEN, ALLEN, & HEMSLEY. Head Office—GEORGE STREET, SYDNEY. W. MoRAE, Manager. W.H. SENDALL, Assistant Manager. MELBOURNE—RBODERICK MURCHISON, Esq., Advisory Direetor. London Office—29 THREADNEEDLE STREET, E.C. DIRECTORS. Sir FREDERICK GREEN, Prat Chaarman. | HERBERT L, M. TRITTON, Esq. W. S. M. BURNS, Esq. H. MELDRUM, Acting Manager. | J. S. CAMPBELL, Asst. Manager. BANKERS: THE BANK OF ENGLAND. LONDON JOINT CITY AND MIDLAND BANK, LTD. BARCLAY’S BANK,.LPD. 351 BRANCHES AND AGENCIES New South Wales .. 179 New Zealand tes S. 6S Queensiand ... 2 RRC EY | Tasmania .... coe, Sia) Ladep vine Victoria me nc ho 41 Fiji “s be ast a Mice 3 South Australia zs ap 6 Papua... cee se ges Western Australia Py 10 London 7 With Agents and Correspondents énpoughout the World. Cable remittances made to, and Drafts drawn on, Foreign places direct. Foreign Bills negotiated or collected, Letters of Credit and Circular Notes issued, negotiable throughout the world. Viil Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1920. This HMewaw Shearing Machine is Worth Its Weight in Gold for shearing small flocks of from 100 to 200 sheep, or for crutching on large stations. It ensures a better quality of wool. Secures nearly 15 7 more wool per sheep. Shears quickly and easily, Saves time and money. The Dlewart No. 9 Ball-bearing Shearing Machine is the favorite Hand-operated Machine in every country where wool is grown. PB STEWART = SHEARING MACHINE wh S 5 pees oy \ SS SS > | sae A f Every universal joint and bearing throughout is fitted with ball bearings. The enclosed gear case contains a large balance wheel, and the entire mechanism is made to operate quickly and with minimum effort. It turns easily, and does fast, smooth work, a i: ji Every Small Station should have one for Shearing ! Every Large Station should have one for Crutching ! More than pays for itself the first season. Price’ .... £5/17/6 including 4 Combs and Cutters. COOPER ENGINEERING CO., Ltd., 126 Sussex-street au ES Sydney. Oct. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W Learn this Lesson well Australian Dairymen — and Farmers are learning the value of the Baltic Separator. After years of painful separation by old- fashioned methods they are becoming wedded to the easy, efficient “ Baltic” way. “GET A BALTIC” AND TURN A SMALL OUTLAY INTO A BIG PROFIT. mean bigger profits for the user. They skim clean. Not an atom of cream is lost. PRICES: From £4/I 7/6 upwards. Thirty Days’ Free Trial. Easy Terms if desired. THE BALTIC SEPARATOR (C0., LID., 72 Wentworth-avenue, Sidaey 1x Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1920. Waratah Fencing Wire Smiles at Severe Strains, No fence or wire will resist the weight of falling forest giants—but—when you use FROM THE ORE FENCING Wa rata RE — fiqieeanataeelgs guaranteed o “stand un” to the your fence is test strain. The resisting power of WARATAH IRE is secured by means of FOUR DISTINOT FEATURES—“ Finest Grade Ore”; ‘‘ High Manu- facturing Standard”; ‘‘ Thorough Testing.” Waratah Wire costs less and is stronger than imported wire. Get Waratah Fencing Booklet. It is FREE and contains valuable information. Write for Booklet V. 19. All Storekeepers sell Waratah Wire. AUSTRAL NAIL CO. PTY. LTD. 310 FLINDERS STREET, MELBOURNE, VIC. WIRE MILLS AT NEWCASTLE, N.S.W Oct. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. xi oN: I} | BUZACOTTS (Fe.J) 1 FARM PUMP ENGINE If you are up against labor problems —if the heavy manual work of the farm is too much for you—if you think it is worth while to do some- thing to shift these burdens, and make more money with less effort, write to us to-day for details of “the engine that will do it all.” The ‘Buzacott “FR. & J.?? Farm Pump ‘Engine will do many other jobs as well as pumping—it is practically a mechanical ** handy-man *? ready to serve your every purpose. 7-11 Market St, | QO _ sypney; cott & (0 and at 413-415 Adelaide St. DO LIMITED « BRISBANE. Always ask for Buzacott Gates and Fences,” xii Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. ASSETS: JUNE, 1912: £4,514. DEC., 1919: £61,383,387. HEAD OFFICE : PITT & MOORE STREETS, SYDNEY. Commonwealth ‘Bank of Australia OPEN FOR ALL CLASSES OF General and Savings Bank Business IN THE PRINCIPAL CITIES and TOWNS of Australia, London (2), and Rabaul (New Britain). General Banking Dept. Cable Remittances made to and Drafts drawn on foreign places direct. Foreign Bills negotiated and collected. Letters of Credit issued to any part of the world. Bills negotiated or forwarded for col- lection. Banking and Exchange Business of every description transacted within the Commonwealth, United King- dom, and abroad. Current accounts opened. Interest paid on fixed deposits. Advances made Securities. against approved Savings Bank Dept. Conducted at all Branches and at over 2,802 Post Office Agencies in Australia, Papua, New Britain, Solomon Islands, and the Pacific. Minimum deposit, |s. Maximum _ Interest-bearing Deposit, £1,300. Rate of Interest, 34 per cent. on amounts up to £1,000; 3 per cent. in excess of £1,000 and not exceeding £1,300. Deposits or Withdrawals may be made , at any Branch or Agency. Withdrawals may be made on demand, by post or by telegraph. Transfers arranged from place to place without loss of interest. Interchangeable facilities with P.O. Savings Banks in United Kingdom and New Zealand. PUBLIC SAFE DEPOSIT—SYDNEY. JAMES KELL, DEPUTY GOVERNOR. Sir DENISON MILLER, K.C.M.G,, GOVERNOR. JULY, 1920, [Oct. 2, 1920. Oct. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. xiii Three Significant Letters uk?.F.A. Every man with pastoral interests knows what they mean, but they might just as truthfully be said to stand for Promptitude, Fairness, Accuracy, for these are three of the qualities that distinguish the P.F.A.’s services in every branch of its business. Wool, Fat Stock, Store Stock, and Station Produce. In the disposal of any of these commodities, the P.F.A. places its extensive experience, specialised knowledge and modern business methods at your disposal. The prices secured are, after all, the best advertisement for any broker. That is why the P.F.A. invites you to look up its price records. _ Correspondence and inquiries invited. Pastoral Finance Association, Ltd. Phillip Street-———_————_-SYDNEY xiv Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1920. Study Your Pocket! “AUTO” VIILKING MACHINES. | Will cut out the present cowshed drudgery, and enormously increase your income. Hundreds of farmers are using them to their benefit, and are constantly testifying to their value. CAN YOU AFFORD TO IGNORE THESE STATEMENTS : ‘““Has given me every Satisfaction.”’ ‘“‘Much ahead of other milking machines.” “They are splendid for heifers.” “Do not injure the cows.”’ ““T am absolutely satisfied.” “Greatly exceeds our expectations.” “Cows much prefer the machines.” Let us show you why these people are pleased, and why, if you are still handmilking, YOU ARE LOSING MONEY. Send us a postcard and we will send you full particulars. THE FARMERS’ FERTILIZERS CORPORATION, Lto, 31 HUNTER STREET - = = SYDNEY. Oct. .2,'1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. XV C.P.C. CARBONATE OF LIME — FERTILIZER The finest ground of all fertilizers, therefore going the farthest. PRICE—on trucks, Portland—36/- per ton (14 bags) In truck lots. In ton lots, Ruy. FREIGHT—PER TON ... os 4/4 ee 6/9 ae 5/7 soe 118 615 eas 185 8/4 oe 2217 6 tons and over ee 48/6 per ton. PRICE F.O.B. Sydney {2 tons and under 6 1 ton lots The U.S.A. Agricultural Dept. found that fields treated with lime produced an average of 1} tons of hay an acre more than unlimed fields—in tests of Carbonate of Lime, conducted by the farm bureau, through the county agent, in Chemung County, N.Y. A farmer who used 1 ton of Carbonate of Lime to the acre secured 4,840 Ibs. of cured hay, compared to 1,208 Ibs. on an unlimed acre. Another, who applied 700lbs. of lime to an acre, obtained 6,292 lbs. against 1,461 lbs. on an unlimed acre. A third farmer used 1 ton to the acre and obtained 8,400 lbs., compared to 1,0401bs. on unlimed land. The Commonwealth Portland Cement Co. Ltd. 4 O'CONNELL STREET = - SYDNEY (The makers of “‘ UNION’’ Cement). xvi Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1920. POTASH PAYS! ON ALL SOILS FOR ALL CROPS Plants require POTASH in order to make a normal growth. POTASH is essential to keep plant life healthy. Used in orchards, POTASH improves the yield and quality of the fruit. POTASH may be obtained from the leading Fertiliser Merchants and their Agents through- out the State. THE ALSACE-LORRAINE DEVELOPMENT AND TRADING CO., LTD. DALGETY & COMPANY LTD., SOLE AGENTS FOR AUSTRALIA. Oct. 2,.1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. XVil ~The “BUZACOTT” Fruit=Grader. One hour’s work done in 10 minutes | The “BUZACOTT” Grader is the only machine that successfully grades lemons and pears. No dan- ger of bruising. Easy to operate j A aeons by foot treadle. —s priced machine quite as efficient as high-priced makes, If you use the ‘‘ Buzacott ” Grader, not only will the fruit be accurately graded, but you can stamp on the outside of every case the number of fruits it contains, because every grade packs its own number to the case. The buyer, seeing this number, can quickly figure on what he can make per dozen, buys accordingly, and can give more money because HE LAKES NO@RTSK. Moreover, graded fruit packs more easily and saves time. Cutting down working time means that you save money. Bazacotlé 7T=11 Market Street = = = Sydney; and at 413-415 Adelaide Street, Brisbane. “‘ Always ask for Buzacott Gates and Fences.” XVill Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1920. FARMERS & GRAZIERS’ CO-OPERATIVE Grain, Insurance & Agency Co. Ltd. Handle all our PRIMARY PRODUCTS with EFFICIENCY and EXPERT SKILL at a MINIMUM of EXPENSE. CO-OPERATION—and what it means * YOL COMPARE THE PAST WITH THE PRESENT. The future of CO-OPERATION is in YOUR HANDS—Be strong for it! Wire: Consign : ‘¢Grain” Sydney. ‘(Farmers & Graziers’.” Circular Quay, Sydney. Oct 2...1920.4 Agricultural Gazette of N.S W. xix THE “SUDDETH’ RABBIT FUMIGATOR & SMOKER costs little The Benefits are Immense. Mr. A. Stewart, ‘‘ Charleyong,” Braidwood. I treated 150 acres with the first drum of Carbon Biswphide (parts fairly rough and rocky) and very few rabbits are showing there since. I can safely say I killed 80 or 90 per cent., and outside rabbits are the only ones left. The ‘‘ Suddeth” is far the best method of dealing with bunny that I have struck yet. Prices F,O.B. Sydney. No. 1 “Suddeth’’ Smoker 6 5 0 No. 2 53 33 te OO (as illustrated) Patent Smoke Mixture (per box). Carbon Bisulphide (per 5 2 1N 0 gal. drum). CUT OUT THIS COUPON AND MAIL. WE WILL SEND BY RETURN A SPLENDIDLY ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE CONTAINING FULL PARTICULARS. Please send me post free your Catalogue on Suddeth Fumigators. (NEWELL & Co., 189 King-street, Melbourne, AGENTS: FEDERAL TRADING & ENGINEERING Co., Perth. |\WAUGH & JOSEPHSON, Turbot-street, Brisbane. F. S. GREER R, Manufacturer, ELDER, SMITH & Co., Ltd., Adelaide. utente and 102 Sussex-st., Sydney. 15 6 } Pd xx Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1920. wil at an | i ne a \ i i el lt ie i WiNts i j Wy ey aie A perfect combination ! Good Cows and a DIABOLO ANY DAIRY FARMERS wonder M why their cream returns are so much lower than their neighbours, although their herd is just as good, cow for cow. They overlook their old- fashioned wasteful separators, whose inferior design and construction waste the cream and show a big annual loss, The Diabolo Separator is designed by the world’s greatest separator experts to stop cream waste, and it does—it gets all the butterfat. And it handles more milk than any other separator. Easy to'turn and easy to clean, the Diabolo lightens dairying work and gets tip-top quality cream all the time. Get out after bigger cream profits_to-day. Ask us to forward a Diabolo on free trial foramonth, Write for post-free Booklet and all information to SEPARATOR C€0., LTD., Cr. Market and Kent Sts., SYDNEY. F 310 Oct. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. xx am ‘Z Z = = & ASG Fa ————— ~ oe s sas 2s - all I 4 == | Cut Your Own Chaff | and your neighbours’ as well. | With the prospect of good feed ‘this season, you should make provision for your chaff-cutting in good time. ——— We have large stocks of all sizes from ECLIPSE (7 cwt. per hour) to MUNRO’S PRIDE (30 tons per day). | We can fit you up with a complete portable or stationary chaff-cutting outfit or can supply either the Engine or Chaff-cutter as a portable job. For the Engine you can have a “Lister” or a Fairbanks-Morse Type “‘Z.” Write for particulars of any Plant you need. Dangar, Gedye & Co., Ltd., | 9-18 YOUNG STREET, SYDNEY. Mase B meee vata ” 3 a (ae «7 ENGINE and CHAFFCUTTER Js. with Handy Bagger—Portable Outfit. ‘ VY xxii Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1920. ROI SEPARATOR [‘ the oldest dairying districts, where farmers have tried everything that claims to be a cream separator, the ‘‘DOMO” is referred to as | ILLUSTRATES “A JOLLY GOOD MODELS. MACHINE. ” No. 18 - £19:10:0 SIZES ARE (45 gall.) 9, 12, 18, 22, 30, 35, 45, 65, 70, No. 14 - £26: 10:0 405, 135, and 220 Gallons per hour. (65 gall.) No. 15 - £37:10:0 (105 gall.) Ir Our Locat AGENT has not No. 16 - £43:10:0 yet seen you, just write us saying—“I WILL TRY A DOMO’—and mention size. (135 gall.) YOU can SAVE from 10/- to £18 on the Purchase Price alone. THE DOMO SEPARATOR Co., L1D., THIRD FLOOR, 70 WENTWORTH AVENUE, SYDNEY. Oct. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Xxilii Increased Production. Cletrac™ We TANK-TYPE TRACTOR § Au. over the world nations are striving to produce the necessaries of life in sufficient quantities to meet the demands of the people. Food and clothing are the first urgent needs. None but the Farmer and the Pastoralist can supply these. The way to increased production in these commodities is by the provision of labour-saving machines and implements. Cletrac TANK-TYPE TRACTOR is generally accepted to be among the most efficient labour-saving agricultural machines on the world’s market to-day. It does the work of 12 horses. It does its work well. Works where a horse cannot work. y : Hei ou are well satisfied when the No job is too hard. rOrkistdone: Hard jobs are made easy. It costs comparatively little to run (on Kerosene}, and is simple in design, and is easy to drive. It is the Little Trusty David. Does anything—goes anywhere. Write for particulars to Pacific Commercial Co. Pomeroy House - 16 York Street, SYDNEY. XXiV Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1920. Technical Education Branch Department of Education N. S. Wales Technical Training by Correspondence in Sheep-Classing and Wool-Classing Agriculture Book-keeping (including Station Bookkeeping) Care of Animals, Animal Husbandry, and Stock Inspector’s Course be the past people in isolated parts of the State requiring mstruction in these subjects have been unable to obtam it unless they could go to comparatively few centres. Now they can bring themselves by Home Study mto closest touch with the chief centre of educational activity, and can be specially taught and trained by the leading experts im their particular professions. TsE SyDNEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE provides instruction of the highest practical and scientific character by Correspondence in the following subjects also: Architectural Drawing Inspection of Meat and Animals Penmanship and Corres- dence Carpentry and Joinery Shorthand Domestic Science, Cookery, Printing and Composing and Household Manage- Styles of Architecture ment Building Construction Construction Drawing Sanitary Engineering and Drainage and Water Fitting Sanitary Law Elementary Art Drawing Trades Calculations Send for Syllabus “Technical Edncation Extension by Correspondence,” to GEORGE HOOPER Acting-Superintendent of Technical Education Sydney Oct. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. XXV MANU OL AARING WITH THE AID OF NOBEL - GLASGOW HIGH EXPLOSIVES THE ATTENTION OF FARMERS, ORCHARDISTS, and other LANDOWNERS, is directed to THE “ NOBEL-GLASGOW ” SYSTEM Fullest particulars from the Agents: DALGETY & COMPANY, Ltd., 15 BENT STREET, SYDNEY, or from local Storekeepers: Xxvl Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W [Oct. 2, 1920. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, NEW SOUTH WALES. Imported Clydesdale Stallions TO STAND THIS SEASON AT NORTH BANGAROO STUD FARM. CLANDALE (14628), C.S.B. (Imp.) Sire, Allandale (12418), C.S.B., by Sir Hugo. Ist Dam, May Logan (21199) O.S.B., by Prince Robert (7185). 2nd Dam, Haidee (21198), by Prince of Wales (673). 8rd Dam, Jess of Portlogan (3145), by Lofty (460). 4th Dam, Kate, by Hercules (378). Clandale was awarded First Prize at the Northern Show at Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1912; and in 1918 was awarded the £100 Championship Prize at the Royal Show, Sydney. ROYAL WARDEN (16045), C.S.B. (Imp.) Sire, Everlasting (11331), C.S.B., by Baron’s Pride (9122). 1st Dam, Gem of Craigwillie (21597), by Prince of Thomas (16262). 2nd Dam, Lady Edith of Craigwillie (15687), by Prince Currachan (8151). 3rd Dam, Jean of Northfield (18564), by Star of the North (2435). 4th Dam, Cowden Jean (19435), C.S.B., by Clydesdale Jock (1415). Royal Warden was awarded First and Champion Prizes by the Royal Agricultural Society of England as a 3-year old. | SIR GALLANT (Imp. in dam). Sire, Gallant Stewart. Dam, Mona (36914), 0.S.B. (imp.), by Ransom (13149), C.S.B. FEES— Clandale—Seven guineas per mare’ Royal Warden—Four guineas per mare, Sir Gallant—Four guineas per mare. A limited number of approved mares can be taken for these horses. Free Service to be given the following season to all mares that fail to get in foal from previous season’s service. No further concession. A gistment—2s. 6d. per week per mare. For further particulars apply to— The MANAGER, North Bangaroo Stud Farm, Canowindra. Oct. 2,.1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Xxvii EASY TO RUN—HARD TO WEAR OUT. “REGO CREAM SEPARATOR Is Famous for its ELIABILITY. Being the result of our 20 years’ experience in the trade. FFICIENCY. Because of its thorough skimming of warm milk; the delivery of heavy cream, and the perfect flushing of the bowl. UARANTEE. Each Reco being * guaranteed in perfect working order when leavy- s ing our works. FFERED at the lowest price. ONE MONTH’S FREE TRIAL. Prices and Further Particulars from Local Agents or GUNNERSEN CROCKETT LTD., 379 KENT STREET, SYDNEY. XXVlii Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1920. THE New | Sbutli Cia st South An Ideal Holiday Resort @ The mild bracing airs and pleasant vistas of the Beautiful Illawarra offer a restful and delightful change to tired city dwellers. @ Here, encompassed by glorious panoramas of blue ocean and golden strands, verdant hillsides and peaceful’ valleys, a holiday will pass all too quickly. Q Make up your mind to see and enjoy this delightful Garden of the South. ( Descriptive Q For full and reliable in- Foldet formation call, phone, Posted on or ‘write to the Receipt of | Your Address. GOVERNMENT TOURIST BUREAU, CHALLIS HOUSE (opp. G.P.O.), SYDNEY. E. H. PALMER, Director. Telephone City 4945. Oct. 2, 1920:] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Xxix lLight, Strong, and Durable IXL Fire Fighters. FEATURE that distinguishes the IXL FIRE FIGHTER, and which alone makes it worth £2 or £3 more than other makes, is the Non- spillable Manhole which prevents loss of water, and really means 25 /% more water when you reach the fire than is the case where other makes are used. Besides being invaluable in case of fires, IXL Fire Fighters may be turned to a variety of uses— such as washing buggies or horses, for carting water, or as shower baths. All the other good points about IXL Fire Fighters are given in our free illustrated leaflet. Send for a copy to-day and learn more about these reliable Fire Fighters, Also ask for particulars of IXL Water Carts. Patentees and Sole Manufacturers, Arncliffe, Sydney. Geo. F. Fortescue & Sons, Lid. XXX Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W [Oct. 2, 1920. a ATTN f Electricity for every farm, OW fine to have clean, bright electric light wherever and whenever you want it. And the added comfort and economy of electric sewing machines, fans, irons, grillers, carpet sweepers, etc., too. All are possible with Western: LiecIrc Power & Light The big, strong Western Electric Outfit has twice the capacity of most other private outfits. Generates all the current neces- sary for lighting the home, school, store, church, or institute. In addition to giving electric light and power, the Western Electric Plant is a handy power outfit. There’s a pulley fitted to the engine for driving light machines. Here are the specifications of Western’ Electric Power and Light. Cut them out for reference and send for 20-page book giving full description. SPECIFICATIONS.—Generator: 1,500 watts. Battery: 180 ampere hour capacity on 8 hour rate of discharge (intermittent rating 288 ampere hours). Engine: 3} H.P. Kerosene. Air-cooled. Splash-oiled. Throttle-governed. Control: practically automatic. Western Eleciric Company (Australia) Lira. 192 Castlereagh Street. SYDNEY. Agents in all States. H 437 Oct. 2, 1920.1] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. XXxi An Easy Way to Pay for the Peace Bonds that every patriotic Australian is morally bound to subscribe for, is by producing more than he has done in the past. There are many ways of doing this. The man or woman ‘‘on the land”’ can, in a pleasurable way, increase their own and their country’s wealth by breeding more poultry—especially Turkeys. Now is the time for setting—Set largely. The Harvest outlook was never better, and there should be plenty.of cheap food to fatten a big flock for market close to your home. Bear in mind you run no risks of transport or mortality, and you get cash in return for stock. Write for further particulars to any of our works scattered all over the State. Freezing Works: BLAYNEY DUBBO MOLONG BOGGABRI GILGANDRA MILLTHORPE BOOROWA GUNNEDAH ORANGE CANOWINDRA HARDEN PARKES CROOKWELL MUSWELLBROOK WELLINGTON WARRIGAL — Butter Factories: BLAYNEY CANOWINDRA DUBBO PARKES Bacon Factory : ORANGE Ee THE COUNTRY FREEZING COMPANY, LIMITED. Head Office—70 PITT STREET, SYDNEY. XXxil Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. .) Oe 2 AER: (F or Your Wheat C rops) Sulphide Super] ——/S RELIABLE. Certain Delivery Special Manures for all Crops. Manufactured in New South Wales by THE SULPHIDE CORPORATION, Ltd., Works: Cockle Creek, N.S.W. Prices and full particulars from your local Agent or from the Managing Agents: GIBBS, BRIGHT, & CO., SYDNEY. Vol. XXXI. Part 10. OCTOBER 2, 1920. — THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE OF Nees. Mey ALES Issued by Direction of THE Hon. W. F. DUNN, M.L.A., MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, W. H. BROWN, Editor. \ Bv Authority : SYDNEY: W. A. GULLICK, GOVERNMENT PRINTER 1920. *563—b XXXIV Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Oct. 2, 1920. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION At the Government Farm Schools. SPECIAL FACILITIES ARE OFFERED AT THE SCHOOLS AT THE GOVERNMENT EXPERIMENT FARMS FOR INSTRUCTION IN AGRICULTURE. CouRSES FROM 6 MONTHS TO 3 YEARS. Low Fees. Comfortable Accommedation. Expert Tuition. HAWKESBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, Richmond. ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY. AGRICULTURE DIPLOMA COURSE—3 years. DAIRY DIPLOMA COURSE— years. Carrying the respective academic distinctions ‘‘H.D.A.” and ‘“‘ H.D.D.” Short Courses of 12 months on the ORCHARD, and 6 months on DAIRY, PIGGERY, and POULTRY. Carrying certificates on examination. Each Course gives a well-adjusted combination of Field Practice with Class-room Tuition. Two Sessions per Year, beginning January and July. Fees (INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) All Courses £14 per Session. WAGGA and BATHURST STUDENT SCHOOLS. SOUND SYSTEMS IN MIXED FARMING. The Student performs the work of each Section of the Farm, including SHEEP, CROPS, DAIRY, ORCHARD, POULTRY, PIGGERY, CARPENTERS and BLACKSMITHS’ SHOPS. TWO YEARS’ COURSE FOR FARM CERTIFICATE. FEES (INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) First Year ... a 615 Second Year ... .. £10 FARM APPRENTICE SCHOOLS at Glen Innes, Wollongbar, Cowra, and Grafton. A PRACTICAL COURSE FOR TRAINING LADS FOR FARM WORK. The Apprentices are trained in all branches of FARM, DAIRY, or ORCHARD work, and receive Lectures and Demonstrations in CROP GROWING and the Rearing and Management of LIVE STOCK. FEES {INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) £5 for Six Months. (Admssion at any date.) For further particulars, prospectuses, &c., , apply to— GEORGE VALDER, Under Secretary and Director, Lands Office Building, Bridge-st., Sydney. Department of Agriculture. Oct. 2. 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Registered under the Copyright Act, 1879. Hadstors of Agricultural and Country Papers are especially invited to reproduce any of the articles contained in the Agricultural Gazcite, in whole or in part, making the usual acknowledgment. Contributions are only accepted upon the terms that the Government may subse- quently publish. the same in pamphlet form or otherwise. 2nd October, 1920. CONTENTS. PAGE. AGRICULTURE AT NYNGAN ... es ee tis ee fis .. H. J. Kelly 685 ContTROL OF LIVER FLUKE... ae wes ae a, Re, ae sae Boy iste) ImMaTURE Potato SEED ... ‘ .. A. H. E. McDonald 688 INCREASED PRODUCTION oF W OoL 1 PER Hap OF SHEEP We J. W. Mathews. 6§8 Somer ASPECTS OF THE RABBIT PROBLEM C. J. Woollett 689 Farmers’ EXPERIMENT PLots—Potato Experiments, 1919-20— New England District ae es Ba ee ee vo be Bartlett, 692 COMPRESSED FoppER s “ia aie ee a aaa 694: RoscoMMON SHEEP IN CROSSBREEDING TRIALS .. ai as ...F. B. Hinton 695 THE AMERICAN AND THE CoRN BORER ... ace nse ihe see Bt +550) 1696 THE HoME-MAKER AND THE RURAL PROBLEM ... his an wee th ... 696 BREEDING CEREALS AT THE EXPERIMENT FARMS kot “ae J.T. Pridham 696 Mort IMPORTED RUBBISH ... .E. Breakwell 698 ToP-DRESSING LUCERNE WITH SupereHospHats—Experiments at Yanco ki. B. Furby 699 _ STANDARDISATION IN AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY ae a oe Aas shee UY Cuzco Maize ... ... H. Wenholz 7v1 FARMERS’ EXPERIMENT Piors—Maize Experiments, 1919- 20— Central Western District... : te a the ... B.C. Meek 703 North-west District ... : Bs: mas a ae 1... Hy Bartlett. 705 Boys’ Maize-GROWING COMPETITIONS 3 Bes 4 ‘ 707 WANTED—COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE IN FARMING CENTRES mie 708 Uritisinc Waste Hear IN BUTTER FACTORIES eae a 0. C. Balthanses 709 A Note on Rotten Manure cs aS Led .F.B. Guthrie 713 InsEcts FOUND oN Tosacco 1x New Sou'rn WALES ... +. WoW: Froggatt 714 THE PRODUCTION OF GINSENG te wide a aut uke i Ba eet ALG ‘CROWN-GALL OF FRuIT TREES " a ... W. A. Birmingham 717 To Prorscr Srorep Maize anp Waeat FRoM WeEvIL _... W.B. Gurney 718 PLANTING SUDAN GRass __... ves Bae ae a Si ... H. J. Kelly 719 GUMMING OF SuGAR CANE ... t, bie a ao Aa ... R. J. Noble 720 SUNFLOWERS AS SILAGE aa aa. saa Ae ste Be ... H. Wenholz 721 Minnesora’s Datry INDUSTRY ... sf not hi vey dee REINFECTION OF PASTEURISED CREAM FROM Dusty Roaps ia L. T. MacInnes 724 SAFEGUARDING Farm Stock FROM ami 3) By Correct Feeding Max Henry 725 _ PURCHASING QUEEN BEES ... ay: me ie .... W. A. Goodacre 1730 STRAWBERRY CULTURE AROUND Sy DNEY. L) LeGallard’ 730 Spring WoRK FOR THE BANANA GROWER ee ‘ANY J Allen and R. G. Bartlett 738 THREE NEW VARIETIES OF PLUMS F _W.J. Allen 1744 PURE-SEED GROWERS RECOMMENDED BY THE DEPARTMENT He a 745 Pouttry Nores—October ... pie sic i Hadlington 746 OrcHarD Notes—October ... a . W.d. Allen and W. le noe Brereton 748 PRICES FOR QUEEN BEES... a ee ae 750 A SPRAYING QUERY .. ace By oe 6 acpi Ho) AGRICULTURAL Bureau OF ‘New Sour WaLEs— Suggested Subjects for Bureau Meetings sec it ae Age Penaol Reports and Notices from Branches nde ee att at sik onc, FAB AGRICULTURAL SocieTIEs’ SHows .. veg ae aL ines oon ee. sto XXXvi Aaricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1920. For Irrigation. WHEN an engine must be secured that can be relied on to work with absolute regulari' y and a minimum of attention, the claims of JELBART’S Suction Gas Plant should be carefully examined. By consuming wood as fuel it eperates at the lowest possible cost About 1 cwt. of wood will drive an engine for a day. No charcoal burning is required. Although strongly constructed, it is readily portable Mechanism is simple, but reliable. It is aw easy to manage as an ordinary kitchen stove. Engine is easily started, and when going requires next to no attention. The Jelbart is more economical than any other engine on the market. 6 to 50 B.H.P. models now available. Send for descriptive leaflets demonstrating their undoubted advantage. JELBARTS PROPRIETARY LIMITED, ENGINEERS—er of Crude Oil Engines, Suction Gas Plants, Hopper Cooled Engines, Crude Oil Road Rollers, etc. HEAD OFFICE AND WORKS: SYDNEY ORFICE: Ballarat, Victoria. Challis House, Martin Place, Sydney. AND AT MELBOURNE AND BRISBANE. VoL. XXXI. PART 10. OCTOBER 2. 1920. Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales. AR AR W Agriculture at Nyngan, ior» = ¥, V¢ oY H. J. KELLY, Manager, Cowra Experiment Farm.* Ir is generally accepted that Nyngan is beyond the “safe wheat. belt.” In fact, the western edge of the area within which wheat-growing is profitable is some 50 miles eastward. For many years past, however, settlers beyond the “safe” line have turned their attention to the growth of wheat crops—prinei- pally for hay, and in very many instances splendid yields have been obtained. But the westerner knows that as sure as night follows day lean years follow good ones. Drought is the spectre most dreaded, and when it does appear in gauntest form, crops fail just as do the natural pastures. The uncertainty of the rainfall makes the growth of crops a hazardous under- taking, and it is considered by many too risky to enter upon. To endeavour to solve many of the problems which confront the dwellers of the far west, and to try to minimise, if not wholly prevent, the severe Josses which occur when King Drought stalks the land, the Department of Agriculture started an experiment farm on the west Bogan scrub lands, 17 miles north-east of Coolabah railway station, in the year 1898. There the usual pioneering difticulties were encountered, failures experienced, successes achieved, and many valuable lessons learned. | Numerous experiments were carefully planned and conducted for the purpose of ascertaining the most suitable varieties of wheat for the district, the best cultural methods to adopt for the conservation of moisture, whether fertilisers were necessary, and if so in what quantities, what quantities of seed should be sown per acre, the best rotation to adopt, and many other things relative to the profitable growth of crops. Owing to the inaccessibility of the farm to the general public and depart- mental experts, the question of transferring the work undertaken at Coolabah to a more convenient and accessible site in similar country and under similar conditions was considered in 1908, and after careful discussion -of the claims of several places, the site of the present Nyngan Experiment Farm was selected as being most suitable, on account of it being typical west Bogan country, and representative of a very large area, which it was intended the farm should serve. From the results achieved at Coolabah, it was now recognised by the Department that in the west agriculture could only be successfully carried on in conjunction with the pastoral industry. Out of twelve wheat crops planted, eight had given satisfactory yields, three had grown sufticiently to make some return for the outlay involved in their cultivation by grazing them with ‘sheep, and only one (that of 1902) had %een an absolute failure. All this gave ground for the belief that it would be profitable for graziers to cultivate a portion of their holdings, if sound principles, which the Department had now some confidence in laying down, were adhered to. * Formerly Manager, Nyngan Experiment Farm. A §86 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1920. No crop was sown at Nyngan farm in the 1910 season, but a commence- ment was made in 1911, although not under very favourable conditions, as fallowing could not be done to any great extent, owing to delay in the operations of clearing the land. : From that time on, however, fallowing always preceded the wheat crops, and the system known as the three-years’ rotation system was carried out as far as practicable. This rotation comprised wheat, fodder crops, and bare fallow in consecutive years, To give an idea of the results obtained at Nyngan for the years 1911 to 1918 inclusive, a plot in the ploughing experiment may be taken as an example, as it compares more closely with the system advocated at the outset than do plots in other experiments, where standard varieties, seeding, and tillage methods were not always adopted. From this plot, too, the yields given are actual, the produce being weighed when fit to stack. For the period quoted, eight crops were sown ; five of these were harvested for hay, one was harvested for grain, and the two remaining crops were fed off with sheep, having failed to make suflicient growth to admit of profitable harvest- ing with the binder. However, they made some growth, and their value as grazing crops was considerable, and it is estimated that—together with the expense of harvesting saved—they added to the crop that was harvested for grain (which yielded 82 bushels per acre) a valuo at least equal to one average crop for the period. ‘ The actual yields were :— YIELDS PER ACRE. Year. ies OAC Year. 1911 Hay OPS 1 1915 Grain ... 8% bushels 1912," 13.1 t. ©. q. 1913s ys Ns ee ees oO 1916 Hay ... asa nat aE aL 1914 Ac ... Grazed. 1 A et Ol 16S 1918 ... Grazed. Average yield per acre, 1 ton 5 cwt. 2 qrs. The plot chosen to represent the system advocated, the yields of which are given above, was always ploughed with a mouldboard plough 6 inches deep, and received the necessary cultivation to keep it free from weeds and to conserve moisture. Seed was planted at the rate of 27 lb. per acre, a variety of wheat which had proved its suitability to the district being used (with an application of 30 lb. superphosphate per acre) but one which in none of the years gave the highest yield for the experiment of which it formed a part, The average yiela shown cannot be considered as other than satisfactory, as a return of over 1} tons of hay per acre per year would show a profit over and above the cost of production, Of course the heavy crops, the results mainly of seasons of bounteous rainfall, affect the average appreciably, but it must be remembered that there are good seasons in the west as well as droughts, and during such good seasons the growth of all vegetation is wonderful. If this is availed of, reserves of fodder can be stored to assist in tiding over lean years; but to be in a position to benefit by years of plenty one must take a risk and plant in all years, for the man who can forecast what any one season is going to bring forth has, unfortunately, yet to be born. Oct. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 687 However, during the twenty-two years the Department has been en- deavouring to solve the problems of the west much has been learned, and although the cultivation of wheat for grain cannot be recommended, the position for the growth of hay has certainly been made safer by the data supplied from the results of the experiments which have been conducted. Of the many factors which tend to the successful growth of crops the three main ones which are humanly controllable are :— 1. Fallowing and suitable preparation of the land. 2. Suitable varieties. 3. Light seeding. If these three factors be duly recognised and strictly employed, then the battle against adverse agents is turned in our favour, and success assured in a great measure. That there will be failures in very dry seasons with the most approved methods is only to be expected, seeing that our safe districts suffer likewise, and unless sufficient moisture falls it is impossible to grow crops, but when rains do come in sufficient quantity it must be our care to conserve them in the soil. This is the art of good farming. The results here quoted show the possibilities of such farming at Nyngan, In addition to the crops that can be harvested and conserved as fodder in the form of hay or silage, there are also the grazing crops, chief of which up to the present has been rape, and it is worthy of note that only in 1918 was rape an absolute failure. On several occasions it failed to germinate imme- diately when planted, owing to lack of moisture in the soil, but it eventually did so when suflicient rain came, and in many cases produced heavy crops which made sufficient growth on which to graze as many as ten sheep to the acre for a period of two months. The value of rape is generally recognised as a rotation crop with wheat, both as a fodder for stock and as a soil renovator in keeping up the humus content of the soil and aerating and sweetening the subsoil by its deep-rooted habit of growth. Its value as fodder is increased by the fact that the expenses of harvesting are unnecessary. Other fodder crops have been tried, and sorghum and Sudan grass have been fairly successful, but further trials are necessary before their growth can be recommended. For those who intend to make it their home, the west can be made more secure against droughts by the growth and conservation of fodder as a reserve to carry them through the lean years which periodically occur, and it is more than probable that greater advances will be made in this direction in the future than have been in the past. As one who has been intimately con- nected with the development of this work since its inception twenty-two years ago, I look forward with confidence to the time when the stout-hearted dwellers of that great expanse of country shall be enabled, by the adoption of scientific methods of agriculture, to withstand to a much greater degree their most formidable enemy. 688 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1920. ControL OF LIVER FLUKE. THE young liver fluke or teech must live a portion of its life in the body of a fresh-water snail before it can attack sheep, cattle, goats and other sus- ceptible stock, says Dr. T. B. Simms, Veterinarian at the Oregon Agricultural College. It may therefore be controlled by the destruction of snails in all standing and running water to which stock has access. Regarding the method of such destruction, says this authority, copper sulphate (bluestone) added to the water in which the snails are living has been found effective, and solutions varying in strength from 1 part bluestone to 500,000 parts of water up to as high as 1 part bluestone to 2,000,000 parts of water have been found to kill all snails in less than forty-eight hours. As the treatment does not destroy the eggs, however, a further treatment must be given when these hatch out after an interval of two or three months. It is remarked that the solution is not injurious to higher plants or domesticated animals, but is possibly injurious to fish ; and that the water is not injured for bathing, drinking or irrigation unless the solution is made stronger than 1 to 50,000. Two methods of treatment are recommended—one for standing and the other for running water. In the former method the average depth of the pond is first determined, and the total amount of water estimated; then sufficient copper sulphate to make a solution of | to 1,000,000 is added. One ounce to 1,000 cubic feet of water, or to 7,800 gallons, will do this approxi- mately. If the body of water is small, the copper sulphate may be placed in a sack, and the latter tied to the end of a pole and moved through the water until all the bluestone is dissolved. In larger bodies of water it is a good idea to tie the sack of bluestone to the stern of a boat, rowing the latter around the pond until the contents of the sack are dissolved. Running water can also he treated, but the method is rather complicated. IMMATURE PoTato SEED. IMMATURE potato seed is best described as the potatoes from a late sown crop, which, through being frosted, have not been given time to develop fully, or as those obtained by digging an earlier sown crop before it had ripened off. It is for the former reason that potatoes from the tableland districts are better suited for seed purposes in the coastal areas than the locally grown produce,—A, H. E. McDonatp, Chief Inspector of Agriculture. INCREASED PRODUCTION OF WooL PER HEAD OF SHEEP. Tuar the pastoral industry in Australia is a live and growing thing, and that a very positive improvement has been effected in the production of wool per head of sheep, the appended figures show :—Whereas in the period 1890-1893 there were 60,000,000 sheep, with an average weight of wool per head of 3 lb. 9 oz., in the period 1900-1903 there averaged 36,000,000 sheep, with a weight of wool per head of 6 Ib. 3 oz, Finally, in 1916-19, there averaged 35,000,000 sheep, with a weight of wool per head of 8 Ib. 7 oz. This means that in 1918-19, with 25,000,000 less sheep, there were 70,000,000 lb. more wool produced than in 1891.—J. WRENFORD- Maruews, Sheep and Wool Expert. Oct. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 689 Some Aspects of the Rabbit Problem. C. J. WOOLLETT, Stock Inspector, Tamworth. Neary, everyone who knows anything of the rakbit problem is agreed that the best means of coping with the pest are the use of wire netting, digging out, and destruction of harbour. Regarding wire netting, its cost is now so high that its general use is prohibitive, except to those who are comfortably off. Digging out is expensive, and in many places this work is impracticable. Burning harbour is a satisfactory method, and, generally speaking, is cheap. But the wholesale destruction of fallen timber will bring many landholders face to face with another problem, viz., the supply of firewood for domestic purposes. Therefore this work should be done with discretion, Granted that the three methods already mentioned are the best, the limitations of their application force many people to resort to two other methods, namely, trapping and poisoning, In many places there is a very decided objection to trapping, and various reasons have been given. For the purpose of inquiring into the soundness of some of the objections to trapping, I made a number of investigations, and, besides, sent a circular letter to over 400 landholders in this district, asking them to keep records of the sexes of the rabbits trapped or poisoned. It is disappointing to find only a few searchers after truth in a subject that has caused so much discussion and diversity of opinion ; comparatively very few bothered to take any interest in the matter. A number of correspondents, however, went to considerable trouble and carefully kept records, while a number replied, giving opinions which were interesting, but of little use for the purpose of my inquiry. If we are to handle the rabbit problem intelligently, we must approach it with an open mind, and be prepared to abandon preconceived ideas, if evidence is adduced which indicates that conclusions based on wrong premises have been arrived at. It is frequentiy stated that trappers catch many more bucks than does, and, therefore, by some theory, it is assumed that it leads to more prolific breeding by the does, as they are not worried by so many males. If the statement was correct that the trappers do catch more males than females, there would be no justification for the assumption that trapping conduces to freer breeding, and, therefore, an increase of the pest. There is no reason, except when the does are breeding, why trappers should try to catch more males than females. The same price is paid for the carcase of a doe as for that of a buck at the freezing works; when trapping is carried on for the skins only, the skins of dry rabbits are the best, but there is little difference between the value of a buck skin and of a dry doe. 690 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Oct. 2, 1920. When the trapper sets his traps, it is a matter of indifference to him what class of rabbits he catches, and there is no way to set a trap so that it will catch a buck and not a female. With regard to the trapping, fifteen land- holders who replied to the circular individually supplied the following figures of the different sexes caught :— Bucks. Does. Bucks, Does. No. 1 38 4] No. 10 220 340 2 263 266 1) 424 936 3 2,920 3,388 12 54 62 4 597 492 13 90 94 5 83 155 14 720 920 6 148 125 15 719 480 al 434 376 —- — 8 519 635 7,284 8,386 9 56 76 These figures were supplied during a time when skins were abnormally high in price, aud when rabbits were sought everywhere. The figures show that 15 per cent. more does than bucks were killed. But before skins became so valuable, when rabbits were trapped for the freezing works, I visited various works, and, through the courtesy of the managers, was able to examine rabbits as to sex. The rabbits were taken at random, as the trappers brought them to the works. At the time the records were taken this district was in the throes of a drought, and no doubt the rabbits had to travel long distances for food. Stock were very poor, and large numbers were dying, but the rabbits brought to the works were very fat. Date of Examination. Freezing Works. | Bucks. | Does. 1919. | 28 March | Boggabri ... ies 22 46 4 April... -..| Quirindi ... doc 37 4] 16s Aree ...| Barraba... Na iis 75 8 ur Ses se} Manilla. +h 120 140 BOL mes mee ..., Gunnedah... Bis 47 55 16 May ... Fe Bs ae a 110 130 | 413 487 The figures show nearly 15 per cent. more does than bucks, and, although a person could not dogmatise on the ceunt, it supports the statements made many times to me by people engaged in the industry that at certain times, for no apparent reason, you will catch more does than bucks, and, at other times, vice versa. Some landholders would not object to trappers, so they say, if the trapper would set at the burrows, because then the does would be caught. Six reporters mentioned that they trapped at burrows, and from their results it cannot be stated definitely, as is often done, that a great preponderance in the number of females is then found. Bucks, Does. Bucks. Does. No. 1 36 30 No. 5 262 266 2 424 512 6 28 34 3 220 340 aes 4 56 76 1,026 1,267 — Oct. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 691 For every dozen does at the burrows, ten bucks were caught. Buck heaps are supposed to be the preserves of the males, but two reporters record 18 and 146 bucks and 23 and 125 does, trapped at these heaps. If the opposition to trapping was soundly based on the reason that the destruction of bucks ultimately leads to the increase of the pest, then poison- ing should not be allowed, because the following figures disclose many more bucks being poisoned than does. Rabbits poisoned, mostly by strychnine, as reported by landholders :— Bucks, Does, Bucks, Does. No. 1 70 30 No. 11 1,626 421 2 45 25 12 Di 19 5) OG 1,184 13 942 1,045 4 141 168 14 923 106 5 56 49 15 ll 21 6 30 60 16 30 15 7 5,756 5,227 17 73 58 8 237 267 18 35 94 9 7 41 = 10 106 119 10,429 8,879 It is claimed that where trappers are at work, the rabbits become very wild and are scattered about, but the same thing occurs when the poison cart is used. Statements are frequently made that trappers let the kittens go. No doubt many do, but the legs are invariably broken when caught in a trap. Many of the young rabbits must die from gangrene, even when only the stump is left. The Government graders at Manilla and Gunnedah informed me that only about one in 2,000 grown rabbits brought to the works were without one leg. With trapping there is little danger to stock, whereas poisoning is often the cause of serious losses. The trapper can work effec- tively all the year round, whereas for months at a stretch rabbits will not take poison. If the trapper’s catch is small, of course, he is not well paid for his labour ; but the case of the poisoner is worse, for when the rabbits will not take his baits he not only gets nothing for his labour, but he is also at the loss of the poison, which of late has been very expensive. Although rabbits are very scarce at the present time, they will assuredly soon again become a menace to the agricultural and pastoral industries, unless the price of skins remains high, and the matter of destruction will then become a live question. These few notes might prove an incentive for others to keep records and publish them in the interests of landholders. Such information would be particularly valuable to persons administering the Pastures Protection Act, and would serve to break down prejudices that are not founded on fact. Tun U.S. Weekly News Letter relates the case of a dairy farmer whose cream cheques before he started testing his cows amounted to 78 dollars, for the produce of 27 cows. A year later his cheques were 223 dollars for the produce of 28 cows—a pretty good return for the small outlay in time and expense involved in testing and culling the herd. 692 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1920. Farmers’ Experiment Plots. Potato EXPERIMENTS, 1919-20. New England District. H, BARTLETT, Assistant Inspector of Agriculture. Porato experiments were conducted in the New England district last season with{the co-operation of the undermentioned farmers :— J. F. Chick, Tenterfield. T. Farlow, Red Range. J. Piper, junior, Llangotblin, O. J. Perry, Dumaresq. L. M. Rixon, Uralla. G. Neville, Kentucky. W. H. Lye, Tamworth. S. Collins, Gunnedah. The experiments comprised variety trials and manurial trials in the New England district, and variety trials at Tamworth and Gunnedah. The variety trials in the New England district were uniformly fertilised with superphosphate at the rate of 3 cwt. per acre. The variety Manhattan was planted in the manurial trials, with the exception of the plots at Dumaresq and Kentucky, where Queen of the Valley and Coronation were used respectively. Owing to the dry conditions during the spring, planting was postponed until November and December. It was unfortunate that this delay was necessary, as the seed deteriorated in quality. This, coupled with the fact that the conditions were fairly dry, and that the seed was cut, caused a faulty germination in some of the plots. However, although the rainfall was below the average, sufficient falls were registered at frequent intervals to produce fairly satisfactory crops, excepting at Tamworth and Gunnedah; the Tam- worth plot did not yield sufficient to warrant the calculation of the yields, and the Gunnedah plot failed altogether. In all cases the soil was in a satisfactory condition for planting, and the sets were dropped after the plough. Drills varied from 32 to 86 inches apart, and the sets from 18 to 20 inches apart in the drills.” After planting, the plots were harrowed. During growth the soil was kept free from weeds, and the potatoes were hilled. Factor is one of the most promising varieties, and has done well throughout the district, and at Tenterfield and Llangothlin actually topped all others. It is a white-skinned potato, of medium size, even shape, keeps and cooks well, and is a fairly early variety, suitable for early planting. Oct. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 693 Rainfall. As the rainfall registered prior to planting greatly influences the yield, records from July, 1919, to June, 1920, are appended :— Tenterfield. Uralla, Tamworth. 1919. Points, Points. Points. July 42 33 50 August ae 84 108 97 ; September... 50 37 66 October 115 184 217 November ... 88 160 52 December .., 194 403 251 1920. January ... : 131 148 274 February ... 122 313 158 March a i 144 145 om: April Nil. 146 158 May a 92 24 Not recorded June 165 790 rp He Total ... 1,227 2,491 1,323 Resutts of Potato Variety Trials. Variety. | Tenterfield. | Red Range, | Llangothlin. Uralla. | Dumaresq. | Kentucky. | tC ibsikts (C. g. lbsitmeemdenlallibs Cs (Ca slboiitnu Gs eden Daliboncama aml bs Queen of the moter SmlazOOnvG) 19) 2 24 (Sen te 3 14, OF OMT as Feist 2 7n Ane Gael Brownell Se aerOM One o2) -2.. LOU eee pel On Neil “Se 12h weer OR eieull sarees WOrGnawomree ser) as pane seetes J) AG) 3° 4) Set ON Pee L oO! ll ras a ees Deel lee! Surprise Spa O ONS (13% 1) 12) ere ONS woh) Ons (Silay Shale 16 y iii whee Magnum Bonum.. SLOMOLO Lo 16 (3 12°) Sao M Ae Ta Ss 20 TOV NUCH a OI ata: eee eee Carman an SPL OMON br \6 »O, 8 tise On At Se) OM MGT NS.) SiON 24 i ele ame Early Manistee .. 2eelOmOmonlo 5. 3. 16) | (2eaIGRRoen Olea VS. (0h WG. ocaocera | Milly Meee ene Manhattan ZelOwOm ONS e ei 3-12 ROO COM si 14) iS egal Sate te Oe ae eer Factor AVPOMO ONS 13. 3.) 16.) See Ones 2e A 20) 125 aL Soe See Ol) meine sere. MUSSEXT Meee cs ie ce ecemeries na cece. > (pp Meeubcenmnsners Zee Oty Oi oe Sven yO samen Satistachoni eines.) lth. me Ree Ot... ch ZU AQM 2 Si Ze LOL Ze 6p bea ere 14: Resutts of Potato Manurial Trials. ———— 2 Fertiliser per acre. Tenterfield. Red Range. | Llangothhn. Uralla. Dumaresq. Kentucky, Nitec am@ewalbalit. Cc: q.-lb.)|(toeem@nmibw lit.) cs Qulb.uits ve. sq. libs ita ncauqer lbs Superphosphate, 2 cwt. |3 8 0 0O Betis Ab TUBS Ty = (0) RBS NR ines ae eats Se Ee Orla ey at Bae pee iate, 3 vi WMaRGaKGs NOP So\.:7) 3) 12) | wa OULSe 20S (4a ere Sorel Senet aur P5, 24 cwt. : Son OMmOMMMOY | Misr. Soc... Tepe O stat <4 2) ede 1 STON Oe L2: oR Onrsamol No manure Apel omOMenOw la 16h Lo Oo an Ona 162) 16) Ss ae Le Zs ae OO P7, 3 cwt. Pease ROe MOL wr sl6, 73!) (4: Aaa eos 79) ONO) Sie) 2h E26 kee Obs, iol PS, 3 ewt. . BORO mOnus.. OS. ee OR eo ea: Oh C6 Alo sO 2a iLAN ie cere ie stds Basic superphosphate, 2 ewt.. Ph) ASS (OT (0) Re ea LL OMO RO || Sing De) Bip Se hidoey ote (Oneal Wb nage 0) The mixture P7 consists of equa! parts of bonedust and superphosphate, and P8 of equal parts of blood and bone and of superphosphate. of superphosphate, 4 parts, and sulphate of potash, 1 part. P5 consists The approximate cost of the manure mixtures was as follows :—Super- phosphate, per ton, £5 5s. ; basic superphosphate, P8, £10 10s; P5, £11 10s. £6 10s. ; P7, £9 10s. ; 694 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Oct. 2, 1920. The outstanding feature of these experiments is the increased yield due to the application of artificial fertilisers. In every case the manured plots have shown an increased yield over the unmanured plots. The increase is appar- ently due to the application of phosphoric acid in the form of superphosphate. In a normal season, with a satisfactory rainfall, it is more than probable that best results would be obtained by applying a mixture of superphosphate and bonedust in equal proportions (P7 mixture) at the rate of 3 cwt. per acre. The advisability of applying nitrogenous and potassic fertilisers is not evident, and results to date do not justify the expense of using these manures in the New England district, though, of course, individual farmers may find their land benefit by their use. Most of the growers in New England will admit that manuring pays, yet how few there are who make use of this knowledge! The advisability of applying artificial fertilisers has passed the speculative stage; it has been demonstrated in every part of the State, even on the rich soils of the North Coast. One grower, who has the pick of the rich red soil at Guyra, has manured his potato crop for a number of years past, and this year he has already spent several hundreds of pounds in purchasing fertilisers for next season’s planting. His neighbours are following his example. Farmers should ask themselves, if manuring pays, why plant without manure? COMPRESSED FODDER. A RECENT inquiry from Western Australia on the subject of compressed fodder led to information being collected on the subject. It was ascertained that a fairly extensive trade is at present being done by Victorian tirms with Java, Singapore, and other eastern parts, The fodder as made up there is composed of mixed wheaten or oaten chaff with a good percentage of grain and lucerne chaff; a little bran is added to improve the appearance and quality of the fodder. It is made up in bundles running 70 to 80 lb. in weight, approximately 18 inches long, 15 inches wide, and 12 inches deep, and at each end are placed two half-inch hardwood battens about 15 inches long and 6 inches wide, and covering consequently the whole of the two ends. Each bundle is secured with three No. 8 wires, and with the ordinary bundle there is a loss by shedding, as the pressure alone is relied on to keep the bundle together. A hessian cover may be applied to the bundle in the press at an additional cost of about 7s. 6d. per ton, The cost of pressing the fodder, over and above the cost of the ingredients, is about 30s. per ton. The machine used is very similar in action to a power straw press set on end, and the chaff is fed to an overhead hopper by an ordinary belt box conveyor, and falls down into the machine by gravity. Two men operate the compressor, and they put through about 1 ton an hour, and a little less when the fodder is covered with the hessian. The machines used are made by two different firms and cost from £2,300 to £2,600. They are driven by hydraulic power. In some places, with an ordinary press three full bags of chaff are being compressed into a little more than the size of one, and they are secured with two battens at each end, and two wires. Oct. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 695 Roscommon Sheep in Crossbreeding Trials. F. B. HINTON, Sheep and Wool Instructor. Ir is the practice of the Department to test the utility of the various British breeds for crossbreeding purposes, and in accordance with this policy trials with a Roscommon ram were commenced at Wagga Experiment Farm in 1918. Border Leicesters, which have proved so serviceable for crossbreeding for a number of years, were used as a basis of comparison. The Roscommon as a breed originated in an Irish county in Connaught, and appears to be one of the oldest known breeds in the British Isles. Culley in his book ‘“‘ Observations on Livestock,” in 1801, described the breed as being the worst type of sheep he has ever seen. He states :—“ It seems to me that the breeders of the Roscommon have set out with the object of obtaining all those points in a sheep which are undesirable.” Professor Low in his ‘‘ Domesticated Animals of the British Isles,” however, refers to the improvement of the breed by crossing with the Border Leicester. In appearance the Roscommon is a tall, gaunt, unattractive animal— rather heavier than the Lincoln, but with a less compact and less shapely frame. The face and points are white and the skin pink, while the wool is of a demi-lustrous type, approximating in spinning quality to the Border Leicester and Romney Marsh, but not as attractive as either. Quite an amount of criticism was levelled at the Department for using a ram of such ungainly appearance, but as the donor of the ram (Mr. W. W. Killen) stated that the animal was a fair representative of the breed, the trial was proceeded with. The following table shows the number of ewes mated and the lambs marked :— - Mating | Lambs. | | Grace Ewes } Total Per cent. i mated. period. Tosoe | Wethers, | ™arked. | marked. | : =| : | days. | Roscommon x Merino rele 2 87 5 | 8 13 52 Border Leicester x Merino le eo: 90 9 | 12 2) 84 The lambs were weighed four times during a period of five months and the average weight at each weighing is presented in the following table :— Weighings. Breed. Sex. = First. | Second. Third, Fourth. lb. lb. lb. lb. d Wethers Be 2S 36 53:2 62°4 Roscommon x Merino ie | Bwes abel). 20°5 32°5 53-2 61°5 d : Wethers ccoll, SPBIa Sono) 50:1 60°6 Border Leicester x Merino Ewes ame. 23°8). | 4436 53-1 | 59-9 696 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1920. The weights were again taken and the sheep measured when the animals were 16 months old (two tooth). The averages are shown in the following table :— | Weight. Breed. = Length. Waist. Girth. Body. | Fleece, ; lb. lb. inches, inches, inches. Roscommon x Merino ... AR, 902 6; | 40 35 35 Border Leicester x Merino a 834 63 38 364 33 The sheep comprising the test were sold in Wagga in November, 1919, and both crosses realised 22s. 6d. per head. The results obtained are in no way conclusive, the test covering only one season, and only one ram being used ; but perhaps some idea of the relative value of the Roscommon is afforded. THE AMERICAN AND THE CoRN BorRER. REFERRING to the European corn borer’s appearance in portions of the United States, the Florida Plant Board’s Quarterly Bulletin makes the following statement :—‘“ Already the States of Massachusetts and New York have each expended nearly 100,000 dollars in fighting it, and the United States Department of Agriculture is using a Congressional appropriation of 250,000 dollars for the same purpose, appropriated by Congress in August, 1919. The Department is asking for an additional appropriation of 500,000 dollars, and a conference of State Commissioners of Agriculture and official entomologists, held at Albany, N.Y., and Boston, Mass., on 28th and 29th August (1919), has recommended to Congress that 2,000,000 dollars be appropriated at once to combat the pest, with the additional appropriation, later, of as many more millions of dollars as may be necessary.” The American knows the value of pest control. His maize crop runs annually about 2,500,000,000 bushels, averaging 23} bushels per acre, and evidently he has no intention of allowing the European intruder to get his crop or even skim the cream off the pr ofits. Tor HOME-MAKER AND 'YHE RURAL PROBLEM. Tue loss to family and community by the waste of woman’s energy could be prevented by a reasonable amount of planning ard well- directed investment in modern equipment. There is much talk nowadays of the economic importance of a contented rural population willing to stay on the land and help to build it up. Perhaps the greatest factor in bringing this about will be the healthy, alert and expert home- maker, who will see to it that a part of the increased income from the farm is directed toward the improvement of the home as a means of contentment and stimuli for farm work.—U.S. Weekly News Letter. Oct. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazeite of N.S.W. 697 Breeding Cereals at the Experiment Farms. J. T. PRIDHAM, Plant Breeder. Tar extent of the Department’s activities in the crossbreeding of cereals may be indicated by a brief reference to what is being done at the various , experiment farms in the present season. . At Cowra, which is the chief station of the State, and particularly repre- sentative of the Central-western Slopes, variety tests were sown in triplicate this season of all wheats, oats, and barleys that were grown the previous year and appeared at all promising. Single-row plots were sown of those sorts which are untested or apparently unsuitable, the tests being continued for three years. Varieties which prove suitable in the triplicate section are grown in multiplying plots for more extended trial. About 260 varieties of wheat and 160 crossbreds were sown, 71 varieties of oats and 14 different crossbreds, 38 barley varieties and 4 crossbreds. The number of plots occupied by wheat variations selected from standard varieties total about 250 ; oat variations 203; barley variations or sports 29. The general length of the row-plots runs from 15 to 50 links, single grains being sown by hand about 4 inches apart. Plots devoted to selections from artificial crossbreds number about 700 in wheat, 79 in oats and 45 in barleys. Imported cereals and samples sent for identification are also being grown, and two varieties of rye. Some imported and crossbred strains of field peas are also being bred, mainly for fodder purposes. Variations from cereals in cultivation are becoming a more prominent feature, presenting a wide field for selection, as natural crosses are from time to time discovered. At Wagga the conditions are those of the South-western Slopes and Riverina. The tests are on the same lines as at Cowra. The number of wheat varieties growing this season is 90, of oats 23, and of barleys 23. The wheat crossbreds occupy 290 plots, this farm being largely representa- tive of the wheat belt. Bathurst is typical of the Central Tableland. The number of wheat ‘varieties growing here is 160; it includes a good many imported kinds from -cold countries not adapted for the Wagga climate. Wheat crossbreds occupy 127 plots—considerably fewer than at Wagga. Oats are largely grown, 68 varieties having been planted ; there are also 37 ditferent barleys, besides crossbreds. Glen Innes Farm, which is situated in the Northern Tableland, is growing 89 varieties of wheat in the experiment breeding plots, including a few field selections. The oat varieties total 75, with 28 plots of crossbreds ; 10 varieties of barley, and 10 of rye were also sown. To wheat crossbreds 65 plots are devoted. 698 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Oct. 2, 1920. The climate at Hawkesbury Agricultural College is that of the central coastal districts, rust resistance being of prime importance. Some 48 varieties of wheat, 17 of oats, 16 barleys and 7 ryes were sown in triplicate, and wheat crossbreds occupy 63 plots. At Nyngan, representing the Western Plains, where a hay crop only is looked for in average seasons, only very early maturing sorts are grown, and 20 varieties of wheat, 5 of oats, and 11 of barleys were sown. Six plots of each variety were planted at intervals, as the soil is of a very patchy character. Grafton is typical of the North Coast district, the plots being situated on alluvial soil; 42 varieties of wheat, 19 crossbred wheat strains, 13 oats, 12 barleys, and 8 ryes were sown in triplicate for fodder purposes. It is proposed to go in more extensively for early oat varieties here. At Yanco a trial of 25 varieties of barley was sown for fodder and grain under irrigation. ie The foregoing do not include the larger plots intended to supply pure pedigreed seed of varieties raised for sale to farmers and for commercial sowings. In the principal departmental farms this has been going on for many years, the seed distributed being not only pure and graded, but of high productivity aud vitality, as a result of the careful pedigree selection practised. More Imported RUBBISH. A REMARKABLE exampie of the unscrupulousness of certain seed merchants has just come to light in the examination of a consignment of seed from New Zealand, imported under the Federal quarantine regulations, The con- signment was labelled ‘mixed grass seed,” whereas the proportion of true grasses was approximately 5 per cent. About 75 per cent. consisted of Plantago lanceolata (lamb’s tongue), 8 per cent. of clover seeds, and about 12 per cent. of a mixture of such bad weed seeds that any paddock would certainly be ruined were this “ mixed grass seed” sown in the condition in which it was imported. The number of weed seeds in a pound of this mixture is almost staggering. There were present 33,504 sorrel seeds (Rumex acetosella), 192 Scirpus lacustris, 256 wire weed (Polygonum aviculare’), 2,944 docks, 96 thistle (Carduus lanceolatus), 64 self-heal (Prunella vulgaris), 96 cat’s ear (Hypo- cheris radicata), 32 wild geranium (Geranium dissectum), and 736 Ammi visnaga. The number of lamb’s tongue seeds (Plantago lanceolata) in a pound of the seed would probably run into six figures, but at present some farmers buy this seed for pasture, although not recommended by the Department. There was also present a considerable amount of ergot—-a very bad fungus. The Commonwealth Government has power to suppress the importation of such seed, unless it can be satisfactorily cleaned, but no State legislation whatever exists to prevent the sale of such seed to farmers, once it arrives at the merchant’s warehouse.—E. BrEaKwet1, Agrostologist. Oct. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 699 Top-dressing Lucerne with Superphosphate. FIELD EXPERIMENTS AT YANCO. K. B. FURBY, Experimentalist. [The Experiment Supervision Committee wishes to point out that the following are the results from the first year’s trial only, but in view of the successful use of superphosphate as a top-dressing on lucerne in other districts it has been thought advisable to publish the report. | THis experiment was set out on the following plan, and the applications of superphosphate were made accordingly :— Plot 1... (Check) Cultivated but not manured. > 2 and 3 ... lcwt. superphosphate per acre applied in the spring. (Sth September, 1919). » 4 ... No cultivation and not manured. sae 5) (Check) Cultivated but not manured. : Veo ands] .. 2cwt. superphosphate per acre applied in the spring (Sth September, 1919). Sat ake (Check) Cultivated but not manured. » 9and10 ... 1 ewt. superphosphate per acre applied in the autumn (13th June, 1919). » Ill... (Check) Cultivated but not manured. » 12and 14 ... 2 ewt. superphosphate per acre applied in the autumn (13th June, 1919). PROT Bla eee ... No cultivation and no manure. », 15... (Check) Cultivated but not manured. The plots each comprised } acre. With the exception of Nos. 4 and 13, all were cultivated as deeply as possible in June,as soon as it was practicable to get on the land after the last cut had been removed, the autumn applica- tion of manure then being applied. No further cultivation was given prior to the spring dressing, which was applied early in September, just as the lucerne was making a fresh start to grow. As there was practically no rain in the winter in any quantity, the full benefits of autumn manuring were not fully realised, for the little rain there was did not penetrate to the subsoil, and it was not until artificial watering was commenced in the spring that the ground was thoroughly saturated and the manure made available for plant use. Concerning the spring dressings, no indications were noticed on any of the plots to show that the manure from these had been washed to the lowest end of the plots to cause a better growth there. Any extra vigorous growth in the paddock occurs in isolated places on treated and untreated plots alike, and cannot therefore be attributed to the effects of the superphosphate. Since the autumn dressing was made on 13th June only 345 points of rain have been recorded, while altogether eleven irrigations have been made— on the following dates:—23rd July, 3rd September, 25th October, 25th November, 9th December, 18th December, 10th January, 19th January, 6th February, 26th February, and 8th March. Very hot, windy weather has prevailed throughout the season until latterly, when a cool change occurrea, with a coinciding diminution in the rapidity of the growth of the lucerne, 700 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Oct. 2, 1920. At that period during the hot weather when the crop was making its quickest and most vigorous growth, there was practically no difference observable in the appearance of individual plots, with perhaps the exception of plots 6 and 7, which showed only a slight increase in height and a slightly darker colour than the others. Six cuts of hay were obtained. The following table illustrates the mone- tary value of the increase in yield per acre of lucerne hay as the result of top-dressing, the average price of lucerne hay being taken as £12 per ton,. superphosphate as £6 per ton landed at Yanco, and the cost of cultivation at 12s. 6d. per acre. This last figure is based on the time it actually took to cultivate and top-dress a 6-acre paddock. The work was done in one day with one man on a six-horse cultivator, and one man on three-horse drill. Men’s labour was reckoned at 13s. 6d. per day, horse labour at 5s. (a drought. estimate), and depreciation of machinery at 6d. per acre. TaBLE showing Monetary Value of Increase in yield from Top-dressing. Yield per Increase | Val f | Methods of treatment in order |acre, based on| per acre, | . eee Cost of increase Net gain of merit. percentage due to pene per acre per acre. yield. treatment, | Pe™ cre. te ce) qe-Ib.'| ca MqaelneeeSis: td. wea 2 ewt. superphosphate applied in|} 3 8 0 10/14 0 18); 8 911] Superphosphate, 12s.;} 7 5 5 the spring. cultivation, 12s. 6d. *No cultivation and’no manure. .'3.° 1° 8°11 | ‘Svar yo 6 Gy Loe 5.5 9 1 cwt. superphosphate applied in} 3 2 1 15} 9 1 11] 512 21J Superphosphate, 6s. ;| 413 8 the spring. . cultivation, 12s, 6d. 2 ewt. superphosphate applied in} 3 1 2 0); 8 1 6] 419 8] Superphosphate, 12s.;} 315 2 the autumn. | cultivation, 12s. 6d. 1 cwt. superphosphate applied in) 2 16 0 1) 2 3 25] 115 8&8 | Superphosphate, 6s ;} 017 2 the autumn, cultivation, 12s. 6d. Cultivated but not manured ret O a0. 4 |" ARO tee Nm el eee * An irregularity due to difficulty in regulating the exact amount of water applied to each plot evidently occurred here, From the foregoing table, when the results from light top-dressings are compared with those obtained on the unmanured and uncultivated plot, the conclusion might be drawn that unless lucerne is heavily top-dressed (at 2 cwt. per acre) it is more profitable to leave top-dressing alone. Discarding this plot, the yield from which is at variance with the general results, cultivating and top-dressing lucerne with superphosphate has proved to be quite a profitable practice. STANDARDISATION IN AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY. Tue importance of standardisition in agricultural machinery and implements was urged bya number of witnesses who gave evidence before a departmental committee on agricultural machinery, Ministry of Agriculture, London. Says the Journal of the Ministry of Agriculture :—“ It was agreed that a reduction in the diversity of parts and their interchangeability between implements of the same type are much to be desired. The present bewildering variety of ploughs, for example, produced by individual makers, all in turn differing from those of other manufacturers, and with relatively few fittings common to any of them, increases the difficulties of the users and must necessarily add to the cost of production, . . . . Ploughs and other implements of cultivation appear to afford considerable possibilities of standardisation,” Oct. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 701 Cuzco Maize. H. WENHOLZ, B.Sc. (Agr.), Inspector of Agriculture. Nor all varieties of maize introduced into the State for trial prove successful, and, with the yearly introduction of new varieties from different parts of the world, it is inevitable that some should be found which do not suit any of our conditions, and which, after trial, have to be discarded. A variety known as Cuzco, seed of which was obtained from Chili by Mr. J, M. Paxton, of the Sydney Chamber of Commerce, iv 1918, has to suffer this fate. This maize belongs to the soft, or flour corn family, and similar types are used by the natives of South America and South Africa for human food. They are popular with these people on account of the ease of grinding, owing to the entire absence of horny endosperm. A similar type (Brazilian flour corn), but with much smaller grain, is grown a little in some localities in Queensland, where it is ground into calf meal. Though of some use in this way its feeding value is low, as it consists most largely of carbohydrates (starch) and contains but little protein. The soft nature of the grain renders it easily susceptible to damage by weevil and grain moth, and the grain does not keep well in warm climates. On account of the very late maturity of Cuzco a long growing season is required for it, and it is probably only on our North Coast that it would have a chance of maturing. The trouble experienced there with weevil, however, militates to a large extent against its success in that district. This maize is the giant of the maize family, having grains twice as large as a good sample of Hickory King. The experience with Cuzco maize in this State has been as follows :— At Casino, in 1918, it was sown in December, with several other varieties for comparison, and from one-tenth acre plot only a few pounds of grain were produced, most of which moulded on the cob as the result of late autumn rains. None of the ears measured more than 2 or 3 inches in length, and even then many had no grain at all, while on others only a sprinkling of grain set after fertilisation. The leaves were still green and the grain quite soft at the end of May—after six months’ growth. It was observed that on most plants the silks did not develop until six weeks after the tassels appeared, a fact which would be responsible for the poor setting of grain. There was also a bad tendency to the formation of two or three cobs at a single node, which in any variety generally results in a bunch of barren ears. The stalks attained a height of 8 feet, and the variety ceuld not compare with any others in the test, either for grain or fodder. Mr. J. M. Pitt, Inspector of Agriculture on the lower North Coast, reported that in a trial of Cuzco on the Manning River the germination after heavy rain did not exceed 10 per cent. Though the growth attained a height of 10 feet the stalks were still green after six months, and the delay 702 Agricuttural Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1920. in silking after tasselling was very marked. Very few cobs formed, and very little grain set even on these cobs: the variety had nothing to commend it. Mr. R. W- McDiarmid, Inspector of Agriculture in the north-west, reported that at Mount Russell the germination was good, but that the crop died off during the drought. Mr. G. G. Potts, then Inspector of Agriculture on the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, reported in 1919 that Cuzco seed germinated only 60 per cent. and grew to a height of 9 or 10 feet, with no suckering and coarse stems. Owing to the delay in silking, little or no grain formed. Mr. W. D. Kerle, Inspector of Agriculture on the North Coast, stated that at Bonville only 10 per cent. of the seed germinated. The crop was a poor one and no seed was obtained. . The poor germination in these cases might be expected from such a soft grain if wet weather follows planting. The large amount of soft starch in the grain readily induces rotting under these conditions, especially if the weather is cold. A communication from a correspondent in Valparaiso, was received by Mr. Paxton, after these trials. It reads as follows :—‘‘ In Chili we have not been able, as a rule, to get any results beyond a splendid plant of gigantic growth for ensilage. Cattle eat it most readily. Occasionally cobs form of very large size, but they are not asarule well-grained. Cuzco stands at an altitude of between 12,000 to 13,000 feet. It is extremely hot in summer and cold in winter, and it would seem that this particular maize can best be cultivated under such circumstances as obtain there.” It appears that even in Chili this maize has not met with much success outside the Cuzco valley, where the conditions are peculiarly suited to it. In order to obtain some information as to whether it is grown in North America, and as to what conditions in South America suit it best, the United States Department of Agriculture was requested to give us the benefit of their experience with Cuzco maize. Their reply was that “ this type of maize forms the principal! crop in Peru at elevations of 8,000 to 11,000 feet, but as far as known it is not grown in Mexico. In U.S.A. we have been able to mature a crop only on the Pacific Coast, in the cool region round San Diego. Although the elevation at San Diego is low, the climatic conditions are not dissimilar from those of its native habitat. The best suggestion as to the climatic conditions suitable for this variety is a location where there is a frostless period of eight to ten months, with a relatively low air temperature and a high humidity.” It will be seen that these conditions hardly obtain anywhere in this State, and although the variety has made a good growth for fodder in some parts, the difficulty of raising seed is a very serious drawback. Owing to the very large size of the seed, also, about 40 to 50 pounds of seed per acre would be required for a fodder crop—about twice or three times the quantity required of varieties which are highly satisfactory for fodder, and of which seed is easily raised. Cuzco maize is therefore being discarded from future trials by the Department in this State. Oct. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 703 Farmers’ Experiment Plots. Maize EXPERIMENTS, 1919-20. Central-western District. B. C. MEKK, Assistant Inspector of Agriculture. Tue following farmers co-operated with the Department in maize experi- ments last season :— G. J. Douglas, Fairfield, Coonabarabran. N. 8. Meek, Lindfield, Hobby’s Yards. J. Jones, Morbel, Canowindra. W. Burns, Goongawarrie, Carcoar. E. Blackburn, Belar Creek, Warkton. J. I. Renshaw, Hampton Park, Binnaway. J. Davidson, Merrigonowry, Cowra. Results were only obtained at the first three places, the season being one of the worst yet experienced ior maize in this district. Birds also played havoc with most of the plots, swarming down from the bush early and late for food which in ordinary seasons they rarely touch. Details of the Plots. Canowindra.—The experience of Mr. J. Jones is especially worthy of note in view of the agitation in the near west for some form of water conservation for irrigation. After a careful preparation of the soil in a paddock on the banks of the Belubula River, furrows were struck out 4 feet apart, and the _ seed planted at the bottom with a maize-dropper. As there was every indication of the continuance of the drought conditions then existing, a small pumping plant was purchased and erected at a cost of £85. The first watering was given along the furrows on 10th December, and the plants showed through three days later. On 23rd December another watering was given, but the effort was wasted, as a storm of over 3 inches of rain fell in the next couple of days. The third and final watering was given on 21st February, as dry weather had again set in. On about half the paddock, which could not be reached by pumping, practically no germination resulted, as the natural precipitation was too meagre, and occured at intervals that were too great; the irrigated section, on the other hand, gave yields up to 68 bushels per acre. Karly frosts on 18th April and following days stopped all further growth, which accounts for the smallness of yields of the later maturing varieties. An occasional case of smut was the only disease noted, and a few cobs were attacked by earworm. 704 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Oct. 2, 1920. Coonabarabran.—Though planted on 5th December, there was very little growth on this area until January, so that only the quickest maturing varieties had any opportunity of giving useful yields. Longfellow Flint and U.S. 133 matured first, and grew to 6 feet in height. Golden Glow and Silvermine reached 10 feet. Chinese Waxy, a South American variety, with a reputation for drought resistance, was tried here, but did not grow well, withering off badly in comparison with the ordinary varieties of maize. Hobby’s Yards.—Sufficient moisture was available here in the early stages of the crop’s growth, but through most of January and February (which was the critical period) no rain of any consequence was registered. The earliest maturers were Minnesota 23 and North Dakota, and these grew to 3 feet 6 inches in height, with very fine stalk. Longfellow Flint and Harly Canada Flint were next in order of maturity; they grew to 3 feet 6 inches and 4 feet respectively, and suckered considerably. U.S. 133 reached 4 feet, and Golden Glow 5 feet. The Results Reviewed. The flint varieties are not favoured by farmers on account of the hard grain, but the dent varieties, Minnesota 23, U.S. 133, Golden Glow, and N. W. Dent (seed of which was not available this season) should well repay growers on the Central Tablelands and districts of short season, where December or January rains can be expected. RAINFALL during the Growing Period. Month. Coonabarabran.) Hobby’s Yards.| Canowindra. 1919. Points. | Points. Points. October... Selly siete Soe 1 S| oe 45 November... Seal 42 91 45 December ... a 83 237 366 1920. January ... naa! 262 212 70 February ... 4 154 26 29 March ree oe 44 95 92 Total es 585 661 647 When sowing on the tablelands it is better to risk early frosts than have them affect the crop at the maturing stage. Young plants stand cold fairly well, and even if they are seriously damaged and replanting is necessary, the cost of this is not so great as that of the total loss of the season’s growth, which may occur should frosts prevent the formation and maturing of the cobs. Cutting and stooking in the field for a few weeks when the grain is in the dough stage is a practice which minimises injury from frost ; the stalks still have good value for fodder when thus treated. Oct. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 705 Superphosphate hastens maturity, and is preferable for manure ; mixtures with blood and bonedust tend to lengthen the growing period. When cobs are pulled on the green side, they should be husked at once and spread out thinly on the barn floor to prevent damage by mould. With the exception of a few plants destroyed by army worms early in the season, no disease or insect pest was observed on the highlands. REsULts of Variety Trials. | Varieties. | Coonabarabr-n. Hobby’s Yards.) Canowindra. bus. lb. bus. Ib. useage Harly Clarence... ans PPA sce iy 8 aaRPaaRane la G8) Se Funk’s Yellow Dent ule Be: Banled eins J sc.08% 64 0 Large Macleay Yellow ... » is; cy Sale RA | eee 62 48 Gold Standard Leena site ofS SECRET Weatoge cteels bon 24 Golden King 4 re cococd | il) eescepaes | 48 O Improved Wellow Went Pe ae 5 Nis kdl ee 40 O Golden Beauty ... an eo, eeReeNaeMan ke eawett ster ltae 37. «40 Yellow Mastodon... : Cel) gee eemmm DETR etetre ere Bia By Leaming ... Ae ape AAA MIRA ciS00.00).>|| be eadchobon |) 36724 Red Hogan pc BAG bab Scices00) >, eb RNBaSononaD 35 20 Yellow Horse Tooth be Sale| ~ 1 oD cial ee aes lee Golden Glow aa Ae helt SrhAaSO De AG Ae eee TA alee ele ...| - TOMS 15,24 Gee [Mey ec Canada Flint s all), 4) ae SAO tees ya, aaa Minnmesotarco Poet) ect > ses|"~> cstteceiene 8 So rc Oy | Oley einer eer North Dakota ... a Pi al| | -) eeereemee Gi BOF ful ttuteeccens Longfellow Flint ... AM | 8 30 SBS shia Meee Silvermine aN =e 4 TASES uve cc. cscece ) kai Hasamerenere North-west District. H. BARTLETT, Assistant Inspector of Agriculture. Tue following farmers co-operated with the Department in carrying out variety and manurial trials with maize during 1919-20 :— J. F. Chick, Tenterfield. H. Manser, Tenterfield. J. Cowin, Tenterfield. N. Ferris, Dumaresq. J.C. Norman, Kentucky. W. H. Lye, Tamworth. R. R. Aiken, Gunnedah. R. A. Warden, Mount Russell. Owing to adverse conditions, comparative yields were only obtained with three plots. Even in these cases it is hardly wise to draw conclusions as to the merits of particular varieties of manures, as, had the season been normal, different results could have been expected. The plots at Dumaresq, Tamworth, Mount Russell and Gunnedah failed to produce results owing to 706 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1920. the dry conditions; so also did the trials on the property of Mr. J. F. Chick, Tenterfield, with the exception of that of Golden Glow, which yielded 15 bushels per acre, and in a very dry season was the only variety that matured grain worth harvesting. Brewer's Yellow Dent, Early Yellow Dent, U.S. 133, and Longfellow were cut for fodder at that centre. Comparative yields were obtained from the following plots :— VARIETY Trial at Mr. J. Cowin’s, Tenterfield.* Variety. Fertiliser per acre. Yield. bus. lb. King of the Earlies ...| lL cwt. superphosphate ...| 16 42 Early Yellow Dent Be ae - ee 9 16 Karly Yellow Dent ...| No manure ... Per ie? pitt hoa!) Brewer’s Yellow Dent ...| 1 cwt. superphosphate $e] ea? Early Canada Flint ao 49 5S ties Nat Golden Glow Per Eo = - = 9 10 Silvermine ... we ahs *3 os SoA lis a fee | *Sown 28rd October, 1919. MayvriAL Trial at Mr. H. Manser’s, Tenterfield.* Fertiliser per acre, Yield. bus. Ib Nomanure ... 20 x i Eis ae rach, les 1 cwt. P7 ws ae ie whe aS ee Beetle a) #ewt. M5 hed au 24s 1G 36 Ib. nitrate of soda, 65 Ib. superphosphate, 25 1b. potash| 20 2 1 ewt. P8 ae oll eee 1 ewt. blood and bone | ats we te ba Foal) ar teP ates 3 ewt. superphosphate ah Ba she Exe s| 25 19 a: o ia. - Oe Pe es * Sown 21st October, 1919. The variety used was Brewer’s Yellow Dent. Manvria Trial at Mr. J. C. Norman’s, Kentucky.* f Fertiliser per acre. Yield. e bus. Ib 1. No manure ... F sa aA Ai Fr da ett ye 0) 2. 1 cwt. superphosphate ae | 30! 16 3. 1 ,, super., crop top-dressed with 1} ewt.P5 ...| 29 4 ALAS , as 5 4 ewt. nitrate of soda 29 O Bs: ars iss s bt as tc ae fer Pleo) LO * Sown 13th November, 1919. Plots 3, 4, and 2 ripened 14 days earlier than plots 1 and 5, The mixture P7 consists of equal parts of superphosphate and bonedust, P8 of equal parts of superphosphate and blood and bone, M5 of 2 [parts superphosphate and i part sulphate of ammonia. Oct. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 707 Boys’ Maize-growing Competitions. THE success of boys’ maize-growing competitions in America led to a movement in the same direction in New South Wales some years ago, but like many other enterprises it was arrested by the war. Lately there has been a revival of interest in the subject, and an agricultural and horticultural society recently asked the Department to outline the conditions under which such a competition might be conducted here. The suggestions made in response to the inquiry may be of interest to other societies that contemplate a similar move. They were as follows :— 1. The competition should be open to all boys and girls under 18 years of age, a nominal entrance fee of 2s. 6d. being charged. 2. Applications should reach the secretary not later than a certain date giving (a) full name and address, (6) age at last birthday and date of birth. 3. The area should be one-tenth of an acre, and each competitor should be allowed to choose his own land, and methods of preparing, planting, and cultivating the crop. As a guide to the size of the plot, the following will be found useful :— With 3 feet between rows, the total length of rows will be 1,452 feet. ” ” ” ” ”? 1,340 ” ” 33 ” ” ” ” 1,245 oe) 39. OF ” 2 ” ” WAIT ” 4 ” »” ” ” 1,089 ” 9 4} ” ” ” ” 1,025 ” ” 4} ” » ” »” 968 ” 4. Any variety of seed may be used by the competitor. Seed might be supplied, if required, by the society free of cost. 5. Only one entry should be allowed each competitor. 6. The time of sowing should be restricted to one month—that most suitable for the district. e 7. Each competitor should be required to keep a record, showing the dates and par- ticulars of the different operations on the plot, and these records should be delivered at the time of harvesting to the officer who superintends the harvesting and verifies the yield. 8. Within a week from harvesting each competitor should select, without help, ten cobs of maize from his crop and forward them to the secretary. 9. Competitors should notify the secretary of the date of maturity of the crop, and when it is ready for harvesting. * 10. No competitor should be allowed to employ any labour on the competition plot other than his own personal labour, excepting in ploughing or the driving of horses, for which help may be necessary. 11, The aggregate points should be 100 and they should be allocated in the following way :— (a) Yield of plot... Fs ae BC 70 points. (b) Quality of maize (judged on 10-ear sample submitted) ... Sh ot a ss 6 (c) Notes and record of plot ... ae par (ip irae 100/445 5 12. Competitors may be present during the judging of the maize ears, when instruction may be afforded in growing and judging. 13. Three judges should be appointed, and their decision accepted as final. 708 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1920.. 14. In some cases points are given for the best showing of profit on the investment, based on the commercial price of maize and taking into consideration the interest on the- capital value of the land or the rent, and allowing so much an hour (8d, or 9d.) for every hour worked by the competitor, 4d. or 4d. per hour for time worked by each horse, 15s. per ton for animal manure, and for commercial fertilisers at market price. In these cases. the points are usually equally divided for yield and profit per acre. 15. Bulletins and reading matter on cultivation methods, fertilisers, &c., might be supplied to the contestants. (These may be obtained from the Department, and can be supplemented by lectures and demonstrations by officers of the Department). The records referred to, which should be kept by each contestant, are awarded points to encourage intelligent writing and discussion in the- work. These records should be made as follows on forms supplied for the purpose :— ELA VIOUS ICEOD as cechitea bsaac sass sacs Bas taeeeeeaeds= ve-ls » deb sorscloaalo epee tee sca a eee J Hertiliserand manure applied. ..;.. s--aeepereassic.. 0lss.00% tas eases eee peDatesjand, depths of ploughin gs, .<, ccs etc siic cdcckcsoo.éRoschiocssessuernttone . Subsequent preparation of land-—dates and implements used ............... Te OR Pee e eee eee eee eee Heer e eee ees Ome seeeeesetessee ves Se Date andamethod:araplantin’ . .<.>. un epeMemeee ads a. saiha'sus odes cnc eeaeeeerrainecners Q; “Warleby. Or (Maize Cagis cae vas selicca lee “3 irogee: -free ip Ether Water. . | Ash, Protein. | Crude Fibre.) xieenk: | Extract. ' ' Sunflower silage ... 81°0 | 2°2 2°4 4°6 8°9 Maizesilaze 2.) 73-0 |) 17 21 6°3 15-4 j The following digestible nutrients are given by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station} :— Crude Fibre and £ Crude zi Eth Dry Matter. Protein. Nieore ee Betesck } Digestible nutrients in 100 lb. sunflower | silage 21-4 1°24 10°13\,, ae Digestiblenutrients i in well matured maize 26°3 eal 15°00 le P0570 in immature maize. 21:0 | 1:0 3 ” ” These figures show that sunflower silage (made from a crop that is about one-third in bloom) compares favorably in total digestible nutrients with maize silage made from immature maize, and entirely disprove the idea that sunflower silage is too woody. It is also claimed that animals have been fed for thirty days on sunflower silage only, with no apparently harmful results, and that no objectionable flavour or odours have been found in the milk from cows on soiled or siloed sunflowers. In a previous bulletin by the same station} it is stated that an average daily consumption of 54 Ib. sunflower silage resulted in a saving of 9 lb. clover hay, and at the same time increased the milk and butter yields. On the other hand, it has been reported from other sources that sunflower silage is uot relished as much as maize silage, and that, although it has nearly the same feeding value as maize silage, it is not quite as good for milk produc- tion, even if this be the case, it must be allowed that there are few plants * Montana Agr. Expt. Sta., Bull. 131 (1919). fT Montana Agr. Expt. Sta., Bull. 131 (1919). ~ Montana Agr. Expt, Sta., Bull. 118 (1917). —— Oct. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 723 which are equal to maize for ensilage, and that the much greater bulk of sun- flower fodder which can be grown in cold climates, as compared with maize, at once places the former crop in a good position if satisfactory silage can be obtained from it at all. The Department has therefore made arrangements to have sunflowers tested as a silage crop on some of its experiment farms this season, and also to get some data as to yields in the colder portions of the State as compared with maize. A few hints as to the method of growing sunflowers are given here for those who wish to make a trial of this crop. For fodder or ensilage the rows should be 3 or 33 feet apart and the plants 6 to 8 inches apart in the drills. From 10 to 12 Ib. of seed per acre will be required, and sowing can be made with the maize drill or with the wheat drill by sowing through three tubes. Under irrigation about 15 or 16 Ib. of seed per acre should be used, while in the drier districts about 6 lb. per acre will be sufficient. The cultivation should be similar to that of maize, the keeping of the crop clean and free from weeds in the early stages of growth being the first essential. Cutting for fodder or ensilage can begin when the plants begin to flower; this will usually be about three months after planting. It is imperative that the last of the crop should be cut by the time it is half in bloom. XJ Oct. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 737 Fig. 6. This can be moved along in front of the picker, who places the different sized berries in separate punnets. If this is done carefully, all that is necessary when they are carried to the packing shed is to carefully arrange the top row to give it an even and attractive appearance. Care should be taken to keep the berries of an even grade all through, so that the grower’s brand is sufficient guarantee to the buyer, as there is no fruit which suffers so much from being pulled about by intending purchasers as the strawberry. Another advantage of honest packing is its assurance ot quick sales—an important point with such tender fruits. The crop may be divided into three grades. All damaged berries, and those too small or deformed to be classed as third grade, should be put aside. After packing is finished, the stalks can be picked off these berries, which should then be placed in kerosene tins, to be sold to jam makers by the pound. In seasons when prices are low, third grade berries may be treated in the same way. If the punnets are to be packed in an ordinary box and merely separated from each other by a piece of thin board or cardboard, the berries must be packed just below the edge of the punnet. This method does not show the fruit to best advantage, and consequently most growers make special carrying boxes, so de- signed as to allow the berries to be packed a little over the top of the punnets. These boxes are made by nailing narrow strips across the ends so that two horizontal divisions of thin board may be slid in. The depth allowed between these divisions is such that the punnets may rest on them without the surface of the fruit touching the hoard above (see Fig. 7). Silver Star starch boxes are useful in this connection, being of the exact size to carry forty-five punnets. Fig. 8.—Carrying box, containing twenty punnets. When a grower is situated close to a railway station and has only a few punuets of off-crop berries to dispose of, a narrow bushel packing case can be used to good advantage. Two of these, fitted with divisions as described, and carefully packed, as shown in Fig. &, can then be bound with straps and carried either one in each hand or (strapped together) over the sboulder. With the aid of such cases the grower can carry three or four dozen punnets to the station, board the passenger train, and land his goods in the market in good time and in first-class order. Nearly all our strawberries are now sold in chip baskets er punnets. These are of ditfsrent capacities—the pint, the pound, and the quart. The pint and the pound sizes are generally used for the best qualities, and usually bring the same price as the quart size. (To be continued. ) 738 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1920. Spring Work for the Banana Grower. W. J. ALLEN and REG. G. BARTLETT. The Selection of Suckers for Planting. One of the most important points in the growing of bananas is the selection and proper treatment of suckers for planting. Unfortunately it is a factor to which very little attention is given by the majority of growers. One hears a good deal about the selection of seed maize and the grading of seed wheat, and of the increased returns and general improvement that arise therefrom, but one does not meet many banana growers who recognise the close relation that careful selection of suckers bears to the future life of a plantation, not alone in regard to the yield of fruit, but particularly as to freedom from disease. Too often we see suckers taken from abandoned plantations for the simple but very unsatisfactory reason that they are cheap and easy to dig out. The grower knows nothing of the history of such a plantation, nor why it has been unprofitable and has had to be abandoned. A case in point occurred quite recently. A plantation had been abandoned nominally because it had become infected with bunchy top, but when examined it was found that the suckers were positively riddled by beetle borer. An unsuspecting grower might conceivably have decided to select suckers from such a plantation by taking plants that bore no signs of bunchy top, but he would undoubtedly have introduced beetle borer into his new plantation. The intending grower should know not only that his suckers are free from disease and pests but that they come from clean plantations. It can be readily understood that in the early days of the industry, when the supply of available suckers was scanty, growers had to take what they could get, and the unsound practice arose of planting anything and every- thing in the shape of a sucker—even to splitting up old butts into four and sometimes six “slips.” In many instances—it is hardly too much say, in nearly every one seen—bunchy top has developed on plants raised from butts split into small parts, perhaps because of the extent of cut surface exposed by this method to the action of fungi and bacteria in the soil. Growers will do well to take warning and pay careful attention to this important matter of selecting the right class of sucker. Selection for Vigour. Most growers know that the most vigorous sucker is the one with a good bulb and with small narrow leaves. This type of sucker is always a good grower and always produces a good bunch of fruit. The size of the sucker is of less importance than the size of the bulb. The bulb is simply food stored up; hence the larger the bulb the larger the quantity of food stored up to Oct. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 739 tide the plant over the shock of removal and to enable it to put forth roots in its new abode. Suckers with poor bulbs and trunks of uniform girth should be rejected, and those with good bulbs and tapering trunks, or as some describe them “bottle-shaped,” should be preferred. In this way vigorous plants will be obtained that will make the best of the soil and weather conditions. One of the most vigorous plants of all, of course, is produced from the old butt from which all but one or two eyes have been pruned away. This gives the young plant plenty of food, and enables it to overtake larger suckers and to produce a larger and better bunch, and at a time when prices are good. Let it be repeated, however—do not split your butts into small pieces making four or six sets or slips, for how then can you get vigour, and how can the plant resist the intrasion of disease with such an extensive cut surface ? Selection for Disease Resistance. If the suggestions made above are adopted the grower will plant few diseased bulbs. There is still a chance, however, that suckers will be planted that are not free from root disease, for once introduced into a plantation it can never be eradicated. The grower requires to be extremely careful, there- fore, that he does not permit it to come into new areas with his plants, Fortunately its presence in a sucker can be readily discerned by examining the butt. If the butt is cut across with a sharp knife reddish pin spots will be noticed—an unfailing indication of the presence of root disease. Some- times, if the disease is very marked, it will be found that the rot of the roots has extended fully half an inch into the bulb itself. If, therefore, these symptoms are found in any of the suckers in a field, all suckers in that tield should be rejected for the purposes of planting a new area. Again, beetle borer may be present in a plantation. All suckers intended for planting should be examined to discover whether they show any sign of a hole—in fact, thin slices may be removed from the outside-of the bulbs, and if holes are found with material resembling sawdust in them it may reason- ably be supposed that the borer is present, and that no plants from the plantation should be used in setting out a new area; at any rate, an officer of the Department should be asked to make an examination. Nematodes are the curse of plantations not on basaltic soils. They manifest themselves by gall-like swellings or nodules on the roots and by red discolorations that are seen when the roots are split along the length. If these pests are present all suckers should be carefully freed from soil and all roots absolutely pruned off to the bulb. The bulbs should then be soaked for at least two hours in a solution of corrosive sublimate. The strength of the solution should be 1 to 1,000—or 1 ounce corrosive sublimate to 6} gallons of water—and it should be contained in a wooden vessel. The mixture is cheap (the corrosive sublimate is about 1s. per ounce) and it may be used over and over again so long as there is sufficient fluid left to cover the bulbs properly. As corrosive sublimate is a deadly poison it must be handled with care, and troughs containing the solution must be covered. No barm 740 Agricultural Gazette af Nasa: '\[Oct. 2, 1920. is done to the suckers if they remain much longer than the two hours in the solution. Indeed, a grower nay dig the holes for a batch of suckers while soaking, and then remove and plant them while the next batch is soaking in its turn, even so long aS overnight for next morning’s planting. Planting Suckers too Close. One of the common errors of banana growers in this State is to plant too close, In Queensland the distance apart that is generally accepted is 12 feet by 12 feet—a method that allows of a citrus orchard being established on the same ground at the same time, with the trees 24 feet by 24 feet apart. Under the conditions obtaining in this State, however, the districts in which bananas are grown have not so far proved suitable for citrus, and this has permitted the space to be reduced appreciably. The system of leasehold tenure has acted in the same direction, it being necessary for the tenant to get as much as possible out of his ground during the short currency of his lease. Moreover, close planting means less weeding, and consequently less expense in cultivation, for the leaves cover the ground, shutting out the light and smothering the weeds. The grower must take into account, on the other hand, the fact that close planting tends to make the plant grow abnormally tall and to become brittle, with the result that the bunches drop off before they have matured. Further, too dense ashade during humid spring weather favours the develop- ment of fungus troubles of different kinds, such, for instance, as “‘ cigar-end,” _ a diseased condition that is more prevalent here than in Queensland. On the whole, 11 feet by 11 feet may be considered a happy medium in New South Wales ; 10 feet by 12 feet gives greater convenience, perhaps, in cultivation where borse implements can be used. To the care exercised by Queensland growers in the establishment of their plantations must be attributed the long life that is common there ; cases are well known in that State of plantations twenty to thirty years old that are still productive, though never replanted. There is no reason why, with good cultivation and attention, they should not live to a good age here also. Depth of Planting. Many mistakes have been made in this important matter. The grower should recognise that the habit of the banana is to send out roots at a uniform depth of 3 inches below the soil level. This is a fact the importance of which has to be recognised. Whether the bulb is large or small, whether it has been planted deep or shallow, its natural tendency is to throw out its roots at that depth. Its significance lies just here—the grower should plant his suckers with only 3 inches of soil above the top of the bulb. In other words, a sucker with a 3-inch bulb will be planted 6 inches deep, and one with a 12-inch bulb will be planted 15 inches deep. Where obedience to: this method means that the hole cannot be filled in it should be ‘ dished off,” so that it may be filled in gradually by cultivation, rain, &c., after the roots have developed at the right point. Oct. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 741 It must not be concluded from this that shallow holes should be dug for small bulbs. In every case the hole should be at least 15 inches deep, and the bottom should in addition be broken up with a pick or mattock. The bulb is then set on this loose bottom, a few inches of soil being thrown in in the case of small bulbs; the soil is finally filled in over the bulb so as to give the 3-inch covering referred to. ‘ _ The importance of this will be seen if we point out the effect of planting too deep. It has been observed often, that if a sucker is set too deep, instead of rooting from the bulb (the natural place) it sends out roots from the stem by splitting the trunk at 3 inches below the surface, and forming a sort of false bulb at that level, while a constriction develops below which makes it impossible for the plant to utilise the plant food stored in the proper bulb. ‘This, of course, means that the sucker is at a standstill until such time as the false bulb and roots have developed, which involves serious loss of time during the growing season and results in a plant distinctly weaker than it might have been. We cannot too strongly stress the care that should be exercised in planting the top of the bulb at no greater depth than 3 inches below the soil level. ' Sometimes it is even necessary after a severe rainstorm to go round and remove some of the soil that has been washed in, covering the bulb to a greater depth than the correct one. Pruning or Suckering the Banana Plant. Pruning—or suckering, as it might just as well be called—is neglected by some, and imperfectly understood and practised by others. Some growers are content to give little attention to it, while others either do it to excess or at the wrong time. Pruning is carried out for three principal reasons :— 1. It conserves plant food. 2. It results in larger branches and better fruit. 3. It ensures fruit when prices are high. The removal of such suckers as are not required to produce the crop of fruit is necessary, and should be done when the suckers are not more than 1 foot high. The larger the sucker grows the more food it takes from the parent bulb, and the more do its young roots interfere with the roots of the parent sucker, a reduction in the size of the bunch of fruit being the ultimate result. It has been proved often enough that the more suckers there are to a stool, the smaller will be the size of the bunches, and the longer will it take for the suckers to mature fruit. The reason is palpable—the suckers arc competing with the mother plant for plant food in the soil, and are actually partly fed by it. The influence upon the price obtained from the fruit is even more interesting. Growers generally are content to market their crop every month and any month in the year, without much attempt to regulate the bearing season. It will be admitted, however, that the height of the summer—the 742 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.\,. [ Oct. 2, 1920. end of December and the whole of January and February—are the least profitable months of the year for bananas. If a pruning method can be adopted that will bring along a larger crop in the better months of the year it will obviously be in growers’ interests. If pruning is to be carried out to the best advantage it must not be earlier than January or February. It is a grievousand expensive mistake to do the work earlier in the spring. Nodoubt it looks reasonable, at a time when the suckers are drawing heavily on the plants, to reduce their number, but as a matter of fact the plant is then in such a vigorous condition that the effect of pruning is to force out an extra growth of suckers, with the result that more labour than ever becomes necessary later in the summer to cut these out. Had the pruning or suckering been delayed until January or February no further suckers would have developed, and one pruning would have sutticed. Great care should begaken when pruning not to injure the mother plant or its roots, and to this end the spud-bar should be forced only half way through the bulb of the sucker that is to be taken out, and then a gentle levering action will break it off without damaging the parent plant. The hoe and the mattock are not recommended for the operation, owing to the damage they cause to the main root system. Moreover, the remaining portions of suckers so removed are likely to grow again and thus make double work. A handy and effective tool for the purpose can be made by any blacksmith out of round Z inch iron, 4 feet long; a blade 8 inches long and 2 inches wide is drawn out at one end, and a 4-inch diamond point at the other end. Surplus suckers may be most effectively dealt with by cutting off close to the ground with a sheath knife and piercing the centre of the stump with the point of a knife, gouging out the heart. Fluid collects in the hole and prevents further growth without any other injury to the plant. This, of course, only applies when the suckers removed are not required for planting. It is generally found most profitable to have only three main suckers forming a stool, with three ‘‘ followers” (small suckers) to take their places. As each parent sucker in an established field will produce from three to five suckers, choice must be made as to which shall be left as the “ follower,” and it is there that individual judgment is necessary. As a general rule the following kinds of suckers should always be taken out, because none of them will produce a large bunch :—(1) Those situated inside the triangle formed by the original suckers of the stool ; (2) those with broad, flat leaves, often called umbrella or water suckers ; (3) those small ones, 4 to 12 inches long, to be found on stumps. In selecting the suckers to be retained, preference should be given the following :—(1) The sucker with the largest bulb: (2) the sucker farthesi from the parent (this ensures room for development) ; (3) the most pointed sucker with narrow leaves—always a vigorous type of sucker. The stool should be encduraged rather to spread along the row than between the rows, so that space may be maintained for inter-cultivation with horse implements. Oct. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 743 The Leaves to Remove. As the first leaves decay they hang down all round the plant, but they should not be removed during the winter as they afford the plant protection from cold. If carefully cut away at the end of August the sun is better able to get at the trunks and to promote more rapid growth. Too much shade in the growing season is apt to make the stems lengthen out and become brittle. Some growers are too zealous in removing these leaves, however, for they not only cut off dead leaves, but they also remove green leaves, thereby depriving the plant of part of its own machinery for the elaboration of the plant food obtained from the soil. It is safest only to remove those leaves that are actually dead. Old suckers, from which the branches were removed some little time back and which were allowed to remain as protection for the stovls during the winter, may also be got rid of as the weather becomes milder (say the end of August), providing the leaves are quite dead. This can be done with the tool already described. ‘The blade is driven horizontally into the old sucker close to the ground at its junction with the bulb, and is then used as a lever while the head of the sucker is simultaneously pushed over with the left hand. The operation only takes a few seconds, once a little practice has taught the operator just where to drive in the bar. Deep Cultivation. The first year of cultivation 1s the most critical, and entails the heaviest work. Keeping down weeds, maintaining the surface mulch, and loosening the soil, are all important in the cultivation of bananas. Owing to the nature of New South Wales plantations, which, in the majority of cases, are on steep, stony hillsides—-to get above frost level—ordinary methods of cultiva- tion are unsuitable. Still, it cannot be too strongly emphasised that deep cultivation is necessary at the right time, with modifications according to the conditions. In the spring all plantations should, where possible, have the soil deeply loosened, either by deep scarifying or by deep hoeing or mattocking, but this should only be practised when the plants are in vigorous growth—such as occurs after a good rainfall. The more the soil is loosened and broken up the greater will be the feeding area available for the plants to work on ; and, of course, the roots get a better chance to search for food. Some growers may object to this treatment on the ground that it destroys too many surface roots ; but it has been proved that deep cultivation, in addition to sending roots down to greater depths, also encourages the formation of vigorous feeding roots where the roots have been pruned by hoe or cultivator. Srupents of soils and plant foods admit that there have never been found materials so generally efficient in maintaining and increasing the crop- producing powers of soils as stable manure-—H. F. THompson, Massa- chusetts, U.S.A. 744 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W [Oct. 2, 1920. Three New Varies of Plums. W. J. ALLEN Two local seedling plums, Higgins’ Seedling, and Wilson’s Seedling, have lately been under the observation of the Department,; the special features. of both are earliness and a constant heavy cropping habit. Owing to their earliness, they have brought good prices on the Sydney market, but, as they are not of high quality and could easily be over-produced, it would be unwise for growers to plant them extensively. They should only be planted in early coastal districts. Higgins’ Seedling, which was forwarded by Mr. Fruit Inspector Stokes, Galston, is a chance seedling raised by Mr. Higgins, Hornsby Valley. It is of cherry plum type, but is a far more reliable cropper, and the owner of the original tree finds it very profitable. Its true value is in its earliness, but Mr. Stokes points out that it is growing under exceptional conditions, viz., in a hot valley in a rich deep soil, and that it may not be so satisfactory on the general run of country in the County of Cumberland. It may be described as follows:—Habit of growth of tree: vigorous and rather more spreading than upright. Fruit: roundish, conical. Suture: not prominent, but discernible half way. Size: small to medinm, Cavity: narrow, fairly deep. Stalk: Slender, medium to almost long. Colour: red to dark-red when fully vipe. Flesh: red when fully ripe, firm until ripe. Stone: small, rather flat, almost free when fruit is ripe. Flavour: slightly acid. Cropping habit: heavy. Picking dates for market: from 24th November onward. Wilson’s Seedling (forwarded by Mr. Fruit Inspector Gallard, Epping is a chance seedling raised by Mr. Wilson, of Eastwood. This plum, too, is of the cherry plum type, but it is a much more reliable cropper. It colours while still firm, and up to the present has proved profitable, as the trees crop heavily. Following is its description:—Habit of growth of tree: vigorous, spurs freely. Fruit: roundish. Suture: not prominent, but showing half way. Size: small to medium. Cavity: narrow, fairly deep. Stalk : slender, short. Colour: dull red on greenish ground, while still quite firm when in marketing condition ; ripens after picking to a deep attractive red all over. Flesh: yellow with a stain of red near the skin ; firm until ripe. Stone: small, flat, almost free when plum ripe. Flavour: fair, inclined to be acid near the skin. Cropping habit: heavy, Picking dates for market : In 1919, from 24th November to 6th December, which is about a week later than usual. Another new variety worthy of mention is Tucker's Beauty. This was also submitted by Mr. Gallard, having been imported by the late Mr. Churchill ‘Lucker from Luther Burbank. This plum, says Mr. Gallard, just follows Wilson’s Seedling and just precedes Shiro in period of picking. For Oct. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 745 that reason it may prove a useful variety on the coast. It showed signs of scald last season. This plum is decidedly of the Japanese type and of better quality than Wilson’s or Higgins’ Seedling, but it must be remembered that it is later than those varieties. Following is its description :—Habit of growth of tree: very similar to Shiro; spreading, vigorous. Fruit: dis- tinctly conic. Suture: not prominent, but discernible half way. Size: above medium. Cavity: medium as to depth and width. Stalk: short, medium thickness. Colour: a lively and attractive red when ripe. Flesh: juicy and from pink to red when ripe. Stone: roundish in ou line, not large, not fiat ; adheres to flesh. Flavour: not so pronounced as many others of the later Japanese. Cropping habit: not proved yet. Picking dates for market: In 1919, from 6th December, 1919, which is about a week later than usual. i 2 eee At PURE-SEED GROWERS RECOMMENDED BY THE DEPARTMENT, THE following list of growers of pure seed of different varieties of farm crops is compiled to indicate where pure seed is at present available. The list is compiled on recommendations made after an inspection by a field otiicer of the Department. Maize :— Silver King (ungraded) ... .. A.Sommerlad, Hillcrest, Tenterfield. Brewer’s Yellow Dent... ... H. Manser, Sunnyside, via Tenterfield. Early Yellow Dent (second grade) Manager, Experiment Farm, Glen Innes. Silvermine ... ba < .... Manager, Experiment Farm, Yanco. - Funk’s Yellow Dent Ee .. A. E. BR. Titfen, Farm 319, Leeton. Small Red Hogan... ae ... H. Short, Dorrigo. Craig Mitchell (ungraded) ... W. D. K. Humphries, Muswellbrook. Goldmine ae ae ... A. Louttit, Moruya. Boone County White _... .. J. Chittick, Kangaroo Valley. Golden Beauty .. Ses ... R. Richardson, Mondrook, Tinonee. Leaming.. Ls, ; ... Manager, Experiment Farm, Grafton. Golden Nugget... is ... J. W,. Smith, Wauchope. Early Clarence... Sug ... EF. Dowling, Tumut. Giant White * sah ... A. MeM., Singleton, Henley, Sydney. Improved Yellow Dent ... ... Manager, Experiment Farm, Grafton. Red Hogan... {3 Ei .. Principal, Hawkesbury A.College, Richmond. Sweet Corn :— Papago 2s nee Sep ... R. Yates, Ourimbah. Elephant Grass (roots) Ne ... Principal, Hawkesbury A.College, Richmond. Manager, Experiment Farm, Grafton. Manager, Experiment Farm, Lismore. Manager, Experiment Farm, Yanco. Sudan Grass... BS) =P ... W. Hosking, Farm 778, Leeton. Kikuyu Grass (roots) rae .. Principal, Hawkesbury A.College, Richmond. Grain Sorghums :— Feterita ... F, 13 .. W. Hosking, Farm 778, Leeton. Sweet or Saccharine Sorghums :-— Manager, Experiment Farm, Lismore. Saccaline ... bar oe ...4 Principal, Hawkesbury Agricultural College, Richmond. Clovers :— Shearman’s Clover (roots) ... J. H. Shearman, Fullerton Cove, Stockton, via Newcastle. Bokhara or Sweet Clover ... A. Sommerlad, Hillcrest, Tenterfield. 746 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1920. Poultry Notes. OCTOBER. JAMES HADLINGTON, Poultry Expert. By the time these notes are in the hands of readers the Jast chickens of this season should have been hatched. Rearing will now be at its zenith, and it is still possible for hundreds of thousands of chickens to be ruined or lost by faulty methods. It must again be strongly emphasised that with the present high cost of feeding only good, well-developed birds will pay. The farmer who relies solely on the number of his stock, without regard to their quality, must fail under present conditions. It is more than ever important, therefore, that quality rather than quantity should be aimed at, and consti- tutional quality is the main consideration in this connection. For instance, however desirable high laying ability may be, if it is obtained at the expense of physique, the wastage that may occur in rearing will probably be more than a sev-off to the higher laying capacity of the survivors. Again, conditions are such that well-grown table birds are now profitable --in fact, almost as profitable as the laying hen. ‘This being so, wastage in rearing is the most serious drawback to the industry—in other words, any well-reared bird is a valuable asset, while badly-reared birds mean losing money and labour in producing them. Chicken Troubles. During the month various chicken troubles have been reported and investigated. Very few cases of serious diseases have come under notice this season, the common troubles being due to faulty brooding, and the most common to running the brooders at low temperatures. H.. D. Hay. Pes 9 pcre) a i (teh Armidale and New England P., A., and H. Assocn.... A. H. McArthur.. Prva bid yi fe and 18 Upper Hunter P. and A. Association ... pike. C: Sawking jase oot L6gla Macleay A., H., and I. Association (Kempsey) . E. Weeks... oshil $ou kG, Lae Royal Agricultural Society of N.S.W. , H. M. Somer” ..., 5; .21 to 30 Upper Manning A. and H. Association (Wingham)... D. Stewart .. April 13, 14 Narrabri P., A., and H. Association ... . C. C. Baker PAL Sind koji eed Clarence P. "and A. Society (Grafton) ... bse ve 1. OC. Lawsonwtiiciiisa) ay Papo, and 16 W.D.A. and H. Society (Nabiac) Aes on 1G. O'Connor’ Pa sy) 21,22 Dungog P. and A. Association ... ans ons «. W, H. Green ... 28, 29, 30 Hawkesbury District A. Association ... . H. 8. Johnston . *. May 12, 13, 14 Murrumbidgee P. and A. Association (Wagga) .. A. F. D. White ... Aug, 23, 24, 25 ST a ST FB ee eee Printed and published by WILLIAM APPLEGATE GULLICK, of Sydney, Government Printer, and Publisher, of the State of New South Wales, at Phillip-street, Sydney. Oct. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Be DARBALARH STUD of MILKING SHORTHORN CATTLE GUNDAGAI, N.S.W. Sy EMBLEM OF DARBALARA (100). KITCHENER OF DARBALARA (409). Banker (5) ex Madame (406). Emblem of Darbalara (100) ex Lily Ii of Darbalara (1,019). SypxEY RAS. Recorps :—1st and Champion, 1910, 1911 Sypwer R.A.S. REcoRDs :—Ist,as yearling, 1914; Ist, 2years 1912, 1918, 1914, 1915 and 1916. First in Bull and Progeny, | lds 1915's) Ist, 3 years old, 1916; ist and Champion, 4 years 1913 1915 and 1916. Un for 7 successive old, 1917; 2nd and Reserve Champion, 1915; and Ist in ’ beaten eer Bulland Progeny. Unbeaten for 6 years, except once by ELECTED OF DARBALARA, bred by the same , MELBA VII Gove. Orrictal RECORDS : OF DARBALARA 2 years old, for 278 days, (4,181). 8,077 Ib. Milk, 4t@ Yb. Butter. 4 years old, for 273 days, 14,622 lb. Milk, 678 Ib. Butter. 6 years old, for 273 days, 14,371 Ib. Milk, 836 Ib. Butter. 6 years old, for 865 days, 17,364 lb. Milk, 1,021} Ib. Butter. Sire— Emblem of Darbalara (100). Dam— Melba es Darbalara - ° World’s record for a Short- horn Cow, 365 days. es EIS PRS aan oie ee a 4 i iil i ay vu MELBA XV OF DARBALARA (4,188). MELBA XI OF DARBALARA (4,185). Sire—Kitchener of Darbalara (419). Sire—Union Jack of Darbalara (681). Dam—Melba VIU of Darbalara (4,181). Dam—Melba VII of Darbalara (4,181). Govt. OFFicIAL REcoRvS :—At 2 years old, 8,844 Ib. Milk, Govt. OrriciaL Recorps :—At 3 years old, 9,165 Ib, Milk, 461 lb. Butter for 273 days; 3 years, 13,510 lb. Milk, 707 1b. 481 Ib. Butter for 273 days. Butter, for 365 days. R.A.S. Recorps:—lst Prize 2 year old and Reserve R.A.S. Recorps :—1st Prize as 2 year old in Milk, 1918 ; Champion, 1917 ; 1st Prize 3 year old and pase eye 1918; winner of Sydney Morning Herald and Mail Special Prize, 1st and Champion, 1920, M. 8. Seetion; lst yield of milk, 1920, highest yield all breeds ; winner of M. S. Association’s 1st in Lactation Test Prize, and 2nd m Champion Butter Special Prize. Prize. Bred by and Property of The Scottish Australian Investment Company, Ltd., Darbalara Estate, Gundagai, N_8.W. a HIGH-CLASS PEDIGREED YOUNG BULLS FOR SALE. For full particulars apply _—___—_—__ The MANAGER, Darbatara. Darbedara is easy of access from Sydney or MeIbourne by train. it | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1920. Aer = NGG QA , LISS A Farmer’s Boy, 6 Horses, and a ‘‘Clutterbuck”’ 10-Furrow Plow, have been known to plow 100 acres of Jand 4 inches deep ina week. ‘4 THINK OF IT!” 8FURR.— 1eFURR.— 12FURR.— 14 FURR.— MADE IN £62 £66 £72 £76 soe. Clutterbuck Bros. Ltd. “ity Rea. N.S.W, STATE CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC, aa i Branch of MUSICAL ART Expert TumtiN sxccoros ad Drawario ant by a highly-qualified Staff of Professors. cs All information regarding Fees, etc., may be obtained from Tel City 6729. N. L. SALMON, Registrar. H. M. SUTTOR & CO,, otra Svaney. PASTORAL and AGRICULTURAL AGENTS, GRAIN AND PRODUCE SALESMEN. WHEAT, MAIZE, OATS, &e., CHAFF, LUCERNE, OATEN HAY, POTATOES, &¢., RECEIVED FOR SALE DAILY AT ALEXANDRIA. Rel: able Information Given re Markets. oe TOP PRIOES. QUICK RETURNS. JRLOWS\ Row’s EMBROCATION EMBROCATION has been known throughout Australasia for 50 years as a remedy tor Rheumatism, Sciatica, Lumbago, and ailments of this nature, Sole Makers— EDWARD ROW & CO., Sydney. Oct. 2, 1920.1 The Veterinary School, which is well equipped with the most modern appli- ances and apparatus, is under the direction of Professor J. DOUGLAS STEWART, M.R.C.V.S., B.V.Sc., late Chief Inspector of Stock and Govern- ment Veterinary Surgeon of the State of New South Wales. The degree granted, viz., Bachelor of Che Anibersity of Sypodnep. Department of Veterinary Science. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. we nised for all public appointments in the Commonwealth. The course of instruction and training is of a pro- gressive nature, and the standard adopted is that of the best Veterinary Colleges in the British Empire. The Hospitaland Clinic in connection with the School offer exceptional! facilities Veterinary Science (B.V.Se.), is recog- fF practical training. The FEES are— SIX GUINEAS per Term, or EIGHTEEN GUINEAS per Year. The Lectures of next Term begin {3th Sept., 1920. . Veterinary Science undoubtedly offers, particularly to those fond of animals, a remunerative and congenial profession, for which a wide field of employment exists. Full particulars of the curriculum will be forwarded on application. H. E. BARFF, Warden and Registrar. The Chief Inspector of Stock, Government of New South Wales, approves of the use of this preparation. BY USING BLACKLEGOIDS TO VACCINATE AGAINST BLACKLEG. Simple. Safe. Effective. Ho dose to Measure. No liquid to spill. No string te set, Simply a little pill to be injected under the skim, 6END FOR FREE BOOKLETS. For Sale by PARKE, DAVIS & COMPANY. MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS, 125 York-street, Sydney. Box 224 G.P.®@. w Agricultural Gazctte of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1920. Power For Factory, Farm, Station, etc. THE WORLD-FAMED RUSTON & HORNSBY Suction Gas Engines and Plants, Wood Refuse Suction Gas Producers, Kerosene and Crude Oll Engines, Petrol Parafine Engines, Benzine Engines, Steam and Traction Engines, Road Rollers—Steam and Oil, Oil Loco’s, Steam Boilers, Centrifugal Pumps, Exhaust Heat Boilers. LARGE STOCKS ON HAND AND TO ARRIVE. FULL RANGE OF SPARES ALWAYS IN STOCK. Ruston & Hornsby Ltd., 1 Barrack St., SYDNEY, and at MELBOURNE & BRISBANE. WORKS AT LINCOLN, GRANTHAM AND STOCKPORT, ENGLAND. Stud Berkshire Pigs TC) Ee, jee Ea THE STATE PRISON FARMS BATHURST = GOULBURN - EMU PLAINS AND THE STATE PENITENTIARY LONG BAY Young Boars and Young Sows All guaranteed healthy, of high-class breeding, and have been carefully selected from high-class pedigreed stock, of thrifty, vigorous, and early maturing strains of the famous breed. Full particulars may be obtained on application to the Officer-in-Charge of the Gaols at Bathurst, Goulburn, and Emu Plains Prison Farm, and the Superin- tendent, State Penitentiary, Long Bay; or to— The COMPTROLLER-GENERAL OF PRISONS, Phillip Street, Sydney. Oct. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. MEGGITT LIMITED’S ‘LINSEED MEAL. Meggitt Limited have much pleasure in announcing that they are now able to “place -their famous it) Linseed Oil Meal on the market. Although Linseed Meal will be supplied y identical in quality with that which established ‘The ‘Standard of Quality ” in the past, we strongly recommend all owners of stock to advance with science and use our ) Specialised Stock Foods VEO obtain maximum results. Stock Foods are scientifically balanced rations, compounded on _@ basis of our famous mT Linseed Oil Meal, and contain the' YL ‘correct proportions of Protein, Carbohydrates and Fats. Our in Specialised Stock Foods are blen*:=7ded to suit the exact requirements of all classes of Stock and must give results. All Stock Foods carry our guarantee, which is the “ Standard of Quality.” a WRITE FOR BOOKLET ON SCIENTIFIC FEEDING, TO (a) STOCK FOODS DEPARTMENT—A.T. vi Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. (Oct. 2, 1920. STUD PIGS FOR SALE AT THE HOSPITAL, CALLAN PARK. For further particulars apply to Manager. (The prices quoted hold good for the current month only.) No. Description. Sire. Dam. of Hanh ing 1920. Za. d 605 Berkshire Sow...) Koramburra Callan Park Birdy} April 1; 7 7 0 Major No. 520a No. 520b. x 609 Berkshire Boar ...| Koramburra Callan Park Lacy | March 8| 8 8 0 Major No. 520a No. 520d ae Berkshire Sow .../) Koramburra Callan Park Wave| July 7| 6 6 0 613 Berkshire Sow ... Major No. 520 No. 421 614 Berkshire Sow a tare a : A further list oj pigs for sale (when weaned) will appear in the November Gazette. Prices quoted include delivery in crates at Darling Harbour or Wharf at Sydney A full pedigree is furnished with every pig sold. All communications to be addressed to— “THE ManaGeR, Mental Hospital, Callan Park, Sydney.” (Please add Exchange for Country Cheques.) 20th September, 1920. ; R. KIRKPATRICK, Manager. Oct. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 7) PRICE LIST OF PURE BRED PIGS FOR SALE AT HOSPITAL, GLADESVILLE. (The prices quoted hold good for the current month only.) No. Description. Sire. Dam. oom ZL Aine 8. d. 2386 Berkshire Sow reg Wales Polly Pry VII ll 11 0 mp. ) 2401 Mid. York. Boar | Sundon Sydney Gladesville Snow- He VIS (Imp. ) drap. ” 2408 Large York. Sow| King Charles II ...| Glad’ville Empress IV 9259 4D 2416 Berkshire Sow ... ro Wales Herrison Queen VI 1010 0 (imp. ) 2419-20 | Berkshire Sows ...| Gladesville Flock-| Gladesville May .. 9 9 0 master II. 2422-23 | Berkshire Sows .. pyatley Wales Gladesville Quality 10 10 0 (Imp.} 2424-5-6 | Large York. Boars) Hawkesbury . 1010 0 2427-28 | Large York. Sows \ Ferryman Beichton Lass 9 9 0 2434 Berkshire Sow ...| Whitley Wales Herrison White 1010 0 (Imp.) Face. 2437 Berkshire Sow ...| Herrison King ...| Short Face Jane ... 229700 2440-1 | Large York. Boars Instruction and demonstration in Agricultural and Irrigation methods always available free of cost to the settler by experts A i employed by the State. Mp eC The climate of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas is dry and healthy—hot in summer, which makes it suitable for drying fruit. Water Water is supplied solely by gravitation (no pumping required) at a remarkably cheap rate. + Butter, Bacon; and Canning Factories in operation in the Leeton District. Schools, Churches, Banks, and Stores are established. No Bal- lofing Information on every point; special pamphlets on Fruit Growing for Land and Poultry Farming are obtainable on application. Particulars regarding Irrigation Farms may be obtained from The WATER CONSERVATION and IRRIGATION COMMISSION. Branch “ C,’’ Union House, 247 George-street, Sydney ; The RESIDENT COMMISSIONER, Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission, Leeton. eager oe — me ‘ABNGAS ‘133au1S 290ING eq14 sd Gs Lyi OL aLIUM “DQ ‘SLEIHdWYd & HE “steqweyo uolstaoid poyesesisjo2 eaey * ‘SUVINSIEVE TINS NOd * pue ‘Ajjo12399]9 WITM JNOYZNoIy; pyys] se sreUIEeIS ‘SHWVALS MAXOS-NIML $00 ‘N ‘'S 1VHACTA gk il a ew ls me ae [aia a ee OE Se ah At ep ee OLVOTEIE NO S3uv4 . MguaSeeRed 56e15 GYuIHL GONV LSYUIA HOS NOILYGOWWODDY AIGNAl1dS [eueg ZONG oa oOs[e “edLIJY YING IA purlsuyq 0} BeIsny Wooly UINjoY Sisuleeis ‘DIyoszsny O;7 punsjbuyz wiosg SABVUINE}S SSV/D-}S4/F go saolAsag snjnbey ‘GALINIT ‘ANVdNOD ONiddIHS ONV1W3Z MAN !CS.LIWIT ‘ANWANOD NOILVSIAYN WWSLS TWHA0aS ‘SLNSOV ‘GaLIANIT ‘ANWdWOO * LHI . ee a a ae ee | 2» ee ete Vol XXXI. Part 71. dj SS = | he Hu Mig in, i i il | i l 4 I} Hl yA i gistered at the ‘General Post Office, Sydney, for transmission by Post as a Newspaper. Price SIXPENCE. Agricuiiural Gazette Of IV... bs Watch the Pig Grow into Money! —— D.S. & B.’s Comparison : 1914 1920 PORKERS - Best to £3/-/- Best to &6/-/- | BACONERS - , 4/10/- . 9/-/- | BACKFATTERS ,, &8/-/- ,, &24/-/-9 RAISHERIGS —— an and Augment your Banking Account. This can be done by Consigning to— PITT, SON, and BADGERY, LIMITED, EXPERT PIG AND CALF SALESMEN, SYDNEY. OS eS a EEE Nov. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Plantation To Finished | Factory | | Product | IE OME BEST SOAP FOR THE LAUNDRY. Just what is wanted nowadays. when the only economy possible is to get highest quality for money paid. All soap—because there is no ‘filling *’ to burn the clothes in Sunlight Soap. All good soap—because there is no refuse fat to poison the clothes in Sunlight Soap. All super soap—because of the cocoanut oil, cleanser, so good for the clothes in Sunlight Soap. powerful AVULCCUEULLD DT ELPPP ED ERDUR LAER ERAA LD LI DD) li Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Nov. 2, 1920. To Graziers and Settlers. KINDLY NOTE— | If you are changing your Wool Broker— Please think of SCHUTE, BELL & Co., Ltd. They give PERSONAL ATTENTION to YOUR INTERESTS, and area New South Wales Company. OFFICES— 44 BRIDGE STREET, SYDNEY. Nov. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. iii The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited Kstablished 1834. Capitat PAip-upP -- sc =A oe -- £2,500,000 0 0 RESERVE FunD -- + +. o- . 2,220,000 0 0 Reserve Capitar oe Es PE we 2,500,000 0 0 £7,220,000 0 O Directors: GEORGE J. COHEN, Esq. (Chairman); Hon. H. E. KATER, M.L.C. (Deputy Chairman). Hon. HENRY MOSES, M.L.C.; J. W. MACARTHUR ONSLOW, Esq. ; and Hon. SIR THOMAS HUGHES, M.L.C. Honorary Director: Sir THOMAS A. DIBBS. Auditors: F. W. HIXSON, Esq., and HARINGTON B. COWPER, Esq. Genera/ Manager: H. H. MASSIE. ==. 2 i ReHTRHRE FETS AGE m AW . Head Office: SYDNEY—343 George Street. Manager: W. R.SAYEBS. Secretary: M.S. GRANT. Assistant Manager: L. A. PARKER Accountant: ¥. J. L. DUNLOP. Assistant Accountant : E. R. DREYHURST. BRANCHES :—/nspectors: J, N. ROXBURGH, J. R. DRYHURST, F. E. BAYLIS, Y. G. LINDEMAN. Lonvoon Brancw: 18 BIRCHIN LANE, E.C. Dreectors : Hon. H. S. Littleton; H. S. H. Guinness, Esq. ; Lewis W. G. Butler, Esq. Manacee: F. A Scrivener. Lonpox BANKERS: The Bank of England ; The London County Westminster and Parr’s Bank Ltd. ; Barclays Bank Ltd. Branches throughout New South Wales and Queensland. Agencies throughout the World. The Bank issues Drafts, Circular Notes, Travelling Letters of Credit available in any part of the world, allows Interest on Fixed Deposits, and transacts all Usual Banking Business. iv Agricultural Gazette of N.S W. [Nov. 2, 1920. It is necessary to order your Mitchell Harvester at once. ISE FARMERS all over the State are giving their close attention at the present time to the Harvester question. In this age of big wheat prices, when EVERY BUSHEL WASTED MEANS MONEY LOST, you cannot afford to have an unreliable harvester. Rather than be subjected to the host of disadvantages ever present with an old type machine, and the great risk of an expensive breakdown, DECIDE NOW TO BUY A MITCHELL HARVESTER. The Mitchell is an Australian production—the lightest draught harvester built. It is easily operated—sound throughout—sturdy and always reliable. Do Not Risk Your Crop with an Inferior Machine. WE WOULD DRAW YOUR SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE NEED FOR ORDERING YOUR MITCHELL NOW. Manufacturers during the war years built fewer Harvesters and we will be unable to fill last- minute orders.—So DON’T delay. ASK US FOR HARVESTER BOOKLET, information, terms, ete., POST FREE. We can supply also the famous MITCHELL REAPER-THRASHER. @, =” Mitchell & Co. Pty. Ltd. CROW Sy ps Australian Manufacturers for over 25 years ae : Te OTST MUST Win Pp R i : ARRAMATTA ROAD, cr. Burwood Road, BURWOOD '." SYDNEY. Nov. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. v Buzacott’s Automatic Separators maintain high-speed hour after hour without the slightest variation. This high-speed revolution is the main reason for the unique efficiency of the Automatic as a close skimmer. It saves all the cream. Mr. T. A. Squelch, of Banga- low,-and Mr. E. W. Thompson, of St. Mary’s, both have had the “ Automatic” in regular use the last seven years. Proof of reliability ! Buzacott’s “New Era” \ 6 i Mone Be 2-6 D.L3M 446 84°8 9 or 2°] ” 5 3 1] 2°0 | D;L,M 409 §2°9 | ll or2°6.,, | 6 | 10 3°9 D;L.M [M435 75:8 || Is ors Oke 6 6 ] 30 D;LsM } 442 79°6 22 or 5:0 ;, | 1, 12 3 6:1 The main points in this table are: (1) the percentage of lambs by the rams of the three breeds, and (2) the number of lambs dropped by the three strains ot ewes collectively. Dealing with the prepotency of the rams first, the figures indicate that the South Down rams left the largest percentage of lambs, approximately 80 per cent. over the three groups of ewes, the Dorset Horn rams next with approxi- mately 76 per cent., and the Shropshire rams third with approximately 74 per cent. On the average, about 2°5 per cent. of rams was employed throughout, so that the individuality of any one ram did not exert an undue influence on the proportion of lambs dropped by either of the three groups of ewes. If by chance one individual happened to prove more prepotent than the other, any such individuality would be balanced by the averages, seeing that these figures have been taken from the consolidated averages from all three farms over a number of years. ~ 7 66 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Nov. 2, 1920. Turning to the other aspect of the table, it will be observed that the Border Leicester x Merino ewes gave the largest percentage of lambs, approxi- mately 83 per cent. The Lincoln x Merino ewes came next with a percentage of aout 78, and the Leicester x Merino last with approximately 77 per cent. As the records have been taken over au extended period, embracing seasons above and below normal, and every care has been taken to secure as high an increase of lambs as circumstances would permit, the results afford a very fair indication of the percentage of lambs that may reasonably be expected under such conditions. Even with the figures before us we would not like to go so far as to say that any one strain of ewe was a more ready breeder than the others, but from the results we “may safely deduce that the Border Leicester cross ewe has given ample proof of its natural propensity to yield a fair increase under the conditions outiined. The number and percentage of ewes assisted at parturition and of those dying at lambing time after service by the three different breeds of rams may be gathered from the following summary, which includes ewes from all three groups :— s Number of are (Maat tam. itvade Mate: Ewes Assisted Deaths. D, 1,260 16 or 1°2 31 or 2°4 per cent. Dz 2995-22 or lin pee 26 or 2 5 D; Pels2860 0) 46"0r 13:5) ee DHOlOn ome ss | | per cent. ... | | Taking the other point of view—the strain of ewe that most required assistance at parturition and of which most died during lambing, asa result of mating with the three breeds of rams—the figures can be summarised thus :— a ie a wees, Ewes Assisted. Deaths. 2 L,M 1,251 23 or1°8 per cent. .... 32 or 2°5 per cent. L2.M ewan 24 Ory) Sane 33 OM2sG) wees L3M Ugo |. 37 or 218) a, 45 ondcJe vo: The results, however, cannot be decided on one point alone; they will require to be worked out in their entirety. We must consider the body weight of the lamb and the market value of the carcase before arriving at a definite conclusion. The Development of the Lambs. The weights of the lambs of each cross were taken each month until five months old, and the next series of tables gives the average of each cross at , each farm, We begin with Wagga Experiment Farm again. Nov. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 767 Wagga Experiment Farm—1913 to 1918 (inclusive)—Average Weights. Breed afin! First R d Thirc ae Average Increase Tathbs: Number Weighing | Weighifigs Weighing. | Wegting after First | 2 | See Weighing. | No saiOZ. Ib. oz iby esoz. Ibaieoz: | lbaeoze D,L,M Daenyoours 0 ADA bal 56 «8 (8) 1s | 13 10 D,L,M OTe 28'S 40 9 BL 5 66 13 12 2 Dee M 0 133/33. 54 44 9 57> 13 70. 4, Ne Relea D,L,M BR te 30a, O 40 12 54.7 67 2 12 6 D2LoM Oe peAen eS) 41 15 538 GSO 12 14 D.L3M 163 | 30) 9 43 8 euel Ae Olas RASS D;L,M 84 | 32 3G 45 4 59 «9 ieee D 3} og! D;L,M iil | Bam 2) |: 47 36 62 13 78 O 14 10 D;L,M 123 | BoM LL | 49 15 64 13 79 13 14° 71 The ewes were mated during the first and second week in December, and the lambs marked about the second and third week in July, when the first weighing was taken. The rams were run with the ewes about eight weeks, . The two factors most noticeable are the increase in weight of the lambs by the Dorset Horn rams and the higher averages recorded by the lambs from Border Leicester x Merino ewes. Cowra Experiment Farm, 1913 to 1918 (inclusive)—Average Weights. Breed of | N First Second Third Fourth | eYerape Increase Lambs. me Weighing. | Weighing, Weighing. Weighing. | ey EES | | eighing. | | i betoze9 | lb:10z; Lbs 107: Ib eOZs a Io: SGZe D,L:M LOZ ZO Pot BO ray) 3 61 1 LOPE D,L2M 107 28 15 40. 9 Ey: aaa G2 asve|| il 1 D,L3M 83 28 1 40 9 Sa} ts) 63 13 11 4 tee VW20snae2G gS.) |) 88°° 6 aieuay LS 60 0 1 2 D2L2M | 110 295 aii | 38 14 at © | Ray | dy 1) D,L3M 105 2S o Bic) fe) ner pes AN pobre: a2 11 4 PMN OS eeSOmsIS "| 417 STS I 64 1 1 ind D;L,M | 108 | 31 12 Ce eld iyo 10 66 9 ll 9 D,LsM 89 SOR O | 44 14 59 1 GSines: 12) Us | During 1913-14 the sheep were mated in November and December, but only 11 per cent. of lambs was recorded in 1913 and 37 per cent. in 1914. The mating period was then altered to January and February, with _the result that the average increase improved. The lambs were marked, usually about the Ist July, and the monthly weighings usually commenced with the performance of that operation, The outstanding feature of these results is again the increased weights recorded for lambs by Dorset Horn rams and for Border Leicester x Merino ewes, though the difference is hardly so pronounced as at Wagga. 768 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Nov. 2, 1920. Bathurst Experiment Farm, 1913 to 1919 (inclusive)—Average Weights. Bree‘ of No. ? First | Second : Third Fourth Ave eget ae enc Lambs. Weighing, | Weighing. | Weighing. Weighing. | First Weighine. | lh. oz. Ib;) .0z: | Tp AhOZA eal Wb. Oz lb. oz. D,L,M Sir 29 «7 4) 6 | say ial 65 3 ji hee ¥ & D,L.M 85 | 29T 13 At, | 56 14 65 9 ll 14 D, LM 90 | 29 8 43 9 57 5 68 5) 1216 ] i D.L,M 89 28 10 AD. Olps il ae aomaee 65. 1 sje Fe D.L.2M Paar, PO 42°) Ss ames OTe 1 eet § D.L3M 69 LY fee ANS 41 3 | 55 0 66 0 12 Ad D;L,M | 81 24 pe! Ad \6 61:0 tl eael Ls ee! D;L,.M Pole} 31 ii 45 5) 60 68 i 1 13 3 D;L,M Shir (ie ZO S 42 14 | 5S al 69 13 Tic ! | The period of mating in this case occupied about six weeks, dating from the middle of January. The lambs were marked about the last week in July, and the later mating period was the probable consequence of the higher percentage of lambs recorded for all breeds at this time. The Dorset Horn rams once more headed the list with the greatest gain. Taste I1—Combined Averages of Monthly Weighings at Wagga, Cowra, and Bathurst Experiment Farms. Breed of No: 4 First Second Third | Fourth | Av erates oe Lambs. } yy eighing. Weighing. | Weighing. Weighing. First Weighing. Ib: (oz bs. 0z. lb. oz | lb. oz. - Ib. oz. D,L,M 256 29° 7 4059. 2) saomenlht 65" VeOrees 15 ee &! D,L.M 288). 22011 Aiea Gi | Oy oe ei a | D,L:M | 306 30) a1 ASS D0 fay 6S 0 12°F D.L,M | 86 BRNO 402-0 Sa tas |) = 63 kus WT ot DoJ..o2M | -277 248) 0B} 40 6 Dao! © ))|) | 64-< AG Nile le D.L3M 337 26 10 IS Di tee \| «68 420 sy D,L,M | 273| 31 15 43 11 paged, || 68 08 ig 3 D,L.M 272 32° 6 Ay. 9 GOS Tilen= 5a 12° 15 Dig 4 308 |) (32 645 46 8 61 4 73 12 | 13 13 | | The results show a marked consistency in respect of both ewes and rams. The Dorset Horn breed of ram outstrips both the others in respect of body weight from all strains of ewes, while the Border Leicester x Merino ewe is again on top when compared separately with each breed of ram at the final weighing. Taking the rate of Aeeeinpiacnt from the three groups of ewes conjointly , we find that the Dorset Horn ram is practically lb. more rapid in develop- ment than the South Down, and 9 oz. quicker than the Shropshire. ‘These results are in entire agreement with the physical characters of the breeds employed. Nov. 2, 1920. | 2months 3months $#months /meath old. 4 months o/d Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. ‘a Geeues gesanes BOGIES DASARI Nee GESGR5G008 FESR00NR CBSE SSRERE GERBAESRsaL DaGSg@ebRe cas 2 a GSS ueea Tt 8 Boas GO DBaR fe suseesceevaeescessee fon pabapapabalsiapan payne behets et hat tT TE Tay Cosaee olapae papaya epampeepobae Teo Tet Ty Coe EEE oore | a: TI HH seccsseesceceusees EEE Pa N40 Be S2eeeuE 0a) LN TI DORSET HORN RAMS 2months 3months old, old, old. old. old, ald. Z2months 3 months 4months\ |month / month old, LIVE WEIGHT am GEeaaGnaeaa eee con a Axe we y saeau ASN rt + |} CONS Gse0eaaa aa = SaennEe jeeene att SHROPSHIRE RAMS SOUTH DOWN RAMS Lincoln crossbred Ewes -------—--—-+-— Lej/cester crossbred Ewes 69 —-—-—-—-—---—-— Border Leicester crossbred Ewes Graph showing development of the lambs of the three breeds of shortwool rams when crossed on the three longwool erossbred ewes. 770 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Nov. 2, 1920. ‘ What now remains to be proved is whether the heavier body and coarser flesh of the Dorset Horn crosses are as valuable in the aggregate as the lighter carcase but superior flesh of the South Down, or whether the Shropshire is more valuable than either. For this information readers must be referred to further tables giving the weights of the different crosses at the time of marketing, and also the prices which they fetched. That phase of the investi- gation will form a separate part of this article for next month, Meantime the accompanying graphs illustrate the monthly development of the various combinations. (Zo be continued.) A Co-OPERATIVE SHEEP DIP. Co-0PERATIVELY-OWNED sheep dips are fairly common in Victoria, but one started in South Australia in 1917 by the Riverton branch of the Agricultural Bureau has interest for members of the Bureau in New South Wales. The dip was financed by floating shares at £1 eacli, the minimum sub- scription being £1 and the maximum £5, Approval was obtained for the erection of the dip on a Government water reserve, which was proclaimed a reserve for the purpose, without rent to the society. The plans for the construction of the dip were supplied by the Department of Agriculture, and the total cost of erection was £109 8s. The management is vested in a committee of nine, including secretary and manager. The mavager prepares the dip, assists in the dipping, and notifies owners when to bring their sheep in; and he is paid according to the time he is employed. The company supplies the dipping solution, and the owners of the sheep supply the labour, it being customary for owners to assist each other. ‘Members are charged one penny per head, and non-members £1 for the first hundred, and 12s. 6d. for each additional hundred. In the first year, 1917-18, as a result of dipping 6,726 sheep, the credit balance at the end of the season was £3 ls. 4d. In 1918-19, 15,680 sheep were dipped, and the balance was £20. In 1919-20, 14,441 sheep were dipped, and the credit balance was £60. At the outset the scheme met with considerable opposition from some local farmers who declared they could dip more cheaply privately; but ata later stage these farmers applied for and obtained permission to use the dip. After interest at current rates has been paid to subscribers, a refund to members, on the basis of the number of sheep dipped, will materially reduce the actual cost of dipping.—C. C. Cranu, Organising Inspector of Agricultural Bureau, Basic SUPER AND SUPERPHOSPHATE. Tue difference between superphosphate and basic super lies in the greater solubility and consequently more rapid action of the former. Both sub- stances contain considerable quantities of lime in the form of phosphate of lime and sulphate of lime. Basie super will probably be found more bene- ficial on soils inclined to be sour. If it is desired to combine the rapid action of the superphosphate with the more lasting effects of the basic super, the two can be mixed.—F. B, Gururir. Nov. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. val Grading New South Wales Wheats. THE PROPOSED STANDARDS. EK. HARRIS, Executive Member and Secretary, Wheat Grading Committee. WirH the change from handling wheat in sacks to handling it in bulk, the necessity arises of introducing a proper method of grading wheat on class, quality and condition, such as is done in other great wheat-producing countries. In the July, 1919, issue of the Agricultural Gazette, under the head of “ Wheat Grading in America,” the writer described the classifications and methods in operation in Canada and the United States. For the purpose of carrying out the preliminary investigations and advising the Government, the following have been appointed as a Wheat Grading Committee:— Messrs. Geo. Valder, T. Wise, F. A Crago, M. McLeod, A. K. Trethowan, F. J. Wallis, G. W. Walker, J. S. Cameron, W. A. McRitchie, E. Field, J. Fitz- patrick, and E. Harris. At the last meeting of this committee the writer proposed certain standards of grading as a basis for discussion, and this proposal is being put before various interests concerned by members of the committee. Details of these proposed standards are now published for the purpose of inviting criticism and suggestions from farmers and others interested. They are as follows :— Class 1. Australian Hard Red Wheat.—This class to include wheat of varieties Cedar and Marquis. Class 2. Australian Hard White Wheat.—This class to include wheat of varieties Comeback, Bobs, and Hard Federation. Class 3. Australian White Wheat.—This class to include wheat of varieties John Brown, Haynes’ Blue Stem, Florence, Rymer, Bunyip, Marshali’s No. 3, Sunset, Thew, Purple Straw, Zealand, Yandilla King, Bomen, Firbank, Cleveland, Federation, Steinwedel, and Warren. There are, no doubt, other varieties of wheat containing similar characteristics to the foregoing ; each of these would have to be included in the class to which it belonged. Each of these classes is divisible into five grades, and the No. 1 grade is so arranged as to include wheat which would come within the fair average quality grade that has obtained during the past ten years. Following are the requirements of each grade :— Premium Al.—Minimum test weight per bushel, 65 lb. ; maximum moisture content, 12°5 per cent.; maximum percentage of damaged kernels, 2 per cent. Premium B.—Minimum test weight per bushel, 63 lb, ; maximum moisture content, 13 per cent. ; maximum percentage of damaged kernels, 2 per cent. No. 1 Grade.—Minimum test weight per bushel, 60 1b. ; maximum moisture content, 13 per cent. ; maximum percentage of damaged kernels, 3 per cent. 772 Agricultural Grazeite of NSW. [ Nov. 2, 1920. No. 2 Grade.—Minimum test weight per bushel, 58 lb. ; maximum moisture content, 13-5 percent. ; maximum percentage of damaged kernels, 4 per cent. No. 3 Grade.—Minimum test weight per bushel, 56 lb, ; maximum moisture content, 13:5 per cent. ; maximum percentage of damaged kernels, 7 per cent, Wheat of the five grades of each class must be sound, cool, and sweet, free from live weevil or other insects injurious to stored grain, and any commercially objectionable odour. Wheat of grades Premium A, Premium B, and No. 1 must also be bright in appearance. Asexplained above, most of our shipping wheat would come under the description of No. 1 Australian White Wheat. Setting the Grades. It is just as important to see that a representative sample of the grain to be tested is taken as to test the grain to determine the grade to which it is to be allotted. ‘Samples of. 1 or 2 oz. in weight are of no use for this purpose, and under the proposed grading system it will be specified that samples shall be at least 4 1b. in weight, and shall be truly representative of the bulk of the parcel to be tested. Should there be any reason to suspect that the moisture content is higher than that allowed, a sample of at least 1} lb. shall be enclosed in a clean, air-tight container, for the purpose of having the moisture content ascertained by a moisture tester. Wheat which when freed from dockage contains more than 10 per cent. of other grain will not be entitled to a grading as wheat. The dockage shall be determined by means of sieves or other approved mechanical means, and if i¢ exceeds | per cent. of the whole, such percentage shall be deducted from the weight of the grain. Dockage shall mean sand, dirt, weed seeds, weed stems, chaff, straw, grain other than wheat, and any other material which can be removed readily from the wheat by use of appropriate sieves or other approved mechanical means, and shall be calculated in terms of percentage based on the total weight of the grain, including dockage. If less than 1 per cent., the dockage shall be ignored. A fraction of a percentum shall also be ignored. The test weight per bushel shall be determined by an approved testing apparatus, and the method of use is to be approved and described. Mopeen FApM BRACTICE. Waar has the farmer learned in these fifty years . . . ? He has learned that the soil is not a sullen, lifeless thing, only useful as a standing place for his crops, but that it is rather to be likened to a farm animal and valued accordingly. . . . Practically all that we know regarding the bacterial life of the soil is a harvest of the last fifty years. The formation of humus in the soil, the solution of plant food from the soil minerals, the conversion of nitrogenous materials into forms which the crop can utilise, and the gathering of free nitrogen from the air—these are the great functions of the soil bacteria. Much vemains to be learned of ‘their nature and their needs .°. . . but what we know already is coming into common farm knowledge and having its effect on tarm practice. —Dr. E. H. J exKins, Connecticut, U.S.A. : Nov. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. ri ~I ww The Culture of Sugar Cane in New South Wales. A. H. HAYWOOD, Manager, Wollongbar Experiment Farm. Ir has so long been accepted as a sine qua non of sugar cane-growing in New South Wales that the area should be on the decline, that it is quite refreshing to find an increased interest in the crop and in certain quarters a confidence that some of the ground lost in the last decade is likely to be re- occupied. The factors that most largely enter into this improved outlook ure, of course, the improved price offering for cane, and the fact that the shortage in the world’s stocks of sugar cannot be overtaken for some years. Consideration of the subject on its practical side, too, provokes the feeling that any improvement that may take place need not be a brief reaction coincident with high prices, but that a permanent establishment of the industry on the solid basis of regular and ‘reasonable profits should be possible. The cane-grower has to meet competition of a character that the more important crops of the State are free from, and he can only do it by the adoption of such methods of culture as will give him substantially heavier and more profitable crops than his competitors. One cannot but be impressed with the fact that the cane-grower on our northern rivers—excellent farmer as he is in many ways—is neglecting methods that would make for better and more profitable crops. Good cultivation and selection of the best “seed” from disease-free plants are things the cane-grower is by no means ignorant of. Indeed, he will lay down in definite terms the value of rotation and tell you that cane should not be planted immediately after an old stand has been ploughed out; he will enlarge on the value of cowpeas, and point out that maize is a very useful change crop for cane land—but put these excellent doctrines into practice it is to be feared he does not. Even the importance and value of careful selection of his “seed” from stools free from disease the grower knows something about, but one hesitates again to believe that he pays the atten- tion he might do to such sound principles when it comes to the ecommon- place business of Peet nis the canes for purposes of propagation. Obviously diseased plants are no doubt avoided, and to some extent weak and run-out stools; but serious, careful selection in accordance with undeniable indiea- tions of health and virility is lacking in all but the very best farmers. The Statistics of the Industry. It must not be imagined from the foregoing that while cane-growing has been decadent in New South Wales, the importance of maintaining the product per acre and the percentage of commercial sugar has been altogether lost sight of. Statistics show that the area devoted to sugar “ane in New South Wales reached its maximum in the season 1895-6, 774 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Nov. 2, 1920. when the total was nearly 33,000 acres. From that date there was a steady decline, until in 1917-18 it was only 10,722 acres. Coincident with this decrease, however, there has been a steady improvement in the production per acre, for whereas in the nine seasons 1901 to 1910 the yield remained - practically constant at 21 tons per acre, the average has latterly shown an upward tendency, and in the ten-year period 1908 to 1915 the average was 26-38 tons. The same improvement is apparent in the yield of sugar per acre, for whereas in the earlier years of the industry it ran rather under 2 tons, in the ten seasons 1908 to 1918 it averaged 3:05 tons per acre. The improve- ment in the sugar content of the cane can be indicated in another way. The Government Statistician tells us that in years gone by approximately 10 tons of cane were required to produce 1 ton of sugar, but in the decade to 1918 only 8-65 tons of cane were required to give the same quantity of ‘sugar. These indications of improvement can be regarded with sincere satisfaction, and without one whit abating the reservations already made as to the necessity for employing the best and soundest methods. - The Soil and Climate Necessary to Sugar Cane. For profitable production, sugar cane requires a deep rich soil that is capable of supporting a heavy vegetative growth for a number of years, a warm atmosphere, and a substantial rainfall. The soil should be porous and friable without being sandy, and it should be thoroughly well drained, either by reason of a suitable subsoil or of the natural fall. The temperature should not only be mild, but there must be freedom from frost, and the rainfall should be well distributed throughout the year. The belief that sugar cane flourishes best near the sea because the saline particles conveyed by the wind are congenial to the plant may be well founded, but perhaps better reasons for the exuberant growth near the sea are the moisture that accompanies a sea breeze even in the driest weather, and the freedom from frost that the sea ensures. The North Coast of New South Wales affords all these conditions, frost being the chief controlling agent and responsible for much of the contrac- tion in area that took place in years gone by. The beautiful broad sheets of water of the Clarence, Richmond, and Tweed rivers, as they approach the sea, combine with their many creeks and channels to modify the tem- peratures and thus prevent frost, and at the same time to afford cheap freight for a bulky crop that otherwise might be costly to handle. The conditions on the three rivers thus have strong resemblances, but they also have important points of distinction, and on each river the erower has his own peculiar difficulties, expressed perhaps most particularly in the differences between the varieties chiefly grown on each river. The Clarence River Districts. On the Clarence River the rainfall ig lighter than on either of the other rivers, and good cultivation together with the maintenance of the humus content—two factors of universal significance where moisture is apt to be Nov. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Tides) deficient—are essential. For the most part the soil is of deep alluvial formation, but in parts it is more of a fine sandy loam. In parts the fields are a very few feet above river level, but still well drained, whereas in others they are so low as to demand systematic drainage; in fact, there are farmers on this river with whom drainage is such a material consideration as to be their chief business. The prospects of an extension of the area on this river cannot be said to be very great. Frost is a strictly limiting factor, and production is confined to the banks of the river and its many creeks and channels. At the same time, the improved prospects will no doubt bring once more under - Sugar Cane at Chatsworth Island, Clarence River. A heavy crop of Badila. cane many acres that in recent years have been diverted to dairying. Indeed, one of the most profitable means of renovating land that has been over-cropped is by putting it under grass for a few years, and some of the most successful growers owe a good deal to their combination of sugar cane with dairying. The method adopted by some is to allow couch grass to take possession of the land after ploughing the cane stools out, and simply to graze the pasture without further treatment, while others have found that perennial rye grass and clover sown in autumn on the ploughed land quickly take possession in a fair season and form a fine sward. When, in a few years such ground is broken up again, it generally responds well to sugar cane. 776 agricultural Gazette of N.S.AW. [ Nov. 2, 1920. Under the influence of present prospects land is bringing high prices on the Clarence. As much as £150 per acre is said to have been paid quite lately for first-class cane land near Maclean, and there is not lacking evidence that though there cannot be the development here that may be anticipated on the other rivers, the shrinkage in area that has resulted from the last two planting seasons being excessively dry, is likely to be recovered in the present season should it be at all favourable. 7 \4 UT i] Sugar Cane at Palmer’s Channel, Clarence River. A good crop of New Guinea No. 16. The Richmond River Districts. On the Richmond the area devoted to sugar cane is much larger than on either of the other rivers. Considerable areas from Woodburn upwards have had to be abandoned owing to frost, but below that town there is a eoodly area that is either frost-free or nearly so whereon sugar cane can be grown with profit, and that, in fact, is already attracting attention on this account. The configuration of the country favours the Richmond for cane- erowing in a quite peculiar way. The tendency of the North Coast rivers to take a northerly course for some miles before falling into the ocean is most emphatic in the ease of the Richmond. For perhaps 15 miles it runs parallel with the coast, only a narrow neck of land separating it from the sea. Thus, with the mountains a distant protection on the west, the Nov. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. AF ar river close at hand, and the ocean only a mile or so away, the strip of highly fertile land that separates the river from the sea has such favourable conditions for this crop as exist hardly anywhere else in Australia. The alluvial flats along either bank of the river are well suited to cane, but further back are many acres of tea-tree scrub with a black soil, rich in organic matter, and a few inches or more deep, resting on a bed of clay that in turn rests on pure sand. The area of this formation is extensive, commencing not far from Ballina, and reaching up to and beyond Broad- water. In parts the tea-tree runs up tall and straight—the evidence of excellent soil—and where this is being felled and brought under cane, £80 is mentioned as a sum for which an owner would not readily sell. Though not quite on the banks of the river, the tempering influence of sea and river are sufficient insurance against frost. Drainage is essential to success on these lands, for they are low and often almost without fall. In places drains 10 feet to 14 feet wide have already been cut, but it is obvious that such high-priced land is going to be held in small blocks, and the con- struction of the drains must therefore be accomplished by some local authority, or by the co-operation of the owners. The Uolonial Sugar Refining Company already has schemes for the drainage of extensive areas of these lands, and should they be proceeded with the effect on the industry on the Richmond is certain to be expansion. The effect of excessive moisture on sugar cane could hardly be better illustrated than by the crushing figures of the Broadwater mill for the last three seasons :— In 1917, 83,000 tons of cane were crushed. In 1918, 30,000 tons of cane were crushed. In 1919, 37,000 tons of cane were crushed. This startling decline is connected by the company’s officers at the Broxd- water mill with two very wet seasons. The young plants are always very sensitive to bad drainage and never seem to recover fully, and in the seasons 1916 and 1917 they were nearly drowned out, the effect upon the crushing being indicated when the crops reached maturity two years later. That a remedy is within reach for supersaturation of the soil has already been indicated. Apart from the tea-tree forest, much of the land suitable for sugar cane is already under crop, but where dairying has displaced it for the time being there is no reason to doubt that the crop will gradually come to its own again, and it should be vears before the Richmond loses pride of place in New South Wales in the matter of area under cane. In the matter of yield, the Broadwater mill claims for its district the honor of the highest average yield per acre among all the company’s mills, though in this respect the Richmond cane has the advantage of two years’ growth as against eighteen months’ growth in some of the Queensland districts. Last year Broadwater was also amongst the company’s best in the matter of quality of cane crushed. The new planting this year should, exceed 2,000 acres, 778 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Nov. 2, 1920. which is larger than for many years. “ The average crop on this river should be 40 tons per acre for plant crop, and 30 tons for ratoon crop,” said an officer of the company lately, “ but owing to the presence of diseases and bad drainage it only ranges, according to the season, from 17 to 30 tons.” The Tweed River Districts. Turning to the Tweed River, where the climate is warmer and the rainfall much greater than on either of the other rivers, we find that sugar cane is still grown to some extent on the alluvial soils along the banks of the river, but by far the largest rea devoted to the crop is located on undulating land with deep red voleanic soil of very fertile quality, situated a mile or two from the sea and perhaps 100 feet or so above sea- level. The frost question on the Tweed is thus settled either by proximity to the river or by a sufficient elevation between the sea and the river. The prospects of extension on this river are by no means negligible. The river banks themselves may well contribute a good many acres, even though frost marked the limit pretty clearly in other years. On the Cudgen area, too, ' the available area is still capable of expansion, and it may even be expected that some land planted in late years to bananas will presently revert to sugar cane. But the principal development on this river is likely to be on an extensive area of peaty, low-lying land at Mooball, some miles south of the river, but close to the sea. Here there are hundreds of acres of deep peaty soil from which the heavier timber has already been removed, and which only requires cleaning up and systematic drainage to become highly produc- tive. One has only to mention the name of this area on the Tweed to be assured that it will in a few years be carrying many acres of heavy crops of cane. The bulk of the present production of cane on this river, however, is on the Cudgen area. Here the rich volcanic soil is for the most part thickly strewn with stones of all sizes. A number of farmers have cleared their land of the larger stones at an expense varying from £20 to £30 per acre, and consider the outlay fully justified by the fact that they can now cultivate their land with horse-power instead of by hand. There are those, on the other hand, who declare that the stones prevent the evaporation of the moisture from the land, and actually contribute plant-food by yielding necessary elements in solution to the soil; the heavy crops grown, the ease with which the seed is mattocked into the ground between the stones, and the saving of labour in that practically no cultivation is necessary, certainly do offset in part the advantages that would be gained by clearing the land of the stones. How productive is the land on this area one has only to see to realise. Recent years have seen an extension of cane on to certain lands for years devoted to dairying, and the 60 and 70-ton crops that the purchasers have since harvested have enabled them to pay off in a very short time the £30 per acre they paid for their farms. Certainly they would not get the land to-day for the same money. Nov. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 779 On the Cudgen area are situated some thirty-two farms, averaging 50 acres each. Last year the product of the area was 22,000 tons of cane, and the wages paid for cutting to all so employed was £9,500—clear proof of the value of the industry as a wage-paying one. The Costs of Clearing, Planting, and Harvesting. Before proceeding to deal more fully with the methods of cultivating sugar cane, it will be useful perhaps to give some idea of the cost of clear- ing land in those districts where new areas are being brought under the crop. As to the tea-tree forest that stretches from Pimlico to Ballina on the Rich- mond, some idea is afforded by the experience at Wollongbar Experiment Farm, where partly cleared country that still carried some green timber cost £14 per acre to clear for the plough. On the heavier tea-tree timber further up the river, clearing would not be done for less than £20 per acre. An approximation of the initial outlay and probable return is afforded by the following figures which were made available by a farmer who had cleared and planted an area of rough virgin scrub land, where all the work had to be done by hand :— Felling... ee Ys Ais .. £0 per acre. Burning off ae a Hee FPG eee Holing ; ae x ee seed ea Plants + Bee vex we ee Mee hoe Planting Qs colts) on Thus, the crop-planted had cost this farmer £18 per acre. Pursuing his figures, we may add the following :— Weeding (four chippings) . dé ... £12 per acre. Cutting (7s. 6d. per ton for 40-ton crop)... a ae ay Sele Hauling cane to punts (5s. per ton) a Aes en ee LOR ss £37 155 The total outlay on the crop at this stage was £55, against which must be set a return of 40 tons of cane at £2 per ton—or £80 per acre. Such a stand would, of course, be left for a ratoon crop, and the outlay, in view of the second cut, would be:— & is. d: Chipping shy se “(10 9 O4c0 Cutting (7s. 6d. per ton for 30-ton crop) Ls aoe EO) Hauling cane to punt (5s. per ton) ... fe co £28 15 0 The 30-ton crop at £2 per ton would leave such a grower in a good posi- tion as to his sugar cane, and a second ratoon crop would further improve matters, as the following shows :— BS) Bh tl. Chipping.. she is gO ONS: Cutting (7s. 6d. per ton for 25-ton crop) nS 42, a ne Hauling cane to punt (5s. per ton) ... 46 Ree cele) £25 12 6 780 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Nov. 2, 1920. With £2 per ton for 25 tons per acre, the farmer now shows a reasonable return for his outlay and labour, which we may present thus :— Dr. \ Cr. Baye uve &.'siad. Felling timber, clearing land, and | First crop, 40 tons per acre > ’ | | | planting cane... 18 0 0 | Rbee . x. : so BOLO cD Cultivating, cutting, &c., on first crop 37 0 0! First ratoon crop, ‘30 tons 60 0 0 Cultivating, cuttiag &e., on first | Second ratoon crop, 25tons 50 0 ratoon. crop : 28 15 0} Cultivating, cutting, &e. , on 1 second | ratoon crop sd Ls Be eo Le om £109 7 6 | £190 0 Q The above makes no charge for the interest on the capital value of the land, or for the farmer’s salary as manager, though, of course, 1t includes any labour he may have supplied himself. (To be continued.) THE INFLUENCE OF THE TRACTOR ON THE USE oF HORSES. Tue influence that the introduction of tractors had upon the employment of horses on 191 farms in the maize-belt of the United States was made the subject of investigation by the United States Department of Agriculture, and the results have been collected and presented in Farmers’ Bulletin 1093. The results of the inquiry may be summarised thus :— On 141 farms (averaging 3463 acres), on which tractors had been used for a year or over, the number of horses disposed of averaged two and a half per farm. The average number of acres tilled per horse increased from 264 to 383 after the purchase of the tractor. . Nine farmers out of 191 had displaced horses entirely on ploughing, disking, and harrowing. ‘ Only sixteen farmers allowed their horses to stand idle while the tractor vas in use. The number of horses displaced ue the tractors on the farms was governed by the number it was necessary to retain for maize cultivation and other work current at the same time, which the tractor could not do. The horses remaining on the farms are doing about 75 per cent. of the tractive work and tractors the remainder, The tractor was used for an average of twenty-nine days of ten hours each on the home farm. A three-plough’ tractor on these farms does the work of eight and a half horses in ploughing, disking, harrowing, and harvesting. After the purchase of the tractor, the average size of the farms was increased by 22 acres, or 64 per cent. The principal advantage of a tractor is its ability to do heavy work in a shorter time than it can be done with horses. Nov. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 781 Farmers’ Experiment Plots. Porato EXPERIMENTS, 1919-20. Upper North Coast District. W. D. KERLE, Inspector of Agriculture. Vaniery and manurial experiments with potatoes were conducted during the season 1919-20 in co-operation with the following farmers.:— Henry Short, ‘‘ Warrawee,” Dorrigo. ; Frank Allard, ‘‘ Glenrose,” Brooklana, Eastern Dorrigo. James Wilson, Coramba. Albert Eggins, ‘“‘ Bromley,” Grafton. E. N. Mackinnon, Lawrence. G. P. Collins, ‘‘ Colindale,” Casino. D. Chisholm, Kyogle. Results were obtained from all these centres with the exception of Casino and Kyogle, where the crops were complete failures owing to the drought which prevailed—the worst in the history of the district. The successful plots supply data for the Clarence and Orara rivers district and the Eastern Dorrigo and Dorrigo plateaux. These districts vary widely both meteoro- logically and in soil characteristics, and these variances explain the big differences in yields. The differences were very marked last year, the upper North Coast generally experiencing a drought of unprecedented severity, while on the Dorrigo (2,860 feet above sea-level) a heavy rainfall was recorded. The accompanying table shows the rainfall records of each centre during the growing period of the crop. The figures reflect the dryness of the important months for high yields of potatoes in the rivers district and are sufficient evidence of the adverse nature of the season. Temperatures, too, were very high, and falls of rain of less than an inch were not of much material value to the crop, being rapidly dissipated by the hot drying winds which invariably followed. TABLE showing Rainfall during Growing Seasons. Month. Dorrigo. Brooklana. | Coramba | Grafton. | Lawrence. 1919. Points. Points. Points. | Points. | Points. August ... soa} jane Nil. ily Oesaees 19 soe September hie Nil, Nil. Nee 14) ON October ... naa 348 361 138 eid 119 November a, 283 274 2B py 231 | 25 December see 507 528 520 7 | SO | 4 1920. | | January ... eeeleae lt. 296 HGR) Tse eae Wier aes Bee Total el 25438 . |9925326 907 | 47) | 148 782 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Nov. 2, 1920. The germination of the plots was excellent throughout, a result due to the use of good seed combined with a sufficiency of soil moisture, obtained by thorough preparation of the soil and consequent conservation of the previous summer and autumn rains. Irish blight did not make its appearance in any of the plots, owing, no doubt, to the prevailing high temperatures and lack of humidity in the atmosphere. It is said that no spores of this fungus are formed below 40 deg. Fah. and above 78 deg. Fah., and that they are most active at 72 deg. Fah. ; it is possible, therefore, that only rarely will the spring crop in the upper North Coast be affected provided tne seed is clean. On the other hand, the autumn crop is very likely to be attacked by the fungus ; as a matter of fact, it almost invariably is attacked, and very few farmers at present take the risk except in very small areas. Resu tts of Potato Variety Trials. é | : EN H. Short, F. Allard, J. Wilson, A. Eg; I ey Dorrigo. peiciane. Genuiinn, | Gintton. | 5 pm / : Date sown 5 | 7-9 October. 8-9 September. | 19-20 August. | 24-26 August. | 5-6 September. Effective rainfall os 24°38. 23°26. 9°07. 471. | 1°48. J ' . st UseiCageds emcee C7 Te (Gayo: Us Ch pal) ots: eCalag Langworthy Sify PAM 58 ee 4 14 2 2) WEN Als wees a Factor A eel S ee cone Tp Os bene 519) 2 oO) OMe OF 1561. Up-to-Date... 12 10% awl; 3 Yared | oe 2 15 0 0 16 OU Plunkett’s ... el (a) Dea ht Jee Jn] a ile ocr le ee Pe lent .. Woman Nod. 5... 10) 06. 2-0 6. 6) 0 | VeRO <3 6 ee ie ey Coronation ... SauOG ay AS. WeMistsccs |e | pt) eee ae a Brownell’s Beauty... 10 1 0O Oe a ap 4 ‘br.0 2 0 Pal Onee we Queen of the Valley 10 0 2 Ogrd T |: Pare) ales: occ QO) slat Early Manistee ay ‘Sh al Pts O 0: 182 ees Manhattan ... 9 O22 Owe 5 2 | Zoe Looe aC Surprise oe UU ART by [tesmaea| ya aes CP Boe Seat Ns a ae Premier SoG Aa Sis Ue OS: tlc sngees he Oe de 3S Satisfaction G0), 2 Guess. 3 Lysy 2 LO diel Ope bed New Era Dero Ot eee. ° . |) es 1 ae ee | ae - Resutts of Potato Manurial Trials. \atiork | Raara, 4 égeeutieen’ A. Eggins, | yi. Dorrigo. Brooklana. Coramba. Grafton. pacers: Variety. | Suge ct ee Factor. Factor. | Manhattan. Carman No. 1. | Superphosphate CemCreGe ta Coq te Picherga) t: § Ch oa £.) soA2'q: 3 cwt. per acre...) lu 12 1 18 2 5 19 2 be Ds ol dra, at Superphosphate | iow, pervacre lO IO Buen 3. Si al eee Lo oe eet P5* 23 cwt..... al ON OS ie - 12 5 18 3 L130 Da tasis P7* 3 cwt.. ... fale wom ue ge LL 2 6-02) 2 4, oo Lee P8* 3 cwt. ... ale DL ie erosod i l7, 2 5° «10: 0 L, é2a20 Pree, -2 No manure ... coilt 2) AA a LO) 2 Bia lees 0}. Dis ta Tees Nov. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 783 The manurial trials, it will be noticed, all show substantial increases by the use of artificial fertilisers. The greatest increases in yield were obtained from the use of P7, which contains 19°5 per cent. phosphoric acid and 1:85 per cent. nitrogen, ‘This fertiliser has given remarkably consistent results with potatoes, maize and winter fodders in departmental trials on the coast. The following table shows the value of the increased yields due to fertilisers :— a a ae = . EEE — = Greatest Approximate | Ruling Market | ; Locality. increase due to Kind of lertiliser, Total Cost Price at Neti | fertiliser. | per acre. harvest time, | Increase, t. ¢ 4q, | fon Rea Gs £ s. d. Dorrigo 2 14 2 | Superphosphate, 3 cwt.| 115 0 | £15 per ton. | 39 2 0 Brooklana..,| 6 1 0 |P7, 3cwt. peracre ...| Y.0 O | £15 ,, 4315 0 Coramba feveo | P7,. :; as 150. 250 36.10 0 Grafton Lonnie P7, 9 ty LG Ms, COUN re 538 4 6 Lawrence.... 0 5 1 P5, 2h cwt. 5 Pale AO SO) eae 36 2 6 The price of potatoes on the market was exceptionally good last season, and the profits from manuring, therefore, appear very high. In the above table the cost of fertiliser is a liberal estimate, including cost of fertiliser in Sydney plus freight and cartage. In the first three cases these additional costs were considerable, It will be seen that the market price of potatoes would have to be very low for the application of fertilisers to be a losing proposition, Varieties. All the varieties under trial are more or less well known, with the possible exception of Premier and New Era. These varieties have been introduced into coastal variety trials recéntly on account of their reputed resistance to Irish blight, but the disease did not make its appearance during the last two seasons, hence no data is available. They have both yielded so poorly in all trials that even if they prove disease-resistant they cannot be regarded as profitable coastal varieties for spring planting. The only disease noticeable in any variety was what is commonly known as “milky eye,” and this appeared in the plot of New Era at Dorrigo, where almost 50 per cent. of the tubers were affected, Premier is a late maturing variety with smooth pink skin, and of similar shape to Early Rose. New Era is a white rough-skinned late maturing variety, round in shape and with fairly deep eyes. The Plots, Dorrigo.—Soil, red volcanic, typical of the better class land of the plateau ; site first cultivated four years ago; previous crop maize, which was harvested late, allowing of only one ploughing (a month before planting) to prepare for potatoes. Sown 7th to 9th October, 1919; drills 2 feet 7 inches apart, sets dropped every 12 to 15 inches, pressed firmly into the loose soil with foot, and covered with succeeding furrow. Plots each one-sixth of an acre [Nov. 2, 1920. 784 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. The germination of all plots was excellent, and the subsequent growth of haulm remarkably luxuriant. Inter-row cultivation was carried out once, and hilling with the plough just prior to the crop coming into flower. The season in this locality was an exceedingly good one, particularly when contrasted with that of the upper North Coast. The actual rainfall recorded from sowing to harvesting was 32-90 inches, but only 24°38 inches fell during the actual growth and development of the crop. For the last three years the varieties tried here have shown marked con- sistency, Langworthy, Factor, Up-to-Date, Carman No. 1, Coronation and Piunkett’s yielding very much in that order each year. The first four named are white-skinned varieties, which seem better suited than the pink or purple-skinned varieties to the basaltic soil of the Dorrigo. Manurial Trial with Potatoes at Dorrigo. This plot of Queen of the Valley was manured with superphosphate at 3 cwt. per acre and yielded 10 tons 12 cwt., as against 10 tons where only 2 ewt. superphosphate was used, and 7 tons 17 ewt. where no manure was used. The increase here of 2 tons 14 ewt. 2 qrs. obtained from the use of 3 ewt. superphosphate per acre represents a big profit. It is certainly surprising that on the comparatively newly cultivated soils of the plateau the yields should be so augmented by the use of artificial manures, but such has been the case in trials with all classes of crops conducted by the Department on this farm for the last four years. Nov. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 785 Coramba.—Soil alluvial, previous crop maize ; ploughed twice and harrowed several times prior to planting on 19th and 20th August; drills 2 feet 7 inches apart, and sets 15 inches apart in rows. The rainfall at this centre was very erratic and wholly inadequate for high yields. Very little ofthe total of 9°07 inches recorded during the growing period was of material benefit to the crop, and the season generally was one of the worst ever experienced in the district. The Rutherglen bug made its appearance in the crop at an early date and did considerable damage, particularly to Early Manistee and Satisfaction, the yields of which suffered very much in consequence. Both these varieties have yielded excellently under normal conditions, and the loss due to the depredations of the bug is estimated this year at 35 to 4 tons to the acre. ‘he germination of the plots was very satisfactory, the seed-bed being fairly moist, deep and friable. The after-cultivation of the crop consisted ot harrowing just when the plants were up, several cultivations between the rows, and hilling at flowering stage. The growth of the haulm was greater than expected with so meagre a rainfall. It will be noted that four white-skinned varieties head the list in the variety trial. These have been very consistent in the last three years’ trials here, Factor, Up-to-Date, and Carman No. 1 occupying the premier positions each year. The results generally from this locality are very satisfactory considering the trying conditions to which the crops was subjected. The soil benefited largely from early ploughing and the frequent stirring of the surface with harrows. Grafton.—The soil here was a rich alluvial loam, typical of the Clarence banks. At sowing time, 24th and 26th August, it was in a fairly moist friable condition, being reduced to a fine tilth by deep ploughing immediately after the removal of early maize in April, and again just before planting, with several harrowings and cross-harrowings in the interim. The germina- tion of all plots, with the exception of Surprise (which gave only a 75 per cent. germination), was all that could be desired, but the meagre and erratic rainfall (usually followed by strong, hot westerly winds) was responsible for considerable second growth, and it is remarkable that under the trying conditions tubers formed at all. The yields obtained, although small, were highly creditable. The after-cultivation of the crop consisted of cultivation between the rows three times with the Planet Jr. implement, to conserve moisture rather than to control weed growth. It is evident that the plants benefited from this storage of moisture. : In the past the purple-skinned Manhattan has given the best results in variety trials, but this season it occupied sixth place, with four white-skinned varieties in the lead. This was due to the season, and would seem to indicate the superiority of the latter tvpes for drought conditions. 786 Agricultural Gazette of N S.W. [ Nov. 2, 1920. Potato growing on the Clarence River is mainly for the production of early potatoes, and for this purpose sowing is usually completed by the end of July. The early sowing is often at the expense of proper cultivation, and very little attention is given to the maintenance of soil fertility by the incorporation of organic matter. It is agreed that potatoes always yield well in newly broken-up land on account of the decaying vegetable matter, but the importance of keeping up the supply of humus is not sufficiently realised. In this connection the practice of raking and burning the cornstalks in preparing the land for potatoes is, to say the least of it, a wasteful one. Brooklana, Eastern Dorrigo.—Soil volcanic, free working, porous, of yellowish appearance and generally typicai of the eastern plateau ; previous crop oaten hay; the oat stubble was ploughed in on Ist August, and Variety Trial with Potatoes at Dorrigo. Brownell’s Beauty yielded 10 tons 1 ewt., and Carman No. 1, 10 tons 18 ewt. a second ploughing given at the end of the month. Experiments sown 8th an 9th September, 1919, on well-prepared land; drilled in, rows being 2 feet 9 inches apart, and sets 15 inches apart. The season was, generally speaking, favourable, the precipitation of 23°26° inches being accompanied by normal temperatures. The results of both the variety and manurial trials were largely uniform with previous years. The value of artificial fertilisers is well expressed by the following figures, which show the increases obtained in this locality over three seasons from the use of 3 cwt. of P7 mixture per acre :— 1Q17—1 Gye 3 5 tons | cwt. per acre. 1918-19: ... dire 5 L9TS=20) ita wee 3 ” 3 9 ” ” 1 ”? ” Nov. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette® of N.S.W. 787 Lawrence.—Ex periments sown 5th and 6th September ; soil, light loam of medium fertility. The results of the trials were very poor, but considering that the rainfall recorded during growth (four months) was 1:48 inches, it is surprising that the crop was not a complete failure. The results are not of very great value in the selection of varieties for main crop sowings, as the season was far from an average one. They are, however, of value in demonstrating the drought-resisting qualities of varieties and the action of fertilisers. Carman No. 1 appears to be an exceptionally hardy variety. The increases in yield from fertilisers were not so marked as in other localities, in all probability due to a big percentage of it remaining undissolved in the soil. This would apply particularly to P7, which, containing bonedust, requires a plentiful supply of moisture to become completely available. Summary of Experiments. A sumwarisation of the foregoing experiments discovers four outstanding features. There will be noted (1) the consistency of the yields of white- skinned varieties, not only on the elevated Dorrigo and Eastern Dorrigo plateaux where the season was favourable, but on the alluvial soils of the river flats, where extreme drought conditions prevailed; (2) the evident drought-resisting qualities of Carman No. | ; (3) the consistent pro- ductiveness of Factor, Up-to-Date and Langworthy; and (4) the strong evidence in favour of the use of artificial fertilisers and of P7 in particular. All the trials were conducted on comparatively fertile soils and where the benefit of manuring would not be expected to be very pronounced. . The results, however, show very substantial increases in all cases, This may possibly be because the fertilisers supplied the necessary plant foods in « form more readily available than that in which they were already present. This would particularly apply when the supply of moisture was deficient and the demands of the plants were heavy owing to a short growing period. The two main factors in successful potato production within control of the grower are—(1) good soil preparation and (2) good seed. Concerning the former, too much stress cannot be laid on the importance of ploughing the land some months before planting to permit of the storage of moisture and the improvement of its physical condition through the ameliorating effects of frosts and soil ventilation. Keeping the surface well mulched by use of the harrows after the soil has received its first ploughing is of primary importance in the conservation of soil moisture; this has, too, a controlling effect on weed growth. This operation is necessary after rain in any quantity, and particularly after heavy falls, which break down the crumb structure and cause the soil to set. With the increasing prevalence of drought conditions on the coast better cultural methods will have to be adopted, and storage of soil water must play a more important part in crop production. Too much attention cannot be given to the selection of seed. The North Coast farmer is, with the exception of the Dorrigo grower, dependent on 788. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.VW. [ Nov.f2, 1920. other districts for his seed, and finds it a very ditticult matter to get it true to name, of decent size, and free from disease. Experiments to determine the most economical size of set have been conducted from time to time, and the most satisfactory results have been obtained from the medium-sized tuber cut into two and with at least two well developed “ eyes.” The tendency is to sow sets much too small for the production of vigorous plants, and to use very smal] whole tubers. This cannot be too strongly condemned as a general farm practice; and more particularly in those districts where the crop is sown for seed. Tt is possible that small tubers may include a small propor- tion of the best strains of a variety, but they are, for the most part, the worthless wash of an ufselected vai ievy developed throug years ul plant variation. The persistent use of small seed, year after year, can have but one result—the rapid deterioration of the variety thus perpetuated by the steady and certain process of elimination of all the superior strains of that variety. Tubers may be small because of overcrowding or through some unfavourable condition, but if they are from a high-yielding plant they will give satisfactory results. It is the use of the tuber that is small because of inherent inferiority that causes varieties to deteriorate, or, as it is generally termed, “run out.” In those districts where seed saving is possible there should be a continuity of seed selection, aiming at gradual constant improve- ment of the varieties found by experiment to be most suitable for the locality. “Por BorLERS’’ ON THE MURRUMBIDGEE [IRRIGATION i AREAS. ALTHOUGH certain crops may be termed ‘‘ pot boilers,” the tendency on the irrigation areas is to turn these crops into more permanent features—in other words, to make a. regular crop of something that at first was intended only to give a return until the farm became productive. Two chief lines offer themselves to settlers at the present time, viz., fruit-growing and dairying (including pigs). With either of these industries the yearly return is supplemented by an improvement in the capital value of the farm—ain the case of fruit-growing the fruit furnishes the income and the trees the improving capital value, while in the case of dairying the milk corresponds to the first and the natural increase in the herd to the second. With other lines, such as hay-growing, tobacco, peas, Sudan grass, and so forth, the annual return is remoyed from the land, but nothing remains to foster the capital account. Doubtless, lucerne on the best soils would be a good paying proposition, provided the farmer could afford to hold his hay over a good season, but even there the land has to be worked up and resown after « few years. One hears of different farmers, chiefly orchardists, keeping things going during the period of development by growing different side lines, but if the side lines were made regular farm crops the production would soon be greater than the demand.--A. N. SHepuHerp, Assistant Inspector of Agriculture. Nov. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 789 Popular Descriptions of Grasses. [Continued from page 512. ] E. BREAKWELL, B.A., B.Sc., Agrostologist. THE SPOROBOLUS GRASSES. Tue Sporobolus grasses are fairly common over the warm parts of both the Old and the New World. Their economic importance varies considerably according to the species. The well-known American Sacaton grasses (for example, S. airoides and S. Wrightw) are considered very valuable grasses, particularly on alkaline Jands, while other species receive such invidious names as Rush grass and Cord grass—fair indicators of their low value. In New South Wales the Sporobolus grasses cannot be considered nearly as important as some of the genera previously described, but one species, S. indicus, is very common over the greater porticn of the State, and is of least value of all. The Sporobolus grasses in the western districts, however, although limited in abundance, have a very high feeding value, and are very much unlike the Sporobolus indicus (Parramatta grass) of the coast. Habit.—Sporobolus grasses vary considerably in superficial appearance. In the western districts the inflorescence resembles that of the Love grasses. Close examination, however, will show the presence of only one flower on each spikelet, while in the Love grasses there are several overlapping flowers to every spikelet. The Sporobolus grasses on the coast, however, have the inflorescence in the shape of a long spike, and are often called Rat’s Tail grass on this account. Sporobolus indicus (Fig. 1), commonly known as Parramatta grass, Tussock grass, or Rat’s Tail grass, is very common on the sandstone soils of the coastal districts as weil as on the alluvial and volcanic soils of the. interior. It is perhaps more common in the County of Cumberland than anywhere, and is a constant source of trouble in Sydney grass lawns. Being tussocky in appearance and rapid in growth in the summer, it becomes very unsightly ina lawn. It has been proved, however, that a good growth of other grasses on enriched soils will succeed in suppressing it, whereas the grass itself will stand a great deal of hard treatment on poor soils before it can be eradicated , Top-dressing of buffalo and couch lawns is essential if Parramatta grass has to be suppressed. Tufts of this grass should and can easily be removed when the soil is moist, by twisting the stems in the hand, grasping the grass low down, and pulling hard ; the whole root system of the tuft is removed in the operation. 790 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Nov. 2, 1920. —___—_=.. Fig. 1.—On the left, Sporobolus diander ; on tne right, Sporsbolus indicus. Note that the inflorescence is more broken in S. diandey than in the other, Both are typical coastal Sporobolus grasses. . 791 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Nov. 2, 1920.] Aa ae = 2g VPA fe ae, 4 k yp ladus. Fig. 2.—On the left, Sporobolus Lindleyi ; on the right, Sporobolus aetinoc Note the attractive inflorescence of %. Lindleyi. Both are typical interior Sporobolus g es. Tass 792 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. Nov. 2, 1920. The texture of the leaves and stems of Parramatta grass is particularly hard, and horses have been known to loosen: their teeth in grazing on it, as the animals have to pull rather than break the stems and the leaves. Cattle and horses will eat the grass in its young stage, but its palatability and nutritious qualities are of a very low order. Sporobolus diander (Fig. 1), although found in similar localities to S. indicus, is much softer and more palatable. It is fairly abundant around Newcastle and Maitland, on the northern riyers, and on the northern ‘slopes and tablelands. Sporobolus virginicus is a typical example of an alkaline grass, and is common in the salty marshes around Sydney and elsewhere. Something like the ordinary Parramatta grass in its inflorescence, it can readily be dis- tinguished by its rigid wiry leaves. It is often grazed in its young stages, and although it contains a fair amount of fibre (29-41 per cent.), it is fairly high in protein (8°60 per cent.) and in carbohydrates (about 25 per cent.). Sporobolus Lindleyi and 8. actinocladus (Fig. 2) are the two best Sporo- bolus grasses in the interior. They are common on both the red and black soils, being particularly noticeable after summer thunderstorms. They are very succulent grasses with wide tender leaves. Their period of growth is very short and they quickly break into flower. For decorative purposes a bunch of flowers from Sporobolus Lindleyt would be hard to excel. The flower branches become very easily broken off, however, before the seed matures, and if a permanent stand is sought it is absolutely necessary that the grass be protected until the seed is ripe. ‘This treatment is quite practicable, as the flag does not appear to be affected after the ripening period. THE SEARING [RON VERSUS THE KNIFE FOR DETAILING LAMBS. XPERIMENTS have been conducted by the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, U.S.A., to determine whether the searing iron is better than the knife for detailing lambs. The results, which are presented in Bulletin No. 262 of the station, directly agree with results of similar trials conducted in New South Wales some years ago. They are summarised as follows :-— The results obtained iL duck ig 200 Taimbs imdicated that no advantage is to be gained in docking young lambs with the hot iron or docking pincers. This operation can be performed more quickly with the knife, and apparently with no great danger of fatalities due to excessive bleeding. The lambs docked with the sharp knife healed one week sooner than those docked with the hot iron. In practically every instance the knife left a healthier, cleaner wound or sore than did the hot iron. The lambs docked with the knife made a slightly larger gain throughout the test than did those docked with the hot iron. No advantage was gained by searing the artery after docking with the knife, Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., November 2, 1920. The. Director and Scientific Staff of the Cawthron Institute, Nelson, N.Z. W. C. Davies, Curator. : R. J. Tillyard, M.A., D.Sc., F.L.S., Biologist. A. Philpott, Assistant Entomologist. Professor T. H. Easterfield, M.A., Ph.D., F.1.C., Director. Maxwell Young, F.C.S., Assistant Chemist. T. Rigg, M.A., M.Se., Agricultura Chemist. Miss Kathleen M. Curtis, M.A., D.Sc., D.1.C., Mycologist, vember 2, 1920. Jou ette of V.S.W., J Ga cultural dgru ——_ CC —— ee “HOIGY KE 10) “L AW .93e| 849 Jo Ydeasojoyd v ‘yasuy "ZN ‘WOS[AN ‘A}NIIJsUy WOIgIMEeD 94} JO siaeNH Aiviodway sayL EEE ee ee “HOye] SUM Ydeasogoyd siyy ddUIS AaMIOS MOIS SvYy UOS[AaN JO U0} 9, Nov. 2,:1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 793 The Cawthron Institute of Scientific Research, Nelson, New Zealand. Wuatr wealth, directed by appreciation of the value of science, may do for industry generally and for any community in particular is indicated in some degree by an institute that has lately been founded in New Zealand, and that might well suggest to some citizen of New South Wales a direction in which he could serve his country. The Cawthron Institute of Scientific Research, located in the town of Nelson in New Zealand, has come into existence by reason of the foresight and generosity of Mr. Thomas Cawthron, a well-known citizen of Nelson, who died in 1916, leaving the residue of lis estate, after the payment of certain legacies, for the purchase of land and the erection and maintenance of a technical institute and museum. The trustees under the bequest (the Bishop of Nelson, the Mayor of Nelson, the member of the House of Representatives for Nelson, the Chair- man of the Nelson Harbour Board, and Mr. William Rout, the younger), deferred action during the war, allowing the interest on the principal to accrue, so that the capital available now approximates £200,000. A private commission appointed by the trustees to advise on the subject considered that the testator’s wishes would be most suitably given effect to by establish- ing in or near Nelson, an institute, which should include ag museum illus- trative of the industries of the Nelson provincial district, but which should chiefly give instruction in and perform scientific research in subjects definitely related to the industries of the Dominion, paying special attention at the outset to agriculture and particularly to fruit-growing, but, as funds permitted, taking up systematic research in the chemistry, physics and biology of the soil, the development of forest lands, afforestation, utilisa- tion of minerals, the fishing industry, and such other subjects as might be deemed important from time to time. The commission in concluding its report, emphasised the educational value of the institution it thus sug- gested, and considered that the value of research as a factor in education had been quite insufficiently recognised in New Zealand, and, indeed, throughout the British Empire. Proceeding upon these lines, though with some necessary variations in detail, the trustees at the close of the war, appointed an advisory board of seven members, a director, and a staff. consisting of scientific officers and their assistants. The Director, Professor T. H. Easterfield, brings to his task ripe experience, business ability, and tact. He has paid much attention to the chemistry of the native flora of New Zealand, and is as well known to the manufacturers as to the scientific men of the Dominion. Mr. Rigg, the Agricultural Chemist, has carried out chemical research work in the B 794 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Nov. 2, 192C. Cambridge School of Agriculture and at the Rothamsted Experiment Station in England. Dr. Tillyard, well known in connection with entomo- logical research in New South Wales, will study insect pests with a view to keeping them under control, and Dr. Kathleen Curtis has ample work before her in connection with the fungus diseases affecting fruit and other crops in the Dominion. ‘ The work of the Institute will, in the first instance, be carried out in a fine residence which has been secured for the purpose and fitted up with laboratories, a library and a museum, while the grounds will afford: room for glass-house and plot experiments. For the permanent location of the Institute, a magnificent site, three or four miles from the town, has been secured. The Cawthron Institute has been launched under very favourable cireum- stances, and it should play an important part in the development of science and industry in this quarter of the world, but many great and significant opportunities await any who may emulate the late Mr. Cawthron’s excellent example. FALLOW OR SUMMER F'ALLOW ? Tue value of a full fallow as against a short or summer fallow was illustrated at Trangie Experiment Farm last season. Certain red soil fallowed in August, 1918, and sown with Federation in 1919 yielded 6 bushels per acre, while Sunset wheat sown on similar land that had only been summer fallowed was a total failure. It appears that the difference between a total failure and a 6-bushel crop was due to the difference of a few months in fallowing, yet only 3:22 inches fell between the Ist August and 31st December, 1918—in other words, the long fallow only had the opportunity of conserving 3} inches more than the summer fallow—truly the facts in favour of sound methods do multiply.—A. H. MacDovueatt, Manager, Trangie Experiment Farm. A Woman’s MovEMENT IN RURAL LIFE. Canapv\ is the birthplace of Women’s Institutes. Twenty-two years ago a little group of countrywomen in Ontario met to discuss the question of lightening the loneliness of their lot on remote farmsteads. They met at each other’s houses at fixed intervals, not only for social entertainment but also for devising means to secure the various improvements their homes and the district required. Thus the Women’s Institute came into being. Very soon the homes and the farms showed what changes could be accom- plished through the efforts of an organised band of intelligent women. The example inspired other women, and before long the institute movement had spread through Canada, and thence into the United States. In 1916 it reached Great Britain, by way of Wales, where ... . started the first Women’s Institute in Great Britain. . . . The number has now risen to over 1,600, and will certainly increase, for these centres of industry and recreation are imparting to village life much of the stimulus needed:— Journal of the Ministry of Agriculture, London. Nov. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. «J leo) oO Farmers’ Experiment Plots. Maize EXPERIMENTS, 1919-20. South Coast District. R. N. MAKIN, Inspector of Agriculture. THE crops from the past season’s maize experiments were the best harvested for many years on the South Coast. Weather conditions were favourable for heavy yields, owing to bountiful rain falling during December and January, when the crops were cobbing—the critical time with maize. The experiments comprised variety trials and tests to determine the most suitable class of artificial manure for grain and green fodder. The following farmers co-operated with the Department in carrying out the work :— J. H. Martin, Pambula. J. Chittick, Kangaroo Valley. KE. G. Kelly, Bega. L. B. Garrad, Milton. Geo. Lindsay, Dapto. Superintendent, Beys’ Farm Homes, Mittagong. J. Timbs, Albion Park. V. J. Collins, Bemboka. J. Hansen, Moruya. At Moruya the returns were, for some unaccountable reason, so variable, that it was decided not to record them. The Varieties Reviewed. The variety trials were productive of much interesting information. The season favoured the later maturing varieties, and some heavy yields were obtained. At Pambula a new variety, Kansas Sunflower, yielded 113°8 bushels, topping all other varieties, but it was much the latest in point of maturity. On the same plots another new variety, U.S. 133, yielded 80 bushels per acre within 130 days of planting, and attracted a great deal of attention from local farmers on account of its early maturity. Boone County White came well to the fore as a great yielding variety under suitable conditions. It is a fairly hard maize, and yields a fine sample of grain ; the cobs generally set well, and are very uniform, and it is a variety that is fast coming into favour with those who grow white corn. Leaming, Silvermine, and Eureka are varieties that suit the South Coast well. Leaming is a variety very suitable for poultry-farmers, and is also one that will be found to crack well where it is necessary to crack corn. Jolden Glow, a variety about as early as U.S, 133, is a promising sort, This and Sibley (a variety largely grown in Victoria) were tested at Pambula 796 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Nov. 2, 1920. alongside the Department’s varieties, as was also Reid’s Yellow Dent, seed of which was imported by Mr. J. A. Martin from the United States. ‘he varieties here mentioned stood out above all others as grain varieties. Details of the Plots. Pambula.—Sown 20th October, 1919; harvested 26th June, 1920. Soil, alluvial deposit from granite and basalt. Ground prepared early and ploughed and harrowed again before sowing ; previous crop corn. Sown by hand on the check, three grains every 3 feet 6 inches. Effective rainfall, 20:73 inches. Plot flooded in December and January. Light frost 21st November. Manured with P7 mixture at the rate of 2 cwt. per acre. Kangaroo Valley.—Sown 28th October, 1919; harvested June. Soil, sandstone. Prepared early and ploughed again and harrowed pricr to sowing. Sown with corn-planter, drills 4 feet apart, 3 grains dropped every 2 feet 6 inches. Rainfall, 23-06 inches. Manured with P7 mixture at the rate of 2 cwt. per acre. Bega.—Sown 16th October, 1919; harvested 10th June, 1920. Soil, alluvial deposit from granite. Plot prepared early and again worked prior to sowing. Drills run with plough ; seed and manure hand-sown.. Rainfall, 26°55 inches. This test included trials of both complete and incomplete artificial manures. Unfortunately a soakage from a swamp adjacent to the plots affected those treated with mixtures P5, P7, and P8. Milton.—Sown 4th October, 1919; harvested July, 1920. Soil, sandstone, situated on hillside ; ground very variable. Plot prepared early and worked again before sowing. Seed sown with corn-planter, drills 4 feet apart, single grain in drill every 10 inches. Rainfall, 22°50 inches. Albion Park.—Sown 20th October, 1919; harvested May, 1920. Soil, sandstone. Plot prepared early and worked again before planting. Seed and manure sown with corn-planter, Drills 4 feet apart, 3 grains every 2 feet 6 inches. Rainfall, 23 inches. Weed growth troublesome. Mittagong.—Sown 23rd October, 1919 ; harvested 9th March, 1920. Soil, sandstone formation. Plot prepared early and worked again before planting. Seed (30 lb. per acre) sown with maize-planter in drills 3 feet apart. Rainfall, 22°79 inches. Crop considered one of the best ever raised in the district. Bemboka.—Sown 11th December, 1919; harvested May, 1920. Soil, granite formation. Ground prepared early and ploughed again -before planting. This plot was sown too !ate for good returns and unfortunately the rainfall was insufficient. Dapto.—Sown 19th November, 1919; harvested 22nd March, 1920. Soil, from sandstone. Seed (30 lb. per acre) sown in drills 3 feet apart. This plot also was sown too late and weed growth was very troublesome, the ground being unworkable during December and January owing to heavy rain. Nov. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazeite of N.S.W. 797 1 Resutts of Maize Variety Trials. J. Chittick, | J. HB. Martin, Variety. 2 ; ariet Kangaroo Valley. Pambula. | bushels per acre. | bushels per acre. Yellow Hogan Q ASS os Mle Ree attocs Leaming aie Br, nal 66°48 103-40 Star Leaming... au Poi 50°32 | aba Saousbe Red Hogan ... oY, cae 47°24 | 101 Narrow Red Hogan ... id 56 94°15 Golden Beauty oe 60°32 Vaurae cist ofeat Improved Yellow Dent 66°36 95°25 Boone County a: pa JAe22 108°24 Hickory King... e 50} 59°24 84°49 Craig Mitchell a a SOTA te telha outdo een Silvermine Sa Boe 40°16 104°40 Leggett’s Pride a ee 45°24 | 103 40 Funk’s Yellow Dent... 3 | 96°12 U.S. 133 Sa Sh Sool)! Se iedandes 80°8 Kemsaspsuntlow er (3.0) vsecare 113°8 Eureka. .. 00 08 oie Meme 104°19 Golden Glow ... aie 5h aoe 81 Sibley ... 0] | caneececec | 10824 Reid’ ByVellow, Dent... sel © i.e 105°48 Resuuts of Manurial Trials for Green Fodder (Variety, Improved Yellow Dent). Manures and Mixtures, Mis | Bana” | bee { tie” Schama leat pur Cs = Gua Loon t-05 e. eegamllloe Manure, M5* nC ne sol 20 Oo ie a4 Soo ORO ie 10) SOrOnee 2Zewt. R7* 5. Sa0 “or ‘| SOP See AD | P65 ORO oF 16 OmelO 2 cwt. P8* ... ts | 128) eee 20 Cec Ouesl Oh e One Ls Okt aehe 2 cwt. blood and bone... | 265 aN es D4! DS Op e0 ata 1 ee No manure ... aah. 2). (0) = a1 Paes The OR Oe Oy) AE Bs Ot 2 cwt. basic superphosphate ide | 20 ER ADs Se sO amnOn ee LAs A Te enn 2 cwt. superphosphate... si{? 27 GRO Sel OO On ROg te” SG: 0S l cwt. superphosphate... # |) D2 aaaeeelpe 4rla Oi 0 sOleG | O55 22k ) _ *The Mixture M5 consists of superphosphate 2 2 parts and-sulphate of ammonia 1 part ; P5, of superphos- phate 4 parts, sulphate of potash 1 part ; P7, of superphosphate and bone-dust, equal parts; and P8, of superphosphate and blood and bone, equal parts. Resuuts of Manurial Trials for Grain. . L. B. Garrad, | E. G. Kelly, J. Timbs, Manures and Mixtures. Milton. | | Bega, Albion Park. bushels per acre. | bushels per acre. | bushels per acre. 2 ewt. blood and bone.. aoe 91°24 104°24 27-14 2 ewt. basic superphosphate .. 99°24 101-40 27°40 2 cwt. P8 ae : des 107°24 86°32 33°24 2 ewt. P7 fe 4 oe 191-10 79°40 | 32°16 14 ewt. P5 A aii as. 113°8 | ae | 31-24 No manure : ze =o 109°40 | 93°16 | 23°8 2 ewt. superphosphate ect 105°'8 113°38 25°40 ‘1 cwt. superphosphate Sor 98°26 | 108 25°24 798 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Nov. 2, 1920. A SILAGE STACK ON THE NortH Coast. THE accompanying illustration of a silage stack constructed on the lines suggested in the Agricultural Gazette for November, 1919, affords evidence of the usefulness of the method. The photograph was forwarded by Mr. L. I. Uther, of Bonville, an old diploma student of Hawkesbury Agricultural College, who stated that this stack was built by a neighbour, Mr. F. Williams, according to the directions given in the Gazette. Previously Mr. Williams had built silage stacks in the old way-(crossing the maize at the corners), and had had considerable waste. The stack photographed turned out the best Mr. Uther had ever seen, the waste on the sides not being more than ~6 inches and on the ends about 9 inches. The maize was right up to the A Silage Stack at Bonville. top when stacking was finished, and the photograph was taken when settling was completed. The following details were also supplied: Crop, 7 acres of Yellow Dent maize; base of stack, 14 feet x 16 feet ; labour involved, four men for 64 days, with two horses and drays, and a horse to lift the stuff ; slings were used to split the loads into four and were hoisted direct from the drays; estimated tonnage, 70 tons; estimated cost, 4s. 6d. per ton for cutting and stacking. In sending the above, Mr. Uther mentioned that a tenant of his had also made a stack on these lines and that it had also turned out well, though the percentage of waste was higher owing to insufficient weighting. Nov. 2, 1920. ] chika Gazette of N.S.W. 799 Trials of Grasses and Fodder Plants. GLEN InNES EXPERIMENT FARM. L. F. ROWNEY, H.D.A., Experimentalist: InsTRUCTIVE results were obtained with a number of grasses, clovers and lucernes at this farm during last season, and reference to the behaviour of some of them may be of interest to farmers. The plots are about ‘21 chains wide and about 1:19 chains long, equalling, therefore, about one-fortieth of an acre/ The rows are ‘04 chains apart and run about five per plot, and the divisions between plots are ‘05 chains wide. In computing the results allowance has been made for misses or blanks in the rows, but the yields under field conditions would actually be heavier. Grasses. Andropogon intermedius (Prairie Blue Grass),—This tufted perennial has been under observation in the grass garden for several years. It is one of the best of our native grasses, but in this district it dies down compietely during severe winter weather. Under good conditions it grows over 3 feet in height, and can be cut two or three times in a season. It reaches its maximum growth in late summer, and is palatable at all stages of growth. One objection is the poor germinating quality of its seed, but it is noticed that under cultivation the vitality of the seed is appreciably increased. Andropogon affinis (Blue Grass).—This grass makes little or no progress during the winter, but very fair spring and summer growth, reaching its maximum about mid-summer, reaching 3 feet 6 inches in height under good conditions. It is spreading through the grazing areas of this farm, and doing much to improve their quality and carrying capacity. The degree of palatability can be gauged from the fact that it is only in sheltered positions and the headlands of cultivation paddocks that it gets any chance of setting seed. Were it not for the fact that the seed produced is of low vitality, Andropogon affinis would form one of the prin«ipal constituents of the native pastures of this farm. Bromus japonicus.—This appears to be a perennial form of Prairie grass. Tt withstands frost well, and makes very good growth during late wimter and early spring. Two or three cuts may be made during a season, and the grass makes excellent growth after cutting. It is palatable, with light green, fairly sweet leaves, producing a fair bulk of fodder. It grows readily from seed, which it produces in fairly large quantities. Festuca arundinacea (Giant Fescue).—This is an introduced perennial which has ‘had a good trial at this farm. It is an excellent frost resister and grows well during a dry spell. Its leaves are dark green, broad, and fairly 800 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Nov. 2, 1920. soft. It produces a good yield of fodder, which may be cut two or three times ina season. It is more suited for grazing with cattle than with sheep. The seed germinates fairly readily and may be procured from various seeds- men. : Manager, Experiment Farm, Glen Innes. ye a = “SS Be Dearstord, Emu Swamp, Orange. Silvermine ... 30e yes .... Manager, Experiment Farm, Yanco. Small Red Hogan... us ... H. Short, Dorrigo. Craig Mitchell (ungraded ... W. D. K. Humphries, Muswellbrook. Boone County White _... ... J. Chittick, Kangaroo Valley. Golden Beauty .. 553 ... R. Richardson, Mondrook, Tinonee. Leaming ... us ike ... Manager, Experiment Farm, Grafton. Golden Nugget... aa .. J. W. Smith, Wauchope, Early Clarence... is .. F. T. Dowling, Tumut. Giant or Manning White ... A. MeM. Singleton, Henley, Sydney. Improved Yellow Dent ... .... Manager, Experiment Farm, Grafton. Red Hogan... ae 44 .. Principal, Hawkesbury A.College, Richmond, Grain Sorghums :— Feterita ... e eas ; W. W. Hosking, Farm 778, Leeton. Sweet or Saccharine Sorghums :— { Manager, Experiment Farm, Lismore. Saccaline a ..., Principal, Hawkesbury Agricultural College, | Richmond. Grasses :-= Paspalum ... a oa ... Manager, Experiment Farm, Lismore. Ss: te ao Sts .... Manager, Experiment Farm, Berry. Sudan Grass a ste ... W. W. Hosking, Farm 778, Leeton. Elephant Grass (roots) brs ... Principal, Hawkesbury A.College, Richmond Manager, Experiment Farm, Grafton. Manager, Experiment Farm, Lismore. Manager, Experiment Farm, Yanco. Kikuyu Grass (roots) ... see ... Principal, Hawkesbury A.College, Richmond, Clovers :— . Shearman’s Clover (roots) ... J. H. Shearman, Fullerton Cove, Stockton, via Newcastle. : Bokhara or Sweet Clover ... A, Sommerlad, Hillcrest, Tenterfield. Growers of pure seed of any variety of farm crop who wish to be included in this list should communicate with the Under Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Sydney. W It is especially desired to locate reliable sources of seed of Thew, Huguenot, Firbank, and Florence wheats, Sunrise, Ruakura, and Guyra oats, and Cape and Skinless barleys, the demand for seed of which for coastal green fodder far exceeds the visible supply. Wuen a farmer orders a box of bolts of a certain make and size he does not expect to find a thin layer of the bolts specified on the top of the box and assorted bolts underneath. In the world of commerce a manufacturer who pursued such practices would soon be bankrupt. The same principle applies to the sale of farm products. Before sending produce to market the farmer should sort it as to quality and size. It is estimated that in 1919 the potato growers in Virginia increased their profits a half million dollars by grading their produce.—U.S. Weekly News Letter. Nov. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 805 Farmers’ Experiment Plots. SuMMER FoppER EXPERIMENTS, 1919-20. Central Coast. J. M. PITT, Assistant Inspector of Agriculture, EXPERIMENTS with summer fodder crops were conducted by the Department during the season 1919 in conjunction with the following farmers :— J.C. Duff, Somerset, Mt. George, Manning River. A. H. Norris, Mt. George, Manning River. R. Richardson, Mondrook, Manning River. A. C. McLeod, Mondrook, Manning River. V. Murray, ‘‘ Pigeon Grove,” Pampoolah, Manning River. J. P. Mooney, Dumaresque Island, Manning River. C. J. Ellis, Dinonee, Manning River. J. Davis, Sherwood, Macleay River. R. Lindsay, Belmore River, Macleay River. A. O'Shea, Belmore River, Macleay River. J. Smith, ‘‘ Hazeldean,” Wauchope, Hastings River. O. Collins, East Comboyne. W.H. Duffy, East Comboyne. ; Alex. Smith and Atkins Bros., Bandon Grove, Dungog, Williams River. M. Smith, ‘f Bona Vista,” Paterson River. Excepting those on the Comboyne and at Paterson, the trials were con- ducted on rich alluvial flats ; the Comboyne trials took place on volcanic soil, and those at Paterson on ordinary hillside soil, both being typical of the surrounding country. Sowings. Preparatory cultural operations were satisfactory, farmers having ample time to prepare clean seed beds while waiting for the drought to break. Sowings were mostly made with the hand on the smaller plots, and by the maize dropper, fitted with a suitable sorghum or millet plate, on the larger areas. Shallow drills were struck out 3 feet apart, this distance allowing of cultivation for the destruction of young weed growth and the maintaining of a surface mulch. Neither of these objects, however, was attained, owing to continuous rain rendering after-cultivation operations. impracticable, and weeds and summer grass grew apace. The extreme moist conditions were also conducive to attacks cf blight in the Sudan plots, this fact being more noticeable during the late summer and autumn months. Where the crop was sown on the highland at Paterson, however, and grazed off, the disease was negligible. Mr. Murray’s plot at Pampoolah was a failure, the dry conditions under which the seed was sown preventing germination ; 5 lb. of Sudan seed and 6 lb. of Saccaline were sown per acre. At Tinonee, where 5 lb. Sudan seed was sown per acre, the yield was not weighed, but cows relied on the crop for several weeks. The crops on Mr. O. Collins’ plot at East Comboyne were smothered by summer grass. 806 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 1 [Nov. 2, 1920. The details of the rate of seéd per acre and method of sowing on the plots mentioned in the accompanying table of yields was as follows :—J. C. Duff, Mount George—Sudan (drills) 5 lb., Saeccaline 7 1b., Planter’s Friend 7 ]b., Japanese millet 4 lb.; A. H. Norris, Mount George—Saccaline (drills) 8 Ib. ; R. Richardson, Mondrook—Sudan (drills 2 feet apart) 5 lb., ° (drills 1 ft. 6 in. apart) 10 lb., Saccaline 6 lb., Planter’s Friend 7 lb.; A. C. McLeod, Tinonee—Sudan 5 lb., Saccaline 8 Jb., Planter’s Friend 6 lb., Japanese millet (drills) 4 lb.; J. P. Mooney, Dumaresque Island—Sudan 6 lb., Saccaline 6 |b., Planter’s Friend 7 lb.; J. W. Smith, Wauchope— Sacealine 8 lb.; M. Smith, Paterson River—Sudan 5 lb, ; Alexander Smith Saccaline on Mr. J. C. Duff’s Farm, Mount George, Manning River. The crop averaged 13 feet 6 inches high and weighed 29 tons to the acre. and Atkins Bros., Bandon Grove—Sudan 5 lb. (one sowing fertilised with superphosphate at 1 cwt. per acre), Saccaline (one sowing with 1 cwt. super- phosphate) 7 lb. ; R. Lindsay, Belmore River—Saccaline 8 Ib.; J. Davis, Sherwood—Sudan 6 1b., Saccaline 8 lb. ; W. H. Duffy, Comboyne—Japanese millet, in drills 4 lb., broadcasted 12 1b., Saccaline 6 |b, Harvesting. Most of the crops were cut either by scythe or mower, carted off, and fed. This method is preferable with Saccaline and Planter’s Friend; Sudan and Japanese millet are better grazed where possible. Several progressive farmers reserved portions of their crops for seed—a wise policy in view of so- much other fodder being available. Nov. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 807 Yields. The yields in many instances—chiefly where the better cultural methods were adopted, or on newly-broken land—were records. Farmers in general speak in glowing terms of both Sudan and Saccaline, regarding the latter as “ something out of the bag.” The increase in the number of experimenters may be regarded as an indication that dairymen are at last realizing the importance of providing some other fodder than that provided by natural pastures. The central coastal districts, by reason of their fertile soils, long growing season, und the high rainfall (at least during some portion of the year) should, if farmers would avail themselves of the opportunities offered by these conditions, be practically immune from drought. Yet we find the majority of dairymen most negligent in this respect—firstly, in regard to the growing of sufficient fodder to maintain their herds, especially during the winter and early spring, when most of the stock are very low in condition through want of fodder; and secondly, in neglecting to store even the smallest portion of the tons and tons of fodder that go to waste annually on each farm. TABLE showing yields at each centre. e. s - Sudan Grass. | ate o EATEN f ; Planter’s Japanese Grower. Sowing. Saccaline. eisai mitt First Cutting Second | Total Dea > | Cutting. | Yield. i Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. J. C. Duff, Mount George} 21 Oct. 7 11 22% 29 254 6 (18 ft. high) A. H. Norris, Mount MOctt | 2 ee ites iets DER dF Re nda se George. (First). (1st sowing) 10 Nov 20 (Second). : (2nd sowing) R. Richardson, Mondrook| 7 Nov. 83 Aa meee 284 20 (3 ft. apart) 144 (1 ft. 6 in. apart) A C. McLeod, Tinonee..} 12 Nov. 6k \ 64 123 224 203 7 J. P. Mooney, Dumar-| 8 Nov. 91 Not 94 | Not weighed | Not weighed esque Island. weighed. (11 ft. high) | (10 ft. high) | J. W. Smith, Wauchope} 1Dec. | .......- bode Aaah Be Sil be Mors = (13 ft. high) M. Smith, Paterson River} 1 Dec. 62 3] Geral ok Nersisatce | Alex. Smith and. Atkins} 8 Oct. |, (Fertilised) | (Fertilised) 254 Bros., Bandon Grove. 6 bg. | «118 22 (Maize for cow- (Unfertilised) (Unfertilised) corn) 93 NO 23. 29 | a weighed “4 ae R.Lindsay,Belmore River} 2Noy.| .......- aerate M36: ZO fi isietaisie'e J. Davis, Sherwood ate Dec. Not weighed ehaic Not weighed | Not weighed (8 ft. high) (12 ft. high) | (grew 9 ft.) A. J. O'Shea, Belmore] 20 Oct. | ........ Piece se i far BEES Se Ste River. (approximate) F W.H. Duffy, Comboyne.| 10 Nov. | _.....--- eas pti Not weighed | _....... 13 ‘ (5 ft. high) aes 9 (drills) * Including a third cutting of 4 tons. 808 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Nov. 2, 1920. Local Value of Sudan Grass, That this rapid-growing, annual fodder plant thrives under coastal conditions has been proved beyond doubt, Being naturally adapted to dry conditions, its introduction into a district of extreme humidity and dampness was accompanied by attacks of blight, but using the crop primarily for grazing tends to eliminate these attacks. Used in this way, Sudan grass certainly is a valuable addition to our summer crops. Feeding off when about 2 feet high encourages stooling. An almost continuous supply of fodder can be made available from November to May,. especially when sown in two or three paddocks, each of 2 or 3 acres. To- show with what fapidity growth takes place, it may be mentioned that at Mount George the first growth reached 8 feet in eleven weeks, and the second averaged 2 feet 6 inches in ten days, At Mondrook and Sherwood similar growth took place. At Paterson (hillside soil) the crop grew 3 feet in four weeks, and 5 feet in seven weeks. Fifty cows were grazed for seven days on 2 acres. A fact worthy of emphasis is that the milk yield in all cases increased considerably. Saccaline., Saccaline has become firmly established with dairymen on the central coast. Although maturing slightly later than Planter’s Friend, it made a better showing than that wellknown fodder in almost every other way, growing taller, yielding more heavily, and proving more palatable to dairy cattle, which showed marked preference for it when both were fed together. Saccaline’s greater succulence and sweetness, and the manner in which it retains these qualities after severe frosts, should recommend it to dairymen. Another strong feature is its resistance to rough weather. Plots sown December, 1919, still remain standing (October, 1920). Like other sorghums, Saccaline is subject to red discoloration. This detriment was not so noticeable last season on the extremely rich soils as on soils of lesser fertility, or where sown on uplands, the reason probably being that a greater degree of succulence, and a less percentage of sugar, is present when grown on rich soils. Japanese Millet. This is a valuable milk-producer that is very little sown on the central coast ; its value lies chiefly in its being ready for grazing earlier than other spring fodders. It should be broadcasted (mid-August to the end of August), and the growths should be fed off when about a foot high. For low-lying areas or sour soils, Japanese millet shows greater adaptability than other crops. .CANADA’S NECESSITY—AND OURS. THERE is great necessity in this country for a vigorous and continuous campaign of agricultural education along the lines of better methods of farming, better live stock, better seeds, and better markets.—The Hon. S. FV. Totmigz, Minister of Agriculture, Canada, Nov. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of NWSW. — 809 Safeguarding Farm Stock from Disease. - (3) By Correct FEEpINe. [Continued from page 730.] MAX HENRY, M.R.C.V.S., B.V.Sc. CATTLE. Ow1ne to the natural conditions under which the majority of cattle are kept in this country, the diseases associated with feeding are intimately connected with seasonal variations, such as the frequent dry periods and the almost equally frequent, though much shorter, periods of heavy rain and floods, with the consequent rapid growth of succulent green herbage and grass. Forms of disease in‘which food deficiency, in some form or other, and sudden changes from dry to green feed, play an important part, are very prevalent. This is not the case in countries having an equable climate ; digestive troubles there are principally found in cattle which are stall-fed, and though the number of cattle so treated in this country is only a very small proportion of the whole, it will tend to increase, and some attention must be given to methods of artificial feeding and the digestive troubles incidental to it. The great influence of proper feeding on productivity, either of beef or milk, and the methods best calculated to maintain and increase this qualification, do not come within the scope of these articles, but before passing to the diseases connected with paddock-fed cattle, some reference will be made to the principles governing stall feeding. Naturally the methods of feeding an ~animal with a simple stomach of limited capacity, such as the horse, cannot be applied to cattle which have a compound stomach of large size, While the best results are obtained from frequent small feeds to the horse they are obtained by large feeds at longer intervals with cattle. The proportions of concentrated food to bulky food are also quite different, as cattle can deal with far more bulky material, and can usefully ingest food of a fibrous nature, which would be of very little vaiue to the horse. In other respects, however, the same principles apply when the animals are stall-fed. Regularity of feeding is of great importance, sudden changes of food should be avoided, musty or mouldy food is dangerous, and some care is required to balance the ration from the point of view of disease. Certain deficiencies in many of the natural pastures can well be supplied by some modified form of stall feeding, and disease incidental to such deficiency avoided in that way. Better results will usually be obtained from feeding cattle on a mixed ration than from£using one composed entirely of the products of one particular plant. 810 Agricultural Gazette of N S.W. [ Nov. 2, 1920. Foodstuffs used for Cattle. The commouer materials used in feeding cattle may be briefly described, although diseases of the digestive tract in cattle which are stall-fed are not so intimately connected with any particular food or foods as is the case with horses. The descriptions are merely examples of the different types of food used, and an approximate idea only is given of the best method of utilising them. ' Lucerne (hay or chaff).—A most valuable food, which, on account of its high nitrogenous content can be largely utilised in place of more expensive concentrated food, and when mixed with corn or other silage and bran, furnishes a very useful ration. A very safe food. Silage (corn or sorghum).—A very useful bulk food, but care should be taken*that no mouldy silage is fed. Owing to its succulence it is of great value to dairy cattle, and being slightly Jaxative the digestive tract is kept. in good condition by its use. . Chat? (oaten and wheaten).—A useful bulk food, but requires more concentrates to balance the ration than does lucerne chaff. Bran.—One of the best forms of concentrated food for cows, and of great value in maintaining health by its action on the digestive organs, its mineral content and its power of protecting stock from some disease conditions associated with food deficiency. : Hay (grass and clover).—Although not much utilised in this country, hay furnishes excellent roughage for cattle, and if made from a mixture of grass and cloyer is especially valuable. It forms an excellent medium for supply. ing the long rough feed which is so beneficial to all ruminants and which enables them more perfectly to digest the chaff, bran, and meal which form the larger portion of their food. By improving rumination and digestion this food aids in preventing colic, tympany, and indigestion. Corn and Corn Meal.—Valuable concentrated foods but lack protein ; they are best given with lucerne or clover hay. Oats —Good concentrated food but does not possess the same high value for cattle as for horses, If the ration is well balanced it can replace corn. Linseed Meal.—A concentrated food rich in protein and mineral salts. Can be used to balance much of the lack of protein in ,chaff. Slightly laxative. Pumpkins.— Useful as part of the bulk food but requires the addition of a considerable amount of concentrates to make a balanced ration. The same thing applies to melons, &c., and roots. Diseases Associated with Feeding in Cattle. Tympanites—Hoven.—This is due to the formation of gases in the rumen or paunch, and very frequently follows the feeding of cattle on luxuriant and succulent green food. It is more often observed, even in well-fed stock, when they are first turned on to clover, trefoil, lucerne, and other leguminous plants, but it is more likely to occur if the animals are hungry and are put on to the Nov. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 811 pasture in the early morning. Even a small amount of dry food given previously will tend to counteract the likelihood of tympanites occurring, and cattle may safely be put on to growing crops after the sun has been on them for a few hours, even though the same crops might have caused trouble before such exposure to the sun. It should also be remembered that cattle become accustomed to a fogd. and that the first occasion on which they are put on to these crops is likely to be the most dangerous. Consequently the first day they should be allowed to feed for a few minutes only, and well watched, the time being increased gradually each day. Should rain occur, however, and afresh, quick shoot result, care will again be required, The same conditions may result when stock which have been for long on dry food, are first given a quantity of green food of any description; this may » occur among travelling stock coming empty on to green, succulent food. The reputation of some plants, such as pigweed (Portulaca oleracea), as poisonous, has not improbably resulted from mortality from this cause. ~ As each case must be dealt with according to local circumstances, the only advice possible is that care should be taken when animals come on to succu- lent food after a long spell on dry innutritious feed, or after a railway journey during which they have been deprived of food and water. Impaction of the Rumen.—Many cases described under this heading would be more correctly described as atony of the rumen, as the impacted condition not infrequently results from a weakened state of the organ itself. It occurs under two rather different sets of conditions. Cattle which have been for long on a diet of innutritious food of a bulky nature may become so lowered in health, although maintaining fair con- dition, that what is known as the “tone” of the animal is not up to the standard required for dealing with the food. The digestive tract appears to be one of the first portions of the body to suffer from this lack of tone—the rumen consequently fails to deal properly with the mass of ingesta and it accumulates. Naturally the more the weakened rumen is overloaded the less capable it becomes, and the result is a stoppage of its movements and action. Correction of the diet in the direction of replacing portion of the bulky food with nutritious concentrates, such as grain, meal and bran, represents the best method of relieving the condition, but it must be done in the early stages. Once a weak rumen is heavily overloaded the provision of good food is of small value as it will not be properly digested. Scrub fed cattle are particularly likely to suffer from a general impaction of the digestive system, including the rumen, partly because of the very low feeding value of any scrub—and this is so no matter how valuable such scrub may be in keeping animals alive through time of drought—and partly on account of the astringent character of many of the plants used in scrub feeding. Scrub alone can only provide sufficient nutriment to keep stock — alive, and, as a rule, they steadily lose tone while fed on it. This condi- tion may eventually lead to impaction which, however, may not show until the stock are put to some strain such as travelling, when it may very quickly become evident 812 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Nov. 2, 1920. Atony of the rumen leading to impaction may also occur among well kept cows which are entirely fed on concentrates and chaff without any admixture of hay or long food, and are, at the same time, deprived of grazing. There is no doubt that ruminants, to maintain themselves in a really fit condition, require a certain amount of rough fibrous material. Lacking the stimulus of this type of food, the digestive organs are apt to become deranged, and impaction results. Impaction of the Omasum.—Generally, this complaint is found following other diseases, but it often occurs as a result of lowered vitality in cattle on dry, innutritious food, when water is.scarce, and, in spring and autumn, when fresh grass is shooting among a lot of dry dead stuff. In all such cases, the condition of this organ is probably due to chronic indigestion and derange- ment of the functions of the system from prolonged dry feeding, and from the change on to green food. Where animals are kept in good tone with regular nutritious feeding, and no other disease is present, the condition is not common. Depraved Appetite.—This is a common gccurrence among cattle on coastal areas. ‘The animals devour bones, sticks, stones, dead rabbits, and all kinds of indigestible rubbish. The causes are many and various, the most important, probably, being an insufficiency of certain mineral matters in the soil (dealt with below under the heading Osteomalacia), but other cases occur which may generally be ascribed to indigestion from’ some obscure cause. In all cases the essential line of treatment consists in alteration and enrichment of the food supply, change of paddocks, provision of some artificial feeding, and a supply of salt. Ostcomalacia.—This disease is very generally associated with certain poor types of soils, and is usually shown by the bone-chewing habit of the animal. It can best be combated by supplying food fairly rich in mineral salts, such as bran, lucerne chaff, clover hay, or other suitable artificial foodstuff. In addition, sterilised bone meal should be added to the food, as much as 2 oz. per day being given at times. Salt is not very often required by such cattle to any great extent, though with all dairy cattle a supply oy rock salt is necessary if they show any desire for it. It will be noted that the great majority of the diseases of cattle which are associated with feeding—a few of which are mentioned above—are really deticiency troubles in some form or other, and this is the main point it is desired to urge in connection with cattle. It is not necessarily bulk weight which is deficient—it may be nutritive constituents. The scrub-fed cattle, which cannot travel without breaking up, the bone-chewing dairy cow of the coast, and the unthrifty pot-bellied youngsters, are all affected in different ways by some variety of the same thing, and these conditions—and the many other diseases which come more or less directly as sequels to these— can all be prevented by attention to feeding. If grazed continuously and never manured, the natural pastures cannot provide the necessary food material in sufficient quantities during the whole year—certainly not in time Nov. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 813 of drought. A gradual impoverishment of many of the grazing lands is thus taking place, and with that impoverishment will come an increase in disease, The addition of artificially-grown food to the natural pastures must be made if this is to be prevented, and will be required sooner in some parts of the State than others, according to the natural fertility of.the country, and the length of time it has been grazed. Those food constituents which are most likely to be wanting are the proteins and mineral salts, and in supplying the former the very great value of the legumes —lucerne, clover, trefoil, and peas—should always be borne in mind. The mineral salts most lacking will be lime salts and phosphates, For the former the leguminous plants are again of high value, and for the latter bran and the oilcakes and meals are useful. It will be remarked that these diseases are really in contrast to the diseases in horses, which are nearly all due to errors in methods of feeding. Poisoning.—Although often reported, poisoning in cattle is seldom proved, but a few of our native and introduced plants must be held responsible for mortality at times. As instances, sorghum, blue couch, rosewood, -and possibly others at times kill by the formation of prussic acid ; certain types of Darling pea cause the well known symptom of a pea-stricken animal ; burrawang leads to a peculiar nervous condition commonly, but erroneously, called rickets ; the cape tulip will at times kill cattle unaccustomed to it, and there are many plants which require further investigation before definite pronouncement can be made as to their toxic properties. Prevention in all such cases is the obvious course, but this is at times impossible, or nearly so. Only with regard to the prussic acid forming plants can effective measures be taken. If cut and dried they are practi- cally harmless, whereas they are most dangerous in young, quick growth, and when stunted and growing up after once being eaten off. Indigestion in Calves.—Owing to the artificial manner in which most calves in dairying districts are reared, indigestion and its consequences, general unthriftiness, diarrhcea, and stunted growth are very common ; these troubles may be due to any one or combination of the following causes :—Oveiioading the very young animal’s stomach through endeavorriag to give sufticient nourishment to cause it to thrive in too few feeds ; replacing full milk with skim milk or milk substitutes too early or too suddenly ; giving the feed cold or only slightly warmed instead of at the normal temperature of milk fresh from the cow ; sudden changes of food, as from skim milk to substitutes, and back again ; so feeding a bunch of calves that the little animals gulp it down as quickly as possible to prevent others from getting it; and giving such a small ration that the calves are driven to eating rough forage, and hay, &c., at too early an age. In order to prevent disease in calves from improper feeding the following points require attention :—Cleanliness in feeding, which should preferably be from metal receptacles which can be scalded out ; separate feeding of the calves 814 a eneueana Gazette of N.S.W. [Nov. 2, 1920. to insure that each one gets a fair feed and is not unduly hurried ; feeding the milk. and other material at blood heat; the gradual substitution of skim milk for whole milk, and the replacing of the nutritive material thus lost by meal obtained es cereals or other concentrated food ; regularity in times of feeding and of quantity of material used; gradual change of food when necessary, and gradual weaning. The skim milk which is used should be as fresh as possible, since the longer it is kept the more likely it is to be con- taminated and so cause diarrhea. The skim milk, buttermilk, and: whey obtained from creameries and factories is Baeacilarly dangerous, since a feeder has no control over the possible contamination of the material ; should be pasteurised before being used. Tuberculosis.—Contracted by cattle when young by feeding on the milk and milk products of tuberculous cows, and by grazing over badly contaminated paddocks at a later stage. To prevent infection, stockowners should do everything in their power to get rid of tuberculous cattle, and if using the milk or milk products from mixed ‘herds for the purpose of feeding. their calves should pasteurise or boil it. Actinomycosis.—This disease is contracted from the feed, and very little can be done to prevent it except to destroy animals affected, on! so prevent reinfection of pastures, Grass Seed Abscesses—Due to grass seeds Petieating the soft tissues of the mouth. It is difficult to prevent; but overstocking the pastures on which dangerous grasses such as barley grass grow, might effect something. (To be continued.) WHEN TO CuT For Hay. WueEar is at the best stage to cut for hay a few days after it is in flower, because at this stage the “plant contains the maximum amount of nutritive qualities, which are then also most evenly distributed throughout the whole plant. Though the crop at the flowering stage contains the maximum amount of nutritive matter it has not reached the stage when it will produce the greatest weight of hay. The dry matter in the plant increases until it is mature, and because of this some farmers refrain from cutting the crop until the grain is in the soft dough stage, in order to get a greater quantity of hay,. but the extra weight is gained at the expense of feeding value and colour. “‘ Mow your hay in the proper season, and be cautious that you do not mow it too late,” wrote Cato two thousand years ago, and the advice is good yet.— A. H. E. McDonatp, Chief Inspector of Agriculture. THERE is great opportunity for the young man with initiative and new ideas to help make his community just what he wants it to be. And that is a lot more fun than finding something ready-made awaiting you.—E. T. Mrrepitu, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Nov. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 815 Strawberry Culture around Sydney. . (Continued from page 737. ] L. GALLARD, Fruit Inspector. Treatment of Beds after First Year. Aut that has been said up to this point concerns chiefly matters incidental to the strawberries’ first year’s growth, but if the plot is well cared for it will last for years. Where runners have been left on young beds with a’'view to sale or planting out, when the plot should be worked or manured will depend a good deal upon when the plants are required. When runners have been kept off with a view to an autumn crop, as soon as that crop is harvested and the winter is over, attention should be directed to the clearing off of all dead leaves and rubbish that would be likely to carry over disease or insect pests to the following season, and to the digging up and manuring of beds. From the middle of June to the middle of July is a good time for this work. A good dressing of manure should be applied, and dug in with a fork or hoe so that it may rot down ready for the spring growth. Either blood and bone (10 lb. to the rod), or its equivalent in farmyard manure, or, if sulphate of ammonia is obtainable, a mixture of this (1 lb.) and blood and bone (8 lb.) may be used. A little more of whichever fertiliser is used may be added during the growing season if there is promise of a big crop, but care should always be taken not to sow blood and bone or any nitrogenous manure too close to the plants in summer time, and whenever such manure is used a good supply of water should be used also. Where vacancies have occurred for any reason they should now be filled. Burning off Grass among Plants. When a light crop of summer grass has grown up around the plants a fire may be run through ‘them ; this destroys fungus-infected leaves, and any insects which have been sheltering among them for the winter. It is also generally claimed that it produces a much better colour in the berries for the next season. Where the crop of grass is heavy it will be necessary to mow off and remove part of it before attempting to burn, or the excessive heat may damage the crowns of the plants. If there are patches without any grass, some of the excess from other places may be sprinkled over them and fired. Care should be taken not to fire where theie has been a heavy coat of mulching until that has been removed. In any case it is wise to choose for this work a day when there is a light breeze blowing, so that the flame will pass over the plot quickly. On plots on which no runners are being saved for sale, when the rubbish has been cleared away the spade or some sharp implement -should be run along on either side of the alley, just level with the edge of the original plants. When this is done all runners in the alley space can be 816 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. . [Nov. 2, 1920. dug in, and where runners that are not required have rooted along the single row, or in the matted row, these should now be thinned out. Where an old plant is looking sick, and there is a healthy runner near, leave the runner and pull out the old plant. Sometimes a lot of young seedling plants will come up along the rows. These should be weeded out, as they ill not develop true to type, end may spoil the grower’s stock. If a grower wishes to experi- ment with them, with the hope of getting a good new variety, he should plant them out separately. Irrigation, There are many ways of applying water to the strawberry patch. Where the land has a suitable fall it may be run in light furrows made on the top side of the row with a Planet Jr. or with a common hand plough made by fastening to a long Handle a three-cornered piece of timber sharpened at the end as shown in the accompanying figure. Throughout Ryde and Pennant Hills, however, sprinkling systems are the most popular. Some growers. use a stationary-pipe sprinkler system, some triple sprinklers attached to the end of a length of hose which can be shifted about to any part of the plot. One grower has a service of pipes laid along every second row of trees tntough the young orchard in which he grows his strawberries, and at every second tree he has a standpipe about 6 feet high with a triple sprinkler on top. This throws a fine set of sprays, which meet and cover the whole of the ground, constituting the nearest approach to actual rain that I have seen. The hand plough. Another large grower has instailed a stationary system of an improved type. This consists of a service of plain pipes laid on the surface, with an inverted T-piece put in as a coupler at every second length. Set in the T-pieces are stand-pipes about 2 feet long, and to the top of these are attached bulb sprinklers which throw a circular spray. These sprays meet, and cover the ground evenly all over. It is claimed by the owner that the 2-foot uprights are sufficiently high where only strawberries are to be watered—high enough to allow the sprays to meet as they fall, and not so high as to cause loss of water through evaporation. The main advantage this has over the ordinary stationary pipe system is that no holes need be made in the piping for nipples, and if the installation is not required after a few years the piping can be disconnected and sold to the plumber for other purposes. Diseases and Pests of the Strawberry. Chief of the fungus diseases of the strawberry are black spot and mildew. For these an early spraying of Bordeaux mixture is the best remedy. Red spider is another common source of trouble, many hundreds of. these small mites attacking the leaves on the under surface and sucking Nov. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 817 HDD TANTRA TT al wp) a TON Wl a= : Wy) ] } DT DL ML RTD im ) Da : wy, Jain ie * ste ‘a J; : " "t em many i) Wy th Wl ar WWW ein lbuin Wn)! Natural Size Natural Size Insects of Interest to Strawberry Growers. 1, Larve of Therevid fly (Anabarrhynchus sp.). 1a. Posterior spiracles of same. 2. Pupa of Therevid fly. 3. Adult of same, 4. Scolid wasp (Discolia soror). § Larve of Anoplog beetle. 818 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Nov. 2, 1920. the sap to such an extent that the upper surface of the leaves has a dirty creamy appearance, and the plants suffer severely from loss of vitality. These mites are hard to deal with while the plants are growing, but they can be killed in thousands by barning the tops off with grass (in the way already described) at the end of the season. A nicotine spray is effective where it can be applied without interfering with the fruit, but plenty of water is perhaps the best remedy. Another strawberry pest is the small weevil which eats the crowns out of the plants occasionally, but I have not noticed much damage being done by weevils in the Ryde and Pennant Hills district. The white cur} grubs which are commonly dug up in the ground, and which are the larve of several species of beetle, are about the worst pest here, particularly where bush rakings from under eucalyptus trees are used for mulching. These beetles feed on the leaves of the eucalypts, as well as on those of apricot, plum, and other fruit trees, and when feeding on the gum leaves they drop their eggs among the fallen leaves and other rubbish. When the grower gathers the leaves for mulching, he gathers also the eggs of these beetles, and by this . means often introduces them into his strawberry plot. On the other hand, when the adult beetles have been feeding on apricot and peach foliage in the orchard close to the strawberries, the soft mellow soil which results from the rotting leaves appeals to them as a most attractive laying ground. When the young larvz hatch they feed freely on the roots of the plants, and when plentiful will oftengeat out patches rods wide. This pest has always been with the strawberry grower to a certain extent, but during the last four or five years it has increased in virulence. Sometimes a large bed will be so badly damaged by June that it is found necessary to dig’ up the remaining ' plants and transplant them in a new plot. When digging up the old plants as many as possible of the grub larve should be destroyed, as if they are allowed to pupate and emerge as beetles the number of eggs lai for the next season will be considerably increased. So far no effective remedy has been found for white curl grubs. As they feed on the roots only, and do not come to the surface, poisoned baits (as used in the case of cutworm Jarve, which come to the surface to feed) are not practicable. Large growers rely principally on a semi-safety measure consisting of keeping a young bed planted ahead, so that if the old bed gets badly affected they can turn their attention to the new one, and let the first “take its chance.” When the season is over and the larve have pupated and emerged as beetles, plots that have been infested by the grubs may be used again, but it is wise to crop such plots with something else for one year, as all the grubs may not pupate that year. As the nature of the strawberry industry renders it almost impracticable directly to adopt spraying and other ordinary combative measures, the grower must turn his attention to some other means of protection, and largely work on the sound principle that prevention—and interception—is better than cure. When a grower who has an orchard close by his strawberry plot finds his apricot and plum trees swarming with golden or grey-coloured anoplog beetles, Nov. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 819 he should realise that they are the forerunners of the strawberry pest, and apply his treatment then. This can be done by either spraying the trees with arsenate of lead or Paris green, or by spreading an old sheet under the trees in the early morning or late in the afternoon when the beetles are drowsy, andshaking the tree or brushing it with a bush. By this means hundreds of the beetles can be collected in the sheet and subsequently be destroyed. Another preventive measure is the exercise of some care and discrimination when collecting leaves for mulching. If the grower sees that gum trees have been partly defoliated by beetles early in the spring, he may do well to pass that neighbourhood entirely ; otherwise, he should rake very lightly in order to lessen the risk of picking up with the lower decayed - matter either the eggs or the tiny young larve of the beetles. Another means of protection of which the grower can avail himself at little cost is the enlistment of the services of useful insects found preying on the pests. ‘T'wo of these may be described. The first is the large metallic blue scolid wasp (Discolia soror), which can be seen flying about the strawberry bed almost anywhere in summer, and which, if watched, will be seen to burrow her way into the soft porous ground to deposit her eggs on the larvee of the beetles. These young wasp larve when hatched, attech themselves to the grubs, and feed upon them until fully matured. They then roll themselves up in an oval-shaped silken cocoon, and lie in the ground until the warmth of the coming spring causes them to pupate and emerge as wasps again. It is quite a common occurrence to find a grower killing these wasps—sometimes because he has been stung by one when interfering with him—sometimes because, seeing the wasp enter the groand, he has suspected him of being another pest. This wasp can sting, but it is perfectly harmless if left alone, and is really one of the strawberry- growers best friends. The second of our friends is a Therevid fly ; \it is illustrated on page 817. Hitherto very little has been known of its life history, and therefore it has not been given its place in economic entomology, but I have for two years collaborated in the study of this family, and have found its larve to be very widespread. This larvee is very voracious, and will attack almost any soft underground larve ; indeed, such is its habit, that one cannot keep two in one jar for half an hour withont running the risk of one sucking the other to death. I have reared the flies in captivity for the last twelve months, feeding them almost exclusively on curl grubs. I found them among the larve of the dicky rice last year, and in collecting grubs from among straw- berries this year for food for them I found that there also they were operating pretty freely. I would therefore strongly recommend every grower to make himself acquainted with the appearance of this fly, and whenever he comes across him when killing others to spare his life. These two friendly insect agents can operate all through the season without interfering with the crop in any way, and though they should not be expected todo more than their share of useful work, they may nevertheless assist the grower materially in turning the balance of nature in his favour. 820 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. | [Nov. 2, 1920. Do Strawberries pay? Do strawberries pay? Let the reader dip into the appended table for a reply. In its columns are set down the yearly returns from a number of strawberry plots in the North Ryde and Marstield districts. TABLE showing yearly returns from strawberry plots in North Ryde and Marsfield district. / Number Amount | Amount Year | Locality and Area of received received , of Plot. | Punnets for | for 'Marketed.| Fruit. | Runners. Amount received for Total Jam Lots. Receipts. Expenses: | 2-8, dt fe 80d. ee esa a; |} £8 da) £8. d (# s. 1919 | North Ryde, }-acre} 2,303 HO” Os Tis OM 0 sC 1210.0 25 0 Oa 96 0 (strawberries | ovly ; intense culture). | 1920 | North Ryde, 2-acre| 2,761 (14715 7 b | oe 0 siee 15 7 | Not available _ (Manufactured . at home and sold). | 1920 | North Ryde, 1-acre} 11,000 500 0 0 20 0 0 ac 520 0 0 200 0 Ne |320 0 (strawberries | only ; intense culture). | 1918 sagt aos 50 rods =e 54 0.0| 7 0 0 ) (an interi 61 0 0 ) side crop in | inferior Not orchard) | eens avait 1918 | Marsfield, 95 rods ee 977 (0' (Ob 90: OF) 102 0 0|) (side crop in | orchard).d (a2) The punnets and manure cost £20 and water £5. (6) A sum of £10 received for autumn leaves is included in the total, but no allowance is made for 6,000 runners used for planting a new bed. (c) Including wages paid for extra labour. (d) This plot was planted in an old vineyard, in which the clay had been brought to the top ; the plot had a southerly aspect. VEGETABLE GROWING ON THE MURRUMBIDGEE IRRIGATION AREAS. VEGETABLE growers on the irrigation areas find that the soil (especially the heavier soil) sets very hard after watering, and requires a great deal of work to bring it to a proper tilth. A dressing of gypsum at the rate of 1 ton , per acre has been found to have considerable effect in correcting this tendency. It has been noticed that land so treated shows increased capacity to retain water, and that, unless water is allowed to remain on it for a long period, it does not set. The drawback to the use of gypsum seems to be that its application has no lasting effect. Nevertheless, if good results were obtained over a short period, the saving in labour and in water would probably be sufficiently appreciable—especially during the warmer months—to warrant the use of gypsum in this way.—A. N. Suepuerp, Assistant Inspector of Agriculture. ‘ Nov. 2,1920.] Ss Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 821. Potassium Cyanide for Trapping Pruit-flies. | A. A. RAMSAY, Principal Assistant Chemist. Av the last conference of the field staff of the Fruit Branch of the Depart- ment of Agriculture, attention was drawn by one of the field officers to the successful use of weak solutions of potassium cyanide as a bait to trap fruit- flies, and a recommendation was made that investigations be carried out to ascertain the rate of alteration or decomposition occurring in potassium cyanide solutions when so used, 10 “ 12 Graph showing Rate of Decomposition in solutions of Potassium Cyanide: Thé experiments were designed as follows :— 1. Aqueous solutions, containing and 1 per cent. respectively of potassium cyanide were made up, and the amount of cyanide present was determined. These solutions were kept in a cool cellar, and the amount of cyanide present was determined from day to day. 2. Aqueous solutions containing }and 1 per cent. respectively of potassium cyanide were prepared and treated as above described, except that the solutions were kept in the open freely exposed to sunlight, and as nearly under field conditions as possible. 822 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Nov. 2, 1920. 3. Aqueous solutions (distilled water) containing 7, and 3, per cent. of hydrocyanie acid were exposed as nearly under field conditions as possible, and rate of decomposition noted. The last-mentioned solution (,*,;) contains the same amount of hydrocyanic acid as does a } per cent. solution of potassium cyanide. The results obtained are expressed in the accompanying graph, which in- dicates the amount of cyanide (or of hydrocyanic acid) remaining at various intervals of time, that originally present. being taken as 100. It will be noted that } per cent. solution of potassium cyanide exposed in the shade decom- poses almost completely in fifteen days, and a 1 per cent. solution in seventeen days. When exposed to the action of both light and air, the rate of decomposi- tion is much increased, a 3 per cent. solution decomposing almost completely in seven days, and a | per cent. solution in eight days. In the case of aqueous hydrocyanic acid solutions exposed to light and air, decomposition takes place within twenty-four hours. PIG-FATTENING EXPERIMENTS WITH DRIED BLOOD. EXPERIMENTS were recently instituted by the Food Investigation Board of the Ministry of Agriculture, England, with a view to determining the value and safety of dried blood as a nitrogen-supplying portion of a fattening animal’s ration. Results of previous trials with dried blood had indicated its food value when added to a mixed diet, and this experiment was restricted to the effect of blood as an addition to a carbohydrate diet. Twenty-eight pigs were selected and divided into four lots of seven pigs each, each lot being arranged to average, as nearly as possible, the same total live weight, and to include two “large white,” one “large black,” and four crossbred pigs. | The four pens of seven pigs were fed as follows :— Lot 1, wheat offals only ; Lot 2, maize meal only ; Lot 3, wheat offals and dried blood ; Lot 4, maize meal and dried blood. In addition, each pig received 40z. bone meal daily. The amount of blood fed to each pig in Lots 3 and 4 was 2 oz. per day to begin with, rising gradually to 60z.,an average of 40z. per day. It took two or three days before the pigs tolerated the blood, but they eventually took it willingly. The pigs were weighed at weekly intervals, and after eleven weeks’ feeding made a gain of 218 1b. in Lot 1, 283 lb. in Lot 3, and 207 lb. in Lot 4, and a loss of 3 1b. in Lot 2. The pigs in Lot 2 showed very little appetite, and after a week or two took their ration of plain maize meal with reluctance, and only when pressed by hunger. The results obtained indicate that the addition of blood to an ordinary farm ration of wheat offals may cause a very con- siderable gain in weight compared with the results obtained from a farm diet of offals only, while the addition of blood to plain maize meal may give an increase equal to the results obtained from feeding offals only. Nov. 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 823 1 The Production of Bees-wax. W. A. GOODACRE, Senior Apiary Inspector. BEEs-WAX, in the first instance, is secreted by the worker bees through scales in the lower portion of the body, and to enable the bees to secrete wax to any extent a good supply of honey or syrup must be consumed. There appears to be no definite basis of calculation as to the consumption of honey necessary to produce | lb. of wax, but it has been proved by tests that the assistance given to the bees by using full sheets of comb-foundation is so considerable, that—apart from its other advantages—the practice pays. It can be said that a certain quantity of wax could be produced naturally during heavy honey flows without noticeable loss, but to provide for this, and make extra wax production possible, the practical apiarist has to adopt the wider spacing for extracting combs, which, when built out, are cut down to normal again during extracting. Also, there is usually a number of new combs to build out from foundation. The market for good quality bees-wax is almost invariably good, yet there is much waste of this valuable product in many localities—and usually through neglect ‘to melt up surplus or damaged combs, or, if the melting is done, to carry out the operation properly. With a small wax press (described later), £4 to £5 may be earned in a day by treating damaged combs, so that even with a small quantity it pays to treat such combs properly. The careless bee-keeper often spreads disease to a neighbouring apiary by leaving about old damaged combs, frequently allowing combs attacked by wax moths to go to waste, and afterwards purchasing foundation at a high price. In seasons after drought’ more care than usual is necessary. Let the apiarist who has unsatisfactory or damaged combs serve his own interests by melting them up, thereby (1) keeping the locality clean, (2) minimising the risk of spreading disease, and (3) increasing his production of wax and his returns. Under the Apiaries Act, wax moth is a proclaimed disease, and with infested combs on hand apiarists are likely to meet trouble when the inspector Calls. When bees are building comb they hang in narrow graceful clusters. Hanging thus, when strips of foundation are used, the cluster acts as a kind of plumb-line. As the bees build in the line in which they hang, the necessity of keeping the hives level will be obvious, though a slight dip toward the entrance is not of importance. The natural colour of bees-wax is yellow, but by bleaching it can be lightened in colour even to pure white. Wax can be bleached by moulding it into thin sheets, and exposing these in the sunlight. Dark colour in wax may result if rusted iron or galvanized vessels are used for melting. — 824 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Nov. 2, 1920. Where a patent cappings reducer is used, the wax is melted and separated from the honey as the work of uncapping the combs proceeds. In this case, when the blocks of wax so produced are cool, they should be put through a refining process before being sent to market. Where no cappings reducer is used, a wax extractor is useful for melting the wax from the strained cappings. Melting combs is considerably more difficult than the treatment of . cappings, but it pays to make a good job of it. Where large quantities are to be done it is advisable to install a different plant to that which would suffice for the apiarist in a small way. For the ordinary apiarist, or where a small number of combs are to be melted annually, the plant required would be a few kerosene-tin buckets, and a small wax press complete. When the day’s work has been completed, the wax and hot water will be in the cask con- taining the two taps. Drain the water from the bottom tap, until the wax is just below the tap above ; the wax can then be drained into moulds with flanged sides. The moulds containing the wax should be placed in hot water to ensure slow cooling, and the sides of the moulds should be smeared with glycerine to prevent sticking. For a high-grade sample it would be advisable, on completion of all melting operations, to refine the whole quantity. The slum gum from the press can be tested to see if it is worth a second treatment, by again putting a small quantity through the process of melting and pressing, To Refine Bees-wax in Small Quantities. A fair-sized tinned vessel is a quarter filled with water and the blocks of wax (which have previously undergone the treatment already described) added. ‘The vessel is then heated and the wax melted slowly but thoroughly, the fire withdrawn, and the wax allowed to stand (well covered) in a warm room for a few hours. It is then drained off from the, top into suitable moulds until the underlying impure matter is reached. The moulds should have flanged sides previously smeared with glycerine, and when containing the wax should be placed in warm water to ensure slow cooling. When properly cooled off the wax is removed from the moulds and any adhering impurity scraped off. For Larger Quantities. When larger quantities of wax are to be refined, steam and the cask with two taps previously described should be used. The water is poured in to just below the top tap, and about a quarter of a pint of sulphuric acid for, say, 10 gallons of water and 250 1b. of wax added, The acid is used to clarify the wax. Needless to’say, care should be exercised in its handling. Turn on the steam and when the water is hot put in the blocks of wax, which should then be melted slowly but thoroughly, and stirred occasionally. When melted, turn off the steam, cover the cask and allow it to stand for a few hours ; Cc 826 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Nov. 2, 1920. then drain off from the top tap into moulds to be treated and cooled as _pre- viously mentioned. The small cake of wax left in the cask below the tap can be lifted out when cool, cleaned of impurities, and held over for the next lot. To expedite the work of cleaning wax from utensils, kerosene will be found of service where its use is practicable. Adulterated Wax. Persons have sometimes tried to sell adulterated wax—usually a mixture of tallow or paraffin—but since the adulterated article is easily detected under the specific gravity test and generally results in a loss to the seller, very little adulteration is carried on nowadays. AN EXPERIMENT IN ARTIFICIAL FERTILISATION. INTERESTING experiments in drone egg fertilisation are described by Mr. Gilbert Barrett, of Shettield, England, in a recent issue of The Bee World. The egg of the bee is almost unique, remarks the author, inasmuch as the fertilising element from the male enters from the outside of the egg after the latter is fully formed and immediately prior to its extrusion by the queen; it is this fact that makes artificial fertilisation possible, -and without the aid of elaborate and costly appliances. By means of such fertilisation the egg laid by the queen bee—which would ordinarily produce. a drone—can be made to produce a worker larva, which, by the application of queen-raising methods, can subsequently be made to produce a queen. Freshly laid drone eggs from a pure golden queen were first secured by placing a frame of clean drone comb in the centre of a strong stock ; the comb containing these eggs was then cut down, and pure Punic drones just arrived in the hive from a flight were squeezed on to a warm glass plate. The latter operation demands some practice before the spermataphore can be ejected, says the writer, and it was with a view to making the operation easier and the results more certain that the moment of arrival from flight was chosen, the air sac being then fully distended. It is also important that operations in connection with artificial fertilisation should be conducted at a temperature of not less than 95 deg. Fah., which somewhere approxi- mates to the internal temperature of the queen’s body. The next operation was to touch the large end of the eggs with a camel- hair pencil, previously dipped in the male sperm from the glass plate. The eggs were then placed in an incubating chamber (a small poultry incubator), and the temperature in this was maintained at 97 deg. Fah. The next day and on the day following a little royal jelly, slightly thinned with new honey, was added, and the larvie were further fed with royal jelly for two days after hatching. The transfer to artificial queen cups was then effected, these being given to a queenless and broodless stock of bees. They were duly accepted and capped over, and resulted, says Mr. Barrett, in perfect queens, Experiments such as that described, which point a way to the practice of direct selection in breeding, are very valuable; and further accounts of research in this direction will be keenly looked forward to by apiarists. — W. A. Goopacre, Senior Apiary Inspector. Nov. 2, 1920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 827 Poultry Notes. NOVEMBER. JAMES HADLINGTON, Poultry Expert. WE are now approaching the months when the skill and vigilance of the poultry-farmer in picking out and marketing old stock to the best advantage will often mean the difference between profit and loss from flocks of layers. On too many farms there is a good deal of laxity in the matter of marking different ages of hens, and this becomes a very great drawback to the proper identification of hens that should be marketed as soon as they go off laying, the result being that large numbers are carried for many months beyond their profitable age. It is during the coming months that loss is most likely to result in this way. For instance, many hens in their third year of laying will now be ; going off after the flush laying period. A large number of these birds will not again become profitable—hence the more than ordinary necessity in these times of high cost of feeding to cull out all such hens, It is not a difficult matter to distinguish the hen that is laying from the one that is not. A person having only a little experience will know that freshness in colour of comb and wattles indicates that the birds showing up well in that respect are invariably in laying condition, while the reverse indicates that they are either off laying or are going off. There are, of course, exceptions where hens remain more or less fresh in comb and wattles after ceasing to lay; but if such hens are examined the pelvic bones will be found to be closed, except in very rare instances. For general purposes these indications will be some guide to correct culling. = a ix Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. High Prices BCA USH?@OF Fak. WORLD - indications point to a_ high price but farmers in the wheat belt will be advantages of other crops next year. TH sPRODUCTIONVOR: MALTING below local requirements, whilst, since the South Australia has been established, with TOOTH & CO., Limited, are buyers of new ' seasons N.S.W. suitable quality for malting, and farmers Bao 20920.) Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. tor Cereals. SHORTAGE © of |) oodstufts, Lick, 6/- per packet, 7/6 posted; or £8/8/- case of 12 packets. Each packet is the quantity to mix with 1 bag of coarse salt, thus making 187 lb. of lick. Other States please write :— VICTORIA... _.. NEWELL & CO., 189 King-st., Melbourne. OQULENSEAND, ... WAUGH & JOSEPHSON, Turbatt-st., Brisbane. W. AUSTRALIA ... FEDERAL TRADING CO., Perth. [. S. GREER, eo abe ee = - Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec..2,.1920. OO days Free Trial on your. farm. eee PROOF of any separator is in the turning. We know that the Diabolo is the greatest separator value in the world and over one million users endorse this. The largest and most scientific factory in the world produces the Diabolo, and they guarantee every claim that is made for this separator. That is why we invite any dairy farmer to havea Diabolo on Thirty Days’ Free Trial. Put it up against- any separator you like, and see how the Diabolo saves money by getting all the butterfat. Just a small percentage of butterfat lost every day means many pounds lost in a month. The yearly loss is enough to pay for a Diabolo twice ‘over. Send for a Diabolo on Thirty Days’ Free Trial, NOW! DIABOLO SEPARATOR CO., Ltd., Gr. MARKET & KENT STREETS, DI ABOLO SEPARATORS Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. xxi COLD STORAGE WITHOUT ICE. THE TRAFALGAR” coup sare SOLVES THE PROBLEM. ——— WHAT IT DOES. IT HAS UNIQUE FEATURES. It keeps food Cool in the hottest . NS LD So Jak weather, Milk retains its peace IN freshness, Meat and Cream are preserved by its action, and the DISTRICTS OR TOWNS. worries of the IT IS Housewife are HYGIENIC, lessened by having CLEAN, AND one in the home. EFFICIENT. Bie ee Ga ages > REMEMBER IT !S A COLD SAFE—NOT A COOLER. THE ‘* TRAFALGAR” COLD SAFE S made of Galvanised [ron throughout. It is absolutely fly-proof, and can be used as a refrigerator anywhere, water only being required, which is daily put in the receiving tank on top. It then automatically works itself by the dripping of the water through small taps on to the patent detachable gauze screens (see illustration), which fit into slots on the four sides of Safe, the surplus moisture being caught in a projecting tank at the bottom, which is supplied with a draining tap. There is no upkeep, only the first cost. Unlike the ice-chest, it can be used the whole year round. When the hot weather is over, the patent gauze screens can be scrubbed and put away until the following summer, leaving it a well-ventilated Safe for winter use. Over 3,000 sold in N.S.W. to satisfied users. Many have paid similar tribute as the following :— Mr. L. ECKFORD, Glenroy, via | Mr. C. W. TAYLOR, Dalkeith, Millie, writes :— Uralla, writes :— “You can confidently sell the Safe ‘*T find it a splendid Safe, especially as a success.” in hot weather.” Made in Australia in five sizes—COLLAPSIBLE. STOCKED BY ALL LEADING STORES. mam. W. O'NEAL, “rose 7PHONE—B 4646. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. A Self- Oiling Machine When you grip:the crank to start sepa- rating give the lubri- cator valve a slight turn. When you have finished close the valve. That’s all there is in oiling the “ Domo.’ There is not a single hole for direct oiling to be found on the ‘Domo’ Dairy Model. Gs LwOOVy/ SEPARATOR Ne Separator was ever greeted with greater or more lasting enthusiasm than the earlier ‘DOMO’ Hand Separator. It gained the entire confidence of farmers and experts. Ingenious and simple construc- tion and satisfactory skimming were its outstanding merits. Not content with such success, we now offer an even better Separator—the NEW ‘ DOMO.’ Special features are—tThe self- oiling; the bowl construction and automatic coupling; mod- erate speed and economy in spares; unusually close skim- ming; and—as before—a price that everyone 1s willing to pay. Ask us to tell you more about the ‘DOMO’ Separator. THE DOMO SEPARATOR Co., L1p.. THIRD FLOOR, 70 WENTWORTH AVENUE, SYDNEY. [Dec. 2, 1920. Dec. 2, 1920.1 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. XXxill The Machine for every Hauling Operation ' ZA It is the power behind every job that requires power. ee Men-on-the-Land, Timber-men, Hauling Contractors, and Shire and Municipal Engineers should inspect the CLETHAC. Replaces 8 to 10 horses, and does the work FASTER. Runs on Kerosene. :: Does Anything. =: Goes Anywhere. For further particulars from— Pacific Commercial Co. | Pomeroy House - 16 York Street, SYDNEY, AND AT EQUITABLE BUILDING, COLLINS ST., MELBOURNE. \\V See SG = ANN Os . a iN Na ANS Ws XXiv Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. FIRE CARTS AND WATER CARTS. ne A FIRE might break out any moment during the summer time on your property and destroy your grass lands, fences, sheds, and homesteads. Why not safeguard yourself by having a Fire Fighter Cart handy for service —ready to deal with an outbreak at a minute’s notice? Fire Carts and Water Carts are handy all the year round for watering stock yards, washing down _ vehicles, carrying water to teams out harvesting, dc. The “HICKS ’’ CARTS are faithfully built, fitted with ‘the best of pumps and hoses, and most suitable for fast travelling and loose tracks. Plain WATER CARTS also stocked, T. H. HICKS. Ltd., MAKERS. Mascot — ———————___ NN. S..W.. Other Manufactures which should interest you include: EAR MARKERS -.. TAR BRANDS STEEL AND COPPER FIRE BRANDS «. “IDEAL’’ POISON CARTS- SAW BENCHES «. TROUGHING. Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. XXV (AND GL KARING WITH THE AID OF NOBEL - GLASGOW HIGH EXPLOSIVES THE ATTENTION OF FARMERS, ORCHARDISTS, and other LANDOWNERS, is directed to THE “ NOBEL-GLASGOW ” SYSTEM Fullest particulars from the Agents: DALGETY & COMPANY, Ltd., IS BENT STREET, SYDNEY, or from loca! Storekeepers: Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W [Dec. 2, 1920. JW&T AVERY tt AVERY'S No. 1083. Whether it be a Weighbridge for the Farm, a Weighing Machine for the VVool Shed, Scales for the Station Storeroom, for the Butter Factory, the Bacon Factory, the Cannery, or the Poultry Farm, We carry the largest stocks in the Southern Hemisphere. Weighbridges and Weighing Machines of Australian Manu- facture: the product of our new “ASCO” Factory, at Waterloo, N.S. W. Scales by the World Renowned British Makers W. & T. AVERY Limited, for whom weare direct Australasian represent- atives. Sales Depot and Repair Service Station for N.S.W.— AUSTRALASIAN SCALE (C0. Ltd., 217-219 Thomas St, Sydney. And at Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Wellington. NZ —— es Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural. Gazette of N.S.W. Xxvii EASY TO RUN—HARD TO WEAR OUT. «REGO CREAM SEPARATOR Is Famous for its ELIABILITY. Being the result of our 20 years’ experience in the trade. FFICIENCY. Because of its | thorough skimming of warm milk; the delivery of heavy cream, and the perfect flushing of the bowl. UARANTEE. § Each Reco being § guaranteed in perfect working order when leav- bh aes ee ? ing our works. age ee od a FFERED at the lowest price. ONE MONTH’S FREE TRIAL. Prices and Further Particulars from Local Agents or GUNNERSEN CROCKETT LTD., 379 KENT STREET, SYDNEY. xxviii Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. SEPARATORS THE LATEST INVENTED SEPARATOR “THE CERES WE ALSO HOLD A SMALL STOCK OF NEW “PERFECT” MACHINES 50 to 90 gallons capacity and are selling at SPECIALLY REDUCED PRICES to clear. WRITE FOR PARTICULARS. Farm and Station Suppliers. Barbed and Plain Fencing Wire, Galvanised Iron, &e., at Lowest Rates. Agents for THE MIDLAND RUBBER CO. OF BIRMINGHAM. “MIDLAND ” three Grates PRACTICE, TOURNAMENT, TENNIS BALLS and the Super Ball ** CHAMPION,’’ Agents for the PORT JACKSON ENGINEERING & BOILER SCALING CO, LTD., BALMAIN, E.D. PATON & CO. L& 12 SPRING STREET, SYDNEY. Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. xxix LIGHT. STRONG & DURABLE ea) XL, FIRE FIGHTERS FEATURE that distinguishes the IXL FIRE FIGHTER, and which alone makes it worth £2 or 43 more than other makes, is the Nonspillable Manhole which prevents loss of water, and really means 257% more water when you reach the fire than is the case where other makes are used. Besides being invaluable in case of fires, IXL Fire Fighters may be turned to a variety of uses— such as washing buggies or horses, for carting water, or as shower baths. All the other good points about IXL Fire Fighters are given in our free illustrated leaflet. Send for a copy to-day and learn more about these reliable Fire Fighters. Also ask for particulars of IXL Water Carts. a Fortescue & Sons, LIMITED. pee ah pces, Atuciiie,ovaney, <<< Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. Merrier Christmas and a Brighter New Year with essorn: Ehecir ve POWER AND LIGHT. HERE’S no finer investment for the country home than Western Electric Power and Light. Throughout Australia to-day hundreds of farm houses and country homes enjoy greater comfort from the cheery brilliance and city conveniences that it brings. It’s simply great to have bright safe lights anywhere you wish—and additional current for operating labor saving appliances that iron, wash, clean, sweep, cook, and sew, so quickly and economically, Western Electric Power and Light is a fine power outfit too—simply belt the 3} H.P. Kerosene engine to any light machine and you get another service that makes this fine big plant earn its living every day in the year. Brighten up the home this coming year with Western Electric Power and Light, it has twice the capacity of most other private outfits. And it’s easy to buy too. Write for 20 page book post free giving specifications and all particulars to Western Electric Co. (AUSTRALIA) LTD., 192 CASTLEREAGH ST., SYDNEY. AGENTS: G. R. FOSTER, 262 Flinders Lane, MELBOURNE. T. TONKS, Elizabeth Street, BRISBANE. NEWTON McLAREN, Leigh Street, ADELAIDE. MEDHURST ELECTRIC CO., Argyle St., HOBART. A. D. RILEY & CO., Lambton Quay, WELLINGTON. —— Also at CHRISTCHURCH, AUCKLAND, DUNEDIN, N.Z. H 510 Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. XXXxi ‘ How long are the prices of all that makes life comfortable to continue ? Just as long as the world keeps up its present mad policy of consuming more than it produces. The worker of to-day draws twice the pre-war wages, but produces much less. Is it any wonder that the cost of living is so high? When every Australian recognises that he must, in some way, produce more than he did in pre-war times, then, and only then, will the cost of living become reasonable. Let the MAN ON THE LAND do his share by adding some side line to his present production, such as BUTTER, BACON, TURKEYS, and OTHER POULTRY. He need not fear an unprofitable market for all his produce. We have works scattered over the State, and Pay him cash in return for his produce at the highest market price of the day. ES Begin now by setting eggs liberally in anticipation of a BUMPER WHEAT HARVEST. When the crop is garnered the turkeys prove good gleaners, and soon grow into money, GET A FEW BREEDING SOWS, treat them well, and the progeny wil] more than pay your housekeeping expenses, een Freezing Works: BLAYNEY DUBBO MOLONG WARRIGAL BOGGABRI GILGANDRA MILLTHORPE YEOVAL BOOROWA GUNNEDAH ORANGE YOUNG CANOWINDRA HARDEN PARKES YASS CROOKWELL MUSWELLBROOK WELLINGTON Butter Factories : BLAYNEY CANOWINDRA DUBBO PARKES Bacon Factory : ORANGE THE COUNTRY FREEZING COMPANY, LIMITED. Head Office—70 PITT STREET, SY DNEY. XXxli Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. For Your Wheat C rops)| Sulphide Super ——/75 RELIABLE. . Certain Delivery Special Manures for all Crops. Manufactured in New South Wales by § THE SULPHIDE CORPORATION, Ltd., | Works: Cockle Creek, N.S.W. Prtces and full particulars from your local Agent or from the Managing Agents : # GIBBS, BRIGHT, & CO., SYDNEY. Yol. XXXI. Part 12. DECEMBER 2, 1920. THE peri | C UM URAL GAZ EY le OF ING oO U Ma WAIES Issued by Direction of THE Hon. W. F. DUNN, M.L.A,, MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, W. H. BROWN, Edséor. Bv Authority: SYDNEY: W. A. GULLICK, GOVERNMENT PRINTER. 1920. *1157—b XXxiv Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. PROSPECTUS New South Wales Government Loan of 3,000,000. RATE OF INTEREST, 542 PER CENT. PER ANNUM. PRICE OF ISSUE: PAR. (Payable in instalments). Interest Payable 1st June and 1st December. A Full Six Months’ Interest will be Payable 1st June, 1921. Principal Repayable at Par, in Sydney, 1st December, 1930. List of Applications closes Monday, 3rd January, 1921. The Government of New South Wales offers for subscription a loan of £3,000,000, bearing interest at the rate of 5% per cent. per annum, and having a currency of 10 years from lst December, 1920, a guarantee being given that the interest will be free of both New South Wales and Federal Income Taxes. The loan is being raised under the authority of the Act of Parliament, No. 27 of 1919, and is for the purpose of providing funds to be applied towards the completion of the North Coast Railway, the Railways from Dubbo to Werris Creek, Glenreagh to Dorrigo, and Canowindra to Eugowra, Hydro- Electric Schemes for South-west Riverina and North Coast, and other Public Works and Services. Applications for the loan should be addressed to the Colonial Treasurer, The Treasury, Sydney. The principal is payable in instalments, as follows, viz.:— £25 per cent. on Wednesday, 1st December, 1920; £25 per cent. on Monday, 3rd January, 1921; £25 per cent. on Tuesday, ist February, 1921; £25 per cent. on Tuesday, 1st March, 1921; and will be accepted free of exchange. Applications made after lst December, 1920, must be accompanied by interest at 51% per cent. per annum, from that date to date of lodgment of the first instalment of £25 per cent. Any second, third, or final instalment not paid on its respecitve due date must also have interest to date of payment added. The loan may be subscribed for either in the form of Bonds or Funded Stock at the option of tlie subscriber. Bonds or Stock may be purchased in multiples of £10. Subscribers for Funded Stock may have the interest on their Stock remitted to their Bank accounts in the country or outside the State free of exchange, but the interest on the Bonds will be payable in Sydney. Forms of application for the loan may be obtained from the Registrar of Stock, The Treasury, Sydney; from the Branches of the Government Savings Bank of New South Wales throughout the State; and also at all Branches in the State of the Bank of New South Wales and the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney, Limited. Deposits and instalments. will be accepted at the Treasury, Sydney, or at any of the Branches of the Banks named. Applications for the loan may be forwarded through members of recog- nised Stock Exchanges. JOHN T. LANG, The Treasury, Colonial Treasurer. Sydney, Ist October, 1920. SL eS EE EE a eS ES SE A Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W, Registered under the Copyright Act, 1879. Hditors of Agricultural and Country Papers are especially invited to reproduce any of the articles contained in the Agriculinral Gazette, in whole or in part, making the usual acknowledgment. Contributions are only accepted upon the terms that the Government may subse- guently publish the same in pamphlet form or otherwise. 2nd December, 1920. CONTENTS. PLouGHING EXPERIMENTS AT CowRA AND NYNGAN PAGE. C. McCauley and L. C. Little 837 Request FoR Marcu FLIEs bees ay ae A ae as eine ... 840 SEA-WEED AS MANURE Me wa er mor sae tee ... A.J. Pinn 840 THE SAVING OF SEED-WHEAT oa ae 3 ses .. A. H. E. McDonald 841 THE FarMERS’ BULLETINS ... 3 sae ana ae aes a dea nde 1O4 SomE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF CO-OPERATION ... ... .. C.C. Crane 843 A GERMINATION STANDARD FOR LUCERNE SEED 6 ae ...H. Breakwell 845 SHEEP AND WOOL FoR oo Experiments—Results of Lamb- raising Trials... 5 os S30 J. Wrenford Mathews 846 THe CuLrure or Sucar Gave IN ivew Pou WALES (continued) A. H. Haywood 853 Baitinc THE WEDGE-TAILED HAGLE uae a ..G. C. Sparks 860 SAFEGUARDING Farm Stock FROM Disease). By Gaerece Reediea (concluded) ee Henry 861 Banana Root Borer (Cosmopolites sordidus) ... : 560 T. McCarthy 865 Somsr ReEcENTLY INTRODUCED FopDER Panes Teste: on the South een R. N. Makin 873 Two LampBines A YEAR cS eo Ses J. Wrenford Mathews 874 FARMERS EXPERIMENT Ero Mcgee Rxpemmionts 1919-20— Upper North Coast District ... at aoe nae ms ... W. D. Kerle 875 Melilotus spe. AS A GREEN taxes Gude ae re ap ...—. Breakwell 881 THE ERADICATION OF WEEDS ae a 5 =e .. Veterinary Officers 881 PURE-SEED GROWERS RECOMMENDED BY THE cote ee sue Be A neetete P< ‘6 VEGETABLE GRowinG IN New SoutH WALES ” oe ee ao oes Boch uitstsy DISEASES OF Bers IN NEw SoutH WALES wis ay, ... W. A. Goodacre 883 . H. Wenholz 8&8 J. H. Maiden 889 W.A. Goodacre 893 . E. N. Ward 894 2 Hadlington 895 . B. Guthrie 897 W. J. ‘Allan Aid 8S. A. Hogg 898 . H. Wenholz 900 Prickon Pea (Cajanus indicus) CHATS ABOUT THE PRicKLY PrAR—No. 7 QUEENLESS COLONIES af THE CULTIVATION OF FLOWERS FOR pean Pouttry Norres—December CoAL SMOKE AND Fruit TREES OrcHarD Notes—December 4 sa Rae Seep Maize AND Birps ‘ AGRICULTURAL BUREAU OF NEW Sine ee Suggested Subjects for Bureau Meetings Rc ee 901 Reports and Notices from Branches es 30 901 912 AGRICULTURAL Societies’ SHOWS ... xXxxvi Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. 18 tons of Potatoes from SG: acres! Here is a practical illustration showing how NUNAN Irrigation quickly repays its cost! ‘em Messrs. E.S. Hood & Sons, Gatton, 0Q., put 34 acres under potatoes. A neigh- bour sowed 4 acres with potatoes, but his Jand was not irrigated. This Spring Crop yielded to Messrs. Hood & Sons 18 tons (260 bags)—the total return being £208. The neighbour’s crop was not quite 2 tons. Messrs. Hood & Sons gained 2 first prizes for potatoes at the local show. They anticipate a record crop of onions this season. “THE NUNAN SYSTEM PAYS FROM THE START.” Sole Manufacturers and Patentees— 7-11 Market Street, SYDNEY, “ Always ask for Buzacott Gates and Fences.” VoL. XXXI. PART 12 DECEMBER 2, 1920. Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales. °°" Ploughing Experiments at Cowra and Nyngan. C. McCAULEY and L. G. LITTLE, Assistant Experimentalists. THESE experiments were commenced at Cowra in 1905, and at Nyngan in 1911, in each case upon virgin soil. In 1913, those at Cowra were concluded, as it was decided that the results were sufficiently definite to enable final deductions to be drawn. The Nyngan experiments are still being carried on. The objects of the experiments were to determine over a series of years the comparative effects upon the resulting wheat crop of— 1. The continued use of the disc and of the mouldboard ploughs. 2, Ploughing at different depths with the above ploughs— (a) at 8 inches deep to represent deep ploughing. (b) at 6 inches deep to represent medium ploughing. (c) at 4 inches deep to represent shallow ploughing. 3. Subsoiling the deep ploughing (every second furrow) 2 to 3 inches below the plough depth. A detailed account of the conditions under whick the experiments were conducted at Cowra appears in Vol. XXII, February, 1911, of the Gazette. A number of additional treatments were included in the Nyngan experi- ments, as being possibly advantageous under the dry conditions obtaining in that district ; these comprise re-ploughing just prior to planting, and the use of an implement said to have been used by its inventor (Campbell) with great success in dry-farming in America. It consists of a number of flanged circular plates arranged on an axis, forming a roller, designed, as implied by its name (subsurface packer), to compress the subsurface at a depth of several inches, while leaving the surface loose. Apart from the different methods of ploughing, and the treatments men- tioned above, the general treatment of plots at both farms was uniform, and the system of farming adopted was that considered most suited to the district. Thus, at Cowra a two-course rotation (wheat and a fodder crop), and at Nyngan a three-course rotation (wheat, fodder crop, and bare fallow) were practised. This, of course, involved two separate areas for the experiments at Cowra and three separate areas at Nyngan. In all cases ploughing, sowing, feeding-off, etc., were carried out on the same or two successive days. Precautions were always taken to ensure that ridges and “clean out ” furrows were located at the boundaries of plots. A 838 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. Cowra Experiments. The soil on which these experiments were carried out is of granitic origin, typical of a large area of the Central Western Slopes, and may be described as a loam overlying a clay subsoil at a depth of from 8 to 10 inches. The costs per acre of ploughing with disc and mouldboard ploughs at different depths, and of subsoiling have been estimated as follows :— Disc ploughing, 4 inches, 6s.; disc ploughing, 6 inches, 7s.; dise ploughing, 8 inches, 8s. ; mouldboard ploughing, 4 inches, 6s. 6d. ; mouldboard ploughing, 6 inches, 7s. 6d. ; mouldboard ploughing, 8 inches, 8s $d. ; sub-soiling, 10s. These costs are rather difficult to arrive at, and vary slightly from year to year, according to the prices of fodder, &e., but they are sufficiently accurate to serve their purpose. Wheat is taken as being worth 7s. 6d. per bushel. Costs and yields on the disced 4 inches are taken as the standards of comparison. The area of each plot was approximately one-third acre. In the following table is shown on a monetary basis the average of the results for the period 1905-13 (not including 1907, when a windstorm so mixed the stooks as to prevent the results being obtained, and 1909, when the crop was destroyed by a bush fire) :— Yield per Increase due Increased f A acre, based Value of s, Net Net Treatments in order of merit. a percent Ber Tabrededl Pecasaes _. | Gain. | Loss, : bus. lb. | bus. “Ib. uc b Si. Ge s. d.| s.d Mouldboard, 8 inches .| 26. 19 Ie HK 9 6 256 7k ie Disc 8 inches (average of 10 | check plots) . \ 2658 Lee Dien Se, A 2 OTS) (Geel i eae. Mouldboard 8 inches and sub- | | soiled as ‘se oak i 98} Bo PAD) Lipea0: 2) 6. sno ez Ob aan Mouldboard, 4 inches Sal Obie as 0 40 5 0 OO 6 Nae oid be aces Mouldboard, 6 inches Bor D5) 42 0 39 4 10 die 6 ck et aes Disc, 4 inches .. ass ose a a occ AS Sperber |\Onsccak care *Disc, 6 inches" eae AS 0 18* Oh iy HS Pais seen oie Disc, 3 inches and subsoiled | 25 DS (Ue 535) 6 10 12) tO nts By ae * Decrease, not increase. The difference between the highest and lowest of these results is less than 10 per cent., but this percentage should be allowed as a margin of possible error in such an experiment, so that the results as far as yield is concerned may be said to be fairly uniform. Slightly increased yields may be expected from deep ploughing when the system of farming followed is similar to that practised at Cowra Experiment Farm, but the above figures would probably not result if ploughing were delayed until just prior to planting, and even assuming that they would apply in the latter case, it must be remembered that the experiments take no account of the extra time involved in deep ploughing, beyond extra cost, whereas under the system practised on the average farm in the central west, time is so important a factor at ploughing time that it would scarcely pay to plough deeply for a problematical extra return of a few shillings per acre. Dee. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 839 Nyngan Experiments. The west Bogan country, on which these.experiments are being conducted, may be described as a medium loam, and is part of the “drift formation” which includes a large area of our western plains. This account must only be accepted as a progress report, for, although the experiment has been carried on for nine years, and although the plots receive every time they are ploughed, the treatinents which the experiment has been designed tu test, yet, owing to the rotation practised, the wheat crop occupies the same site only every third year. A comparable result is there- fore only obtained once in three years, and it may be that as time goes on, results which are now only slightly apparent will become intensified. If sO, they should be noticeable on all three areas. The experiment will be continued for at least another nine years. The costs per acre of the various operations at Nyngan have been estimated as follows :—Disc ploughing, 4 inches, 6s. 6d.; disc ploughing, 6 inches, 7s. 6d. ; disc ploughing, 8 inches, 8s. 6d.; mouldboard ploughing, 4 inches, 7s.; mouldboard ploughing, 6 inches, 8s. ; mouldboard ploughing 8 inches, 9s.; subsoiling, 13s. 6d.; reploughing, 6s. ; sub-packing, 2s. Hay has been reckoned as worth £5 per ton. The area of each plot was approximately one-seventh of an acre. The following table shows the average of the results for the five years 1911, 1912, 1913, 1916, and 1917. In the years 1914, 1918, and 1919, the crops were fed off as not being sufficiently promising to keep for hay :— Yield per Increase Increased | Treatments in Order of Merit. pee centaxe en Ms alue.ot ne es : Net Gain. Net Loss. yield. E : le teay Csi Onis -|Cramae Aes Cl eae ch Clyde Ge Gales (1 -*Disc 6 inches, reploughed 1 19 2, 4 8 Leto Oa O) se OR G16 ei On lier cess *Disc 6 inches, sub-packed | and reploughed ... alD <1 OE Ol ae IPS AOS ee) eS ei tone Mouldboard 4 inches Ie She Bs Sh a io > 0) Omi 20H Ol Ob eG a4 ron laeeeeee. Disc 8 inches llores 1 0 OS 2 OF ORM 2 Es Ob, eres on Ole ieeeetet Disc 4__,, ae ee a MMi Bil area | alone | Skee leer Mone ci speed ene oma Mouldboard 6 inches, sub- | packed _... ae Sool we ee ss: Nil INT | Ons tel Galen OASi6 Disc 6 inches, sub-packed, | reploughed and _— sub- | | packed... Sa 1 16 0 Leal OE Bae) AN Ny Wes cans. 0 5 3 Mouldboard 6 inches ss [a haa) (2 ie Tk Oy | XO ate Op Oe Me aaaase 0 6 6 Disc 6 inches, reploughed and sub-packed ... easel L423 Nil. Nil. OL 291E Gales 0 9 6 Dise 6 inches, sub-packed.. 1 13 1 Vee 02 7 Ot 0 58 SON e 010 6 Mouldboard 8 inches, sub- | ‘ soiled 10 inches ... ses fn Us Sa ORSON SS OO Ge On eee ae O23 Mouldboard 8 inches EP dee, LOI 32 Dale alae OL Lae oe Oman: (OR Maer. OMS #9 Mouldboard 6 inches, sub- | acked, reploughed and | | Nib packed ar acfel| ab a a De Ghe|| (Oy WAP SyUy alee | ee Bee Mouldboard 4 inches, sub- | | : soiled tora eis scala AM paler ts Dicy Ott Lert, AOI matron Divide 20 * The high average results for these two plots are due to two abnormally wet years (for Nyngan) in which reploughing produced twice the yield of the check plots. + Decrease, not increase. 840 Agricultural Gazeite of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. From the above table it appears that under the soil and climatic conditions at Nyngan deep ploughing not only does not pay, but is really detrimental. This is explained by the fact that owing to its low humus content the soil is of poor water-holding capacity, and deep ploughing, by opening it up and further drying it out, aggravates this defect. The soil is also so deep that deep ploughing has the effect of allowing thorough percolation of rain into the lower layers, and much of this moisture is out of reach of the following crop until the soil has become compacted again. Subsoiling is for these reasons unnecessary, while sub-surface packing has only given good results in isolated years. REQUEST FOR Marcu FLIEs. An attempt is being made by the Director-General of Public Health to prepare a survey of the March flies of New South Wales, and he will be grateful to any Agricultural Gazette readers who will forward undamaged specimens, together with particulars as to the date of capture, the locality, the name of the animal or plant upon which the insect was captured, and other general information as to prevalence or otherwise at different seasons. A similar request was made on behalf of the Director-General several years ago, which resulted in much valuable information being obtained. March flies, or horse flies as they are sometimes called, may be caught around horses and cattle. Specimens should be as little damaged as possible; if placed in a match-box with a little tissue-paper they may safely be sent through the post. Specimens and information can be forwarded to Dr. E. W. Ferguson, office of the Director-General of Public Health, Macquarie-street, Sydney. SEA-WEED AS MANURE. SEA-WEED is extensively used as manure in the Channel Islands and other parts of the world. It is usually cut off the rocks or gathered on the shore, and carted direct to the field where it is applied in the same manner as farm- yard manure. Sometimes it is stacked in heaps and allowed to dry before use, or the stacks may be burnt and the ashes alone utilised. As a general rule sea-weed is used for spreading over pasture land; it apparently imparts a salty taste to the pasture and increases its palatibility to stock. When used on cultivation land it is seldom ploughed in, but is usually allowed to lie on the surface till the rain has washed most of its fertilising ingredients into the soil beneath, the turning under of the weed apparently making the soil too cold for early crops. Sea-weed is frequently mixed with farmyard manure and applied to the land with that manure in winter and early spring.—A. J. Pryn, Inspector of Agriculture. Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. §41 The Saving of Seed Wheat. A. H. E, McDONALD, Chief Inspector of Agriculture. Owine to the severity of the drought in many of the wheat-growing districts last year, a considerable number of farmers were unable to harvest seed wheat to fill their requirements, and had to obtain seed from other districts, principally through the Rural Industries Board. The Board endeavoured, as far as possible, to obtain seed suitable for the different districts : but, owing to the bulk of the seed having to be purchased in the Riverina, the principal variety was Federation, which, while suitable for the Riverina and western districts, is not altogether a satisfactory variety for the north-western districts, owing to its susceptibility torust. It was also impossible to obtain sufficient seed of early-maturing varieties to fill the requirements of farmers in the dry districts, where these wheats are of special value—where, in fact, to grow wheat successfully under normal conditions, early-maturing varieties are indispensable, Fortunately the season has been favourable, and, although rust has occurred to a slight extent, apparently—at the time of writing—no very serious damage has occurred among the wheat crops; though farmers, especially in the north-west, have had a very anxious time in this respect, as they realised the position, and at times it appeared that there was very great danger of the crops being seriously damaged. The season has also been very favourable to later maturing varieties in dry districts, even as far west as Nyngan, and in consequence the shortage of early-maturing varieties has not resulted in the loss which might otherwise have occurred. It is fortunate that the season has been more favourable than usual, but such conditions cannot be expected to continue, and it is very necessary that farmers should immediately obtain those varieties which experience has shown to be most suitable for their particular conditions. The Department has realised the necessity of assisting farmers to obtain suitable varieties, and early in the season made arrangements at the experiment farms in the wheat-growing areas to sow as large an area as possible of wheat, and to pay particular attention to those varieties which would be urgently required. Further than this, it was arranged with private growers to harvest as much for seed wheat as possible, and in order to ensure that the seed should be reasonably pure and true to variety, arrangements have been made for officers of the Department to inspect these crops. These steps will ensure that a large quantity of suitable seed will be available, and purchasers can be reasonably sure that they will be able to obtain the varieties which they require. 842 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. Tt is not proposed that the Department shall purchase seed from those farmers whose crops are inspected for seed purposes, but through the Agricultural Gazette it will give publicity to the names of farmers whose crops are sufficiently pure to warrant recommendation, with a view to bringing them into communication with those farmers who require seed. It has been arranged that all farmers who wish to purchase seed from the experiment farms will be supplied, the quantity supplied to each farmer being restricted if necestary so as to ensure a proper distribution. It is impossible for the experiment farms to supply all the seed wheat which is required, and the Department hopes that the farmers will use the seed obtained from the experiment farms to raise their own seed. While, therefore, during the coming season it may be necessary to continue the use, to some extent, of seed from the crops now growing on farmers’ own properties, in the following season the conditions will have reverted to normal and a plentiful supply of suitable varieties will be available. In view of the importance of securing suitable varieties, farmers are strongly recommended immediately to take steps to secure seed requirements for the coming season. The supply of seed will be limited, but every farmer should, at any rate, secure a few bushels from which he will be able next year to harvest sufficient seed to fill the whole of his requirements for the following season. iB One of the worst features of drought is that it often causes the loss of valuable varieties, and a number of years elapse before normal conditions return. Fortunately, the Department has realised the importance of conserving these varieties, and the steps already taken will go very far towards minimising such losses. THE FarMERS’ BULLETINS. As stated last month, it has become necessary to impose a small charge for the Farmers’ Bulletins issued by the Department of Agriculture. Remittances - should be forwarded to the Government Printer, Phillip-street, Sydney. Following are a few of the bulletins available :— Price No. 36. Sorghum 68 aye ae 6d. » 48 Book-keeping for Farmers... i wai 6d. », 63. Orchard Nursery Work: Budding and Grafting ... 6d. », 88. Fruit Preserving : Canning, ‘Bottling, and Jam-making are +e aed ee 9d. » 90. Citrus Culture ... hess se Ae ls. :, 92. Apple and Pear Growing “at ptt ae 9d. ,, 119. The Peanut ode pe sae wet on: 9d. ,, 121. Water onthe Farm ... ; woh 2a 9d. ,, 124. Land Clearing by Explosives. nae Gifs 6d. 126; SudaniGrass ...:. : at Pe 6d. ,, 129. The Beginner in Bee Culture te a 6d. », .130. The Packing of Fruit .. 9d. ,, 132. Sheep and Wool for Farmers (Part 2 2—Cross- breeding for Wool and Mutton) . re 9d. Postage, one penny extra. Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 843 Some Fundamental Principles of Co-operation. C. C. CRANE, B.A., Organising Inspector of the Agricultural Bureau. ALTHOUGH co-operative ventures vary greatly in detail and organisation, practically all have been raised on a foundation of co-operative principles that are generally accepted. Many of the unsuccessful co-operative under- takings can trace the root of failure to some departure from co-operative principles. The principles may be briefly enunciated in a few paragraphs. Co-operative organisation can only be successfully undertaken when the conditions it is designed to remedy are such that the need for improvement is clearly evident to all whom the conditions affect. In short, necessity must be the mother of co-operation. When prices are demonstrably too high so far as consumers are concerned, when undue profits can be definitely pointed out, when producers’ receipts fall below actual cost of production, when existing methods are costly and harmful to the prosperity of an industry, then perhaps co-operators may hope to organise with definite objectives and good probabilities of success. Every single step in the organisation must be formal and regular. Each step must stand the test of practical application, and must be able to show (a) striking improvements from the time of its practical adoption, and (6) good prospects for further improvement as it develops. The time must be ripe and results must be speedily apparent; otherwise the organisation will die from inertia and succumb to the attacks of competitors. There must be sufficient visible support to ensure at least the minimum amount of business, below which the venture cannot be economically con- ducted. There must be a sufficient volume of business to reduce the over- head costs and charges to a minimum, so that the venture can work more economically and efficiently than the organisation it was designed to dis- place. The loyalty of individual members and mutual confidence in each other are of paramount importance. It is perhaps the most outstanding feature necessary to success. Every member must be made to feel his importance as a cog in the machinery, and steps must be taken to maintain his interest and keep him in touch with the whole detail and scope of the undertaking. He must realise (a) the necessity for the movement; (b) the improvements already effected; (c) the improvements likely to accrue; and (d) the pro- bable results of abandoning the venture. In many successful co-operative ventures, binding agreements have been found necessary to guarantee abso- lutely the loyalty of individual members as though it were the life blood of the movement. 844 Agrwultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. The organisation must be composed only of persons whose interests are similar and directly involved. In a co-operative store, as all consumers are involved the membership must be open to all, irrespective of occupation. In a producers’ co-operation only those growers who are concerned as actual growers should be admitted to membership. Many successful co-operative marketing exchanges have found it necessary to limit membership to quite restricted areas to secure (a) uniformity of produce; (b) mutual acquain- tance and confidence of members; and (c) simplicity of organisation. Definite provision must be made for financing the business of the organi- sation. A minimum should be fixed which will not exclude possibly earnest members. Shares in a growers’ concern should be taken in proportion to bearing acres or volume of probable business. Capitalisation is of first importance, and a means of obtaining necessary capital must be adopted as a first principle. When necessary a beginning will have to be on a small scale. The society must learn to walk before it can run. Development will depend on capitalisation. If sufficient capital cannot be raised by subscription for shares, a loan will be necessary and sufficient security will have to be forthcoming. A shortage of capital may induce the society to dispose of shares to other than those directly interested, but in a producers’ co-operation the sale of stock must always be limited to the grower of the product marketed, stock must be transferable only to growers, and the amount of stock held by any indi- vidual must be limited. Benefits accruing from membership must be distributed among members in proportion to the amount of business effected, and not in proportion to the amount of share capital subscribed by each member. Whereas in a producers’ co-operation, subscriptions to capital should be in proportion to the bearing acreage of the member, the returns must be in proportion to the actual business effected; this is essential to quality and uniformity. A maximum rate of interest on capital should be determined to prevent (a) fluctuation in price of shares; (b) speculation in shares; and (c) capital- isation from a profit-making point of view in lieu of the non-profit co- operative ideal. It makes very little difference whether voting power is based on the principle of “ one-man-one-vote,” or whether voting power is in proportion to (a) capital invested, or (b) business effected, for the limit placed on the holding of any individual and the restriction of membership to people with similar interests will secure sufficiently democratic control. An essential feature of the Rochdale pioneer system was one-man-one-vote. and while in a co-operative store that principle would perhaps be wiser, in a producers’ concern voting power in proportion either to acreage or to business, in accordance with the basis of share distribution, should prove satisfactory. But wherever the one-man-one-vote principle is departed from, sufficient guarantees must exist to prevent (a) too many shares coming into the possession of one man; and (b) accumulations of shares passing into the hands of possible opponents of the scheme. Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 845 The individual is the basis of the local co-operative society, which itself is a unit in a co-operative union, federation, or wholesale exchange. Individual societies affiliated with such a union produce a greater co-operative zeal and enthusiasm than where individuals are just members of some big co-operative enterprise, or where the local co-operative society is but a branch of a bigger concern. Every local society, therefore, should preserve its identity and have necessary machinery thoroughly to represent its interests in the central organisation. The local unit will require to organise itself, for as it is to retain its own individuality it will need its local enthusiasts and directors. Therefore local organisation is generally to be preferred to the system, which nevertheless frequently succeeds admirably, of securing the services of a professional organiser. Each organisation will need administrative ability and business knowledge, and it is the poorest form of economy to engage a cheap manager. A manager will be absolutely necessary, for his full time will be required. As local conditions are of tremendous importance in designing and administering the policy, the conception of the local society as a unit afiliated with a central union is of the utmost importance. In co-operative marketing, expenses should be counted on the basis of quantity not of price. It costs as much, often more, to market poor quality produce, and as returns from the co-operative society are made, not in pro- portion to the actual cash receipts for produce handled, but in proportion to the quantity of produce handled, the tendency will always be to improve the quality of the product. A GERMINATION STANDARD FOR LUCEKNE SEED. THE suggestion has lately been made that a germination standard should be fixed in respect of lucerne seed intended for export, and a standard of 90 per cent. has been mentioned. It was pointed out at a recent meeting that certain seedsmen guarantee a germination of over 95 per cent. Such standards are admirable, but it is doubtful if in actual practice it could be maintained, and if challenged it would probably be found that the germination would very seldom indeed reach 95 per cent. Of all the samples tested in the seed-testing laboratory at the Botanic Gardens, an average of only about 80 per cent. has been obtained; in one case as much as 98 per cent. of a sample germinated, and in others as little as 70 per cent. This wide divergence is due to the number of hard seeds present, the proportion varying considerably according to habit and conditions. For this reason the United States Department of Agriculture is careful to set its standards at 85 to 90 per cent., and this includes a third to a half of hard seeds possessing slow germinating qualities. Under the circumstances New South Wales growers are not in a position to guarantee a standard of over 80 per cent., excluding hard seeds. If a standard of 90 per cent. were fixed, it should be with a clear reservation that half the hard seeds present should germinate, given sufficient time—E. BreaKwELL, Agrostologist. 846 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. Sheep and Wool for Farmers. CROSS-BREEDING EXPERIMENTS. (Concluded from page 770.] Results of Lamb-raising Trials. J. WRENFORD MATHEWS. SALEYARDS AND FARM WEIGHTS. TuHRouGHOUT the continuance of the trials, the lambs were weighed at the - farms just prior to despatch, and again immediately on arrival at the Homebush yards, receiving neither food nor water in the meantime. In the majority of cases the fourth monthly weighing was the final one, but there were instances where fsome time elapsed between the fourth weighing and the despatch of the lambs, and, in these cases, the lambs were passed over the scales again. This accounts for the slight increases in weight shown in the table published last month giving the‘monthly weighings, and the one that now indicates the final weighings, as well as the loss of weight in transit, and the values realised for the different crosses. Wagga Experiment Farm Averages—1913-1918 (inclusive), Weights. | | s STP) A Verage loss Pri Cross. No. earn At saleyards | in anki | vealiaed: | ib: 07: Ib. 02. Ib. 02. 8. d Dy Mr iP G2 272 Ma | G7. 2 OLED 18 4 D;LoM | ~ 84) 69° 6 65 ioe 4 5 mh Dy MGA BOA 7S 67 a0 Ty ie: L9."2 Dag ee pot 7 | S6Gs at ‘apie 18 1 D,L2M Pie ensee Loy \: GAN 5 64 18 9 DoLsM | 1385 | 74 9 68 11 Selalcs aie Oa Deke We BATS | 738 4 6 21 4 D;L2M | 67 7 8 74, 62 4 4 | 21 2 D;LsM | 114 | 81 10 76 ae SiS, nic soe ae To remove any false impression that the lambs comprised picked lots, it may be stated that the various consignments included practically the whole of each year’s drop. The only ones held back were a few that were dropped late and that were obviously too backward in development to enable fair com- parisons to be made. As indicated by the previous tables, the lambing period occupied about six weeks, so that there was a difference of about that length of time between the first and last lamb dropped. The lambing was fairly evenly distributed over the period among all strains, so that no cross was placed at either advantage or disadvantage in this respect. ‘The results coincide with the returns furnished in the previous Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 847 monthly tables. The Dorset Horn shows a substantial increase from prac- tically all strains of ewes, The Border Leicester x Merino ewe maintains its advantage, and the Leicester x Merino occupies third place in all groups except in the case of the mating with the Dorset Horn. Taking the results from the three strains of ewes by the three breeds of rams, the results show the South Down crossbred lambs averaged 71 lb. 12 oz., the Shropshires 72 lb. 9 oz., and the Dorset Horns 79 Ib. 10 oz. in the aggregate. Similarly we find the different strains of ewes when grouped together yielded lambs averaging respectively Lincoln x Merino, 73 Ib. 14 oz.; the Leicester x Merino, 72 1b. 3 0z.; and the Border Leicester x Merino, 76 lb. 6 oz. When worked out for the full period, the loss of weight in transit for all crosses represents 6°8 per cent. of the tota] live weight on the average. It would be extremely difficult to say exactly what proportion of this loss was really tissue. It was the practice in the majority of the consignments, when the lambs were taken off the pastures, to yard the lambs for a few hours before weighing. This period, however, was not sufficient to enable the full contents of the stomachs and intestines to be emptied. So that a certain percentage of the loss in weight would be represented by excreta voided while on the journey. The figures, however, are convincing enough to reveal that a considerable percentage of waste takes place during transit. Obviously the best facilities that can be afforded for transport, or, better still, killing and freezing near the farm, are the most practical measures that can be adopted to reduce the loss. The Prices Realised. The next point that calls for comment is the prices realised. Looking at these returns, as before, first for the rams and then for the ewes in their combined groups, we find the lambs by South Down rams realised 18s. 7d., those by Shropshire rams 19s. 11d., and those by Dorset Horn rams 21s. 7d. On the side of the ewes, the lambs from Lincoln x Merino ewes realised 19s. 3d., those from Leicester x Merino ewes 19s, Id., and those from Border Leicester x Merino ewes, 20s. 4d. Cowra Experiment Farm Averages—1913-19 (inclusive). Weights. Z ; a g By rice Cross. No. pen ee | Agedleyards: a tranalte realised. lb. 02. lb. oz. lb. 02. aed D,L,M 91 712) 0 66 2 5 14 18 8 D,L,M 89 | 75 4 68 12 6 8 18 10 D,L3;M TOM eNO ae 68 15 6% 3 18 8 D2L\;M 104 | 72 6 65 8 6 14 19 3 D,L2M 101 Tes. Ps 66 11 ily | 18 4 D,L3M 8s | 76 10 70 5 6 5 20 0 D;L,;M 94 | 75 6 69 10 5 12 20 8 D;L.M PES. Gr -k 68 13 Tiss oe 20 7 D;L3;M 98 | 78 3 qe RS) 5 10 Pe) 848 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. The results again are fairly consistent. ‘Taking the essential figures as an indication of the merits of the competing strains, the Dorset Horn again asserts its superiorty on the score of body weight over the other two breeds, and among the ewes the Border Leicester x Merino is again to the fore. The averages are :—Rams—South Down, 73 lb. 5 oz. ; Shropshire, 73 lb. 14 oz. 5 Dorset Horn, 76 lb.8 oz. ©Ewes—Lincoln x Merino, 73 lb. 3 oz. ; Leicester x Merino, 74 lb. 8 oz. ; Border Leicester x Merino, 76 lb. 12 oz. The loss of weight in transit represents in this case 8-4 per cent. of the total live weight. It is difficult to account for this, as the distance from Wagga to the saleyards is about 100 miles greater than from Cowra, and the time spent in the trucks would be longer from the former than from the latter. As far as possible the same methods were employed in the weighing, though it cannot be stated whether the time allowed between the removal of the lambs from the pasture and actual weighing was the same. Reviewing the values in order as in the previous instances, we find on the average of all ewes the South Down strain gave a monetary return of 18s. 9d., the Shropshire 19s. 1d., and the Dorset Horn 21s. The figures for the ewes are :—Lincoln x Merino, 19s. 7d.; Leicester x Merino, 19s. 4d. ; and Border Leicester x Merino, 20s. 4d. Bathurst Experiment Farm Averages—1913-19 (inclusive). Weights. | : Av ] Pri Cross. No. | in feaeit 2 coded | At farm. At saleyards. lb. oz. lb. oz. lb. oz s- d D,L,M 62 70 6 66 ll 3 10 20 4 D,L.M 65 75 14 G7. M7. Seana S20 18 D,L3;M fou heey 6 69. .2 Dmuiase oil, (228 D,L,M 67 70 12 65 S72 5 10 18 11 D,L,M 67-7877 67 8 8.53 21 3 D,L3M 57 qa —1 67 5 10 19 10 D;L,;M 61 77. «12 V1 6 68 20 10 D;L2M 66 ite Af 712 ROU 21-6 D;L,;M 64 Tipe OK) 12) oe hy ae 214 Again the Dorset Horn ram is on top on the score of body weight, though the results here are more uniform, the margins on the whole not being so great. The Leicester x Merino group of ewes disputes pride of place with the Border Leicester x Merino, though the difference only amounts to a few ounces. The relative positions of the rams are as follow :—South Down, 73 lb. 10 oz. ; Shropshire, 72 lb. 8 0z.; Dorset Horn, 77 lb. 10 oz. Ewes— Lincoln x Merino, 72 lb. 14 0z.; Leicester x Merino, 75 lb. 12 oz.; and Border Leicester x Merino, 75 lb. 2 oz. Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 849 The loss of weight in transit amounts to 7:6 per cent., so that we are just as far as ever from arriving at conclusions on this point. Apparently this is governed by circumstances, and, beyond recording the particulars, we refrain from making definite assertions as to what appears to be an anomaly. The monetary return for the different breeds of rams is as follows :—South Down, 21s. 7d. ; Shropshire, 19s. 1ld.; Dorset Horn, 21s. 3d. For the different ewes the figures are :—Lincoln x Merino, 20s. ; Leicester x Merino, - 21s. 2d.; and Border Leicester x Merino, 23s. 6d. This is the only case in which the Dorset Horn has been ousted from first place, but it might be noted that the Border Leicester x Merino ewe aftirms its position, showing an advantage practically of 3s. 6d. over the Lincoln x Merino, and 2s. 4d. over the Leicester x Merino. Final and Combined Return. The trials were inaugurated with the object in the first place to see which breed: or combination of breeds gave the best monetary return, and then, further, to observe whether any wide divergence between the strains occurred in the different districts in which the investigations were conducted. As in the case of the longwools, only fair average specimens of each of the competing strains of the shortwool breeds were employed. As near as ordinary sight would permit, a uniform standard of breed was selected at each farm. The results may, therefore, be considered thoroughly reliable, and a true exposition of the capabilities of the breeds named, so far as the purposes for which they have been tried and the districts are concerned. It is with the object of showing the results from the different districts that the records from the three farms have been tabulated separately. Taste I1I.—Combined Averages of body weights, loss of weight in transit, and prices realised. Weights. F AV fs . S ort Saree NO a) n'teansit.. | realised. | Atfarm. | Atsaleyards. | lb. 02. Ib oz. Ib. 0z a a! D,L,M 215| 71 9 66 5aee0 19°-0 D,L,M 238 | 72 15 Gio 5 14 19 0 D,L3;M 276 | 75 12 68 8 5 4 LOR D,L,;M 226-\ 11 38 65 9 5 15 18 10 Dae Nee. 237 | 72 2 66 3 5 15 19 10 D,.L3M 280 | 74 14 68 15 5 15 19 9 D;L,;M 220 | 76 10 ies Al 5 9 20 11 D;L.M 246 Tf mtAl tae (0 (cea! Die0 D;L3M 276) 2,19. 8) 73 15 5 9 21 10 Tt is at once evident from these figures that the Dorset Horn on the Border Leicester x Merino ewe gives a lamb that furnishes the best monetary return, and among the other groups the Border Leicester x Merino ewe 850 Agricultural Gazette of N.S:W. [Dec. 2, 1920. gives further evidence of supplying the heaviest lamb. Scrutinising these figures more closely, as in previous instances, we find the breeds occupying relatively the following positions :— Weight of lambs | Weight of lambs by— from— | lb. oz. lb. oz. South Down ...| 72 13 | Lincoln x Merino me Fd ih (S xt: Shropshire ...| 72-13 | Leicester x Merino 4 south NIA Bae Q Dorset Horn _....| 77 13 | Border Leicester x Merino ...| 75 14 The figures require but little comment. The outstanding feature has been the’ consistency of the results. The Dorset Horn has headed the list among rams, and the Border Leicester x Merino has occupied a similar place among the competing strains of ewes. With regard to the rams, the South Downs and Shropshires come out about equal, but among the ewes the Leicester shows a slight advantage over the Lincoln in accordance with its earlier maturing habit. Putting all farms together, and taking into consideration the distances the sheep had to travel from each place, the loss of weight in transit amounted to 7-6 per cent. on the whole. The next point for consideration is to what extent the body weights can be reconciled with the prices realised for the mutton. In other words, we have to consider whether the lighter weight carcase of the South Down is worth more on a basis of so much per lb. than the heavier carcases by the Dorset Horn, and also whether the extra weight of fleece produced by the Lincoln cross ewe more than balances the difference in the extra body weight of the lambs dropped by the Border Leicester cross. > Lambs from all | : “A : : grap ctiomes, | ania | ae eal eres ae | Ele 8s. d. s. d South Down ..| 19 O | Lincoln x Merino aR Ap pelt) a Zi Shropshire ..| 19 4 | Leicester x Merino ia orf. eo 20 Dorset Horn oa 21 4 | Border Leicester x Merino ...| 20 2 We may recall the fact that the previous articles as to the results from the first cross ewes showed little ditference in the aggregate values of wool and mutton between the Lincoln and Border Leicester cross ewes, while the Leicester cross showed consistently behind the other two; looking at the results in a general way, therefore, the Border Leicester x Merino maintains its superiority throughout. From the returns before us it is possible to ascertain the relative values paid on a basis of so much per |b. for the mutton of the various crosses. In this connection we have not distinguished between the different strains of ewes, but have lumped in each case all three together and merely given the figures against each strain of ram. It might further be mentioned that the sheep were offered for public competition, and as they were bought at so Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 851 much per head the values have been calculated on the basis of the average live weight recorded at the saleyards. The following are the particulars :— Breed of No Average weight | Average price ram. : in Sydney. per lb. lb. oz. D, Too ea Gia 4-7d. Dz 743 | G6e.-8) | 45d. D; 142 | (ie ane 45d. The South Down crosses were considered by salesmen to furnish the best quality of mutton, and on the whole to supply the most uniform shape and compact carcase. The Dorset Horn, on the whole, furnished the heavier carcase, but slightly less shapely. The Shropshire crosses on the other hand were slightly longer than the South Down, though fairly compact ; but on analysis of these figures we cannot resist one conclusion, namely, that the weight of carcase is the prime factor in attesting the value of the different crosses. The lambs were offered in the wool, and indeed from previous records taken it was deduced that it is not profitable to shear lambs intended for early sale. The comparatively small return of wool which they yield scarcely repays for the outlay. Besides, lambs raised for export should be handled as little as pussible. The knocking about which they receive in the yards, and the shearing itself (if they are shorn) is sufficient to so lower their condition as to render many unfit for being classified as first grade. More- over, the amount of wool left on the pelt is rendered practically valueless except to those manufacturers using very short wool. Separated from the staple of which it originally formed part, it could be classed as little better than “noil,” but left on the skin the full length of the staple is obtained, and the wool may be possibly used for combing purposes after the skins have gone through the process of fellmongering. Furthermore, the value of the skin is of only very minor importance as compared with the value of the carcase. In raising lambs for export the whole attention should be concen- trated on the development of the carcase. Obviously the lamb at five months has not had sufficient time to develop the skin in the same proportion as the body, and as the export lamb trade develops the wool question will sink into insignificance as contrasted with the value of the flesh. Summary. We may thus present the following conclusions : — (1) Lhe possibilities of lamb-raising.—New South Wales offers almost unbounded possibilities for the extension of the lamb-raising industry in dis- tricts where sheep-raising can be carried on in conjunction with wheat-growing. (2) The desirable type of lamb.—All lambs fit for export should not weigh less than 66 lb. nor more than 80 lb. live weight. This will allow for a carcase weighing between about 33 and 40 lb. dressed weight, which will be classed as first grade according to quality, shape, and condition. 852 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. (3) Lhe most suitable ewes.—To attain this standard it is necessary to depart from the pure Merino ewe, and to use in preference a longwool crossbred ewe ; of those tried the Border Leicester x Merino ewe gave, on the whole, the best returns. (4) Zhe breed of ram.—To secure the ideal lamb carcase, the shortwool or Down ram should be used in preference to longwools. The South Down furnished the most shapely carcase, but the Dorset Horn gave consistently the best returns. (5) The period of mating.—To procure a satisfactory increase the ewes should be mated about Christmas, and the rams allowed to run with them until about the middle of February. (6) To secure a good lambing.—To ensure as many ewes as possible getting in lamb the rams should be yarded with the ewes over night during the mating period. (7) Lambing and weaning seasons.—The lambs should be dropped as early as the mating period will permit in the autumn, and marketed at the expiration of the lactation period in the spring. (8) The food supply.—In order that the lambs shall not suffer a check . they, along with their mothers, should be supplied with good succulent feed from the the time they are dropped until they are despatched for market. (9) The shearing of the lambs.—Lambs intended for export should not be Shorn. They should be handled as little as possible, and given every care so as to avoid knocking about with consequent damage to the carcase. (10) Breeding propensities.—In the Department’s experiments there was little to choose between the three breeds named on the score of virility, but the lambs by the Dorset Horn rams appeared to suffer a check and recover again more readily than those by either of the other breeds. (11) The prolificacy of the ewe.—All three groups of ewes appeared fairly ready breeders when mated at the correct time, but a slightly better increase was obtained by the Department from the Border Leicester x Merino cross. (12) Loss of weight in transit.—The average loss of weight in transit from farm to Homebush amounted to 7:6 per cent. of the live weight, but those figures were taken when the lambs had been taken off the pasture and therefore did not represent the actual starved weight. (13) The value of the mutton.—Little difference was found between the mutton value of the different crosses, and weight of carcase appears to be the prime factor in distinguishing between the monetary value of the com- peting strains. The thanks of the Department are due to Messrs. Badgery Bros. who assisted throughout in the weighing of the various consignments and arrangement of the sales. It desires also to place on record its acknowledge- ment of the support and assistance rendered by the various representatives of the different exporting firms in the work of assessing the value of the different crosses from time to time as they were offered. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., December 2, 1920. South Down x Lincoln—Merino Lambs. +) 2 ae are The South Down x Border Leicester-Merino Lambs. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., December 2, 1920. Shropshire x Leicester-Merino Lambs. Shropshire x Border Leicester-Merino Lambs. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., December 2 1920. Dorset Horn x Lincoln—Merino Lambs: Dorset Horn x Leicester-Merino Lambs. Dorset Horn x Border Leicester-Merino Lambs. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., December 2, 1920. Malabar Cane at Pimlico. The crop (plant cane) was estimated to yicld 50 tons per acre. Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 853 The Culture of Sugar Cane in New South Wales. [Continued from page 780.] A. H. HAYWOOD, Manager, Wollongbar Experiment Farm. The Preparation of the Land. Deep and thorough working of the soil is an essential preliminary to the planting of sugar cane. Not alone is this necessary because the plant is of deep-rooting habit, but a plant with such a strong vegetative growth and a capacity for producing in a few years two or three crops, often totalling over 100 tons, must in the very nature of things be provided with ample soil in friable, cultivated condition, in which the roots can forage for plant- food. The first ploughing should therefore be not less than 8 or 10 inches deep, and if the subsoil is stiff, subsoiling should be effected with a plough designed for the purpose, or with a plough of ordinary construction from which the mouldboard has been removed. If the land is not too well drained, care must be taken not to bring sour soil to the surface. This initial ploughing is best done late in the autumn or early enough in the winter to allow a fallow period of some four or five months before plant- ing in September. The effect is twofold. It exposes the soil to atmospheric action, allowing sun, frost, and rain to ameliorate the physical condition, and affording the soil bacteria opportunity to elaborate plenty of plant-food in readiness to maintain vigorous plant life later on. A second ploughing in the spring is necessary further to pulverise the soil and ensure a loose friable condition, and this must be followed by work with surface-working implements that will prepare a suitable seed- bed. A third ploughing is preferred by some farmers, and no doubt is necessary in stiffer soils. The cane plant is a particularly delicate one in its early stages, and if it is to earn the maximum of profit for the farmer, it must have thoroughly favourable soil conditions. No amount of after- cultivation will overcome careless preparation of the seed-bed, and when it is considered that the plant is to last for four to six years, and to carry two or three heavy crops of top-growth, it is apparent that thoroughness is quite worth while. It can be added with justice that for the most part the New South Wales grower understands and appreciates this, and lays a good foundation in this respect. Planting the Crop. The methods of planting the sugar cane crop necessarily differ with the conditions. A great many growers in this State prefer to plant on the square so that intercultivation can be carried out both ways, and two conditions favour them in doing so—the nature of the soil and the varieties they grow. On the stony ridges of the Cudgen, drill-planting is the only thing 854 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. to be thought of. Of varieties, one like Innes 131—erect in habit and a poor stooler—requires comparatively little room. Usually the seed is planted 18 to 24 inches apart in running drills that are 5 feet from one another. Square planting is, however, much the better system. It affords the roots more space and permits of thorough cultivation both ways while the crop is growing, and that by medium of horse implements at a minimum of expense throughout the life of the crop. It is one of the reasons advanced by advocates of the square system that the ratoon crops are heavier by reason of the intercultivation that it makes possible. Some variation is found, of course, in respect to the distances between the plants, from 4 feet 3 inches square to 5 feet being variously used. As before, this depends somewhat upon the soil and the variety, but 4 feet 6 inches may be accepted as a useful medium for average conditions. It is a prime doctrine of cane-growing that you should “ plant deep, but cover lightly.” The apparent contradiction is explained if it is added that a furrow 8 inches deep is opened in the prepared soil, the plant or set is put at the bottom of the furrow, and 2 or 3 inches of soil drawn in, after- cultivation being allowed to fill in the furrow as the plant grows. Early in the season the covering may be on the lighter side, but at no time should it be heavier than indicated. The opening of the furrow is generally effected with the mouldboard plough, which is used twice (once in each direction), but some farmers use a double mouldboard implement for the purpose. The dropping of the sets is usually done by hand, farmers generally pre- ferring that method, on the ground that they can place the sets according to their own desires, and then cover them lightly with a hoe. Some importance is attached to the position in which the sets are placed; it would appear reasonable to expect that with one eye on each side as the set lies in the drill the germination would be quicker than where a shoot had to make its way from underneath the set to the surface, but there are many who hold it a matter of indifference, averring that the plant will come through quite as quick under the latter as the former condition. “Get it up quick; that is the main thing,” said one farmer, thus tersely expressing the general opinion that an early and vigorous start is of first importance. Good Drainage an Essential. Where the ground is apt to be waterlogged or flooded from time to time, some success has been obtained by throwing up ridges and planting the sets along the tops, so that the roots strike downwards to the water, and follow flood-waters down as they subside. There is on all three rivers, land that will no longer carry cane for the reason that it requires systematic drainage, and to this aspect of matters many farmers could address them- selves with profit. How large a part it plays in cane-growing in some countries may be illustrated by the fact that in Louisiana thousands of acres that cannot be drained into the rivers are made available for cane by huge pumping plants. Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 855 “Improvement will begin with the observance of two things,” said the Colonial Sugar Refining Company’s officers at Broadwater mill in a con- versation lately. “The first is the selection of sets from disease-free canes, and the second is good drainage.” These gentlemen are in constant contact with the necessity for good drainage, for on the Richmond some of the very best land is the poorest drained and therefore lightest in yield. There are farmers with whom drainage should be the first consideration of all, but with whom it still occupies a quite indifferent place. Filling up the Misses, Misses are not unknown in the springing cane-field, and growers find it well to strike a few sets elsewhere than in the crop, in order that the gaps may be filled up with plants of about the same age. Needless to say, the conditions in such cases should as closely resemble those of the crop as possible. Where drill planting is adopted it is a good practice to plant single sets in five rows in the ordinary way, and in the sixth to plant double the number of sets. In this way any plants that have failed in any of the rows can be filled in from the sixth row, where the plants will be of uniform growth, and will not have to be brought from a nursery where the conditions may have been very different. The sixth row can be thinned out as required when the misses have been filled up. In his work in Hawaii, Dr. Cobb regarded failures in the planting as of considerable significance. He argued that they indicated either unhealth- iness in the sets or unfavourable conditions in the soil, and as disease was sure to be one of the latter, he advised that where sets had failed the soil should again be deeply and well worked, and new soil brought in if possible, and that care should be taken to remove altogether the dead or dying set before the new one was planted. The Seed to Use. The selection of the sets has a most important influence upon the plant. Vigour, stooling habit and freedom from disease, and, of course, adhesion to varietal characters are elementary considerations; others might be men- tioned, but if due regard were paid to these there is little room for doubt that sugar cane would be more attractive than it is ever likely to be under present conditions. Here again the experienced North Coast grower gaily acclaims the soundest principles and as gaily goes forward on his own happy-go-lucky lines. One-year-old cane of first ratoon crop, or at the least twelve months’ cane from a plant crop, is no doubt universally used, and rightly so, for there lies healthy vigour and activity. Every grower knows, too, that while the butt shoots provide hardier and stronger plants, they also make slow-growing ones; similarly every grower knows that the top shoots provide the quickest growth, but the tenderest—even. the weakest plants. Thus enclosed, the grower proclaims the advisability of using only the middle portion of the cane—but then cane is worth £2 per ton and perhaps a bonus to boot, and what thrifty grower would think of sacrificing half a ton per acre of good cane for the doubtful advantage 856 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. of a better crop two years hence? Perish the thought! Use the whole length; it makes little difference after all! And so the crop that might be better than its progenitor, and that might become the progenitor of better still, is sacrificed once more, and the grower remains in the sphere to which his methods condemn him. If anyone considers we exaggerate the situation let him think about it once more. Let him ask himself how much serious selection he practices in relation to freedom from disease. Obviously debilitated and diseased plants are no doubt avoided, but there is reason to fear that even this is not consistently done. What is wanted is a knowledge of the earlier indications of the presence of disease—in other words, what especially to avoid in this connection. The soundness of this doctrine of selection for freedom from disease may be indicated briefly here, though the general subject of diseases will be dealt with later on. The prevalence of Fiji disease some years ago was almost certainly due to infected cane being planted before growers knew much about it. Later, when losses had inculeated greater care, farmers largely controlled the disease by using for seed purposes only clean canes, and by rooting out every infected stool as soon as the disease manifested its presence in the crop. Gumming is also a condition that is easily de- tected, but it has spread extensively, and the facts suggest that the disease is planted with the sets. Yet the presence of gumming can be easily proved by exposing a cut cane to the sun for a few minutes. The oozing of a waxy substance from the cut surface will presently tell the tale. With such a simple method of detection, and by the employment of methods of cutting the sets that are not likely to spread the disease from clean canes to infected ones, it should be possible to keep the farm fairly free from it. Thus the indications of the presence of disease require to be studied, more especially as disease is often present in an incipient state without greatly affecting the standing crop, but yet sufficient to spell disaster if the cane were used for seed purposes. The Value of Good Seed. Upon this question of the importance of good seed, Dr. Cobb has written some very pertinent matter:— Experiments corroborate ancient practice, exemplified by the best amd most successful farmers of all time, namely, that the better the seed the better the resulting crop will be. This is not to say that good seed will always give a good crop and never a poor one, nor is it to say that poor seed may not give a good crop sometimes. The fact is that good seed under the same conditions as poor seed, will give better re- sults. There is no exception to this rule.” “Tt is,” he adds, “ quite remarkable what fair crops can be raised from comparatively poor seed—given good soil, good tillage, good season, and no pests or diseases,” but the increase of the profits of sugar-growing in New South Wales and the development of the industry on a sound basis are not going to be by carelessness in propagation. Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. oe We have now a good stock of diseases on our rivers, and plenty of com- petition by growers in other parts of the world, and it is becoming in- creasingly unwise to use any but the best seed—increasingly important that we should use only the very best. One of the lines upon which improvement is going to be effected is the growth of cane for seeding purposes. The suggestion, no doubt, savours of the extravagant to the cane-grower, but let him take stock of the situation. The wheat-grower is learning that such high-class seed as the Department grows on the various farms in the wheat belt has a value far above its price per bushel. The maize-grower is finding that maize grown on scientific lines and by the selection of individual plants is giving quite remarkable results. The potato-grower is becoming conscious of the same thing; so also even the dairy-farmer who tests out the good and bad of his herd. Can the cane-planter expect that anything else shall be true of his crop? The individual, tested row—closely inspected and rigidly thinned out for every semblance of weakness, unthriftiness or disease—is becoming a prime method in agriculture, and it will yet be so in respect of cane. There is more ahead of the careful, enthusiastic grower than there is behind him—more of zealous attention to detail—more of enthralling interest and instruction—more of certainty of results and therefore, too, of profit. The seed or “sets” vary somewhat in size, according to the ideas of the grower, but two or three eyes per plant seem to be the best. Long sets of several eyes are apt to be disturbed by cultivating implements, and this is particularly injurious to the young plant, for it is very tender in the earlier stages and intolerant of rough treatment. One farmer on the Clarence lately affirmed his belief in sets of one eye each, holding that they come up quickest, and that it takes less cane to plant a given area. A crop that he planted on these lines will be watched with interest, but on the whole a longer set seems to have the sanction of experience. Groenewege, discussing the occurrence of gumming in Java, makes the remark that “ cuttings with one node only should never be used.” Damage is often done when the canes are being cut, the ends being shattered and split in such a way as to allow of the entrance of fungi when the sets are placed in the soil. In the early days of the industry this was a matter of small consequence no doubt, but land that has grown cane for many years is now well stored with fungi of various kinds that take advantage of every means of entry. Dr. Cobb found this a most important point in the cane-sick lands of Hawaii, and it may yet acquire significance here. Change of Seed. Change of seed seems to be desirable with sugar cane as with many other crops, and no doubt this has been one reason for the numerous varieties that have followed one another across the path of the grower. It is uni- versally accepted that sugar cane of one variety should not be followed on the same land with another plant of the same variety, and doubtless experi- ence points definitely that way. Let it be interpolated, however, 858 .- Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. that if any farmer imagines that change of variety complies with the principles of rotation as good husbandry, he is quite in error. The practice absolutely fails on that score, valuable as it may be for other reasons. It is perhaps not out of place to remark here that there is no reason why every variety should “run out” in time and follow the course of those that have “run out” before it. “ Run out,” it is to be feared, is largely the consequence of farmers’ own crude methods of selection and neglect of the sound indications of virility and freedom from disease. In other words, it is the result of successive plantings with little regard for the characters that should be perpetuated, and for those that should be eliminated or con- trolled. “Run out” is not an essential of the industry, and a recognition of this might yet see some excellent old varieties that growers are inclined to bemoan coming into favour again. On the score of change of seed, it might be remarked that the introduc- tion of seed from one district to another, especially from somewhat harsh conditions to more favourable ones, is good practice in the culture of some _erops, being frequently followed, by good yields. At the same time it should be remembered that experience also shows that given sound methods of selection and culture, acclimatised seed has recommendations that the grower cannot afford to ignore. Intercultivation. The working of the land under a young cane crop is generally on the lines of flat cultivation in the earlier stages, the objects being (1) to prevent the loss of moisture and (2) to control weed growth. Cane-farmers appear to be well aware of the value of a loose surface as a means of conserving soil moisture, and also to realise that the quantity of plant-food avail- able in the soil at any one time is limited, and that if weeds are allowed to take an ample supply for themselves, then the more valuable cane plant is deprived of essentials to its development. The harrow is usually employed while the plants are still small, successive workings filling in the plant furrow until the crop becomes too tall to be treated in this way. A Planet Jr. horse-hoe, fitted with narrow tines for scarifying purposes is used by many as the plants grow. A few farmers even open up the ground on either side of the plants when they are two or three weeks above ground, leave it so for a few hours—perhaps for a day— and then break the middles, thus throwing the soil back upon the plants. The effect is no doubt to aerate and warm up the soil while yet it is possible to get close to the plants; later on as the roots spread this would be impossible. For later cultivating operations, the disc cultivator seems to be favoured by many farmers. It is largely used on the coast by maize-growers, having a raised frame that enables it to be used on a crop until it has attained a height of 3 feet 6 inches; this frame can be lowered and the discs reversed to convert the implement into a disc harrow. With this or some similar implement the rows are inter-cultivated and the drills hilled up, the work Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 859 being continued as long as possible, especially in a dry season. Where square planting permits, intercultivation is carried out first in one direction and then the other; in drill planting this is impossible and the hard condi- tion into which the soil gets where the implements cannot reach is one of the great disadvantages of that method. Hand chipping is no doubt possible, but it is a very laborious and costly matter, and the drill planter must satisfy himself by going as close as he can without damaging the plants. Presently the cane covers the ground completely and further culti- vation is unnecessary. Stripping and Cutting. Trashing or stripping, which consists of the removal of the dead or dying leaves as the cane grows up, is an operation that is variously regarded. Its effect is to expose the cane to the maturing influences of light and air, and on the whole there seems to be reason to consider that the effect is to increase the sugar content. On the other hand, injudicious and careless stripping is very liable to leave wounds through which fungus diseases may obtain an entrance. Dr. Cobb made the remark that “ when cane is stripped, care should be taken not to remove any of the leaves that have a living con- nection with the stalk, as this results in wounds that are likely to admit disease. . . . . - - It is better to remove too little than too much!” The operation of trashing is practised by very few on the Richmond, but on the Clarence the majority of farmers attach some importance to it. As already stated there are those who specially value it as a means of ensuring good ripe cane for the purpose of sets, on the ground that the buds are developed by the light and air admitted, put Dr. Cobb in particular re- gards the natural covering as beneficial to the eyes, except when certain insects are present that shelter between the leaves and cane. The cane crop is removed between July and December, according to whether it was planted early or late and to the conditions that have obtained during growth. Occasionally a plant crop matures with unusual rapidity, but on the whole it is the first ratoon crop that is cut earliest in the season. The experienced grower does not need to be told that the cane must be cut as close to the ground as possible; not only is the maximum weight of cane obtained in this way, but also that part of the cane in which the sugar con- tent is greatest and to which, therefore, the greatest value attaches. Harvesting has become a well-organised operation, upon the details of which it is unnecessary to linger. (Lo be continued.) 860 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. BAITING THE WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE. THE annual loss occasioned among the flocks of the Riverina by wedge- tailed eagle is very high, and under drought conditions their depredations are even more marked. On one station between Wyalong and the Lachlan, on what may be regarded as a safe estimate, 2,000 lambs per annum are taken by these birds, and even full-grown sheep fall easy prey to them ; calves, marsupials, and dogs are also included in their predatory attacks. With sheep their usual mode of attack is to cut out the victim, and then, by continually swooping at it, to drive it until it drops or is felled by a blow of the wing. Unless particularly ravenous, the birds confine themselves to ear and eye on the upper side of the victim and, after removing the side of the face, tear out the tongue. The writer recently had the opportunity of observing the method adopted by Mr. R. B. Robb, manager of Wollongough Station, Ungarie, in dealing with this pest. The experience of Mr. Robb indicates that attempts at shooting the bird with gun or rifle are practically futile, but that trapping along certain lines is highly successful; on small holdings almost every eagle should be accounted for. Mr. Robb’s system is as follows :—Ordinary rabbit traps are placed slightly below ground level and lightly covered with earth, not less than 18 inches from the bait ; if closer than this the bird will probably stand back and reach the bait over the traps. A sheep’s head makes an excellent bait, but almost anything (such as rabbits, hares, or birds), freshly killed, may be used. Stale baits are utterly useless. Care must be taken also to spike the bait firmly to the ground, for otherwise the bird will swoop and lift it in its claws. It has been found profitable to utilise two or at most three traps at each centre, thereby securing a wider range of distribution. The eagle is compelled to approach the bait on the side nearest to the trap by means of a light breastwork or “background” built of sticks or bush, care being taken to make it too light to carry the weight of the bird. It is imperative also that the traps should be free, for if firmly anchored the struggles of the powerful captive are almost certain to result in the dismembering of its foot—the usual point of seizure—and its consequent escape. If, however, the traps are weighted only sufficiently to prevent the birds from rising from the ground, this danger is almost completely avoided, and it is always an easy matter to run down the captives. The birds are usually caught shortly after sunrise or within an hour of sunset, and if the traps can be visited twice daily there is little likelihood that they will escape. Decoys are a highly important factor in the work, and it is customary to utilize a number of the captives for this purpose. The wing feathers are, of course, closely cut, and the birds tethered—preferably by a strong dog- chain to the leg, the ring end being secured to a stake about 30 inches in height. If decoys are regularly watered and fed with fresh meat, they will, in most cases, soon settle down. In preparing birds to act as decoys the greatest care must be exercised, as the eagle is capable of inflicting a very severe and dangerous wound. They can, however, be handled with comparative safety by placing a light pole across the body of the trapped bird, and by keeping one foot upon it to hold it firmly in place while the wings are cut and the tethering chain adjusted. It is advisable to use a leather band for fastening the chain to the leg, in order to avoid chafing, thereby tending more fully to maintain the vitality and efficiency of the decoy.—G. C. Sparks, Inspector of Agriculture. Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 861 Safeguarding Farm Stock from Disease. (3) By Correct FEEDING. [Concluded from page 814.] MAX HENRY M.B.GV.S., B.V.Sc. SHEEP. THE principles affecting the feeding of sheep are studied still less than those affecting the feeding of other animals, but in drought periods their con- sideration is often a matter of very great importance, demanding attention in relation both to cost and to prevention of mortality. Sheep grazing in paddocks are subject to the diseased conditions asso- ciated with the same method of feeding in cattle—that is, tympanites when brought on to succulent feed suddenly, impaction of various organs of diges- tion after a long course of dry feeding, acute poisoning from prussic acid developing plants, and slow poisoning from Darling pea, &c. Tympanites or hoven usually occurs in mobs of travelling sheep, sheep just off trucks, and those recently brought from a dry area to more favoured spots. The losses are at times exceedingly heavy, and those measures of prevention which can be utilised with animals on a farm or holding—methods such as only allowing the animals to remain a short time on such succulent grazing or supplying them with some dry food before allowing them on it—are often not practicable. Any such steps as are possible, however, should be taken. The second common cause of mortality—impaction of various organs— is not so readily recognised or dealt with, since it is apt to be of slow onset and to follow a long period of dry feeding. The tendency is to regard the fact that sheep have lived for some considerable period on scrub or very dry innutritious food as evidence that the food is sufficient for them, but as a matter of fact a continuous lowering in tone is taking place, varying in degree according to the quantity and quality of the food. This lowering in tone may be so slight that no ill effects are observed, and when good feed comes again the sheep recover their tone; on the other hand, it may be so marked that the digestive system becomes unable to deal with the food, impaction results, and heavy mortality may follow. This is particularly liable to occur in pregnant ewes towards lambing time, and in sheep that are travelled or put to some other strain. In between these manifestations are all gradations of the trouble, and in many cases only small numbers of the weaker sheep may die. What the animals suffer from is actually slow starvation. The impaction is certainly increased by the astringent nature of so many scrub fodders. It is impossible to lay down any hard and fast rules as to when and under what particular conditions mortality will occur, but it is obvious that the longer the period of innutritious feeding the more 862 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. likely it is to have unfavourable results. Experience with the particular fodders used and the conditions existent on each holding must serve as the owner’s guide. It is plain that prevention of such mortality as is under consideration depends on the supply of food which will counterbalance both the lack of nutritive quality and the astringent nature of the scrubs and rough, dry fodders. Although to prevent all ill effects this must be undertaken throughout the period of dry feeding, it is remarkable how rapidly sheep will recover from very severe loss of tone and impaction—even after deaths have occurred in the flock from these causes—if the food is changed, Loss of lambs through deficiency of milk in the ewes (an indirect effect of the trouble discussed) may also be guarded against at the same time by use of the same measures. The most useful way of considering the question of measures likely to prevent losses will be to take in turn the various feeding materials used in carrying sheep through a dry time and to note their value, and the most satisfactory method of utilising them. In doing so it must be borne in mind that financial considerations and the number of sheep to be dealt with must modify the decision on these points to a degree varying with any particular case. Oats.—While this is a very good grain food for sheep, it does not appear to equal maize; as a sole food, owing to its larger husk content, it is superior to wheat. It is usually fed either by scattering or in troughs, but (as with all grains) scattering has considerable drawbacks, as a certain quantity is wasted, and in picking it up off the ground the sheep are bound to become sanded to a certain extent. In some instances sanding has increased the ill effects of impaction, if it has not directly caused mortality. It may be said here that no grain alone can be a satisfactory feed for a ruminant animal over long periods, and the fact that sheep have been brought through certain periods of drought on a grain ration does not invalidate this fact. Owing to its comparatively high nitrogen content oats form a useful adjunct to silage, straw, and chaff feeding. Maize—This appears to be about the most suitable grain to feed to sheep, and owing to its larger size there is probably less lost in scattering it than is the case with oats and wheat. It does not alone provide such a balanced feed as oats, however. It will give better results if fed with lucerne chaff than with oaten or wheaten, or a small ration of meal may be combined with the wheaten chaff to create the balance. Wheat—Much used in feeding sheep by both methods. Pretty well equal in value to maize. Best if fed with lucerne chaff. General remarks on oats as feed apply to maize and wheat also. Bran.—A most valuable feed for breeding ewes. Keeps the digestive tract in good order, and, being fairly rich in nitrogenous matter, can be used with oaten or wheaten chaff without the addition of grain. A small chaff and bran ration of roughly equal parts, trough-fed, is very useful when sheep are on scrub or dry innutritious fodder. Dee. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 863 Chaff (oaten or wheaten).—Has not the same value as lucerne, but is a good bulk food. Really good chaff, as produced in this country, can be fed alone, and will provide good sustenance without additional food, though it is better to add bran for breeding ewes. Poor chaff is not very much better than straw. Straw.—Can be very largely utilised in the feeding of sheep; and while barley straw is probably the best, oat and wheat straw can both be made use of. Its palatability is greatly increased and its nutritive value raised if given with molasses. If a lucerne ration is being fed, straw can be used to replace portion of this ration, without lowering the value of the ration to a serious extent. Silage—Silage is always of value. To obtain the best results some ‘portion of the feed should be dry roughage, such as lucerne hay or straw. Innseed and other Meals—Supplied in small quantities to sheep being trough-fed on chaff or straw, these can entirely replace bran and grain, as they are rich in nitrogenous material and in mineral salts. These notes apply to the feeding of sheep in dry periods with a view to preventing mortality apart from actual starvation—although, as already indicated, nearly all such mortality is really at basis slow starvation. It is not intended here to discuss feeding from the point of view of fatten- ing, but it may advisedly be pointed out that so long as our sheep are exposed to the extremes of feeding which exist in New South Wales, so long must heavy mortality be expected. The maintenance of food supplies on a more even basis would prevent a very great deal of this mortality, and though such ideas are impracticable to a great extent in the case of the large sheep-run, they are not so on many sheep farms. The most obvious methods of ensuring it are the conservation of hay and silage, the sub- division and spelling of paddocks, and the growing of crops for grazing. The future must inevitably see a great increase in the application of such methods of reducing mortality. As already pointed out, much loss occurs from continued dry feeding, and yet further loss is involved in the sudden change to extremely succulent food. Surprise is often expressed that mortality in sheep is so heavy after the appearance of what is referred to as good food, but as a matter of fact such rapid-growing succulent food as appears after copious rains following drought possesses very little body, and in the already weakened condition of the animal will not sustain life, particularly as at such times the animal requires the production of a good deal of bodily heat. The question then arises of the possibility of supplying some dry roughage in addition to the green food. Apart from these direct effects of feeding on mortality, it has, it may be reiterated, a somewhat indirect influence in leading to many deaths among ewes prior to lambing. It is not suggested that every such case is dietetic in origin, but it is desired to stress the intimate connection between feeding and many such cases of heavy loss. These deaths are in all pro- bability due to a complexity of causes beginning with lack of digestible and 864 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. nutritive food, leading to a slowly developing atonic condition of the diges- tive tract, which becomes less and less capable of dealing with what food is available. The strain of advancing pregnancy is added to these difficul- ties, a tendency to constipation is induced by the fibrous astringent food, and as a result of these multiple causes the weakened animals succumb. If at the first sign of such mortality food of the nature of bran, lucerne, linseed meal, &e., can be provided, it may be almost entirely checked. Poisoning. At times heavy losses occur in sheep as a result of plant poisoning. Blue couch and rosewood have been responsible for many deaths as a result of the formation of prussic acid, and variegated thistle has killed many, probably from the same cause. Very little can be done to prevent this as there is no indication when the plants are likely to be poisonous, but warnings issued with regard to particular patches of country have at times been disregarded with disastrous results. The commonest form of chronic poisoning is that due to Darling pea, which can only be dealt with by getting rid of the plant. There are, in addition, many other plants concerning which our information is very vague and unsatisfactory, and concerning which there is urgent need for investigation. PIGS. Feeding and disease are not so intimately connected in the pig as in other animals—largely because in the majority of cases the feeding is more controlled, and because, whereas with other stock most of the trouble is due to the nature of the food, with pigs the most serious disease (that is, tuber- culosis) is due to infected food. It may safely be said that the great majority of cases of tuberculosis of the pig in this country are due to infection by tubercular milk and milk products, and the only satisfactory method to safeguard the animals is to boil such food before feeding it. The amount of mineral salts (particularly lime and phosphates) in the food of pigs is of considerable importance, and the disease commonly known as rickets is largely due to deficiency of these ingredients. In cases where the pigs are affected a change of diet is advisable, and food fairly rich in these salts, such as bran, pollard, lucerne hay, clover hay, &c., should be tried. One of the common forms of poisoning in the pig occurs from the administration of brine with the food, either through ignorance or care- lessness. Otherwise poisoning is generally due to the careless handling of rabbit poison. DiscusstnG the scorching effect of sea-winds on foliage, L. A. Boodle, in the Journal of the Ministry of Agriculture (London), concludes that it is chiefly due to the drying action of the wind, but that salt may perhaps occasionally contribute towards the production of an injurious effect. Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 865 Banana Root Borer (Cosmopolites scordidus Germar). T. McCARTHY, Assistant Entomologist. As in many other places where the banana is now extensively grown, the banana root borer Cosmopolites sordidus has been introduced into the Tweed River district. It was first brought under notice four years ago, but was probably introduced earlier in banana suckers obtained from Queensland, where it has been known for at least twenty-five years. It has not thus far been responsible on the Tweed for such considerable damage as it is said to have done in Fiji. At present there is no general infestation in the Tweed River district, the beetles being confined to isolated areas, practically all of which have been infested by the planting of beetle-infested suckers. The original home of the beetle is unknown, but it is not a native of Australia. It was first described by Germar from Java in 1824 as Calandra sordida, but Chevrolat in 1886 established the genus Cosmopolites for this species. It is widely distributed in the tropics, having been recorded from Lower Congo, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Ceylon, India, Malay States, Saigon, China, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, New Guinea, Fiji, Brazil, Trinidad, West Indies and Florida. : According to literature published, the banana beetle appears to confine itself almost wholly to bananas, though Newell states that it also attacks sugar-cane. All varieties of bananas are attacked. Jepson states that the borer does not display more partiality for one variety than another, but in St. Lucia, Dr. Hutson states it seems to prefer the plantain, the cultivation of which is being abandoned there for another variety in the hope that it may be less susceptible to the attacks of the beetle. No choice is, however, available on the Tweed River, as the Cavendish banana is practically the only variety grown. Character of the Injury. The injury is caused by the larva or grub of the beetle feeding and tunnel- ling in the root-stock or bulb of the banana. (Plate II, Fig. 10.) The greater part of the damage occurs in the outer part of the bulb, where are located the fibro-vascular bundles which convey the nourishment to the growing parts of the plants. The normal supply of food to the plant is thus obstructed, and the growth of the suckers arrested, causing the leaves to die prematurely, and finally the roll of unopened leaves or the growing point of the plant to wither, as is shown in the illustration on page 866. The tunnels, which are roughly circular, are at first small, but as the grub feeds it increases in size, and the tunnels are enlarged accordingly until they attain a diameter of about one-quarter of an inch. Eventually the bulbs become riddled with these circular tunnels, permitting the invasion of fungus and bacteria, which soon reduce the whole bulb to a blackened mass 866 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. of decaying tissue. In this condition it is deserted entirely by the beetle larve. Badly infested suckers are easily pushed over, and in some cases I have found the larval tunnels extending up to the stem 12 inches above the ground level. Where a plantation is badly infested no fruit may be pro- duced, or, if any, the bunches are small and the fruit undersized. From what I have observed, however, a considerable time may elapse before a Arrested growth of Suckers, due to attacks of Beetles. plantation, originally laid out with infested suckers, begins to show any material effect of the infestation. I have seen a plantation originally planted with infested suckers still producing good bunches four years after planting. Where the infestation is the result of a natural migration of the beetles themselves from one plantation to another, it would take much longer to show a definite effect in a plantation. Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 867 The presence of larve in a stool may or may not be directly discernible. This seems to depend largely on the degree of infestation. If the stool is badly infested, the suckers show evidence of arrested growth and premature dying of the leaves. This, it must be remembered, can also be produced by other agencies. On the other hand, a partially-infested stool may bear a normally healthy appearance. How to Detect Infection—On mere appearance there is no certainty whether infestation is present or not, but where any of the foregoing symptoms, however slight, are showing the presence or otherwise of the beetle can be easily determined by the planter. The original parent bulb is usually the centre of infection, so that the most advanced stage of attack will be found in the stumps in the middle of the clump. These can be sliced downward with an ordinary sheath knife, and if infested the tunnels and larve of the beetle can be readily seen, as in Plate II, Fig. 10. Suspected suckers also can be cut off through the bulbs and sliced, when the tunnels and sometimes the lary are revealed. Description of Stages. The Adult—In general appearance the adult beetle resembles the com- mon grain bettle, except that the former is many times larger. Found in its usual moist habitat (the decaying banana bulb) the beetle, except when newly hatched, when it is reddish-brown, is of a uniform black colour; but when dried, the body is covered with a thin incrustation which gives it a greyish appearance. The whole body is thickly and evenly punctured, with the wing covers or elytra bearing impressed lines of strive containing rows of punctures. The elytra are slightly shortened, freely exposing the pygidium, which is pubescent and covered with setigerous punctures. The body divisions, head, thorax, and abdomen, are distinct. The head is small and spherical, deeply imbedded in the tubular apex of the prothorax and prolonged in front into the usual snout or rostrum. The latter is moderately curved downward, thickened between the antennz, with the mouth parts situated at the apex. The antennze are elbowed. The prothorax is long, narrowing towards the apex, with a thin, irregular, smooth, medium, longi- tudinal strip on the dorsal surface. The legs are stout, the femora thick- ened at the distal end, the tibie terminating in a hook and the tarsi four- jointed. Length, 12 mm. Breadth at base of elytra, 4 mm. Between the sexes no marked variation in size occurs, nor is the size of the rostrum, as suggested by Tryon, a reliable distinction. The sexes, how- ever, can be easily differentiated by the first ventral abdominal segment of the male (Plate II, Fig. 3) being more or less strongly impressed in the middle, while in the female (Plate II, Fig. 5) it is flat or even slightly convex. The rostrum also exhibits some sexual variation (Plate II, Figs. 2 and 4), but only in so far that the rostrum of the male is more coarsely punctured, and the punctures, though becoming finer, extend almost to the apex. In the female the apical half of the rostrum is practically smooth (Plate I, Figs. 4 and 5). 868 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. The Egg.—The egg is elongate oval, about 2 mm. in length, and pure white in colour (Plate HU, Fig. 6). The Larva.—The mature larva is a creamy white, stout, fleshy, legless — grub, with the body distinctly curved. The head is prominent, rounded, dark reddish-brown in colour, and emarginate behind. The mandibles are dark brown, well-developed, with the tips bidentate. Beyond scattered spine-like hairs on the head, thorax, and abdominal extremity, the body is naked, with the upper surface wrinkled and the segmental divisions of the body showing more distinctly on the under-surface. The three thoracic segments are rather more developed than the abdominal ones, the mesothorax bearing a pair of elongated spiracles. The first seven abdominal segments are normal in form. In the mature larva, these segments increase in size to the fourth and fifth, which are the largest, and then contract toward the anal extremity. This gives the whole body of the larva a swollen appearance towards the middle. Each bears a pair of minute indistinct spiracles. In accordance with other Calandrid weevil-larve, the eighth and ninth segments are much modified, and visible dorsally as somewhat chitinised sloping plates, giving a truncate appearance to the hind end of the body. Average length, 13 mm (Plate I, Fig 1). The Pupa.—The pupa is elongated and white in colour with the structure of the future beetle plainly visible, the rostrum, antenne, wing pads, and legs all being prominent. It has four pairs of large tubercles set with bristles on the head and snout, while the thorax, which is large and rounded, also bears six pairs of tubercles set with bristles. The first six abdominal segments normal, each bearing three pairs of bristles, borne on tubercles which are placed so close together as to form a ridge-like prominence on either edge of the dorsal surface. The spiracles on these segments are larger and more prominent than the larval spiracles. The remaining abdominal segments are greatly modified. Dorsally the seventh is elongate, with two pairs of tubercles set with bristles. From a lateral view it is seen that the seventh segment is dorsally the terminal segment, but ventrally it is emarginated for the reception of the other segments, which extend slightly beyond it. The ninth is set with two long chitinous processes at the sides of which are a pair of stiff spines. The pupa has two large spiracles situ- ated prominently on the base of the prothorax as in other Calandrine. Length, 12 mm (Plate I, Fig. 3). Habits and Life History. The beetle is associated with the banana plant in all its four stages—egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The adult weevils are nocturnal, hiding by day in or around the decaying bulbs or between the leaf sheaths of the plant above the ground, and coming out at night to feed on the plant juices and to lay their eggs. They are very sluggish and move about slowly when wandering at night, contracting the legs and feigning death when disturbed. The adults are long lived. Four hundred adults, collected in April from the bulbs of plants at Tweed Heads and transferred to Sydney in decaying Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., December 2. 1920 Hh) aff Tx i nea My) i fe) ; y—N & Natural Size Natural Size The Banana Root Borer (Cosmopolites sordidus). 1. Larva of Banana Root Borer. 2, Upper view of anal segment. 3. Pupa. 4. Dorsal view of beetle. 5. Side view of beetle. PuateE I. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., November, 1920. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., December 2, 1920. “n *y904S 001 10 q[nq paysajul JO UOTqDag * “‘qing JO UMOIO UO ‘7718 Ur BSG” WS UL 558 YLM [AUUNY JO UOT|Vag * ‘TI 4LV1Ig “<41AvO 559 JO voueivadde [eusagxy *apqaaq jo sony ‘A[TUMIDJ JO JUBULSIS |LUIMIOPAE [BAQUAA 4SITT ‘igl0g JOOY vuRUtg ey L WON ‘a]VUlay JO (yNOUS IO) WINA\sOYy “fF “9[BUI JO JUDULS9S [VUIMIOpGYE [vIyUIA 4SITA “¢g ‘ayeut JO (jnoUsS JO) UINAYSOY *Z ‘a[389q 944 JO SUL “T SSS \ ad Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 869 banana bulb, were all alive five months later notwithstanding that the winter had been abnormally cold and prolonged. Under natural conditions. there- fore, life must be of considerable duration. Although the beetle has wings (Plate II, Fig 1) apparently ample, its capacity for flight has not been definitely established. Some writers assert that the beetle flies, but they do so without authentic confirmation. Some importance must be attached to this point, for if the beetle can fly the value of quarantining plantations as a preventive against the spread of the beetle would be lessened, as infection would then be carried from one plantation to another by direct flight of the beetles. Observations and tests I have carried out, however, while not as yet conclusive, undoubtedly indicate that the beetle does not fly, and infection must be due either to the beetle crawling from one place to another, or, more generally, to the planting of infested suckers. Not only do the wings appear to have lost the power necessary for flight, but I have carefully observed the beetle crawling at night without noting any attempt to fly or even to extend the elytra, as would be expected if the insect could fly. Nor can they under any circum- stances be induced to fly. . In the Tweed River district infestation, in almost every case, was directly traceable to the planting of infested suckers. If the beetles fly, healthy plantations adjoining infested ones would, it seems likely, become spora- dically infested. But this does not occur. In only one instance did I find an adjoining plantation infested, and this in two rows immediately contiguous to the most heavily infested section of the infested plantation, indicating that the beetles had crawled over to the clean plantation. Even if the beetle can fly, its habits suggest that the power of flight is rarely if ever utilised, and that it does not move far from the place where it is developed so long as suitable food is available for the egg-laying female. Normally the eggs are deposited singly in cavities that the female pre- . pares for them with the aid of the mandibles located at the tip of the beak or rostrum, notwithstanding the fact that some eggs may be dropped loosely on the ground close to the bulb, or among the sheathing bases of the leaves. The locality mostly favoured for the deposition of the eggs is between the leaf-sheath scars on the crown of the bulb just above the ground (Plate I, Fig. 9). Many eggs, however, were also found deposited throughout infested bulbs, the egg cavities being excavated through the sides of the larval tunnels (Plate II, Fig. 8). In captivity, also, the beetles laid freely in the cut surfaces of portions of banana bulbs placed in the cages as shelters for them, notwithstanding that banana suckers were provided for the purpose as nearly as possible to natural conditions. The number of eggs laid by a single female has not been determined, but it seems that the beetles breed continuously and that there is no marked division into definite egg-laying periods. On hatching the young larva measures nearly 2 mm. in length, and resembles the mature larva except that it is paler in colour and without the pronounced thickening of the fourth and fifth segments. It immediately tunnels downwards into the bulb, the cavity prepared by the female for the B 870 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. reception of the egg affording it a safe and easy means of entry into the bulb. At first the channels are almost indiscernible, but they gradually grow wider as the grub matures. On attaining maturity the grub usually makes its way towards the surface of the bulb where the channel, which is partially filled with sawdust-like particles of rejected banana tissue, ter- minates in an oval chamber prepared by the grub. In this chamber the grub undergoes its final moult and transforms to the pupal condition. No true cocoon is formed as in the case of the sugar-cane beetle (Rhabdocnemis obscura), but the presence of a few strands of banana fibre on the inside of the pupal chamber and the plugging of the outer end of it with a roll or pad of banana fibres (Plate II, Fig. 10) indicates that the cocoon-making habit has been largely lost. On emerging from the pupa the beetle, which is at first reddish-brown in colour, does not immediately leave the pupal chamber, but remains until its tissues have hardened up, its colour in the meanwhile gradually becoming darker and darker, The adult males and females are much alike, but can be distinguished by the characters previously mentioned. With regard to the proportion of sexes, males predominate. Taking one’ hundred specimens haphazardly in a plantation, I found fifty-nine were males and forty-one females, and this percentage was supported later in the laboratory in the examination of a large series of specimens. With regard to the periods occupied in the various stages of the beetle development, Jepson has found that the egg period lasts five to seven days, the larval period about twenty days, and the pupal period six to eight days. These have been approximately confirmed by Moznette. My experi- ments indicate, however, that the periods are more prolonged, more particularly in the egg-stage, which I invariably found to be nine or ten days. The difference may be accounted for by the sub-tropical conditions under which my observations were carried out, but further observations are being made, pending which definite statements may be withheld. Seasonal History. Normally the insects pass through the winter in the adult stage, but some grubs are also found in the bulbs throughout the colder period. These grubs are from eggs that were laid late in the autumn, and the grubs, developing during the winter, are full grown in September, when they pupate and emerge. The majority of the grubs, however, have changed to beetles by the end of autumn and pass the winter as adults. In captivity no eggs were laid from May to September. Examination of the ovaries throughout the winter revealed no egg development, but early in September some well-developed eggs were found on dissection. The beetles began to deposit eggs late in September. The conditions under which the eggs were laid in captivity were as near as possible to those experienced under natural conditions. It seems, therefore, that in the Tweed River district the first eggs after the winter are laid in September, and that egg-laying is continued throughout the following months up to April. Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 871 Precautionary and Control Measures. Precautionary.—Too much importance cannot be attached to the neces- sity for planting clean and vigorous suckers. In selecting the latter, care should be taken to see that they are strong and healthy, and that they are obtained from a plantation beyond suspicion as to the presence of beetles. In addition, every sucker should be carefully examined for beetle infes- tation before planting, and any sucker about which there is the slightest doubt should be destroyed without hesitation. No precaution in this respect can be too drastic when laying out a plantation, as it often saves much labour and expense later. Under the Vine and Vegetation Diseases Act the removal of suckers from an infested plantation renders the owner liable to prosecution. Control—Owing to the mode of the beetle attack, no method of control, such as spraying, dipping, or underground fumigation has suggested itself as practicable. In an infested plantation the necessity for good cultural methods recommends itself as essential, and where these are employed I am of the opinion that damage by beetle can be kept down to an almost negligible quantity. In the Tweed River district more attention should be given to the employment of clean management and _ better cultural methods. Many planters, I have found, frequently expect their plants to produce a maximum of fruit with a minimum of attention. I have fre- quently seen suckers crowding all over the clumps, no attempt being made to prune them out. This reduces the general vigour of the stool, making ~ it less able to withstand the effects of beetlé attack. Observations tend to show also that plants lacking in vitality are more ready attacked by the beetle. In an infested plantation the fruit suckers should be limited to not more than five to ensure a more vigorous growth, while the removal and destruction from time to time of old stumps in the centre of the clump will materially assist in reducing the number of borers. As previously stated, I have found that the middle of the clump is usually the centre of infestation. Tf the above methods are carried out, an infested plantation will continue to produce good bunches. Where the infestation is beyond control, the banana plants should be dug out entirely and destroyed, as they only serve as ideal breeding grounds for the beetle. Trapping —Trapping the adult beetles will greatly assist in reducing the number of borers. Traps may consist of strips of banana stem or banana bulb cut in halves. The latter are preferable as they remain attractive to the beetle for a longer period, and being suitable for egg-laying, the female does not wander off after feeding in search of a suitable place to deposit her eggs. When the cut surface becomes too dry it can be renewed by taking off a thin slice. It is important also that when the traps have dried up and ceased to be attractive to the beetles they should be replaced. The strong natural odour of these freshly-cut bulbs is very attractive to the beetles. They should be placed cut surface downwards around the infested stool or at intervals between the infested rows. The beetles are attracted to these traps 872 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec 2, 1920. during the night, congregating underneath the trap, and should ve regularly collected and destroyed each morning. The soil just beneath the trap should also be examined. It is inadvisable, unless under strict supervision, to place the traps among apparently clean stools, as otherwise the beetle may be attracted to healthy plants. Where there is danger of a clean plantation becoming infested from an adjoining infested one (a condition previously stated to have actually occurred), traps can be usefully employed as a first line of defence. A double row of traps (the traps in one row arranged opposite the spaces between the traps in the other) can be placed between the two plantations, but nearer the infested one, and examined each morning, and any beetles destroyed. It must be borne in mind, however, that with such a procedure, rigid supervision of the traps is essential so that all beetles can be promptly collected and destroyed. 5 Natural Enemies. No natural enemies of the insect were found on the Tweed River, and the fact that the original home of the beetle is unknown makes the dis- covery of its true parasites rather difficult. Muir found no direct parasites either in Borneo or Java, but he states that they were attended by Hydro- philids and Histerids. The Histerid beetle, Plesius javanus, was intro- duced from Java into Hawaii as a parasite of an allied species, the cane beetle borer (Rhabdocnemis obscura). It failed to establish itself, how- ever. Jepson, in his mission to Java in quest of the natural enemies of the beetle, found the same beetle to be the most effective parasite of the banana beetle. He accordingly in 1913 introduced it into Fiji, where the banana beetle was doing considerable damage. Four years later, however, its establishment in Fiji also appears to be doubtful. Writing in 1917, Knowles states :—‘ Nothing has been seen or heard during the year of the predatory beetle Plasws javanus, introduced from Java in 19138, but there is no reason to suggest any modification of the opinion expressed by Mr. Jepson last year that this does not necessarily mean that the beetle has died out, as it is not a very prolific one, and development is extremely slow.” No conclusion can, however, be drawn, and from the nature of the .Tweed River infestation I am of the opinion that, if this predatory beetle can be established, it would be of some value in controlling the banana beetle. As this Histerid is predaceous in both larval and adult stages, it is unlikely that it would be injurious in any way if introduced. Further information as to its habits and value as a check on the banana beetle is being con- sidered before deciding upon its introduction. SampLes of potash salts obtained from the water hyacinth (Hichhornia . crassipes) that abounds on the northern rivers have lately been submitted to the Department for analysis. It was found that the material contains 7:7 per cent of moisture and 36:12 per cent of potash (KO), the latter being present as chloride and sulphate. At the current unit-value for potash, this fertiliser is worth about £20 15s. per ton.—F. B, GuTurin. re a ll le i a i ll > fe ~1 oo Dec, 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazeite of N.S. Some Recently Introduced Fodder Plants. TESTS ON THE SouTH Coast. = R. N. MAKIN, Inspector of Agriculture. TurReE recently introduced fodder plants of importance were tested by the Department, in co-operation with farmers on the South Coast, during the past season. These were Sudan grass, Saccaline, and Elephant grass, all of which are liable to be cut down by frost. Sudan Grass. Sudan grass is raised from seed, and is best sown in drills, so spaced that tillage to keep down weed growth and to conserve moisture is possible. About 7 to 10 Ib. of seed are required per acre. The crop is one that will do well on good ground of the poorer class. F armyard or artificial manures should be applied, and sowing should not be made until danger of frost is past. As a rule, October planting is safe. Under average weather conditions two cuts for green feed or hay may be obtained in the season, the first generally within three to four months from time of sowing. Stock are very fond of this crop either as green fodder or as hay or chaff. Experiments with this plant for the first- mentioned purpose were conducted with the following farmers :— L. B. Garrad, Milton. Geo. Lindsay, Dapte. J. H. Martin, Pambula. J. Timbs, Albion Pare. At Milton the crop was broadcasted and was outgrown by summer grass, and perished. At Dapto the seed was sown with the wheat drill, sowing through every cup. Germination was good, but weed growth was trouble- some. Only one cut was obtained. The soil was of sandstone formation. The Albion Park soil was also of sandstone formation. On this plot the seed was broadcasted, but owing to the poor growth only one cut was obtained. At Pambula the seed was sown in drills 2 feet 9 inches apart, and the rows were kept cultivated. The soil was of sedimentary character. Two cuts were obtained. All plots were treated with P7 mixture, which comprises superphosphate and bonedust in equal quantities, at the rate of 1 ewt. per acre. The follow- ing yields per acre were obtained :— Ist Cut. 2nd Cut. Hic tn, Conan ome Us ti: iCr idee lbs J. H. Martin, Pambula iela. = Seioea as foe AOL Geo. Lindsay, Dapto ... peat) Vales Uae ote os ab cesd cs J. Timbs, Albion Park Spree CG eae Heel Lic 7: ahaa aa mes re The large yields at Pambula, where drill-sowing and cultivation were carried out, are worthy of note. Excessive weed growth in the early stages of the growth of this grass is always a serious deterrent to a good stand. 874 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. | Dec. 2, 1920. Sudan grass is not likely to displace maize or sorghum for green fodder purposes, as under equal conditions it will not yield a greater bulk of fodder. It is a useful plant, however, and under suitable weather conditions it may be made into a very superior hay that is much relished by all classes of stock. Elephant Grass. Plots of Elephant grass were established on the farms of the following farmers :— J. H. Martin, Pambuie. E. G. Kelly, Bega. L. B. Garrad, Milton. The plants were set out in October, and were allowed to attain their full growth. The stems were then cut and thrown out to the stock, which in all cases refused them, the stems apparently being too hard and not sufficiently appetising. A yield of 49 tons 18 ewt. per acre was obtained at Pambula. After the first cutting another growth of stems appeared. These were cut when about 2 feet long and proved more palatable to the stock. This plant might occupy waste land or be planted to stop erosion on creek banks. Saccaline. A plot of Saccaline was sown on Mr. J. H. Martin’s farm at Pambula. It was planted on 27th August, 1919, and cut 1st May, 1920, when a yield of 36 tons 14 ewt. of excellent green fodder was obtained. The stems were very juicy and sweet, and were eagerly devoured by the dairy stock. This is a plant which requires a longer growing season than Planter’s Friend, and seems to stand well into the winter months if not - severely attacked by red stain disease. Two LAMBINGsS A YEAR. “ How soon after parturition may a ewe be satisfactorily bred from?” in- quired a correspondent recently. It is only in occasional instances that a ewe will perform the dual functions of gestation and lactation at the same time. The most likely time to secure pregnancy during the lactation period would be from about three weeks to a month after parturition. If the object were to regain numbers as the result of the disastrous effect of the drought, not very much good would accrue from keeping the rams with the ewes all the time; a better plan would be to aim at a good autumn lambing, and then to draft off all ewes that have missed and mate them up again for a late spring or summer lambing. In order to avoid prostration through the ewes lambing in mid-summer, the first mating should take place as early in the spring as possible-—J. WreNForn MATHEWS. THERE is no necessity to pinch back the tops of potatoes. The leaves manu- facture the starch that is stored in the tubers, and any interference with the tops is therefore liable to detract from the yield—A. J. Pinn, Inspector of Agriculture. Dee. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 875 Farmers’ Experiment Plots. MaizE EXPERIMENTS, 1919-20. Upper North Coast District. . W. D. KERLE, Inspector of Agriculture. Fietp experiments with maize were conducted during the 1919-20 season by the following farmers in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture :— G. A. Forrest, Coraki. R. W. Hindmarsh, * Wiaraga,”’ Bellingen. E. A. Green, “ The Risk,’ Kyogle. G. P. Collins, ** Colindale,” Fairy Hill, Casino. BE. N. Mackinnon, Lawrence. A. Menzies, North Dorrigo. Henry Short, ‘ Warrawee,” Dorrigo. Wim. Barnes, “ Heatherdene,” South Woodburn. E, Amps, ‘* Goldsborough,” Camira Creek, Grafton. I. J. Giblin, Burrapine, Nambucca River. Mrs. Ff. T. Johnson, Condong, Tweed River. Chas. Oliver, ** Laurel Dale,’ Casino. The experiments consisted of trials with varieties and with simple and compound fertilisers. To provide for the diversity of climatie and soil conditions represented by the above centres, an aggregate of thirty varieties of maize were tested, a selection being made to suit the conditions of each locality. The Season. The season commenced disastrously, the drought conditions of the winter of 1919 continuing through the spring and early summer and not breaking until the first week in January. Only in a very few localities was Sep- tember planting possible, and light yields invariably resulted. Planting in October, November, and early December was accomplished chiefly after storms, and growth was slow until the heavy falls in the new year. The season was exceptionally good from January, and.the late-sown plots yielded remarkably well. The trials sown on 26th November at Mr. Charles Oliver’s, Casino, experienced exceedingly dry weather immediately after sowing, and the seed germinated so unevenly that it was considered advisable to cut the crop for green feed, it being impossible to obtain accurate results. The season was particularly adverse in the Richmond and Tweed River districts, slightly better in the Clarence, and still better in the Bellinger and Nambucea districts. On the Dorrigo the spring rains were below the average, but the drought conditions which prevailed on the coast were not in evidence on the plateau. : 876 Agriculturai Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. The precipitation for the growing period in each centre is shown in the following table :— F l g | 3 S : 2 he Paes | aes ee pe on Oe |= a a Se fs s} a | 3 Asie es A B S aq | Ss) Date of first) | 16 Nov.,|1 Dec., |18 Nov..| 16Jan.,) 3 Jan., /10 Oct.,| 18 O-t.,| 1 Nov., |22 Nov.,| 2 Dec., |25 Nov., record et 1919. 1919. 1919. 1920, 1920. 1919 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. 1919. | 1919, Pts. Pts.a\ bts iets. Ptss5| tse. | Pts. | Pts. | Pts: Pts: | Pts. October SRR ae et Ls; ae 248 Tete pace te a. : November... G2i) cre eater... | tee Bug 287,| Ska eee sit . December... 12] 402 | 244 PE oc 486} 507 174| 250 428 520 1920, i January ..| 1,0343] 1,425 |1,300 | 257 | 490 | 1,368 | 1,296 814] 6231 856 | 1,051 February nee 464 697 284 284: 225 919 937} 377 |. 211 4503) 455 March... sae 439 561 210 | 451 308 5 io: Ae 321 4233 480 yg ht Rete BIG il ee 258 |. 995]... iS ig 205| 295 | 396 May ... ea emia ee a 498 291 ; Nea arse Total ...| 2,1203)3,601.}2,153 |',748 1,539 | 3,324 | 3,074 | 1,446 | 1,618 | 2 453 | 2,702 | Cultural Notes and Comments. Coraki.—The soil is an alluvial loam typical of the Richmond around Coraki, but low-lying and liable to flood. The previous crop was maize, and the soil was reduced to an excellent tilth with one ploughing, two dise harrowings, and one tine harrowing. The seed, Improved Yellow Dent, was planted 3 inches deep to ensure it being in a moist seed-bed and because of the drought conditions prevail- ing at sowing. The germination of the plots was most satisfactory. The growth to the end of December was slow, but with the continuous rain in January and February it became exceedingly luxuriant, and the subsequent yields of grain were very high. The results obtained were so erratic that they form no useful guide as to the best fertiliser for maize in the district. Irregularities in the soil which were not markedly apparent at the time of planting were so accentuated by the season that the peau cannot be regarded as reliable. Bellingen.—The site of these experiments was a fertile alluvial loam typical of the best lands of the Bellinger River. It has been growing maize continuously for forty years without the use of fertilisers of any kind. It was ploughed on 27th October, harrowed, rolled, and cross-harrowed on*29th ° October, reploughed on 24th November, twice harrowed, drilled, and planted on 8th December. The soil was moist and in excellent condition, and the plots germinated excellently, and made very satisfactory progress, eventually yielding remarkably well. The crop was cultivated with the Planet Jr. om 22nd December and 10th January, hilled and middled on 12th January, and harvested on 19th to 28rd July. The yields, it will be noted, Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 877 show a gradual increase with fertilisers, P7, with a yield of 107 bushels, being 22 bushels per acre better than the unmanured plot. Payable increases were obtained from all fertilisers except ground limestone. This experiment is of particular interest in respect of many of our rich maize lands that have been growing maize continuously without artificial fertilisers for many years. It demonstrates that, although the depletion of fertility is so slow that it may take years before maize cannot be profitably grown, the application of artificial fertilisers results in substantially in- ereased yields and less depletion of the soil’s fertility. bes {atze Variety Trials. | Ba | 2 oo mes Saal 2S ea] >= ° a, ae a Ae eect) nS | | “A oa = <3] =| fds} | ea} th Dee. I ‘th Noy., |22 : 2 ae. ee eee bushels. | bushels.) bushels.| bushels | bushels. | bushels. | bushels. Improved Yellow Dent 674 pee || Gh af 853 ADR ae Golden Superb... 64 36 29 fa ie oles, 252m Yellow Hogan ... 634 len Se 25 as as = Leaming aR ae 63 41 | 86 30 58 34 63 Golden Nugget Ba oS? 68 27 634 35 61 White-cap Horsetootl 574 78 $3 Allieesc|} ; Narrow Hogan... 56 794 TSize sen) Kansas Sunflower 532 | ie Red Hogan 524 aif Early Clarence... 48 ee = as ae = Hickory King ... 474 414 fs 283 63 45 49 Yellow Mastodgn : 464 As 49 37 29 21 Gold Standard Leaming 421 763 31 Sea Eureka ... ae ae 4] z ole Golden King ... 394 a gk Sea fe Early Yellow Dent shall Shere 53 26 (23 Silvermine (Manning River)... 50 43 ‘Goldmine see : 374 = Golden Glow 37 32 Golden Beauty... 34 ‘ pytees - Leggett’s Pride 334 25 25 Silvermine (Yanco) 313 29 U.S. 133 ve ont 31 ye see 30 Giant White ... re 714 364 | 35! Boone County White .. = “ee 4 noe Small Hogan... x 61 603 Large Macleay Yellow 49 ee Canada Early Flint 39 King of the Earlies oa Silver King a ( Lawrence.—The experiments were sown om a clay loan 1 soil of medium fertility. The previous crop, oats and vetches, was fed to stock and then allowed to grow a foot high and ploughed under. The first ploughing was on 20th September, and the second on 10th December. The ground was left in its rough state until heavy rain fell on 28th December, when it was harrowed as soon as it was dry enough and planted on 3rd January. The 878 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. | Dec. 2, 1920. growth of stalk was exceptionally luxuriant, the season being particularly favourable to late-sown maize. caused lodging, and the percentage of damaged maize was fairly high. The moist weather and excessive growth The plots were scuffled on 12th and 22nd January, hilled on 31st January, and middled on 3rd February. The results are consistent with trials sown on the same dete the previous season. Maize Fertiliser Trials. | \ | R.W. Geo E.N, |/A. Menzies,| G.-P. E. Amps, jE. A. Green, |Hindmarsh,| Forrest, | Mackinnon, North Collins, Camira The Risk, Bellingen, Coraki. Lawrence. | Dorrigo. Casino. Creek. Kyogle. 7 | | H Date sown | 8th Dec., | 27th Nov., | 3rd Jan., | 10th Oct., | 16th Jan., | 22nd Nov., | 18th Nov., : 1919. 1919. | 1920, 1919. 1920. 1919. 1919. Ge Ree A PEE 4 by |e : Improved | Improved | Improvel | Improved | ricpory Improved Variety sown. Yellow Yellow Yellow | Leaming. Yellow Rane J Yellow Dent. Dent Dent. Dent. =F Dent. bushels bushels bushels bushels bushels bushels bushels per acre. per acre. per acre. per acre. per acre. per-acre. per acre. P7, 2 ewt. per acre 107 79} 101 Baye 793 30 68 PS 2s ie aa 994 96 g2h 50 88 354 74 Superphosphate, 2 cwt.! - per acre , oe 981 725 983 533 80 34 72 M5, 14 ewt, per acre 954 86} 95% 52k 794 203 70 Blood and hone, 2 ewt. per acre ts Bs 93 109 92 883 31 73 Superphosphate, 1 cwt. per acre ; ss 90% | 965 914 53 983 293 6 Ground limestone, 10 ewt. per acre : , Sd 36 as 52 ae a ve No manure 85 944 882 51 85} 103 773 Approximate cost of| £ s. d. £ os. d. & ‘sad £ sd ese a. & s. d. applying best fer- * tiliser .. Lo! 20 TE 0) 019 3 Ly 20) Oo) 0 Ths) Increase overunmanured| £ 5s, d. co Sane £ sige ee Sys S08: Ge £181. at 8s. per bushel alone A515, 10 318 9 0. 7650 415 818 0 Nil. corre pear a eS ee Mi 24 = The fertiliser mixtures were made up as follows : — P7 = Equal parts superphosphate and bonedust. P8 = Equal parts superphosphate and blood and bone. M5 = Two parts superphosphate and one sulphate of ammonia. North Dorrigo—The soil is red voleanie, of porous nature, and typical of the best land on the plateau. It was reduced to an excellent tilth by two ploughings and harrowings, and was sown on 10th October. After- cultivation consisted of scuffling on 1st November and 2nd December. ‘The soil was moist at sowing time, and the germination excellent. The growth of the plots was most satisfactory, and the unmanured plot seemed very backward right from the commencement. It was thought that the dif- ferences in yield would be greater than they actually proved to be, the biggest increase being only 3} bushels with 2 ewt. of P7 to the acre, and the plots generally showed very little difference as a result of manurial treatment. In previous years the results have been more marked, and further trials will show whether the high cost of applying fertiliser to Dorrigo soils ¢owing to its isolation) is warranted. “The Risk,” Kyogle—The experiments in this centre were conducted on deep, rich, black alluvial loam that is particularly adapted for maize growing. The season was not so severe as on the rest of the Richmond, Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 879 and some excellent yields were obtained in the district. The sowing was made on 18th November. The previous crop was maize, the stalks of which were raked up and burnt, and the ground ploughed twice at intervals of two months to prepare it for sowing. Results were very uniform, no increase resulting from use of artificial fer- tilisers. It was hardly to be expected that manures would be of benefit in this locality, the soil being among the richest in the State, and prac- tically only newly cultivated. In the variety trial Leaming and Improved Yellow Dent again proved the highest yielders. Red Hogan, which always does well in this locality, proved inferior to those varieties, and was also defeated by Yellow Red Hogan and White-cap Horsetooth. Fairy Hill, Casino—The trials were sown on 16th January on a dark voleanic loam which had been ploughed twice and harrowed several times in preparation for sowing. The after-cultivation consisted of two work- ings with the disc-hiller. All the varieties were slightly affected with leaf blight, Hickory King and Small Hogan being particularly bad. The yields were remarkably good for such a late sowing. Several of the varieties were late season ones, which did not fully develop before winter, and gave much reduced yields in consequence. Improved Yellow Dent and White-cap Horsetooth gave by far the best results, while Leaming, which usually gives excellent results, gave a poor return owing chiefly to poor germination. Sowth Woodburn.—The soil here is a light grey sand of low fertility, but typical of a large area in the locality. The experiment consisted of a trial of varieties which were fertilised with P7 at 2 ewt. per acre. Very early varieties were tested, and the yields obtained were high for this centre. The ground was in good tilth, and the germination was very satisfactory. The varieties recently imported from the United States (Golden Glow, U.S. 133, and Golden Superb) yielded very well, but were easily out-yielded by Early Yellow Dent and Manning River Silvermine, which, considering the low quality of the soil, gave very creditable results. The climate and soil of the locality favours early maturing varieties, and in this particular it was noted that U.S. 133 matured in three months, Golden Glow a week later, and Early Yellow Dent three weeks later still. Tt will be interesting to observe whether in subsequent trials any of the varieties mentioned above will supplant Leaming and Hickory King, which have consistently held the premier positions in previous variety trials in this locality. Burrapine.—The alluvial flats of Upper Taylor’s Arm are only small in area, but they are of high fertility. The trials conducted at Burrapine were gown on a typical flat on 4th and 5th December. The soil was in good condi- and harrowed, after a winter fodder crop of tion, being once ploughed The germination was wheat and oats, which was taken off in October. excellent, a fall of 201 points a few days before planting making it very moist at seeding time. Leaf blight was very severe on Eureka, Yellow Mastodon, Gold Standard Leaming, and Early Clarence, absent on Improved Yellow Dent, Golden Superb, and Yellow Hogan, and only slight on the 880 Agriculturat Gazette of N.S.W. ' (Dec. 2, 1920. remaining varieties. A very severe wind and rainstorm during the first week in April played havoe with the plots, causing severe lodging, and considerable loss from moulding, etc. This is the first trial of varieties in this centre, and it is interesting to note the success of Improved Yellow Dent, the variety which seems so suited to the coast generally, and particularly on alluvial river flats such as this. Golden Superb, which was only 9 feet in height, and by far the shortest of all, gave the second highest yield. Leaming and Yellow Hogan also yielded well, and will be watched with interest in succeeding trials. It is likely that resistance to leaf blight will be the. deciding factor in this centre, where the disease is normally very prevalent. Camira Creek.—The soil at this centre is a sand of poor quality, on which maize growing without fertilisers is not successful, A trial of varieties suited to poor land was sown and fertilised with P7 at 14 ecwt. per acre. The ground was ploughed early in the winter and allowed to remain without further cultivation until 17th November, when it was eross- ploughed and harrowed twice, sowing taking place on 22nd November. The plots germinated well. In the fertiliser trial with Hickory King the dif- ference between the two unmanured plots and those that had been fertilised was remarkable. According to field notes taken on 17th February, the plot fertilised with P8 appeared to be the best, showing an excellent colour and a height of 8 feet. The other fertilised plots ranged from 7 feet to 7 feet 6 inches in height, while the unmanured were only 3 feet 6 inéhes high with very few ears setting. The ultimate yields of grain showed an increase of 25 bushels per acre for PS over the unmanured plots, and very substantial increases with all fertilisers, the worst, M5, showing an increase of 10 bushels. This is not to be wondered at, the soil being of poor quality; it demonstrates clearly that payable crops can be obtained on such soils with the addition of fertilisers. It is interesting to note the behaviour of varieties. Hickory King and Leaming have always given the best results, but it appears that Yellow Mastodon and Gold Standard Leaming, which have not been tried pre- viously, are likely to rival them in yield. Condong.—The experiment was sown on 25th November in a heavy black loam which was originally swamp land, and of which there is a considerable area behind the alluvial banks of the Tweed River. The usual preparation was given for sowing, and the seed was dropped by hand in drills 4 feet apart. The germination was excellent, and the after-cultivation consisted of two scufilings in December and hilling on 15th March. The rainfall was excessive from January, and the ground being low-lying, the crop suffered from a surfeit of moisture, which lowered the yields con- siderably. The results were in favour of the white varieties, Hickory King and Boone County White apparently being the most suitable. This, how- ever, being the first series of experiments in this centre, definite conclusions cannot be drawn until an accumulation of evidence is available, Dorrigo—A site typical of the voleanice soil of the plateau was sown with sixteen very early varieties on 17th October, 1918, in drills 4 feet Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. . 881 6 inches apart. The previous crop was maize, and the soil was ploughed once only in preparation for the trial. The seed was sown by hand, three grains every 2 feet 6 inches, and no fertiliser was employed. The season being a remarkably good one, the growth was very good and the yields _ slightly above normal. Leaf blight made its appearance, being particularly severe on Silver King, Yanco Silvermine, and Early Yellow Dent, as reflected in the yields of grain. Golden Superb, which occupied first place in last season’s trial, was defeated by three others. Leaming, which last season occupied second place, gave the highest yield, and appears to be the most consistent variety. Its most serious rival on the plateau will most likely be Small Red Hogan, which occupied third place and gave an excellent yield in a pure seed plot of three or four acres. The yield of 61 bushels obtained from Golden Nugget was unexpected, and although later than Leaming, it may prove adapted to the soil and climate, its resistance to leaf blight being in its favour. Melilotus spp. AS A GREEN MANURE CROP. Melilotus alba (Bokhara clover) is being grown at many of our experiment farms, and does fairly well everywhere, but particularly so at Glen Innes. In my opinion it is the best all-round legume yet tried at Glen Innes, and I consider it would do splendidly as a green manure crop in the orchard there. It is a biennial, however, and makes its best growth during the second year, so that it is most suitable for young orchards where little inter- ference with the trees is necessary. I would not recommend Melilotus indica (Hexham Scent) to be grown anywhere for this purpose, as it is not a good fodder plant, and owing to the rapid manner in which it spreads, particularly in lucerne fields, is likely to become a pest. Field peas are better than Hexham Scent as a green manure crop.—E. BreaKwELL, +Agrostologist. THe ERADICATION OF WEEDS. Losses of stock from time to time in the Muswellbrook, Scone, and Denman districts, have directed the attention of pastoralists to the plant familiar to many of them as the poison tulip (Homeria collina)—a weed with known toxie properties—but efforts at eradication have been somewhat isolated and intermittent. Recent losses have again given it some importance, and the Upper Hunter and Muswellbrook Shire Councils have proclaimed the plant a noxious weed within their boundaries, and have intimated their intention to compel its eradication. The action is in the right direction. Mere proclamation of a weed will be of little value. Enforcement of eradication, though often regarded as a hardship, is really in the interests of all stock-owners in any district where a poisonous weed is permitted to get a footing—The Veterinary Officers of the Stock Branch. 882 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W [Dec. 2, 1920. PURE-SEED GROWERS RECOMMENDED BY THE DEPARTMENT. THE following list of growers of pure seed of different varieties of farm crops is compiled to indicate to farmers where pure seed is at present available. The list is compiled on recommendations made after an inspection by a field officer of the Department. Maize :-— Silver King (ungraded) ... Early Yellow Dent Silvermine ... aes Small Red Hogan... Craig Mitchell (ungraded) Boone County White Golden Beauty Leaming .. Golden Nugget Karly Clarence... . Giant or Manning W hite Improved Yellow Dent ... A. Sommerlad, Hillcrest, Tenterfield. Manager, Experiment Farm, Glen Innes. J. S. R. Crawford, Emu Swamp, Orange. Manager, Experiment Farm, Yanco. H. Short, Dorrigo. W. D. K. Humphries, Muswellbrook. J. Chittick, Kangaroo Valley. R. Richardson, Mondrook, Tinonee. Manager, Experiment Farm, Grafton. J. W. Smith, Wauchope. I. T. Dowling, Tumut. A. MeM. Singleton, Henley, Sydney. Manager, Experiment Farm, Grafton. Red Hogan... Principal, Hawkesbury A.College, Richmond. Grain Sorghums :— Feterita " So W. W. Hosking, Farm 778, Leeton. Sweet or Saccharine Sorghums :— Saccaline : ss Manager, Experiment Farm, Lismore. _Grasses :— Paspalum ... Manager, Experiment Farm, Lismore. Manager, Experiment Farm, Berry. W. W. Hosking, Farm 778, Leeton. Principal, Hawkesbury A.College, Richmond Manager, Experiment Farm, Grafton. Manager, Experiment Farm, Lismore. Manager, Experiment Farm, Yanco. Principal, Hawkesbury A.College, Richmond. By ss Sudan Grass sie Elephant Grass (roots or cuttings) ... Kikuyu Grass (roots) Clovers :— Shearman’s Clover (roots) J. H. Shearman, Fullerton Cove, Stockton, via Newcastle. Bokhara or Sweet Clover A. Sommerlad, Hillcrest, Tenterfield. Growers of pure seed of any variety of farm crop who wish to be included in this list should communicate with the Under Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Sydney. It is especially desired to locate reliable sources of seed of Thew, Huguenot, Firbank, and Florence wheats, Sunrise, Ruakura, and Guyra oats, and Cape and Skinless barleys, the demand for seed of which for coastal green fodder far exceeds the visible supply. “ VEGETABLE GROWING IN NEw SourH WALES.” A Book of 137 pages with the above title is in the press, and should be available shortly. It is intended to be of use to small market gardeners and suburban residents, covering the propagation and cultivation of a large number of popular vegetables, and dealing very thoroughly with diseases and pests and their control. Price, 2s. 6d., postage twopence extra ; obtain- able from the Government Printer, Sydney. Dec. 2, 1929.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 883 Diseases of Bees in New South Wales. W. A. GOODACRE, Senior Apiary Inspector. MoperN methods of hive management allow of the observation of the bees, and have made it possible for the scientist and practical aplarist to investi- gate disease. A great deal of work of vital importance to bee-farmers has thus been carried out, so that even the beginner can enter the business to- day with some assurance that if he is observant and uses up-to-date methods of management the risk that he will be put out of the business by disease is small. A habit of observation, use of modern material, and a determination to keep in line with the latest methods of management will go far to prevent outbreak and spread of disease, and although there will certainly be times when the most competent apiarist will have his colonies affected with some trouble, he will at least have the satisfaction of knowing that he can usually trace it to an outside source. Principally such trouble will be brood disease, for this is easily passed on from a careless or incompetent bee- keeping neighbour. Where such a cause is suspected, the interested apiarist should report the matter to the Department of Agriculture at onee, when inspection will be made of the locality. “very bee-farmer should be thoroughly acquainted with the symptoms of all serious diseases of bees. The beginner at times finds suspicious matter giving the idea that disease is present and it is always wise to take the precautions necessary to prevent the spread of disease where there is any suspicion of its presence. This done, a scientific diagnosis of any trouble should be obtained by forwarding a sample of doubtful matter to the Department for biological examination. The subject of forwarding samples of brood and bees will be dealt with later. The diseases that affect colonies of bees are of two forms—those that affect the brood and those that affect the adult bee. Definite diagnoses and sound and practical recommendations for treatment of the firstmentioned have been made by various investigators; but, although considerable atten- tion has been given to the diseases of the adult bee, equally definite diagnoses has not yet been found possible, and the matter of their treatment is still somewhat obscure. If care is taken, however, and the treatment advoeated is given, serious losses can usually be avoided. Most apiarists have some trouble with adult bee disease, but it rarely, if ever, comes in the form of a serious epidemic. American Foul Brood (Zacillws larve). The name “foul brood” is in itself expressive. In this disease the brood, when in an advanced stage, has a foul or offensive odour: the prefix “ American” is to distinguish it from other foul brood. The cause of the disease is the organism Bacillus larve, which finds suitable media in which to thrive in bee larvee. When it is recognised that thousands of spores from 884 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. | [Dee. 2, 1920. which the organism is produced are in a minute particle of diseased matter and that the disease is contagious, the reader will appreciate the necessity of prompt and correct treatment of affected colonies. It should be remem- bered, too, that the spores of Bacillus larve can remain inactive in honey and, under certain conditions, about hive material. The treatment presently to be described provides for the elimination of all contagious matter. All beginners should endeavour to obtain a thorough -knowledge of the appearance of the brood and brood combs of healthy brood nests. This will enable prompt detection of symptoms of disease, If foul brood is present in other apiaries in the locality, particular eare should be taken, even if the disease cannot be discovered in one’s own. ‘The chief characteristic of the disease is the ropiness of the diseased matter, and when suspicious matter is found it should always be thoroughly tested for ropiness as described and illustrated later. If the disease is in an advanced stage an offensive glue- pot odour will invariably be noticed. Dull and perforated cappings on the brood are sigus significant of this disease, and immediately call for further investigation. It is specially noticeable that the majority of larve attacked by this disease die after being sealed in the cells. Symptoms. (1) Discoloured, Sunken, and Perforated Cappings on the Brood.—These three suspicious signs are considered together to save confusion and perhaps wrongful suspicion. Examination of a comb containing brood affected with American foul brood will show that the cappings on the cells containing the remains of the larve killed with the disease are sunken a little—in healthy brood they would be slightly convex in shape—the colour of the sunken cap- pings is darker in appearance than the healthy brood cappings and a large percentage have a small jagged puncture, probably torn in by the bees in their desire to investigate the abnormal condition. An apiarist with experi- ence will detect the suspicious cappings in a comb which contains only a few diseased larve; the beginner will not be so keen, but if care is taken the suspicious signs may be detected at a fairly early stage. When the signs mentioned are found, the cappings of some of the suspected cells should be removed so that the more conclusive tests can be carried out. The healthy condition of what is known as “ bare-headed brood” should not be mistaken for a suspicious sign; the cappings on the brood in this case are apparently sunken and perforated—not jagged—but the immature bee is sound and white. ; (2) Discoloured Larve.—Larve in a healthy state are pearly white, but when killed with foul brood their colour turns to coffee brown, and they become shrunken and out of shape and lie on the bottom side of the cell. (3) Ropiness of the Diseased Matter—The test for ropiness (or stringy characteristic) is considered conclusive. If the diseased remains of larve killed with foul brood are stirred in the cell with a fine-trimmed splinter of wood or piece of dry grass stalk and the instrument is withdrawn slowly, it will be found that portion of the diseased matter will adhere to it and “ rope out” from 4 to 2 inches, as saliva would. Test for ropiness should Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., December 2, 1920. American Foul Brood. a.b.f. norma! sealed cells; ¢.j. sunken cappings, showing perforation; g. sunken capping, not perforated; h.lm.n.q.r. larve affected by disease; e¢.i.p.s. Scales formed from dried-down lary; d.o. pup affected by disease. Twice natural size. Z The Ropiness of American Foul Brood. EEE \RA\ eee Se See an f American Foul Brood Comb, showing irregular patches of sunken cappings and scales. The position of the comb indicates the best way to view the scales. [Tllustralions after Phullips.\ Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W., December 2, 1920. European Foul Brood. Portion of comb, showing effect of European foul brood upon the larve: A, J, K, normal sealed cells; B, C, D, E, G, I, L, M, P, Q, larve affected by disease; R, normal larva at age attacked by disease; F, H, N, O, dried-down larve or scales.—From F. B, 975, U.S, Department of Agriculture. The Treatment of American Foul Brood. 1. A diseased hive removed from the stand. 2. A new hive placed on the stand, and sheet of paper adjusted. 3. Carrying box with bag cover. 4. Smoker and home-made brush, Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 885 be made from a number of diseased larve, and if there is any suspicion of disease the apiarist should at once take steps necessary to prevent its spread, and then forward a sample of the brood to the Department of Agriculture for examination. ; (4) Offensive Glue-pot Odour.—This odour ‘is very easily noticed when foul brood is in an advanced stage; otherwise, it can rarely be noticed. Bee-farmers should not, therefore, entirely depend. upon the odour as a means to diagnosis, but should study all the symptoms, so that the disease may be detected before it reaches the advanced stage. (5) Dri OCA : Ht Caer ~ - saan be found that where | St ed symptoms will be present; olon fects ot the disease, the remains ot all dead:] \ \ dry in SCi mn the bottom side of the cells. These dark-coloured scales can be detected if an The Government Apiary at Wauchope. infected comb is so held that light shines down the cells. To avoid the risk of having contagious matter such as combs that contain foul brood in this stage, beginners especially should attend to and immediately examine any hive that bees have deserted, or where bees have died out. Extreme care should also be taken to see that any suspicious material and any purchased material coming from an unknown source is thoroughly disinfected by boiling. If the apiarist is observant and takes notice of the foregoing symptoms, _ any chance of confusing the disease with such conditions as chilled, starved, or over-heated brood should be practically eliminated. In the three conditions mentioned the dead larve are not diseased, and are usually of a dark-grey colour. Neither is the ropy characteristic present, and although there may in severe cases be a sour smell from the dead matter, the odour is not of the offensive glue-pot type. - 886 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2; 1920. To Prevent the Spread ot Disease. When foul brood is found in a hive the entrance should be immediately contracted in such a way that only a few bees can pass out at one time. Any. other cracks about the hive should be securely blocked up. Honey from diseased hives is the chief source from which infection is spread; if, therefore, extreme care is exercised to prevent robbery from any diseased hive, the infection can, with care, in many cases be kept from spreading. Such care will include the disinfecting of the operator’s hands and any implements used in the examination of infected hives, and the keen inspection of any combs interchanged with those of other colonies. Treatment, So tar as is known, it has never once been recorded that a colony infected with American foul brood has been freed from the disease without treat- ment. Where infection is slight it may take it considerable time to destroy the colony, but this it is sure to do eventually if treatment is not applied. Moreover, the infected colony is a constant menace (especially when the disease becomes advanced) to healthy stocks in the locality. Treatment consists of removing the contagious matter (the complete hive, combs, &c¢.) and giving the bees a fresh start in a clean hive, the frames of which contain comb foundation (full sheets) only. It has been proved that by the time the bees have the foundation in the new hive built out, they will have used up any infected honey that may have been carried by them from the infected hive. The treatment is termed the “shaking or starvation treatment,” although under certain conditions the same effect may be pro- duced by a different manipulation of the colony, to be described later. Weakly Populated Hives. If the infected colony is weak in population the bees should be destroyed. The following method will be found easy and effective:—Toward the late afternoon prepare a boiler and have the water boiling up well. When the bees have finished flying for the day, deliver a few puffs of smoke at the entrance of the infected hive, press into the entrance a wire cloth screen so as to prevent the bees getting out, place the hive—bees and all—in a sound sack, and immerse the whole in the boiling water. Twist about occasionally so that the hive parts will come apart in the sack and keep immersed in the boiling water for fifteen minutes; then open the sack and empty the con- tents into the water. Next take out the cover, bottom board, and body, and wash them separately in boiling water, weighting down the frames in the first receptacle, and allowing them to remain for a further fifteen minutes. If in the first place the boiler is not large enough for complete immersion of the hive, make sure of killing the bees by twisting the hive about in the boiling water; then treat the hive parts separately, frames first. Unless there is a fair quantity of wax, it is not advisable to bother to save it; it is better to burn it with the refuse. An alternative method for killing the bees is to blow sulphur fumes into the hive with the smoker. This operation is best carried out at night, a hole Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. $87 being afterwards made in the ground, and the frames containing combs properly burned up. The other parts of the hive are scorched and after- wards immersed in boiling water for further surety. More Populous Hives. For successful treatment of populous and fairly populous hives, a honey flow is necessary, and if at any time treatment is delayed through no flow being on, the precautions to prevent robbing in the meantime must be rigidly observed. The treatment, as already indicated, consists of the complete removal and separation of the bees from the infected hive. The procedure is as follows, and is best carried out after the bees have finished work for the day :— The apiarist first makes ready (1) a clean hive (preferably a new one) with frames containing comb foundation only; (2) a carrying box, with sound bottom and a sack to act as cover; (3) a smoker; (4) a home-made brush; and (5) a boiler full of boiling water. The operation should take place, as in the case of the treatment already described, during the late afternoon, as soon as all the bees have finished work for the day. The infected colony is then lightly smoked, removed from its stand, and the newly-prepared hive, containing foundation only, set in the vacant position. A sound sheet of newspaper is next weighted down in front of and right up to the alighting board of the new hive, and any others in the close vicinity of the infected colony are screened: so as to prevent drifting bees from entering. The bees from the infected hive are then transferred to their clean quarters. The procedure is to open up the infected hive, remove the frames one at a time, and shake and brush some of the bees off the first frame right inside the clean hives, and all the remainder on to the newspaper in front of the clean hive. As each frame is cleared of bees it is put in the carrying box and the latter covered with a sack. - After the bees have been removed, the infected material should at once be taken to the boiler. The frames are first immersed in boiling water for thirty minutes, the wax and refuse skimmed off, and the other hive parts then immersed for a similar time. The carrying box and brush should be sterilised with boiling water or burned, and the newspaper used in the operation should also be burned. Before making use of any treated frames they should again be cleaned in boiling water. The other hive parts should be painted inside and out. As soon as all the bees have entered the new hive, fasten up the entrance securely with wire cloth and remove the hive to any bee-proof room where they will not be interfered with. About dusk on the third day after treat- ment the hive should be returned to its stand, a little smoke delivered at the entrance, and the entrance screen removed. Where a large number of colonies are to be treated at one time, the removal of the transferred colonies is not practicable, and a piece of ex- eluder is neatly fitted on the entrance to minimise the risk of absconding. 888 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. Late Autumn Treatment. If the colony is weak, destroy the bees and disinfect by boiling the in- fected material. If the colony is populous and the disease not too far advanced transfer the bees to a clean hive in manner similar to that pre- viously mentioned, except in so far that the new hive should contain frames of solid sealed honey. The transferred bees are left on the stand. The treatment must be carried out at the close of brood-raising. ° In any case of foul brood the saving of honey cannot be advocated, for it often means the recurrence of the disease. Do not attempt to treat diseased combs with chemical disinfectants only— such treatment has not proved successful. Brood for Examination. When suspicious matter is to be forwarded to the Department for exami- nation, a piece of brood comb about 4 or 5 inches square should be cut neatly from an undamaged portion of the brood only. The sample should be as free from honey as possible, should be packed securely in a tin box, and should be addressed “ The Biologist, Department of Agriculture, Sydney.” The sender’s name and address should be plainly written on the packet, and a letter should be sent to the Under Secretary and Director, Department of Agriculture, stating that a sample of brood has been sent for examination. (To be continued.) Pigeon Pra (Cajanus indicus). PIGEON pea is a perennial summer legume that grows quickly and reaches a height of 6 or 7 feet at maturity. When young it carries a fair bulk of small leaves, but later becomes coarse and woody, and in warm climates produces a large number of pods containing three or four small seeds, which are easily scattered by the opening of the pods when mature. Though affected by light frosts, it makes growth quickly in the spring, and again bears seeds by the end of the summer. The seed is similar in appear- ance to the Grey field pea, which is in favour for pigeons, but which is only about half the size. Only the young growth and the leaves are suitable for fodder, but the amount produced is not equal to that of other summer legumes. Perhaps the best use that can be made of the seed is to plant a hedge along a poultry or pigeon yard, and allow the seed to fall and be picked up by the birds. After seeding, the crop should be cut back to about half the height or less, and the same treatment given each time after maturity. If sown in rows, these should be 3 or 34 feet apart, and each seed 9 or 10 inches apart in the rews. Sowing should take place about October on the coast, to which part of the State it is best suited. The plants have long, straight tap-roots, which open up a stiff soil, and when well established the plants are markedly drought resistant. Owing ’ to the succulence of the young shoots and leaves (and their woodiness when old) the crop as fodder is best used for grazing. A fair crop of seed is from 4 ton to ? ton. per acre.—H. Wennouz, Inspector of Agriculture. Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 889 Chats about the Prickly Pear. NOSE J. H. MAIDEN, 1.8.0., F.R.S., F.L.S., Government Botanist, and Director, Botanic Gardens, Sydney. The Use of Poison and Poisoning Apparatus. THs aspect of the subject may be approached under the following headings :— South African experience. Arsenite of soda. Other poisons. Gas (arsenious chloride). High-pressure steam. Apparatus—Rollers, sprayers, injectors. The Scone experiments of 1907-8. Subsequent experiments. A Competition suggested. South African Experience. While there is a difference of opinion as to the economic value to the * Australian stockowner of some kinds of prickly pear, there is no difference of opinion as to the desirability of having the destruction of species, especially the pest pear, as a principal end in view. I propose to give a brief outline of prickly pear destroyers. In this Gazette for September, 1898, will be found valuable information in regard to pear destroyers, chiefly based on the experience of Mr. A. C. MacDonald, who conducted experiments for the Department of Agriculture of Cape Colony. The advice there given to use arsenite of soda has been repeated by me to many persons during the last twenty-two years, and I believe it to be good advice on the whole. In the Cape of Good Hope, experiments of a valuable character have been going forward ever since, and we can learn much from the experience of our South African friends. In the Cape Agricultural Journal for 30th March, 1899 (Vol. XIV, p. 471), the Government regulations are stated for the free supply of “serub exterminator for eradication of prickly pear” to owners or occupiers of land on which prickly pear is growing. The result of supplying the exterminator free is thus stated :— If there was ever a champion nest of prickly pear, exhibiting all the worst features of these over-run areas, it would be, perhaps, Cookhouse, on the Great Fish River. Many spasmodic efforts have been made to clear small] open | patches close to the drift, but most of these efforts were made simply by mechanical means, and with no intention to push the clearance beyond the - immediate necessities of a garden. With the exterminator, however, and urged 890 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. by the increasing value of land, the proprietors have got rid of the pest whole- sale, and large agricultural areas are now under the plough and carrying crops which had for fifty years been impenetrable thickets of the prickly pear. Then, again, in what is termed the Perseverance Valley, between Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage, whole plots on farms have been cleared, and the profits consequently accruing are such as to make it pretty certain that the pest, once driven out, will never be allowed to return. Thus one might go on particularising place after place, but I hardly think this is necessary. The traveller by rail through the midlands can see for himself in every direction piles of the extirpated pear heaped up to rot and dry off, after having been killed by the exterminator; and for miles where the land used to be so thick with this plague that it could not carry stock, there is absolutely not a living prickly pear to be seen.—Cape Agric. Journal, October, 1899. The free carriage on the railways of proprietary poisons for fighting the pest has been Queensland policy for a number of years. Arsenic (white arsenic or arsenic acid) is carried free on the railways to settlers if supplied by business people. The State also supplies arsenic from its own mines at £10 per ton, but this is not carried free on the railways because of its reduced price, and a statutory declaration is required that the supply is for treatment of pear-infested lands. Free exterminator (poison) was supplied to owners of pear-infested land by the Cape Government for a number of years. Under the entirely excep- tional nature of the problem, perhaps this might be considered in New South Wales. In New South Wales caustic soda and arsenic declared to be for use in the destruction of prickly pear will be charged by the Railway Commis- sioners at “ A” class rate, subject to a minimum of 10 ewt., on production of a certificate from the Under Secretary, Department of Lands. In the Cape Agricultural Journal for November, 1906, will be found a brief history of the pest in South Africa, with incidental notes on Australian experience by Dr. Eric H. Nobbs. There is another paper by Dr. Nobbs in the same journal, December, 1907, entitled “ Experiments upon the destruc- tion of prickly pear, 1907. Final report.” The experiments were with various preparations—the well-known arsenite of soda, together with other substances of ascertained composition, and a number of proprietary articles. Details of these experiments are given, and the comparative cost of materials for treating a specified area of pear is worked out. The following are extracts from the report :— The arsenite of soda (Government exterminator) has in all three instances upheld its name as unquestionably efficacious, and may without further com- ment be written down as thoroughly successful. Satisfactory as it is to have this proof and assurance that in the past we have been working along right lines, yet it is to be regretted that none of the proprietary exterminators used have proved themselves superior to arsenite of soda, for at best it has to be admitted that the use of the Government exterminator in this manner is laborious, slow, and expensive. So much is this the case, indeed, that it can seldom prove immediately profitable, except on land intended for crops where the removal of the roots is in any event a necessary proceeding. Only excep- tionally can this method prove feasible in the case of grazing land. Yet all the other methods tried, successful or not, were very much more costly than that with arsenite of soda. bts It would have been very pleasing had these comprehensive trials discovered an exterminator superior to the arsenite of soda in general use. Such, how- ever, is not the case. The value of this material when used in methods addi- tional to the customary way of spraying heaps has, however, been established, Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 891 -—— and is deserving of attention, as the arduous process of stubbing is not always necessary or desirable. Other processes have shown themselves to be effective. and certain of them would, no doubt, come into use if the prices could be reduced to compare favourably with that of arsenite of soda, which, though distributed at cost price, cannot be regarded as a cheap commodity. There appears to be some uncertainty as to the pest pear in South Africa. Dr. Marloth is quoted by Dr. Nobbs in his paper (Cape Agricultural Journal, November, 1906) as having said that the common pest pear “is either Opuntia ficus-idica or O. tuna.” The former is not a pest anywhere, and what the latter species is no botanist can say with certainty. There is another pest known in South Africa as “ jointed cactus.” This is known to botanists as Opuntia pusilla, which is another name for QO. aurantiaca, figured with a coloured plate in this Gazette for 1911. Then we come to a paper “ Experiments upon the destruction of jointed eactus, 1907. Final report,’ by Dr. Nobbs (Cape Agricultural Journal, March, 1902). This “jointed cactus” (Opuntia aurantiaca) was observed in South Africa prior to 1874, and it is said to be “an even worse plague than the prickly pear.” This report is valuable and gives an account of spraying experiments with arsenite of soda and some proprietary remedies. The results of the experiments, in great measure, only confirm and extend the conclusions already arrived at by the municipal authorities, who cleared practically the whole of the commonage, which two years ago was seriously infested. by spraying with a 4 per cent. solution of arsenite of soda. This was done at an average cost of £1 per morgen (a little over 2 acres) of cactus, which, though itself a large sum, is yet a cheap price to pay for the reclama- tion of so much valuable grazing land, which can henceforth be kept clean with a mininium of trouble. Then an officer of the Cape Department of Agriculture reports on a proprietary exterminator in the Cape Agricultural Journal, March, 19109, the secret having been acquired by the Department. The method consisted of making incisions in the “leaves,” and inserting a fluid poison made by compounding lime and sulphur with salt and arsenite of soda. This cursory review of South African experience may conclude for the present with the following references to departmental reports on — 1. St. O’Gorman’s Prickly Pear Exterminator (Cape Agricultural Journal, February, 1910). Koen and Gouw’s Prickly Pear Destroyer (Cape Agricultural Journal, June, 1910). _ Destruction of Prickly Pear. South Africa Agricultural Journal, November, 1911. Further information in regard to South African experience will be found at page 38 of the report of the Queensland Travelling Commission. bo a) Arsenite of Soda. T have no doubt this substance has been used as a weed-killer before I was born, and al! that I claim is to have advocated its use for many years in Australia, and I shall continue to do so (in its place) until I learn of a better. 892 Agricuural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. With some experience of it on my private property, and subsequently in the Botanic Gardens and parks of Sydney, I drew particular attention to the valuable Cape Colony experiments of Mr. A. C. MacDonald with this substance. See this Gazette, September, 1898, p. 983. Subsequently Mr. Valder, then Principal of Hawkesbury Agricultural College (see this Gazette, January, 1902), used it for the eradication of pear locally, and other writers in the Gazette have also so used it or recommended it. In an article entitled “ Destruction of Prickly Pear with arsenical spray,” in the Queensland Agricultural Journal, November, 1909, Mr. A. J. C. Brunnich writes :— Prepare a concentrate by mixing intimately, 10 Jb. arsenic . .. — 3+ Ib. caustic soda (75 per cent., the most economical form), and slowly and carefully add cold water to make 8 gallons of concentrate. The heat generated spontane- ously by adding the water to the mixed dry chemicals is generally sufficient to dissolve ail the arsenic, but should, after standing, some of the arsenic be found undissolved settled on the bottom of the drum, boiling of the concentrate for a few minutes will be necessary. The § gallons of concentrate will make 100 gallons of spraying solution, which contains 1 oz. of arsenic in soluble form, by simply diluting with the necessary amount of water. He also recommends the use of Stockholm tar, or coal tar or resin to enable the liquid to adhere more closely to the glaucous leaves of the pear. A circular issued by Mr. Brunnich, under date 9th June, 1915, describes a dry powder (chiefly composed of common salt and arsenic) for injection into prickly pear, a concentrated solution of the same, also for injection, and a diluted solution for spraying the pear. Both in New South Wales and Queensland men often carry a small bottle of arsenical sheep dip with them in their pocket, and when they see a small pear, they dismount from their horses, stick a pocket-knife in the pear and pour in a little dip. Much killing of single pear plants in pad- docks has been brought about in this way. In addition we have arsenical poison-mixtures in large numbers. It may in some cases be better to buy your own arsenic and make your own prépara- tion. It seems fair to say that the most effective toxic agent known, so far as plant life is concerned, appears to be arsenic in one or other of its forms. Other Poisons, Practically every cheap-selling poison available has also been tried in addition. If a man desires to patronise a proprietary he can easily make or procure an analysis to see if it is worth his while to purchase the article. There are differences of opinion in regard to many pear-poisons, and their merits cannot be assessed without a judicial inquiry, but it may be said that while “all poisons are good, some are better than others.” Let not poisoning be relaxed simply because other experiments are afoot, but let it be borne in mind that, while any fool can kill pear, it takes a wise man to show a good balance-sheet. Dec. 2,1920.) - Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 893 Gas (Arsenious chloride). All liquid poisons (and to a greater extent those used in the solid or even deliquescent state) have the drawback that, whether applied in a finely divided state (as a spray) or without much propelling force, their action is usually more or less concentrated on the face on which the liquid is applied. In other words, only those plants are affected which receive the impact of the spray. All sorts of liquids (usually solutions in water) have been tried, and valu- able data have been secured as to their effectiveness and limitations. It was then interesting to find a new direction for research, that is, the aid of a gas called in—an all-pervading form of matter which would envelop the pear all round, would surround it in fact; would turn round the corners and let no portion, no face, of the pear escape contact with the poison. I refer to the use of arsenious chloride by an American chemist, Mr. A. C. Roberts, who operated chiefly in Queensland. This substance is a liquid (twice as heavy as water), but no water is used. By air pressure in the use of an atomizer, this liquid is converted into a gas, but this apparatus is chiefly used for scattered pear. When the pear is dense and over large areas a machine something like a tar-boiler is used and the gas evolved attacks acres of pear in a day. Im the use of this apparatus the direction of the wind is studied, not only so that the gas may be guided where desired, but also to protect the operator. By the use of gas, gullies and broken country generally bearing pear, which cannot be tackled by the ordinary spraying apparatus, are dealt with. The method is still the subject of experiment. High Pressure Steam. Mr. Will A. Dixon, in the newspapers of 26th February, 1904, advocated destruction of pear by high pressure steam. et QUEENLESS COLONIES. In any case where a colony becomes queenless, and no eggs nor young larvee are present in the combs to give the colony a chance {to raise another queen, such a colony will certainly die out, even if ample stores are available, because no young bees can be raised to take the place of the old bees. It occasionally happens that a queen dies during winter when no brood is in the hive, and in this case the bees have no chance of raising another queen If a queen dies during a time whev progressive brood-raising is going on, the bees usually raise another queen from the very young worker larvee. It happens in some cases that the young queen gets lost when taking her mating flight, thus leaving the colony queenless and without young brood from which another queen can be raised. The only chance in such cases 1s, in season, to introduce to the queenless colony a frame of brood containing eggs or very young larve, or to introduce a queen before the colony gets too weak.—W. A. Goopacre, Senior Apiary Inspector. 894 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dee. 2, 1920. The Cultivation of Flowers for Profit. E. N. WARD, Superintendent, Botanic Gardens, Sydney. Tue growing of flowers for a living is a different proposition to the growing ot flowers in the garden for occasional sale. The latter only means making one’s garden in some measure pay for itself, but the former means the cultivation of a piece of land large enough to produce successions of flowers that will realise sufficient for the grower to live upon. For the cultivation of flowers for a living, the land should be not less than 1 acre in extent; the aspect must be a warm one, so that blooms may be produced in mid-winter ; the soil must be of such quality that it is not necessary to continually manure it; and permanent stand-pipes for spray irrigation must be in- stalled so that water may be automatically reticulated over the whole area, and the grower may be at liberty to devote the necessary time to cultivation and marketing. The grower must practise the most economical way of plant—not soil—feeding. This means liquid manuring, which necessitates the placing of several large tubs in convenient places over the area, so that when the plants need food the need may be quickly supplied. Quick means of communication with buyers (the florists of some large town or city) is also essential, and this implies the installation of a telephone. Tf the produce is of good quality only, there is a market for any quantity. A few lines for which the soil and district are particularly suited are far better than a lot of mixtures. For instance, it would be much wiser to grow well one kind of carnation—growing it right through the winter until other growers are producing carnations without effort—than to grow many kinds indifferently. The Sydney suburbs are well suited for the production of carnations, roses, antirrhinums, asters, stocks, dahlias, Iceland poppies, and sweet peas, and it is better to grow these really well than to try to compete with growers in colder places in the production of violets, boronia, daffodils, and primroses. As to culture—it is helpful to get into touch with more experienced growers and to question them on such subjects as deep cultivation, the feeding of the crop as distinct from the soil, and the advantages of good seed. If possible, join some nearby branch of the Agricultural Bureau, and discuss the problems there. To grow flowers in the garden for oceasional sale and to compete to this extent with those who depend entirely upon the growing of flowers for a living, means obviously that one must produce flowers of the highest quality, and even then there remains the task of finding a buyer. It is the regular grower upon whom florists depend: casual growers are only considered when they have something special to offer. Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 895 Poultry Notes. DECEMBER. JAMES HADLINGTON, Poultry Expert. A NOTICEABLE feature in al] the districts visited recently is the comparatively small number of early hatched chickens on most of the farms. This is most unfortunate for individual farmers and for the industry generally. No doubt with many it has been a question of marketing eggs to obtain the necessary revenue to carry on, but it is to be feared that too many have succumbed to the depressing influences at work consequent upon the difficulty of obtaining food supplies and the high prices. This, together with the attractive prices offering for eggs during the early winter months, has been mainly responsible for the failure to hatch early chickens. As early as May last the advice given in these notes was “set eggs as usual” from Ist June, both light or heavy breeds. It was also pointed out that the extra value of eggs to be set then (say, 14d. each) was not to be compared with the advantages to be gained by setting them at that time in order to secure early stock and the high prices that were likely to obtain., The suundness of this advice is now evident in the very high prices secured for table chickens right along the season, and will be still more so as the pullets of the early hatchings come on to lay. If properly handled, these pullets for the most part will continue to lay right along till April or, perhaps, May, thus providing eggs for three to five months while they are high in price, and assisting the poultry-keeper to feed and carry the first-year hens while in the moult. The August and early September pullets will then take up the running, while the June-July pullets are having a spell and, perhaps, going through a partial moult. Right now is the time for the novice poultry-farmer to see this and learn this very important lesson. Another Lesson. Another lesson might also be learnt at the same time by watching the results of very late hatchings. Recently I have found it necessary, in lectures and otherwise, to repeat the warning given some four or five years ago on this subject, and to combat strongly some advice that was being given to hatch right on through October, November, and December. I then said, “Tf you wish to fill your yards with ‘diseased and unprofitable chickens, consequent upon mortality and bad development, hatch in those months ; by refraining from doing so, much disappointment and unprofitable work will ke escaped.” That advice was not based upon theory or prejudice, as some would have farmers to believe, but upon sound experience, and it stands unaltered to-day. The vision of high prices likely to be received for chickens hatched at that time must also fade away. The facts are that these late-hatched chickens 856 - Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. (or the survivors of them) come on to the market at a time when the “ ne’er-. do-wells” of the previous spring hatching are being marketed, which militates against high prices being obtained until about May. Even presuming that high prices are obtainable for these October, November, and December- hatched chickens, the wastage in rearing is mostly sufficient to make such rearing unprofitable. But this is not all. The fact of chickens being run for so many months over the same ground without a break is the most serious feature of the prac- tice, because continuous rearing over the same ground is conducive to the diseases (particularly coccidiosis) to which chickens are subject. Experience seems to indicate that this disease may get a start early in the season, and be in existence long before it is recognised or becomes a menace to the well-being and life of the chickens. In other words, the incidence of this disease appears to become cumulative as the season advances. In this factor will doubtless be found, to a very large extent, the reason why there is often a very much higher percentage of loss, and also why many chickens fail to do so well at the end of the season. We have only to bear in mind these facts to see the inadvisability of continuous hatching. The question arises, then, is it possible to have a kind of catch-crop of chickens, without running too much risk of failure with the spring or main hatching season, as a result of the circumstances mentioned herein. The answer is, cease hatching at the end of September, clear the ground as the chickens become old enough, rest the pens, and expose them to the elements as much as possible. Then make a small hatching during February and March. Close down again in the same way—spelling the land as before. This procedure would work out in this way: Set eggs from Ist June to 9th September for the spring crop, and from the middle of January to the Ist March (two rounds of the incubators) for the autumn hatching. These chickens will come in in time to catch the high prices ruling for table poultry from May to August, when a portion of the main season hatchings will become available for sale. The extent to which the catch crop of chickens is advisable, if at all; will depend upon the facilities and circum- stances existing oneachfarm. By fav the best results in rearing are secured where only one hatching season is made. Coccidiosis. As far as present knowledge is concerned, there is no cure for coccidiosis Therefore prevention becomes the only solution of the trouble. The best means of prevention is to rest the land over which chickens have been run for the season. The floors of brooder-houses where coccidiosis might be suspected should be sprayed at the end of the season with a solution of glycerine and formalin—4 ounces of each to the gallon of water. There is no necessity to spray the houses other than the floors, and as high up the wood work as excreta may be deposited. Digging up or cropping the yards is worse than useless as a means of cleaning the soil, because the organisms are then turned under and preserved, whereas if the surface is left undisturbed and exposed to the sun, rain and air, the organisms perish, Hence the Dee. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 897 necessity of cleaning up once the chickens are off the yards and giving the surface full exposure to the weather. As a precautionary measure where serious sickness has occurred, it is a good plan to remove 3 or 4 inches of the surface of the small chicken-runs as soon as they are clear of stock, and to let stand until near the following season’s rearing, when the earth should be replaced with fresh soil or sand, whichever is available. Prevention of Chicken-pox. Last year warts, or more properly speaking chicken-pox, made its a)pear- ance somewhat earlier than usual, with the result that protective measures were not commenced sufficiently early to be effective in the early outbreaks. Experience proves that the protective measures advocated in these notes are effective in rendering growing stock to a large extent immune frcm the worst effects of this disease, The method of protection consists in giving growing stock flowers of sulphur two or three times a week in the morning mash for about three weeks in succession, the quantity to use being a level tablespoonful to each fifty adult birds. Then give them Epsom salts in the drinking water at the rate of 1 oz. to the gallon for a like period. If these treatments are carried out alternately from January to April little fear of chicken-pox need be enter- tained. February, March, and April are the months in which it is most active in this State. Owing to the different ages that have to be fed, there appears to be some misunderstanding in regard to regulating the quantity of sulphur to be given on an adult feed basis. This difficulty can be overcome if we take it that one bushel of pollard, bran, &c., forming the morning mash, will feed from 180 to 200 adults. It therefore works out roughly at a tablespoonful of sulphur to each 5 Ib. of mash before being wetted. CoaL SMOKE AND FRuIT TREES. Wuetuer the fumes from coal fires are harmful to fruit trees was asked by a correspondent. He was living about a quarter of a mile from a large ~ brick kiln, and had been trying to start an orchard, but the fumes from the kiln were killing all the big bush timber in the vicinity, and the fruit trees were not doing too well. The presence of sulphur dioxide in the smoke can alone be held responsible for any injury done by such smoke. Coal contains a certain amount of sulphur and this, on burning, forms sulphur dioxide, but the quantity present in local coal is not large, and it is problematical whether the fumes given off are likely to have injurious effects. Tf, however, there were undoubted proof of injury it would not be advisable to continue the orchard as no remedial measures can be suggested. An American investigator states that grain crops, which are most susceptible, are bleached by one part of sulphur dioxide in a million of air— a proportion that is not likely to be approached in ordinary coal smoke.— F. B. Gururiz. 898 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [ Dec. 2, 1920. Orchard Notes. DECEMBER. W. J. ALEEN and S. A. HOGG. Simple Directions for Drying Fruit. In districts where apricots are grown for drying and canning, some will be found ripe enough for handling this month. Hemskirk, Alsace, Moorpark, and Trevatt have been found among the most suitable varieties for pre- serving, either in cans or by drying. Other varieties known as French varieties, such as Louizet and Large Early Montgomet, although very attractive in appearance are not suitable for preserving. In selecting apricots for canning the fruit should be well covered, but firm ; they should be graded, the stones removed, and care should be taken when packing in the tins that the grades are not mixed. A bulletin on the process of canning may be obtained from the Government Printer, Sydney (price tenpence, post free). To make the best dried fruit, allow the apricots to hang on the tree until they are perfectly ripe, but not over-ripe; they should be capable of being cut in halves with a sharp knife and still retain their shape. When the fruit is fairly soft, pick it carefully into cases; this will, in all probability, necessitate going over the trees five or six times. As soon as possible, have the cases carted to the cutting-shed, where the fruit should be carefully and evenly cut in halves (not pulled apart) and the stones removed. Place evenly on the trays with the cut side up, and as soon as possible remove each tray to the fumigator, where it may remain with the door closed until the fumigator is sufficiently full to start the sulphur burning. This is of the utmost importance, as once the fruit has been cut it must not be exposed to either sun or wind. When everything is ready, place sutticient sulphur or brimstone to fill the room with fumes for about three hours (from 1 lb, to 24 1b,, according to size of room), using 1 lb. sulphur to every 300 cubic ft. space ; if possible, allow the fruit to remain in the sulphur-room from eight to ten or twelve hours, or until the cup is full of juice. It can then be taken out and placed, either in the sun, or in the evaporator, as the case may be, immediately ; if in the evaporator, do not place the fruit in the hottest part to begin with, but gradually work from the cooler to the hotter part, starting, say, at that part which is 100 degrees, and finishing off at 120 degrees Fah. In this way the fruit will dry in from fourteen to eighteen hours ; but the greatest care must be taken not to allow it to burn. Some practice will be required to fell when it is just dry enough. If the fruit is to be dried in the sun, use wooden trays 2 feet x 3 feet, which are made for the purpose, with a 2} inch cleat at both ends. These are easily handled, and can be used in connection with all fruits. Decyert920. | Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W 89u In cutting the fruit and placing it on the trays, place it on the top part, or so that the cleats at the ends will be resting on the ground, thus allowing a current of air to pass underneath and assist in the drying process. If the weather is hot, as it usually is about Christmas time, it will take from two and a half to three and a half days to dry the fruit; which will require to be sorted over so that any which is not quite dry may be put on trays and allowed to stand for another half-day or so. The dried fruit should be taken from the trays and put immediately into clean calico bags, and securely tied so that the moths may not reach it. When sorting over in the above manner, any fruit which is small or of bad appearance should not be mixed up with the good, but sorted out and marked as inferior, while the good also can be marked accordingly. When the fruit is dried and bagged, it should be at once stored in a cool, dry place ; if exposed to heat it will become hard, lose in weight, and deteriorate in quality. Irrigation and Cultivation. In the drier districts, where irrigation is practised, it will be found necessary to water all trees, vines, lucerne, or any other crops this month. Be sure to work up the ground as soon as it is dry enough to allow the horse and cultivator on the land. All orchard land should be kept free from weeds, and to accomplish this the horse and cultivator should have but little rest this month, as an orchard that is neglected for a few days, will soon have a coating of summer grass, which will take many a hard day’s work to eradicate ; and couch grass spreads rapidly when left undisturbed. Where there are bad patches of couch grass, they should be ploughed up and harrowed on a very hot day, as the roots die when exposed to the sun. Passion-vines which have been properly pruned and manured during November will now be putting on good growth and blooming freely. This fruit will be ready to meet the demand at Easter, when it usually finds a ready sale at good prices. Various Pests and Diseases. Keep a strict lookout for pests, and if trees have not been fumigated or sprayed, as the case may be. lose no time before beginning to fight them. For scales on citrus trees, December, January and February are good months for either spraying or fumigating; but for fungus diseases it is generally best to spray once before the trees bloom, and again as soon as the fruit has set, rather than to leave it until now. In many cases, however, later sprayings are both beneficial and necessary, The grower shou'd not neglect either to fumigate or spray all citrus trees, so as to secure clean fruit and healthy trees. With regard to apples and pears, this season there is promise of a very heavy crop, and if there has not been a heavy natural fall by the end of November the fruit should be thinned, as there is no demand for small fruit on the market, anid, apart from the smallness of the fruit, there is a great . 900 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. likelihood of the major portion being destroyed by codlin moth, as it is next to impossible to spray thoroughly all the fruit when apples and pears are growing in clusters. It is essential from every point of view, therefore, that the fruit should be thinned out. If a very heavy crop of fruit is left on a tree there is a tendency to exhaust the tree, and, not only will the result be inferior fruit, but probably a failure on the part of the tree to produce next season. Do not neglect spraying with arsenate of lead. Many of our late varieties of apples are destroyed by the codlin moth through failure to give late applica- tions of arsenate ; this has been very noticeable in such late varieties as Granny Smith. If fruit-fly should make its appearance, all infested fruit should be destroyed, so as to assist, as far as possible, in keeping this pest in check. Vines, As the past season has heen wet, followed by showers during the spring, it is very probable that such fungus diseases as black spot and downy mildew will be prevalent. Downy mildew, unfortunately, ouly makes its presence known about the time when the vines are blossoming or the fruit is just set. When this disease is detected immediate steps should be taken to spray, using Bordeaux mixture at summer strength. It may be necessary, if weather conditions are favourable for the production of these fungus spores, to continue spraying until the crops are ready for harvesting. Tropical Fruit. In tropical districts pineapples may be planted if moist weather prevails. Suckers are the best to plant, being much the strongest and earliest to arrive at maturity. Being great feeders, a dressing of strong nitrogenous fertiliser will promote rapid growth and fine fruit. While the plants are young, cultivation must be thorough, but not deep enough to cut the feeding roots which are near the surface. Bananas and other tropical fruits may also be planted during the rainy season. SEED MAIZE AND BIRDS. A FARMER who suffers a good deal by the depredations of crows and parrots among young maize, informed the Department lately that he always coated his seed maize with a mixture consisting of 1 pint coal tar and 1 pint hot water to 1 bushel of seed, He wished to know if his method were sound. He was informed, in reply, that the method was quite effective. After treatment, the seed can be dusted with lime or dust to dry it for sowing by machine. Another method of protecting a field of young maize is thoroughly to soak or boil a quantity of maize grain, and to add about } oz. strychnine or 1 |b. arsenic to a kerosene tin of swollen maize. Scatter the grain thinly over the field.—_H. Wenuotz, Inspector of Agriculture. Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 901 Agricultural Bureau of New South Wales. SUGGESTED SUBJECTS FOR BUREAU MEETINGS, Ir sometimes happens that, owing to some inadvertence, members of branches meet without having any particular subject before them. In such a ease one of the following paragraphs may provoke a useful discussion, and a brief report of the discussion will often interest other branches. What relative values do you attach to sheep on the farm (a) as scavengers, (b) as sweeteners of the soil, (c) as direct profit earners ? What principles would guide you in framing a rotation of crops for your district? Would it be possible profitably to include a legume and a root crop ? What crops can be combined with paspalum pastures in your district to maintain the supply of green feed throughout the year ? How far do you think it is true that a good bull can build up his owner's fortunes, and a poor one can ruin them? Have you considered what it would mean to you to breed heifers that will yield 50 lb. more butter per year than their dams ? Have you ever tried the application of fertilisers as a top-dressing to the growing maize crop at any stage during growth ? REPORTS AND NOTICES FROM BRANCHES. NOTE.—While gladly publishing in these columns the views of members of the various Branches of the Agricultural Bureau, the Department does not necessarily endorse the opinions expressed. Auburn. The usual monthly meeting was held on 9th October, thirty members being present. A paper was read by one of the members on fertilisers, and how to use them, and an interesting discussion followed. Bimbaya,. Another meeting was held on 25th September, when there was a good attendance. A letter was read from the Candelo Agricultural Association, asking for co-operation in several matters connected with the Dairies Supervision Act. Eventually it was decided to hand over the letter to the Bimbaya branch of the Primary Producers’ Union. It was decided to apply to the Department of Agriculture for a collection of bacteriological specimens. A lecture was given by Mr. J. Heffernan on his recent trip to Great Britain, and much enjoyed. On 7th October a lecture was given by Mr. L. T. MacInnes, Dairy Expert, on the value of herd-testing. At a meeting on 26th October articles on the curing of lucerne hay and conservation of fodder were read. Plans for the construction of silos were exhibited by Mr. E. T. Boller. Cc 902 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920- In a lengthy discussion that followed, several members favoured the con- struction of silos, pointing out that the, district was well adapted for it, having any quantity of sand, &c., for the purpose. Others considered the silo too expensive for the small farmer. It was contended that the growing of oats for hay was no longer profitable, owing to the depredations of rats and mice; it was stated, however, that pro- viding the barn had a good hardwood floor, and the hay was tightly pressed, very little damage would result. Several members spoke in favour of bush hay, which, if made when the grass was just out in head, made good fodder for stock. Others contended that the paddocks were not well enough cleared for this purpose, and many breakages of mowing machines would occur. Maize stalks, chaffed and mixed with molasses and bran, found favour with some. Sorghum, Sudan grass, lucerne, &¢., were also spoken of favourably. 7 Borenore. On 19th October, Mr. A. E. Shierlaw, Assistant Sheep and Wool Expert, gave a lecture and practical demonstration at Borenore. The attendance was good and much interest was evinced in the subject, the desire being expressed that Mr. Shierlaw should repeat his visit. The subject of the lecture was the cross-breeding of sheep, the suitability of the crossbred for the farm and the manner in which wheat-growing and sheep- raising could be combined being dwelt upon. The conditions most suitable for the Merino and for the British breeds were pointed out, and also the type of sheep that could be most profitably used for cross-breeding. The necessity for using pure-bred rams of the British breeds and large-framed, plain-bodied Merino ewes was pointed out. The types of wool produced from the various crosses were also touched upon, and the results of the Department’s experiments indicated. The methods of breeding for wool were dealt with first and then for the raising of mutton and fat lamb. After the lecture, the sheep yards of Mr. J. Carr’s farm were visited, and the different qualities of wool grown on the different parts of the sheep pointed out. Certain types of ewes that could not be mated with the British rams were indicated. For the raising of both wool and mutton, the Border Leicester ram was recommended for most conditions. On 22nd October a moving picture demonstration was given for members, and more especially for their children. About sixty people were present, and an enjoyable musical programme was also given. The pictures included industrial subjects such as herring fishing, mussel fishing, iron works, &e. At a meeting of sixteen members on 23rd October a useful general dis- cussion took place on diseases of horses and treatment therefor. Castlereagh. On 29th October, Principal H. W. Potts, of Hawkesbury Agricul- tural College, delivered a lecture on the cow and her milk, forty-two members being present. The lecture and the subsequent discussion were directed to the breed, type, feed, and treatment of the cow and calf to produce the most profitable results in supplying milk to a concentrated milk factory. All local condi- tions and points of practical value were dealt with and discussed. The members were keenly interested. The lecturer subsequently distributed a quantity of bulletins, leaflets, &e., of local interest. Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. $03 Clifton (near Young). Mr. E. Breakwell, Agrostologist, visited this district on 27th October and delivered a lecture on noxious weeds, in which he gave valuable informa- tion on their control. He felt sure that providing thorough working of the soil was continued and other methods were adopted, the troubles ane weeds would be greatly minimised. He strongly recommended the growing in the orchard of smothering crops such as barley, field peas, rape, &e., which would also enrich the soil and help to conserve moisture. Side crops treated with artificial manures would also be found a factor in control. Subsequently several orchards were visited, and various weeds were pointed out, and useful information given about each, The visit was greatly appreciated by members, the more so as it was the first of the kind they had had. Coraki. At this branch on 19th October, matters in connection with the exhibit at the next Coraki show were advanced; seeds for the purpose have been secured and distributed to members. Details were also arranged for a maize-growing competition among members, and it was agreed to ask the Department to allow one of its officers to prepare a scale of points and to judge the competition. Owing to the good results obtained from Para and Guinea grasses at Wollongbar Experiment Farm, orders have been placed for considerable parcels of plants for distribution. Cunningham. A meeting was held on 29th October, when a paper on firebreaks was read by Mr. B. J. Stocks. Mr. Stocks urged that the luxuriant growth of grass and herbage would be likely to spread fire rapidly in all directions if there was an outbreak. He recommended that groups should be formed with a leader to each, who should arrange for a signal at which all in each group should mobilise at the point where the fire existed. Firebreaks were of importance; they should be about a chain wide, and if possible sown down with summer fodder or lucerne. It was a good plan to burn a break back from a firebreak, so as to meet the oncoming fire and to make doubly sure. Firebreaks were generally most necessary on the western and north-western sides of the farm, those being the directions of the prevailing winds. Fallow land made an excellent firebreak, and with closer subdivision and more fallowing the danger would be much reduced. Finally, the water cart should be kept ready for action at a moment’s notice, for a water cart well handled was equal to several men’s labour in Suppressing a fire. - Inverell, The monthly meeting was held on 27th October, Mr. J. Ditzell presiding. The branch’s request for information about the oat mite (Notophallus bicolor) was answered by the Department with an intimation that it had done considerable damage in the Delungra district, but there was not much chance of effective remedy in a large area; as long as it remained on the flag the crop might recover. The Tingha branch asked for co-operation in calling a conference of branches at Inverell as early as convenient. It was pointed out that Inverell was the natural centre for the district, and that such a conference would enable the members of the Bureau to take united action, and would tend to strengthen the spirit of co-operation. 904 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. The Inverell branch agreed to co-operate in the matter, and it was suggested that the conference might be held in the middle of January. Correspondence on the subject of evidence before the select committee of the Legislative Council was received with satisfaction, members consider- ing that valuable material could be collected in such a way: a discussion took place as to the character of the information that might be tendered. Kellyville. At a well-attended meeting on 6th November a discussion took place on growing maize for green feed. It was agreed that broadcasting, with about 3 ewt. of blood and bone per acre was best. During the evening a presentation of a case of pipes was made to Mr. H. Firth, in acknowledgment of his untiring services to the branch. Lidcombe. At a meeting on Ist November, over fifty members and residents were present. There was a good show of roses, prizes being given for the cham- pion, the best six, and the best six of one variety from bud to full bloom, as well as a good display of flowers in the usual monthly competition. Mr. A. E. J. Anderson gave a lecture on the effects of light and colour on plants, explaining how necessary it was to know what colours to cross to get a certain result by cross-fertilisation. How colour affects the germination of seed was also explained. If a frame with blue glass or a blue material were made, and put at an angle of about 45 degrees facing the morning sun, the seed would germinate in two-thirds of the time necessary in the ordinary way. The frame should be removed as soon as the plants showed above the soil. Good results could also be obtained with cuttings treated in the same way. This branch makes it a practice to devote one meeting to flowers and the next to vegetables, and some good exhibits are staged each evening. Three tables, making in all 21 feet x 2 feet 6 inches, are well covered each evening, which speaks well for the progress of the branch. A garden competition is being conducted that is having quite an influence on the appearance of the district. Matcham, This branch met on 28rd October, when the following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—Chairman, Mr. C. Cox; Vice-chairmen, Messrs. H. Mills and W. Crossland; Treasurer, Mr. A. Macinante; Librarian, Mr. W. Crossland; Hon. Secretary, Mr. J. Dodd. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £9 10s. 7d., the financial membership being forty-two. : ‘ Milbrulong. The annual meeting of this branch was held on 25th October, with a large attendance. The following office-bearers were elected:—Chairman, Mr. J. T. Lynch; Vice-chairmen, Messrs. O. Slickler and W. Mackaway; Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. J. M. Gollasch. The annual report showed that the branch had last year a membership of 154, and that twelve meetings had been held, at which the attendance averaged thirty. Several experts from the Department of Agriculture had visited the district during the year giving demonstrations and lectures. An exhibit was staged by the branch at the Lockhart show, and formed one of the features of the industrial hall, being a credit to members and a demonstration of the capabilities of the district. Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 905 $$ A social gathering was held on 3rd November at Mr. H. Belling’s farm, where the experiment plots for the district are located. Over a hundred people were present, and accompanied Mr. G. C. Sparks, Inspector of Agri- culture, round the plots, after which, having paid sixpence for a piece of paper for the purpose, each one proceeded to estimate the yields per acre of the different varieties. The best estimate will receive a prize of £2, and the second best £1. The ladies then entertained those present at afternoon tea. The function was so much enjoyed that a similar event is forecasted for next year. THE CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT AT MILBRULONG. In response to the invitation of the Department, the secretary, Mr. J. M. Gollasch, has furnished a statement concerning the co-operative movement among members of this branch. The movement commenced in March of this year with the following objects :— 1. To obtain farmers’ requirements at the lowest possible cost. 2. To bulk purchases in order to obtain the lowest railway freights. 3. To eliminate middlemen and agents as far as possible. 4. To bring farmers into touch with the markets foe farm produce and farm requirements. The first move was a special meeting at which the venture was discussed, a committee of Seven was appointed to control the business, and the secretary was instructed to write to various wholesale houses for quotations for farm requirements. A date was then fixed for the first meetinz, at which orders: would be taken. At the “order meeting” the quotations received were read by the secretary, the members present making a note of their requirements. Each then signed his list and handed it to the secretary, who then made up the total orders into one large order and despatched it to the firm quoting most reasonably. To enable cash to be paid for the goods upon receipt of invoice, all members signed a guarantee for an advance of £1,000 from the bank. This proved very successful, as during the first six months of operations the interest on the amounts borrowed amounted to only 14s. 1d., while the discounts received in consequence of paying cash within the three, seven, or thirty days, as the case might be, amounted to £12 10s. 4d. To the cash price and freight on the goods a handling charge of 23 per cent. was added, of which 13 per cent. was paid to a man who was appointed to take delivery of the goods on arrival and to distribute them to members as ordered. The remaining 1 per cent. was retained to cover banking and secretarial expenses. After six months of operations it has been found that the 23 per cent. is sufficient to cover all expenses. All members have to pay cash for goods on delivery ; this is necessary to safe- guard the venture from bad debts, &c. One rule provides that only bona-fide farmers can be appointed on the com- mittee, in order that agents may be prevented from getting in. During the first six months the following lines were handled successfully a Oils, binder twine, seaming twine, cornsacks, wire, benzine, kerosene, groceries, and other smaller farm requirements. On an average about 20 per cent. was saved over local prices—in some cases as much as 60 per cent. Some farmers have bought up to £150 worth of goods in the six months, and the saving to them has been substantial. ye pre The turnover for the first six months, during which three “order meetings were held, was £1,587 16s. 6d. An order meeting, which was held_on 2°nd October for harvest supplies, resulted in an order for approximately £800 worth of goods being handed to the secretary, about £200 of which was for groceries. The movement has met with such marked success that people have come 15 to 20 miles to place an order for goods. The members of the branch have now decided to commence a farmers’ co-operative store in the new year, and promises of 3,000 shares at £1 each have been received, which means that co-operation is a long-felt want of the primary producer. — Two other branches of the Bureau are inquiring from Milbrulong the n of the co-operative movement, with a view to following suit. ature 906 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. (Dec. 2, 1920. Miranda, The secretary of this branch furnishes particulars of the Miranda Agri- cultural Bureau, Limited, as in the following paragraphs :— THe Co-orperRATIVE MoveMENT At MiranpDA. The Miranda Agricultural Bureau, Limited, was established three years ago for the purpose of acquiring a meeting place for the branch and to obtain sup- plies for poultry-farmers and others. It is only a trading company, being dis- tinct from the branch of the bureau, though run in conjunction with it. It was started in a humble way, without any very great pretensions, the officers and directors carrying out the work free of expense, and thus conserving everything for the benefit of the company. A building that had been used as a church was purchased, and opened by Mr. W. C. Grahame, then Minister for Agriculture. Shares at £1 each were issued, either fully paid up or being paid up at 2s. 6d. per month. We then started buying a truck of wheat from the Wheat Pool, and engaged a carter by contract to deliver it to the members. ‘This turned out a great success. We started on a basis of 5 per cent. addition to cover expenses and to help build up the company. Some members who only took up one share and bought seven bags of wheat stated at the next meeting that they had saved their £1 already. We soon had to extend our operations, as bran and pollard, kerosene, and other articles were wanted. This system worked well for a start, but it was soon found that a stock in hand was required, so a store that was available was rented and a storeman engaged, as the business was getting too large for voluntary labour. From this point the growth of the company was rapid, and at the end of the first year we were able to pay a dividend on shares of 74% per cent., and a bonus of 1s. in the £ on purchases. This put us on a good footing. Our great success has been in being able to supply bran and pollard in times of scarcity; in trying to cater for the poultry-farmer we looked ahead for supplies, and this saved the industry. We now supply all the needs of poultry- farmers and orchardists, including manure, lime, sprays, flour, sugar, coal and coke; and anything else required is obtained for them. One great result has been the reduction of prices for miles around; in fact, | we have abolished the profiteer. Our turnover is now nearly £3,000 per month. Our capital now amounts to £1,300, of which amount over £500 is accrued bonuses, so that members have only actually paid in £800, though holding £1,300 worth of scrip carrying 74 per cent. Lately we built a store of our own adjoining the railway siding, at a cost of £850, which was all paid for out of last half-year’s profits. We now own real estate to the value of over £800, all paid for. Instead of voluntary labour, we now pay a managing director and a storeman. This shows what can be done by co-operation on right lines and by good management. It was not accomplished without opposition, but we went on steadily, gave everyone a fair deal, pursuing a straight policy, and to-day we ean hold our own without anyone troubling us. Penrose-Kareela, At a meeting on 5th October a paper was read by Mr. R. G. Scott, and its text will be found in the following paragraphs :— THE FUNCTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF AN APPLE TREE. Let us imagine it possible for an apple-tree to be endowed with the power of speech, and that it wishes to place before us orchardists a few facts connected with its daily life. It would say something like this :— I may not have a mind, and I certainly have no brains, heart, or lungs, but for all that I claim to be considered as a producer of beautiful blossoms and useful fruit. There are four functions 1 perform in common with human beings—I drink, I eat, I breathe, and I sleep. I can drink.—My drinking powers are-enormous. When I grow into a large tree I require daily an astonishing volume of water from the soil, which I Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 907 obtain by means of tiny hairs attached to my roots. These hairs are exceed- ingly delicate, and of short duration; as my roots increase in length new ones are formed and the old ones die. I form a great number of these hairs if the soil is kept in good tilth and heart, and they provide me with an immense absorbent surface, whereby I may appease my thirst. If you were to cut me down in spring you would discover to some extent the amount of sap that is circulating in my system through the outer woody tissues of my stem inside the bark. To use a human expression—I would bleed to death. About 60 per cent. of me is water. I am not a lover of pure distilled water, but like some human beings, I preter something stronger. What benefits me is water with a weak “salt” flavouring. I do not mean common salt. There are many kinds of “ salts” that delight me. If you see me pale and languid, give me nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia, the former for preference, if the soil be acid, deficient in lime and not too clayey; it also encourages me to root deeper. Then see how my leaves will expand and change to a deep green to thank you. If, however, you find me growing too fast, steady me down with phosphates, bonedust, basic slag, or superphosphate, applied in spring according to indi- vidual soil requirements. Potash “salts” also delight me; they make my leaves thicker, so that they can work harder. They also make me more resistant to disease; and last, put not least, put colour in the fruits I produce, and enable me to give them finish and flavour. Sulphate or muriate of potash is good if applied at ‘“ pinking stage” or later when fruit has set. Another thing that is most essential to my well-being is lime in its different forms. If the soil is stiff and clayey, or if it is acid from a large accumulation of humus, give me burnt lime; if it is light and of a sandy nature I prefer the carbonate. Sour soils I abhor; my feeding roots will not respond to them. Lime keeps me fresh and sweet and induces me to form a fruitful tree, provided a sufficient supply of humus is present and, of course, water, because I do not eat through my roots—I only drink. How do I drink? How can [ drink? By the process of “ osmosis;” in other words, the diffusion that takes place from a weaker solution into a more concentrated solution when separated by a membrane—in this case the cell- walls of my root-hairs. I can eat, or rather take food into my system. I eat, or, in other words, obtain the substance for my solid structure from the air, and this comes to me in the form of invisible gas—carbonie acid gas. Nature has placed in the under side of my leaves minute mouths called stomata, through which the gas gains an entrance. Leaves are really factories, making from the air and the “salt” solution which comes from my roots during sunlight particles of solid matter, and these are used in building up new growth. Wonderful factories driven by the power of sunlight! It is again due to the action of sunlight, combined with “ osmotic pressure,” that the sap ascends from my roots enabling me to make good the loss from evaporation. : My leaves are everything to me. Take heed of this when summer pruning, and use the knife at the right season and with care. I may mention that the factory closes at sunset and opens at sunrise; the leaves rest from-eating when the sun goes down. I can breathe—I want oxygen quite as much as any human being, night and day. Again my leaves are vital to my existence, the air supplies the oxygen, whereby I keep fresh and live. I breathe also through my roots, so how can I exist if the soil is hard and cement-like or water-logged? . I breathe also through my stem. I prefer to breathe a cool temperate climate with a bracing altitude; cool nights and bright sunny days in summer enable me to bring to perfection my crop of fruit, and frosts in autumn and winter induce:a period of rest from my labours. I can sleep.—1 get tired of life each auttimn, my leaves drop off, and I lead a sleepy and passive existence till spring-time, when once more the factory Is opened. Treat me more like a human being, and give me water to drink, with some- thing in it to flavour it, of course—none of your pure distilled water—I want or) 908 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. mineral salts in solution. Don’t excite me with nitrogenous foods in autumn, or keep me awake when I want to rest. Just keep me fairly dry—my roots hate a wet bed—and let me rest awhile. I'll waken up all right in the spring, fresher than ever, with my blossoms and fruits to please you. The monthly meeting was held on 1st November, when a discussion took place on the carriage by the railway of empty new and second-hand cases, and it was decided to communicate with the Railway Commissioners in the matter. Rydal. This is a newly-formed branch, taking in a widely scattered area in the Bathurst district. Mr. C. McAlister has been apponated hon. secretary, and he is displaying much interest in the work. On 15th October a lecture was given by Mr. W. le G. fie Assistant Fruit Expert, on spraying fruit trees for diseases and insect pests. ‘ nere was an attendance of seventeen members representing a radius of about 12 miles. Mr. Brereton dealt with various insect pests and diseases, including codlin moth, fruit fly, aphis, San José scale, mussel scale, black spot, mildew, &c., and detailed the preventive and remedial treatments in each case. Incidentaily, interesting descriptions were given of the experimental work carried on at Bathurst, Glen Innes, &e. At the conclusion of his address, Mr. Brereton answered a number of questions concerning pruning and spraying. A further meeting was held on 22nd October, when Mr. F. B. Hinton lectured on the types of sheep suitable for the district. Mr. Hinton pointed out that such factors as situation, area, and the par- ticular aim of the sheep-owner (production of wool, or wool and mutton or of early lambs) would all have to be considered in the selection of a suitable type of sheep. For wool-growing the Merino of fine to superfine type was most suitable. The best dual purpose sheep was obtained by crossing English longwool breeds, such as Lincoln, Border Leicester or Romney Marsh with Merino ewes. In dis- tricts where conditions favoured foot-rot, fluke and such troubles the Romney Marsh was best, as it was practically immune from foot-rot and would with- stand disease better. In sounder country the Border Leicester should have preference. It was pointed out that this locality was not generally suitable for early lamb-raising. The requirements of the trade being carcases of from 30 lb. to 40 lb. at from 16 weeks to 20 weeks of age, the very best pastures were necessary to enable the ewes to supply adequate nourishment. Proximity to market and trucking yards were also important considerations, as it was found that lambs in transit lost up to 7 per cent. of their weight. Incidentally the lecturer made reference to the experiments at Bathurst and other farms. At the conclusion a number of questions were answered concerning the symptoms and treatment of ailments, and the characteristics of various breeds. Stony Point (via Leeton). At a meeting on 9th October, Mr. C. A. McCormack:read a paper relating his experience with sheep on an irrigation block. Some PracricaAL EXPERIENCE WITH SHEEP. My object in taking on sheep for a living on an irrigation block was that having tried contract work and not being able to get a profitable return for my labour and labour employed, I took it that the sheep would not take all my attention and that I would not have to employ any or very little labour at all. Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 909 T cannot give exact figures, but in a rough way I consider that I have gained enough experience in keeping breeding ewes to make all the difference between success and failure. In my first year I had 217 two-tooth second and third cross Lincoln Merino ewes. This flock was mated with Lincoln rams, and until after they lambed they had fair feed and were in good condition. Out of the 217 ewes I marked only 140 lambs. The ewes were watched carefully and only two ewes had any assistance, and wo ewes died; as far as I know every ewe had a lamb, but in some cases the ewes were in trouble half a day or more before the lamb was born, the lambs being fat and large—in fact, they appeared to me to be a deal larger when born than when two days’ old. Several were ‘orn dead, and the balance died when a day or two old. Seeing a farmer who had a dry area close by with lambs that seemed a long way more robust and larger than mine, and finding that he had had very few deaths and had marked 100 per cent. on grass feed in the good years, I inquired and found that he had used Border Leicester rams. After taking ‘stock of other settlers with Lincoln cross lambs and comparing them with the dry area Border Leicester lambs, it seemed to me, other things being equal, that this was the best class of ram for lamb-raising. This year (1920) I mated 130 four, six, and eight-tooth crossbred ewes with Border Leicester rams, and also bought 100 more ewes that were in lamb to Lincoln rams. These ewes lambed at the same time as the original ewes, and although I could not keep them separate I know that the ewes that had Lincoln cross lambs had a long way more trouble lambing, and in several cases had to be assisted, whereas in not one case did the ewes with Border Leicester -eross lambs require any assistance, and, on the contrary, seemed to labour very little at all when lambing. Only three Border Leicester lambs died at birth or after, while several of the Lincolns died at different times. The Border Leicester lambs without.exception seemed a skinny lot and not much to look at, but after a few days they started to fill out, and so far have not looked back. Out of the 240 ewes 200 lambs are alive, with a few to come yet, and I am confident that if all the ewes had been mated with Border Leicesters I could have kept considerably more lambs alive and had a better percentage. The ewes mated with Border Leicester rams had twins in several cases and reared them, but not in a single instance did the ewes mated with Lincoln-cross rams have twins. As these ewes were yarded every day and night, I had every chance of seeing how they fared. The flock was grazed for half an hour to one hour on lucerne and green oats twice each day, and kept condition well, no deaths occurring, and as éach ewe lambed she was turned out on green wheat, oats, and barley, doing well there until the rain came and gave feed on the dry areas. One great point that has struck me is the saving of feed that can-be effected ‘on a small area of lucerne or other green stuff by letting the ewes (provided they are in fair condition and sound mouthed) have only their fill morning -and night, and yarding them the rest of the time. If, on the other hand, they were allowed to run all the time on the same feed it would not last a fourth ot the time. This, of course, applies to ewes in lamb; once the lambs are dropped the ewes must have good feed, and as much of it is they can eat, or there will be trouble. Now, I would like to say a few words about foxes. The first few lambs that were born were healthy and strong, but each morning one at least had been killed, and only the tongue taken out by a fox. I laid baits in the latest known way, but the fox did not touch them, though he still killed the lambs. "Then I read-that a farmer had been successful in preventing these losses by tying a strip of tin round the lambs’ necks. I tried it on all the lambs that were then alive, and on the first night the fox took the bait, and so ended his eareer. I have continued putting the tins on each lamb, night and morning, as they are dropped, and to my knowledge not one lamb has been killed since by foxes. It is understood that a fox always upsets a Jamb first and then catches him by the throat, but with the tin collar on, the fox cannot bite the lamb’s throat in time to stop it from bleating; as soon as the lamb attracts attention by bleating the fox becomes frightened and gives it up, and proceeds to another flock that has no protection. _D 910 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. The tin shield is made to go over the back of the neck and fit well down each side, and has holes at each end through which the ties are passed by which the tins are kept in place. At a meeting held on 30th October, the above paper was discussed at some length. It was pointed out that on Mr. McCormack’s figures, maiden ewes joined with Lincoln rams gave an increase of 643 per cent., while the same ewes mated the next year with Border Leicester rams gave an increase of 92 per cent. Mr. J. Smith contended that the return in the first case was: highly satisfactory for maiden ewes and on a par with the results of the next year. Mr. McCormack agreed that the Lincoln-Merino ewes were of fine type and might have influenced the progeny quite as much as the ’ Border Leicester rams in giving the increase of 92 per cent. It was ascer- tained that the ewes mated with Lincoln rams in the second year had had a very severe time prior to coming into Mr. McCormack’s possession. Members expressed gratitude to Mr. McCormack for his contribution. which was regarded as presenting valuable experience. Stratford. At a meeting held on 23rd October, Mr. Mitchell, of Gloucester, outlined! a scheme for the formation of a herd-testing association in the district. It was unanimously agreed to try to introduce the herd testing movement at. Stratford, and canvassers were appointed to interview local dairymen. It is anticipated that the dairy farmers of the-district will very soon be able to participate in the advantages to be derived by having the yields of their cows systematically tested and recorded, with a view to the unprofitable: cattle being culled out. Wellington. Instead of the usual monthly meeting in October, this branch conducted a flower show on the 19th of the month, which proved a great success. It was agreed that such a fine collection of garden flowers, more especially of roses, has never before been seen in Wellington, and the success of the fixture fully justified the branch in having taken so much interest in horti- culture. The show was opened by Mr. A. J. L. Stockwell, President of the Agricultural Society, who warmly congratulated members of the Bureau upon the excellence of the blooms staged. Wentworthville. A meeting of this branch was held on 27th October when a lecture was given by Mr. J. Hadlington on fowl tick and other poultry diseases. The attendance was good and the attention to the lecture and the questions asked afterwards were evidence of the interest in the subject, and the usefulness of the advice given. The spring show of the branch was held on 30th October, and was a great success, some well known horticulturists in the metropolitan area competing. The.show was opened by Mr. W. T. Ely, M.L.A., who congratulated the branch on the fine show of blooms and vegetables. The entries were very numerous, and the prizes a handsome lot. Windsor. A meeting was held on 19th October, when it was agreed to hold am exhibition at Windsor prior to the Hawkesbury District Show. Arrangements were also made for two gentlemen to represent the district before the select committee on agriculture. Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 911 A lecture was delivered by Mr. E. Breakwell, Aprostologiah on 25th October. The old introduced grasses were first discussed, including perennial ryegr cocksfoot, and red clover. Perennial ryegrass produced ezeetlent pte short period, but continued dry and hot weather was very adverse to it, and it was usually found that cocksfoot lasted much longer. Unfortunately cocks- foot became very harsh and tussocky unless protected by other grasses or clovers, and as perennial red clover did not, as a rule, last too long in such a district as Windsor, the Department had experimented with other grasses and clovers that would last with the cocksfoot. Splendid results had been achieved in this connection with Bokhara clover and Phalaris bulbosa, and the attention of farmers in the Windsor district was particularly drawn ‘to these. Phalaris bulbosa was a grass that was doing remarkably well in winter months; as a good winter grass was urgently required it was hoped that Phalaris bulbosa would fill a long-felt want. Among the summer grasses, Sudan grass, Rhodes grass, Paspalum dilata- tum, Kikuyu, and Hlephant grass were dealt with. Paspalum soon became sod-bound in Windsor district, and it was questionable whether Rhodes would not give better results. A mixture of Rhodes grass and lucerne had given splendid results. Many farmers, however, preferred couch to anything else on the rich flats, and there was a lot in this argument as far as summer feed was concerned. It absolutely failed in the winter and early spring however, and for this reason some farmers were against it. Sudan grass, of course, was well known, but it might be added that very promising results had been obtained by growing it as a pasture grass rather than for hay. It stooled well under feeding-off, and gave feed well into the winter. Elephant grass had the following points to recommend it :—(1) Drought resistance, and (2) rapid growth and big yields. No other grass could produce the same amount of feed per acre as this. Kikuyu grass was recommended as a fine succulent grass, and cuttings were. promised to any member desirous of obtaining them. Shearman’s clover could also be strongly recommended for low-lying lands. The native grasses suitable for Windsor were also described. Coolah grass had given splendid results at the College; so had rare blue grass, love grass, and Warrego summer grass. Unfortunately we had practically no good winter native grass, and recourse to the introduced grasses for this purpose was necessary. The lecturer pointed out that the Department was very desirous to have the co-operation of the farmers in the work under discussion. Yarrunga-Avoca. On 25th September a discussion took place at a meeting of this branch on the cost of producing and marketing cabbage. The crop discussed was winter cabbage grown on red voleanic soil that had been previously cleared and fenced. It was worked out that (without those items) it would cost £59 18s. to grow and market an acre of cabbage. The preparation of the soil was as follows:—Ploughed and left under fallow; harrowed, ploughed and harrowed again; crop ploughed in, blood and bone being shaken by hand at 15 ewt. per acre; when the plants were big enough they were scarified twice and chipped with the hoe once. When the crop was ready, it had to be carted ten miles at a cost of £1 per ton, horse feed being very dear. At a subsequent meeting arrangements were made for the annual picnic of the branch. Oravrisu do little harm on the farm except where they get into dams and canals, when they tunnel holes through the earthworks and may do a considerable amount of damage—W. W. FRoGGATT. 912 sees oh Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. AGRICULIURAL SOCIETIES’ SHOWS. SECRETARIES are invited to forward for insertion in this page dates of their forthcoming shows ; these should reach the Editor, Department of Agri culture, Sydney, not later than the 21st of the month previous to issue. Alteration of dates should be notified at once. Society. 192 1 ® Secretary. Date. Albion Park A. and H. Association ... . H. R. Hobart... Jan. 14, 15 St. Ives A. and H. Association ... A AWK Bowden - i) = {77 1415 Gosford District A. Association He Gr Parry PRs Wh 5 7-7 Kiama A. Society... is . G. A. Somerville... ,, 25, 26 Nimbin A. and I. Society ae oP W.P. Stanger ... Feb. 2,3 Wollongong A., H., and I. Association se .. W.J.Cochrane... ,, 3, 4,5 Cobargo A., P., and H. Society : . T. Kennelly Beal iat LD aL Bhnadivavest A. ‘and H. Association . H. Rauch pak igink Sita @ Central Cumberland A. and H. Assoc. ‘(Castle Hill)... H. A. Best ree ba Ulladulla A. and H. Association (Milton) . R. F. Cork eames VG, Ay Guyra P., A., and H. Association . P. N. Stevenson... ,, 16, 17, 18 Fairfield Branch Agricultural Bureau eee Godirey — -.sttos cles Blacktown and District A. parley . J. McMurtrie ... ,, 18, 19 Wyong District A. Association.. .. E. H. Chapman... ,, 18, 19 Dapto A. and H. Society sas pea e poy coer ’osh PLO Bangalow A. and I. Society WwW. H. Reading Soe Aree 8 Yanco Irrigation Area Agricultural Society .. -. R. Tribe ... Sa RES: Robertson A. and H. Association ; Deets eal iat Fine Bey tert 922) Southern New England P. and A. Association (Uralla) H. W. Vincent ... ,, 22, 23, 24 Dorrigo and Guy Fawkes A. Association . A.C. Newman .... ,, 23, 24 Tumut A. and P. Association ... ... T. E. Wilkinson.... ,, 23, 24 Gunning P., A., and I. Society or ... S. A. Beer tte OBOE Newcastle A., H., and I. Association . ... EH. J. Dann », 23 to 26 Hastings River A. and H. Society (Wauchope) .. A. D. Suters 9 24;'25 Nepean District A., H., and I. Society ; .. C. H. Fulton ou. Oye 2OLgG Tamworth P. and A. Association xe es ... J. R. Wood eee, Nia el ON Tenterfield P., A., and M. Society .- sane WwW. Whereati.::. 5, » 1,2, 8 Manning River A. and H. Association (Taree) .. R. N. Stow Sarees Mirrool (M.I.A.) A. Society (Griffith) .. eat: A. (BrowHe mae. “3.5 pone Richmond River A., H., and P. Society (Casino) 7 2; -M.-Swansone:.. =;; Zio Oberon A., H., and 'P. Association. C..S. Chudleigh’... ,,/.. 3,14. Hunter River A. and H. Association (West Maitland) EK. H. Fountain... ,, © 3, 4,5 Berrima District A., H., and I. cape (Moss Vale)... J. W. Kenny $5 et ac Camden A., H., and I. Society .. ase EE ate Baldock =>... -,> Sande Bellinger River A. Association .. a ... J. F. Reynolds Be Mudgee A., P., H., and I. Association 5. Mid agElQnAM! ~ \e. in) © sSe OaeLO Glen Innes P. and ‘A. Society... - GEOSPAGPETICNL:. 2: 55, SS Toso Moruya A. and P. Society SH wenery 2". gh too Tumbarumba and Upper Murray, Ve and A. Society... E.C. Cunningham ,, 9, 10 Taralga A., P., and H. Association ids ds nearmey, -i.. 55. 2001 Gloucester P., As, and H. Society owes Wate Chester... <9), 0thga kt Goulburn A., P., and H. Society we Do ay. vob) gp nen Ong ee ee Batlow A. Society . OC. SaGrepory =... 443) LOO Armidale and New England Ps A. and H. Assocn.... A. H. McArthur... » 15to 18 Upper Hunter P, and A. Association ... .. R. OC. Sawkins ... ,, 16, 17 Gundagai P.and A. Society... Vee VAS PEON iso) Pgs peelGmla Macleay A., H., and I. Association (Kempsey) .. E. Weeks... code Neate ecm ole Royal Agricultural Society of N.S.W sate Megnomer’ -.... 5, ¢2.shoroU Upper Manning A. and H. Association (Wingham)... D. Stewart .. April 13, 14 Narrabri P., A., and H. Association . C. C. Baker cos:t Mya dal yl ages Clarence P. ‘and A. Society (Grafton) .. 50 a Gabawson | -... 43 olosoule W.D.A. and H. Society (Nabiac) eGeO Connor. cciis, Pole Dungog P. and A. Association ... We ieGreen 0: 452.28) 29:80 Hawkesbury District A. Association (Windsor) . H. S. Johnston ... May 12, 13, 14 wn Be P. and A. Association (Wagga) . A. F. D. White ... Aug. 23, 24, 25 Corowa P., A., and H. Society... ... J. D. Fraser ose? oO RO Printed and published by WILLIAM APPLEGATE GULLICK, of Sydney, Government Printer, and Publisher, of the State of New South Wales, at Phillip-street, Sydmey. Neer 291920. | 4 Azriculiural Gazette of N.S.W. i Scottish: Australian Investment Co., Ltd. - DARBALARA STUD of MILKING SHORTHORN CATTLE GUNDAGAI, N.S.W. DOOM EMBLEM OF DARBALARA (100). Banker (5) ex Madame (406). Sypney R.A.S. Recoxps :—tst and Champion, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1918, 1914, 1915 and 1916. First in Bull and Progeny, 1913, 1915 and 1916. Unbeaten for 7 successive years. MELBA VII OF DARBALARA (4,181). Sire— Emblem of Darbalara (100). Dam— Melba IV of Darbalara (1,576). World’s record for a Short- horn Cow, 365 days. MELBA XV OF DARBALARA (4, 188). Sire—Kitchener of Darbalara (419). Dam—Melba VII of Darbalara (4,181). Govr. OrriciAL Recorps :—At 2 years old, 8,844 lb. Milk, 461 Ib. Butter for 273 days; 3 years, 13,510 Ib. Milk, 707 Ib. Butter, for 273 days. h R.A.S. Niecdta Tat Prize as 2 year old in Milk, 1918 ; winner of Sydney Morning Herald and Mail Special Prize, 1920, highest yield all breeds ; wiuner of M.S. Association's Special Prize. ; Bred by and Property of The Scottish Australian HIGH-CLASS PEDIG For full particulars apply Darbalara Cc Investment Compan REED YOUNG BULLS FOR SALE. The is easy of access from Sydney KITCHENER OF DARBALARA (409). Emblem of Darbalara (100) ex Lily Il of Darbalara (1,019), Sypney R.A.S. Recorps :—I1st, as yearling, 1914; lst, 2 years old, 1915; 1st, 3 years old, 1916; 1st and Champion, 4 years old, 1917; 2nd and Reserve Champion, 1918; and 1st in Bulland Progeny. Unbeaten for 5 years, except once by ELECTED OF DARBALABA, bred by the same Stud. Govt. OrriciaL RECORDS : 2 years old, for 273 days, 8,077 Tb. Milk, 412 lb. Butter. 4 years old, for 278 days, 14,622 Ib. Milk, 678 Ib. Butter. 6 years old, for 273 days, 14,371 lb. Milk, 836 lb. Butter. 6 years old, for 865 days, 17,364 lb. Milk, 1,021} Ib. Butter. aH tem MELBA XI OF DARBALARA (4,185). Sire— Union Jack of Darbalara (631). Dam—Melba VI of Darbalara (4,181). Govt. OFFICIAL RECORDS : —At 3 years old, 9,165 Ib. Milk, Butter for 273 days. eg Recorps:—ist Prize 2 year old and Reserve ion, 1917; 1st Prize 3 year old and Champion, 1918 ; Oat Champion, 1920, M. S Seetion; Ist in yield of milk, ist in Lactation Test Prize, and 2nd in Champion Butter 4 t y ~*~ ; y. Ltd., Darbalara Estate, Gundagai, N.S.W. nr MANAGER, Darbalara. or Melbourne by train to Gundagal. it Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W.. [Dec. 2, 1920. “Champion” Stump-jump Plow. A Farmer’s Boy, 6 Horses, and a “Clutterbuck” 10-Furrow Plow, have been known to plow Io0o0 zcres of land 4 inches deep in a week. ** THINK OF IT!” i 8 FURR.— io FURR.— 12FURR.— 14 FURR.— MA DE IN £62 £66 Z72 £76 cers. Clutterbuck Bros. Ltd. 72 {ity Read. Souvenir of the Cruise of ON SALE. His Royal Hedletes The Bhrcs a Wales Price 4/= each; By Post 1/1. in the Pacific. Copies obtainable at the Government Printing Office. H. M. SUTTOR & CO, ose: 2 Bond-st, Syiney. PASTORAL and AGRICULTURAL AGENTS, GRAIN AND PRODUCE SALESMEN. WHEAT, MAIZE, OATS, &e., OMAFF, LUCERNE, OATEN HAY, POTATOES, de., RECEIVED FOR SALE DAILY AT ALEXANDRIA. Reliable Inermation Given re Merkots. * TOP PRICES. QUICK RETURES. SCRATCHES from Barb Wire sometimes lead to fatal results. By applying ROW’S EMBROCATION it acts as an antiseptic. EstTaBLISHED 50 YEARS. Sole Makers— EDWARD ROW & CO., Sydney. Pee> 2.31920.) Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. iii Che Aniversity of Spdnep. Department of Veterinary Science. The Veterinary School, which is well nised for all public appointments in equipped with the most modern appli- the Commonwealth. The course of ances and apparatus, is under the instruction and training is’ of a pro- direction of Professor J. DOUGLAS gressive nature, and the standard STEWART, M.R.C.V.S., B.V.Se., late adopted is that of the best Veterinary Chiet Inspector of Stock and Govern- Colleges in the British Empire. The ment Veterinary Surgeon of the State Hospitaland Clinic in connection with of New South Wales. : ee The degree granted, vie., Bachelor of the School offer exceptional facilities for practical training. Veterinary Science (B.V.Sc.), is recog- NEXT TERM BEGINS 7th MARCH, 1921. Veterinary Science undoubtedly offers, particularly to those fond of animals, a remunerative and congenial profession, for which a wide field of employment exists. Full particu!ars of the curriculum will be forwarded on application, H. E. BARFF, Warden and Registrar. The Chief Inspector of Stock, Government of New South Wales, approves of the use of this preparation. BY USING BLACKLEGOIDS TO VACCINATE AGAINST BLACKLEG. Simple. Safe. Effective. No dose to Measure. Ne liquid te spill. No string to rot Simply « little pilé to be injected under the skia. SEND FOR FREE BOOKLSTS. For Sale by PARKE, DAVIS & COMPANY. MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS, 125 York-street, Sydney. _ Box 224 G.P.O. i 54h als ‘ “ wv rae oil oie ea Nate Reams AeeNs Pene cr'gtaee tps SY eee 2S SES Ee tee SS iw Agricultural Gazctte of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. Power For Factory, Farm, Station, etc. THE WORLD-FAMED RUSTON & HORNSBY Suction Gas Engines and Plants, | Wood Refuse Suction Gas Producers, Kerosene and Crude Ol/ Engines, Petrol Parafine Engines, Benzine Engines, Steam and Traction Engines, Road Rollers—Steam and Oil, Of! Loco’s, Steam Boilers, Centrifugal Pumps, Exhaust Heat Boilers. LARGE STOCKS ON HAND AND TO ARRIVE. FULL RANGE OF SPARES ALWAYS IN STOCK. Ruston & Hornsby Ltd., 1 Barrack St., SYDNEY, and at WELBOURNE & BRISBANE. WORKS AT LINCOLN, GRANTHAM AND STOCKPORT, ENGLAND. Stud Berkshire Pigs OBS SA Be THE STATE PRISON FARMS BATHURST = GOULBURN ~ EIU PLAINS AND THE STATE PENITENTIARY LONG BAY Young Boars and Young Sows All guaranteed healthy, of high-class breeding, and have been carefully selected from high-class pedigreed stock, of thrifty, vigorous, and early maturing strains of the famous breed. Full particulars may be obtained on application to the Officer-in-Charge of the Gaols at Bathurst, Goulburn, and Emu Plains Prison Farm, and the Superin- tendent, State Penitentiary, Long Bay ; or to— The COMPTROLLER-GENERAL OF PRISONS, Phillip Street, Sydney. Dee. 2, :1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W v NAAN \" We A ANNI An Illinois practical feeding experiment showed that cows fed with the properly balanced ration gave 477% more milk and more butterfat than others fed with the same quantity of unbalanced ration. Cattle Food, ‘*The Ideal Concentrate,” fed Every Stockowner is anxious for greater output. as directed is unequalled as an economical We want him to know that to secure best results 1 ba : eee ak his stock MUST be supplied with properly balanced | .“—” food. It furnishes the ideal ration because foods. it contains the essential food elements ; is easily pie : ; digested and supplies necessary energy to turn feed Yo merely feed on steck grasses is not sufficient. Patel The Cow needsa milk-making ration high in protein, at the same time containing sufficient carbohydrates We cater for each class of stock raised for profit. to provide body maintenance and energy. Whether you be concerned with production of milk, Maximum production on pastures alone is im- possible. Although they stimulate the milk flow, beef or eggs, the correct grade of Specialised a concentrate rich in protein is necessary to balance Stock Foods will help you. They are correct- the ration and increase both the weight and the | ly balanced and _ seientifically formulated and must give greater results. productivity of the stock. Write for Booklet on Scientific Feeding to 4) Stock Foods Department—A.T. ee MEGGITT LIMITED, 26 KING ST., SYDNEY. WORKS: PARRAMATTA. $n Ft vi Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec.: 2, 1920; STUD PIGS FOR SALE AT THE HOSPITAL, CALLAN PARK. For turther particulars apply to Manager. (The prices quoted hold good for the current month only.) 632 Berkshire Sow 633 | Berkshire Sow 634 Berkshire Sow 635 Berkshire Sow Major, No. 520a} No. 520c. 636 Berkshire Sow ... 637 Berkshire Boar ... 638 Berkshire Boar ... 639 Berkshire Boar ... 640 Berkshire Sow .. 641 Berkshire Sow ... 642 Berkshire Boar .. 643 Berkshire Boar ... 644 Berkshire Boar ... 645 Berkshire Sow Callan Park Alice,} Oct. 27 6 6 0 No. 520e Callan Park Dan, No. 600a No. Description. Sire. Dam. of ne ae 1920. £18,. ‘as 614 Berkshire Sow ...| Koramburra Callan Park Wave,| July 7] 8 8 0 Major, No. 520a} No. 421 615 Berkshire Boar ... an 616 a ee Boar ...| | Konic 617 erkshire Boar .. |‘ Callan Park Dew- | Sept. 7 | 7 7 O 620 Berkshire Boar ... || Magonmr)°- “Gave drop, No. 500 : 621 Berkshire Sow ...|J 622 Berkshire Boar . 3e 623 Berkshire Sow ...| ( Koramburra Callan Park Birdy,| Sept. 17} 7 7 O 624 Berkshire Sow ... Major, No. 520a} No. 520b 625 Berkshire Sow ... 627 Berkshire Sow ...| Callan Park King, | Callan Park Pop- | Sept. 25} 7 7 0 No, 445a corn, No. 410 328 Berkshire Boar ... 629 Berkshire Boar 630 Berkshire Sow | ESI Berkshire Sow Koramburra Callan Park Lady,| Oct. 17! 6 6 O | Callan Park Dan,| Callan Park Lucy,| Nov. 2] 6 6 06 SSS ee ef a von or YX 646 | Berkshire Sow No. 600a No. 520d 647 Berkshire Sow , 648 Berkshire Sow \ 649 Berkshire Sow ... 650 Berkshire Boar ... 651 Berkshire Sow 652 Berkshire Sow | Koramburra Callan Park Patsy,| Nov. $&| 6 6 0 653 Berkshire Sow ...| ¢ ‘ 654 Berkshire Sow ... Major, Mieggs20n ia ktio. aes 655 Berkshire Sow ... “|| 656 Berkshire Sow ...|J Prices quoted include delivery in crates at Darling Harbour or Wharf at Sydney. A full pedigree is furnished with every pig sold. All communications to be addressed to—- “THe Manacer, Mental Hospital, Callan Park, Sydney.” (Please add Exchange for Country Cheques.) 16th November, 1920. R. KIRKPATRICK, Manager. Dec. 2,. 1920.] Agricultural Gazetie of N.S.W. vii AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION At the Government Farm Schools. SPECIAL FACILITI2S ARE OFFERED AT THE SCHOOLS AT THE GOVERNMENT EXPERIMENT FARMS FOR INSTRUCTION IN AGRICULTURE. CouURSES FROM 6 MONTHS TO 3 YEARS. Low Fees. Comiyortable Accommedation. Expert Tuitlon. HAWKESBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, Riehmond. ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY. AGRICULTURE DIPLOMA COURSE—-3 years. DAIRY DIPLOMA COURSE—2z years. Carrying the respective academic distinctions ‘‘H.D.A.” and ‘“‘ H.D.D.” Short Courses of 12 months on the ORCHARD, and 6 months on DAIRY, PIGGERY, and POULTRY. Carrying certificates on examination. Each Course gives a well-adjusted combination of Field Practice with Class-room Tuition. Two Sessions per Year, beginning January and July. FEES (INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) All Courses- ... £16/10/- per Session. WAGGA and BATHURST STUDENT SCHOOLS. SOUND SYSTEMS IN MIXED FARMING. The Student performs the work of each Section of the Farm, including SHEEP, CROPS, DAIRY, ORCHARD, POULTRY, PIGGERY, CARPENTERS and BLACKSMITHS’ SHOPS. TWO YEARS’ COURSE FOR FARM CERTIFICATE. FEES (INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) First Year... PAR EZO Second Year ... .. £1d FARM APPRENTICE SCHOOLS at Cowra, Glen Innes, Wollongbar, and Grafton. A PRACTICAL COURSE FOR TRAINING LADS FOR FARM WORK. 2 The Apprentices are trained in all branches of FARM, DAIRY, or ORCHARD work, and receive Lectures and Demonstrations in CROP G ROWING and the Rearing and Management of LIVE >TOCK. FEES (INCLUDING INSTRUCTION, BOARD AND LODGING) £10 for Six Months. (Admission at any date.) ‘ vor further particulars, prospectuses, &c., ha 2 apply re : ‘ GEORGE VALDER, Lands Office Building, Under Secretary and Director, Bridge-st., Sydney. Department of Agriculture viii Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. Technical Education Branch Department of Education N. S. Wales © Technical Training by Correspondence in Sheep-Classing and Wool-Classing Agriculture Book-keeping (including Station Bookkeeping) Care of Animals, or Animal Husbandry ba the past people in isolated parts of the State requiring instruction in these subjects have been unable to obtain it unless they could go to comparatively few centres. Now they can bring themselves by Home Study into closest touch with the chief centre of educational activity, and can be specially taught and trained by the leading experts in their particular professions. THE SYDNEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE provides instruction of the highest practical and scientific character by Correspondence in the following subjects also: Architectural Drawing Inspection of Meat and Building Construction Animals Construction Drawing PenmacsBip-and Corres- pondence Carpentry and Joinery Shatthand Domestic Science, Cookery, and Household Manage- ment Printing and Composing Styles of Architecture Sanitary Engineering and Sanitary Law Elementary Art Drawing Trades Calculations Drainage and Water Fitting Send for Syllabus “Technical Education Extension by Correspondence,”’ to JAMES NANGLE Superintendent of Technical Education Sydney Heer 21920. Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 4x Technical Education Series. A sme 5 % Haley i pai ge? Technical Education Branch, Department of Education, os ue ls Technological Museum, New South Wales. Cloth Bound. Profusely Illustrated. Australian Flora as Applied Arf— ™* *7™™ The Waratah - - - - - T/6 8/- Building and Ornamental Stones - - [5/- 15/6 Cabinet Timbers of Australia - - - [0/- 10/6 Fishes of Australia and their Technology {5/- 15/6 Hardwoods of Australia and — their Economics - - - -. - 25/- 2¢/4 “Pines of Australia—a Research of - 25/- 27/- Obtainable from the Government Printer. & Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. i _ —_—e Jenolan Caves NATURE’S MASTERPIECE POR A> DESEO TABLE HOLIDAn >) a Baily: Across the Blue Mountains Specially Organised Parties Leave Sydney Daily Three Days ... on i. ast .. £4/17/6 Four Days ... ae oe He .. £5/14/0 Five Days ... “a uy ae .. £6/10/6 THE ABOVE COST COVERS First-class Rail, Motor, and Hotel Expenses throughout. Charges for a Daily Caves Inspection. Privilege of extending stay, or breaking return journey on the Blue Mountains. Every detail of travel and accommodation pre- arranged. Book at Government Tourist Bureau, CHALLIS HOUSE, MARTIN PLACE, SYDNEY, which controls the Caves. E. H. PALMER, Director. ° Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. xi a a South C Bye South An Ideal Holiday Resort Wales @ The mild bracing airs and pleasant vistas of the Beautiful Illawarra offer a restful and delightful change to tired city dwellers. @Here, encompassed by glorious panoramas of blue ocean and golden strands, verdant hillsides and peaceful valleys, a holiday will pass all too quickly. @ Make up your mind to see and enjoy this delightful Garden BBP SS of the South. Q Descriptive Q For full and reliable in- Poldez formation call, phone, Posted on or write to the Receipt of Your Address. GOVERNMENT TOURIST BUREAU, CHALLIS HOUSE (opp. G.P.O.), SYDNEY. E. H. PALMER, Director. Telephone City 4945. Lin Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. NEW SOUTH WALES. THE PUBLIC TRUSTEE ACTS AS Pi Os BARC UT) Tx. ADMINISTRATOR, ATTORNEY, or AGENT, (STATE GUARANTEE.) LOWEST CHARGES IN AUSTRALASIA, NO PROFITS. Increased Business Means Reduced Charges. T. W. GARRETT, Apply for particulars to— Public Trustee. PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE, Culwulla Chambers, 67 Castlereagh-st.. SYDNEY. Dec. 2, 1920.] Agrwultural Gazette of N.S.W. Lili State Timber Yards and Building Workshops UHR’S POINT. RHODES. Telephones: Postal Address: | U 6601 to U 6606. Box 12, Post Office, Burwood. The Largest Timber Yard and Joinery Works in Australasia. ALL FOREIGN AND AUSTRALIAN TIMBERS IN STOCK. SEND FOR PRICE LIST AND CATALOGUE Special Prices given for Detail Joinery, Office Furniture, cic. All Communications to be addressed to THE MANAGER, rw Agricultural Gazette of N.S W. [Dec. 2, 1920. To Employers. “SOC HE RETURNED SOLDIERS AND SAILORS’ EMPLOYMENT ACT compels, with few exceptions :— (1) Reinstatement of Returned Soldiers, Sailors, and Nurses in original positions ; (2) Absolute Preference of Employment to Returned Soldiers, Sailors, and Nurses ; (3) Application to the State Labour Exchanges for all labour (men and women) required. STATE LABOUR EXCHANGES have been established in the undermentioned country towns: BROKEN HILL, GOULBURN, LISMORE, NEW CASTLE, ORANGE, TAMWORTH, WAGGA WAGGA, WOLLONGONG. F. C. GOVERS, Director. Labour Exchanges and Immigration Branch, 76 Elizabeth Street, Sydney. Bec. .2, .1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. | LV PRICE LIST OF PURE BRED PIGS FOR SALE AT HOSPITAL, GLADESVILLE. (The prices quoted hold good for the omrrent month only.) —— ik — ——— —— — —— — e— — —————— No. | Description. | Sire. | Daan panes Each, | 1920. a ree Leape - eee eine Charles IT ...| Glad’ville EmpressIV | April 4 | 9 9 2424-5 arge York. Boar awkesbury : ~ |(10 10 24298 Large York. eae Ferryman Brighton Lass | May 17 19 9 2440-1 | Large York. Boa Sheer Gladesvitle tt ioe 2442-3 Large York. Sow \ King Charles II { Empress IT \ June 2 UuSEES 2445-6-7 | Large York. Boars})) Hawkesbury : (9 9 2448 Large York. Sow Ferryman } Brighton Lady ...) June 20 is 8 2459-60-61] Mid. York. Boars | Gladesville Grand | Gladesville Lila ... July 12 9 9 Boy. 2474 Large York Sow | Hawkesbury Gladesville Bourne Aug. 5 8 8 a oe i Ferryman Kil. 2475-76 | Mid. York. Boars| | Sundon Sydney ae : f10 10 2477-78 | Mid. York. Sows } (Imp.) { Gad wile Baad Th Ate eo eee 2486-87 | Berkshire Sows ...| Herrison King _...| Primrose II | Aug. 12 /%5) § 2488-89 | Mid. York. Sows | Sundon Sydney Gladesville Maid ...| Aug. 18 | 9 9 (Imp. ) 2492 Mid. York. Boar ee: Grand| College Rambling) Aug. 29 | (9 9 2493-94-95; Mid. York. Sows Boy Rose. {3 8 2496-97-98 Mid. Yerk. Boars | ) Gladesville Joan Sept. 81/9 9 2499-500-H Mid. York. Sews ; Grand Boy 13 8 2503 Berkshire Boar ...|Whitley Wales Thick Haired Jana Sept. 23 | 10 10 (Imp.) 2505 Berkshire Sow ... : A Ghad’ ville Queen Sept. 24 8 8 2506-7-8-9| Berkshire Bvars... \ Henrison King { Short Faee Jane ITH Sept. 29 929 2510-11 | Large:York. Boa 2 : iSied 2512-13 | Large York. Sows \King Charles II Ragiville Gets DVa | Octreaa! 18 8 2514-15 | Berkshire Boars ...| Lockhaven Gladesville Queen | Oct. 7/| 9 9 Didymus ; 2516-17-18} Berkshire Sows ...| Whitley Wales Glad’ville Nancy II) Oct. 7/9 9 O (Imp.) 2519 Berkshire Boar ...| ) Glad’ville Long- | Polly Pry V Oct. 8° |\¢ 9). 950 2520-21 | Berkshire Sows ...|\ —_ fellow II 1s 8 0 Neen eee If it is desired to procure any of the above pigs in farrow they would be kept until old enough for service, put to suitable boars, and retained until sure of being in farrow, for £19 19s. eaeh sow. For this sum pregnancy will be guaranteed, and to do this it may be necessary to keep sow here until 10 or 11 months old. Prices quoted cover crates, insurance, and freight to any railway station in N.S.W., or to any wharf in N.S.W. where steamers from Sydney call. Orders for pigs can only be acted upon when accompanied by remittance. Please add exchange for country cheques. 148 Prizes have been won at the Royal Agricultural Show, Sydney. (A full Pedigree is furnished with every Pig sold.) W. A. E. LEWIS, Manager, Gladesville Hospital. AU commun:cations should be addressed to ‘‘ The Manager,” Mental Hospital, Gladesville. xvi Agricultural Gazette of N S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. Anthony Horderns’ for Every Xmas Want. HE man on the land will find that seasonable suggestions, which will make light of the present problem, are illustrated in Anthony Horderns’ Christmas Price Lists. These interesting guides to buying demonstrate in the most practical way the wonderful savings to be effected in shopping at the House of Economy. Write for copies, posted free on request. They place selections from the magnificent assortment we offer at the command of everyone. Here are three useful lists :— POPULAR PRESENTS AND TOYS. BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS. GROCERY AND CHRISTMAS CHEER. — ANTHONY HORDERN & SONS, LIMITED, BRICKFIELD HILL, SYDNEY. Dec 2, 1920. ] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. The Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas FARMS NOW AVAILABLE Soils may be chosen suitable for the ORCHARDIST, VEGETABLE GROWER, DAIRYMAN, VITICULTURIST, POULTRYMAN, PIG FARMER, BEE FARMER, AND GENERAL FARMER. J | Liberal Assistance to Settlers on Easy Terms. FERTILE Se. to such conditions as to security and terms of repayment as the Commission may think fit [ A ND to impose, Settlers may obtain an advance on improvements effected, or have payment of rent and water rates suspended. Trees and Vines may be purchased from the Commission’s Nursery—Specially selected Dairy Stock AND are obtainable—Railway concessions are granted on New South Wales Railways. (Change of policy may require alteration of terms of assistance.) Butter, Bacon, and Canning Factories in operation in the W A TE R Leeton district. Schools, Churches, Banks, Stores, Boarding Houses are established. | SPECIAL CONDITIONS For DISCHARGED SOLDIERS Information on every point, including pamphlets, lithographs, and list of Farms available is obtainable on application to the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission, Branch “C,’’ Union House, 247 George Street, Sydney, or the Resident Commissioner, Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas, Leeton. 2; 3920. 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