Jf«^ 2, 1908.J jLgricuCtiiral Gazette of N.S .IF. 393 



Notes on the Milling Nature of the 1907-1908 

 Harvest in New South Wales 



F. B. GUTHRIE and G. W. NORRIS. 



The recent harvest, which appeared at one time likely to be endangered by 

 the dry conditions prevailing over most of the State during the winter 

 montlis, has, on the whole, exceeded expectations. While tliere is probably 

 no great surplus for exportation, the average yield has l^een fair, and, 

 owing to the good prices obtainable, satisfactory to the grower from a 

 monetary point of view. 



A glance at the figures sui)i)lied by the State Meteorologist shows that 

 the rainfall for the year 1907 was below the average in most of the wheat- 

 growing districts, the northern portion of the State suffering the least 

 from the dry weather. The rain that fell in the southern and south-western 

 districts was, for the most part, in March and November, the latter fall 

 having: saved the harvest in many cases. The Riverina suffered most 

 from the dry conditions, the rainfall being below tlie average in every 

 month. The winter months were particularly dry, and tlie dry conditions 

 continued right through September and October. Light to moderate rains 

 l)ecame general early in Xovem1)er, but did not reach tlie Southern and 

 South-eastern Divisions until the middle of the month, when fairly good 

 rains were general. This was followed by hot and dry weather till harvest-time. 



The results of the milling tests of typical wheats from the principal 

 wheat-growing divisions is instructive in showing how the season has 

 influenced the character of the grain, and particularly the gluten-content 

 of the flour. 



Speaking generally, the gluten-content is much higher than usual, and 

 this is particularly the case with the southern wheats, including those 

 from the Riverina,' where the rainfall was below the average for the year 

 and below the average in nearly every month. The November rainfall was 

 followed by hot weather, and the previous hot and dry conditions were all 

 favourable to the production of a grain rich in gluten, whicli is always 

 increased when the ripening of the grain takes place rapidly. 



Rapid ripening takes place when air and soil are hot and dry and the 

 nights warm. The opposite conditions — moist and cool air and soil — 

 promote the formation of plump, soft, starchy grain, yielding a less 

 glutenous and generally a weaker flour. Consequently, tlie conditions 

 tliat tend to diminisli the yield are tliose that are productive of a grain 

 of better quality. 



It will be seen that the southern wheats give a stronger and more 

 glutenous flour than the others. The F.A.Q. sample is a remarkably good 

 one ; indeed, there is to be noted a general and marked improvement in 

 the quality of the grain produced locally during the last few years, par- 

 ticularly in the matter of flour-strength. 



The samples milled were obtained through the courtesy of Messrs. Gillespie 

 Brothers, who kindly supplied us with representative samples from the 

 southern, south-western, and western districts. The F.A.Q. sample 

 was the sample fixed l^y the Sydney Chamber of Connnerce, and we are 

 indebted for it to Mr. H. C. Mitchell, the secretary of the Chamber. The 

 northern sample was obtained through the kindness of Messrs. Lindley, 

 Walker, k Co. 



