80 Agricultural Gazelle of N.S.W. [Jan. 2, 1908. 



/arm Notes. 



IIaavkesbukv District — January. 



H. W. I'OTTS. 



Discouraging as was llic oiitluuk in this district twelve miMitli.s a{^(j, the 

 present conditions are far worse. Recent rainfalls, scanty and patchy as 

 they undoubtedly were, might have lieeii iimde of service to the crops had 

 they not been followed by scorching winds, which left the grdiiiid as bad as 

 ever. Tire tenant farmer, faced with the necessity of rallying all his 

 resources in order to pay his half-year's rent, feels tempted to give notice at 

 the same time. 



However, the key-note of the month's operations nnist bi' conservation of 

 sxzcli moisture as there is and the sowin<:- of all availal)le Lirnmid for ureen 

 feed and ensilage. 



January is practically an off month in several respects, as it is too late to 

 do much for the summer crops, and rather early for the autunui au<l winter 

 ones. Weather conditions are usually tnifavourable for many opcrai inns. 

 However, as occasion offers, vigorous i)rei)arations sho\dd be nuule foi- ihe 

 sowing of turnips, lucerne, barley and vetches for green feed, and tlie 

 main hay crop. 



Maize. — Little can be done to the early cr(»i), l)ut light cidl i vat ions, even 

 after hilling (btit before the formation of the cob), will |)ossibly be of 

 service. Though it is against local practice to wm-k ibi'MUgh the corn after 

 hilling, our experience on the high lands has shown that a light scutiiing at 

 that time is often decidedly beneficial. Should a thunderstorm or two come, 

 plantings may be made of any of the standard heavy-leafed varieties, stich as 

 Hawkesbury Champion, Red Hogan, Hickory King, or Early Mastodon. 

 Even as late as February, where early frosts are not lik<'ly to occur, maize 

 may be sown for ensilage and green feed. liows -5 ft. (i in. apai-t. and the 

 seed sown with a dropper G inches in the rows or three or four grains every 

 2 feet will be found <lcsirable. 



Soriilnuns. — Frequent shallow cultivations must be resorted to in oi'ilci- to 

 keep this crop on the move. Attention to this jioint may mean all the 

 difference between a good crop and failure, as sorghum is a slow grower in 

 the early stages. It is rather late fiu- sowing, but Early Amber Cane may 

 be tried, while Planters' Friend niay give greater yields in situations 

 imtouched by early frosts. 



