Jul 1/ 2, IdOS."] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 577 



the best kind, it is suggested that such implements he obtained and worked 

 by groups of grain-growers for their mutual benefit. 



Good implements, however, are obtainable at moderate prices; and as 

 <iOnsiderably increased yields may be obtained l)y using only the best grade 

 of seed, the cost of a machine would soon be recouped. 



Some years ago tests of varying grades of seed, graded and sown by hand, 

 were carried out on a small scale on this farm, and the results were always in 

 favour of the best qualities. 



Trials of varying qualities of seed carried out on a fairly largo scale with 

 machine-graded seed resulted in a gain for first-grade seed of 2^ bushels per 

 acre above that harvested from second and third grades sown together. 



Method of Sowing. 



The advantage of drilling over broadcasting seed has been frequently 

 advocated and demonsti'ated. The increased yield, together with the saving 

 in cost of seed, will more than cover the cost of a drill on the first 150 acres. 

 Trials of varying quantities of seed have been made, and results amply 

 demonstrate the desirability of sowing only moderate quantities of seed, as 

 although sowings of 60 lb. per acre show a larger total return, the average 

 gain from the extra seed is only nominal. 



For general field work we set out drills to sow half a bushel ; and as grain 

 varies in size according to v;iriety, our average sowing will work out at about 

 33 lb. to the acre. Half a bushel per acre under our conditions we regard as 

 the minimum (Quantity to be sown, with a maximum of 40 lb. per acre for 

 seasonable sowing. 



Should sowing be delayed, as is sometimes unavoidable, the seedmg should 

 be increased to 50 lb. per acre to compensate for the decreased stooling or 

 tillering power of the plants, which diminishes as the season advances. 



Drill -drivers, when sowing, should see that their machines have the inner 

 wheel so far overlapping the land sown in the previous round as that the 

 space between the rounds shall not exceed that between the tines of the 

 drill. 



It is frequently noticed in district crops that the space of a tine is left 

 unsown in every round through failure to drive with the necessary overlap. 

 As these blanks are equal to 8 per cent, of the area prepared for sowing, it 

 will be realised that the omission is an expensive one. 



Fertilisers. 



Tests carried (jut tluring the past eight years have shown that very 

 profitable results may be obtained from the use of moderate quantities of 

 superphosphate drilled in with the seed. 



In districts with a light to fair rainfall a maximum sowing of 60 lb. per 

 acre is recommended, as, if this quantity be exceeded, there is a risk of crops 

 suiFering should adverse conditions set in, as a larger bulk of manure may 

 remain partly undissolved round the roots of the plants. In new land the 



