Sept. 2, IQOS.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.Tf^. 701 



at tlie surface, and a crust is formed, a large proportion cannot get through. 

 Under such conditions it shoukl be harrowed. Large wheat grains may be 

 sown deeper than small ones. 



Time to Sotv. — It is wise to complete the sowings of wheats between 

 1st April and end of May. Generally speaking, early sowings yield the 

 best crops ; late sowings, veiy often, do not pay expenses. By sowing 

 comparatively early, root development is encouraged before the winter. 8oils 

 covered with a fair proportion of leaves and permt ated with roots are not so 

 liable to get out of condition by heavy winter rains as soils upon which the 

 wheat has but the first blade. A fair growth also keeps the soil from getting 

 water-logged so readily during the winter months when evaporation is at its 

 lowest. Light sandy soils should be sown early to allow of larger root 

 development to enable the plants to get sufficient plant-food from a soil 

 lacking it. Richer soils may be sown later as the extra plant-food has a 

 forcing action ; such soils are warmer, and the growth faster during very 



M ""til I 'I I \ll^"' .-j±^'^! ' 



No. 1 unmanuied 



f .ill;'A\'feSL-; - 



Plots bhowiiig effect of superphosphate. 



No. 2 manured. 



cold weather. If wheats are sown during March they frequently get winter- 

 proud, and should be fed-ofF by stock, preferably sheep. If wheats are 

 sown after May a judicious application of fertiliser gives a desirable fillip. 

 Different varieties should be sown at different times -see under " Selection of 

 Varieties." In climates of reliable rainfalls till midsunnner they may be sown 

 later. Generally speaking, in the wheat districts dry summeis are the rule. 



Manuring. — It is not premature to state that generally speaking the wheat 

 soils of New South Wales lack phosphoric acid. An application of from 56 

 to 112 lb. of superphosphate per acre, in conjunction with good culture, 

 invariably increases the yields profitably. Good virgin lands do not require 

 manuring. It is easy to over manure the wheat plant under Australian 

 conditions. A too rank developmejit too frequently exhausts the limited 

 moisture before the grain is matured. A desirable balance between plant- 



