^^^i^. 2, 1908.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 775 



Jarm Notes. 



Hawkesbury District — September. 



H. W. POTTS. 



No farmer could wish for more favourable conditions than exist this season 

 to commence sowing and planting the spring crops. The rainfall of last 

 month fell in soaking slowness and at sufficient intervals to penetrate and satu- 

 rate the dried-out subsoils without leachinj^. A store of subsoil moisture is now 

 held to provide all our requirements for rapid germination and early 

 growth. We will benefit by the incoming genial warm days of September, 

 through which our pastures will afford plenty of green feed. The winter 

 crops already give evidence of a good harvest. In consequence, the farmer 

 will be occupied fully this month in preparing the soil for summer crops, 

 and getting them in. It should l)e a month of exceptional activity if advan- 

 tage be taken of the season and the most favourable cicumstances under 

 which the spring is ushered in. The greater part of last month was taken 

 up in opening up drains, road-making, tree and hedge planting, and 

 ploughing. 



Maize. — ^The first consideration for this district is the main crop — maize. 

 The soil is ready. An ample supply of moisture exists in the subsoils. 

 Given a good season, the Hawkesbury will continue to maintain its reputa- 

 tion as a maize-growing district. In years past buyers have always willingly 

 •recognised the quality and value of Hawkesbury corn. Growers know their 

 profit by the weight per bushel and yield per acre. It is fair to anticipate a 

 remunerative return this year, more particularly in regard to yield per acre. 

 It is customary to divide the various varieties of maize into two main sections, 

 those required purely for grain, and the second group for green-feed or 

 ensilage. With the latter class it is possible to produce a large yield of succu- 

 lent forage at the time when our hut weather sets" in and grass disappears. 

 Moreover green maize is highly digestible, very relishable, and undoubtedly a 

 reliable milk producer. It lasts throughout the summer. It also affords the 

 most suitable of all fodders for conservation as ensilage to carry on the work 

 of stall-feeding during the winter months. Milk production has now become 

 a settled industry in the Valley, not only for the supply of the metropolitan 

 population as milk, but also in supporting the Pitt Town Condensed Milk 

 Factory. This industry has had a precarious struggle through the initial stages 

 of its development. Ha})pily that is past, and it is now being realised that the 

 factory has reached its full-grown stage, has come to stay, and is turning out 

 a product worthy of the highest market price and a credit to the district. 



Our farmers, moreover, are getting into dairying methods. Silage is being 

 -conserved ; stall feeding is being introduced ; and the returns are of such an 



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