302 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [April 3, 1920. 



Farlow ; Vice-chairmen, Messrs. C. A. Jeffreys, G. Davis, J. W. Mitchell 

 and A. C. Hannabus ; Hon. .Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. \V. H. 8pinks ; 

 Auditors, Messrs. A. J. Berkleman and W, J. Ross. 



A number of subjects were discussed, including that of co-operative disposal 

 of produce. In this connection arrangements were made to supply the 

 Kenthurst branch of the National Utility Poultry Breeders' Association 

 witli maize, and to divide the profits of the commission agents between 

 producers and consumers. 



Woonona. 



The usual monthly meeting of the members of this branch was held on 

 10th February, a good number of members being present. Six new members 

 were enrolled. The 17th April was fixed for the flower show. 



Mr. Eastman read a paper on green manuring, which provoked a lengthy 

 and useful discussion. A summary follows : — ^ 



CiKEEN MaNCRINCI. 



Green manure is very valuable for orchairls and for vegetable growing, leguminous 

 crops being the best to enrich the soil. Cowpeas, tares or vetches and beans are about 

 the best for the purpose; these have on their roots nodules or excrescences— white 

 bunchy growths, which are formed and inhabited by colonies of bacteria. 



Some people when they pull up a bean or poa and see the white bunches on the roots 

 think they are some disease, but without these nodules the crop would not be a success. 

 These bacteria apparently live on the nitrogen of the air that permeates the soil, con- 

 verting it into such a form that the plant can absorb it into its system. It is now an 

 undisimted fact that M'hen a plant has plenty of these nodules on its roots it thrives best. 

 It is sometimes found that the nitrogen-gathering Imcteria are not present in suthcient 

 quantity to fertilise a crop the first time. Some people say "My garden won't grow 

 peas or beans, but just up the street they grow fine. What is the reason ? " Well, in 

 such cases if the first man were to get a load of soil from where legumes thrive and 

 spread it about, he would introduce the nitrogen-gathering bacteria into the -soil, and in 

 most cases would not have any trouble in growing peas or beans afterwards. A quaint 

 custom was once in vogue in France. It used to be said that a crop of clover would not 

 grow unless it was blessed by the priest, but to prevent bothering him every time they 

 wanted to sow, they used to get a load of soil from where it had been blessed, and 

 spread it over the field for a blessing. Thus they were practising soil inoculation 

 without knowing it. 



Some people think that green manuring is all right for a large farm, but it cannot be of 

 much use in a garden ; but that is a mistake, as there are not many gardens that have 

 not got some part of it lying idle for two or three months from now on, and such spots 

 could be planted any time now, as the crops come oH', until April. It is not necessary 

 for the legume to mature berf'ore turning it in, if the land is required for cropping, 

 although the best results are obtained if it can. The value of these crops is not only in 

 adding nitrogen to the soil ; their deep roots bring up phosphoric acid and iiotash from 

 the subsoil, and then by the decay of tlie plants a complete plant-food in a most assimil- 

 able condition is left ready for the next crop. It is not always advisable to turn in a 

 heavy crop of greenstuff late in the spring in tlic hot weather, as it is likely to ferment 

 and turn the soil sour, and leave it so badly comjiacted that capillary action is 

 estaljlished in the soil and the moisture dries out quickly, in whicii case a good dressing 

 of lime would be required to sweeten it. 



Rye, rape and barley can also be used for green manure. I have seen good results 

 from barley. I have not found rye much of a fcuccess for manuring, as it seems 

 to take nearly as much out of the .soil in growing as it puts in. Rape is good for field 

 manuring, but it is not much use for a ciirus orcliard, as it competes too mucii with the 

 trees for the moisture. I have had a lot of experience in fruit and vegetable growing, 

 both here and in the Old Country, and I think if there was more green manure used we 

 would have a better quality of fruit and vegetables than we have now. 



Dki'APvTMENTai> Note. — The Chief Inspecttjr commends the clear understanding and 

 expression of this paper. In addition to tlie phint food provided by green manuring, 

 better tilth and increased moisture-holding capacity arc obtained. As regards tlic actual 

 crop, legumes like field peas and vetches iiave nearly always given better results than 

 rape, barley or rye. 



