June 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 451 



plant ; apparently some insects were at work effecting fertilisation of clover, and the 

 result seemed to be that a paddock of it would now be more permanent owing to the 

 numerous young plants produced by the seed. It was also remarked that cocksfoot when 

 mixed with clover produced a finer growth, and was less tussocky than when grown alone. 

 A paddock of rye grass on Mr. J. Wallis' property was also inspected. It had been 

 sown in drills last year with an oat crop. The presence of weeds led Mr. Wallis to 

 remark that drill sowing of rye grass was not as good as broadcast sowing. 



In the evening, Mr. Breakwell addressed a number of local farmers on the 

 growth of new grasses and fodder plants, urging a more hearty co-operation 

 with the Department in the work that is being done. 



Mount Keira. 



The office-bearers of the above branch for the ensuing year are as follows : — ■ 

 Chairman, Mr. J. Porter ; Vice-chairmen, Messrs. C Yates and Jas. Porter ; 

 Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. W. Yates ; committee, Messrs. J. Hayes, 

 G. Lewis, H. Brown, F. Walker, C. Buckle and A. C. Brown. 



Penrose-Kareela. 



A valuable demonstration on apple packing was given by Mr. W. le Gay 

 Brereton, Assistant Fruit Expert, on 10th March. 



The usual monthly meeting, which was attended by fifteen members, w&s 

 held on 13th March, when matters of interest to local fruitgrowers were 

 discussed. 



At the meeting on 1.3th April, the winning of prizes at the recent Sydney 

 Royal Show was discussed, among other things mentioned being the points 

 in which the branch had been strong and those in which it was weak, as 

 shown by the score card. All concerned were naturally very well pleased at 

 having secured first prize, it being the first time the branch had entered an 

 exhibit at the show. 



Those members who had been mainly responsible were thanked for the 

 success achieved. It was resolved to place an exhibit in one of the shops in 

 the city on the occasion of the visit of the Prince of Wales. 



Quaker's Hill. 



The usual monthly meeting of this branch was held on 1st May. As a 

 result of the efforts of the branch, the Blacktown Shire Council is likely to 

 take steps to proclaim stinkwort a noxious weed. 



Discussion of several matters of local interest took up the evening. 



Springside. 



At a meeting on 30th March, some very interesting reflections on the 

 results of 1919 operations were read by Mr. T. C. Bowen. 



Mr. Bowen remarked that the paddocks that were ploughed early for that season 

 were those that had given the most satisfactory crops, those ploughed just before 

 sowing giving very poor yields or resulting in failures, and this notwithstanding that 

 the soil that was worked late seemed to be in the better condition. To get the full 

 benefit of the work, the soil must be in a friable condition and moist enough to encourage 

 the development of the bacteria which carry out their function in the top few inches of 

 soil and which are thus enabled to prepare plant-food in the seed-bed. He pointed out 

 the advantages of deep ploughing and producing a fine seed-bed with the clods on the 

 surface, leaving the finer particles of soil beneath to be pressed down into a firm bed in 

 which the roots could gain a good hold ; a very fine or dusty surface should be avoided, 

 as it became set and hard, and the seedlings could not break through. He considered 

 that if the land was very dry at sowing time, it was safer to get the seed oats in, but 

 planting must be shallow, for if sown deep the seed might be partly germinated and 



