June 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 456 



also a worst." The unattended crop settled down to the lowest mean and gradually 

 " degenerated further." Farrer had remarked that "directly selection ceases, reversion 

 commences." Other botanists had proved, on the other hand, that when a type of 

 wheat had reached its best it was incapable of further improvement, except by crossing, 

 which broke the type and introduced variation. Only in that way, in fact, was 

 improvement on existing types possible. The great activity throughout the world in 

 the improvement of wheat was the result of economic pressure, 



"There is no reason why a good hard translucent grain of good quality gluten should 

 not be grown and maintained by our local climate. As with all things of extra quality, 

 we are approaching more tenderness. Mostly the high quality wheats have tender or 

 weak straw, and straw needs just as much attention as the root system and head. It is 

 no use putting a good head on a rotten foundation, any more than a good bouse on one ; 

 it must stand some weather even in normal times before the grain reaches the bag. If 

 the head is on the ground at harvesting time it is as effectually lost to the bag as though 

 it had never been sown. That is no good to the grower. Every part must be as good 

 as we can make it, and should be fairly quick maturing to miss hot winds, and possibly 

 stormy weather. So prepare your plant to meet the climate and conditions. Oars is 

 naturally a dry atmosphere, drier as we proceed inland ; but in stormy seasons as 

 summer approaches, the steam arising from hot wet ground has a softening tendency on 

 grain — unlike the effect of the rich, dark soil with a high altitude and the crisp air of 

 Canada, which is aho a dry air, but escapes the steam ascending frofti a hot ground. 

 Their wheats are long maturing, which is conducive to free stooling and prolificacy. 

 Our conditions demand early maturity, and earliness and prolificacy are diverse 

 characters in combination ; we must be prepared to forfeit some yield for the other 

 advantage." 



The method of crossing, and the lines on which improved wheats had been bred to 

 improve the quality as well as to increase the yield, were indicated. The difficulty of 

 crossing was greater with wheat than with most other plants, for the structure of the 

 plant was against it, but it had been shown that crossing within the limits of the 

 species resulted in a more vigorous offspring, while self-fertilisation tended to weaken 

 the offspring. Dr. Cobb had said that " selection would be of more effect than cross- 

 fertilisation, but improvements from selection are not permanent." 



Mr. L. Jurd read an interesting paper at the monthly meeting on 20th 

 April, his subject being the growing of dahlias. He considered that the spot 

 selected should have an easterly aspect, and be protected from the sun after 

 2 p.m. The best soil was a well-worked heavy loam, but if it was very stiff 

 horse manure and sand should be used to lighten it, while to^ sandy soil cow 

 manure should be applied. The bulbs should be dug soon after being cut 

 back by frost, and be stored in a dry place. 



Wentworthville. 



The election of office-bearers at the annual meeting resulted thus: — 

 Chairman, Mr. E. T. Baker ; Vice-chairmen, Messrs. H. Beach and A. E. 

 Parry ; Treasurer, Mr. E. S. Taylour ; Hon. Secretary, Mr. H. Druce ; com- 

 mittee, Messrs. J. Coates, F. J . Madden, and C. Giddey. 



Wetherill Park. 



A pruning demonstration was given by Mr. S. A. Hogg, Assistant Fruit 

 Expert, on 5th May, under the auspices of the branch. There was a large 

 attendance of farmers, who expressed themselves as well pleased with the 

 demonstration and the information given about pruning, the peach tip moth, 

 and other matters. 



The chairman, when thanking Mr. Hogg, reminded the farmers of the good 

 work done by the Agricultural Bureau, and appealed to those who were not 

 members to join. 



Windsor. 



A pruning demonstration was given, under the auspices of this branch, by 

 Mr. W. le Gay Brereton, Assistant Fruit Expert, at Mr. J. Hall's orchard 

 Wilberforce-road, on 30th April, and was much appreciated. 



