July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 501 



profitable and they cannot be recommended yet. . It might have been 

 expected that .some easily soluble nitrogenous fertiliser, like sulphate of 

 ammonia or nitvate of soda, would give profitable returns on some of the 

 .Southern Tableland and South Coast soils in view of the increases obtained 

 on the North Coast, and further trials on summer fodders with these 

 fertilisers are desirable. The average increase obtained on the Southern 

 Tableland from 2 cwt. superphosphate per acre is as follows : — 



No fertiliser. ^ cwt. Superphosphate 



per acre. 



tons cwt. tons cwt. 



Average of six tests ... 6 6 10 9 



This gives an increase of 4 tons 3 cwt. per acre from 2 cwt. superphos- 

 phate, thus showing a profit of over .^)0s. per acre for its application in this 

 district. 



Further articles on soil improvement for maize will deal with green 

 manures, cover crops and rotations, 



{To be continiied.) 



Pisa Buildings. 



In reply to the inquiry of a recent correspondent as to the merits of pise, 

 the Works Overseer of the Department stated that it is a suitable material 

 for the erection of all one-storied buildings, and that some very comfortable 

 homes have been made of it. Sometimes the walls are made of pise alone, 

 when they should be from 12 inches to 18 inches thick ; but if studs and a 

 casing of heavy wire netting are used, 6 inches is sufficient, though in this 

 latter case there is a possible danger of white ants. Externally it may be 

 plastered with cement, and intei'nally with lime-plaster, as for brickwork. 

 One skilled builder (who should be selected by calling for tenders) is re- 

 quired ; labourers can do the remainder of the work under his supervision. 

 Pise building is of course limited to country districts. Both bricks and 

 timber ai'e cheaper there than in the city, but, speaking generally, the cost of 

 the walls is about 25 per cent, less than either weatherboard or brick. 



The Backing Needed by Taumers. 



So long as the farmer must contend in his business with the elements of 

 chance, he must be supported by the confidence that back of him is his banker, 

 ready and able and willing to come to his aid in time of drought, flood, storm, 

 insect visitation, or other misfortune. 



Help from the banker in such times of stress is seldom particularly 

 hazardous for the banker. Droughts may come in two or more successive 

 years, and army worms may follow a, cyclone, but the land will always be 

 there and continue to produce. There is no gi*eater certainty of permanency 

 or ultimate return in any industry. This is a point that should be more 

 geneially appreciated by bankers. — E, T. Meredith, U.S. Secretary of 

 Agriculture. 



