526 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W', [July 2, 1920. 



Agricultural Bureau of New South Wales* 



SUGGESTED SUBJECTS FOR BUREAU MEETINGS. 



It sometimes happens that, owing to some inadvertence, members of branches 

 meet without having any particular subject before them. In such a case 

 one of the following paragraphs may provoke a useful discussion, and a brief 

 report 'of the discussion will often interest other branches. 



Have you tried grading 'potatoes, and is it profitable ? If so, at what stage 

 do you carry out your grading — in the fi^eld tvhen digging, or in the ham ? 

 For what characters do you grade, and do you include size, md' formation and 

 ■disease damage ? 



What advantage do you attach to the different types of ploughs — di'ic or 

 mouldhoard — and wider ivhat conditions do you consider each shou'd he 

 used ? 



Have you ever tiied staVe or cow manure for maize? What are its 

 immediate effects on yie'd, and for how loiig does its appHcation affect sub- 

 sequent crops ? Do you favour heavy or light applications ? 



What spraying are you doing this winter? Do you prefer miscib'e oils to 

 concentrated nicotine extracts? Have you ever noticed any iV effects from 

 the use of miscihle oils, and does your experience suggest that they are better 

 used whea the sap is moving rather than ivhen the tree is dormant? Have 

 you observed any greater activity among aphis when the sap is movi'ng, and 

 does that suggest to you when the spray can be most effective y appied? 

 Have you found iron-su'phide act mtisfactori'y as a control of app'e mi dew? 



Are you sure all your coivs are earning the cost of grazing and the labour 

 spent on them? If not, have you thought of herd-testing in connection with 

 the matter? The spring is the most suitable time to start testiiig, and the 

 Department is ^^reparecZ to affoi-d assistance aim advice. Do you, think a 

 ■testing unit cou'd be formed in your district, and hoio many cows ivou'd be 

 offering for the first twelve months ? 



To what do you attribute, the movement from the courtry to the city, and 

 what do you think would tend to restrict it? Would you expect the cultivation 

 of a community spirit, the provision of imjyroved educational facilities, and 

 the increase of home and farm conveniences to operate in that direction? 



REPORTS AND NOTICES FROM BRANCHES. 



NOTE. — While gladly publishing in these columns the views of members of 

 the various Branches of the Agricultural Bureau, the Departtnent does 

 not necessarily endorse the opinions expressed. 



Bimbaya. 

 At a meeting on 13th May, Mr. G. Alcock presiding, an address was 

 given by Mr. A. T. Brown, Dairy Instructor, on the culling of dairy herds 

 with the aid of herd-testing. Every cow's worth should be positively 

 proved, and the water disposed of. Most dairy farmers might be able to 

 pick out the very best cows in their herds, but they could not speak with 

 ■certainty of the long line of doubtful animals. 



