July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 529 



Lower Portland. 



At the monthly meeting on 8th April, the principal business was the 

 appointment of judges for the show. It was also decided to stage an exhibit 

 at the Hawkesbury show, and on account of the expense involved it was 

 'decided to hold a concert and social to raise funds for the purpose. 



The secretary reports that the show held on 4th May was a success in 

 regard to the exhibits, and also financially. The judges praised the exhibits, 

 and stated they would be hard to beat in any other centre in New South 

 Wales for quality and size. 



The exhibit staged at the Hawkesbury show was awarded first prize, 

 getting 750 points out of 1,000. This is the second time in succession that 

 the branch has gained first prize at this show. 



At the monthly meeting on 7th June, it was decided to have a social 

 evening at an early date, and the annual reunion on 30th July. Arrange- 

 ments have been made for the pruning demonstration to be conducted by 

 Mr. Brereton, Assistant Fruit Expert, on 15th July. 



Milbrulong. 



The usual monthly meeting was held on 2nd April, being attended by 

 forty-nine members. 



It was agreed to hold a meeting for the purpose of advancing the cause 

 of co-operative buying. The rules drawn up for the co-operative associa- 

 tion were adopted, as also were the articles of association. 



A discussion on wheat sowing followed. Pickling, smut, rust and methods 

 of sowing were the chief points discussed. The question arose, " What is 

 the best method of combating flag smut ? " 



Dep.ajrtmental Note. — Mr. C. 0. Hamblin, Assistant Biologist, remarks that the 

 spores of flag smut (the fine black dusty matter which is observable on crushing a leaf 

 of an infected wheat plant) can reach the wheat plant in two ways : — 

 (a) by the soil being well supplied mth them; 

 {b) by adhering to the seed grain. 



If the paddocks have not previously been badly infected with flag smut, then the 

 pickling process resorted to to avoid infection by stinking smut or bunt has also a 

 cleaning value for flag smut. If, however, paddocks have been badly infested with flag 

 smut in the pi-evious season, pickling has little or no effect. 



If possible, a rotation crop is desirable to starve the fungus out. Normally the spore 

 germinates about sowing time, when the conditions of moisture and temperature are 

 favourable to it. so that if the young fungus does not then come into contact with a 

 young wheat plant it dies. If wheat must follow wheat, then the land should be ploughed 

 and M'orked as soon after the harvest as possible. The moisture conserved may then 

 result in germination of the flag smut prior to the sowing. In such a case the use of a 

 variety that c juld be sown late would be an advantage. If stubble from a badly 

 " flag-smutted " crop is not burnt off, a large number of spores drop into the soil. 



Sowing in a dry seed-bed will usually favour the disease, for the reason that, if the soil 

 contains ungerminated spores, the seed and spores will lie together until rain comes, 

 and then, germinating together, the fungus will have every chance of surviving. 



It is important also to note that horses and cattle fed on diseased hay have been shown 

 to pass the spores uninjured. They are then capable of germination; so that flag smut 

 may be spread from paddock to paddock in that way. 



It seems that approved good farming methods — rotation of crops, fallow, early pre- 

 paration of the seed-bed, conservation of soil moisture, and pickling — are also our best 

 methods of combating flag smut. Thorough burning of diseased stubble is also very 

 important. 



At a meeting on 3rd May, a discus-ion took place on the operation of 

 ca .tration, it being stated by individual m -mbers that they had used clamps 

 lor the extraction of the testicles with great success. 



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