Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 555 



wheat drill, in rows 14 inches apart, every second hopper being blocked up. 

 The rate of seeding was 15 lb. per acre, and superphosphate was used at the 

 rate of 1 cwt. per acre. 



A very good germination was obtained, but as the crop grew and irrigation 

 water was applied, those plants growing in the crab-holes made very little 

 growth, lost colour, and appeared sickly. 



The Early Amber Cane matured and was cut on 29th January, 1920, 

 while the Saccaline and Planter's Friend was harvested two months later, 

 but with much heavier yields. 



Farm 854. — A variety trial was sown on red clay loam on 21st October, 

 1919. The land had received a thorough preparation, check banks being put 

 in every half chain to facilitate watering by flood irrigation. A rather 

 patchy germination was obtained, but very good growth followed. The Early 

 Amber Cane matured in twelve weeks, while the Saccaline was not cut for 

 another two months, but gave just double the yield of the Amber Cane. 



Farin 139. — Four varieties of sweet sorghum were used in a variety trial 

 on this farm, and all gave very satisfactory results. 



Lucerne had been previously grown on the land, which had been broken 

 up in 1917 and wheat sown ; after this crop had been cut for hay the lucerne 

 made very good growth and was used as grazing for sheep.' 



The land was disc-ploughed in December, and well worked down previous 

 to seeding, with the result that a perfect stand was obtained. Very rapid 

 growth was maintained, the Early Amber Cane maturing in nine weeks, and 

 the Sorghum saccharatiim a week later, with a yield of 25J tons per acre. 

 The other varieties. Planter's Friend and Saccaline, were cut a month later, 

 with very good results. Even then heavier yields might have been obtained 

 if the crop had been wat-ered in the later stages of growth, but owing to the 

 tall growth and the exceptionally heavy winds, irrigation could not be carried 

 out, as the crop would have lodged. In fact, that did happen in the case of 

 the Sorghum saccharatu^n, with the result that the harvesting was made very 

 difficult. 



Farm 151. — Saccaline was tried in conjunction with Early Amber Cane, 

 and similar r-esults were obtained to those on other sections of the area — 

 heavier yields but slower maturity. The experiment was sown on grey crab- 

 holey country, and although the land had received a thorough preparation 

 and rolling was practised after sowing, the germination was not all that could 

 be desired ; nevertheless, a yevj satisfactory crop was harvested. 



Farm 367. — A variety trial of maize was conducted on this farm on red 

 clay soil, the yields comparing very favourably with those of sorghum, and 

 varying from 9| to 12 tons per acre of green fodder. The seed was sown in 

 drills 3| feet apart at the rate of 20 lb. per acre. This crop followed 

 after Japanese millet, which had been grazed off with cattle. A very good 

 germination was obtained, and splendid growth followed, a heiglit of 12 feet 

 being attained in some cases. The crop was harvested 3^ months after 

 sowing. 



