702 Agricuhural Gazette of N.S.W. [Oct. 2, 1920. 



in silking after tasselling was very marked. Very few cobs formed, and very 

 little grain set even on these cobs : the variety had nothing to commend it. 



Mr. R. W. McDiarmid, Inspector of Agriculture in the north-west, 

 reported that at Mount Russell the germination was good, but that the crop 

 died off during the drought. 



Mr. G. G. Potts, then Inspector of Agriculture on the Murrumbidgee 

 Irrigation Area, reported in 1919 that Cuzco seed germinated only 60 per 

 cent, and grew to a height of 9 or 10 feet, with no suckering and coarse 

 stems. Owing to the delay in silking, little or no grain formed. 



Mr. W. D. Kerle, Inspector of Agriculture on the North Coast, stated 

 that at Bonville only 10 per cent, of the seed germinated. The crop was a 

 poor one and no seed was obtained. 



The poor germination in these cases might be expected from such a soft 

 gi'ain if wet weather follows planting. The large amount of soft starch in 

 the grain readily induces rotting under these conditions, especially if the 

 weather is cold. 



A communication from a correspondent in Valparaiso, was received by 

 Mr. Paxton, after these trials. It reads as follows : — " In Chili we have 

 not been able, as a rule, to get any results beyond a splendid plant of 

 gigantic growth for ensilage. Cattle eat it most readily. Occasional!}' cobs 

 form of very large size, but they are not as a rule well-grained. Cuzco stands 

 at an altitude of between 12,000 to 13,000 feet. It is extremely hot in 

 summer and cold in winter, and it would seem that this particular maize can 

 best be cultivated under such circumstances as obtain there." 



It appears that even in Chili this maize has not met with much success 

 outside the Cuzco valley, where the conditions are peculiarly suited to it. 

 In order to obtain some information as to whether it is grown in North 

 America, and as to what conditions in South America suit it best, the 

 United States Department of Agriculture was requested to give us the 

 benefit of their experience with Cuzco maize. Their reply was that " this 

 type of maize forms the principal crop in Peru at elevations of 8,000 to 

 11,000 feet, but as far as known it is not grown in Mexico. In U.S.A. we 

 have been able to mature a crop only on the Pacific Coast, in the cool region 

 round San Diego. Although the elevation at San Diego is low, the climatic 

 conditions are not dissimilar fi'om those of its native habitat. The best 

 suggestion as to the climatic conditions suitable for this variety is a location 

 where there is a f restless period of eight to ten months, with a relatively low 

 air temperature and a high humidity." 



It will be seen that these conditions hardly obtain anywhere in this State, 

 and although the variety has made a good growth for fodder in some parts, 

 the difficulty of raising seed is a very serious drawback. Owing to the very 

 large size of the seed, also, about 40 to 50 pounds of seed per acre would be 

 required for a fodder crop — about twice or three times the quantity required 

 of varieties which are highly satisfactory for fodder, and of which seed is 

 ea.sily raised. Cuzco maize is therefore being discarded from future trials by 

 the Department in this State. 



