Nov. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette oj N.S.W. 785 



Coraniba. — -Soil alluvial, previous crop maize ; ploughed twice and Aarrowed 

 several times prior to planting on 19th and 20th August ; drills 2 feet 

 7 inches apart, and sets 15 inches apart in rows. 



The lainfall at this centre was very erratic and wholly inadequate for high 

 yields. Very little of the total of 9"07 inches recorded during the growing- 

 period was of material benefit to the crop, and the season generally was one 

 of the worst ever experienced in the district. 



The Rutherglen bug made its appearance in the crop at an early date and 

 did considerable damage, particularly to Early Manistee and Satisfaction, 

 the yields of which suSered very much in consequence. Both these varieties 

 have yielded excellently under normal conditions, and the loss due to the 

 depredations of the bug is estimated this year at .3^ to 4 tons to the acre. 



I'he germination of the plots was very satisfactory, the seed-bed being 

 fairly moist, deep and friable. The after-cultivation of the crop consisted of 

 harrowing just when the plants were up, several cultivations between the 

 rows, and hilling at flowering stage. The growth of the haulm was greater 

 thtin expected with so meagre a rainfall. 



It will be noted that four white-skinned varieties head the list in the 

 variety trial. These have been very consistent in the last three years' trials 

 here, Factor, Up-to-Date, and Carman No. 1 occupying the premier positions 

 each year. 



The results generally from this locality are very satisfactory considering 

 the trying conditions to which the crops was subjected. The soil benefiteil 

 largely from early ploughing and the frequent stirring of the surface with 

 harrows. 



Grafton. — The soil here was a rich alluvial loam, typical of the Clarence 

 banks. At sowing time, 24th and 26th August, it was in a fairly moist friable 

 londition, being reduced to a tine tilth by deep ploughing immediately 

 after the removal of early maize in April, and again just before planting, 

 with several harrowings and cross-harrowings in the interim. The germina- 

 tion of all plots, with the exception of Surprise (which gave only a 75 per 

 cent, germination), was all that could be desired, but the meagre and erratic 

 i-ainfall (usually followed by strong, hot westerly winds) was responsible for 

 considerable second growth, and it is remarkable that under the trying 

 conditions tubers formed at all. The yields obtained, although small, were 

 highly creditable. 



The after-cultivation of tlie crop consisted of cultivation between the rows 

 three times with the Planet Jr. implement, to conserve moisture rather than 

 to control weed growth. It is evident that the plants benefited from this 

 storage of moisture. 



In the past the purple-skinned Manhattan has given the best results in 

 variety trials, but this season it occupied .sixth place, with four white-skinned 

 varieties in the lead. This was due to the season, and would seem to indicate 

 the superiority of the latter types for drought conditions. 



