Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. S41 



The Saving of Seed Wheats 



A. H. E. McDonald, chief Inspector of Agriculture. 



Owing to the severity of the drought in many of the wheat-growing districts 

 last year, a considerable number of farmers were unable to harvest seed 

 wheat to fill their requirements, and had to obtain seed from other districts, 

 principally through the Rural Industries Board. The Board endeavoured, 

 as far as possible, to obtain seed suitable for the different districts ; but, 

 owing to the bulk of the seed having to be purchased in the Riverina, the 

 principal variety was Federation, which, while suitable for the Riverina and 

 western districts, is not altogether a satisfactory variety for the north-western 

 districts, owing to its susceptibility to rust. It was also impossible to obtain 

 sufficient seed of early-maturing varieties to fill the requirements of farmers 

 in the dry districts, where these wheats are of special value — where, in fact, 

 to grow wheat successfully under normal conditions, early-maturing varieties 

 are indispensable. 



Fortunately the season has been favourable, and, although rust has 

 occurred to a slight extent, apparently — at the time of writing — no very 

 serious damage has occurred among the wheat crops ; though farmers, 

 especially in the north-west, have had a very anxious time in this respect, as 

 they realised the position, and at times it appeared that there was very great 

 danger of the crops being seriously damaged. The season has also been very 

 favourable to later maturing varieties in dry districts, even as far west as 

 Nyngan, and in consequence the shortage of early-maturing varieties has not 

 resulted in the loss which might otherwise have occurred. It is fortunate 

 that the season has been more favourable than usual, but such conditions 

 cannot be expected to continue, and it is very necessary that farmers should 

 immediately obtain those varieties which experience has shown to be most 

 suitable for their particular conditions. 



The Department has realised the necessity of assisting farmers to obtain 

 suitable varieties, and early in the season made arrangements at the 

 experiment farms in the wheat-growing areas to sow as large an area as 

 possible of wheat, and to pay particular attention to those varieties which 

 would be urgently required. Further than this, it was arranged with 

 private growers to harvest as much for seed wheat as possible, and in order 

 to ensure that the seed should be reasonably pure and true to variety, 

 arrangements have been made for officers of the Department to inspect these 

 crops. These steps will ensure that a large quantity of suitable seed will be 

 available, and purchasers can be reasonably sure that they will be able to 

 obtain the varieties which they require. 



