Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 875 



Farmers' Experiment Plots* 



Maize Experiments, 1919-20. 



Upper North Coast District. 



. W. D. KERLE, Inspector oi Agriculture. 



Field experiments with maize were conducted during the 1919-20 season 

 by the following farmers in conjunction with the Department of 

 Agriculture : — 



G. A. Forrest, C'oraki. 



K. W. Hiiidniarsh. " AYiaraga."' Belliugeii. 



E. A. Green. " The Risk," Kyogle. 



G. P. Collins. " Coliiulale." Fairy Hill. Casinc. 



E. X. Mackinnon. I>awreuce. 



A. Menzies. North Dorrigo. 



Henry Short, *' Warrawee," Dorrigo. 



Win. Barnes. " Heatherdene," South Woodliurn. 



E. Amps. " Goldsborough." Caiuira Creek. Grafton. 



F. J. Giblin. Burrapine. Nanibuota River. 

 Mrs. F. T. .Johnson. Condoiig. Tweed River. 

 Chas. Oliver, " Laurel Dale." Casino. 



The experiments consisted of trials with varieties and with simple and 

 compound fertilisers. To provide for the diversity of climatic and soil 

 conditions represented by the above centres, an aggregate of thirty varieties 

 of maize were tested, a selection being made to suit the conditions of each 

 locality. 



The Season. 



The season commenced disastrously, the drought conditions of the winter 

 of 1919 continuing through the spring and early summer and not breaking 

 until the first week in January. Only in a very few localities was Sep- 

 tember planting possible, and light yields invariably resulted. Planting 

 in October. November, and early December was accomplished chiefly after 

 storms, and growth was slow until the heayj' falls in the new year. The 

 season was exceptionally good from January, and. the late-sown plots yielded 

 remarkably well. The trials sown on 26th November at Mr. Charles Oliver's, 

 Casino, experienced exceedingly dry weather immediately after sowing, 

 and the seed germinated so unevenly that it was considered advisable to 

 cut the crop for green feed, it being impossible to obt-ain accurate results. 

 The season was particularly adverse in the Richmond and Tweed River 

 districts, slightly better in the Clarence, and still better in the Bellinger 

 and Nambucca districts. On the Dorrigo the spring rains were below the 

 average, but the drought conditions which prevailed on the coast were not 

 in evidence on the plateau. 



