Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 881 



6 inches apart. The previous crop was maize, and the soil was ploughed 

 once only in preparation for the trial. The seed was sown by hand, three 

 grains every 2 feet 6 inches, and no fertiliser was employed. The season 

 being a remarkably good one, the growth was very good and the yields 

 slightly above normal. Leaf blight made its appearance, being particularly 

 severe on Silver King, Yanco Silvermine, and Early Yellow Dent, as 

 reflected in the yields of grain. Golden Superb, which occupied first place 

 in last season's trial, was defeated by three others. Learning, which last 

 season occupied second place, gave the highest yield, and appears to be 

 the most consistent variety. Its most serious rival on the plateau will most 

 likely be Small Red Hogan, which occupied third place and gave an 

 excellent yield in a pure seed plot of three or four acres. The yield of 61 

 bushels obtained from Golden Nugget was unexpected, and although later 

 than Teaming, it may prove adapted to the soil and climate, its resistance 

 to leaf blight being in its favour. 



Melilotus spp. AS A Green Manure Crop. 



Melilotus alba (Bokhara clover) is being grown at many of our experiment 

 farms, and does fairly well every^^here, but particularly so at Glen Innes. 

 In my opinion it is the best all-round legume yet tried at Glen Innes, and I 

 consider it would do splendidly as a green manure crop in the orchard 

 there. It is a biennial, however, and makes its best growth during the 

 second year, so that it is most suitable for young orchards where little inter- 

 ference with the trees is necessary. 



I would not recommend Melilotus inclica (Hexham Scent) to be grown 

 anywhere for this purpose, as it is not a good fodder plant, and owing to 

 the rapid manner in which it spreads, particularly in lucerne fields, is 

 likely to become a pest. Field peas are better than Hexham Scent as a 

 green manure crop. — E. BREAKAVELL,-Agrostologist. 



The Eradication or Weeds. 



Losses of stock from time to time in the Muswellbrook, Scone, and Denmiui 

 districts, have directed the attention of pastoralists to the plant familiar 

 to many of them as the poison tulip {Homeria collina) — a weed with known 

 toxic properties — but efi'orts at eradication have been somewhat isolated and 

 intermittent. Eecent losses have again given it some importance, and the 

 Upper Hunter and Muswellbrook Shire Councils have proclaimed the plant 

 a noxious weed within their boundaries, and have intimated their intention 

 to compel its eradication. 



The action is in the right direction. Mere proclamation of a weed will 

 be of little value. Enforcement of eradication, though often regarded as a 

 hardship, is really in the interests of all stock-owners in any district where 

 a poisonous weed is permitted to get a footing.— The Veterinary Officers of 

 the Stock Branch. 



