Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 903 



Clifton (near Young). 



Mr. E. Breakwell, Agrostologist, visited this district on 2Ytli October and 

 delivered a lecture on noxious weeds, in which he gave valuable informa- 

 tion on their control. He felt sure that providing thorough working of 

 the soil was continued and other methods were adopted, the troubles with 

 weeds would be greatly minimised. He strongly recommended the growing 

 in the orchard of smothering crops such as barley, field peas, rape, kc., 

 which would also enrich the soil and help to conserve moisture. 'Side 

 crops treated with artificial manures would also be found a factor in control. 

 Subsequently several orchards were visited, and various weeds were pointed 

 out, and useful information given about each. 



The visit was greatly appreciated by members, the more so as it was the 

 first of the kind they had had. 



Goraki. 



At this branch on 19th October, matters in connection with the exhibit 

 at the next Coraki show were advanced; seeds for the purpose have been 

 secured and distributed to members. 



Details were also arranged for a maize-growing competition among 

 members, and it was agreed to ask the Department to allow one of its 

 officers to prepare a scale of points and to judge the competition. 



Owing to the good results obtained from Para and Guinea grasses at 

 Wollongbar Experiment Farm, orders have been placed for considerable 

 parcels of plants for distribution. 



Cunningham. 



A meeting was held on 29th October, when a paper on firebreaks was 

 read by Mr. B. J. Stocks. 



Mr. Stocks urged that the luxuriant growth of grass and herbage would be 

 likely to spread fire rapidly in all directions if there was an outbreak. He 

 recommended that groups should be formed with a leader to each, who should 

 arrange for a signal at which all in each group should mobilise at the point 

 where the fire existed. Firebreaks were of importance; they should be about 

 a chain wide, and if possible sown down with summer fodder or lucerne. It 

 was a good plan to burn a break back from a firebreak, so as to meet the 

 oncoming fire and to make doubly sure. Firebreaks were generally most 

 necessary on the western and north-western sides of the farm, those being the 

 directions of the prevailing winds. Fallow land made an excellent firebreak, 

 and with closer subdivision and more fallowing the danger would be much 

 reduced. Finally, the water cart should be kept ready for action at a moment's 

 notice, for a water cart well handled was equal to several men's labour in 

 suppressing a fire. 



Inverell. 



The monthly meeting was held on 27th October, Mr. J. Ditzell presiding, 

 "^he branch's request for information about the oat^ mite {Notophallm 

 hicolor) was answered by the Department with an intimation that it had 

 done considerable damage in the Delungra district, but there was not much 

 chance of effective remedy in a large area; as long as it remained on the 

 flag the crop might recover. 



The Tingha branch asked for co-operation in calling a conference of 

 branches at Inverell as early as convenient. It was pointed out that 

 Inverell was the natural centre for the district, and that such a conference 

 would enable the members of the Bureau to take united action, and would 

 tend to strengthen the spirit of co-operation. 



