96 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



introduction of both summer and winter forage crops. This 

 belief has been justified by the results of the experiments of 

 last year. The work was undertaken at a moment's notice. 

 There was no time for importing seed from abroad, and our 

 choice was restricted to the kinds obtamable on the Melbourne 

 market, but, from the limited number available, there have 

 been a few crops which have proved so successful that it is 

 very probable they will, in a few years, be grown as a regular 

 practice throughout the whole of Southern Victoria. From 

 both the actual results obtained in the field, and the personally 

 formed opinions of farmers, certain of the sorghums appear, in 

 some respects, to claim a superiority even over maize. The 

 Japanese millet has done admirably, and gives evidence of 

 proving a most valuable introduction. The sugar beet, for 

 general feeding purposes and periods of the year when other 

 crops are failing, is spoken of with almost enthusiasm, and 

 rape has shown such an exceptional productive power in the 

 whole area covered by the experiments that the large possibil- 

 ities of this crop, especially in the direction of sheep-raising 

 and fattening, must strike all very forcibly. The results of 

 the experiments of last year, are sufficiently encouraging to 

 justify a continuance of the work on more extensive lines. 

 The Chemical Branch has, therefore, been instructed to 

 arrange for the importation of seed, and to invite applications 

 from farmers desirous of co-operating in the work. There will 

 be an insistence, however, on compliance with the conditions 

 imposed by the Department, and applications will only be 

 entertained from those giving evidence of a genuine interest in 

 the work. Opportunity is here taken, on behalf of Dr. Howell 

 and myself, for thanking the farmers who kindly co-operated 

 with his Branch in carrying out the experiments. I have also 

 to express my great satisfaction with the energetic and 

 thorough manner in which these duties were undertaken and 

 carried through by Dr. Howell and the officers under him. I 

 recognize the great amount of extra work which these experi- 

 ments have thrown upon the officers, both professional and 

 clerical, of the Chemical Branch, and they will find their 

 reward in the satisfaction of knowing that the results of their 

 labor will be a benefit to their country. 



