Co-operative Forage Experiment^ in Southern Victoria. 11:} 



perceptibly lower yields. The moisture demands of the larger growth 

 had exceeded the available soil supply in the one case, while in the 

 second, demand and su})ply were sufficiently balanced to prevent 

 injury. This is one of the many causes introducing those irregularities 

 and contradictions so frequently found in the results of manure test 

 plots. As a rule, even on the better class soils, crops making rapid 

 growth and reaching maturity early will show increased yields from 

 the use of manures owing to a sufficiency of soil moisture for the full 

 operative effect. 



With the later crops, the character of the season principally will 

 determine the operative action of a fertilizer. Rape and Japanese 

 millet as the earliest crops available will probably show the largest 

 effect of manuring. Maize will possibly show a fair response, but 

 with most of the other cro])s it is questionable whether differences 

 deserving consideration will be observable. 



The Opinions of Dairymen on the Various Crops- 



The point which up to now has received special prominence in this 

 paper has been the bulk of fodder obtainable from each crop. Con- 

 siderations of the palatability of each forage plant, its nutritive value, 

 suit ability for diff'erent periods of the season or different localities have 

 not been dealt with. For answers to these questions we are dependent 

 principally upon the verdict of the dairyman. The opinions of the 

 dairymen vary somewhat with regard to certain crops, but there 

 appears a great unanimity with respect to others. A few of these 

 opinions have already been given. Extracts from a number of letters 

 from the more prominent growers are given here. It is not to be 

 understood that I agree in all respects with the opinions expressed 

 by these growers. 



Japanese Millet. 



Mr. Grant, Upper Tambo : — ■" My opinion of maize as a green 

 fodder is soon stated. I would not grow it again because Japanese 

 millet planted on the same day, cultivated under the same conditions 

 and cut the same day, gave a greater weight in the first cut, and was 

 afterwards cut twice. With maize the cows did not increase as much 

 in milk as with the Japanese millet." 



Mr. Crowe, Eltham : — " The Japanese millet I like very well and 

 will certainly put in some of it next season. The cows eat it well and 

 also milk well when fed on it." 



Mr, McGrath, Loch : — " The other forage crops, after beet, I would 

 class as follows — First, Japanese millet which, if sown early, in my 

 opinion has no equal as a summer feed for dairy cows as it could be 

 fed off twice and then let go for seed and hay as it will do for both." 



Amber Cane. 

 A few opinions have already been given in the early part of this 

 paper on amber cane. In addition to these, Mr. Grant writes : — "In 



