116 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



the liot dry weather and kept beautifully green until the occurrence of 

 a very slight frost, which turned the tops black. A few blossoms 

 only appeared but no peas formed. The cattle did not like the peas at 

 first and some cows would not eat them even when chaffed and mixed 

 with Planters' friend. Some of the cows afterwards acquired a taste 

 for them. I would like to try an earlier kind next season. The 

 horses ate them very well." 



" The soy bean is a crop I hope to give a good trial next year as I 

 have saved enough seed to plant a good area. I think the reason of a 

 lot of the seed not germinating this season was that the ground was 

 too wet and cold when sown ; but what did grow gave great yields of 

 beans for the size of the plant." 



" The Florida beans did not grow well until the hot weather, when 

 they grew rapidly. Some plants had a few flowers on but no beans. 

 There were not enough of the plants to judge of their feeding value." 



The Beet. 



The opinions from dairymen on the value of this crop are numerous 

 and almost unanimous. In a few cases reports have been received of 

 cattle refusing to touch the crop, but nearly every letter received bears 

 testimony in a very opposite direction. The great success of the crop 

 justifies the inclusion in this paper of the numerous opinions which 

 follow : — 



Thos. J. Martin, Newry : — " I have been using sugar beet for four 

 years as a fodder for stock. I find it far superior to any other fodder. 

 Cows give a better test, and put on condition at the same time. Pigs 

 fatten readily on the beets and water, and it is also good for horses, 

 sheep, and poultry, and I always intend to grow it for my stock as it 

 is always ready when other fodders have dried off." 



J. Shugg, Sale : — "I have been cultivating sugar beet ever since 

 the inauguration of the industry, and am thoroughly convinced of its 

 good feeding qualities as a fodder for all kinds of stock. My test 

 has always been the highest when the cows are being fed on the sugar 

 beet." 



H. Miller, per R. Dawe, Maffra (Upper) West: — "I have used 

 sugar beet for several years, and find it superior to any other fodder 

 for cows or pigs. It increases the quantity and quality of milk 

 and keeps them in good condition also." 



James Carr, Stratford : — " I have grown sugar beet for the last 

 five years, and have found it a very good fodder for all stock, being 

 far better than mangels or any other root crop. Pigs fatten quickly 

 on it, and cows increase in both quantity and quality of milk, while 

 being fed on it. Horses, sheep, calves, and poultry are very fond of 

 it." 



A. S. Elwell, Newry : — " My opinion of sugar beet is that it is the 

 best fodder you can grow for pigs, sheep and cattle. It yields milk 

 better than any other fodder I have grown or seen grown, and half 



