836 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



The land that was deeply ploughed in the late antumn, and kept 

 in good order, naturally gave the best results, owing to the greater 

 abundance of soil moisture present, and its freedom from weeds, 

 although this season weeds were not very troublesome. 



The drills were about 30 inches apart, Avhich is much less than 

 when growing maize for seed, and this allowed a certain amount 

 of cultivation dnring the early stages of growth. In order to 

 ensure the packing of soil around the seed, and a more regular 

 germination, the roller, followed later on by the harrows, had the 

 desired effect. If the drills were o feet apart, cultivation could have 

 been kept up much longer with advantage to the growth of the crop, 

 although it increases the cost of the crop ; still, if summer fodder is 

 needed for the stock, this must be done, or larger areas put in, which 

 amounts to the same thing. Much depends on the size of the grain, 

 and the general size of the plants, as to the rate of seeding. In the 

 dry districts, a bushel of seed to the acre, sown 3 inches deep, would 

 in most cases be ample, whereas in the moister districts, where the 

 growth is rank, from H to 2^ bushels would not be too much, 

 especially for the grazing of sheep. A careful harrowing or two 

 while the plants are young, say 6 inches high, has a good effect, and 

 similar in some respects to the effects of harrowing wheat during its 

 early growth. The harrows should be light, and the teeth slanting 

 more or less backward in order that the fewest number of plants will 

 be torn out, and the roots will not be cut ; two inches deep for 

 cultivation should be the limit. 



When to feed the crop off, and how to feed it, will depend on the 

 conditions under Avhich the farmer may find himself placed. If he 

 has a large area under the crop he will need to put in his cattle early. 

 If the crop is not so large but that his stock can consume it before 

 winter, then between the flowering and the ripening would be about 

 the right time. If the area of crop is a small one, then it would be 

 more economical to cut it. The silo should play a prominent part 

 when there is likely to be a surplus, and if the farmer have no silo, 

 then with the plough and scoop he may make a pit, and bury the 

 fodder in it by means of the scoop, whilst the tramping of the horses 

 will help to consolidate the mass. Trim the earth to throw oft' rain, 

 and with a plough-furrow keep the pit drained from surface flows. 



In the moister parts of the State, no doubt, rape, rye and a few 

 other fodder plants may succeed when grown with it, and grazed 

 down by the stock. 



A little manure should be drilled in with the seed in order to give 

 the young plants a good start. This is a very important matter, and 

 it often is the means of keeping the plants alive diiring a dry ]ieriod, 

 waiting for the early autumn rains. 



The Sorghums. 



Of the summer fodders for the dry northern areas, the sorghums 

 stand first among plants belonging to the grass family. They may 



