340 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



liave succeeded better tliau any of the others np to the present, 

 especially the White French, which is laden with plump seed, that 

 should prove very fattening to pigs grazing on it. 



In general the White French millet would not be considered as 

 useful as the Japanese and others, except for special purposes, such 

 as for the rapidity with which it grows and ripens its seeds, and so 

 quickly fills a gap whilst waiting for the other fodders to grow. 



Lucerne. 



The chief of the leguminous fodder plants is, without doubt, 

 lucerne. None of the clovers will succeed here as well as it ; and, in 

 fact, are absolute failures as summer fodders. Lucerne cannot be 

 claimed as a success at Dookie, although it succeeds better than many 

 summer-growing plants. The dryness of the climate, the shallowness 

 of the soil, and the deficiency of organic matter, do not lend 

 themselves to successful lucerne growing. However, in many parts 

 of the north, where the soil is more suitable, lucerne is a valuable 

 summer fodder, and especially where irrigation is practised. It 

 succeeds better here when cut^ and not grazed, still the crop is not as 

 payable as sorghum, although perennial, yet in conjunction with 

 millet, it improves the flesh-forming capacity of the food, and 

 enhances the ration. 



Subsoiling where the land allows of it is a great advantage. The 

 seed bed should be perfect, also free from weeds, and the seed should 

 be sown in the autumn in this district, at the rate of from six to eight 

 pounds per acre in drills. 



Cow Pea. 



A niimber of varieties have been tried this season, and in regard 

 to the seed production the white variety with the black spot at 

 the hilum is the most prolific, and much the earliest of those growing 

 here. It does not produce as much fodder as some of the others, such 

 as the Dun and Black varieties. In districts where maize and 

 sorghum grow readily, cow peas sown along with them would improve 

 the feeding value of the crop. Cow peas are not at first liked by 

 stock, but when the plants begin to ripen they are eaten more readily. 

 At Dookie the cow pea is at its best during March, especially when 

 there have been good rains falling in February. The cow pea should 

 not be sown until the soil is warm. From the beginning of October to 

 the end of November is about the best time. The young plants 

 will not make much headway here until after the New Year. 



Soy Beans. 



These do not withstand the drought like cow peas, but are more 

 relished by stock as a fodder, either as green forage or hay. Where 

 there are any rabbits it is difficult to grow them, as they are eaten off 

 when they are young. This fodder should succeed anywhere where 

 French beans thrive. As a vegetable the soy bean is much in demand 



