772 



Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



GRAIN MANURING EXPERIMENTS IN THE 

 NORTHERN AREAS. 



By F. J. Howell, Fh. D. 



The very numerous experimental manure fields established 

 throughout the whole of the Northern wheat growing area, during 

 the years 1899-1902, appeared to give conclusive answers to the most 

 important questions ol fertilization concerning that portion of 

 Victoria, and left little to be attempted in that part in the solution of 

 manurial problems of immediate concern. It however appeared 

 desirable to be in a position to anticipate possible future requirements, 

 and to secure indications of the possible eifect of the continuous ex- 

 clusive use of phosphatic manures over long periods of time. "With 

 this object in view, as well as with the idea of gaining an insight into 

 the effect produced by different systems of cultivation, a number of large 

 experimental fields was established prior to the departure of my 

 predecessor on various farms in the North. In only two cases, out of 

 six originally established, have the experiments been continued up to 

 the present time. Although it is yet early to make comparisons between 

 results obtained from the different systems of cropping and cultivation,, 

 a few important facts are evident in the returns already obtained,, 

 and it appears desirable to give these publicity now. It must be recog- 

 nised that such tests, conducted on the same plots for 10 or 15 years,, 

 would afford information of incalculable value to the Northern wheat 

 grower. The arrangement with the farmer terminates at the end of six 

 years, and a renewal of the term for a like period is certainly advisable. 

 The nature of the tests will be understood, by reference to the 

 accompanying plan and the returns already obtained are given below. 



The Eesults Discussed. 

 A comparison of the yields obtained in 1903 on the plots con- 

 tinuously cropped, with those obtained from the plots where a year's 

 bare fallow has intervened, will reveal the increases due to the latter 



