28 Journal O'f ^agriculture. [8 Jan., 1907. 



In view of the amended regulations concerning the Government grant 

 to Agricultural Societies, the farm competitions, as carried out by your 

 Society, are likely to assume an important aspect. The conduct of experi- 

 mental fields, the holding of farmers' classes, certificates of soundness for 

 stock, and the carrying out of farm competitions are some of the matters 

 which country societies must take up in the future m order to secure the 

 Government grant. Your society has already fulfilled most of these regu- 

 lations, and I have no doubt vour methods in conducting these matters will 

 form the basis of inquiry from other societies in the near future. 



Conclusion. 



This report would be inadequate without some i-eference to the excellent 

 arrangements made for inspection of the farms and crops. During the eight 

 days the judging was in progress no less than 240 miles were covered by 

 \ehicle, and something like 8,000 acres of crops inspected. I am per- 

 sonally indebted to yourself for the arrangements made for my comfort 

 and also to the numerous gentlemen whose hospitality was so freely shown. 

 In conclusion, I trust that your Society will soon take its rightful place 

 as one of the leading educational media in agricultural affairs in the 

 Stare. 



THE PROCLAIMED PLANTS OF VICTORIA. 



{Continued from page 736, Vol. IV.) 



Alfred J. Rwart, D.Sc. Ph.D., F.L.S.. Gover)nnent Botanist; and 

 J. R. Tovey. Herbarium Assistant. 



Wild Mustard or Charlock. 



Brassica sinapistr'nm, Boiss ; Sinapsis arven<.is, L. {Cruciferee). 



A coarse annual, i to 2 feet (30-60 cms.) high, with a few stiff spread- 

 ing hairs. Leaves rough, with very short hairs, the lower ones usually 

 with one large oval ox oblong coarsely-toothed segment, and a few smaller 

 ones along the leafstalk, the upper ones often undivided, oblong, or lanceo- 

 late. Flowers rather large and yellow. Pods more or less spreading, 

 -0- to 1 1 inches long, of which rather more than a third is occupied by 

 a stout beak, often containing a seed in its base ; the valves glabrous, or 

 rough with stiff reflexed hairs, the lateral nerves prominent. A native 

 probably of Southern Europe, but now one of the most abundant weeds 

 of cultivation throughout the world. 



It should be pulled up before the seeds mature, or hoed when voung 

 during dry weather. Spraving is less effective, but 5 lbs. of copper 

 sulphate dissolved in 25 gallons of water, and sprayed over an acre in 

 fine weather, while the charlock is voung, has been found to reduce the 

 evil. When the plant is growing among cereal crops, and ammonium 

 sulphate is used a's a manure, it has been recommended in Germany to 

 apply 20 to 25 lbs. per acre as a spray in dry weather while the crop is 

 young. The foliage of other crops than cereals is, however, apt to suffer 

 injury by this treatment. Ground full of seeds should be fallowed, and 

 the seedlings ploughed in as often as they appear in quantity. Proclaimed 

 for the whole State. 



