8 Jan., 1907.] Tatura Farm Competition. 31 



such as peas, rape, cow-peas, lentils, &c., will have to be adopted, or else 

 abundance of farmyard manure provided, or the land will become partialh 

 sterile for the want of humus. 



On Mr. Gardom's farm the by-products are used up for fattening pigs, 

 raising turkeys and fowls. The returns shown me from these were bj no 

 means small, and it is strict attention to these minor details in connexion 

 with farming that very often turns the financial balance on the right side. 

 Other instances of careful farm practice were to be seen in the cut thistles, 

 not one being allowed to es.cape the hoe. The fences were all in good order, 

 the old fences being gradually replaced by new ones, consisting of two 

 barbs and four plain wires — top heavy barb, next plain wire, then a light 

 barb drawn through i-inch auger-holes, and below this three plain wires. 

 The effect of the middle barb is that it prevents stock rubbing and loosening 

 rhe wires. Each year old stumps are burnt out bv means of cocky chaff, 

 and gradually the whole farm is becoming cleared of valueless and 

 unsightlv stumps. 



When visiting a successful farmer's holding it is noticeable that a 

 definite system is carried on in all things pertaining to the farm, and success 

 is attributable, to a great extent, to systematic work in all things. There 

 are places for everything, and each week or month brings round work which 

 is done thoroughly and at the right moment. And in this respect Mr. 

 Gardom is well ahead ; his farm is not only well worked, but well managed. 



Section B. — Wheat Competition. 



It is desirable to encourage farmers in everv possible wav to improve 

 their methods of agriculture, and any advance with regard to wheat-growing 

 is of special importance. The production of wheat in Victoria is one of 

 our staple industries, and too much care and thought cannot be bestowed 

 on anv system that will tend to increase the yield per acre, especially if 

 this can be done at the same, or even at a reduced, cost. There is no more 

 effectual way of doing this than by offering inducements to the farmers or 

 producers to improve their cultivation methods, clean their land, and raise 

 pure seed. Competition in grain-growing throughout the world is so keen 

 that it is essential that we should use our utmost endeavours to increase 

 production and minimize the cost. 



A moment's reflection upon the changed conditions under which farming 

 is now conducted, as compared with those which prevailed a few vears ago, 

 brings home to us the fact that continual improvement in our methods is 

 necessarv if we are to keep abreast of the times and compete with other 

 countries in producing cereals. The world's markets are now easily reached 

 by all wheat-producing countries ; extensive railways are opening up new 

 countries, so that to-day we are in competition with those who will spare no 

 efforts in encouraging production, and will sell at the smallest margin of 

 profit. It is to the credit of Victorian fanners that they have made many 

 improvements in their methods of cultivation in order to comply with the 

 fresh demands and new conditions forced upon them, and a crop mav now 

 be produced and harvested at a much less cost than a few years ago. 



But we must go on improving, and where farm and wheat competitions 

 are being held under proper conditions a healthy impetus is given to im- 

 provements. I should like to see more Agricultural Societies take this 

 matter up, and offer encouragement to farmers to produce not only better 

 crops, but to raise pure and tvpical seed of whatever crop they may grow. 



