Journal of Agriculture. [8 April, 1907 



in the Artificial Maii\ures Act 1905. which authorizes the regular publica- 

 tion of the results of analyses of all samples of manures taken in any 

 part of the State, and the real value per ton of such manure. This amend- 

 m.ent has brought the interest of the farmer in this respect into a most 

 satisfactory state. 



The cost of artificial fertilizers has steadily diminished in this State 

 during the last fi\e years. The most important artificial fertilizer used is 

 superphosphates. ' A super valued at /^6 i8s. in 1900 now costs ;^5 3s. 

 6d., a drop of ^i 14s. 6d. per ton to the farmer. 



A further noteworthy fact is that superphosphates are cheaper in Victoria 

 than in any other Australian State. The Victorian farmers get their 

 phosphate manures just as cheaplv as the American farmers, and nitro- 

 genous manures cost the Americans half as much again as they cost the 

 farmers of this State. 



The quantity of artificial manures used in Victoria is increasing very 

 rapidly, not only in the Northern wheat-growing areas, but also in all 

 districts. The latest figures available show that it rose from 41,000 tons 

 in 1903 to 54,700 tons in 1905. The estimated amount for 1906 is approxi- 

 mately 75,000 tons. 



Development of Poor Land. 



Experiments have been conducted on extensive areas of unprofitable Land 

 with a view of testing its capabilities under proper treatment and fertiliza- 

 tion. At Stawell, on waste mining land, a fair crop of wheat and an ex- 

 cellent crop of hay, yielding u]) to 2% tons per acre, has been grown with 

 the aid of artificial manures. At Munro a w^heat crop grown on sandv 

 soil, hitherto considered as too poor for grazing, produced moderately suc- 

 cessful returns, and it is intended to renew the test next season. Arrange- 

 ments have been made to establish plots on the waste heath land at Port- 

 land, Casterton, and Foster (South Gi]jpsland). The poor mining land 

 between Beaufort .and Ararat, and the lisht timber country to the north of 

 Heathcote will also receive attention. The mountain country in Eastern 

 Gippsland has produced excellent crops of oats, maize, and fodders, with 

 the aid of manures, under the superxisinn of the Field Branch. 



Heytesbury Forest Land. 



A very extensive area of Crown lands, consisting chiefly of grass-tree 

 country, has hitherto been looked upon as too |)Oor for settlement. A 

 small experimental farm w-as established eighteen months ago, 20 acres 

 being cleared, drained, and cultivated. With the aid of a light applica- 

 tion of artificial manures, chiefly superphosphate, good crops of oats, peas, 

 maize, and roots have been groAvn. The chief difificultv to be overcome 

 arises from the dense network of fibrous roots from the low scrub which 

 ■grows on the land. This renders steam ploughing the onlv method by 

 which the surface can in the first place be broken up. When exposed to 

 the atmosphere for a summer the soil weathers into a friable sandy loam. 

 The results obtained from the first year's operations have been such as to 

 warrant the work of reclamation being undertaken on a larger scale. 

 Accordingly, 1,000 acres have been drained and the clearing is now pro- 

 ceeding. Tenders have also been accepted for ploughing this area, and it is 

 anticipated that the land will be ready for settlement early next year. 



