236 



Journal of Agriculture. 



[8 April, 1907. 



EXPERIMENTAL MAIZE PLOTS AT COLAC. 



F. E. Lee, Agricultural Superintendcut. 



It is seldom that a better opportunity presents itself to emphasize the 

 necessity and demonstrate the utility of proper cultivation and correct 

 fertilization of a growing crop, than occurs in connexion with the present 

 small experimental plots of maize, conducted by boys in the Colac and 

 surrounding districts. Notwithstanding the many lectures that have at 

 different times been given in country districts on the reasons for, and bene- 

 ficial effects of, cultivation, there remains still a tenacious adherence to 

 n^ethods sanctioned by time, but otherwise having no logical or common- 

 sense foundation. 



L'LOi CLLli\.\TED BY LESLIK .SELWOOD. 



When prices of produce were two or three times what prevail to-day, 

 and land was perhaps one-half its present value, there was possibly some 

 justification for methods demanding a minimum of trouble, but the world 

 moves, and a newer set of circumstances demands improved methods, or 

 the falling out of the race. With possibly this knowledge as the primary 

 motive the Colac Progress Association was recently impelled to bring home 

 to the rising generation of the district, the practical worth of advanced 

 ideas applied to the ordinary practice on the farm. As might have reason- 

 ably been expected in such a localitv where dairying is the paramount 

 industry, the most obvious matter requiring investigation was the improve- 

 ment of the yield of green-fodder crops and maize in particular for the 

 continuous production of milk during the dry months at the end of the 

 summer. The co-operation of two leading firms of artificial manure 

 vendors was enlisted, one firm furnishing not onlv all manures to coni- 

 petitors free of charge, but donating also the substantial sum of ^10 in 

 rash for prizes. 



Tt was re(juired, however, that all (T)mpetitors must have attended the 

 short course agricultural classes conducted by the Department of 



