8 April. 1907 



Maize Plots at Colac. 



'■39 



It was especiallv remarked that whereas the farmer's own crop, which had 

 either been sown broadcast or else had never been cultivated, had suffered 

 severely from frost and the drying effects of wind, the small ]>lots were 

 not affected in the slightest degree. This immunity to drought and frost 

 may be ascribed to the healthier and more vigorous develojjnicnt of the 

 plants, enabling them to withstand abnormal climatic changes. 



It was moreover remarked that some stalks showed promise of success- 

 fully devloping as manv as six cobs, which is a prodigious number. 



Some Opinions expressed by Parents of Competitors. 



Naturally, where situated along the roadside, the maize plots have 

 excited considerable attention from passers bv, and in the friend-! y chaff 



FOREGROUND AND BACKGROUND — A LOCAL CONTRAST. 



of neighbours, utterance has been given to remarks which are calcuhitcU 

 to exercise no small influence on the cultivation and manuring of future 

 crops. One farmer wished " he had 50 acres of maize as good as his 

 son's." Another " always knew maize would not grow through a drv 

 summer, but aS he had alwavs broadcasted his seed, he could see now 

 that it was a better way to drill it in and keep the cultivator going through 

 it."' Still another parent, had not previously come across the Agricultmal 

 Journal, which the entry of his son into the competition compelled him to 

 sul)scribe to, and on reading it he found a fund of useful information 

 relating to his business as a dairyman and farmer. These o])erations are 

 eloquent testimony to the valuable lessons already taught by the com- 

 petition. So widespread has the attention been that in(]uiries have been 

 made from Svdney and other places as to the manner of carrying them 

 out. The success of the competition confirms the Departmental belief .that 

 in country districts there is more than a passing chance of materially bene- 

 fiting the local agricultural practice, by medium of small plots demonstrat- 

 ing the correct principles of cuIti\ation, manuring and rotnfion, carried 

 out it may be in the grounds of the local State sdi<x)l. The gi\ing of a 

 bent in the direction of rural life to the youthful mind and the demon- 

 .stration of the fact that successful farming depends on the follnwing out 



