lo Mar., 1911-] Northern Gram Exfcnmoital Fields. 141 



The crops throughout the W'immera and Northern areas have been 

 considerably interfered with i)y the alMiomial growth of wild oats and 

 poppies in the wheat plots, whilst the almost continual downfall 

 of rain and cold snaps of severe weather had the effect of retarding 

 the growth ; on some farms the land became water-logged and greatly 

 diminished the returns. In man\- instances, when the cro]) was just about 

 ready for harvesting it was visited by a severe storm. In .some cases 

 the crops were laid flat on the ground or else 50 per cent, of the seed was 

 ;shaken out. Every experimenter reports a backward season which has 

 militated against good returns. 



The returns to hand again show Federation wheat at the top. This 

 wheat is now recognised as one of the best and m.ost reliable varieties 

 to grow in most districts of the State. Tt was bred by the late Mr. Farrer 

 and is a cross between Fife and Indian wheats and this was cros.sed into 

 Purple Straw. This wheat, even under the trying conditions experienced 

 this season, has produced, on the average, 24.0 bushels per acre. One 

 l)l!.t. on th^' farm of Mr. A. Boyd, of Minyip, returned as much as 44.60 

 bushels per acre. 



The introduction of new varieties would not be of any great value, 

 if it were not coupled with the adoption of improved methods of cultiva- 

 tion, the intelligent use of artificial fertilizers, and the grading and pickling 

 •of the seed wheat. The wheat yield for the State for a period extending 

 over the past eight years is only alx)iit 9^ bushels per acre and the Field 

 Branch recognises that the average is open to vast improvement. Besides 

 ^endeavouring to improve the yield there are other important considerations 

 which demand, and are recei\-ing, attention, such as the breeding or intro- 

 •ducing of better milling wheats, or varieties which will withstand rust and 

 'Other besetting influences. To this end, the Branch has set about to con- 

 •duct wheat varietv and manurial experimental tests in all parts of the State. 

 :Some clas.ses of wheat adapt themselves by reason of their characteristics 

 ■of early ripening and growth of straw, to certain localities. The establish- 

 ment of these experimental plots gives the farmer an opportunity of finding 

 out for himself whirli of the new or improved varieties are likely to become 

 ■of value in his particular district. The advantage to the farmer of these 

 systematic trials of wheat varieties cannot be over-estimated and one of the 

 main objects of the Field Branch is to gather reliable data relating to the 

 habits and xielding capabilities of all cereals grown on the plots. 



Whilst the P)ran( h is (jnl\- too anxious to help the f;n-mer. the latter must 

 be patient and recognise tliat evrNthing cannot be dcjne at once. Some 

 time must necessiriU take \Am-^- in the experimental work before it can 

 he defniitelv sliiicd. uhicli parlicuhir varieties of wheat are best adapted to 

 each di.stricl. W c do not wish farmers to act rashly and go in for new 

 varieties extensixdy until these \arieties ha\e ])ro\e(l themsehcs worthy of 

 special attentidii. 



At preseiu it is upon the wh.al industry that the Nortliern jiarts of 

 the State ( hicf1\ depend and il is the (jbject of this Department to encourage 

 the introduction (.f belter methods of culture and tlie growing of pure 

 seel for the pur|)(.se ot im])r(Aing the wheat yield. l''luct'.iation^< in 

 returns are \ir\ often due in the use of inferior luigraded seed, improiter 

 manure. ;nid lai k of knowledge on the p.irt of iuan\ farmers in n'hiti m 

 to their soil conditions. \o doubt, the majority stri\c to grow 

 .a v.irietv that will return th'Ui niantitv. but il is essenti.d that <iuality 



