33° 



Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [lo May, 191 i. 



ALEXANDRA FODDER CROP COMPETITION. 



/. M . B. Connor, Agricultural Superintendent. 



The judging in connexion with the Alexandra Fodder Crop Competi- 

 tion took place on the 3rd and 4th March. Whilst delighted to see such 

 magnificent crops of maize throughout this fertile district, I was disap- 

 pointed to find only six competitors entered for the competition. 



The growing of nutritious fodder for stock of all kinds, especially for 

 the dairy herd, involves many difficult questions regarding the production 

 of suitable forage crops which will yield per acre the greatest food value 

 per unit of expenditure. The influence of various fodders upon the 

 quality of the milk produced lias, in recent years, been carefully studied 

 by the Departmental experts and applied to farm practice. Not only has 

 the number of useful forage crops increased, but they are now grown in 

 well balanced mixtures or in rotative courses by many progressive farmers 

 throughout the State. There is no doubt that the fodder competitions held 

 in the dairying districts throughout the State are the means of bringing 

 about improved methods of cultivation and greater success in modern farm- 

 ing generally. These and similnr competitions must eventually help to set 

 a standard in the various districts for other progressive farmers to follow. 

 Present-day progress in agriculture is regulated by the increase of scientific 

 knowledge. Its intelligent application spells success. 



The following results have been arrived at after carefully inspecting 

 each competitor's crop, weighing sections, men.suring heights, and taking 

 into consideration the preparation of the land previous to sowing opera- 

 tions, cleanness of the crop, quantity of seed sown, and estimated yield 

 per acre. 



Points Awarded. 



First- — D. Kennedy ; second — R. Rennie ; third — J. Clark. 



The following remarks dealing with the various sections will indicate 

 10 the competitors wherein they gained or lost points. 



I. System of cultivation and cleanness .of crop. — In this section, Mr. 

 Rennie's crop scored the highest number of points, for the reason that it 

 was sown in drills 3 feet apart and kept free of weeds during the 

 growing season by inter-tillage and the conservation of the soil moisture. 

 At the time of inspection this crop was certainly the cleanest and best 

 cared for. The headlands along the majority of the crops were overrun 

 with thistles and deadly nightshade. I cannot understand farmers being 

 so blind to their own interests as to allow such fertile country to become 



