66 Journal of Agriculture, Victona. [11 Feb., 1918. 



Thus in 1900 Dr. Howell, when acting as judge for Mr. Trumble's 

 prizes, urged the more extended use of the seed drill and also 

 the widespread use of superphosphate. He recommended rotation 

 farming, and laid emphasis on the value of sheep to the wheat 

 farmer. In 1903 Mr. Lee stated that the annual manurial dressing in 

 use was from 40 to 45 lbs. super, per acre, but that no farmer used more 

 than 56 lbs., while some used as little as 28 lbs. He advocated increas- 

 ing the dressing to 56 lbs., and pointed out the need for the better work- 

 ing of the fallow. 



Mr. Knight advocated the cowing of rye grass and melilotus 

 with the oat crop in order to produce a quick growth of feed on the 

 stubbles, a practice which has spread far and wide from the few who 

 used it in those days. 



Later Attention Directed Towards the Seed as Well. 



So far it will be noticed that all the attention had been directed to 

 manurial and cultural problems, but Mr. Gamble in 1903 broke new 

 ground by directing attention to the care of the seed — the use of pure 

 graded pickled seed. He also advocatd provision for fodder crops for 

 sheep on the fallows. 



By 1911 great strides had been made, and our agricultural 

 practices and the factors that underlie them had taken a very 

 definite shape. Mr. Richardson, the judge on that occasion, focussed 

 attention on the use of pedigree selected seed, and he clearly crystallized 

 modem farming knowledge in five fundamental principles for success in 

 the Wimmera. They are: — 



1. Early fallowing. 



2. Careful working of the fallow. 



3. Liberal manuring. 



4. Rotation of crops. 



5. Use of select bred, graded and pickled seed. 



Attention Directed to Methods for Inducing the Spread of 

 THESE Practices. 



" These principles," said Mr. Richardson in his report, "have been 

 proved by actual test. What was needed was to put them into praictice 

 — to induce the many to do what the few had proved so profitable." 



Later Mr. Temple Smith laid stress on theoe principles, and also 

 suggested the increased uce of sheep on farms, and the provision of 

 fodder crops for them in the rotation. Again he directed attention to 

 the utilizing of water in existing swamps and catchments for the growth 

 of small areas of irrigated crops, and suggested the further exploitation 

 of underground water for the same purpose. 



All the judges have laid stress upon the necessity for the development 

 of the aesthetic side of farm life. 



Results — Rapid and Widespread Application of the Best Methods. 



On ©very side, the visitor finds evidence of the use and the rapid 

 spread of these practices, which the best farmers have discovered for 

 themselves, or have been induced to adopt in order to comply with the 

 society's rules, or which have been suggested to them by the various 

 judgeo. 



One is impressed with the splendid stretches of well worked fallows 

 free from weeds and adequately mulched, fallows that stand second to 



