11 Feb., 1918] Wheat Experimental Plots in the Mallee. 89 



WHEAT EXPERIMENTAL PLOTS IN THE MALLEE, 



1917 SEASON. 



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



By H. A. Mullett, B. Ag. Sc. 



Experimental work has been carried out, under the supervision of the 

 Department, at private farms in the Mallee during the last four years. 

 The purpose of the work is to determine the most suitable manurial 

 dressings and the best wheat varieties for the Mallee. 



The trials were conducted at the farms of Messrs. H. W. Pickering, 

 Ouyen; P. G. Stewart, M.L.A., Carwarpj and H. F. Hecht, Cowangie 

 — three representative centres. 



The past season in the Mallee was remarkable for the unusual rain 

 during the growing period. The total rainfall for 1917 was over 20 

 inches, representing a 50 per cent, increase above normal. The heavy 

 rains were responsible for an abnormal development of shoots and under- 

 growth, which to a certain extent interfered with the preparation of 

 the land for seeding. Damage was also done to some of the plots by 

 mice and rabbits. 



1.— OUYEN CENTRE. 



17.94 inches rain for year. 



Manurial Trials — Sown with Federation wheat in duplicate plots, 45 lbs. 

 per acre. 



No manure ... ... 17 bushels per acre. 



30 lbs. superphosphate ... 17.4 ,, ,, 



60 „ „ ... 18.6 



90 „ „ ... 16.5 



Variety Trials — Seed 45 lbs. per acre, with 60 lbs. superphosphate. 



2.— CARWARP CENTRE. 

 Total rainfall for year 20.16 inches. (Plots sown third week in May). 



Manurial Trials — Sown with Federation wheat in duplicate plots, 45 lbs. 

 per acre. 



No manure ... ... 11.7 bushels per acre. 



30 lbs. superphosphate ... 15.9 ,, „ 



60 „ ., 16.1 



90 „ ,, ... 16.9 



