168 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [11 Makch. 1918. 



Methods of propagation of fruit trees. 



Preparation and planting of orchards. 



Picking, packing, and marketing of fruit. 



Principles of pruning. 



Cost of production of fruit. 



Drying and canning of fruit. * 



Spraying of orchards. 



Citrus fruits and their culture. 



Propagation of the vine. 



Diseases of the vine. 



Soils and soil fertility. 



Principles of manures and manuring. 



Irrigation and irrigation methods. 



Fungus diseases and insect pests. 



Trees for shelter belts. 



Unlike the " schools " held at the State Research Farm, that at 

 Burnley was one of instruction, and nothing more, the only social event 

 in the course beingg the occasion of the formal opening. It was intended 

 that a visit should have been made to one of the fruit-growing districts 

 near Melbourne ; but even this small recreation was abandoned, and 

 those attending the Burnley " session " will remember it as one that 

 was not diversified by anything outside the range of practical work. 



WHEAT VARIETY TESTS. 



Results, 1917-18. 



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

 For Accurate Results, Careful Experimental Work Necessary. 



Of the many field problems that beset the wheat farmer, those 

 connected with cultural and manurial practices, as well as those relating 

 to seed, are, perhaps, of most importance. Their solution is of perennial 

 concern to the practical man. Striking differences in yields _ are 

 frequently noted on the farm, but usually it is difficult to state definitely 

 the reason of these variations. To solve such problems effectively it is 

 necessary to groAV the wheat so that the disturbing factors Avhich com- 

 monly affect the yield under ordinary farming conditions may be ascer- 

 tained and eliminated. Thus, if it be desired to test the effect of a 

 certain dressing of manure on the yield of a particular variety of wheat, 

 the trial must be designed so as to insure that no disturbing elements, 

 such as soil variation, differences in the time, depth and rate of sowing, 

 &c., occur. Similar precautions must be taken when testing the com- 

 parative yields of different varieties. 



The method generally adopted is to conduct the tests in small plots 

 side by side in an even field. To minimize the soil variations it is 

 usual to limit the size of each to half-an-acre or less, and in order that 

 accurate calculations may be made the several plots are measured, and 

 at harvest the actual weight of produce determined. 



