10 0( 



1918.] 



Herh Growing. 



617 



guide to what might be expected on farms with soil and climatic condi- 

 tions similar to those at Werribee : — 



While these figures speak for themselves, there are other factors to 

 be taken into consideration. For instance, in dry districts the applica- 

 tion of an excessive amount of fertilizer may force such a rank flaggy 

 growth in early spring that all the available moisture is used, with the 

 result that the crop wilts and grain " pinches " at the ripening period. 

 On the other hand, a rational use of fertilizers enriches the soil moisture 

 with plant food, and enables the plant to obtain a greater proportion 

 from a given quantity of water absorbed. It is evident that in calcu- 

 lating the returns from the use of fertilizers, not only the immediate 

 benefit to the crop should be taken into account, but also its residual 

 effect on succeeding crops. Thus, the residual effect of heavy dressings, 

 which do not show such a large immediate net profit as lighter ones, may, 

 over a period of two or three years, warrant their use. The growth 

 from the plots illustrated in Fig. Til. occurs at a time when it is 

 particularly useful for fattening early lambs. The results generally 

 have a direct bearing on the returns from mixed farming where grazing 

 enters into rotation with cropping, as they prove that the benefit derived 

 by fertilizing the grain crop will be continued to the pasture which 

 follows. This pasture, besides being greater in yield, will be of better 

 quality, and will, in part, be returned to the soil, as manure, by the 

 stock which it carries. 



HERB GROWING. 



By Edward E. Pescott, F.L.S., Government Pomologist. 



In response to an inquiry as to the possibility of developing the 

 herb-growing industry in Victoria, the following statement was recently 

 made by a representative of a large wholesale house in Melbourne : — 

 " We buy weekly 3 cwt. of herbs, for which we pay Is. 6d. per lb, every 

 ounce of it being imported from overseas." 



Such a statement, from so reliable a source, is evidence enough that 

 there are ample opportunities for the establishment of herb growing as 

 a remunerative occupation. 



Local dealers prefer home-grown herbs, and there is, apparently, a 

 permanent market, especially for thyme, sage, marjoram, and basil. 



Soil and aspect are the first considerations in establishing the herb 

 garden. Almost any type of soil is suitable, but it will be well not to 



