122 Journal of Agriculture. [8 Feb., 1908. 



About six acres under rye produced an early filling for the silo. Sub- 

 sequently, a second growth sprang up from the stubble, and gave further 

 feed for the dairy cows. About the same area of barley was cut and 

 converted into silage, in which form the cows ate both crops with avidity. 



Peas did not succeed up to anticipations. This is to be regretted as 

 they not only provide excellent fodder, but also improve the soil. The 

 tick beans did somewhat better, but just as they were showing ]X)ds nicely 

 hordes of locusts completely stripped the plot. 



Advantage was taken of the rains that fell during December to break 

 up a considerable area of stubble land and sow summer crops. This will 

 give two crops for the year from that portion of the farm. Previously 

 on virgin land we had about 25 acres sown with maize and sorghum. 

 Here too locusts did some slight damage, but the recent opportune showers 

 are bringing these crops along well. 



Pumpkins, which are grown somewhat extensively for household use 

 as well as for the cattle, have with the kindred plants, vegetable marrows, 

 melons, cucumbers, &c., been seriously handicapped by the depredations 

 of the Pumpkin beetle, whose ravages were both severe and widely spread 

 this season. 



The lucerne, of which about 5 acres were sown, was checked by the 

 extraordinary dryness of the season, but since the rain it is doing better. 



A small paddock of rape enabled us toi top off the early lambs for the 

 Melbourne market. The locusts paid this plot a visit too, and robbed us 

 of a quantity of valuable feed at the end of the year. 



Stock. — Dairy Cows — The milk returns have fallen off consequent On 

 the scarcity of natural grasses, since finishing the silage. A number of cows 

 are not up to standard when judged by the bucket, and will have to give 

 place to others more producti\e. On the whole the cattle have kept up well 

 in condition, considering the seasion. About 30 calves have been reared. 



Sheep.- — These are doing well and are a profitable branch of our 

 operations. We had some of the finest lambs in the district. The shear- 

 ing was completed earlier this year than last. Mr. Tyrrell generouslv placed 

 his shed with its equipment at our disposal. The wool sold well viz. 

 iijd. Besides the lambs already sold there is another lot ready for sale. 



Horses. — Two years ago we had 5 draught horses. There are now 

 8 and a splendid colt coming on. Two draught and one light mare are 

 in foal. 



Clearing. — A contract for grubbing stumps on a portion of the College 

 estate has been let to Mr. J. Dow. This work has been undertaken bv 

 means of a powerful traction engine. Owing to the dry year and the fact 

 that the subsoil never had a soaking, it has been difficult to remove the 

 stumps which furnish no leverage. However, a considerable area has been 

 grubbed and will be put under the plough as soon as possible. Another 

 portion of the College land is being broken up with disc ploughs and a 

 traction engine. 



Vineyard. 

 The chief work for the quarter in the \ineyard has been the disbudding 

 of the American vines. Owing to the rapid growth of laterals, this takes 

 up a lot of time and in fact seems almost an endless task. The cuttings 

 too small for grafting were planted out to root, and the strike has been 

 fairly satisfactory for the season. The reconstituted plots of Shiraz, 

 Malbec, Cabernet, and Burgundy are showing a fair crop. The plot of 

 imported varieties is also doing well. Thorough cultivation of these nur- 

 series and plots receives constant attention as it is an important rule at 

 Loth establishments that scarifiers and cultivators are not to have a chance 



