8 Feb., 1908.] Farm Reports. 125 



The other crops on plain land were 5 acres of Cape barley following 

 a crop of wheat, and 5 acres of Algerian oats following a crop of maize. 

 These were partially irrigated and yielded a fair amount of ensilage. 

 The remaining crop of 40 acres, Purple Straw wheat and Algerian oats 

 at the rate of half a bushel to the acre, was sown as nurse to lucerne 

 on virgin land in bare fallow, and was partly irrigated during the latter 

 half of September. The yield was good both in quantity and quality 

 and was mostly used for silage purposes. Altogether 90 tons of silage, 

 and 7 tons of hay were secured. 



As regards the lucerne there is a fine stand on almost the whole 48 

 acres sown and a first cutting will be made during the first week in 

 January. From present appearances, the most successful plot (45 aCTes 

 sown in May and 3 acres in September) is that without any nurse crop ; 

 that sown with wheat next, and lastly that sown with oats which shows 

 marked inferiority. The results as regards quantity of seed and manure 

 sown, drilling or broadcasting will not be sufficiently definite until a few 

 cuttings have been made. Later on it is intended to publish the results, 

 together with diagrams of the plots showing how they are laid out and 

 fitted up for irrigation. The object aimed at is to make the operation 

 of irrigating as far as possible automatic. The fitting up of the irriga- 

 tion ditches is being proceeded with as fast as circumstances admit. The 

 difficulty of obtaining water for irrigating which was very acute in the 

 early part of the season has entirely disappeared; the supply is now 

 adequate and the completion of the main eastern channel will make it 

 assiired. 



Of summer crops 4 acres of mangolds and tick beans sown towards 

 the end of August failed for lack of moisture. The area was resown 

 with white and brown Kaffir corn and is promising. Other summer crops 

 are i acre of mangolds, i acre of Kaffir corn, 6| acres of amber corn, 

 and 8 acres of millet, which, with the exception of the latter also show 

 fair promise. Further areas are about to be sown. 



Stock. — Dairy Cattle — Sold three cows for slaughter, reducing the herd 

 to 42. The average number milked weekly is 23.4; the average yield for 

 same period being 2925 lbs. The natural increase has been 7 bulls (killed), 

 and 6 heifers. 



The stud bull was exhibited at the Tatura Show and was awarded 

 first prize. 



Pigs have been increased by the purchase of 10 slips, and naturally 

 by a litter of 4 from a young sow. 7 baconers will be ready for market 

 in a fortnight. 



Poultry. — The natural increase has been satisfactory and includes a 

 first class strain of Pekin ducks. 



Buildings.— By the middle of January the new milking shed and 

 yards, with the exception of installing milking machine, will be ready for 

 occupation. Foundations for the new dairy and boiler house are finished. 

 A new ICO ton timber silo has been built and the capacity of the existing 

 one increased to the same amount. Plans for the new brick and iron 

 pigsties and brick manure pit have been prepared and the material is on 

 the ground. A contract for new netting fence along Eastern boundary 

 of farm is nearing completion and several subdi\ision fences have been 

 erected. 



Miscellaneous. — Four kilns each containing 30,000 bricks have been 

 burnt and a fifth kiln is almost readv for burning, after which the manu- 

 facture will be discontinued until further necessity arises. Settlers 



