290 Journal of Agriculture. [8 May, 1908. 



exact data, that there is a, distinct relationship between grain-yield and 

 average lengtli of head in wheat and barley respectively. 



Variety Testing in Victoria. 



In Victoria, the testing of varieties has been carried out more or less con- 

 tinuously since 1891, in connection with the Rust in Wheat Experiments. 

 ]n that year, I had plots of 31 varieties of w^ieat growing at the Royal 

 Horticultural Gardens, including 12 of Carter's cross-breds from 

 England, and the kind and degree of rust noted in each case. 

 Then in 1892 at the same place, 135 different varieties were sown, the seed 

 of which was obtained from England, France, India, and Cape of Good 

 Hope, America, and the States of New South Wales, Queensland, South 

 Australia, Tasmania, and various parts of Victoria. The main object was 

 to test as many varieties as possible and select desirable wheats for further 

 trial. The results were all tabulated, giving the general characteristics 

 of each variety and the actual yield, together with the degree and kind of 

 rust. Among them all Golden Drop was conspicuous for its rustiness, in 

 spite of 20 different treatments of the seed, and it became a standard 

 varietv for testing the remedies proposed for preventing rust. 



Then in the next and following seasons. Port Fairv was chosen as an 

 experiment station, on account of its soil and situation being particularly 

 favorable to the development of rust and it was regarded by the late Mr. 

 Farrer as an excellent testing ground for his cross-breds. In the first 

 season there were 333 single seed plots, which were gradually reduced as 

 varieties were discarded. The varieties always included some of Farrer's 

 cioss-breds and there were 9 special kinds sent by' Vilmorin of Paris, all 

 of which snccumbed to the rust. Ten Swedish wheats were also received, 

 and tlie interesting fact determined that the Yellow rust which prevails in 

 Sweden and England does not exist here. The method is described as 

 follows: — "The plan now adopted is to sow a .small quantity of each 

 variety of wheat to be tested, say 50 or 100 grains, in rows 18 inches apart 

 and 6 inches between each plant, thus giving each an area of 2 feet. Then 

 the most promising varieties are selected for next season and sown on a 

 slightly larger scale ; and the third season, after a rigorous selection of the 

 iiest rust-resisting plants, sufficient is sown (say one-fortieth of an acre) to 

 allow of small quantities being distributed in different parts of the State 

 for test purposes and interchanges among the different experiment stat'ons 

 in the other States. [ regard the distribution of small samples among lead- 

 ii:g farmers in the wheat-growing districts, willing to report upon their 

 suitability for particular districts, as an essential part of the scheme. It 

 is the first step towards their adoption (or rejection) bv the farming com- 

 munity, w^ho will soon determine their commercial value as to vield and 

 rust-resistance." 



A number of farmers applied for samples for experimental purposes 

 and sen: in reports. There were also varietv tests of wheat in the Mallee, 

 under Departmental supervision, on one-acre plots extending over three 

 years, and Outpost gave an average yield of 17 bush. 54 lbs. Oats and 

 b;irlev were also tested at Port Fairy, and in the Mallee, and of the latter 

 some varieties were obtained from Woburn Experimental Farm, England, 

 of which Hallett's Pedigree, Californian Chevalier, and Chevalier were re- 

 tained as being prolific in their growth and well-headed. 



This work of variety-testing has also been extensively carried out by 

 Mr. Pve ;Tt Do'okie Agricultural Collej/e. For about 20 vears he has also 



